The Gathering 101

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Flight Attendants…

On landing, the stewardess said, 'Please be sure to take all of your belongings. If you're going to leave anything, please make sure it's something we'd like to have.

After a particularly rough landing during thunderstorms in Memphis, a flight attendant on a Northwest flight a announced, 'Please take care when opening the overhead compartments because, after a landing like that, sure as shootin’, everything’s shifted.'

'Welcome aboard Southwest Flight 245. To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and pull tight. It works just like every other seat belt; and, if you don't know how to operate one, you probably shouldn't be out in public unsupervised.'

'In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your face. If you have a small child travelling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are travelling with more than one small child, pick your favorite.'

'Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but we'll try to have them fixed before we arrive…

'Your seat cushions can be used for flotation; and, in the event of an emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments.'

The Gathering

Wherefore, he will bring them again out of captivity, and they shall be gathered together to the lands of their inheritance

he shall set his hand again the second time to recover his people (Jacob 6:2)

in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ Eph (1:10)

how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Matt 23:37

and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth (Moses 7:62)

December 1830D&C 37

Behold, I say unto you that it is not expedient in me that ye should translate any more until ye shall go to the Ohio, and this because of the enemy and for your sakes.

And again, a commandment I give unto the church, that it is expedient in me that they should assemble together at the Ohio

Question:As Latter Day Saints, what does it mean to be “gathered” and why is it “expedient”?

Question:How did they (and us) know they are ‘safely gathered in’?

The Gathering 101

1- We must first 1- We must first know we are know we are scattered!scattered!

The Gathering 101

2- When we gather, He 2- When we gather, He will first “show unto [us will first “show unto [us our] weakness” our] weakness” and our and our weaknesses.weaknesses.

The Gathering 101

3- He then endows us with power

Prophet Joseph SmithThe main object [of gathering] was to build unto

the Lord a house whereby He could reveal unto His people the ordinances of His house and the glories of His kingdom, and teach the people the way of salvation; for there are certain ordinances and principles that, when they are taught and practiced, must be done in a place or house built for that purpose.

“It was the design of the councils of heaven before the world was, that the principles and laws of the priesthood should be predicated upon the gathering of the people in every age of the world. . . .

“It is for the same purpose that God gathers together His people in the last days, to build unto the Lord a house to prepare them for the ordinances and endowments...” (History of the Church, 5:423–24.)

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4- He then changes our hearts

Mosiah 5:2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.

Question

In most cases, how are we an Active Latter Day Saint before we are a Converted Latter Day Saint?

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Finally,5- When we are “qualified” for the

work, He sends us out to find and feed other ‘lost’ sheep

Israel, Israel, God is CallingIsrael, Israel, God is calling,Calling thee from lands of woe.Babylon the great is falling;God shall all her tow'rs o'er throw.

Israel, Israel, God is speaking.Hear your great Deliv'rer's voice!Now a glorious morn is breakingFor the people of his choice.

Israel, angels are descendingFrom celestial worlds on high,And to man their pow'r extending,That the Saints may homeward fly.

Israel! Israel! Canst thou lingerStill in error's gloomy ways?Mark how judgement's pointing fingerJustifies no vain delays.

Come to Zion, come to Zion!Zion's walls shall ring with praise.Come to Zion, come to Zion!Zion's walls shall ring with praise.