'Be one; and if ye are not one, ye are not mine.' (Doctrine and Covenants 38:27). This warning was given in 1831 to the early members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Lord gave them a choice: stay in the comfort of what was familiar or sacrifice worldly security for a higher purpose. His message was clear and urgent: set aside selfish concerns, prepare for promised blessings, and 'esteem [your] brother as [yourself], and practice virtue and holiness before [Him]' (Doctrine and Covenants 38:24).
The Lord commanded the early Saints to overcome individualism and isolation—characteristics that could lead to their destruction. Building Zion requires sacrifice, faith, and a shared commitment to Christ.
We face many of the same challenges today. Like those early Saints, we are also invited to 'be one', requiring similar sacrifices and faith. It's tempting to assume we are on the right path while others have gone astray. But Isaiah reminds us, 'All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way' (Isaiah 53:6). We find peace when we acknowledge our shortcomings, draw closer to Christ, and align our hearts with Him and one another.
We Must Repent to Become One with Christ
The Book of Mormon gives a profound example of what it means to be united. After Christ visited the Americas, the Nephites embraced His teachings, set aside personal differences, and lived in peace for generations (4 Nephi 1:2-4). But over time, pride and the pursuit of wealth and status crept in, and their unity began to unravel. Their story reminds us that Christ requires continuous effort, repentance, and a willingness to set aside self-interest.
The call to 'be one' is not about convincing others to think or act like us. It begins with repentance and a renewed focus on Christ, the true source of light. This call is about changing our actions and aligning our hearts, desires, and love for the Savior.
Sharing His Light Brightens All of Our Lives
One powerful example of this principle is found in the life of Alexander Papaderos, a Christian philosopher and peacemaker. Born on the island of Crete during World War II, Papaderos experienced firsthand the horrors of conflict. His hometown, Lividas, was destroyed by the Nazis, and as a child, he was interned in a concentration camp. After the war, he dedicated his life to peace and reconciliation. In 1965, he founded an institute at Maleme, a site scarred by the war, to bring together people who had once been enemies. His mission was to inspire healing and unity.
As a boy, he found a fragment of a broken mirror from a German motorcycle. Fascinated by how it could reflect light into dark places, he smoothed its edges and carried it with him everywhere. This simple childhood game became a metaphor for his life's mission. Reflecting on its meaning, he said, 'I am a fragment of a mirror whose whole design and shape I do not know. Nevertheless, with what I have, I can reflect light into the dark places of this world—into the black places in the hearts of men—and change some things in some people. Perhaps others may see and do likewise. This is what I am about. This is the meaning of my life' (“It Was on Fire When I Lay Down on It,” Fulgham, Robert. 1991).
His metaphor reflects Christ's teaching in the Book of Mormon: 'Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do' (3 Nephi 18:24). As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are commanded to reflect His light into the world. Christ is the light we are to hold up.
True oneness requires a focus on Christ. Just as a mirror only reflects light when aligned with its source, we can only reflect Christ’s light when our hearts are aligned with Him. When we reflect His light, we see others through His eyes, cultivating compassion, forgiveness, and understanding. Only by focusing on Christ can we overcome the divisions caused by pride, selfishness, and fear.
Unity Can Only Come Through Christ
In a world fractured by politics, culture, and personal interests, Christ is the only source of true reconciliation. His teachings of love, forgiveness, and selflessness are the bridges we need to heal divides and build understanding amidst our differences. Social media may connect us in new ways but often deepens division. Christ can bridge the divides that separate us and build understanding amidst our differences.
True connection with others begins with personal repentance and allowing Christ to shape our hearts. Jesus prayed, 'Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me' (John 17:20–21).
This transformation begins with personal repentance and a willingness to let Christ shape our hearts and lives. We cannot wait for others to change before we begin the process ourselves. True oneness starts with each of us, here and now. When we prioritize our love for God, Christ, His gospel, and one another above personal opinions or desires, we will experience healing, restored relationships, and a deeper connection with both Christ and each other.
We may differ in countless ways, but if you strive to come closer to Christ, and I strive to come closer to Christ, we will ultimately find ourselves drawn together in the oneness He prayed for. Through His love, we find peace and fellowship. When we focus on Him, we naturally grow closer to one another, becoming a people of one heart and one mind.