And those who keep their second estate…. (Abraham 3:26)

 Websters 1820 dictionary has multiple pertinent examples of the meaning of the word "keep", of course.

This use of the word in the book of Genesis struck me:

"And the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it." Genesis 2:15.

Here, in this verse, keeping the garden meant taking care of it, helping it to flourish.

Keeping can also mean diligence in the tasks one is given: "There were shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night".

It can also mean protecting, as a goal keeper helps his teammates to prevail as he prevents the opposition from kicking the soccer ball into the goal he guards.

So today, with those meanings in my mind, I am thinking about what "keeping" this second estate means. Not just asking myself if I am personally "obeying, or 'keeping' the commandments", but instead...

Am I responding and/or caring for others; to help them to flourish and to bloom?

Am I diligent and committed to God's work and the watchcare over others and their needs that He has given me to do?

Am I acting on the responsibility given to me to assist other disciples who depend upon me in our mutual work of faith and hope towards God and charity towards others, and doing so both by

a) seeking to prevent damage by those who, with hate or fear or insecurity in their hearts, actively fight against that work

and also by

b) assisting my fellow disciples in our mutual efforts to be engaged, together, in the work He has given us to do?

Good for me to consider today.