A few years ago as Margie and I were on our way to the Boise Temple we witnessed a beautiful phenomenon just west of Ontario.  I had seen it before, but not on that scale.  Ahead of us, over the freeway, was a giant cloud of blackbirds flying in perfect unison.  The cloud was made up of thousands of individual birds all flying, twisting and turning at precisely the same instant.  There was no ripple effect as first one bird and then its neighbor would decide to turn.  Instead, every bird from front to back, though perhaps separated by a quarter of a mile, would turn at the exact, same instant.

How did they do that?  We were astounded.  We stopped the car to watch.  I could have watched for hours.  The birds were in perfect synchronization, and seemingly were performing the acrobatic feat just for fun.  They didn’t appear to be going anywhere in particular.  What was their purpose?  Half of the birds in the flock would have been fledglings just hatched that spring.  How did they learn those flying skills?  How were they taught?  Was this a practice run?  How did each bird manage to stay its predetermined distance from the six or seven birds flying in synchronization around it?  Why weren’t birds flying into one another?  How did every bird know when and which direction to turn?  Who in the flock was the leader making the decisions of when to turn, roll, or fly straight ahead?

It was a magnificent display, a thing of beauty, and a perfect example of unity.

Why did they do it?  Perhaps it was a defensive mechanism against predators.  I was once in my garden when a hawk hit the ground beside me with a blackbird in its talons.  He had dropped from the sky upon the lone bird, took it to the ground, and then flew off with his prize.

With the blackbirds all together in that dense, synchronized flock, I think it would be impossible for a hawk to focus on one individual and to bring it out of the crowd.  On the other hand, if one bird should separate itself from the flock it would become an easy target for any skilled predator.

The Book of Mormon records many instances of dissenters who separated themselves from the main body of the Nephites.  The adversary brought every one of them down.  The adversary was able to destroy many thousands of Nephites in the days of Captain Moroni because of their disunity.  Moroni lamented, “had it not been for the war which broke out among ourselves; yea, were it not for these king-men, who caused so much bloodshed among ourselves; yea, at the time we were contending among ourselves, if we had united our strength as we hitherto have done…we should have dispersed our enemies…”  (Alma 60:16).

Those who separate themselves from the flock are vulnerable, while their separation leaves the flock itself less strong.

It was my privilege to lead the congregation in singing today.  I was thinking of blackbirds as I did so.  When I looked out over the congregation, I saw blackbirds.  All but two individuals were singing.  One of them removed himself from the flock after taking the sacrament and never returned for any of the other meetings.  The other individual was his young son who imitates his behavior.  I wondered if the son was being properly instructed about synchronization within the flock.

The rest of the flock sang together, prayed together, thought together, and were instructed together in a fine talk about sacrifice by a just-returned missionary.  The young man gave an outstanding talk.  As he spoke I had a feeling go through me that he would one day be the leader of such a congregation.  There is no doubt that will be the case.  He is selfless, personable, worthy, and has a strong testimony that shines out from within.  He claimed to have had a hard time preparing a talk on that assigned topic because he’d never been called upon in his young life to make any sacrifices.  Never mind that he spent over $10,000 of his own hard-earned money to devote a tithe of his young life to serve the Father’s flock for two full years.  It never dawned upon him that he’d made a sacrifice because he felt that he’d been the beneficiary.  That’s always the case with true sacrifice.

The young man was very obviously clean and happy and flying in harmony with the flock.  He did it throughout his youth by going to seminary, being part of Mutual, reading his scriptures, keeping the commandments, and by abstaining from things that would taint his mind and body.  He will raise a nest of fledglings who will be just like him.  They’ll be happy, and a credit to the flock.  The flock will assist the young man and his wife in raising their fledglings.  They’ll gather around them as teachers, leaders, friends, and examples; and will help protect them from the predators that would destroy them if they should become separated from the flock.

We become separated from the flock when we try to be different in our dress or demeanor, or when we isolate ourselves in front of a computer or behind hand-held technology that limits social contact.  We become separated from the flock when we break the commandments, hide our sins, and fail to repent.  Prayer then becomes difficult, self esteem plummets, discouragement sets in, and we become easy prey for the hawks that are always circling overhead.

Some would tell you that it’s weakness or not cool to be a part of a flock doing what everyone else does.  Remember that you’re an individual, and that your individual strength contributes much to the strength and safety of the flock.  A flock flying in perfect synchronization and harmony is an awe-inspiring thing of beauty.  A ward flying in perfect synchronization and harmony is an awe-inspiring haven of safety.

If you can’t see yourself as a blackbird in a flock, picture yourself instead as a member of a symphony orchestra.  One member of that orchestra striking discordant notes would be like a blackbird trying to do his own thing in the synchronized flock.

“I say unto you,” the Savior said, “be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.”  (D&C 38:27).

“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.”  (D&C 35:2).

“The Father and I are one.  I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you.”  (D&C 50:43).

Jesus’ prayer for us was, “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are,…that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us…”  (John 17:11, 21).

This is Jesus’ prayer and invitation, that we should become one with Him and with the Father.  We’re on a practice run to show that we’re willing and capable.

I feel good about myself and about the world when I’m in sync with the Lord and His commandments.  I feel distressed when I violate His commandments and take myself out of the flock.  I’m grateful for the flock and its Leader.  I know that if I follow Him I will be safe.

—19 August 2012.