In chapter 33 of Alma a group of Zormanites approach Alma because they are not allowed to worship in the synagogues that they helped build. They explain that the reason for this is because of the clothing they wore. There were "esteemed as filthiness" and "despised because of their poverty.

Then in Alma Chapter 35 - Those who were cast out of Antionum by the "popular" Zormanites were not left alone. They were able to "transplant" their roots into another part of the Lord's vineyard. The people of Jershon not only offered to share their "vineyard" but they also nourished the new plants.

How many of us are willing to share our "vineyard" with new members. Do we allow newcomers to enter our circle of friends? Do we invite them to share "our" bench? When a new family moves in to our neighborhood, do we take the time to welcome them, tell them where the best places to shop are, when garbage pickup is, what time church starts....all of the little things that help us feel settled? Or do we hang a "No Vacancy" sign around our neck?  Do we look at them and think they don't need us or that we don't need them?  Do we hope they will sit somewhere else so we don't have to talk to them?  Do we walk down the hall and look the other way when we see them coming?

What would happen if we walked side by side?   D&C 88:63 - "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you".  If we draw others unto us - they will also be drawn near unto Christ.

My husband and I went for a drive this past weekend along the Kaiparowits Plateau. A very desolate area. While driving along the road we passes many mama cows with their babies looking for greener pasture. I thought of the song, "Mama, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys...don't ask me why....I just didn't think I wanted to be a rancher that day (LOL) I felt so bad for those animals. There was nothing pleasant for them to eat and water was scarce. I could see their ribs. They needed to be fed and given water. The Lord asked Paul, "Feed my Sheep" - are we looking around for the hungry?

I remember walking into a homemaking meeting when my husband and I were first married. I was so nervous. I hate going places by myself and I didn't know anyone. Fortunately I was met with a smile and welcomed. A smile can do so much - " A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people that your heart is at home" (Unknown). Even today, I still have those feelings of shyness when I have to go somewhere alone.

When I went to the General Young Woman Openhouse I was nervous!!! I didn't know anyone. I'd traveled by myself to get there and didn't know who I would sit by. Fortunately my husband's cousin's wife --how's that for making an introduction :-) walked into the room and I was so happy to see her! A friend!!! Then, a woman walked by wearing a white flower - Vicki Firth. I knew she was from the list because that was how we were suppose to find each other. We smiled, hugged, and she invited me to join her and her counselors for lunch. Again, I was in a situation which was a little uncomfortable for me but Vicki made me feel welcome. She introduced me to her friends and made sure I was part of the conversation and I felt "nourished" both physically and spiritually as I left the table.

The Lord told Peter "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not, and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." (Luke 22:32) We all need to be strengthened at times and we must always assume that those around us need strength and nourishment also. I love the story Betty Stevenson told in "Coming Up On the Rough Side of the Mountain" in "Women & Christ Living the Abundant Life". She said, "I was truly living in darkness" and then shares her experiences as a new member and some of the struggles she experienced. Here is a new convert to the church who spent six years of her life addicted to heroin, spent time in prison, and a few other "worldly" experiences. She wrote, "one sister phoned to tell me she hoped I wouldn't bring any of my friends to church." As she expressed some of there thoughts and feelings in R.S. "I saw a lot of sisters holding their hearts and rolling their eyes". She also said, "I didn't know how to bake bread, I can't sew, and I have no family history. I didn't know who I was."

As a convert to the church myself, there have been times when I wasn't sure "who I was" and even though I had a family history it wasn't one I was anxious to share (LOL). I remember in grade school how I hated it when they asked the class to tell what their fathers did for a living. How I wanted to say my father was an astronaut, a scientist...even a mad scientist would have been fine, but growing up in a predominately Mormon community, the last thing I wanted to say was my father owned and operated a bar. Now as an adult I realized I could have said, "my father is an entrepreneur and owns and operates his own business. Then when asked what he did, I could say he "listened to people's problems" (LOL)

I hope when new members or families move into our wards they find a bright neon "Vacancy" sign flashing and a smile waiting to greet them.

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