Stake Conference, 2019
Good evening.
Today I received a package. I love packages; this package was three pounds of bees–hundreds of the little bees. I opened them and shook them into a hive–into a large open box. Yes I said shook them, I know right, pretty crazy. I am alive–no permanent damage.
Bees fascinate me. A single bee cannot survive by itself. The colony is more than bees sharing the same space and making honey, it functions as a single living entity. Let me say that again the hundreds of bees in a colony function as one living entity. What an example of unity.
In Moses 7:18 we read:
“And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.”
Being of one heart and one mind is also something that we should strive for. This happens as we love, minister and care for one another. Have Powerful Conversations, those conversations (when we listen to understand) the other person and what they are feeling and experiencing. These conversations help us become closer and more connected. Powerful Conversations, have them in our family and with our friends and neighbors. Listening with love and empathy unites. It helps us to feel understood and not isolated or alone. We feel part of something.
The Lord spoke to Joseph Smith about uniting, gathering and the blessings received:
D&C 115:5-6
“5 Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations;
6 And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.”
We can draw another example from our pollinating friends, the bees. Why are people afraid of bees? They sting and it hurts. Why do they sting? They are defending the colony. Are we that diligent in defending the precious “things” in our lives? Can we say in our hearts that we too are willing to give everything to defending the gospel? Even our own lives if necessary? Are we willing to give up damaging habits and our favorite sins? There are many ways we give our lives to defending the gospel. In the daily sacrifices we make of our time and talents. In our daily living the gospel and following the Savior. We are putting off the natural man and becoming a saint. Personal righteousness and sacrifice are critical to creating unity and gathering with the Lord. As we come closer to the Lord and are strengthened, we are a light in the darkness.
Bees are quite amazing. In a hive there is specialized unity and distribution of labor. Normally during day 1 to 14 of a bee’s life they feed larvae, tend the queen, and polish cells. Day 15 to 21 bees receive nectar and build comb. The last 3 to 6 weeks of their life they forage and defend the hive. Interestingly, any bee will perform any of these functions when required if the hive population is unstable or not at optimal ratios. One other interesting thing is that the queen bee does not direct or dictate what the bees are doing or where they should go; she has her own job to do. She lays about 1,000 eggs a day. They are unified and work together to thrive. They lift and work where work needs to be done.
What a great example for how we can build unity and work together in our families and ward–doing much good and bringing to pass much righteousness of our own accord. We don’t need to be commanded in all things. The Lord through the spirit can inspire us on the actions we can take to help gather and lift those around us. My faith is that the Lord is pleased with the little things that we do. He appreciates the smiles we give, the powerful conversations that we have and the ways we show love to each of his children. He celebrates the simple selfless acts of service performed from the heart.
During Holy Week, I had a great conversation with one of my coworkers. They are Catholic and it is very interesting to understand her testimony of the Savior. She has small children and with her husband is teaching them about the Savior. It was a special conversation as we turned briefly to the Savior and his love for each of us. The Spirit was there….that was cool. It’s a great day when you can feel a strong witness of the Spirit at work. This is also a friend whose name came to me last Stake Conference when we were encouraged to send the name of someone we thought should be sitting next to us to the missionaries. She accepted a Come Follow Me manual and I have sent her a couple links to Bible videos for her to use as she is teaching her children. I don’t know if she will decide to follow the Savior by making baptismal covenants, but I have felt inspired to build on our belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior. It has been important to not discredit or challenge her beliefs, but rather focus on experiences and conversations that strengthen her belief and my belief in who Jesus Christ truly is.
In 1 Nephi 8:10-12 Lehi shares this from his vision.
“10 And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.
11 And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.
12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.”
Do you feel that exceedingly great joy? Then be bold and share it. Brothers and Sisters, if you feel inadequate or hesitant about sharing the gospel, come back to the Tree. Christ can help, Come Unto Him and Eat More of the Fruit.
President Nelson taught not to settle for second best in our relationship with God.
“Pour out your heart to God. Ask Him if these things are true. Make time to study His words. Really study! If you truly love your family and if you desire to be exalted with them throughout eternity, pay the price now—through serious study and fervent prayer—to know these eternal truths and then to abide by them.
“If you are not sure you even believe in God, start there. Understand that in the absence of experiences with God, one can doubt the existence of God. So, put yourself in a position to begin having experiences with Him. Humble yourself. Pray to have eyes to see God’s hand in your life and in the world around you. Ask Him to tell you if He is really there—if He knows you. Ask Him how He feels about you. And then listen.”
And then listen…..I testify that God will speak as you listen! He is there.
Let me close with one more interesting fact about bees. When one bee finds the motherlode–not just a pretty flower or two–but a great source of nectar they come back to the hive and tell others about it. Now they can’t talk or sing, but they can dance!! The bee dance is a series of circles in a certain clockwise or counterclockwise direction. This dance tells the other bees what direction the nectar source is and how far away it is.
Brothers and Sisters, I invite you to listen, to understand others’ perspectives and life experiences. With that understanding will come precious experiences to grow together in your testimony of the Savior. He loves all his children. Eat more fruit, feast upon the sweet things of the gospel strengthening your belief and knowledge of the Savior Jesus Christ and then dance. Dance in the way that you feel inspired to help gather others unto Christ and feel unity.
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen