—Jon Lefrandt, Highland 7th Ward
The Restoration of His People: Lessons from West Side Story and the Gospel of Jesus Christ
It’s fascinating how the Lord can speak to us in unexpected ways. Over the years, I’ve learned that His messages often come not as grand revelations, but as small pieces scattered throughout our lives—each moment adding clarity.
For me, one of those pieces came through an unlikely source: West Side Story.
In late 2021, I found myself watching Steven Spielberg’s reimagined adaptation not once, not twice, but three times in a matter of weeks. I wept through each viewing, the tears coming harder every time. One night while traveling for work, I found myself alone in an empty theater in West Des Moines during my third viewing. I texted my wife, “I’ve been sobbing for the past 90 minutes.”
Something about this story was stirring my soul, and I knew the Lord was teaching me through it.
What followed was a series of personal reflections—some of which began long before I ever sat in that theater. At the time, life felt heavy. I had been grappling with feelings of emptiness and disconnection, questioning my purpose and the state of the world around me. But as the message of West Side Story collided with lessons I had been learning through the gospel, a new understanding began to form.
That understanding came through three pivotal experiences—three messages from God—that centered on unity, love, and our sacred responsibility to become one.
Or said differently: the ongoing Restoration.
The First Lesson: The Restoration of His People
In a Sunday School lesson, our friends the Turleys taught about the “ongoing Restoration.” When we hear the word Restoration, our minds often go to sacred events like Joseph Smith’s First Vision, the restoration of priesthood authority, or the early days of the Church.
But there is another aspect of the Restoration that is just as vital—and often overlooked:
the restoration of God’s people.
Doctrine and Covenants 84:2 teaches that the Lord’s Church was established “for the restoration of His people.” Likewise, 2 Nephi 30:8 teaches that the Lord will “commence His work among all nations… to bring about the restoration of His people upon the earth.”
The Restoration isn’t only about doctrine or ordinances—it’s also about healing hearts, strengthening relationships, and helping God’s children become one.
It is about living the two great commandments Christ taught:
- to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind
- and to love our neighbor as ourselves
And if we’re honest, that can be one of the hardest parts of discipleship.
Because even in a covenant community, unity doesn’t happen automatically. It happens when we choose it—over and over again.
President Gordon B. Hinckley once taught, “Love is like the Polar Star. In a changing world, it is a constant. It is the very essence of the gospel.”
That quote has stayed with me, and it leads me to ask a question I think we all wrestle with at times:
Am I truly living this principle?
Am I loving others in a way that reflects the love of Christ?
The Second Lesson: The Tragic Beauty of West Side Story
That question followed me as I watched West Side Story.
At its heart, the film is a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet—a love story set against the backdrop of division, fear, and deep resentment. The Jets, a gang of marginalized white teenagers, clash with the Sharks, a group of Puerto Rican immigrants trying to build a life in the same neighborhood.
Amid this chaos, Tony and Maria—leaders from opposing sides—find love. Their connection transcends skin color, heritage, and circumstance.
But their love is met with anger and violence, and ultimately, they cannot overcome the hatred surrounding them.
In one of the most poignant moments of the film, Tony and Maria sing in a chapel:
Make of our hands one hand,
Make of our hearts one heart,
Make of our vows one last vow:
Only death will part us now.
Those words shattered me.
Because the lyrics speak to more than young, romantic love—they are a plea for unity. A longing for a world where people stop defining one another as enemies, and start seeing each other as human beings.
And it made me reflect inward:
What walls have I built between myself and others?
How often have I let pride, assumptions, or fear keep me from extending love?
The Third Lesson: Christ, the Prince of Peace
Not long after that experience, my bishop shared a Christmas message at our ward Christmas breakfast about one of Christ’s most meaningful titles:
Prince of Peace.
Unlike earthly conquerors, Christ ruled no nations, led no armies, and raised no sword. His only crown was made of thorns.
And yet, He won the ultimate victory.
He defeated sin and death—and offers peace to all who follow Him.
He calms troubled seas.
He heals broken bonds.
He turns heartache into hope.
That morning, something clicked for me:
The peace Christ offers isn’t passive.
It requires action.
To be disciples of the Prince of Peace, we must actively build bridges instead of walls. We must choose love over pride and unity over division. We must become the kind of people who carry His presence into our homes, our ward families, and our everyday interactions.
A Call to Action
In West Side Story, one of the most memorable songs is “America,” where the Puerto Rican immigrants sing about their love for a country that doesn’t always love them back.
It reminded me that America—this land prepared for the Restoration—has long been a gathering place. People sacrifice so much for freedom, opportunity, and a better future for their families.
But the gospel invites us to go deeper than slogans or assumptions. The Lord has asked us to love our neighbors—not just in word, but in deed.
The story of the Sharks and Jets is a reminder that division and hatred always lead to tragedy.
And if we are to fulfill Christ’s vision of unity, we must do better.
We must choose love.
President Russell M. Nelson has said, “We are witnesses to the process of restoration.” That restoration isn’t only about bringing people into the Church—it’s also about restoring hearts, healing divisions, strengthening families, and becoming one.
Where Do We Begin?
If I’ve learned anything through these experiences, it’s this:
I may not be able to change the entire world, but I can start with myself.
I can soften my heart.
I can listen more and judge less.
I can forgive faster.
I can love my neighbors—not just in thought, but in action.
The restoration of God’s people begins with small, daily efforts to follow Christ’s example. It begins when each of us commits to be a peacemaker. It begins when we choose to see others the way the Savior sees them.
As I think back to the tears I shed in that theater, I realize they weren’t tears of despair.
They were tears of longing.
Longing for a world filled with Christ’s love.
A world where unity, compassion, and peace reign.
And while that world may feel far away at times, I believe it begins here and now—with you and with me.