Today's scripture, 3 nephi 18:22.
Just a disclaimer before I begin, I'm not a Mormon, I'm a mainstream Christian, and the difference between the two is a conversation for another day. Todays verse is in the book of mormon, not from the bible. I've read the chapter in the book of Mormon today's verse is in, and it seems to be a rehashing of similar teachings of Jesus, and Paul, from the new testament but combined and reworded.
In order to give some context, I'll show a verse within the new testament that sounds like a similar verse to 3 Nephi 18:22
This is 3 Nephi 18:22 “And behold, ye shall meet together oft; and ye shall not forbid any man from coming unto you when ye shall meet together, but suffer them that they may come unto you and forbid them not”
And this is a similar but more clear teaching in the new testament.
Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
The point of this post, will be to encourage people to meet together, share meals together, love life together and encourage each other, to do good for others. We are all one family.
Christ teaches that we are all one body. Each person has their own function within society. Each person can do something the others can't, and vice versa. But, it's important to bond with people, and share not just in their gifting but also in their joy, and in their lives. Not because we want to, but because we need to.
1 Corinthians 12:14-27
For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
One person cannot survive all by themselves. And we would not be complete as families without each member.
To love the family around you, whether they are blood related or not, the light the world website has some applications.
Has it been awhile since you’ve been together as a family?
Schedule a time this week to spend real quality time together (without electronic devices).
What can you do to bring your neighborhood together?
Organize a social gathering to bring everyone a little closer this holiday season.
For me, I love food :) im active so i eat a lot of calories to burn them up, so i'm making it a point to go have lunch with a friend this week :) it really doesn't take much to meet up with someone. Just make sure to be intentional about it :)
Meeting with people and spending time with them always brightens up our days.
I've spent many hours of some days alone, and for some reason felt tired, and cranky, and just not not feeling as joyous as i normally would like.
Then i just run into a friend, or call someone up, and life gets brighter :)
Without people to take you out of your head, and to pour life into you, so you can share life with them, you won't be able to enjoy the greatest part of life. That is the bonds and relationships we share as people :)