Todd Petracek led an excellent discussion about Unity, based on chapter 23 in the Joseph Smith manual. He started by referencing the story of the early saints unifying around the building of the Kirtland temple. This was a very tangible, concrete goal around which the saints could unify. He then asked us what the goal or purpose of our unity today should be. Some suggestions included providing help in a disaster, engaging with our community (in non-disaster situations), and nurturing & developing our children. While it might be less obvious how to act in a unified, productive way in these situations, it is nonetheless important that we work together to figure it out! Todd closed the lesson by sharing that one of the main things which attracted him to the church was the community that he saw in it and which he wanted to be a part of. (What better witness can we have?)
I think this discussion uncovered how sharing the gospel and serving our communities can be done simultaneously. Many of our neighbors, as well as colleagues at work/school, want to be part of a cause that is blessing peoples' lives. By giving them opportunities to serve (much like Tom Lowery did with his co-workers who helped him move yesterday!), people lose themselves in service to others and in so doing become more united with those people they are serving - and serving with. What a great antidote to the spiritually-sapping, self gratification-driven society which we live in today!
fyi - Pres. Eyring gave a great talk on unity in the October conference - it's worth the read (or re-read)
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