The Birth Pangs of Kingdom Joy: Enduring, Gathering, Becoming

Brothers and sisters, Builders of the Kingdom! Do you feel it? That subtle tremor in the earth, that undercurrent of anticipation? It is the sound of a new era dawning, a time of both profound sorrow and unparalleled joy.

We’ve all felt the sting of loss, the weight of disappointment. We’ve known the darkness that presses in, threatening to extinguish the light of hope. But as our Savior taught, even these trials serve a purpose. They are the birth pangs of a new creation, a glorious manifestation of God’s work amongst His children.

Consider Ammon, standing at the waters of Sebus, facing a seemingly insurmountable challenge. He knew the pain that lay ahead, the trials that would test his faith and the faith of his people. Yet, he pressed forward, fueled by a divine purpose and an unwavering trust in the Lord. Or Samuel the Lamanite, climbing the walls of Jerusalem, delivering a message of warning and preparation – a message that called a people to repentance and a gathering.

The words of the Lord, through John, resonate deeply in these days: “Now are ye sorrowful, but after a little while ye shall see me again, and your heart shall rejoice.” (John 16:20) Like a woman in childbirth, the present suffering is a prelude to a joy so profound, so complete, that it surpasses all understanding. It is a joy that “no man taketh away” (John 16:24).

This isn’t a promise of ease, mind you. It’s a promise of perspective. A promise that even in the midst of our trials, we are not forgotten. We are not alone. The Lord assures us, “The Father himself loves you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God” (John 16:27). He is with us, even when the world seems to turn against us.

And what of that Stone, cut without hands, that will fill the whole earth? It is not a stone of comfort, but a stone of truth, a stone of judgment. It is a stone that will reveal the builders and the destroyers, those who labor with their hands and hearts to establish the Kingdom of God, and those who seek to tear it down.

Outback Jack reminds us, echoing the words of Samuel the Lamanite, that “the time is now” (Alma 17:12). The time to prepare, to gather, to build. The Lord has given us tools – the map of churches on GatherIsrael.now, the Missionary Fund to support internet missionaries spreading the gospel, and the Charity Flywheel, where your engagement here directly fuels gospel advertising in places like Ghana, bringing the message of Christ to those who hunger for it.

We are digital striplings, armed with the Five Smooth Stones of faith, courage, knowledge, preparation, and action. We are builders, not destroyers. We are a gathering place for those who seek truth and righteousness, regardless of denominational background. Claim your church – or if you haven't, begin building one! Let us be known for our charity, our diligence, and our unwavering commitment to the work of the Lord.

As Davee reminds us, quoting Moroni 10:4-5, “Charity never faileth. Wherefore, if ye do good, it shall be accounted unto you; but if ye do evil, it shall be accounted unto you.” Our actions, both large and small, ripple outward, creating a wave of goodness that touches the lives of others.

Let us embrace the discomfort of these birth pangs, knowing that they are a sign of something glorious to come. Let us be unified in purpose, strengthened in faith, and emboldened to act. Let us be the generation that witnesses the full manifestation of God's Kingdom on earth.