Let's Discuss: "Truth and the Plan" by Dallin H. Oaks

"Truth and the Plan"

By President Dallin H. Oaks
First Counselor in the First Presidency
Saturday Morning Session, 6 October 2018

Hymn recommendations:
4  Truth Eternal
271  Oh, Holy Words of Truth and Love
272  Oh Say, What Is Truth?
300  Families Can Be Together Forever

Favorite quotes:

"...the ultimate treasures on earth and in heaven are our children and our posterity."

and

"Satan’s most strenuous opposition is directed at whatever is most important to God’s plan."

One-sentence synopsis:
Our doctrine, in particular regarding families, is based on revealed truth with no motivation other than eternal joy, so we preach and live accordingly.

Talk and discussion questions:
(large text emphasis mine, other emphasis original)
Well, I liked this talk fine.  I might not have chosen it as a discussion talk, but I felt its importance and timeliness.  It is what we are discussing tomorrow in Relief Society, so I'm having a go.

While he is talking about truth and the plan, you may have noticed, as did I, that President Oaks brings up gender several times throughout this talk.  I've made a list at the end of the different points he makes about gender.

Modern revelation defines truth as a “knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:24). That is a perfect definition for the plan of salvation and “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”

How is this scripture a perfect definition for the plan of salvation and The Family Proclamation?  Be speci You may notice that the proclamation talks about who we were in the premortal realm, the importance of our families and the greatest chance for happiness while we are here, and the potential we have in the eternities, to return to the presence of God and to live together in families.  Pretty amazing, really, that it is all encapsulated in this proclamation. 

We live in a time of greatly expanded and disseminated information. But not all of this information is true. We need to be cautious as we seek truth and choose sources for that search. We should not consider secular prominence or authority as qualified sources of truth. We should be cautious about relying on information or advice offered by entertainment stars, prominent athletes, or anonymous internet sources. Expertise in one field should not be taken as expertise on truth in other subjects.

This seems to be perfect common sense.  And yet... are we not prone to read and subsequently follow advice from questionable sources?  Facebook feeds and tweets?  Anonymous comments and trolls?  Are our sources trustworthy?  Any other comments?

We should also be cautious about the motivation of the one who provides information. That is why the scriptures warn us against priestcraft (see 2 Nephi 26:29). If the source is anonymous or unknown, the information may also be suspect.

Interesting that he brings up priestcraft here.  From the definition in the scripture: "men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion."  How can we screen information in the information age?  This might even be a warning to us not to set ourselves up for gain and praise...  How can we be sure we are seeking the welfare of Zion in, say, our social media use?

Our personal decisions should be based on information from sources that are qualified on the subject and free from selfish motivations.

That sounds so easy when he puts it like that.  What personal decisions do you think he is talking about here?  How do you make your personal decisions?  God, of course, is the perfect Source we can rely on.  We learned from April's conference that good information makes good revelation, too.  All right - thus far has been introduction.  Let's see where President Oaks takes us next:

I.When we seek the truth about religion, we should use spiritual methods appropriate for that search: prayer, the witness of the Holy Ghost, and study of the scriptures and the words of modern prophets. I am always sad when I hear of one who reports a loss of religious faith because of secular teachings. Those who once had spiritual vision can suffer from self-inflicted spiritual blindness. As President Henry B. Eyring said, “Their problem does not lie in what they think they see; it lies in what they cannot yet see.”1

I was really struck by the power of the idea of "self-inflicted spiritual blindness."  HOW can we avoid that trap?  I don't think he's saying that secular teachings are necessarily bad, but that they should be taken for what they are.

The methods of science lead us to what we call scientific truth. But “scientific truth” is not the whole of life. Those who do not learn “by study and also by faith” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:118) limit their understanding of truth to what they can verify by scientific means. That puts artificial limits on their pursuit of truth.

Which do you favor:  Learning by STUDY or by FAITH?  How can we improve the other?  How can they work together?

President James E. Faust said: “Those who have been [baptized] put their eternal soul at risk by carelessly pursuing only the secular source of learning. We believe that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the fulness of the gospel of Christ, which gospel is the essence of truth and eternal enlightenment.”2

We find true and enduring joy by coming to know and acting upon the truth about who we are, the meaning of mortal life, and where we are going when we die. Those truths cannot be learned by scientific or secular methods.

Every time I hear of joy recently, I think of the fruit of the tree of life ("most joyous to the soul").  This paragraph was no exception.  And it fits perfectly.  This fruit is not "learned" by scientific or secular methods, but by exercising faith, by planting and nourishing the word of God, and sometimes even waiting with patience (see Alma 32).

This first section seems to be summed up in the idea that spiritual truth cannot be found (at least in entirety) in secular or scientific teachings.  The next section is a list of truths President Oaks invites us to consider carefully.

II.I will now speak of restored gospel truths that are fundamental to the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Please consider these truths carefully. They explain much about our doctrine and practices, perhaps including some things not yet understood.

There is a God, who is the loving Father of the spirits of all who have ever lived or will live.

Gender is eternal. Before we were born on this earth, we all lived as male or female spirits in the presence of God.

See gender references below, #1.

We have just heard the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square sing “I Will Follow God’s Plan.”3 That is the plan God established so that all of His spirit children could progress eternally. That plan is vital to each of us.

Under that plan, God created this earth as a place where His beloved spirit children could be born into mortality to receive a physical body and to have the opportunity for eternal progress by making righteous choices.

To be meaningful, mortal choices had to be made between contesting forces of good and evil. There had to be opposition and, therefore, an adversary, who was cast out because of rebellion and was allowed to tempt God’s children to act contrary to God’s plan.
The purpose of God’s plan was to give His children the opportunity to choose eternal life. This could be accomplished only by experience in mortality and, after death, by postmortal growth in the spirit world.

I like the wording of having the opportunity to CHOOSE eternal life.  It reminds me of 2 Nephi 2:27.  Choosing eternal life is choosing Jesus Christ.  How is Jesus Christ a choice?

President Oaks also teaches us that there is postmortal growth in the spirit world.  What is this referring to?  (You may remember in Doctrine & Covenants 138, we learn that the righteous dead preach the gospel to the dead in spirit prison.)  What a wonderful truth that we know that our kindred dead have more opportunities for growth in the spirit world.

In the course of mortal life, we would all be soiled by sin as we yielded to the evil temptations of the adversary, and we would eventually die. We accepted those challenges in reliance upon the plan’s assurance that God our Father would provide a Savior, His Only Begotten Son, who would rescue us by a universal resurrection to an embodied life after death. The Savior would also provide an atonement to pay the price for all to be cleansed from sin on the conditions He prescribed. Those conditions included faith in Christ, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and other ordinances performed by priesthood authority.

God’s great plan of happiness provides a perfect balance between eternal justice and the mercy we can obtain through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It also enables us to be transformed into new creatures in Christ.

A loving God reaches out to each of us. ...

I love this imagery.  I think again of the vision of the tree of life - justice and mercy of God guarding the way.  He wants to receive us (thus the reaching out), but there must be a mutual receiving of Him (starting with His Spirit) on our end.

...We know that through His love and because of the Atonement of His Only Begotten Son, “all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of [His] Gospel” (Articles of Faith 1:3; emphasis added).

President Oaks is reiterating that ALL are invited to partake of the Atonement of Christ.  This is important for what is coming up shortly.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is properly known as a family-centered Church. ...

 I have seen posts and comments that say we hate "love," but this is so false - we are SO pro-family.

...But what is not well understood is that our family-centeredness is focused on more than mortal relationships. Eternal relationships are also fundamental to our theology. “The family is ordained of God.”4 Under the great plan of our loving Creator, the mission of His restored Church is to help the children of God achieve the supernal blessing of exaltation in the celestial kingdom, which can be attained only through an eternal marriage between a man and a woman (see Doctrine and Covenants 131:1–3). We affirm the Lord’s teachings that “gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose” and that “marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan.”5

See Gender references #2 below.

Also, here he is reminding us that to attain the highest glory of the celestial kingdom, we encourage marriage between a man and a woman - as part of God's Plan.

Finally, God’s love is so great that, except for the few who deliberately become sons of perdition, He has provided a destiny of glory for all of His children. “All of His children” includes all who are dead. We perform ordinances for them by proxy in our temples. The purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ is to qualify His children for the highest degree of glory, which is exaltation or eternal life. For those who do not desire or qualify for that, God has provided other, though lesser, kingdoms of glory.

While not strictly a gender reference, I'm counting this.  See Gender references #3 below.

I LOVE this.  President Oaks is trying to remind us that although we teach marriage between a man and a woman WE DON'T teach that all others are going to hell.  If you do not desire or qualify for it - THAT'S OK - if you know what I mean.  I am pretty sure we are the only Christian church who teaches that those who do not obey God's law STILL RECEIVE an inheritance of glory!

Anyone who understands these eternal truths can understand why we members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints think as we do and do as we do.

III.I will now mention some applications of these eternal truths, which can be understood only in light of God’s plan.

6 Truth Applications follow.  These could make a good list on the board, with discussion as well. 

First, we honor individual agency. Most are aware of the restored Church’s great efforts to promote religious freedom in the United States and across the world. These efforts do not promote just our own interests but, according to His plan, seek to help all of God’s children enjoy freedom to choose.

Second, we are a missionary people. We are sometimes asked why we send missionaries to so many nations, even among Christian populations. We receive the same question about why we give many millions of dollars of humanitarian aid to persons who are not members of our Church and why we do not link this aid to our missionary efforts. We do this because we esteem all mortals as children of God—our brothers and sisters—and we want to share our spiritual and temporal abundance with everyone.

I like this - proselyting is spiritual humanitarian work.  We preach because we love.  Just like we give humanitarian aid to any who need it - not just members.

Third, mortal life is sacred to us. Our commitment to God’s plan requires us to oppose abortion and euthanasia.

Very timely with NY's recent bill allowing full-term abortion.

Fourth, some are troubled by some of our Church’s positions on marriage and children. Our knowledge of God’s revealed plan of salvation requires us to oppose current social and legal pressures to retreat from traditional marriage and to make changes that confuse or alter gender or homogenize the differences between men and women. We know that the relationships, identities, and functions of men and women are essential to accomplish God’s great plan.

See Gender reference #4 below.

Fifth, we also have a distinctive perspective on children. We look on the bearing and nurturing of children as part of God’s plan and a joyful and sacred duty of those given the power to participate in it. In our view, the ultimate treasures on earth and in heaven are our children and our posterity. Therefore, we must teach and contend for principles and practices that provide the best conditions for the development and happiness of children—all children.

President Oaks and Elder Rasband BOTH mentioned - in the same session of conference even - the idea of continuing to have children.  I thought this was a great double-witness of inviting children to mortality.

Finally, we are beloved children of a Heavenly Father, who has taught us that maleness and femaleness, marriage between a man and a woman, and the bearing and nurturing of children are all essential to His great plan of happiness. Our positions on these fundamentals frequently provoke opposition to the Church. We consider that inevitable. Opposition is part of the plan, and Satan’s most strenuous opposition is directed at whatever is most important to God’s plan. He seeks to destroy God’s work. His prime methods are to discredit the Savior and His divine authority, to erase the effects of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, to discourage repentance, to counterfeit revelation, and to contradict individual accountability. He also seeks to confuse gender, to distort marriage, and to discourage childbearing—especially by parents who will raise children in truth.

See Gender references #5 below.

Are there other instances where we can see the strenuous opposition of Satan?  What does that mean for importance to God?  I was thinking about how through much of history, women have been considered inferior to men.  Could that be due to the strenuous opposition of Satan?

IV.The work of the Lord is going forward despite the organized and constant opposition that confronts us as we strive to practice the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For those who falter under that opposition, I offer these suggestions.

Now we have one more list - a list of suggestions for those who are feeling the strain - or the allure? -of the opposition.   1:

Remember the principle of repentance made possible by the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As Elder Neal A. Maxwell urged, don’t be among those “who would rather try to change the Church than to change themselves.”6
As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland urged:
“Hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes. …
“… In this Church, what we know will always trump what we do not know.”7

I love this, too.  President Oaks is acknowledging that additional revelation may come, and "change" things (policies, verbiage, etc.).  But until that comes, we stick with what we have been given.  2:

Exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, which is the first principle of the gospel.

3:

Finally, seek help. Our Church leaders love you and seek spiritual guidance to help you. We provide many resources such as you will find through LDS.org and other supports for gospel study in the home. We also have ministering brothers and sisters called to give loving assistance.

Our loving Heavenly Father wants His children to have the joy that is the purpose of our creation. That joyful destiny is eternal life, which we can obtain by pressing forward along what our prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, often calls “the covenant path.” Here is what he said in his first message as President of the Church: “Keep on the covenant path. Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants will open the door to every spiritual blessing and privilege available to men, women, and children everywhere.”8

Ahh - more tree of life vision imagery.  Joy - the fruit of the tree.  Pressing forward along the covenant path - holding the iron rod to follow the path.  Also, I noticed many, MANY references to the "covenant path" during this session of conference.  President Oaks makes it clear why that is - it is because President Nelson often refers to the covenant path.  Everyone is picking it up from him.  It is resonating with church leadership, and being passed along to us.

I solemnly testify that the things I have said are true, and they are made possible by the teachings and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, who makes it all possible under the great plan of God, our Eternal Father. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Gender references: 
In a classroom setting, I might ask a question of each of these, such as - what truth is President Oaks teaching here.  Or, what false or secular belief is President Oaks correcting?

1. Gender is eternal. Before we were born on this earth, we all lived as male or female spirits in the presence of God.
2. The mission of His restored Church is to help the children of God achieve the supernal blessing of exaltation in the celestial kingdom, which can be attained only through an eternal marriage between a man and a woman...  We affirm the Lord’s teachings that “gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose” and that “marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan.”
3. The purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ is to qualify His children for the highest degree of glory, which is exaltation or eternal life. For those who do not desire or qualify for that, God has provided other, though lesser, kingdoms of glory.
4. Our knowledge of God’s revealed plan of salvation requires us to oppose current social and legal pressures to retreat from traditional marriage and to make changes that confuse or alter gender or homogenize the differences between men and women. We know that the relationships, identities, and functions of men and women are essential to accomplish God’s great plan.
5. we are beloved children of a Heavenly Father, who has taught us that maleness and femaleness, marriage between a man and a woman, and the bearing and nurturing of children are all essential to His great plan of happiness. Our positions on these fundamentals frequently provoke opposition to the Church. We consider that inevitable. Opposition is part of the plan, and Satan’s most strenuous opposition is directed at whatever is most important to God’s plan. ... He also seeks to confuse gender, to distort marriage, and to discourage childbearing—especially by parents who will raise children in truth.

Let's Discuss: "Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints" by Russell M. Nelson

"Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints"

By President Russell M. Nelson
7 October 2018, Sunday afternoon session

Hymn recommendations:
19  We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet
24  God Bless Our Prophet Dear
81  Press Forward, Saints
287  Rise, Ye Saints, and Temples Enter

Favorite quote:

"I promise you that the Lord will bring the miracles He knows you need as you make sacrifices to serve and worship in His temples."

One-sentence synopsis:
Study and apply conference; go to the temple.

Talk and Discussion questions:
(Emphasis in the text, font-size changes mine.)

As I studied this talk, the different types of statements he made struck out to me, so I decided to color-code them.  In a discussion setting, I might make some lists on the board.  Some of the types were comments/summaries on conference (burgandy), or a doctrinal affirmation (green).  There were several exhortations and pleadings (red).  There were also several promises (purple) and these usually followed the pleadings.  Also testimony (orange) and blessings (magenta).  There was also almost an interlude to announce new temples and temple maintenances (blue).  I think the promises are the most exciting.  There were just so many!  These are things I want for me and my family!  I thought the colors would be easier to distinguish if I bolded the text.

This has been an inspirational and historic conference. We look to the future with enthusiasm. We have been motivated to do better and to be better. The marvelous messages delivered from this pulpit by our General Authorities and General Officers and the music have been sublime! I urge you to study these messages, commencing this week.1 They express the mind and the will of the Lord for His people, today.

Please share your favorite parts of conference.  In a classroom, we might share how it has been inspirational and historic, or maybe answers to questions we may have received - the mind and will of the Lord.

The new home-centered, Church-supported integrated curriculum has the potential to unleash the power of families, as each family follows through conscientiously and carefully to transform their home into a sanctuary of faith. I promise that as you diligently work to remodel your home into a center of gospel learning, over time your Sabbath days will truly be a delight. Your children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior’s teachings, and the influence of the adversary in your life and in your home will decrease. Changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining.

I LOVE that he talks about the "potential to unleash the power of families!"  What is the power of families???  Share your thoughts in the comments below.  I have pondered on the idea of family unity - especially between husband and wife.  Is that our power?  I've also pondered the idea of gospel teaching in the home - even though throughout the day we may separate for work or school - family teaching time can powerfully for fortifying ourselves and especially our children to live "in" the world, without being "of" it.  That is powerful, too.  I would love to hear more thoughts on this - I feel like I'm only scratching the surface.  There is power in a parent praying fervently for their children.  There is power where two or more are gathering in Christ's name.  Can this power be the power to unitedly invite the Savior into our homes?

During this conference we have strengthened our resolve to execute the essential effort to honor the Lord Jesus Christ every time we refer to His Church. I promise you that our rigorous attention to use the correct name of the Savior’s Church and its members will lead to increased faith and access to greater spiritual power for members of His Church.

Speaking of power... There is a power in simply saying the name of Jesus Christ.  That is why the ancients were careful not to repeat His name too frequently.  That is why it is important not to say His name in vain.  What insights do you have about President Nelson's attention to referring to the correct name of the Church?  This isn't the first time this has been brought up.  I remember President Hinckley counseling us to do the same.  When Mitt Romney ran for President, the Church made a statement about the correct name, asking the media to honor it, etc.  But then, it seemed like there were several campaigns/website/etc. which used the nickname Mormon (for example, I'm a Mormon, Meet the Mormons, Mormons and Gays, etc.).  Still, the power of His name, and being conscientious of our words, will undoubtedly bless us.

Now let’s turn to the topic of temples. We know that our time in the temple is crucial to our salvation and exaltation and to that of our families.

After we receive our own temple ordinances and make sacred covenants with God, each one of us needs the ongoing spiritual strengthening and tutoring that is possible only in the house of the Lord. And our ancestors need us to serve as proxy for them.

I love this.  "Each one of us needs the ongoing spiritual strengthening and tutoring that is possible only in the house of the Lord."  When I was preparing for my own endowment, one of the things my bishop said to me was that "The Lord wants a mighty people," and that one of the ways He makes us mighty is through our temple service.  It's kind of like praying or reading scriptures - if it does not seem to be working for you, keep at it!

Consider the great mercy and fairness of God, who, before the foundation of the world, provided a way to give temple blessings to those who died without a knowledge of the gospel. These sacred temple rites are ancient. To me that antiquity is thrilling and another evidence of their authenticity.2

The first sentence of the above paragraph was especially interesting to me.  It is the only imperative (command) that he used in this talk without prefacing with "I urge you to" or "I plead with you to," or some other exhorting speech.  Probably he wouldn't even consider it prophetic counsel - it is almost in passing.  Still, since he picks his wording with the precision of a surgeon, I found it interesting.

I also found President Nelson's comments on the temple's antiquity timely with an announcement made (on 2 Jan 2019) that changes periodically take place.  Here is an excerpt:  "Over these many centuries, details associated with temple work have been adjusted periodically, including language, methods of construction, communication, and record-keeping. Prophets have taught that there will be no end to such adjustments as directed by the Lord to His servants."  How do we reconcile changes with antiquity?  Footnote 4 in this talk actually provides part of an answer: "President Woodruff said: 'We have not got through [with] revelation. We have not got through [with] the work of God. … There will be no end to this work until it is perfected'"

My dear brothers and sisters, the assaults of the adversary are increasing exponentially, in intensity and in variety.3 Our need to be in the temple on a regular basis has never been greater. I plead with you to take a prayerful look at how you spend your time. Invest time in your future and in that of your family. If you have reasonable access to a temple, I urge you to find a way to make an appointment regularly with the Lord—to be in His holy house—then keep that appointment with exactness and joy. I promise you that the Lord will bring the miracles He knows you need as you make sacrifices to serve and worship in His temples.

Assaults increasing exponentially!  We need to be increasing in righteousness in balance, or we will drift downwards!  Going to the temple helps us with this.

"The miracles He knows you need" - what a huge promise!

Currently we have 159 dedicated temples. The proper care and maintenance of those temples is very important to us. With the passage of time, temples are inevitably in need of refreshing and renewal. To that end, plans are now being made to renovate and update the Salt Lake Temple and other pioneer-generation temples. Details on these projects will be shared as they are developed.

This was interesting to me, because it seems like the Salt Lake temple was renovated somewhat recently.  It makes me curious.

Today we are pleased to announce plans to construct 12 more temples. Those temples will be built in the following locations: Mendoza, Argentina; Salvador, Brazil; Yuba City, California; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Praia, Cape Verde; Yigo, Guam; Puebla, Mexico; Auckland, New Zealand; Lagos, Nigeria; Davao, Philippines; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Washington County, Utah.

Building and maintaining temples may not change your life, but spending your time in the temple surely will. ...

The previous paragraph doesn't have the "I promise" preface.  It was one sentence I couldn't decide if it was promise or testimony.  Since President Nelson is the prophet, I went with promise.  ;)

To those who have long been absent from the temple, I encourage you to prepare and return as soon as possible. Then I invite you to worship in the temple and pray to feel deeply the Savior’s infinite love for you, that each of you may gain your own testimony that He directs this sacred and ageless work.4

I like that for current temple-going saints, he "pleads" and "urges," and with those who have been absent, he "encourages" and "invites."  It implies to me a continuum of duty.  It is our duty to go if we can go, and if we can't go, there is a way, and we are encouraged to work towards it.  This falls right into line with the doctrine that where much is given, much is required, and "he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation."  Doctrine & Covenants 82:3

Brothers and sisters, I thank you for your faith and sustaining efforts. I leave my love and blessing upon you, that you may feast upon the word of the Lord and apply His teachings in your personal lives. I assure you that revelation continues in the Church and will continue until “the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”5

I bless you with increased faith in Him and in His holy work, with faith and patience to endure your personal challenges in life. I bless you to become exemplary Latter-day Saints. I so bless you and bear my testimony that God lives! Jesus is the Christ! This is His Church. We are His people, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Do you believe President Nelson is a prophet of God?  With all the promises he gave us here, we can test his fruits and gain a testimony.  How will you go forward to claim the blessings he promised?  How can we help those we minister to to claim these blessings?

My word for the year 2019: UNION

For the past few years, I have had a "word of the year" to focus on. Union has been so impressed on my mind, that I chose it for 2019.

The week before Christmas, I started seeing the word "union" - not just see it - but it was impressed on my mind. One example was a city I came across while working on family history. Another was in a book I was reading to my children. It was one of those moments when it's like the word was highlighted with a blinking banner. Like it jumped out at me to get my attention.

A day or two later, a video on youtube popped up about people seeing unicorns everywhere right now (merchandise, movies, clothes, etc.) I know in the Bible a unicorn sometimes represents herding/gathering (uniting). The video then went into the unicorn being a symbol of the anti-Christ - trying to UNITE (there's union again) the world in one order, and other meanings, like the idea of the horn representing the pineal gland - spiritual eye/knowledge and/or connection to higher powers (connection or union with God).

The very next day, I happened to listen to a video about how the early Christian church was UNITED. United in worship, united in suffering. Suffering, the preacher (non-LDS) said, was part of their life as Christians of the time. He was talking of the need for unity in the church today if we are going to survive. So there was the theme again.

I got reflecting about how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is moving into an increase of unity through the new curriculum this coming year - we will be studying the same scriptures, the same days in some instances, the same lessons. This has an increased potential for our unity as saints.

Same day, I was also looking up a passage from a book I love called "Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ" written in the 17th century by Jeanne Guyon. I was reading a section that talk about the purging of our hearts (the part I was looking for)... to the end of Divine Union! (the part right after the part I was looking for) There it was again!

There are so many nuances to UNION - I have a lot to meditate on.

I even started thinking about union within myself. Do I believe one thing, but live another thing? Are my works in alignment with my faith? My flesh with my spirit?

Then when I went to the temple this week, family unity stood out to me.

I will be pondering more on these examples of union - my united self (faith/good works), Divine Union with God, union with my husband and family (past through temple work and present), and even union with my church family and world family.