Friday, March 10, 2017

D&C 46:11-12 -- On Gifts and Community

"For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.
To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby."
Doctrine and Covenants 46:11-12


I really like this idea of God giving us gifts, but not gifts that are meant just to make us cooler, but gifts that help the world, that build a community of people helping people.  It's so tempting to isolate ourselves and just care about ourselves and the things that are closest to us, but the gifts that God gives us help us to reach out to others and to participate in the world.'

It's kind of the same idea as in Hebrews 11:40: "they without us should not be made perfect"  It's the idea that even though we have to work out our own salvation (Philippians 2:12), we can't be made perfect without each other... that part of becoming perfect is learning to live with and love and serve others... the idea of becoming Zion people, and learning to live in a Zion community.

Today, let's try to be less hermit-like and more open and caring and kind.  Let's learn to share our gifts with others, for the benefit of everyone, not just ourselves.  Let's think about what it takes to build a Zion community, and start working on becoming the kinds of people who could live there.  If we each start working on it, then, together, we will grow closer to that perfect community ideal.

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