My Brothers:

Over a year ago a fellow Christian called, greatly distressed, saying, "The Church is a mess!" This individual attends services regularly and is genuinely willing to submit to the government of God. At the same time, this dedicated Christian is earnestly hoping -- looking for the fellowship which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God -- fervently desiring to be a part of that fellowship through which God will preach HIS gospel to the world. Today this person remains one of the many who grieve -- sighing and groaning -- perceiving wholehearted, unreserved Godliness from none of the extant fellowships. The verse which you will find below reflects the passion of that grief, so oft conveyed to Alma and I by our siblings in Christ.

In bringing before our Loving Father this petition in verse, Alma asks that you please understand when she states "We are piteous in our sins..." that she acknowledges the gross imperfection of her own struggle. Moreover, despite her recognition of the crucial importance of shepherding, which God emphasizes as vital for the welfare of His flock, she remains painfully and prayerfully cognizant that we all bear personal responsibility to be in total and complete submission to Him without regard to the actions or inaction of others.

As I observe the state of the increasingly scattered and wounded sheep, I am constantly reminded of Nehemiah who prayed "I and my father's house have sinned." The cancer of our sin -- mine and yours -- not only is creating obstacles beyond our fellowship, but it is festering within. Each of us, every single one, you and I, bear accountability before God for what has happened -- and what still is happening -- to our Father's Flock. I am guilty. To my shame, my sin and my rebellion against Him contribute to this ongoing tragedy.

With that insight of context, I respectfully entreat you to receive this heartfelt message. May we unconditionally commit ourselves to eternal peace; may I -- may each of us -- become vigilant, steadfastly alert against the lethal sedation of compromising the righteousness of our Eternal Creator upon the altars of temporal peace or human balance. May we actively resist dilution of that which defines righteousness -- the Word of God. God charges us: "They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them." This is not to suggest that being "wicked" is the permanent condition of any of us; yet, every one of us is wicked to whatever extent we presently condone lack of conformity to God.

May we all come to fully appreciate the degree to which any lack of yieldedness impacts others, and be led to subject ourselves wholly to Him as did His Son before us.

Your brother in Christ,
Mike Regan