Being Together is What Makes it Perfect

What a blessed week I have had.  My family was together for the first time in many years.  Although there was some sadness due to the reason that we were all gathered, there was also much laughter and joy.  We played games and went sight-seeing and to restaurants.  We drove and drove and drove.  In every room of my home, there were people watching movies or playing games or sleeping.  It was sheer madness and complete bliss, all at the same time.

The logistics of making sure that everyone would be able to come was quite a lot of work.  We used nearly every form of transportation available - planes, trains and cars.  Trying to make sure that everyone was picked up and dropped off at the appropriate times was quite challenging.  Everyone arrived and departed at different times and some on different days.  There were multiple trips to Salt Lake City, at all hours of the day and night.  It was quite an experience, but one that I wouldn't change for anything.  There were a few miracles that allowed all of my brothers and sisters to come, and for that I'm very grateful.  I can't imagine having had this experience without any one of them.  It may have still been a great week, but it would have felt incomplete.  Being together is what made it perfect.

When Jesus came to visit the Nephites after his crucifixion, he told them:

And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said:  Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (3 Nephi 15:21)

This made me think of my family being gathered together from all over the United States and what a great blessing that was.  Even though it wasn't easy bringing everyone to the same place, we did it and reaped amazing blessings.  If I could feel this much joy at having my family all around me, as one, imagine the joy that Heavenly Father and Jesus will feel when all of their family is finally gathered from "the four quarters of the earth"(3 Nephi 16:5).  I'm positive that my joy pales in comparison.

Jesus explained to the Nephites that there will still other people to whom he must manifest himself unto and minister amongst.  

But I have received a commandment of the Father that I shall go unto them, and that they shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep, that there may be one fold and one shepherd; therefore I go to show myself unto them. (3 Nephi 16:3)

It was very important to Him to minister to all people.  To gather all of his people together as one.  He knew that the words of Isaiah must be fulfilled, in which Isaiah prophesied that "the Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of God."(3 Nephi 16:20, Isaiah 52:10)  All the ends of the earth.  Not just a selected nation.  His purpose is to gather us into one fold, with one shepherd.  What an amazing day this will be.  It will not be the same if anyone is missing.  After all, being together is what makes it perfect.

Click here to read what I read today: 3 Nephi 15

Click here to read what I read today: 3 Nephi 16