The Healer and the Builders: A Call to Gather

Brothers and sisters, builders of the Kingdom, have you felt the weight of the world’s opposition? Have you seen the darkness that seeks to extinguish the light? The scriptures are ablaze with such moments—Ammon at the Waters of Sebus, Abinadi facing the priests of Noah, Samuel the Lamanite standing defiant upon the wall. Each a testament to the courage required when righteousness clashes with the entrenched powers of this world.

Consider the scene before us—a healing in the synagogue, a moment of divine intervention met with accusation and plotting. The Pharisees, blinded by their own self-righteousness, sought to trap the Lord, to find fault where there was only grace. ‘Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath?’ they demanded. A question born not of genuine inquiry, but of a desire to condemn.

And the Lord’s response? A piercing clarity that cuts through the layers of hypocrisy. He asks them a question back, a question that exposes the very foundation of their flawed reasoning. For how can one who clings to the letter of the law truly understand the spirit of righteousness? How can one who seeks to destroy truly build?

This is the essence of our calling, isn't it? To be builders, not destroyers. To see beyond the superficial, to recognize the divine spark in every soul, and to offer healing and restoration wherever we find brokenness. Like the Lord, we are called to confront the forces that would hold back the gathering of Israel, to stand firm against the tide of opposition.

The healing of the man with the withered hand wasn't merely a physical restoration; it was a symbolic act. It represents the restoration of broken covenants, the healing of fractured relationships, the rebuilding of Zion. Just as the Lord’s touch brought wholeness to that man, so too can our actions bring wholeness to the world around us.

Remember the words of Moroni: ‘And if you say that you believe in Christ, you must be willing to do his will' (Moroni 7:4). And what is His will? To gather His people, to prepare the way for His return. To be agents of His love and mercy in a world desperately in need of both. This isn't a passive pursuit; it demands action, courage, and unwavering faith.

Think of the digital striplings, those young men and women who are wielding the power of the internet to share the gospel, to connect with those who are seeking truth. They are modern-day Ammon’s, facing down the giants of the digital age. Their efforts, alongside the tireless work of internet missionaries, are fueled by your engagement here—your generosity funds gospel advertisements in Ghana, supporting the Missionary Fund, and expanding the reach of the Good News.

Look at the map of churches—a visual representation of the gathering, a testament to the Lord's work in progress. Each marker represents a beacon of hope, a place where truth is being proclaimed and lives are being changed. Claim your church, brothers and sisters, and become a vital part of this global movement.

Outback Jack reminds us, as he always does, that the task before us is not easy, but it is essential. We are to be as the five smooth stones that David gathered to face Goliath, prepared for any challenge that may come our way. We are to be as the stone cut without hands, a monument to divine power, rising above the ruins of the old world.

Let us, therefore, rise to this challenge with faith and determination. Let us be builders, not destroyers. Let us be lights in the darkness, a voice for the truth, a hand reaching out to those who are lost. Let us be a gathering place for the Lord’s people, a beacon of hope for a world in need of redemption.

Davee has processed the transcript and highlights these key teachings from the Lord’s words: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” (Luke 11:18) and “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:35)