“If Ye Are Not One Ye Are Not Mine” Part 1
- CFMCorner
- 3 days ago
- 24 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
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I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. This past week, my family took time to reflect on Passover as part of our Easter tradition, focusing on the final week of the Savior’s mortal ministry. As I updated our Haggadah script, I was struck by the powerful parallels between the Passover journey and this week’s Doctrine and Covenants study—where the early Saints begin their own Exodus: first to Ohio, then to Nauvoo, and ultimately to the Salt Lake Valley.
As we reflect on the Seder Kadosh, the “Holy Order” of the Haggadah, we remember the Lord’s divine pattern: His power to deliver, His invitation to enter into covenant, and His desire to lead His people on a journey of sanctification and redemption. That same pattern is woven through the Restoration, and it continues to unfold in our lives today.
As part of our lesson this week, I thought I would share our families updated Haggadah Script.
🕯 Family Haggadah Program:
A Messianic Seder Guide for Families –
🔗 Theme:
This night tells the story of bondage and deliverance. We gather tonight to walk through a sacred pattern—called the Seder, which means “order.” Each step invites us to remember stories of deliverance:
The Israelites’ exodus from Egypt,
The patterns of the Nephites’ escape from the bondage, including the Nephites escape from Jerusalem, the escape of Limhi’s people from the Lamanites, Alma the Elder’s people from King Noah and the Amulonites
Our own deliverance from sin and death through Jesus Christ.
At the Last Supper, Jesus observed this same sacred pattern with His disciples. Alma refers to this divine sequence as the Seder Kadosh, the Holy Order (see Alma 13). These steps are not just rituals—they represent a journey of the soul toward sanctification, redemption, and being accepted of the Lord.
As we move through tonight’s program, we’ll taste, act, and ask—each food, gesture, and question holding symbolic meaning. This is not only a remembrance—it is an invitation:
"Come unto Christ, and be made whole."
📜 The Order of the Pesach Seder:
1. 🍷🕯 Kadesh – קָדֵשׁ – “Sanctify”
Opening Prayer & First Cup: The Cup of Sanctification
Action: Pour and bless the first cup. Say:
“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.”
📖 Scripture Connection:
“I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians…” — Exodus 6:6–7
💡 Insight: This first cup sets the night apart—it is the cup of sanctification. Jesus likely began the Last Supper with this very cup, giving thanks and setting apart the evening for sacred purpose. In our day, this cup mirrors the sacrament and baptism by water—the beginning of our covenant journey.
🔍 Reflection Questions:
How does the Lord lead us out of spiritual bondage today?
What do I need to do to let Him deliver me?
“Lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, … and come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins.” – Alma 7:15
Alma 5:14 – “Have ye been spiritually born of God?” This question invites deep self-examination. To be spiritually born means more than just outward change—it means our hearts, desires, and very nature begin to align with God.
Jesus taught that being born again requires both water and Spirit:
“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” — John 3:5
You will notice tonight that there are two washings, step 2. Urchatz and step 6. Rachtzah Just as the Israelites were delivered from Egypt by passing through water and entering into covenant, we are invited to be born again through baptism (water) and the gift of the Holy Ghost (Spirit)—a rebirth into the family of God.
🔍 Reflection Questions:
What does it mean for me personally to be “spiritually born”?
Have I felt my heart change through Christ?
How do water (baptism) and Spirit (the Holy Ghost) continue to sanctify me?
What ritual washings do we participate in today?
2.🫧 Urchatz – וּרְחַץ – “Wash” (First Washing)
3. 🌿 Karpas – כַּרְפַּס – “Greens in Salt Water”
4. 🫓 Yachatz – יַחַץ – “Break” the Middle Matzah
5. 📖 Maggid – מַגִּיד – “Tell the Story”
6. 🫧Rachtzah – רָחְצָה – “Wash Again”
7. 🫓 Motzi – מוֹצִיא – “Blessing Over the Bread”
9. 🌶 Maror – מָרוֹר – “Bitter Herbs”
10. 🥪 Korech – כּוֹרֵךְ – “The Sandwich”
11. 🍽️ Shulchan Orech – שֻׁלְחָן עוֹרֵךְ – “The Set Table”
12. 🔍🍞 Tzafun – צָפוּן – “Hidden”
13. 🍷Barech – בָּרֵךְ – “Blessing After the Meal”
14. 🎶 Hallel – הַלֵּל – “Praise”
15. ✨ Nirtzah – נִרְצָה – “Accepted”
As we move through the Doctrine & Covenants this year, keep these steps of the Holy Order in mind, look for ways that we see them reflected in the stories of the early saints, and how we see them reflected in our own lives today.
Additional Info:
Insights from the Apostles: Ye are Called to Bring to Pass the Gathering, Elder Gerrit W. Gong and Sister Susan Gong
Chapter Outlines
D&C 37 Chapter Outline & Study Guide
Overview
Date: December 1830
Location: Fayette, New York
Recipient: Entire Church, through Joseph Smith
Revelation Context: This is the first revelation commanding the Saints to gather in a central location—in this case, Ohio. It is a critical transitional moment from scattered missionary work to organized gathering.
Timeframe & Setting
Received after the missionary journey to the Lamanites (D&C 32) and amid increasing persecution in New York.
Sidney Rigdon, a new convert and prominent Campbellite preacher, is now assisting Joseph.
The Lord prepares the Church for further revelations, including the Law of Consecration and temple instruction, which would be given in Ohio.
Key Circumstances
A foundational moment in Church organization.
Persecution in New York increased as membership grew.
The Saints needed a centralized place to receive further instruction and protection.
Purpose of the Revelation
To command the Saints to stop translating the Bible and gather to the Ohio.
To prepare them to receive the “Law” (D&C 42) and other foundational principles in safety.
Significance
Marks the beginning of the doctrine of gathering in this dispensation.
Introduces the idea that receiving more revelation sometimes requires a physical change of location.
Reinforces the principle of obedience as a prerequisite to deeper spiritual instruction.
Main Themes & Language Insights | Cross-References & Supporting Resources |
Verse 1 – A Divine Interruption: Stop the Translation Summary: The Lord instructs Joseph Smith to pause the inspired translation of the Bible. This shows how divine priorities can shift based on timing and readiness. The translation project is sacred, but gathering the Saints becomes the immediate priority. Language Insights: The phrase “It is not expedient” reflects purposeful divine delay—“expedient” here echoes Greek sumphero (συμφέρω), meaning “to bring together for benefit or advantage.” The Lord is orchestrating what will bring the greatest spiritual benefit for the Saints. Reflection Questions: • What does it mean when God interrupts a “good work” for a greater purpose? • How do you discern when it’s time to pause a spiritual pursuit to obey a different prompting? • How does this principle apply in modern Church service or personal callings? | Steven C. Harper, “Section 37” 'Go to the Ohio' Elizabeth Maki “Gathered In,” Saints, Volume 1 “After Much Tribulation,” Saints, Volume 1 Joseph Smith—History 1:65 Joseph stops translating when commanded D&C 73:3–4 – Later command to resume translation Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 – “To everything there is a season…” Conference: • “Timing” – Dallin H. Oaks, Apr 2003 • “Good, Better, Best” – Dallin H. Oaks, Oct 2007 |
Verse 2 – The First Command to Gather to Ohio Summary: The Saints are commanded to go to the Ohio. This introduces the vital restoration theme of gathering, both physical and spiritual. The Lord designates a new center where they can receive “the law” (D&C 42). Language Insights: The word gather reflects the Hebrew קָבַץ – qavatz, often used in prophetic promises of Israel’s return (Isaiah 11:12). In the Greek Septuagint, this idea aligns with episynagō (ἐπισυνάγω), meaning to gather together into one. This is the first major instance of this theme in modern revelation. Reflection Questions: • What does it mean to “gather” in a spiritual and covenantal sense today? • Why might the Lord require a people to physically move to receive greater spiritual laws? • How does this commandment echo the Exodus or other divine relocations in scripture? | Steven C. Harper, “Section 37” Susan Easton Black, “The Doctrine of Gathering,” Elizabeth Maki, “'Go to the Ohio',” Ronald D. Dennis, "Gathering," D&C 38:32 – “Go ye out from the wicked... to Ohio” Isaiah 11:12 – “He shall gather... from the four corners” 3 Nephi 10:4–6 – “How oft would I have gathered you...” Matthew 23:37 – Christ’s lament over Jerusalem Conference: • “Come and Belong” – Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Oct 2020 • “Hope of Israel” – Elder Russell M. Nelson, June 3, 2018 |
Verse 3 – Persecution and Divine Protection Summary: The Saints are warned that persecution is increasing and are told that gathering is necessary to receive future revelation. The Lord's foreknowledge and protective foresight are evident. Language Insights: “That they might escape the power of the enemy” evokes the Hebrew term mālaṭ (מָלַט – Strong’s H4422), meaning “to slip away, to deliver, to escape.” This term appears in Psalms and prophetic texts in reference to divine deliverance. Reflection Questions: • How does persecution play a role in motivating divine movement or change? • When have you felt guided away from danger through spiritual impressions? • What does this verse teach us about trusting in unseen purposes? | D&C 38:13–14 – “Ye were driven out… for your sakes.” Matthew 10:23 – “When they persecute you… flee to another city.” Psalms 91:3 – “He shall deliver thee from the snare…” Conference: • “Be Not Troubled” – Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Oct 2018 • “Safety for the Soul” – Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Oct 2009 |
Verse 4 – “Publish it Not Until I Command You” Summary: The Lord instructs Joseph not to publish this revelation until further notice. This shows a pattern of prophetic discretion and reveals that some truths are time-sensitive and sacred. Language Insights: “Publish it not” implies the need for holy restraint. Compare to Hebrew satar (סָתַר), “to conceal or hide,” often used to describe the sacred or the holy not yet revealed. In Greek, compare mystērion (μυστήριον), “a hidden thing revealed by God.” Reflection Questions: • Why might the Lord withhold revelation from public view? • How do we honor sacred things that are not meant to be immediately shared? • What does this teach us about spiritual timing and stewardship? | D&C 10:37–42 – Lord warns Joseph not to show lost manuscript Alma 12:9 – “It is given unto many to know the mysteries…” Matthew 7:6 – “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs…” Conference: • “Receive and Recognize Revelation” – President Russell M. Nelson, Apr 2018 |
Continue Chapter Outlines in Part 2
Maps:
Oh yay! Thank you for this beautiful connection to Alma's "Holy Order"! Wow. That was a mind blown moment for me!
I love the connection of the Afikomen being discovered by children and that, as Christ taught, we too ought to be as little children!
By the time the Sabbath arrived I didn't have any courage to try out a Seder meal. But after reading your Haggadah and your additional insights, I'm feeling re-motivated to try it with my children for CFM this week. I'm up and down as I try to find the right balance for my family. Thank you Kymber for sharing your knowledge with us! Shavua Tov! שבוע טוב ❤️