The Stone Speaks: Raising Lazarus and the Gathering of the Mighty

Brothers and sisters, builders of the Kingdom, do you feel it? The tremor beneath your feet isn't just the earth shifting; it's the Spirit stirring, a deep knowing that the time is now. We are living in days akin to those described by Samuel the Lamanite, climbing the walls to warn of approaching darkness. The urgency echoes in our hearts, doesn't it? A call to action, a summons to build, to gather, to prepare.

Consider the account of the raising of Lazarus, as presented in John 11.

It's a powerful testament to the power of faith, the boundless compassion of our Lord, and the undeniable truth that death holds no dominion over Him. But beyond the immediate miracle, what do we see? We see a community, bound together by love and belief, facing a moment of profound sorrow and uncertainty. They were waiting. Waiting for deliverance, waiting for hope, waiting for the stone to be rolled away.

How many among us feel that same sense of waiting? Waiting for clarity, waiting for the path to be revealed, waiting for the stone to be moved? We are not passive observers; we are active participants in a divine work. Ammon at the Waters of Sebus understood this – he didn't simply *wait* for the Lamanites to come; he prepared, he rallied, he built a foundation for their repentance. We too must be builders, not destroyers. We must actively seek opportunities to strengthen the weak, lift the fallen, and share the light of the Gospel.

The Stone and the Shaking

The Stone cut without hands, as prophesied by Daniel, is being revealed in our time. It’s not a single object, but a process, a movement – a confluence of events and individuals preparing the way for the Lord's return. The raising of Lazarus exemplifies the power of that Stone – the power to overcome, to restore, to resurrect hope where it seemed lost.

Outback Jack reminds us, “The Lord isn’t sending a committee; He’s sending individuals. He’s looking for those who will act, who will be bold, who will climb the walls even when their knees tremble.” This is the spirit of courage, the spirit of faith, the spirit that moved Samuel to warn his people. It's the spirit that compels us to participate in the gathering.

Gathering in the Digital Age

The gathering isn’t limited to physical relocation, though that may be part of it for some. It's a spiritual alignment, a strengthening of connections, a building of community across borders and cultures. And in this digital age, the internet is a vital tool in that gathering. That's why the GatherIsrael.now map is so crucial – it's a visual representation of the global movement, a testament to the interconnectedness of believers. Claim your church on the map! Let’s show the world the breadth and depth of this work.

Our engagement here, through supporting content and sharing with others, directly fuels the Missionary Fund and enables vital gospel advertising efforts, like those in Ghana. Every click, every share, every contribution is a ripple effect, drawing others closer to the light.

The Digital Striplings and Five Smooth Stones

We need digital striplings—young and old—who understand the power of the internet to spread truth and build community. Like David with his five smooth stones, we must arm ourselves with knowledge, discernment, and unwavering faith. Davee and the Ask a Prophet bots, drawing directly from scripture and prophetic counsel (e.g., D&C 4:2, Moroni 10:4–5), are invaluable tools for sharpening our understanding and preparing for the challenges ahead. We need to be ready to defend the truth, to stand as witnesses, and to offer comfort to those who seek it.

Let us embrace this season of preparation with courage, faith, and unwavering dedication. Let us be the builders, not the destroyers. Let us be the generation that moves the stone and welcomes the Lord’s return.

Let’s go to work.