The Conference Center in Salt Lake City

In that great intercessory prayer, the Savior prayed to the Father that the disciples would be one even as He and the Father are one. (John 17:11) Though Jesus knelt on the earth and Heavenly Father listened seemingly distant, their unity was apparent. Christ was focused on our redemption from death and sin. As we read this passage, I am impressed by the thought that aligning our thoughts and actions with Christ are requisite for receiving a remission of our sins and overcoming this world. I can’t imagine walking through the gates of heaven with our brothers and sisters with any measure of disaccord. No, those who return to live forever in the rest of the Redeemer will already be of one mind and of heart.

Our mortal life is a brief moment to learn of the Lord, a short time to become learn what me must learn, do what we must do and be who we should be. Over five hundred years before the birth of Christ, the Book of Mormon prophet Lehi counseled his children before his passing:

And now that my soul might have joy in you, and that my heart might leave this world with gladness because of you, that I might not be brought down with brief and sorrow to the grave, arise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things…

Awake, my sons; put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust. (2 Nephi 1:21,23)

I responded to a question posted by a reader of my blog recently. Though this pastor may have had a sincere intention to have an open and friendly gospel discussion, I was disappointed when I was ridiculed and chastized on his site by people who disagreed with me. They were under no obligation to see things my way, but I was disappointed to find that the participants were not interested in expressing their faith or learning about mine. The environment, though web-based, was as cold and devoid of the Spirit as any room I had ever entered. I excused myself from the rest of the discussion with an increased resolve to teach and testify but never attack.

Today, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints concluded its semi-annual general conference. We heard from living prophets and apostles. Not self-annointed scholars or authorities—I have listened to and have respected many of their messages throughout my life—but men who are called of God by revelation and given sacred priesthood authority to act in the name Jesus Christ. They shared many timely messages for the whole world to hear. As the content is made available, I will publish it here for your review.

This conference, I was impressed by the number of messages that suggested to members of the Church to temper their feelings about the negative and false messages being circulated about Mormons and our beliefs. Nothing is more disappointing to a faithful Latter-day Saint than to hear anyone perpetuate the falsehood that we are not Christians or that we worshop some other Jesus Christ. It saddens me further to see that many of these false teachings and misrepresentations are perpetuated by other Christians. Recognizing that Satan seeks to lead away the hearts of man by any means, the message of Christ’s special witnesses today was to see that even this unfortunate opposition to the gospel of Jesus Christ presents wonderful opportunities to spread the messasage of the gospel and the plan of happiness. Sometimes, the fact that we as Mormons don’t lash out or campaign agressively against our detractors is viewed as indifference or lack of action. The truth is that we know that more good can be done by going to our neighbor than going to the press. Opening our homes and being a good friend will make the truth about would we believe and how we live self-evident… and the truth will prevail. Sharing a sincere testimony of what we know with others will accomplish more than any debate. We’re doing better. We’ll get past the bickering. Christians know how this story ends; adversary doesn’t win.

I add my witness to those of the prophets that Jesus Christ lives. He is your God and my God. This is His one true church upon the earth. He is gathering His people and building up His Kingdom on the earth in preparation of His second coming. I love Him, and I’m trying to be more like Him. I look forward to the day when you and I are of one heart and of one mind like Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.