The symbolism of the Sixty helps us understand that a loving God knows that sometimes we are not prepared when called the first time or the second time. The symbolism of the Sixty is that a merciful God understands that we fall short, we sin, we fail, we are distracted, we are unprepared, our faith is weak, but He doesn’t quit on us. Nephi powerfully reminded us of the Sixty when he saw our day and said, “For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long,
saith the Lord God of Hosts” (2 Nephi 28:32). I love that even when we disappoint Him by our decisions, God still reaches out to us in a merciful way.
A few years ago, I was sitting in sacrament meeting when in walked one-year-old Stella Skinner. She was a beautiful little blonde girl whose father was the executive secretary of the ward. He had left early for meetings that Sunday and so she had not seen him since the day before. She walked in and saw him and her beautiful little eyes lit up. She then very loudly (she hadn’t learned chapel reverence yet) and excitedly said, “Da, Da.” She then ran to him and they threw their arms around each other.
When we have distanced ourselves from God, but finally come to see Him again, I
believe the reunion is similar. I have frequently observed Heavenly Father quickly throw His loving arms around His children to comfort, bless, protect, sustain, invite and welcome them back.