I spent much of my morning study time the other day on the topic of fasting. Great topic—the discussion of which, however, will have to be saved for another day.
While going through different scriptural passages, I came across Nehemiah 1. As he is residing within the Persian empire, Nehemiah receives a report of the state of Jerusalem and of those Jews who escaped the Babylonian siege. He mourns for the children of Israel, and calls upon God to be attentive to the prayers of those “who desire to fear [his] name.” (v. 11)
The tone of the chapter resonated deeply with feelings I’ve had for the last several weeks. There have been several things happening in my life and in the world that have caused me to mourn much like Nehemiah—not the least of which were the recent changes to the LDS temple ordinances. I hold many strong opinions about the temple endowment. I have reason to believe that Joseph Smith gave the early members what they desired to receive—something that had the potential to help them understand the doctrine of Christ and the fulness of the gospel, but also something that would lead them to destruction if they did not seek the Spirit for that understanding. Any truths contained in the endowment when I last attended the temple were difficult enough to discover as the endowment was, and if what I have heard about recent changes is true, those truths are even more difficult to discover now.
Truly, Jerusalem lies in ruin.
As if the splintering of groups at the time of Joseph Smith’s death wasn’t enough, the largest of those splinter groups is breaking up like never before. To be honest, it was bound to happen to all of the groups because so much was rejected.
So many differing opinions. So many points of disagreement.
And yet, there is an undercurrent with so much potential—both in and out of groups that have a shred of Joseph’s legacy. It is faint, but I can see it—the strength of the Lord’s house being gathered.