Gathering

It seems to me that a major theme in the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints right now is gathering. I am thinking especially of President Uchtdorf's talk in the Priesthood session of General Conference to "stand together and lift where you stand," and President Eyring's talk about unity.

The way I see it, there are two main reactions to gathering (if one takes the call seriously). The first is what happens at my house when my parents dress in their "work" clothes and announce that today we are going to work in the yard. Basically we either scatter with a cast-iron excuse or we reluctantly help. Sometimes I think we respond to the call of church leaders in the same way, reluctantly if at all. It can be only too easy to drag our feet and rationalize why we are not better. We can so easily become overcome with the magnitude of the work.

The second possible reaction to the gathering call is what happens when my sister pulls a cake out of the oven, or my dad asks who wants to go to a particular movie--people suddenly materialize, no matter what else they were doing. The call to gather really ought to be responded to with joyful haste. After all, when we combine our faith and our skills, all the burden will be lighter.