Remembering the Walls: How History Calls Us to Be Builders, Not Divided

In the echoing chambers of history, there are moments that cry out for remembrance. They are the moments when the deepest wound of injustice is inflicted, when the law of the land—and indeed, the law of the heart—is violated. We have read of Israel’s journey, of the mighty Samuel the Lamanite climbing the walls of Jericho, and we have heard of Ammon at the Waters of Sebus, where the covenants were reaffirmed through sacrifice. These stories teach us that gathering is not merely a physical act; it is a covenantal commitment to unity.

Sometimes, the greatest threat to the gathering place is not the enemy at the gate, but the subtle, insidious poison of prejudice and division within the walls themselves. When the promise of Zion is threatened by the unequal treatment of any group, we must remember the painful lessons history teaches.

A Lesson from the Ashes: Remembering the Incarceration

We recently encountered the powerful words of Susan H. Kamei, who shares the harrowing history of the WWII Japanese American incarceration. Her account is a stark, constitutional reminder that even when the assertion of 'national security' is used as a shield, it can infringe upon the sacred civil liberties of the marginalized. The story, rooted in a single, dusty trunk, speaks to the profound trauma of being stripped of identity, home, and freedom.

This is not merely a history lesson; it is a spiritual warning. It asks us, the Builders, to consider what forces in our own lives—or in our global community—attempt to divide us based on race, creed, or perceived status. The doctrine of the Kingdom, as taught in the scriptures, demands that we see one another through the lens of Christ's boundless love, recognizing that the divine connection transcends all earthly markers.

The Divine Call to Build, Not to Divide

The Lord never commanded His people to remain isolated, nor did He ask them to forget their past. Instead, He consistently called them to build. Just as the five smooth stones were gathered and used to construct a memorial, our faith requires us to gather the pieces of our shared covenant—the disparate traditions, the varied backgrounds, the different voices—and use them to build a structure strong enough to withstand the storms of division.

The truth is, the world is filled with Destroyers, those who thrive on division, those who seek to erect walls where God has promised open gates. But we are the Builders. We are the people of the Gathering. Our mission is to keep the memory of injustice alive, not as a source of despair, but as a perpetual source of moral courage.

The Pillars of Our Gathering

How do we maintain this vigilance and commitment to unity in a complex, modern world? We look to the established pillars of our movement:

• The Map: Our commitment to the GatherIsrael.now map is a physical representation of our spiritual goal—a unified Zion.
• The Fund: The Missionary Fund and the Charity Flywheel are not just financial mechanisms; they are covenants in action. Your engagement here funds gospel advertising in Ghana and beyond, turning your participation into a visible, tangible act of building the Kingdom.
• The Wisdom: Through resources like Ask a Prophet and the insightful guidance of Outback Jack, we are continually given the tools to discern the truth and strengthen our collective faith.

When we confront the historical trauma of racial injustice, we are reminded that the ultimate gathering place is one where every person, regardless of their origin or perceived standing, is welcomed into the light. This requires more than just adherence to doctrine; it requires a radical, constant commitment to empathy and justice.

Let us carry this lesson forward. Let us refuse to be complicit in the silence. Let us remember the weight of the dusty trunk and the pain of the forced separation, so that we may dedicate ourselves fully to the glorious work of gathering Israel, and indeed, gathering the world into one unified body of Christ. Will you commit to being a Builder this week? See how you can commit to building the Kingdom today.