Obedience, Hay Bales, and the Gathering: A Christmas Miracle

Brothers and Sisters, friends of the Gathering – have you ever felt that tug, that quiet prompting, to simply… persevere? To hold fast to a course even when the winds of circumstance howl against you?

Last night, our little congregation experienced a miniature miracle. We’d planned a Christmas program, a “Christmas Road Trip” no less, to be held outside. The weather, however, had other plans. One day sweltering, the next an arctic blast. It felt like a test. Like Samuel the Lamanite climbing that wall, we were called to stand firm, to trust in the Lord's timing and direction.

As the speaker recounts, “That's what one of the elder ladies in our church told us. She's like God's seeing if we're going to be obedient, you know, and do what we're supposed to do, follow through.” How often do we hear that whisper? How often are we tempted to take the path of least resistance, to yield to the chorus of “it’s too hard,” or “it’s not worth it?”

But these Latter-day Saints, these builders – they didn’t waver. They didn’t compromise. They saw the opportunity not for complaint, but for ingenuity and a deeper reliance on the Lord. Men brought flatbeds piled high with round hay bales to create a windbreak around the tabernacle. Ladies set up a hot cocoa stand, a beacon of warmth and fellowship. The youth, initially hesitant, became part of a memory they’ll cherish forever.

It’s a beautiful picture, isn’t it? A community huddled together, sharing warmth and joy, all because they chose obedience. It's a testament to the power of the gathering – not just of bodies, but of hearts and minds, united in purpose and faith. It reminds us of Ammon at the Waters of Sebus, facing down opposition with courage and unwavering devotion.

This isn't just a heartwarming Christmas story. It's a microcosm of the larger work we are engaged in – the gathering of Israel. It's about building, not tearing down. It’s about finding the cracks in the foundation of a fragmented world and laying stones, one by one, to create a place of refuge and belonging. Think of the Stone cut without hands, Daniel 2 – this is the work of our hands, a testament to a divine architect.

And like those five smooth stones David gathered to face Goliath, we too are equipped with tools: the Missionary Fund, the Charity Flywheel, the map of churches. Every click, every contribution, every shared post – it funds gospel advertising in Ghana, it supports internet missionaries like Outback Jack who are sharing the message to those who haven't heard, it expands the reach of this gathering place. Outback Jack often speaks of Alma 17–19, D&C 4, and Moroni 10:4–5, reminding us of the importance of unwavering faith and tireless effort. His reports from the field are a constant encouragement to continue the work.

The speaker’s final encouragement – “if you're not plugged into a church, I encourage you especially during this Christmas season to get and get plugged into a church” – rings with truth. It’s a call to action, a summons to join this global movement of believers, united in our love for God and our commitment to building His kingdom on Earth.

Let us all strive to be those who, when faced with unexpected challenges, choose obedience, choose community, and choose to be builders, not destroyers.

Claim your church. Find your tribe. Gather Israel. Now.