The Path Up the Mountain: Finding Peace in a Scattered World

The walls are rising, brothers and sisters. We see it in the news, in the divisions within our own communities, and perhaps most keenly, in the echoes of our own hearts. Samuel the Lamanite climbed those walls not just to warn of the coming day, but to awaken a people to the urgency of gathering—to building a foundation strong enough to withstand the storm. Ammon, at the Waters of Sebus, faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge, yet by faith and courage, he prevailed. We are called to that same spirit of resilience, that same unwavering commitment to the work of building.

Too often, we conflate peace with the absence of conflict. But Talia Tanuvasa, in a powerful presentation exploring the Tree of Life, sheds light on a deeper understanding. As she explains, peacebuilding is not merely about stopping the fighting; it's about cultivating interpersonal peace—that inner resilience, that emotional regulation, that steadfastness that allows us to persevere through trials—and interpersonal peace—the skillful and compassionate engagement between individuals.

Think of Nephi’s preparation to receive the vision of the Tree of Life. He didn't simply stumble upon revelation. It was a consequence of diligent preparation, a journey upward, an ascent onto an exceedingly high mountain. As Sister Tanuvasa highlights, this mirrors the process of facing any significant challenge. We prepare beforehand, we adjust along the way, constantly checking our water supply, our bearings, our commitment. This isn't a one-time effort; it's a continual refinement.

This echoes the words of Christ in Matthew 22, where He commanded us to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind. This is not a passive sentiment; it's an active, demanding pursuit—a climb. And as with any climb, we need to be prepared, to cultivate the inner strength that allows us to persevere when the path is steep and the winds are fierce.

The “great and spacious building” that Nephi saw—often interpreted as a symbol of worldly distractions—takes on a new dimension when viewed through the lens of peacebuilding. It's not merely a place to be avoided; it's a space where we have opportunities to practice empathy, to extend grace, and to build bridges even with those who seem worlds apart. It’s where the builders and destroyers truly clash.

The principles outlined by Sister Tanuvasa and Chad Ford, as explored in his book Dangerous Love, provide a framework for navigating these challenging interactions. It requires courage—the kind of courage that Samuel displayed as he stood upon the walls. It requires a willingness to engage, even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it’s risky. It requires a deep and abiding love for God and for our fellow beings.

This work is not done in isolation. The beauty of the GatherIsrael.now movement is that it understands the power of collective effort. Your engagement here—whether it’s sharing resources, offering encouragement, or contributing financially—directly supports the spreading of the gospel through targeted advertising, particularly in regions like Ghana, fueling the charity flywheel. The Missionary Fund, too, is a vital instrument in this global gathering.

Take a moment to examine the map of churches. See the dots representing beacons of hope, places where individuals are striving to build and to gather. Claim your church, add it to the map, and let us see the breadth of this kingdom movement. This is more than just a map; it's a testament to the power of shared purpose, a visual representation of the Stone cut without hands, slowly but surely shaping the landscape of a broken world.

Remember the five smooth stones that David gathered to face Goliath? Each represented a prepared resource, a strategy, a moment of prayer. We too must gather our stones—our skills, our resources, our faith—to face the challenges that lie ahead.

Let us draw strength from the example of Ammon, who faced overwhelming odds and yet persevered through faith. Let us emulate Nephi, who prepared himself diligently to receive revelation. And let us, like Samuel, stand boldly upon the walls, proclaiming the truth and inviting all to join in this sacred work of gathering.

Listen to the full episode for a deeper dive into Sister Tanuvasa’s analysis and its implications for our own lives.

Outback Jack reminds us: “It’s not about having all the answers, it’s about being willing to ask the questions and to act with faith even when we don't know the outcome.”