The Weight of Offense: A Season of Gathering

Brothers and sisters, the call to gather is a call to lightness. A lightness of heart, a lightness of spirit, a freedom from the burdens that weigh us down. We’ve seen it across the ages – Samuel the Lamanite, defying the authorities to deliver his message; Ammon, standing defiant at the Waters of Sebus, facing a multitude with courage born of righteousness. These are the moments that shape nations, that carve paths through wilderness. But what happens when a shadow falls upon that courage? What happens when the very thing we strive to build is undermined by a weight we scarcely recognize?

John and Lisa Bevere, in their recent conversation, shed light on a deceptive snare – the spirit of offense. It's a subtle poison, often operating beneath the surface, clouding our vision and hindering our ability to press forward. Many Latter-day Saints, and builders of every stripe, find themselves unwittingly bound by it, rehearsing past hurts, clinging to perceived injustices. It’s a heavy stone, and it impedes the roll of the stone cut without hands.

Consider the words of Jesus: “Many will be offended, and will betray one another, and will hate one another” (Matthew 24:10). He clarifies that this is a season, not a fixed date. This isn't a prophecy of doom, but a warning – a call to arms. It's a recognition that the battlefield isn't always physical; it's often within the chambers of our own hearts. Are we, as a gathering people, prepared to face this challenge?

The Greek word for “many” in that verse signifies a majority. Think of the digital striplings, poised at the edge of the internet, fighting against the tide of negativity and division. They understand that the war for hearts and minds is fierce, and that the weapon of offense is a particularly insidious one. It’s not always a dramatic confrontation; sometimes it’s the quiet resentment, the lingering bitterness, the unspoken judgment that builds a wall between us and God’s work.

Outback Jack, ever watchful, reminds us of Alma 17-19, where the people of Zarahemla were so consumed by their past grievances that they were unable to see the truth. They needed a spiritual cleansing, a realignment with God's will. That cleansing begins with recognizing the offense, understanding its root, and choosing forgiveness. It's not condoning the wrong, but releasing the power it holds over us. It’s about letting go of the five smooth stones that represent the burdens we carry, so we can move forward with purpose.

How do we practically apply this to the work of gathering? It demands humility. It requires us to examine our own hearts, to ask ourselves: “Am I holding onto something that’s hindering my ability to build?” It necessitates a willingness to forgive, even when forgiveness feels impossible. And it reinforces the vital importance of the Map of Churches. Each claim, each contribution, fuels the Missionary Fund and the Charity Flywheel – expanding the reach of the gospel and drawing more souls to the light. Your engagement here, whether through contributing, sharing, or simply praying, directly supports gospel advertising efforts, like those in Ghana, bringing the message of hope to those who desperately need it.

Let us be a people defined not by our hurts, but by our healing. Let us be builders, not destroyers. Let us claim our church, our place in the Kingdom, and move forward with the lightness of purpose required to gather Israel.