One Heart, One Mind

            The visiting teaching message for September is one that could be used by all Americans. It is about having unity. The foundation for this message comes from the Pearl of Great Price, Moses 7:18, which says: 

And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.

            In this scripture the Lord discusses two different thoughts. He first explains that unity is feeling and thinking as one. This does not mean that we become “one” physically. It means that we become one in purpose.

            Here is an example of being one in heart and mind that many people will understand. I had to see weeds in my lawn and gardens. I regularly poison dandelions, and I pull weeds whenever I see them. My neighbors on three sides obviously do not feel the same way about weeds as I do because their yards are full of weeds. Seeds from their yards regularly take root in my yard. If we were all of “one heart and one mind,” we would all have fewer weeds in our yards with a lot less work.

            The Lord also discusses the blessings that come from unity. He says that the people “dwelt in righteousness” and “there was no poor among them.” The United States has been fighting the “war on poverty” since the days of Lyndon B. Johnson and has more people on government assistance now than in Johnson’s day. Why?

            Is the poverty in the United States caused by unrighteousness? Are there people in the nation who are purposefully keeping others from prospering? Could the unrighteousness be in the very people who are being “helped”? Maybe and maybe not! We will just say that unity brings the blessings of heaven.

            Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles says that unity begins with the Atonement of Jesus Christ: “At the heart of the English word atonement is the word one. If all mankind understood this, there would never be anyone with whom we would not be concerned, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, or social or economic standing. We would strive to emulate the Savior and would never be unkind, indifferent, disrespectful, or insensitive to others.”

            Elder Ballard says that the world would be a completely different place if every person in the United States was striving to become like Jesus Christ. In trying to be like the Savior, we would be kinder, more compassionate, and more caring of others. Is this what we saw in Texas as the Texans forgot about race, economics, age, and gender and simply worked to save lives?

            President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, says that it is the Holy Ghost that brings unity: “Where people have [the] Spirit with them, [they] may expect harmony. … The Spirit of God never generates contention (see 3 Nephi 11:29). … It leads to personal peace and a feeling of union with others.”

            President Eyring says that there is unity in groups that seek for the companionship of the Spirit. He says that the Spirit brings harmony and peace. Can you even imagine the work that could take place in the U.S. Congress if the Holy Ghost were present to bring unity and peace to all members? There would be no bickering, faultfinding, or posturing under the influence of the Spirit. Members of Congress would be unified in doing the work of the people!

            The Holy Ghost can also help with challenges in families. Instead of fighting each other, family members would work together for the good of the family if they have the influence of the Holy Ghost. Carole M. Stephens, who served as First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, says:

 I’ve never had to live through divorce, the pain and insecurity that comes from abandonment, or the responsibility associated with being a single mother. I haven’t experienced the death of a child, infertility, or same-gender attraction. I haven’t had to endure abuse, chronic illness, or addiction. These have not been my stretching opportunities.

… But through my personal tests and trials … I have become well acquainted with the One who does understand. … And in addition, I have experienced all of the mortal tests that I just mentioned through the lens of a daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

Our opportunity as covenant-keeping daughters of God is not just to learn from our own challenges; it is to unite in empathy and compassion as we support other members of the family of God in their struggles.

            According to Elder Ballard and President Eyring, we can have peace, harmony, and unity in any group by having the Holy Ghost present. President Eyring even says that we can “expect” this unity when the Spirit is present. Sister Stephens says that our “personal tests and trials” help us draw nearer to the Savior and that “our own challenges” help us to have empathy and compassion as we support others. So in order to be of “one heart and one mind” and enjoy the blessings of unity, we must seek to become like the Savior and invite the Holy Ghost into our lives and homes by the words we speak and the deeds we perform. True unity comes from God.