Healing our fractured reality

Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;

Malachi 4:2

Healing is usually mentioned in connection with illness, but it can also refer to fixing or mending something that is broken or damaged. As I pointed out in my last post, “Fractured Reality,” the United States is badly broken in multiple ways. We need a source of truth and compassion to guide us in repairing the damage.

I believe this country needs to turn to Jesus Christ.

He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

Sadly, many Americans who claim to be Christians are actually at the center of the divisions in our country. Instead of following Jesus they believe in priestcraft (2 Nephi 26:29), listen to false prophets (Matthew 7:15, Isaiah 9:16), and clamor after demagogues (Mosiah 29:17). Many wear the red mark of their true master upon their foreheads (Alma 3:4).

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

2 Peter 2:19

The atonement of Jesus Christ

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:6

I have written in this blog before that the solution to most problems is repentance. This is because true repentance leads to comprehensive change. It is more than just temporary contrition. Repentance requires a humble recognition, and admission, that one is on the wrong path.

Repentance requires both a change of heart and a change of direction. It is an essential step in any forward progress. Repentance repairs that which was broken. The fracture between people, and the fracture between people and God, is healed.

Repentance is made possible by Jesus Christ. He has paid the price demanded by justice to allow for forgiveness and mercy. Our weaknesses and mistakes do not have to define us.

Atonement: 1. Reparation for an offense or injury, 2. The reconciliation of God and humankind through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.

Merriam-Webster

His atonement for our sins was an act of “at-one-ment.” This means that it unifies and brings together. It repairs alienation. The atonement of Jesus Christ can heal our fractured reality.

The restoration by Joseph Smith

In recent years I have come to judge [Joseph Smith’s] project as dramatically more expansive than I formerly comprehended, despite the familiar elements of many of its individual components. This is to say: the Joseph Smith we carry about in our heads is too small. . . .

Philip Barlow

In 2011, Philip Barlow (formerly at USU, now at BYU) advanced the idea that our view of Joseph Smith’s mission is too narrow. While we often talk about “The Restoration” as the reestablishment of the Church of Jesus Christ as it existed at the time of Jesus, the word “restoration” also has two additional meanings.

In addition to “returning that which has been lost,” “restoration” can also mean “repairing that which is damaged or broken.” This definition is closely tied to our discussion of repentance above.

The third meaning of “restoration” is “to replace that which has been absent.” In other words, to give to the Earth knowledge and/or ordinances that have never yet been here.

These second and third meanings do not refer to replacing things that have been but to reestablish things as they should be. All three of these definitions were a part of Joseph’s mission — and continue to be essential objectives of the restored Church of Jesus Christ.

According to Barlow’s thesis, Joseph Smith was working toward the “restoration of all things,” (Matt. 17:11, D&C 77:9, D&C 86:10) in a very comprehensive and literal manner.

In the end, Smith aspired to integrate a fractured religious world and, more broadly, a fragmented humanity.

Philip Barlow

A different type of missionary work

It is imperative that the members of the Church of Jesus Christ stand for truth. We, of all people, should be speaking out against divisive politics, divisive economics, and divisive media. Following the example of Jesus, we should be a strong united voice defending the weak, the downtrodden, and the oppressed.

Only by preaching, and actually living, the Gospel of love, truth, and charity — the Gospel taught by Jesus Christ — can we hope to save our society, and our world, from collapse and destruction. The Book of Mormon is very clear about this.

When we speak in our church meetings about becoming more like Christ, it means more than simply being baptized and attending meetings. We should seek the great change of heart (Alma 5:26, Helaman 15:7-8) We should be actively doing good in the world (D&C 58:27).

Latter-day Saints should be continually working to heal divisions and bring people together. Our goal is to learn how to unselfishly love and serve everyone — as Jesus did.

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Sources

Philip L. Barlow, “To Mend a Fractured Reality: Joseph Smith’s Project,” Journal of Mormon History, Vol. 38, No. 3, Summer 2012, p. 28.
Philip L. Barlow, “A Joseph Smith Too Small,” Sunstone, September 5, 2013.
Philip L. Barlow, “The Fragmentation of Reality: Joseph Smith’s Radical Remedy,” A lecture given at the University of Wyoming on March 24, 2011, Posted on YouTube, April 29, 2011.