D&C Section Thirty Seven

Section 37 serves as an introduction to Section 38. There are about 200 members of the church since it was organized 8 months ago. This is the first mention of a gathering of church members. Or in a more correct sense, the Lord is beginning to teach what the gathering of Israel is through the conversion of church members. The Lord instructs the saints that they are to relocate in Ohio after the members have been strengthened, especially those in Colesville who the Lord says have been praying with much faith. In the days of the early church, they gathered at various locations to flee persecution, but to also establish Zion. These first years, the church was fragile. Many doctrines and ordinances were not yet introduced that would later prove to be a great protection and strength to them. The leadership is being schooled by the Lord and they are young in terms of experience and knowledge. The greatest dangers to the church were physical persecution and dissension within. These two challenges would continue to be a problem until the church finally arrives in Utah.

While the church continues to face persecution from some fronts, it no longer is in physical danger as a whole. In our day, the gathering is still taking place through missionary work. But what is important for us is to recognize the threats we face as individual members. Since Satan can no longer hinder the church like he did in Joseph's time, the vast majority of his efforts are on individual members. Using the fly fisherman as an example, Elder Ballard taught how the fly fisherman creates a special lure for snagging a particular fish. The lure designed to look enticing to draw the fish in to bite. Once the fish bites, he is hooked and under the fisherman's power. Sexual immorality is so accepted in today's world that it is now considered a normal activity. Columbia University held a debate in which they voted that pornography was a societal valuable tool of communication. It is now considered an intrusion on the rights of the individual to teach that sex out of the bounds of marriage is wrong. What is ignored is the price that individuals as well as society are paying as a result. More than ever, there needs to be a Zion (a place for the pure in heart). We need to gather to the gospel, to have a place of protection against the wave of immorality and sin that is gradually engulfing our lives.