Does anybody else feel this way? What have YOU done to be at peace?

[[email protected]]

First of all I pretty much feel the exact same way as the OP. For me the first major red flag that I noticed happened before the fake pandemic when the Endowment changes were made to apeal more to modern feminist sensibilities. That was about two years ago now, and, no pun intended, but it was unbelievable. It fundamentally changed the doctrine of the patriarchal order in the Church and yet there's people denying it but I don't know how that's even possible.

The reaction to the pandemic was pretty bad, going along with all the government overreach, basically just cancelling church but insisting on tithing still being paid. Lecturing us on "racism", ignoring extreme leftism and social decay that political inclination brings. The Church doesn't feel the same today as it did two years ago.

[Vision]

There is nothing currently going on that is worth entirely pissing off Babylon to the point where everything the Church owns will be seized.

If God be for us who can be against us?

[Vision]

Moroni loosing his trumpet in the earthquake is powerful symbolism of the increasing silence from the brethren.

A few peeps have been uttered, but the silence has been deafening.

[Maroriginal1]

OP, you are not alone in your observations. My 2 cents with how I wrap my head around it;

1. The parable of the Olive Garden in Jacob gives us a clear roadmap to our church. We are all grafted in among wild roots. But the irony is the tree requires it to produce the good fruit. If we only look to the wild roots the tree is worthless....But it’s capable of producing good fruit despite the roots! That is truly remarkable considering all the previous attempts to get good fruit failed. It really is an amazing allegory; we can become perfected among imperfection.

2. I believe we are getting watered down messages because that’s where many of the members of the church are at. Social media has exposed what people truly think and sadly, many are more concerned of what Babylon pressures them to believe then what the scriptures teach. One of my favorite stories comes from President Monson about how the scouts cleared weeds by setting them on fire on a church farm. The hundreds of chickens close by were so spooked by the smoke they went into a molt and wouldn’t produce. As he put it, “Thereafter we tolerated a few weeds so that we might produce more eggs.” Sadly I believe there are a lot of members “molting” over the truth being hard or from perceived wrongs in the church. Our prophet is offering every opportunity to teach people to get the Holy Ghost for themselves. I understand sitting back questioning why the church doesn’t just burn out all the weeds, especially where they have sown the weeds. Personally, I think we ought to be less concerned about weeds/smoke and more concerned about not going into “molt.”

[Luke]

For example, "Ellen White" of the Seventh-Day Adventist group was a Prophetess that was to restore the true Sabbath.

Sorry, but this is complete nonsense

Also, Joseph Smith disputes the notion that God sent a woman to found a new Church:

• "A woman has no right to found or organize a church--God never sent them to do it." (Joseph Smith, TPJS 212, 1 April 1842)

So yeah, Ellen G. White really wasn't a Prophetess

Likewise, the Lord inspired others such as Dr. Martin Luther King to unravel the mistakes of the past in the "complete" Restoration of ALL Things" in permitting Ham's descendants to attain unto the Priesthood.

Again, complete nonsense

I wanted, further, to include the following about the visit of "President" Nelson with the Pope. Please pay particular attention to how the Pope is addressed versus how "President" Nelson is addressed:

Is this to say that the Pope is a holy man? Because he really isn't

My guy all this is Protestantism/mainstream Christianity that you are preaching

[Lexew1899]

"Does anybody else feel this way?"

Yes, probably 90%+ of forum members feel this way.

"What have YOU done to be at peace?"

Not rely on the church for my spiritual guidance , knowledge, or welfare.

[mac]

The ten per cent are the faithfull remnant that are to be found in every generation ......

[Lexew1899]

I don’t think I’d consider the people who are supporting the Babylonian drifting of the church as the faithful remnant.

[TheDuke]

I spend a great deal of time in prayer and meditation. I feel I have the spirit regularly, so I'm good with being in contact with the Lord. However, on many occasions, I just get peace and frankly not too complete of answers. I'm totally not bothered by it, but I cannot tell if it is because I'm not to know what is going down, or I'm off base, or it isn't time yet.

As far as the church leadership, I prayed a while back and got the response that they are very good, hard working men. They have stewardships and receive revelation accordingly, but they are just men, and men that have been in their current businesses and patted on the back for decades. I believe they have the authority to run the church, but I'm not beholden to what they espouse without approval from the Lord. Frankly, most of what they say, is great, but then again I like dessert, whip cream is tasting, just not so filling.

I am an engineer, a d...m good one. I'm a terrible a... kisser, not very PC by nature. I like facts, logic and scriptures, I don't like feel good stories and pandering to emotions. Ever since Monson became prophet with his stories, I've left most meetings hungry for more. but, that is just me, many people really just need a recurring pep-talk (at least those that love GC and current talks). I guess that is the majority. So, the leaders give people what they want. Meat is hard to digest, milk still takes energy, so breast milk it is ......... for all!

[JB]

On reading the OP, I must admit that I have often had similar feelings. Upon further contemplation, I remembered a very difficult time on my mission when I received a letter (from someone I didn’t even know) with a parable entitled, “The Unmoved Rock” (author unknown). (I will include a copy of the parable at the end of this post.) The more I have thought about this parable, the more applicable it has become in my life. Mostly in hindsight (i.e., when I take the time to remove the blinders of the moment’s challenge), it is clear that the Lord has been very kind to me in showing me love, offering guidance and providing experiences to sustain me and build my faith—despite my unworthiness. Unfortunately, I am often impatient and want immediate answers/solutions all the time. Most-often I find that my job is simply to push against the rock. If I will listen, He will tell me where to push. It’s not my job to ridicule or judge others on how or where they are pushing. My job is to push where He tells me to. Sometimes my job is to lead, sometimes it is to follow. Always it is to push. No matter how hard I work and push, I cannot move the rock. But that’s not my job! This is His work. I believe that the true test of this life is to develop the faith to trust God—unreservedly. Regardless of what we may think, our assignment to push is not really to help Him move the rock. He allows us to push so that we can work and learn to become like Him—it’s for our individual development and benefit. He will do His work. He will move the rock. Knowing this has brought me tremendous peace.

The Unmoved Rock
Once upon a time, there was a man who was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man He had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might.
Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain. Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture placing thoughts into the man's mind such as: "You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it." Thus giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure.
These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man even more. "Why kill myself over this?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum of effort and that will be good enough." And that he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord.
"Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock a half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?" To this the Lord responded compassionately, "My child, when long ago I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push.
And now you come to me, your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewed and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition, you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. This you have done. I, my child, will now move the rock."
Source unknown

[Cruiserdude]

On reading the OP, I must admit that I have often had similar feelings. Upon further contemplation, I remembered a very difficult time on my mission when I received a letter (from someone I didn’t even know) with a parable entitled, “The Unmoved Rock” (author unknown). (I will include a copy of the parable at the end of this post.) The more I have thought about this parable, the more applicable it has become in my life. Mostly in hindsight (i.e., when I take the time to remove the blinders of the moment’s challenge), it is clear that the Lord has been very kind to me in showing me love, offering guidance and providing experiences to sustain me and build my faith—despite my unworthiness. Unfortunately, I am often impatient and want immediate answers/solutions all the time. Most-often I find that my job is simply to push against the rock. If I will listen, He will tell me where to push. It’s not my job to ridicule or judge others on how or where they are pushing. My job is to push where He tells me to. Sometimes my job is to lead, sometimes it is to follow. Always it is to push. No matter how hard I work and push, I cannot move the rock. But that’s not my job! This is His work. I believe that the true test of this life is to develop the faith to trust God—unreservedly. Regardless of what we may think, our assignment to push is not really to help Him move the rock. He allows us to push so that we can work and learn to become like Him—it’s for our individual development and benefit. He will do His work. He will move the rock. Knowing this has brought me tremendous peace.

The Unmoved Rock
Once upon a time, there was a man who was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man He had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might.
Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain. Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture placing thoughts into the man's mind such as: "You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it." Thus giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure.
These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man even more. "Why kill myself over this?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum of effort and that will be good enough." And that he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord.
"Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock a half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?" To this the Lord responded compassionately, "My child, when long ago I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push.
And now you come to me, your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewed and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition, you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. This you have done. I, my child, will now move the rock."
Source unknown

I love this, hermano.
I'll bet more of us share similar sentiments than we lead on to. (that sentence sounded weird, I hope it makes sense)
Excellent excellent, I'm gonna plagiarize the parable too

[BeHealthy94]

The Unmoved Rock
........
And now you come to me, your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewed and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition, you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. This you have done. I, my child, will now move the rock."
Source unknown

I remember this story when I was a kid. Thanks for sharing.

Today that rock represents the book of mormon for me. Put all your beliefs into it even though it may not be true but thats not the point, the point is that you are building your spiritual muscles to fight off the daily assaults from satan.

BkofM = a Good Story!

[Rick Grimes]

OP, you are not alone in your observations. My 2 cents with how I wrap my head around it;

1. The parable of the Olive Garden in Jacob gives us a clear roadmap to our church. We are all grafted in among wild roots. But the irony is the tree requires it to produce the good fruit. If we only look to the wild roots the tree is worthless....But it’s capable of producing good fruit despite the roots! That is truly remarkable considering all the previous attempts to get good fruit failed. It really is an amazing allegory; we can become perfected among imperfection.

2. I believe we are getting watered down messages because that’s where many of the members of the church are at. Social media has exposed what people truly think and sadly, many are more concerned of what Babylon pressures them to believe then what the scriptures teach. One of my favorite stories comes from President Monson about how the scouts cleared weeds by setting them on fire on a church farm. The hundreds of chickens close by were so spooked by the smoke they went into a molt and wouldn’t produce. As he put it, “Thereafter we tolerated a few weeds so that we might produce more eggs.” Sadly I believe there are a lot of members “molting” over the truth being hard or from perceived wrongs in the church. Our prophet is offering every opportunity to teach people to get the Holy Ghost for themselves. I understand sitting back questioning why the church doesn’t just burn out all the weeds, especially where they have sown the weeds. Personally, I think we ought to be less concerned about weeds/smoke and more concerned about not going into “molt.”

Love this. Thank you. My only hope that the church hasn't gone full apostate is this^ That the leadership is only saying what they are saying to keep the majority of the membership from bolting. Lehi's vision comes to mind about how many people who had partaken of the fruit, but afterwards were shamed by those scorning them from the great and spacious building. I think this describes our membership perfectly right now.

Thank you for sharing.

[Rick Grimes]

Today that rock represents the book of mormon for me. Put all your beliefs into it even though it may not be true but thats not the point, the point is that you are building your spiritual muscles to fight off the daily assaults from satan.

BkofM = a Good Story!

BOM only a good story?? Sad part is, some of the GA's would agree with you.

I remember the Rock allegory as well. Great story, I'm not so certain it applies though. God didn't tell the guy to obey the rock and follow the rock. We are supposed to follow the prophet and the 12 and we are seeing some very troubling things come out of SLC. How does my agreeing with them revering the Pope make me a better person? Have they read or listened to what this Pope has taught? How does me agreeing that we are all racists make me a better Christian? How does me accepting the notion that the BOM is also inherently racist make me a better Christian? My mind has done some SERIOUS mental gymnastics to explain/excuse the curious and troubling teachings coming out of SLC lately.

[JB]

I’m sorry you don’t think my comments apply. The question of your OP was, “Does anybody else feel this way? What have YOU done to feel at peace?” I was just trying to answer the question of your OP (from my perspective) in hopes that it may be helpful to someone else. I have personally found immense peace (especially during these confusing times of peril) in the realization that I can receive direct revelation from a loving Heavenly Father, which provides guidance and comfort. It also comforts me that everyone has access to to the same source of truth. Like you, I have found myself (from time to time) puzzled (even sometimes upset) with actions of church leaders; I have questioned new church policy, struggled to understand many things in church history, changes in doctrine, and the list goes on and on. I spend a lot of time in study and prayer, searching for answers. The current climate has added many more questions. But, in my searching and pondering, I had a realization that their calling is not my calling; I wasn’t assigned to live in the time of ancient Israel, JS, BY, etc. and I certainly do not know all things—not even close. When I act in the realm/stewardship in which God has placed me, seek His counsel and follow His commands (in other words just “push against the rock” without worrying about things outside of my control), I am able to find peace. I still seek diligently for answers to my questions, but realizing that God is the one who moves the rock, has made me less concerned about who, how, etc. everyone else is pushing.

[Rick Grimes]

I’m sorry you don’t think my comments apply. The question of your OP was, “Does anybody else feel this way? What have YOU done to feel at peace?” I was just trying to answer the question of your OP (from my perspective) in hopes that it may be helpful to someone else. I have personally found immense peace (especially during these confusing times of peril) in the realization that I can receive direct revelation from a loving Heavenly Father, which provides guidance and comfort. It also comforts me that everyone has access to to the same source of truth. Like you, I have found myself (from time to time) puzzled (even sometimes upset) with actions of church leaders; I have questioned new church policy, struggled to understand many things in church history, changes in doctrine, and the list goes on and on. I spend a lot of time in study and prayer, searching for answers. The current climate has added many more questions. But, in my searching and pondering, I had a realization that their calling is not my calling; I wasn’t assigned to live in the time of ancient Israel, JS, BY, etc. and I certainly do not know all things—not even close. When I act in the realm/stewardship in which God has placed me, seek His counsel and follow His commands (in other words just “push against the rock” without worrying about things outside of my control), I am able to find peace. I still seek diligently for answers to my questions, but realizing that God is the one who moves the rock, has made me less concerned about who, how, etc. everyone else is pushing.

I respect that. Thank you for sharing.

[mudflap]

some really good comments on here. not sure if I can add to it. You seem like a solid guy in the church - I've drawn strength from your posts here, so thank you for that.

Wife and I were just talking about how we're getting sick of the "rage politics" we see on the cable channels - it's like....they work at keeping us enraged, but nothing changes - we keep losing our freedoms with every election. Church is fluffy, as you say. Like you, I'm disappointed in the church's response this year and for the past few years. But I've personally received several major revelations in the past few years, and many minor revelations that have confirmed my wife and I are on the right track. some of them fly in the face of "official church policy". Others make us feel like we're the only ones listening. At first, we tried to tell our friends some of what we had learned, but nobody listened. We prayed about why nobody cared, and felt like we should be more quiet about it, so we did. Maybe we'll find out why later. dunno.

I'm glad I have this cabin project I'm working on. I go there and chisel wood, sand things, lift heavy objects, use power tools. I'm moving on a goal we've been inspired (yes, "inspired") to complete. I don't know all the reasons, and I'm not hearing anyone seriously preach about being prepared over the pulpit or in GC, but I'm following the inspiration I received. I don't see where anyone told the 5 prepared virgins what to do. But somehow they did it anyway.

[Lizzy60]

Although I am a generation older, my husband and are are doing much the same thing as mudflap ^^^^^^^^^.

We have received revelation to move farther away from the city, and closer to our acreage and small cabin in a very remote spot. We don’t know if we will eat our food storage or live in our cabin, but we know we are to prepare it, and someone will benefit. I’m not afraid of dying, and I love doing the Lord’s will, even though I don’t know the outcome.

[markharr]

God wins in the end, but the deceiver and his minions will do a lot of damage between now and then. We are about to enter the darkest part of the night but the dawn is not far off.

[RoseofSharon]

OP, you are not alone in your observations. My 2 cents with how I wrap my head around it;

1. The parable of the Olive Garden in Jacob gives us a clear roadmap to our church. We are all grafted in among wild roots. But the irony is the tree requires it to produce the good fruit. If we only look to the wild roots the tree is worthless....But it’s capable of producing good fruit despite the roots! That is truly remarkable considering all the previous attempts to get good fruit failed. It really is an amazing allegory; we can become perfected among imperfection.

2. I believe we are getting watered down messages because that’s where many of the members of the church are at. Social media has exposed what people truly think and sadly, many are more concerned of what Babylon pressures them to believe then what the scriptures teach. One of my favorite stories comes from President Monson about how the scouts cleared weeds by setting them on fire on a church farm. The hundreds of chickens close by were so spooked by the smoke they went into a molt and wouldn’t produce. As he put it, “Thereafter we tolerated a few weeds so that we might produce more eggs.” Sadly I believe there are a lot of members “molting” over the truth being hard or from perceived wrongs in the church. Our prophet is offering every opportunity to teach people to get the Holy Ghost for themselves. I understand sitting back questioning why the church doesn’t just burn out all the weeds, especially where they have sown the weeds. Personally, I think we ought to be less concerned about weeds/smoke and more concerned about not going into “molt.”

Love this. Thank you. My only hope that the church hasn't gone full apostate is this^ That the leadership is only saying what they are saying to keep the majority of the membership from bolting. Lehi's vision comes to mind about how many people who had partaken of the fruit, but afterwards were shamed by those scorning them from the great and spacious building. I think this describes our membership perfectly right now.

Thank you for sharing.

This is what I believe.
I can't mind read the church leadership, but I can see clearly that the mask mandate, along with all the changes in recent years, has really pleased and assuaged many many church members. so I am left to conclude this was the goal. It used to be that leadership reeled the church members in, but as of late, it seems that whatever the majority complain about, especially if it represents a popular cause, gets positive attention, as if the church leadership doesn't want to pick a fight with its' own members and a schism within the church would be a complete disaster. To me, It is as if the church members are one great big huge bratty Sunday School class where the loud mouthed disrespectful kids get all the attention and the good kids get ignored. And all in the name of "love".

One recent example of the general mind of church membership is in the new article on Meridian Magazine by Geoff Steurer, the resident marraige counselor. In this article, Geoff answers a question posed by a stay at home mom who complains her husband won't help enough with the kids, and since the covid scare she is overstressed with them being a home all the time. Mind you, she insists she is happily married, her husband is a good man, etc, he just won't help with the kids. But Geoff Steurer, while giving lip service to "you can't change your husband" goes on to criticize him and back her up in a most contentious manner, followed by a comment section that is nothing but one husband attack after another, advising the use all manner of coersive, shaming, blaming, humiliating tactics, and even church authority against him in order to make him see the error of his ways. I made a comment to the effect that two wrongs didn't make a right, and the behavior and attitude Geoff and the commenters thought appropriate was no way Christian behavior and shouldn't be done to your worst enemy much less an otherwise good husband, and I didn't get published. This kind of mentality in the church is like believing that Babylon has the right stuff, and church teachings just better get with the "program" or the membership most certainly will bolt, or at least refuse to attend the temple.

And about the mask mandate, the vast majority of church membership believe the medical profession is near divine. And it doesn't help that two apostles are MD's. If the church leaders really did blow it off about the masks or just leave it up to our own choice, a great many church members would be confused and let down, and hardly anyone would be attending church. I still remember what a stir it caused when SWK told us sisters to seek out a second opinion in the case of a doctor recommending abortion. Even in this case, the sisters in our ward just couldn't believe it was moral to go against the advice of an MD, so in what amounted to a huge controversy that lasted over a month, basically the word on the street in our ward was the sisters feeling more secure never questioning a doctor than following the advice of SWK, so he got thrown under the bus. And I don't think anything has changed since then.

My husband and I were at a HOA meeting a few months ago, and the behavior manifested there by church members, was so anti establishment with the use of rampant anger, threats, disrespect and verbal abuse I wanted to send them all to Portland, it was that bad. One of the worst participants was my minister and she, along with so many other ward members, was just out of control. And there was nothing to be upset about. Everything with the condos was fine. The management was great. We have a huge money surplus and the lowest HOA fees in the state.

[Fred]

This is what I believe.
I can't mind read the church leadership, but I can see clearly that the mask mandate, along with all the changes in recent years, has really pleased and assuaged many many church members. so I am left to conclude this was the goal. It used to be that leadership reeled the church members in, but as of late, it seems that whatever the majority complain about, especially if it represents a popular cause, gets positive attention, as if the church leadership doesn't want to pick a fight with its' own members and a schism within the church would be a complete disaster. To me, It is as if the church members are one great big huge bratty Sunday School class where the loud mouthed disrespectful kids get all the attention and the good kids get ignored. And all in the name of "love".

And about the mask mandate, the vast majority of church membership believe the medical profession is near divine. And it doesn't help that two apostles are MD's. If the church leaders really did blow it off about the masks or just leave it up to our own choice, a great many church members would be confused and let down, and hardly anyone would be attending church. I still remember what a stir it caused when SWK told us sisters to seek out a second opinion in the case of a doctor recommending abortion. Even in this case, the sisters in our ward just couldn't believe it was moral to go against the advice of an MD, so in what amounted to a huge controversy that lasted over a month, basically the word on the street in our ward was the sisters feeling more secure never questioning a doctor than following the advice of SWK, so he got thrown under the bus. And I don't think anything has changed since then.

It is unfortunate that when weighing their options as to how to handle the church response to the corona hoax, that truth was not one of the options considered.

Perhaps lying to members stabilizes the tithing receipts.

For the members that are not stupid, it only labels the church as liars that claim to be Christlike. Course, if you don't care if your church lies, you may not care if they molest children, either. Once they can no longer be trusted to be honest, why would anyone continue to listen?

[SPIRIT]

The ten per cent are the faithfull remnant that are to be found in every generation ......

I'm sorry, but you are completely WRONG ! as usual

Actually, the 99 per cent, are the faithful "all is well in Zion" members that have been deceived,
and will follow the prophet right off the cliff.
The 1 percent (probably much less) are the remnant. *****

"A hard fact of Isaiah’s end-time scenario is that it is not those who appear to be God’s people whom God saves in the end but those who are rejected by the majority. These “outcasts” suffer “reproach” and “ridicule,” are “excluded” from God’s people, and, like God’s servant who gathers them, are “despised” and “abhorred” until God reverses their circumstances (Isaiah 49:7–8; 51:7; 60:15–16; 61:7, 9; 66:5–8).
***** In the end, those who are excluded and betrayed by their own people, are gathered with God’s righteous remnant:
“Thus says my Lord Jehovah, who gathers up the outcasts of Israel: ‘I will gather others to those already gathered’” (Isaiah 56:3, 8).