You know hanne_line? She is from Norway. She was visiting the United States. Since she was coming so far, she wanted to meet as many LDS.net members that could make it to the gathering.

I sat across from HiJolly (and I found out that he and I are shirttail relatives!). Honor was on my right hand, and skalenfehl’s lovely wife was on my left. pam was diagonally across from me. The rest of the friends at the table were VisionofLehi, Fernni, hanne_linne, skalenfehl, Elphaba, Strawberry Fields, Nyal (and Nyal’s brother – not an LDS.net member – yet!), AND prisonchaplain (who was vacationing in Utah with his family and seeing Temple Square for the first time; prisonchaplain is from Washington). Honor even had checkerboy on the cell phone for a minute or two for a shout out. Jonathan, Karen and Richard from More Good Foundation were also there. (I’m sorry if I missed noting anyone’s presence – let me know!)

HiJolly and I both got seafood alfredo. I learned a little about skalenfehl’s wife during conversation. I smiled and chatted with Honor. I discussed with HiJolly. I listened in on talk happening farther down the table, especially as Jonathan and crew talked about their excitement in sharing the gospel online.

And it came to me.

There were men and women around the table. There were persons who were married; some not. There were persons in their twenties all the way to persons in their fifties. There were at least three different ethnicities represented, including hanne_linne who is Norwegian. There were different body types, hair and clothes. Most were members of the Church, but there were differences among us as to our relationship to and history with the Church and to the gospel. There were long time members of the Church and relatively recent converts; there were those with their struggles perhaps. There was an atheist. There was a member of the Assembly of God. We all had different marital status, economic status, geography, health conditions, life situations, political views. Some of us got along better than others on the Internet. Some of the people there were in the leadership of the website, some were just people who enjoyed the site. One gentleman isn’t even on the site.

But there we sat together around a feast table and in the bonds of charity. We didn’t need to change who we were to experience charity and Zion. We just had to be willing not to be at war/enmity with one another. I joyed in the unity of Zion that the Internet had brought about, or our use of the Internet in a godly way, according to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Later when I got home, I read a great essay on LDSBlogs.com (another More Good Foundation site). At the Olive Garden in Sandy, I had seen in action what blogger Alison Palmer says: “Everyone has different backgrounds and environments. There are so many good things that come out of the diversities of religion in the world. I can honestly say that any church can bring about tremendous amounts of good. It’s a step in the right direction, no matter which congregation you find yourself in, if your purpose in being there is to be as close to Jesus Christ as possible there’s nothing bad about that at all. But, without offending, may I suggest that the path extends further still. Eventually, I’d hope your desire would be to become even closer, to find those things that speak to your mind and heart even more clearly. It may seem a little pretentious, but to me that closer focus is found within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I believe it to be founded on the church established by Jesus Christ. I believe there is nothing lacking. I believe that within its doctrines and practices I can find myself truly honoring the will and purposes of my Heavenly Father. Fully and completely. That’s the most rewarding feeling for a disciple of Christ.”

I hope as members of LDS.net we will have further opportunity in the future to meet around the feast table. Until then, I find myself very grateful to be gathered at the Internet table of faith and friendship.

D&C 58:11; 2 Corinthians 13:11