The Fruits of “One-ness”
By C.S. Bezas

…there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
John 10:16

We know we are to unified as a church body. This does not come as much of a surprise to many members. Even the youth have heard this teaching.

We read in D&C 38:27, “…be one, and if ye are not one ye are not mine.” This standard exists even more deeply for those who have made temple covenants. From the moment that God gave the command, “Let the waters under heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear” (Gen. 1:9, emphasis added), His desire for unity has been apparent.

There is a type in this thing. The Lord wants mankind to follow suit in positive ways. We too are to be gathered together unto one place spiritually, with good works appearing as a result.

There is potency in oneness and we can see examples of this in the scriptures — both good and evil. For example, in Genesis 2:23-24, Adam states his new understanding that he and his wife were to become one flesh. This statement becomes for us a veritable symbol of singular purpose and creation in the sacred and holy state of marriage.

Yet oneness in purpose can lead to devastating choices. In Genesis 11 we read where the Lord’s people became one in evil intent, working to create a tower to reach to heaven. The Lord felt this necessitated action; He restrained their results in a rather large way (see Genesis 11:6 and Ether 1:33). Be it good or evil, the inherent power of “oneness” is mighty.

The Lord knows this. It is why He gave the command that He did to Abraham and his descendents. Abraham, Isaac, and all those of the Abrahamic covenant in ancient days were to remain separate from the Gentiles; they were only to join their children in marriage to those of the covenant.

What is it about oneness that the Lord knew back then and that we need to know today? Why makes unity so powerful? And what can it do for our students?

A professor from one of my Organizational Behavior classes at BYU was quite clear on this subject. She spoke a great deal about “group think” (rhetorical talk for being one in purpose). She referenced example after historical example of what people would do in a group that they would never do alone. Be it “mob mentality,” which causes crowd hysteria and looting and pillaging after a natural disaster, or be it “positive peer influence,” which encourages a youth to contemplate serving a mission, the act of being “one” with a group brings about powerful results.

First, our students need to understand this. Second, we need to help them gain positive unity.

It might be surprising to find out how many of our youth have never felt “at one” with anyone. If they have not felt this way with any individual they have seen, how can they understand how to become one with the Lord, someone they haven’t seen? Yet the Lord asks for us to become one with him.

We read in D&C 35:2, “I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one.” This is a tall order for an adult, let alone a youth — and especially for a youth who has been adrift emotionally his entire life.

But the joy is tremendous for the soul eager and desirous for this union. We, as teachers, become the guides on the path toward this union. We can lead students to this discovery! We can open a world of wonder and help them understand the beauty and peace that comes to one who is at one with their God.

How do we do this? It starts by the comfort we provide them through our steadiness with them. Through our look of compassion, the smile on our face when they walk through the door, the steady handshake we extend them. All these components will work toward helping our students gain positive friendships with those around them and will open up more of a feeling of being “at one.”

Ideally these kinds of steady and inspiring relationships should begin with the nuclear unit of the family. We always look to the parents to lead out for their children. As youth teachers and leaders, we simply provide an auxiliary aid to help the youth desire to be part of the “fold of Christ.” Just think of the possibilities. By our nurturing our students and building an ideal “fold” within the walls of our classroom, we can aid a change in their hearts for an eternity.

By watching to ensure that our manners toward each other are kind and positive ones, our “fold” will be a flock the student looks to for strength to face his day. You hear this from many seminary students; we want to be able to hear it from all of them! We want each student to look forward to time with us, to look forward to class each day. When each young man or woman finally leaves our flock, by experiencing this “oneness” they will have been strengthened and are ready to set the example of “oneness” and care for others of God’s children.

Not only will this atmosphere of unity in our classrooms help our youth learn of the joys that come when living after such a manner, hopefully they will have become enthused in offering this to others. For the fruits of “oneness” are eternal joyful — who would not want to invite others to taste of those fruits, once the knowledge of them has become deeply entwined in the heart?

My favorite scripture is found in 1 John 4:19. We read, “We love him, because he first loved us.” Now there is a mission statement for a flock of “one-hearted” people! In moving toward this gently, day after day, we will know the wonders of living as one fold, having one Shepherd, and living in love. The power and impact upon the world will be remarkable.

Watch for C.S. Bezas’ new book, Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers, available in LDS bookstores September 2006.