SEPTEMBER 22-28: “The Order of the Son of God”
Come Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants 106-108
"I will give him grace and assurance wherewith he may stand." D&C 106:8
What does this phrase mean to you? 'Assurance' is confidence or certainty, a promise.
The year was shortly prior to 1873. Phoebe Knapp had a new melody stuck in her head. Visiting her friend, Franny Crosby, she played the tune for her and asked, 'What does that say to you?' Franny quickly replied, 'Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine”. The pair continued to create a hymn that has been beloved since.
As I hear this song I feel my assurance grow in knowing that Jesus is near, he's got my back, and I can do things as He would have me to.
Blessed Assurance - Alan Jackson
As people of faith we understand 'Grace' as an offer of forgiveness, patient understanding, embraced in love. We seek to receive grace from the divine. We emulate that in offering grace to our brothers and sisters. There is not one of us living beyond this need for grace received, and grace given.
Grace - Rag’n’Bone Man
Scriptures teach of a council held in heaven before the world began. All of God's children were included and were given to choose the path of agency and growth, or another path. Christ agreed to be a Savior to overcome the sins that would come through our agency and in combating the evil of Satan's opposing forces, and as we learn the consequences and responsibility to others that come with our own choices.
Then we came here, where the war over agency painfully continues. Heaven's opposition has succeeded in dividing and shattering unity, separated in ideology and culture. Scattered pieces have divided us for millennia.
Perhaps its because our technology can now bridge through boundaries, but today many lines of division look to be dwindling. Like never before we have the ability not just to travel the world rather quickly, but from our own living rooms be immersed into music and shows from other cultures, as others can receive from ours. I am feeling caught up in the trend to overcome our divisions. Not that we get rid of differences to become identical, but that we enjoy the beauty of other cultures and beliefs, recognize the harmony in our differences, the commonality of where we have come from, and to whom we belong.
Unity and Diversity - Shaila Kerr
God's order of ruling is in unity, recognizing that a thought different from the majority has value, and is worth consideration by all, until all can find agreement. That looks a bit different than our democratic way of voting. It sounds like it would take a lot of time and patience from us all, possibly more than we can give as a mortal. Sounds a lot like grace.
Unity Hymn - Mike Donehey
The thing that Jesus taught that was so threatening to all the world's rulers was simply this, 'Love your enemies as your friends.'
'Love one another. As I have loved you.' John 13:34-35