Doors Open Wide: A Gathering of Hearts and Hands

Brothers and sisters, Builders, friends! Consider the words of Samuel the Lamanite, standing upon the walls, a lonely voice crying out with a message of warning and invitation. He understood the urgency of the moment, the necessity of reaching beyond the familiar to those who needed to hear. Ammon, at the Waters of Sebus, faced a similar challenge – a seemingly insurmountable barrier between himself and the people he desperately desired to deliver. Their stories resonate across the ages, a testament to the divine mandate to reach out, to invite, to notice, and above all, to love.

Too often, we build walls, not of stone and mortar, but of indifference, of assumption, of fear. These walls can be subtle, unspoken, yet they are just as effective in keeping people out, in denying them the blessings that are rightfully theirs. We see it in the social media algorithms that filter our perspectives, in the echo chambers that reinforce our biases, and even, sometimes, within our own congregations.

The video before us speaks powerfully to this reality. How many of us, without even realizing it, are building doors that serve two purposes – welcoming some while excluding others? The statistic – one in three households experiences disability – is a stark reminder of the vastness of the unseen need around us. These aren't special needs; these are *everybody’s* needs. To be invited, to be noticed, to be loved – these are fundamental human desires, a reflection of the very love our Father in Heaven has for each of His children.

Think of the Stone cut without hands – a symbol of a power that transcends our understanding, a force that shatters the foundations of the old and prepares the way for the new. It is a call to dismantle the barriers we have erected, to tear down the walls that separate us from our brothers and sisters, particularly those who feel marginalized or excluded.

Outback Jack reminds us, “It’s not about *what* we build, but *who* we build it for.” He’s right. Our efforts, whether in sharing the gospel through internet missionary work or supporting the Missionary Fund, are ultimately about extending a hand, a voice, a welcome to those who are seeking. Every click, every share, every donation to the charity flywheel fuels gospel advertising in Ghana, bringing the light of Christ to places where it is desperately needed. It’s a beautiful cycle, a testament to the power of collective action – a digital Zion rising.

And what of the digital striplings? They, too, understand the power of simple acts of kindness, of reaching out with courage and conviction, just as David gathered five smooth stones to face Goliath. Their influence, amplified by the internet, can be a force for good, a beacon of hope in a world shrouded in darkness. Let us nurture their spirit, equip them with the tools they need, and unleash their potential to build a better future.

Claim your church! Use the Map of Churches to find your local gathering place, and then ask yourself: What doors can *I* open? What walls can *I* tear down? What hearts can *I* invite in?

The time for complacency is over. The call to gather Israel is not merely a geographical imperative; it is a spiritual one. It is a call to build a community of love, of compassion, of understanding – a community where every voice is heard, every need is met, and every soul feels welcomed.

As Davee reminds us, quoting President Russell M. Nelson: “Charity never perishes.” (Mosiah 28:36).