Unity

President Oaks

Jesus did not pray that his followers would be “diverse.”  He prayed that they would be “one” (John 17:21-22).  Modern revelation does not say, “Be diverse; and if ye are not diverse, ye are not mine.”  It says, “Be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine” (D&C 38:27).  We teach our members to concentrate their efforts to strengthen our unity—not to glorify our diversity. (Devotional Address to Members in 14 Stakes in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, February 11, 2023)

In the scriptures, the objectives we are taught to pursue on the way to our eternal goals are ideals like love and obedience. These ideals do not accept us as we are but require each of us to make changes. Jesus did not pray that his followers would be “diverse.” He prayed that they would be “one” (John 17:21–22). Modern revelation does not say, “Be diverse; and if ye are not diverse, ye are not mine.” It says, “Be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine” (D&C 38:27).  (Weightier Matters, BYU Speeches, February 9, 1999)