Listen & Fear Not

What a day! Where do I begin??? I can hardly do justice with my notes. I can only skim the surface. Our binders this year are bigger than ever. They’re heavy…perhaps a metaphor for the issues that we face at this conference.

This morning’s meditation time was led by Dave Brock. It was a come and go sort of event…come for as long as you like…whenever you like…leave when you are ready. I wish I had been there for all of it as it was a great lead to the communion service. It focused on our brokenness and how God is there for us and with us through it.

There was only one communion service this year. Usually there are three services all the same to choose from. Apostle Bunda Chibwe was the speaker. His message was simple but wonderful. He talked about how the earth groans (Haiti, global warming) and how God weeps along with parents in all nations who want the best for their children…our fears (war, economics, the church, etc.) and how our fears multiply. But Isaiah was reminded of the reasons to trust God. We are a prophetic people today who face many of the same fears. But God was present with them and is present with us. We need not fear. Hear God’s message. “Fear not.” Nothing can separate us from God. God invites us to listen and feel divine peace. God’s presence challenges us in surprising ways sometimes. We will become all that we have potential to be if we will become Community of Christ. Fear not!

This afternoon we spent time listening and becoming aware of God’s presence led by Carolyn Brock. And this evening, President Veazey spoke about his vision for the church. We began by celebrating…25 years ago the ordination of women was approved…30 years ago Outreach International began to address poverty…150 years ago Joseph Smith III accepted leadership of the reorganized church. A $4 million contribution has been made to the church recently for training leaders including young adults! We have much to celebrate!

Steve challenged us to consider what kind of church we want to be. What kind of church does God want us to be? We need to understand the full meaning of baptism in Christ where there is no longer male or female, social class, nationality…We are one in Christ. We clothe ourselves in new forms of expressions. Earthquakes, oppression, etc. effects us all globally. Perhaps the spirit is prompting us to look beyond the issues on the surface to discuss deeper meanings.

We need to understand baptism, conditions of membership and moral behaviour/relationship issues. We can receive greater blessings from our discussions and decisions. What is the spirit trying to do with us through our struggles? Perhaps it is challenging us to examine our use of scripture…to interpret it responsibly. If the Bible tells us to harm or oppress others, it’s wrong. Perhaps the spirit is telling us to find better ways to make decisions, to find healing over moral issues. What if the spirit is urging us to become a signal community to be able to talk about important issues. “It is for divine purpose that you have been given the struggles as well as the joys of diversity. So must it always be in the peaceable kingdom.” (D & C 162:4b)

Answers can only be found if we move forward but first we must remember the meaning of our baptism. We can not allow our diversity to divert us from our mission. While we debate, people are dying of physical, spiritual, moral needs. Will we go forward or turn back?