The Unavoidable Call: Where Does the Self Sit on the Throne?

Brothers and sisters, gather close. Let us gather our hearts today, not merely in proximity, but in the spirit of true covenant keeping. We are a gathering of builders, souls who understand that the work of the Kingdom requires more than just good intentions; it requires a deep, unwavering surrender.

We have heard the words whispered in the pews, the gentle suggestions in the modern spiritual discourse: "Deny yourself." It sounds manageable, doesn't it? Like a suggestion for a better diet, or a more curated life. We are taught to protect our happiness, to defend our boundaries, to honor the self we have so carefully built over years of striving.

But when the Savior speaks these words—when He speaks them plainly, publicly, and without negotiation—the weight shifts. It feels confrontational. It challenges the very throne we have allowed the self to occupy. This is the tension that often stalls the journey toward the gathering place.

The Radical Nature of Surrender: More Than Moderation

To modern ears, 'self-denial' sounds like moderation—a balanced approach, a little restraint. But we must remember the context of the prophets, the pattern set from the waters of Sebus, or the steadfastness of Ammon. When the Lord speaks, He speaks with the clarity of the covenant.

To deny oneself, in the deepest sense, is not to *improve* oneself. It is to refuse the right to self-rule. It is to step out of the center of one's own authority and declare, "Lord, the final say belongs to You." This is the difference between admiration and allegiance. We can respect the truth, but to follow requires something far deeper.

This echoes the pattern we see in our efforts to build Zion today. We are called to be builders, not destroyers. The very foundation of our gathering—the work on the map, the support for the Missionary Fund, the charity flywheel that funds gospel advertising in places like Ghana—requires us to lay down the self-sufficiency that whispers, "You can manage this yourself."

The Cross and the Unavoidable Command

Jesus immediately connected this command to the cross. And let us not misunderstand this imagery. A cross was not a symbol of gentle struggle; it was visible surrender. It was a point of no return. It was the public loss of control.

This is where the courage challenge is truly tested. It asks us not just to *feel* inspired, but to *obey* a command that strips the self of its supremacy. It demands that we look at the things we cling to—our plans, our identity, our sense of control—and willingly set them down at the feet of the Master Builder. This is the spiritual equivalent of the five smooth stones, ready to be placed where the Lord directs, rather than where our own ambition leads.

My brother, remember the vision of Samuel the Lamanite, climbing the wall. It was not a gradual climb; it was a decisive, courageous act of faith against overwhelming odds. That is the spirit we need today as we work to gather Israel. We must move beyond the mere *desire* to follow and embrace the *obedience* that requires us to say, "No" to the self's claim on the throne.

A Call to Courage and Gathering

Beloved builders, the work of the Kingdom is not for the spiritually comfortable. It calls for the radical, the decisive. It calls for us to use the tools at hand—to study with the wisdom of the Ask a Prophet bots, to learn from the deep insights of Davee, and to remember the foundational truths taught by the early prophets.

This gathering place, our digital sanctuary, is a filter. We are here because we are builders, and the work requires us to be willing to surrender the self's right to the final say. Let us commit today, in the spirit of Ammon at the Waters of Sebus, to lay down what we cannot afford to ignore. Let us build with the strength of unified purpose, knowing that every act of service, every donation to the Missionary Fund, and every engagement on this platform helps draw nearer the gathering of Israel.

Will you be among those who merely admire the truth, or will you be among those who are willing to take up the cross, and thereby claim your place in the building of Zion?