Last Sunday we had our Ward Conference. Our Bishop and Stake President both spoke about unity. Their talks were excellent so I thought I'd share my notes.
u·ni·ty [yoo-ni-tee]
nɪ| 1. | the state of being one; oneness. |
| 2. | a whole or totality as combining all its parts into one. |
| 3. | the state or fact of being united or combined into one, as of the parts of a whole; unification. |
| 4. | absence of diversity; unvaried or uniform character. |
| 5. | oneness of mind, feeling, etc., as among a number of persons; concord, harmony, or agreement. |
- Unity is an eternal principle
- Be one, if ye are not one ye are not mine
- Satan seeks to destroy unity and order by causing chaos and discontent
- Unity is a Godly attribute
- Unity and love go together
Last week on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (great show by the way) they were talking about a book instructing people how to get the upper hand on others. One of the points mentioned (twice in the show) was if you "Get rid of the Shepherd the sheep will scatter." I couldn't help but feel slapped when they said this because I immediately thought of Christ being a shepherd to all of us and how the world tries to eliminate Him and His teachings in the name of being an individual. It was frightening to hear it put so bluntly. (By the way, sheep have an unfair reputation.)
**What do you think?**
I only have 1 or 2 weeks left to use my cute Sunday Notebook. It's almost full. This makes me feel both sad and happy, because I love having a notebook full of spiritual notes and don't want to part with it, but then I like the idea of creating a new notebook and filling it up too.
29 comments:
Late last night I was looking at your smugmug photos of the books you have made and I found this one and just loved it's simple cuteness.
I am making some books as party favors for our Valentine's party and needed some inspiration.
I love your thoughts on unity. I think satan really tries hard to stir up discontent and jealousies among women because he knows it will work and create chaos.
Christ would have us be unified and uplifting of each other.
I also strive to have unity in our family so the discontent and chaos will be at a minimum.
I thought the same thing during that comment on Studio 60. What's interesting is the definition that unity is the absence of diversity. So it is our challenge to find unity of mind admist diversity of personality. Satan persist in making us self-consciously aware of our own diversity.
Interesting thoughts Jill. My experience is that even though we have common ties and foundations with those in our families or RS or friendship circles or neighborhoods, as individuals we inevitably have different and unique weaknesses, strengths, interests, successes and trials. As a result, there is a great need to be united in an effort to be kind and resist the urge to judge. In my extended family, I have seen the damage and chaos you mentioned when this purpose is not there. As a result, I'm going to do everything in my power to teach my children and myself to be united in that purpose.
This is a topic we talk a lot about as a Relief Society in our ward b/c SO much good can come from unite. In fact, we are doing our Enrichment birthday celebration around a unity concept which I'll post more about. Stay tuned. Maybe I'll do that today.
I definitely needed Sunday Thoughts today. I wasn't so church oriented today with my thoughts on food and superbowl festivities. So thanks for the "mini lesson" It is an interesting topic, but I think like others have said Unity is something that we all strive for. Laurie had some great insight!
I didn't watch Studio 60 last week, but that is a pretty powerful quote. And so true!
I don't watch Studio 60, but found the comment to be so true with what the world is trying to do about Christ and his teaching.
Unity is a powerful word that if we actually understood would make us stronger. I like what laurie said, because we are all so different there is a great need for unity among us.
How delightful to think about creating a new book for your notes.
Jill, as always, great post. You made good points and I especially related to the one about women reaching out and supporting one another. It is one of the main reasons that I wanted to actually start my blog after thinking about it for so long.
I love the topic of unity. I think it is so important in the Church.
A Sunday Notebook! That is a great idea!! Maybe it'd help me pay more attention in Gospel Doctrine? I guess since I'll be teaching Sunbeams starting week after next I won't have to worry about keeping my focus during Gospel Doctrine - but still!
As always your Sunday thoughts really have me thinking! We love Studio 60 and my husband pointed out the same thing you mentioned! It is pretty crazy to really look at hte world and to see that our "purpose" is the exact opposite of every worldly importance.
I love the thought of "not allowing" judgement, or jealousy. It is a hard thing to put into action, though. It means waging war on the natural man--a life long practice--it's what it's all about, really. Great post.
Why does your definition startle me? I think unity can be achieved in light of serious diversity, the best kind of unity. Your thoughts are touching - the idea of uniting in support and love. So "be one" in not judging, allowing room for everyone, and all of our crazy thoughts and ideas, parenting styles and book choices. We are a very diverse group. How fun!
I love your idea of a Sunday thoughts book. I think that I have seen a lot of unity in this blogging community and it is one of the things that drew me to it. I have read about different operation good mail projects, collecting 1000 bunnies for a christmas gift and various other things that spread goodness around. I think that as you are part of a group that you trust and who love and support you for who you are...who you really are...then that leads to being unified. I think a lot of good can come out of being unified and putting many talented hands and minds together. Thanks for your thoughts today!
I always love your Sunday thoughts, Jill. Today I missed stake conference because we have 2 sick kids. It is always nice to get my spiritual mind thinking here with you.
I loved your thoughts on supporting and loving one another. I think everyone needs that in life. I've always felt much love and support in the blogging community -- it's a treasured spot for me.
That Studio 60 quote also struck me as I was watching..and it's sad to see the truth as so much of the world removes the true Shepherd.
I've been thinking about your post subject A LOT this week as I've visited many bloggers who are fighting the *lows* of the Journey. I love that we can reach out to boost confidence & share insights in this forum. Thank you for another great post, and lovely Sunday thoughts.
I love that you take notes on Sundays. It makes me want pay attention more in my own ward. I love reading your blog, it makes my day.
Thanks for sharing your Sunday thoughts. I needed these today. For some reason being in primary, I just forget to have my own Sunday thoughts. Unity is something we all long for, I think. I am guilty of fearing I will be judged and criticized,about things I write and /or say. I wush I felt differently, but it is just my natural nature.
Congratulations on filling your Sunday Notebook!
i think that part of what makes this blogging community so uplifting is the unity we seem to feel with each other...when we're having good days or bad days.
congrats on your sunday notebook. i kept one of those starting in college up until i had kids. it made my sundays much more meaningful. i look forward to filling those up again.
I love that you take notes in church. I can't do it and pay attention. But where do you keep all these cute books in your house? You must have so many by now with how diligently you take notes. Thanks for the thoughts.
I found your blog through Dana -- I love when she posts about "good mail" and I have to get in on that -- what a wonderful thing! I noticed that you graduated from high school in 1989 and went to BYU...noticed that the address on your envelopes was DT, S-Hall, 6th floor. I was in DT, S-Hall, 6th floor for the 1989-90 school year! Were you there then?
Yes Stephanie, that's when I was in "S" hall on the 6th floor along with Kristi, Michelle, Jennifer and Emily! Where were you and who was your roommate?
i believe it is worth taking a closer look at the word "diversity" (n) 1. the state or fact of being diverse; difference; unlikeness.
2. variety; multiformity.
3. a point of difference.
i like the use of the word "multiformity." multi seems more inclusive than diverse (which sounds like divide, separate.) in this way, then i believe we can truly be harmonious, in agreement with, unified with others, without being exclusive of those who are somehow "different."
great thoughts, jill! you got my brain going on a chilly monday morning.
Great post and a great reminder. I love the though of being more unified as sisters and frinds. Satan knows he has to work so hard on us because we set the tone for our homes and life. There are soo many ways he can gets us and that is why I love this blogging world becuase there are so many of us so different struggling with so many things that we help eachother out and lift eachother up.
I feel like as families we need to be more unified. Santan is doing everything in his power to tear us apart.
I think this wouls be a great topic for FHE tonght. I always use it as were a team working together.
Thanks for the insight!
Great mail you got. So fun to see great things going around.
Jill, I am shocked by the shepherd comment too! I really feel scared when I think about how much the world is trying to take Christ out of the world. We need him more than some people will ever know or realize.
I enjoyed your thoughts on unity, and I think you are right. Sometimes women think too much about things, and start to get paranoid about something that is not even an issue. It is the self-doubt and Satan talking that makes us get so down. I think being united as a group of women could be so much more powerful and influential if we would let go of the insecurity and self-doubt. I'm going to work on that. Thanks Jill!
I love your notebook, taking notes at church helps me so much to remember what was said and how I felt.
I don't watch Studio 60 but I do like that quote and agree with your comments on it. The Lord truly is being taken out of the world and look at the state the world on a whole is is in.
Our Relief Society president, who I love to death, often talks about how we all come to church with these smiles plastered onto our faces to hide the things that are really going on in our lives. She encourages us to allow people to know our troubles as well as our joys. To me this is a call for unity in our ward. When we share the good as well as the bad we are able to form bonds of friendship that draw us together and unite us. We can support each other because we know that we all experience hard times. What a great subject.
That shephard slap really was a slap! When I read that I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach; it's scary to think of how that's the world really thinks. It makes me all the more determined to keep Christ as the Shepherd in my life. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Jill--I always feel enlightened!
I think you should publish your completed Sunday journal and sell it at Deseret Book! I, for one, would buy a copy.
So as not to creep you out, the last comment was mine, I just clicked on "Publish your comment" too soon!
true true.. sheep get a bad rap. i wish i was more sheep like.
Just this week a friend gave me a super-belated birthday present (months belated) of a cute little note book, and I knew just what I'd do with it. It'll be my Sunday book. I love taking notes in meetings, and I'm really going to love having all my notes together. Actually, I started using it today for the training broadcast. Thanks for all your food for thought.
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