Bring Forth Zion

The Lord has given us the commandment to “seek to bring forth and establish… Zion” (D&C 14:6). In order to accomplish this we must have a clear understanding of what Zion is and what steps we must take in order to establish it.

Zion is heaven on earth. It is a group of our Heavenly Father’s children living together in perfect unity and righteousness. In fact the Lord has said that, “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” (D&C 105:1-6). Zion is celestial in nature.

Groups of faithful saints throughout history have succeeded in building Zion societies, the most well known of which is the city of Enoch. Speaking of this city Moses tells us, “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). Elder Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve has taught here that this verse contains three keys for establishing Zion; namely unity, holiness, and caring for the poor.

The first key is unity. Speaking of unity Elder Christofferson teaches the following:

As we consider the unity required for Zion to flourish, we should ask ourselves if we have overcome jarrings, contentions, envyings, and strifes (see D&C 101:6). Are we individually and as a people free from strife and contention? ..... 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” (D&C 64:10).

Apparently forgiveness is one of the keys to unity.  The Prophet Joseph Smith taught this principle clearly stating,

If you do not accuse each other, God will not accuse you. If you have no accuser you will enter heaven, and if you will follow the revelations and instructions which God gives you through me, I will take you into heaven as my back load. If you will not accuse me, I will not accuse you. If you will throw a cloak of charity over my sins, I will over yours—for charity covereth a multitude of sins. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols. 4:445)

It would seem then that Zion is not created among mortals because of their perfections, but rather because of their willingness to overlook and forgive the imperfections of one another. This kind of charity does not come easily and must be sought for with unwavering diligence.

The second key is holiness. On the topic of holiness Elder Christofferson offers some interesting insight and poses a poignant question:

The Savior was critical of some of the early Saints for their “lustful … desires” (D&C 101:6; see also D&C 88:121). These were people who lived in a non-television, non-film, non-Internet, non-iPod world. In a world now awash in sexualized images and music, are we free from lustful desires and their attendant evils?

 Are we? It should be obvious to us all that living in a corrupt and decaying culture and being constantly bombarded with evil desensitizes us to a certain extent. The only refuge we have is in obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The only chance we have at surviving these spiritual perils is to put on the whole armor of God...and keep it on.

Now related to lustful desires of the flesh is the lust for money. Brigham Young once said he feared the saints would have more trouble with riches than persecution, which is probably why unselfishly caring for the poor is the third key to establishing Zion. Following is the statement from Brigham Young:

The worst fear that I have about this people is that they will get rich in this country, forget God and His people, wax fat, and kick themselves out of the Church and go to hell. This people will stand mobbing, robbing, poverty, and all manner of persecution, and be true. But my greatest fear for them is that they cannot stand wealth; and yet they have to be tried with riches, for they will become the richest people on this earth" (Brigham Young, reported in James S. Brown, Life of a Pioneer [1900], 122-23)

Elder Christofferson seems to fear the effects that wealth might have on us as well. He indicates that each of us needs to do a little soul searching to ensure that we are not on the road to idolatry. 

...each of us should prayerfully consider whether we are doing what we should and all that we should in the Lord’s eyes with respect to the poor and the needy. We might ask ourselves, living as many of us do in societies that worship possessions and pleasures, whether we are remaining aloof from covetousness and the lust to acquire more and more of this world’s goods. Materialism is just one more manifestation of the idolatry and pride that characterize Babylon. Perhaps we can learn to be content with what is sufficient for our needs.

The Apostle Paul warned Timothy against people who suppose “that gain is godliness” (1 Timothy 6:5).

Said he, “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content” (1 Timothy 6:7–8).

Suffice it to say that the steps for creating Zion are detailed and challenging. Being unified, holy and selfless seem like almost impossible goals. Nevertheless, establishing Zion is not without its rewards.

After the visit of the Savior in America, the Nephites established a Zion society and we read, “there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God” (4 Nephi 1:16). Apart from happiness however, the Lord has also promised protection to the inhabitants of Zion when he pours out his wrath without mixture upon the inhabitants of the earth (D&C 115:6). He has said that in the last days the inhabitants of Zion “shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another” (D&C 45:67-70). Nephi taught that, “all they who fight against Zion shall be cut off” and that the Lord will “preserve the righteous by his power… even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire” (1 Nephi 22:16-19).

Knowing the Lord has such great blessings in store for us, let us renew our efforts to bring forth Zion.