Gather. Mar 16th

Mon, Mar 16th: Doctrine and Covenants 29:1–8; 33:3–7; 37

I have always loved the imagry of a hen gathering her chickens in relation to the Savior gathering us to him. In Section 29:1-2 the Savior tells us who is gathered, those who 1) hearken to his voice 2) humble themselves and 3) call upon him in mightly prayer. This supports the truth that we actually have to do something to claim any protection that the Savior's atonement offers. It is good to believe in Christ, but is it powerful to have a relationship with Christ. He gives something, we give something and a cycle is created, hopefully.

The Saints at this time in the Doctrine and Covenants, were actually asked to do something huge. Move. To Ohio. They had to physically gather some place else in order to be gathered spiritually. They really had to hearken to his voice, humble themselves and call upon him in mighty prayer in order to answer the call. I wonder if this revelation (sec 37) was a relief or a stress. The persecution had increased quite a bit, perhaps it was a relief. But so many had to leave all they had known, perhaps it was a stress. Either way, hopefully they felt the warmth and security of being under the Lord's wing. Hopefully we feel the same way as we are called to "gather" either physically or spiritually.