Being One

In the Book of Mormon there was a period of where the people were one. In describing this period Mormon says, "There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God." (4 Nephi 1:17) Henry B. Eyring has testified that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can allow hearts to be made one. (That We May be Made One)  As a church we have been asked to be unified with the Lord saying that if we were not one we were not his. (D&C 38:27) In our personal lives we should desire unity in our families. David O. McKay testified, "I can imagine few, if any, things more objectionable in the home than the absence of unity and harmony. On the other hand, I know that a home in which unity, mutual helpfulness, and love abide is just a bit of heaven on earth. I surmise that nearly all of you can testify to the sweetness of life in a home in which these virtues predominate." (Conference Report, Oct. 1967, 7) The Gospel of Jesus Christ can bless us with greater unity in our associations with others. As we do we will experience greater strength and peace in our families.

Henry B. Eyring gave several suggestions to us in developing greater unity in our lives:

1) Invite the Savior into our lives. In talking about the people of Alma in The Book of Mormon President Eyring shared,

"Everything Alma and his people were inspired to do was pointed at helping people choose to have their hearts changed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. That is the only way God can grant the blessing of being of one heart.

In Mosiah we read:

“And they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was added to his church. …

“And he commanded them that they should teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets.

“Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people.

“And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.

“And thus he commanded them to preach. And thus they became the children of God.” 

That is why Alma commanded the people to teach faith and repentance. That is why my children came to expect in every lesson in family night that I would find a way to encourage someone to testify of the Savior and His mission. Sometimes the parents did it. On our best nights we found a way to encourage the children to do it, either by presenting the lesson or answering questions. When testimony about the Savior was borne, the Holy Ghost verified it. On those nights we felt our hearts being knit together."

2) Invite revelation into our lives. President Eyring testified  that "Revelation is the only way we can know how to follow the will of the Lord together." The Lord gives us revelation as we are worthy and receive his commandments. As we do the Spirit will guide is in what to do and what to say in being more unified.

3) Be humble. President Eyring testified that pride is the enemy of unity. The first sign of the downfall of the Nephite civilization was that they began to be more prideful. (4 Nephi 1:24) Ezra Taft Benson taught about pride, "The central feature of pride is enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means “hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.”" (Beware of Pride)  If we are in a state of enmity towards our fellow men it is unlikely that we would be able to be unified with them.

4) Speak well of one another. A common saying is that if you can't say something nice you shouldn't say anything at all. The Lord has commanded us to "cease to find fault one with another". (D&C 88:124) This means that we should look for the best in others around us. We should seek to love others as Christ loves them. As we do we will become more unified.

I know that the Gospel blesses lives. As we choose to look for the good in others, be humble, invite revelation into our lives, and keep the Savior in our lives we will be blessed with unity in our homes, and in our relationships with others.

P.S. Here is President Eyrings talk where he gave these suggestions "Our Hearts Knit as One"