Being one, but not alone

Dear friend

If there is one of something it stands alone, separate, unique, singular. However if there is one of something and that something is a collective noun, it is not so easy to see its singularity. I'm thinking of a pod (of dolphins), a family (of beavers), a quorum (of Apostles), a parliament (of owls). As a collection of more than one it is not so easy for a collective to make a claim to uniqueness or singleness. But a group is a separate, distinct, lone entity, albeit a group has at least two and usually more members.

I'm quite interested in the dynamics of how groups act together "as one". The concepts of synergy and economies of scale would suggest there is inherent value in "some" becoming "one". The results can be powerful, even beautiful; such as with a murmuration of starlings and their undulating, mesmerising flights during the roosting season.

The concept of "many as one" is interesting as used in the scriptures, especially as the Lord sometimes applies it. For example in Doctrine and Covenants 35:2.

2 I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one.

A great debate in Christendom is the nature of the Trinity. Without giving a full treatment to that doctrinal dispute, this verse clearly teaches how a "we" may be a "one" in Christ, comparing it to Christ's oneness with the Father. Obviously in both cases this is not about being the same literal embodied person. Further insight can be found in the New Testament, Romans 12:4, 5.

4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

In this case a "many" is a "one". The benefits of being "at one" as a Church body in Christ include; unity, mutuality, peer support, interdependence, collective achievement and more. Indeed the Lord says elsewhere that if we are not one we are not His.

Of course the perfect example of unity, especially of our being in and at one with Christ, is when we partake of the great "at-one-ment" (Atonement) of Christ. I hope we can see the value of being at one with Christ so He can verily be in us. I pray we will learn how to be unified with Our Lord as we come to understand the complete unity of purpose that exists between the Father and the Son.

Samuel.