Gregg [Clark of Reba Place Fellowship] has reminded us that while the law requires Justice, and that is the limit of the law, God commands us to love one another to go beyond mere justice.

Allen's [Howe of Reba Place Fellowship] comments reminded me of section 155 of our Doctrine and Covenants. That scripture talks about, [paraphrase] "The time for hesitation being past and not being overly concerned about methods and forms." As Allen said it, "Just do it." There is a lot of opportunity out there but we need not necessarily have all our "i"s dotted and our "t"s crossed, all our committees formed, to do it a good work and to begin one. There was a lot of talk about small [discernment] groups, and small groups involve risking. There has been talk about confidences sometime being risked and broken in small groups. There is also, in the response in our sessions, a sense of a need and a calling, to form small groups and to minister to each other. I guess the initial small group was one of thirteen people who started the movement of Christianity. It should be remembered that there was risk in that, one of those thirteen was a betrayer and another of those thirteen a denier, at least initially. In our small groups, as the Apostle Paul, we too will encounter those who are almost persuaded, but maybe not fully. But our call is that of our opening hymn, in the line that says, "Teach us to care for others, for all, not just for some. To love them as we find them and as they may become."

In regard to Economics, the image that came to mind was from the movie, "Hello Dolly." Walter Mathau, a wealthy man, talking about money. He said, "Money is like manure, it's no good to anyone unless you spread it around." And that is one image, I would hold up to you, if we are going to talk about a shared stewardship enterprise.

And finally, we've got Spirit in Spirit, Economics and Community. We are not doing this alone. The Spirit is reaching toward us. As long as we are reaching back, that gap will be bridged. And I would hold up for your thoughts, in that light, a line from the hymn, "Although fulfillment seems remote, the journey just begun, the kingdom has already come, the victory is won."

And finally, from section 11 of the Doctrine and Covenants, God continues to challenge us to, "Keep My commandments and seek to bring forth and establish My cause of Zion."

- by Dan Jeffers, President, Harvest Hills Community and Neighbors Association