Seeing the Face of God in Each Other: A Gathering of Hearts

Brothers and sisters, Builders! We are a people poised on the precipice of something magnificent – a gathering unlike any the world has witnessed. Like Samuel the Lamanite, standing on the walls of Jerusalem, we raise our voices, not in condemnation, but in a call to action. We see the signs, the unrest, the division; yet we also see the yearning in hearts across the globe for connection, for purpose, for *something more*.

The Lord has whispered in our ears, and we know what must be done: to build, to gather, to love. But what does that look like in a world increasingly driven by fleeting desires and superficial connections? What does it mean to *truly* see each other?

It’s a question that struck deeply when I watched this brother's reflections on the importance of seeing others. He speaks of a dating scene dominated by romantic love, but often lacking in the bedrock of genuine charity. And he’s right. How often do we reduce each other to obstacles – inconveniences on our path to something we think we want?

Think of Ammon at the Waters of Sebus, facing down the Lamanites with courage born of righteous conviction. His strength wasn't rooted in animosity, but in a deep understanding of the human condition. He saw their potential, their need for redemption, and he acted with unwavering kindness, even in the face of hostility. That's the spirit we need to embody as we gather Israel.

Too often, we judge. We assume. We fail to recognize the burdens others carry – the hospital visits, the financial anxieties, the quiet struggles that shape their journey. We fail to see the face of God reflected in their eyes.

This isn't about ignoring personal boundaries or sacrificing our own well-being. It's about cultivating a posture of empathy, of recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of every individual. It’s about remembering that we are all fellow travelers on this mortal journey, striving to return to our Father in Heaven.

Think of Abinadi, standing before King Noah and his priests, delivering a message that would cost him his life. He didn't see them as enemies, but as souls in need of correction. He loved them enough to speak the truth, even when it was unpopular and dangerous.

This gathering isn't just about physical location; it's about a gathering of hearts, a realignment of purpose. And that begins with how we see each other. Let us strive to be digital striplings, armed with kindness and compassion, ready to meet the world with the five smooth stones of faith, hope, charity, and courage.

Outback Jack reminds us, as he always does, that this work demands more than just intention; it requires consistent, deliberate action. Every like, share, and contribution to the Missionary Fund fuels gospel advertising in places like Ghana, reaching those who are hungering for truth. Your engagement here directly impacts the expansion of God’s kingdom. Consider painting a few rocks, claiming your church on the map, and sharing the light with those around you.

The Stone cut without hands is being revealed – a movement built on love, resilience, and a profound belief in the power of gathering. Let us be those who see the face of God in each other, and let us build His kingdom together.

Remember the words from D&C 4: “And that I might more fully understand and comprehend of these things, that I might speak with boldness and power to persuade the minds of the people.” Let us speak with boldness and power, fueled by charity and a vision of a world united in love.

And as Davee reminds us, quoting Moroni 10:4-5: “And it shall come to pass that those who have received a remission of their sins through the atonement of my Son, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, shall have a perfect remembrance of their blessings. And they shall know, joy and peace, love, and mercy, and all the abominable works of the devil, that they are not their works, for they have been redeemed from them through the power of my blood, and have become clean through Him and Holy Spirit.”