When Will the Savior Return to the Earth?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Moses 7 and a lesson titled “The Lord Called His People Zion.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

Throughout history, people have tried to achieve what Enoch and his people accomplished: building an ideal society where there is no poverty or violence. As God’s people, we share this desire. We call it building Zion, and it includes—in addition to caring for people in need and promoting peace—making covenants, dwelling together in righteousness, and becoming one with each other and with Jesus Christ, “the King of Zion” (Moses 7:53). If the world, your community, or your family isn’t quite what you want it to be, it’s helpful to ask, How did Enoch and his people do it? How did they become “of one heart and one mind” (Moses 7:18) despite the contention around them? Among the many details Moses 7 gives us about Zion, a particularly valuable one for Latter-day Saints might be this: Zion is not just a city—it is a condition of the heart and spirit. Zion, as the Lord has taught, is “the pure in heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 97:21). So perhaps the best way to build Zion is to start in our own hearts and homes.

This scripture block teaches several principles, including (1) I can help build Zion (Moses 7:16-21, 27, 53, 62-69); (2) Jesus Christ is “the King of Zion;” (3) God weeps – and rejoices – for His children (Moses 7:28-69); (4) Jesus Christ will come again in the last days (Moses 7:59-67).

This essay will discuss principle #4 about the return of Jesus Christ in the last days. We will first study the applicable verses, Moses 7:59-67.

59 And Enoch beheld the Son of Man ascend up unto the Father; and he called unto the Lord, saying: Wilt thou not come again upon the earth? Forasmuch as thou art God, and I know thee, and thou hast sworn unto me, and commanded me that I should ask in the name of thine Only Begotten; thou hast made me, and given unto me a right to thy throne, and not of myself, but through thine own grace; wherefore, I ask thee if thou wilt not come again on the earth.

60 And the Lord said unto Enoch: As I live, even so will I come in the last days, in the days of wickedness and vengeance, to fulfil the oath which I have made unto you concerning the children of Noah;

61 And the day shall come that the earth shall rest, but before that day the heavens shall be darkened, and a veil of darkness shall cover the earth; and the heavens shall shake, and also the earth; and great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but my people will I preserve;

62 And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem.

63 And the Lord said unto Enoch: Then shalt thou and all thy city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom, and they shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other;

64 And there shall be mine abode, and it shall be Zion, which shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made; and for the space of a thousand years the earth shall rest.

65 And it came to pass that Enoch saw the day of the coming of the Son of Man, in the last days, to dwell on the earth in righteousness for the space of a thousand years;

66 But before that day he saw great tribulations among the wicked; and he also saw the sea, that it was troubled, and men’s hearts failing them, looking forth with fear for the judgments of the Almighty God, which should come upon the wicked.

67 And the Lord showed Enoch all things, even unto the end of the world; and he saw the day of the righteous, the hour of their redemption, and received a fulness of joy;

These scripture verses tell us that Jesus Christ will return to earth in the last days – our day. Enoch’s vision, especially what’s recorded in Moses 7:59-67, is one of history’s first prophecies of the Savior’s Second Coming.

Former President Russell M. Nelson, in his October 2015 general conference address to the sisters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave the following description of the part that women play in preparing for the Savior’s coming: (“A Plea to My Sisters,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov 2015, 95-96; emphasis added). 

It would be impossible to measure the influence that … women have, not only on families but also on the Lord’s Church, as wives, mothers, and grandmothers; as sisters and aunts; as teachers and leaders; and especially as exemplars and devout defenders of the faith.

This has been true in every gospel dispensation since the days of Adam and Eve. Yet the women of this dispensation are distinct from the women of any other because this dispensation is distinct from any other. This distinction brings both privileges and responsibilities.”

President Henry B. Eyring quoted the above comments in his October 2020 general conference remarks titled “Sisters in Zion.” He then added these comments: 

This dispensation is distinct in that the Lord will lead us to become prepared to be like the city of Enoch. He has described through His apostles and prophets what that transformation to a Zion people will entail….

If the past is prologue, at the time of the Savior’s coming, the daughters who are deeply committed to their covenants with God will be more than half of those who are prepared to welcome Him when He comes. But whatever the numbers, your contribution in creating unity among the people prepared for that Zion will be far greater than half….

My experience has taught me that Heavenly Father’s daughters have a gift to allay contention and to promote righteousness with their love of God and with the love of God they engender in those they serve.

In Moses 7, we learn that Enoch spoke to God face to face and received much information. Part of that information was this description of Zion found in Moses 7:18:

And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and

dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.

Here is the answer to eliminating poverty in the world: seek unity, be righteous, and care for the poor. When the Savior returns to earth, He will return to a gathering of righteous men, women, and children. If we want to see Jesus Christ return, we should start with becoming righteous ourselves and then helping others to become righteous.

When Will Zion Be Redeemed?

             My Come, Follow Me studies took me to Doctrine and Covenants 102-105. Mobs in Jackson County, Missouri, drove the Saints from their homes in late 1833, and many of the refugees found safety across the Missouri River in Clay County, Missouri. From there, they sent letters to the Prophet Joseph Smith informing him of their circumstances. They also sent messengers from Missouri to Kirtland, Ohio. After traveling from Missouri, Parley P. Pratt and Lyman Wight arrived in Kirtland in January 1834 to visit with the Prophet personally about the plight of the Saints in Missouri.

Pratt and Wight reported to the Prophet and the Kirtland high council on February 24, 1834. When the Prophet announced that he was going to Missouri to help redeem Zion, 30-40 people committed to go with him. (See The Joseph Smith Papers, Documents, Volume 3: February 1833-March 1834, ed. Gerrit J. Dirkmaat and others [2014], 453-54.)

That same day, the Prophet received the revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 103. In the revelation, the Lord promised that the Saints would be “[restored] to the land of Zion” if they did not “pollute their inheritances” (Doctrine and Covenants 103:13-14). He also directed Church leaders to gather men and resources to help the Saints living in Missouri.

This revelation seems to be a continued fulfillment of a previous revelation given six months earlier. In the first revelation, the Lord indicated that the Prophet would lead “the strength of mine house … unto the land of my vineyard, and redeem my vineyard” (see Doctrine and Covenants 101:55-56). In obedience to this revelation, Church leaders visited congregations of Saints to gather funds, supplies, and volunteers for the Camp of Israel. (See The Joseph Smith Papers, Documents, Volume 3: February 1833 –March 1834, 453–54, 457–59.)

The Prophet and the Saints were obedient to the Lord’s command, and more than two hundred volunteers formed the Camp of Israel (later known as Zion’s Camp). The men, with several women, formed the Camp of Israel to help the Saints in Missouri who were forced out of their Jackson County, Missouri, homes.

The Camp of Israel were in camp four miles north of Fishing River, Missouri, on June 22, 1834, when the Prophet Joseph Smith dictated the revelation now recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 105. In the revelation, the Lord explained that the Saints must “wait for a little season for the redemption of Zion” (Doctrine and Covenants 105:9). He also gave instructions for actions that the Saints must do to redeem Zion or to reclaim Zion sometime in the future.

One of the principles taught in Doctrine and Covenants 103 and 105 is that Zion can be built only on principles of righteousness. The Lord revealed that Zion will be built in Jackson County, Missouri, but Zion will not be redeemed until the Saints are living the principles that will create Zion.

The Lord stated that Zion’s Camp could not redeem Zion and restore the Saints to their lands because “of the transgressions of my people” (Doctrine and Covenants 105:2). Zion has not yet been redeemed, so His people must still be transgressing His commandments. It seems to me that everyone who desires to redeem Zion must exam their own life and put their own life in order.

Another principle taught in these revelations is that blessings come after afflictions and trials of faith. Those volunteers who participated in Zion’s Camp went through a trial of faith. Their journey was long, the weather was hot, and there were inadequate supplies of food and water. The volunteers endured these conditions because they thought that they were going to redeem Zion. They arrived in Missouri only to hear that they must “wait for a little season for the redemption of Zion” (Doctrine and Covenant 105:9).

It is obvious that the Lord did not send Zion’s Camp to Missouri to redeem Zion. However, the journey was not a waste. The trek from Ohio to Missouri tried the faith and commitment of the members of Zion’s Camp. A few failed the test, but the vast majority of the men who went with the Prophet Joseph Smith passed the test. Numerous future leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were among the members of Zion’s Camp. Brigham Young learned principles, skills, and practices that he later used in leading the Saints from Nauvoo, Illinois, to the Salt Lake Valley.

In other words, the Lord used Zion’s Camp as a school of training for His future leaders. Strong and committed leadership was one of the blessings that came out of the adversities of Zion’s Camp. The Lord will still redeem Zion, but it will not happen until the Saints and their leaders are prepared to inhabit it.

 

Where Is Zion, and When Will Jesus Christ Return?

             My Come, Follow Me lesson took me to Doctrine and Covenants 63 this week. When the Prophet Joseph Smith and other Church leaders returned to Ohio from Missouri on August 27, 1831, they told the waiting Church members that the Lord had identified Jackson County, Missouri, as the location for the city of Zion.

The revelation contained in Doctrine and Covenants 63 was given through the Prophet Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, on August 30, 1831. When Joseph returned to Kirtland from his visit to Missouri, he discovered that dissension and apostasy had entered the Church in his absence. This was the setting for the revelation now contained in Doctrine and Covenants 63.

The section heading quotes from Joseph Smith’s history this description of this revelation:

In these infant days of the Church, there was a great anxiety to obtain the word of the Lord upon every subject that in any way concerned our salvation; and as the land of Zion was now the most important temporal object in view, I enquired of the Lord for further information upon the gathering of the Saint, and the purchase of the land, and other matters (in Manuscript History of the Church, vol. A-1, page 146, josephsmithpapers.org).

            The Prophet received an answer to his inquiry on August 30. He recorded the information, and it later became Doctrine and Covenants 63. The “other matters” that the Prophet took to the Lord may have been concern for several members of the Church who had committed serious sins and fallen away while he was in Missouri.

            The site for the city of Zion had been selected, and it had been dedicated as a place of gathering for the Saints when Church leaders visited Missouri. However, members of the Church of Jesus Christ had mixed views on Zion. Many of the Saints were eager to start gathering in Missouri, while others – such as Ezra Booth – were disappointed with the land of Zion.

            The Lord addressed the purchase of lands in Missouri and gave counsel of how to move the Saints to Zion. However, He also gave this timely reminder: “I, the Lord, utter my voice, and it shall be obeyed” (verse 5). His voice, His will, His command all “[come] from above,” and they should be treated as sacred information. In fact, the Lord said that it “is sacred, and must be spoken with care” (verse 64). The revelation declared that only those who were faithful followers of Jesus Christ were to go and help establish Zion in Missouri.

            The revelation contains information on many topics, and one of those topics is the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord said in verse 53 that the events of the Second Coming are “nigh at hand.” While no one but Heavenly Father knows the hour of the Second Coming, the Lord gave valuable information to help us prepare when He taught the parable of the foolish and wise virgins (see Matthew 25:1-13).

            If the Second Coming was “nigh at hand” in 1831, it is much closer now. We should view it as imminent and prepare according. The Lord clarified in Doctrine and Covenants 63 what He meant in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. This clarification is found in verse 54: “until that hour there will be foolish virgins among the wise.”

Even among the Latter-day Saints, there will be those who will be found wicked and who will be separated and cast out from among the righteous, as in the parable of the wheat and tares (see Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43). This is the reason why the Lord commanded the Saints to repent of their sins and to prepare for His coming. Then-Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained this need for Church members to repent.

While we are powerless to alter the fact of the Second Coming and unable to know its exact time, we can accelerate our own preparation and try to influence the preparation of those around us.

A parable that contains an important and challenging teaching on this subject is the parable of the ten virgins. Of this parable, the Lord said, “And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins” (Doctrine and Covenants 45:56).

Given in the 25 chapter of Matthew, this parable contrasts the circumstances of the five foolish and the five wise virgins. All ten were invited to the wedding feast, but only half of them were prepared with oil in their lamps when the bridegroom came. The five who were prepared went into the marriage feast, and the door was shut. The five who had delayed their preparations came later. The door had been closed, and the Lord denied them entrance, saying, “I know you not” (v. 12). “Watch therefore,” the Savior concluded, “for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (v. 13).

The arithmetic of this parable is chilling. The ten virgins obviously represent members of Christ’s Church, for all were invited to the wedding feast and all knew what was required to be admitted when the bridegroom came. But only half were ready when he came” (“Preparation for the Second Coming,” Ensign, May 2004, 8).

            We do not know when the Savior will come, but we have been commanded to prepare for His Second Coming. We can prepare for that sacred experience by bringing to pass Zion in our individual lives, in our homes, and in our communities. Anyone who is capable of living in a Zion-like atmosphere will be prepared to meet the Savior.

Zion

                The liberty principle for this Freedom Friday is the simple fact that true liberty and true peace come from righteous living.  Those who love Jesus Christ and obey His commandments bring liberty and peace into their lives.

                The Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ includes a short history of the conditions that were in ancient America following the visit of Christ.  As you might have guessed, the Lord’s visit resulted in more than 200 years of righteousness and peace.

                The history tells that “many … did truly repent of their sins, were baptized in the name of Jesus; and they did also receive the Holy Ghost.  It also states that “there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another.

                “And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift” (Fourth Nephi 1:2).

                These conditions continued for nearly 200 years, with the people prospering, growing rich, marrying and giving in marriage, and being blessed beyond measure.  There was “no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people” (1:15).

                This kind of society is known as a “Zion society.”  There have been several times during the history of the earth when groups of people have become Zion societies.  The first one we know of was the City of Enoch; these people became so righteous that the entire city was taken up into heaven.  “And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them” (Moses 7:18).

                A second Zion group developed following the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ.  This society did not last long, but their history is found in the New Testament.  “And when they had prayed, … they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

                “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul:  neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common” (Acts 4:31-32).

                The next Zion society will take place during the Millennium when Jesus Christ will reign personally upon the earth.  In order to be a part of it, we must be converted to Jesus Christ.  Being converted is different than just believing in Christ.  President Marion G. Romney (1897-1988) of the First Presidency taught that “converted” means more than mere “mental acceptance of Jesus and his teachings.”  It also includes “a motivated faith in him and in his gospel – a faith which works a transformation, an actual change in one’s understanding of life’s meaning and in his allegiance to God – in interest, in thought, and in conduct….”  (See Conference Report, Oct. 1963, 23-24, as quoted in Book of Mormon Student Manual, Religion 121-122, p. 341.)  

                What can we do to be a part of Zion?  President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985) taught members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints what we must do to reach this goal:  “First, we must eliminate the individual tendency to selfishness that snares the soul, shrinks the heart, and darkens the mind….

                “Second, we must cooperate completely and work in harmony one with the other….

                “Third, we must lay on the altar and sacrifice whatever is required by the Lord.  We begin by offering a `broken heart and a contrite spirit’ [3 Nephi 9:20]” (Ensign, May 1978, 81).  

                Do you want to experience true freedom and peace?  I know that we can all have this great experience as we become true disciples of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ Was Not A Commie

                    Some people are very confused and think that Jesus Christ advocated for the communist way of life.  President Barack Obama, liberals, progressives, atheists, and other unknowledgeable people have been asserting that the teachings of Jesus Christ are the same as the communist doctrines of Karl Marx.  There is even a new "award-winning" film entitled "Jesus Was A Commie".  Mark Alexander, editor of the Patriot Post, wrote an excellent article about this subject.

In a recent speech, Obama combined two different Biblical teachings in order to justify income redistribution.  He combined the statement of Cain "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:9) with the teachings of Jesus Christ about caring for the poor and needy in Matthew 25:40:  "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."  

Obama claims that the socialist idea of "spreading the wealth around" is the same as the teachings of Jesus Christ found in Luke 12:48:  "But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes.  For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:  and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."

There are other statements similar to the one referenced, which indicate that Luke was talking about more than temporal possessions.  The Apostle James wrote:  "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:17).

There is an even more enlightening statement in Doctrine and Covenants 82:10:  "For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation."

Obama is following the same path as did Franklin D. Roosevelt.  Roosevelt's idea was to tax according to the ability to pay - tax the rich because they have more money - rather than have everyone pay their fair share.  This is how we have arrived at the point that nearly 50 percent of our taxpayers do not actually pay any income tax and even receive money back!  Both Obama and Roosevelt got their ideas from Karl Marx who taught, "From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs."

There are some huge differences between the teachings of Karl Marx and the teachings of Jesus Christ or between communism and the law of consecration.  In fact, I am so bold as to state that socialism/communism is Satan's counterfeit for the Lord's law of consecration.  The biggest difference between the Lord's plan and Satan's counterfeit is the element of agency - freedom, independence, liberty, and the opportunity to choose.

1) The Lord acts in love and lets us choose with the end result being that everyone benefits.  "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man.  And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself" (Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ, 2 Nephi 2:27).

Communists want to force us to do as they think is best for us - no matter what we want.  An excellent example of how socialists/communists work is in the health care reform known as Obamacare.  Every American would be forced to buy health insurance or pay a fine for not doing so - whether we want insurance or not.

2) The Lord wants us to take care of the poor and needy, but He wants us to do it in His way.  His plan allows everyone to choose whether or not to participate.  Under the law of consecration everyone has a choice of whether or not to voluntarily give up whatever extra they have in order to help the poor. 

"And all that believed were together, and had all things common" (Acts 2:44). 

"And they taught, and did minister one to another; and they had all things common among them, every man dealing justly, one with another" (Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ, 3 Nephi 26:19).

"And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself" (Doctrine and Covenants 105:5).

"And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them" (Pearl of Great Price, Moses 7:18).  Did you notice those last words?  When we do things the Lord's way, there will be "no poor among them".

The socialist/communist way is to take from the rich and give to the poor - take from the makers and give to the takers, take from the 53% that pay federal taxes and give to the 47% that pay no taxes - until no one has any desire to work or anything else to give  - and everyone ends up poor.

3) The Lord wants us to be rich in order that we can build up His kingdom and help those with less. 

"Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.

"But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.

"And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good - to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted" (Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ, Jacob 2:17-19).

The liberals/progressives in this nation who are guiding us towards social/communism do not believe that people should be rich.  They write regulations that stifle business and try to destroy capitalism and free enterprise.  They are attempting to kill the "golden goose" and still have the eggs!  

The worst thing about this whole situation is that Obama and his minions are attempting to deceive us by equating communism with the law of consecration.  They are attempting to tell us that evil is good and black is white.  Do not let them deceive you!  Do your own homework and discover for yourself that Jesus Christ did not teach the principles known as communism!

                    

Establishing Zion

                    Families grow stronger as we establish Zion in our individual homes.  Our homes can be places where we dwell together in peace and harmony and where our hearts are knit together in joy, love and unity.  

                    President Henry B. Eyring stated, "We see increased conflict between peoples in the world around us.  Those divisions and differences could infect us.  That is why my message of hope today is that a great day of unity is coming.  The Lord Jehovah will return to live with those who have become His people and will find them united, of one heart, unified with Him and with our Heavenly Father.

                    "You have heard that message of unity from me more than once.  I may well speak of it in the future.  I have heard it from every prophet of God in my lifetime…. The Lord's prophets have always called for unity.  The need for that gift to be granted to us and the challenge to maintain it will grow greater in the days ahead, in which we will be prepared as a people for our glorious destiny.

                    "My message is that we are doing better.  Fathers and mothers are pleading for unity in their homes, and those prayers are being answered.  Families are praying together night and morning….

                    "You have seen evidence, as I have, that we are moving toward becoming one.  The miracle of unity is being granted to us as we pray and work for it in the Lord's way.  Our hearts will be knit together in unity.  God has promised that blessing to His faithful Saints whatever their differences in background and whatever conflict rages around them….

                    "The reason that we pray and ask for that blessing is the same reason the Father is granting it.  We know from experience that joy comes when we are blessed with unity.  We yearn, as spirit children of our Heavenly Father, for that joy which we once had with Him in the life before this one.  His desire is to grant us that sacred wish for unity out of His love for us.

                    "He cannot grant it to us as individuals.  The joy of unity He wants so much to give us is not solitary.  We must seek it and qualify for it with others.  It is not surprising then that God urges us to gather so that He can bless us.  He wants us to gather into families…"  (Ensign, Nov. 2008). 

                    Heavenly Father wants us to gather into families and then into classes, branches, wards and stakes in order to learn more about unity.  As we build unity in our individual families and Church families, the unity will overflow into our communities, cities, counties, states, and nations.

                    An ancient American prophet by the name of Alma and his people lived in difficult and dangerous circumstances as they gathered at the Waters of Mormon.  Alma taught the principles and performed the ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ to his followers, and they were unified.  The scriptures say, "And they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward.  And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was added to his church….

                    "And he commanded them that they should teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets.

                    "Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people.

                    "And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.

                    "And thus he commanded them to preach.  And thus they became the children of God" (Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ, Mosiah 18:17, 19-22).

                    We can help unity to grow in our homes by developing faith in Jesus Christ, repenting of our sins, forgiving each other, receiving revelation, being humble (because pride is the enemy to unity), and being peacemakers.  Unity can be established among people who come from vastly different backgrounds because the children of our Heavenly Father have more in common than we have differences. 

      

                      Elder D. Todd Christofferson said, "Zion is Zion because of the character, attributes, and faithfulness of her citizens.  Remember, `the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them" (Moses 7:18).  If we would establish Zion in our homes, branches, wards, and stakes, we must rise to this standard.  It will become necessary (1) to become unified in one heart and one mind; (2) to become, individually and collectively, a holy people; and (3) to care for the poor and needy with such effectiveness that we eliminate poverty among us.  We cannot wait until Zion comes for these things to happen - Zion will come only as they happen.

                    "As we consider the unity required for Zion to flourish, we should ask ourselves if we have overcome jarrings, contentions, envyings, and strifes (see Doctrine and Covenants 101:6).  Are we individually and as a people free from strife and contention and united `according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom"?  (Doctrine and Covenants 105:4).  Forgiveness of one another is essential to this unity.  Jesus said, "I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men" (Doctrine and Covenants 64:10).

                    "We will become of one heart and one mind as we individually place the Savior at the center of our lives and follow those He has commissioned to lead us….

                    "Much of the work to be done in establishing Zion consists in our individual efforts to become `pure in heart' (Doctrine and Covenants 97:21).  `Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom,' said the Lord; `otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself' (Doctrine and Covenants 105:5).  The law of the celestial kingdom is, of course, the gospel law and covenants, which include our constant remembrance of the Savior and our pledge of obedience, sacrifice, consecration, and fidelity….

                    "Throughout history, the Lord has measured societies and individuals by how well they cared for the poor….

                    "In much of the world, we are entering upon unsettled economic times.  Let us look after one another the very best we can" (Ensign, November 2008).  

                    All of our families would be living in conditions closer to Zion if we would follow the counsel given by Elder Neal A. Maxwell:  "Let us once and for all establish our residence in Zion and give up the summer cottage in Babylon" (A Wonderful Flood of Light [1990], 47).  Families who are seeking to establish Zion in their homes are growing stronger as they do so.