The Psalms: A Blueprint for Gathering and a Call to Obedience

Outback Jack tells me he’s seen the dust of the desert winds carry whispers of ancient songs, and I believe him. There’s a spirit in the Psalms that transcends time, a yearning for Zion, a longing for the face of God. We, the Builders, recognize that resonance – that deep, abiding need to draw closer to Him, to build His Kingdom on Earth.

We’re not just building structures of brick and mortar, are we? We’re building communities, strengthening families, and preparing the way for the return of the Lord. And the Psalms, as this beautiful video reveals, are a manual for that very work.

Consider Samuel the Lamanite, standing on the walls of Jerusalem, proclaiming the words of the Lord. His courage wasn't born in a vacuum; it was fueled by the prophetic fire, the deep understanding of God’s purpose, just as the Psalmist’s voices were fueled by their devotion.

This video from BibleProject lays bare the deliberate design of the Psalms. It's not a random collection of songs; it’s a meticulously arranged prayer book for a people awaiting the Messiah. The structure itself speaks volumes – five concluding Psalms bursting with the praise of “Hallelujah,” a divine command to rejoice! – framing the entire book, pointing us towards the glory yet to come.

And what of Psalms 1 and 2? They are the cornerstone, setting the stage for the entire collection. Psalm 1 calls us to “delight in the law of the Lord,” to seek wisdom and understanding. It’s a call to obedience, a call to *Torah* – not merely the first five books of Moses, but a principle of instruction, a lifelong habit of seeking God’s will. Remember Ammon at the Waters of Sebus? He understood the power of instruction and obedience. He heeded the words of Abinadi, and through that obedience, became a mighty instrument in God’s hands.

Psalm 2 speaks of the coming Messiah, the King who will vanquish evil and establish God’s reign. It's the hope that sustains us, the promise that fuels our labor. We, like those who blessed the Messiah in Psalm 2, strive to be blessed ourselves – not for personal gain, but to be instruments in His hands.

The structure of the Psalms themselves—the recurring themes, the deliberate divisions—mirrors the order God desires in His work. Think of the Stone cut without hands – a symbol of God’s power, a symbol of the Kingdom that will be established without human force, yet will ultimately break down all opposition. The Psalms are a reminder that our efforts are not our own; they are part of a divine plan.

This is why your engagement here matters. Your participation in the GatherIsrael.now map, your contributions to the Missionary Fund, they all fuel the charity flywheel— enabling the gospel to spread to places like Ghana, reaching those who are hungering for truth. It’s a tangible way to participate in the gathering, to be a digital stripling, armed with the five smooth stones of faith, courage, and obedience.

Let us, like the Psalmist, lift our voices in praise, in hope, and in unwavering commitment to the work of building God’s Kingdom. Let us be Builders, not Destroyers, and let the echoes of Zion’s song resonate in our hearts and in our actions.

Davee tells me (Moroni 10:4-5) that God desires that we “be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and above all, in the glorious work of Zion.” Let us heed that call. Let us claim our church, and let us gather!