Receive From Christ and Become His Disciple

"And I will be your ruler when I come; and behold , I come quickly, and ye shall see that my law is kept. He that receiveth my law and doeth it, the same is not my disciple, and shall be cast out from among you." Doctrine & Covenants 41:4-5

Christ is our ruler now and always, he has given us laws to live by. He has also given us personal inspiration and direction for our life's. We are asked to not only receive instruction and direction from Him, but to live it. Those that choose to do all things required are disciples of Christ.

Ye Shall Not Cast Him Out

"Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him out of your synagogues, or your places of worship, for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them." 3 Nephi 18:32

Sometimes one comes among us whose heart is not right. Christ tells us to not cast out this person, but to gently minister unto him. We do not know at what point he will change, but there is always the possibility that he will repent and turn unto Christ. Christ heals all that turn to him. And thus we can be a means of support and direction in bringing the message of salvation unto one who is lost.

The Miracle of Unity

"The miracle of unity is being granted to us as we pray and work for it in the Lord’s way. Our hearts will be knit together in unity. God has promised that blessing to His faithful Saints whatever their differences in background and whatever conflict rages around them. He was praying for us as well as His disciples when He asked His Father that we might be one."
President Henry B. Eyring, Our Hearts Knit as One, Ensign, November 2008

"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" St. John 17:21

We are asked to be united, to pray for unity. As we pray for unity, our hearts will be knit together. Jesus gave us the ultimate example of unity when He prayed for the unity of his apostles. The Father and the Son are one in purpose and intent as couples and families should be one in purpose and intent.

Prepare Every Needful Thing

"Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." 2 Nephi 32:3

"If ye are prepared ye shall not fear." D & C 38:30

"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house , even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of learning, a house of faith, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God." D & C 88:109

"But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from here." St. Luke 10:42

The words of Christ will tell us all things that we should do. And they say, "if ye are prepared ye shall not fear". We are also instructed to organize ourselves and prepare every needful thing. What is every needful thing? As explained in the story about Mary & Martha, "one thing is neeful, and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away." The thing which is needful is that which is good and can not be taken away. I believe that the needful things are: learning, understanding, ministering to the needs of His children and doing for him what he cannot do for himself. Sharing the Gospel and Temple Work are among the things which are needful.

Go Up To Zion With an Open Heart

"And after that day, I, the Lord, will not hold any guilty that shall go with an open heart up to the land of Zion; for I, the Lord, require the hearts of the children of men." D & C 64:22

The Lord wants us to go up to Zion. If we go up to Zion with an open heart we will be held blameless. Zion is in a place that requires that we elevate ourselves from where we now stand. We must enter and remain there with an open heart. What is an "open heart"? Is that like an open mind, willing to learn and consider an opinion or truth other than our own? Zion would be the place where truths are taught. If we have an open heart, we can fill it with truth and light. After all the Lord requires our heart in its entirety.