Harmony Leads Heavenward

 

Harmony Leads Heavenward, Dissonance Leads Towards Darkness

 

Have you ever heard a group of people singing or playing orchestral instruments in a beautiful, uplifting song in near perfect harmony?  Isn’t it a wonderful thing to experience?  It is as if the resonance, vibration and synchronicity literally cause a change in the surrounding atmosphere, and those who experience it are literally moved and changed to some degree.  It can be almost like a flowing energy of tangible love.

 

In contrast, have you ever been subject to a group of people all singing out of tune (sorry to all those who have sat near me when I am singing in Church meetings!!!) or gritted your teeth through amateur musicians who were playing out of rhythm and out of tune?  Such experiences can very literally agitate the soul.  In fact, there have been times in my life when I have realized I am feeling uneasy and it is as if my heart is not quite in rhythm or something, and as I become aware of my surroundings, I realize that certain music lyrics or beats playing in the background are the source of that disturbance.

 

We are surrounded by energy.  We might call it the Light of Christ or that power which connects us to the source of ALL life, which is Jesus Christ (see D&C 88:6-13).

But certain things can disrupt that flow of energy and life-giving harmony.  And when we cut ourselves off or restrict the flow of that energy to our souls, then we begin to wither and die.  In fact, Jesus described this clearly when he proclaimed:

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” – John 15:5

 

Is it any wonder then, that when Christ came to visit the Nephites following His resurrection, that almost the first thing he taught them was the following:

“For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.  Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.” – 3 Nephi 11:29-30

 

Can you feel it?  Can you sense and feel the disruptive and destructive dissonance in the world around you right now?  Can you feel it in your own heart as a result of contention, anger, judgement, and disagreements you are having over various issues?

 

If we answer yes to the above questions, it may be a very good time to look inwardly and see what sources we are connected to.  What societal, political, economic or spiritual music are we consuming, listening to, singing and playing in our own lives?  And I am not talking about pointing a finger of blame towards others, but rather looking inward at what music and tone we might be creating and broadcasting to the world around us.

 

In contrast, consider what might be the condition and influence if we could instead learn to better forgive, love, serve and have compassion towards one another - If we simply learned to sing our assigned part a bit more in tune, or play our assigned individual instrument according to the Conductors lead.

 

What might it be like if we individually and then collectively developed a harmony, rhythm and oneness of heart (At-One-Ment) which placed us more directly in the flow of that Divine Power and Energy which flows from Christ?  Have we ever heard of an instance when this has happened?  The answer is, Yes!

 

“And it came to pass that while the angels were ministering unto the disciples, behold, Jesus came and stood in the midst and ministered unto them.  And it came to pass that he spake unto the multitude, and commanded them that they should kneel down again upon the earth, and also that his disciples should kneel down upon the earth.  And it came to pass that when they had all knelt down upon the earth, he commanded his disciples that they should pray.  And behold, they began to pray; and they did pray unto Jesus, calling him their Lord and their God.  And it came to pass that Jesus departed out of the midst of them, and went a little way off from them and bowed himself to the earth, and he said: Father, I thank thee that thou hast given the Holy Ghost unto these whom I have chosen; and it is because of their belief in me that I have chosen them out of the world.  Father, I pray thee that thou wilt give the Holy Ghost unto all them that shall believe in their words.  Father, thou hast given them the Holy Ghost because they believe in me; and thou seest that they believe in me because thou hearest them, and they pray unto me; and they pray unto me because I am with them.  And now Father, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe on their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one.  And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus prayed unto the Father, he came unto his disciples, and behold, they did still continue, without ceasing, to pray unto him; and they did not multiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray, and they were filled with desire.  And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus; and behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof.  And Jesus said unto them: Pray on; nevertheless they did not cease to pray.  And he turned from them again, and went a little way off and bowed himself to the earth; and he prayed again unto the Father, saying:  Father, I thank thee that thou hast purified those whom I have chosen, because of their faith, and I pray for them, and also for them who shall believe on their words, that they may be purified in me, through faith on their words, even as they are purified in me.  Father, I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me out of the world, because of their faith, that they may be purified in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one, that I may be glorified in them.  And when Jesus had spoken these words he came again unto his disciples; and behold they did pray steadfastly, without ceasing, unto him; and he did smile upon them again; and behold they were white, even as Jesus.” – 3 Nephi 19:15-30

 

IS THIS NOT THE ZION FOR WHICH WE CHRISTIANS PROCLAIM TO SEEK?!?!

 

As the world drifts and even cascades headlong into a crashing cacophony of dissonance, it is becoming of us, if we truly hope to establish Zion, we must begin to turn our corrective fingers humbly and repentantly inward, and open our hearts outward to Him who is The Light and Life.  It is only as we become At-One with Him and those around us that we can place ourselves into rhythm and synchronicity with the divine flow which will carry us Homeward and Heavenward.