Twenty years ago, President Henry B. Eyring gave a talk in General Conference on unity entitled, “That We May Be One.” He reveals that the Savior teaches us through His prayer at the Last Supper, that unity comes from having our natures changed through sanctification and through believing in and being like Him:

“As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

“And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:18–21).

President Eyring then explains how keeping the promises we make as we partake of the sacrament helps us to achieve unity.

Discord is the antithesis of unity. It is sown through selfishness and pride. President Eyring states that “It is [Satan] who plants the seeds of discord in human hearts in the hope that we might be divided and separate.” In every relationship, husband/wife, parent/child, employee/employer, etc., the seeds of discord are planted when we seek our own agenda, views, wills, etc., over another’s without listening to or valuing theirs.

If we look back, even to the pre-mortal world, it has always been Satan who planted those seeds. Yet, it has been us, through allowing those prideful and selfish thoughts to fester, that has permitted discord to permeate and ruin our precious and sometimes tenuous relationships. The only way to combat these infectious thoughts and actions is to repent and allow the Savior’s atonement to work within us.

So, what happens if we follow the Savior’s example and discord seems to endure? We “continue in patience” (D&C 67:13). In speaking to priesthood holders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf says that patience, “is a precious and rare virtue.” He further explains that, “Patience is a godly attribute that can heal souls, unlock treasures of knowledge and understanding, and transform ordinary men and women into saints and angels” (Uchtdorf).

I like the idea that patience helps us gain knowledge and understanding and that it transforms us. I have written at length about the importance of seeing things “as they really are” (Jacob 4:13), and viewing ourselves as part of the problem in our relationships. It’s not easy or fun to recognize when I have contributed to disunity in my relationships. Yet, I know that if I do my part by having faith, repenting, being sanctified, and practicing patience, then unity may come.

Unity within marriage, parent/child, work, and church relationships is vital to success. As you and I both well know, discord often interrupts those relationships and puts strain on them. Even when we work hard on repairing them, success isn’t always immediate because there is agency at work. It takes effort on both sides to create unity. When we don’t find immediate success after we’ve done all that we can do, it’s important that we exercise patience and not give up.

I don’t have a story of success to share yet, because there is discord in one aspect of my life that involves many relationships. I don’t have control over the outcome, but I am trying to do my part by following the Savior’s example and exercising patience in the Lord. I know that He can work miracles, and I have hope that unity will not be too far in the distant future.  

Here is a wonderful, short video to watch that was created from Elder Uchtdorf’s talk.

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Works Cited

Eyring, Henry B. “That We May Be One”. Lds.Org, 1998, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1998/04/that-we-may-be-one?lang=eng. Accessed 27 Mar 2019.

Uchtdorf, Dieter F. “Continue In Patience”. Lds.Org, 2010, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/continue-in-patience?lang=eng. Accessed 27 Mar 2019.