I love Maurine for this great article and for the dialogue it is starting right here. These are marvelous comments and I hope they keep on coming!
The book suggests that just reading its essays will not be much of a solution. But discussing the essays with others, and examining ourselves and opening up to friends and associates will begin to move us toward the kind of unity that we want (and that the Lord wants.)
If you liked Maurine's article here in Meridian as much as I did, just wait until you read her longer essay in the book! And then wait until you read the other 13 essays! The amazing (guided) thing is that each essayist brought such a unique and different slant on this subject of unity and diversity, and helped me to realize that no one writer has enough perspective to write a book on unity--but perhaps fourteen writers do!
Lynette MillsAugust 13, 2023
This will be an ever more important topic as we get closer to the second coming I think. I look forward to reading and learning more about how to become more focused on Unity.
BaldyAugust 12, 2023
2 Nephi 30:10 the time speedily cometh that the Lord will cause a great division among the people…one cannot compromise with or play nice with or give a nod and a wink to evil. It must simply be defeated.
Carol ButlerAugust 12, 2023
Rita, a partial answer to your question for me is that loving our enemies does not include submitting to their harmful actions. We can love and pray for our enemies without agreeing with them or even being near them. The key for me is staying close to the Spirit, or striving to do so. The Spirit can guide us in our individual circumstances and efforts to both love our enemies and protect ourselves and our family.
Rita winmillAugust 12, 2023
My question is this, why was Nephi commanded to leave his evil brothers, if loving our enemies is a law?
Kent BrooksbyAugust 11, 2023
Whenever I think of the Celestial Kingdom, I am reminded of C. S. Lewis' book The Great Divorce, in which he clearly describes those elements that will keep us out of God's presence. They are, simply, those things that divide us on earth; the little differences and irritations that we are not willing to part with, even for a life of greater joy. I look forward to reading the book.
Jen BiberstonAugust 11, 2023
This seems to fit right into what Dr. Miller was saying on the "Follow Him" podcast, that to love God, love your neighbor, and love your enemies is THE LAW. Love is the law, not the reward for our actions or achievements. We are not commanded to become lovable or worthy of love; we are already loved by God and are commanded to do the same with others. Through the lens of unity, if we stopped running around trying to be understood or agreeable (depending on our emotional wants) and focused on loving others regardless of their views, how much more unity would we have?
HelenCAugust 11, 2023
“. . neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.“
4 Nephi 1:17
I have often wondered how I might better remove the “ites” and “isms” from my life. It started when I chose to be a “female” rather than a “feminist” But it had to go broader and deeper than that. I have a long way to go and an well aware it took the physical arrival of the Savior for the ancients to get there.
Becca HowardAugust 11, 2023
What a timely article. Did you discuss technology? As much as we value our technical devices, using them can still cause problems. A relative texted me last night to try to clear up an earlier miscommunication, and texting, in my opinion, made the situation even worse. A phone call or in-person visit might have spared the miscommunication and more easily resolved the issue. I was on my way to the temple, and this bothered me for a good portion of the session until I could finally focus, pray to be calm, and pray to find answers in what was being taught.
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Richard EyreAugust 13, 2023
I love Maurine for this great article and for the dialogue it is starting right here. These are marvelous comments and I hope they keep on coming! The book suggests that just reading its essays will not be much of a solution. But discussing the essays with others, and examining ourselves and opening up to friends and associates will begin to move us toward the kind of unity that we want (and that the Lord wants.) If you liked Maurine's article here in Meridian as much as I did, just wait until you read her longer essay in the book! And then wait until you read the other 13 essays! The amazing (guided) thing is that each essayist brought such a unique and different slant on this subject of unity and diversity, and helped me to realize that no one writer has enough perspective to write a book on unity--but perhaps fourteen writers do!
Lynette MillsAugust 13, 2023
This will be an ever more important topic as we get closer to the second coming I think. I look forward to reading and learning more about how to become more focused on Unity.
BaldyAugust 12, 2023
2 Nephi 30:10 the time speedily cometh that the Lord will cause a great division among the people…one cannot compromise with or play nice with or give a nod and a wink to evil. It must simply be defeated.
Carol ButlerAugust 12, 2023
Rita, a partial answer to your question for me is that loving our enemies does not include submitting to their harmful actions. We can love and pray for our enemies without agreeing with them or even being near them. The key for me is staying close to the Spirit, or striving to do so. The Spirit can guide us in our individual circumstances and efforts to both love our enemies and protect ourselves and our family.
Rita winmillAugust 12, 2023
My question is this, why was Nephi commanded to leave his evil brothers, if loving our enemies is a law?
Kent BrooksbyAugust 11, 2023
Whenever I think of the Celestial Kingdom, I am reminded of C. S. Lewis' book The Great Divorce, in which he clearly describes those elements that will keep us out of God's presence. They are, simply, those things that divide us on earth; the little differences and irritations that we are not willing to part with, even for a life of greater joy. I look forward to reading the book.
Jen BiberstonAugust 11, 2023
This seems to fit right into what Dr. Miller was saying on the "Follow Him" podcast, that to love God, love your neighbor, and love your enemies is THE LAW. Love is the law, not the reward for our actions or achievements. We are not commanded to become lovable or worthy of love; we are already loved by God and are commanded to do the same with others. Through the lens of unity, if we stopped running around trying to be understood or agreeable (depending on our emotional wants) and focused on loving others regardless of their views, how much more unity would we have?
HelenCAugust 11, 2023
“. . neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.“ 4 Nephi 1:17 I have often wondered how I might better remove the “ites” and “isms” from my life. It started when I chose to be a “female” rather than a “feminist” But it had to go broader and deeper than that. I have a long way to go and an well aware it took the physical arrival of the Savior for the ancients to get there.
Becca HowardAugust 11, 2023
What a timely article. Did you discuss technology? As much as we value our technical devices, using them can still cause problems. A relative texted me last night to try to clear up an earlier miscommunication, and texting, in my opinion, made the situation even worse. A phone call or in-person visit might have spared the miscommunication and more easily resolved the issue. I was on my way to the temple, and this bothered me for a good portion of the session until I could finally focus, pray to be calm, and pray to find answers in what was being taught.
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