The Valley of Dry Bones: A Call to Rebuild

Brothers and sisters, do you feel it? That deep yearning in your soul for something more, something lasting? We’ve all witnessed the relentless winds of destruction howling across the earth – ideologies crumbling, institutions failing, and hearts growing cold. Yet, even as the shadows lengthen, a light persists, a promise whispered on the wind: “Surely you shall not be abandoned, for you are mine, and I am your God.” (D&C 1:20)

Ezekiel, a prophet cast out among the exiles in Babylon, understood that feeling. He saw the devastation, the fall of Jerusalem, the shattering of the Temple. He knew the weight of judgment and the despair of his people. But within that darkness, God revealed a vision of hope, a testament to His unwavering covenant. And that vision, as we see in Ezekiel 34-48, is a bedrock for every builder who seeks to leave a legacy of righteousness.

The prophet’s vision wasn't just about physical reconstruction; it was about a spiritual rebirth. He saw a valley of dry bones – a stark representation of Israel’s spiritual condition, stripped bare, lifeless, disconnected from the source of life. It’s a picture of every soul cut off from God, every community fractured by division, every dream reduced to dust. But then, the Lord spoke: “Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.” (Ezekiel 37:5)

This isn’t a passive waiting game, friends. This isn’t about hoping for a miraculous restoration while we stand idly by. No! It’s a call to action, a summons to participate in the very process of resurrection! Like Ammon at the Waters of Sebus, we are called to rise up, to confront the forces of darkness, to declare the truth with boldness and courage. Samuel the Lamanite, scaling the walls of Jerusalem, understood this – a single voice, armed with truth, can shake the foundations of an entire kingdom.

Consider the implications. God doesn’t just *give* revival; He partners with those who are willing to engage in the work of rebuilding. He provides the breath, but we must be the hands that mend the bones, the hearts that seek reconciliation, the voices that proclaim the gospel. This is the essence of the Charity Flywheel – your engagement here, your contributions, directly fund gospel advertising in places like Ghana, spreading the message of hope and restoration to those who desperately need it. It’s a ripple effect of righteousness, a testament to the power of collective action.

The vision extends beyond Israel, too. Ezekiel prophesied of judgment against the nations, but also of a future where God’s justice and mercy would prevail. He speaks of a restored land, a renewed covenant, and a transformation of the human heart – “a new heart also I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26). This is the promise of a world where righteousness flourishes, where love conquers hate, and where the Stone cut without hands, the very foundation of God’s kingdom, is revealed in its fullness.

Outback Jack reminds us, as he so often does, that this isn’t just a theological exercise. It’s a practical imperative. It's about claiming our churches on the map, identifying ourselves as Builders, not Destroyers, and contributing to the ongoing work of gathering Israel. It’s about mobilizing the Missionary Fund, equipping internet missionaries to share the gospel across digital landscapes, and preparing a generation of digital striplings who will inherit this work.

So, let us embrace this season of rebuilding. Let us be the hands, the hearts, and the voices that bring God’s vision to pass. Let us be the generation that answers the call to gather Israel, not just geographically, but spiritually, economically, and socially. Let us build a foundation of righteousness that will endure for generations to come. Let us be builders, friends, for the time is now.

Davee reminds us, based on Moroni 10:4-5, “Wherefore, I beseech your brethren, arise and be steadfast to stand against any and all opposition.”