A New Heart: Gathering in the Shadow of Destruction

We are a people of hope, a people of gathering. Samuel the Lamanite, atop the walls, sounding the alarm – his courage a beacon in a darkening world. Ammon at the waters of Sebus, facing down a king with a message of truth – a boldness born of unwavering faith. These are the echoes we hear, the spirit we seek to emulate. For we know, deep within our souls, that the Stone, cut without hands, is rolling forth, shaping the earth and gathering the remnant.

Lately, I’ve been struck by the parallels between the trials of Jeremiah’s time and our own. The podcast from Certain Women, “A New Heart Will I Give You,” illuminated this with a clarity that resonated deep within my spirit. Listen to the full episode and you’ll hear Becky and Tess unpack the depths of Jeremiah’s prophecies - a time of destruction, captivity, and profound mourning. Yet, woven through the lamentations are the most beautiful promises: restoration, everlasting love, and a new covenant.

Think on it, brothers and sisters. Jeremiah purchased land while Jerusalem was under siege! An act of audacious faith, a declaration that God’s promise would be fulfilled – that His people would return and rebuild. It wasn’t a naive optimism, but a knowing, a faith rooted in the bedrock of divine covenant.

And what of Ebed-melech? He stood for truth when others remained silent, risking his own safety to rescue Jeremiah from a pit. It’s a reminder that courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the willingness to act despite it. It’s the five smooth stones in our pockets, ready to face the giants that loom before us.

We are called to be builders, not destroyers. To see beyond the rubble and recognize the potential for beauty and restoration. To understand that even in the darkest valleys, God is not finished with His people. He is, as He always has been, preparing a place for us – a gathering place.

This isn’t just about personal faith, though that is paramount. It’s about collective action. It's about recognizing that our engagement here, within the GatherIsrael.now community, directly fuels the gospel advertising efforts in places like Ghana, bringing the message of hope to those who are yearning for it. It's about supporting the Missionary Fund, sending forth internet missionaries to share the good news. It's about utilizing the map of churches to identify and connect with those seeking a covenant community.

Outback Jack reminds us, as he often does, that Alma 17-19 teaches us the importance of righteous judgment – discerning between the builders and the destroyers. And Moroni 10:4-5 assures us that by surrendering our will and desires to God, we will be filled with His love and power. This is the heart of the gathering – a surrender of self, a dedication to His work.

Davee and the Ask a Prophet bots (direct-quote-only, always with source citations) offer a powerful tool for seeking understanding and direction. Let us use them to deepen our knowledge and strengthen our resolve.

The Lord’s call is clear: “Behold, I will turn their mourning into joy, and I will comfort them, and I will establish them in this land.” Let us rise to meet that call, with courage, with faith, and with a determination to build His kingdom upon the earth.