This morning my thoughts stayed a little more focused. I had tagged 3 Nephi 21:4 to John 8:34, and I had to pull myself in a bit to understand what Jesus was really saying.
Sin is what holds all of us in bondage. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.”
You see it everywhere. There are really good people who would love to be free from addictive substances or behaviors, say nothing about political bondage. They hate what it is doing to them and feel powerless to change. Freedom isn’t simply the privilege of living in a free country. That’s part of it, but we also have the freedom to destroy ourselves. That’s something to chew on.
From time-to-time Heavenly Father has revealed the entire Plan, and prophets have witnessed it in writing—especially in the Book of Mormon. As I read the footnotes to verse 10 this morning, I caught just a glimpse of the magnificence of that Plan.
The Gathering of Israel is huge!
Yes, we send our young men and women into the world to gather Israel, but the larger part of that gathering happens on the other side of the veil. I know this isn’t new information to me, but this morning the magnitude of it seemed highlighted. Perhaps it’s because I’m now serving in the temple. I certainly saw up close and personal the “huge” part on my first night of training. The work is organized, constant, and busy.
Then I thought about the number of temples in the world. The numbers themselves are staggering—more than 200 temples already operating and many more announced or under construction. The Gathering of Israel truly is a big deal.
Think about it. In 3 Nephi 21:23–25, the Lord speaks of building the New Jerusalem. Those who are gathered will also participate in gathering others as they serve on both sides of the veil.
The “power” mentioned in verse 25 is the power we receive as we make covenants, first as baptized members and then in the temple—not just once for ourselves, but as we serve our kindred dead. It is a beautiful thing. And Jesus Himself says He will be “in the midst” of it all. Those who have experienced it know that power is real.
There are so many evidences of this gathering and of the events that will lead to the New Jerusalem spoken of in this chapter. President Nelson has repeatedly urged us to increase our ability to receive revelation and to let God prevail. After reviewing his talks as prophet, it is clear we have been warned again and again to do the work that will protect ourselves and our families—to gather Israel on both sides of the veil—and to do it now.
I’m grateful for the chance to sit with this chapter a little longer this morning. Freedom is central to the Plan. Accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior and our Rock brings that freedom. And that freedom moves us forward to share the blessings of the Plan with our brothers and sisters who have not yet had the opportunity.
It truly is a beautiful Plan. The gathering of Israel isn’t just about setting people free and bringing them into the Church—it’s about helping them come into the covenant.
No comments:
Post a Comment