Did you ever hear the Savior tout His differences with the Father to keep His individuality? On the contrary. This is part of what drives my thinking. He was an individual, yes, but there was nothing He did or said that wasn’t what Father would do or say. We think of such “loss of individuality” as a negative in our culture and in our mortal minds, but I just can’t help but think that eternally, that will be more our reality than benefiting from our various differences. But then there is the whole male-female thing, so I dunno how it really will all play out.

I just have a hard time imagining such inequality continuing on into our eternal existence.

differences do not nessessarily mean inequality, just as equality does not necessarily mean identical.

But perhaps there are some “essentials” where we are expected to be unified and in agreement. When I think of Zion, the main characteristic to me is that of being of one heart- that we all strive for the same thing. We all bring different gifts and abilities to the table, but we offer them willingly for the benefit of the whole.

I like Ray’s reference to marriage. I think there’s a synergy that results from unity, and this is what I hope to achieve in my family.

Sorry…the whole Proclamation comment threw me off. I agree that our differences can be benefits in mortality; I believe that is some of what Paul was getting to when he talked of the body of Christ. I believe it’s part of the reason decisions in the Church are almost always made by council. I heard someone once think that perhaps when different people come to a council, they might be inspired to have different positions so that various facets of an issue can be addressed before the Lord guides them toward a decision. I thought that was an interesting dynamic to consider as possible.

Kristine, I guess on one hand I can understand your response, but on the other hand, I’d rather think of a fulness of what God has as being able to have all the characteristics, talents, gifts He has. I fail to see how He could possibly give gifts that He doesn’t possess, so I see anything good we have or are as a tiny sliver of His goodness and ability. If we have different talents and some undeveloped as gods, I just don’t see how we could fully do what in my mind a god would do 9if He is the giver of all good gifts, is it possible for Him to have any less than all good gifts Himself?).

I also have a hunch that perhaps individuality is a mortally important thing, because we do focus on those unique gifts we have been given and want to develop, as well we should. I just have a hard time imagining such inequality continuing on into our eternal existence.

Such fun questions to mull over, no? :)

YES

Kristine, I hope when you and Bob Dylan and Joe Cocker go slumming from the CK and come down to visit all us lowlifes and smoothies, you’ll at least sing something nice.

http://onelowerlight.blogspot.com/2007/08/mormon-zion-and-democratic-ideals-are.html

To summarize, when we hear the words “of one heart and one mind,” we take it to mean that we are united in the conclusions we draw about the world. What if instead it meant that we are united in how we go about coming to an understanding of the world? United in the process instead of the end result? Under that interpretation of the scripture, differences of opinion are perfectly healthy so long as we respect and sincerely listen to each other, and are all engaged in our public discussion of the issues. After all, ancient Zion was built by human beings, not supermen, and how often do we as human beings have all the answers to all of the issues?

Those were basically my thoughts on the question.

This is one thing I simply don’t worry about at all. I’m with Steve. I’m sure I’ll understand it when I get there, so I’ll look all of you up and compare our senses of humor then.

YES

(Otherwise, I will have to start worshiping Thomas Hampson)