The Spirit of God

This hymn was featured as Hymn of the Day Facebook post in April, but it's worth revisiting.

The Spirit of God is #2 in the LDS hymnal.
https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/the-spirit-of-god?lang=eng

You can learn about the hymn and listen to it here.
http://www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/articles/the-spirit-of-god?lang=eng

This is great tune that has long been one of my favorites to sing and play.  Today, I'm just going to be sharing new insights. 

The visions and blessings of old are returning

Visions and blessings are powerful words.  They speak of revelation and they speak of God's grace. But visions and blessings are not limited to Mormons.  When I first went to Unity Church, I expected some things to be very different from what I was used to, and I was right.  But some things were very similar too.  I had to smile as I heard someone say that they were a church that believed in personal revelation and that they were a covenant-making people.  They are also a people with vision.  They see what can be and work to bring it to pass.  And they are helping my visions and blessings to return.

The Lord is extending the Saints' understanding

 I'm learning and growing and understanding more everyday.

The veil o'er the earth is beginning to burst.  

Here's something interesting I just learned.  My brain has always associated the word "apocalypse" with the destruction that will occur, but it is literally the lifting of the veil or revelation.  Like the Restoration I discussed yesterday, I think that the lifting of the veil is ongoing and happening right now.  

We'll call in our solemn assemblies in spirit,
To spread forth the kingdom of heaven abroad,
That we through our faith may begin to inherit
The visions and blessings and glories of God.  

See yesterday's discussion of the Beloved Community.  That is the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of God, Zion.  And we are in charge of spreading it.  And it isn't just about conversion.  It is first and foremost about love.  And even in Mormon services we talk about how we are God's hands.  We are the ones through which he can bless others.

How blessed the day when the lamb and the lion
Shall lie down together without any ire. 

This is honestly what I want more than anything.  I need peace.  I need people who were formerly enemies to sit side by side.  I need us to disagree but do it with love and respect.  But once again, this is not something that we can wait for God to take care of.  It is our task.