When in your life did you choose a more excellent way? This week’s text is taken from Ether 5:10-13 in Community of Christ’s version of the Book of Mormon. “Wherefore you may also have hope and be partakers of the gift, if you will but have faith. Behold, it was by faith that they ofContinue reading “In the gift of his son, God has prepared a more excellent way”
Author Archives: mormongandhi
Neither does he want that we should shed blood
How can we be less complicit to violences occurring in the world? Are there ways to divest? This week’s text is taken from Ether 3:92-94 in Community of Christ’s version of the Book of Mormon “And it came to pass that they formed a secret combination, even as they of old; which combination is mostContinue reading “Neither does he want that we should shed blood”
All were created after my own image
How does seeing “that of God” in yourself and others shape your behaviour? How can you, like Jesus, bring more life to all? This week’s text is taken from Ether 1:77-78, 80 in Community of Christ’s version of the Book of Mormon. “Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the worldContinue reading “All were created after my own image”
Know that you must lay down your weapons of war
What weapons of war do you need to let go of? How does believing in the Prince of Peace create room for alternatives to emerge to your instinctual “fight” or “flight” responses to conflicts? This week’s text is taken from Mormon 3:26-28 in CofC version of the Book of Mormon “Know you that you mustContinue reading “Know that you must lay down your weapons of war”
Their sorrowing was not unto repentance
Is there still time to turn collective sadness into joy and for us to learn from our mistakes? Would your idea of God allow for that kind of change to take place? This week’s text is taken from Mormon 1:36-39 in Community of Christ’s version of the Book of Mormon And it came to passContinue reading “Their sorrowing was not unto repentance”
they had all things common among them
Within your sphere of influence, what can you do to invite others to a greater sense of freedom? When did you last deal justly with another? This week’s text is taken from 4 Nephi 1:3-4 in Community of Christ’s version of the Book of Mormon The people were all converted to the Lord uponContinue reading “they had all things common among them”
that you may be counted among my people
Which movements do you know of that are challenging the logic of war and the rule of might? How are you part of God’s movement in the world today? This week’s text is taken from 3 Nephi 9:93-95 in Community of Christ’s version of the Book of Mormon. …That they may repent and come untoContinue reading “that you may be counted among my people”
You are the children of the prophets
How has your encounter with the Holy One turned you away from what was unholy in your life? Who are the prophets in your life that have given you new purpose and new vision? This week’s text comes from 3 Nephi 9:63-64 in Community of Christ’s version of the Book of Mormon. “And, behold, yeContinue reading “You are the children of the prophets”
Bring them here and I will heal them
When was your faith sufficient that you allowed the Divine to touch you? Have you ever been filled with compassion towards another? What did you do? This week’s text is taken from 3 Nephi 8:6-8 in Community of Christ’s version of the Book of Mormon. And he said to them, “Behold, my bowels are filledContinue reading “Bring them here and I will heal them”
Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to those that hate you
When did God invite you to go beyond what is expected or required? How did that act transform you and those who might have been touched by your ministry, including people who you might have considered to be your enemies? This week’s text is taken from 3 Nephi 5:90-92 in Community of Christ’s version ofContinue reading “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to those that hate you”
Being distinguished by ranks, according to riches and their chances for learning
How can your riches and your chances for learning make you look differently at/disregard another person? What can we do to stay humble and promote oneness and equality in Christ, also in the face of economic and educational differences? This week’s text is taken from 3 Nephi 3:12-15 in Community of Christ’s version of theContinue reading “Being distinguished by ranks, according to riches and their chances for learning”
And the sword of destruction did hang over them
Do you ever feel anxious about the state of the world? Where do you turn for peace in those moments? This week’s text is taken from 3 Nephi 1:54, 57 in Community of Christ’s version of the Book of Mormon. “In the commencement of the fourteenth year, the war between the robbers and the peopleContinue reading “And the sword of destruction did hang over them”
They will suffer themselves that they will be trodden down and slain
What role does faith play in the practice of nonviolence? How can we further the rights of minorities in the world today? This week’s reflection text is taken from Helaman 5:98-99 in Community of Christ’s version of the Book of Mormon. “And you know also that they have buried their weapons of war, and theyContinue reading “They will suffer themselves that they will be trodden down and slain”
When you cast out the righteous from among you
What can we do to soften the hearts of people around us in response to the negativity that makes up a huge part of the political discourse in our countries? What can we do to protect families that may be forcibly removed or separated by the walls we erect between us or by the lawsContinue reading “When you cast out the righteous from among you”
But behold you would not receive me
When you hear warnings of destruction coming upon humanity, do you also hear the good news of invitation to turn around? That there is time left to change? Where is your focus? Migration and climate change result out of a moral crisis where humanity is on a path of separation from each other and fromContinue reading “But behold you would not receive me”
It shall have no power over you to drag you down
Have you ever felt that unjust laws cannot be overturned, that there is too much injustice in the world? Where do you get your energy and motivation from for your work for peace and justice? What gives you a new drive to turn the world around into a state of wholeness? This week’s reflection textContinue reading “It shall have no power over you to drag you down”
And this was their secret plan, and their combination
I seek not for power, but to pull it down
The last two weeks, I have struggled with the stories in the Book of Mormon, especially those found in the Book of Alma. Those stories are full of violence, deceit, cunning plans, political infightings, murders, intrigues for power’s sake, and hatred on the one side, and justifications of violence and war often mixed with affirmationsContinue reading “I seek not for power, but to pull it down”
This he did that he might usurp great power over them
Teach them never to be weary of good works
If you do not any of these things, your prayers are in vain
They have cast us out because of our exceeding poverty
Not one among all who had been converted would take up arms
Now they wept because of the fear of being slain
Show forth good examples for them in me
And the Lord said to them also, “Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word. “Be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples to them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands to the salvation of many souls.”