Zion

Task: Search www.lds.org and find a quote from a modern prophet or apostle concerning Zion or the redemption of Zion. How does this quote help you better understand what the Lord is teaching in these revelations to his Saints? What are the implications for Latter-day Saints today?

“His work includes the building up of Zion in the last days. He has commissioned us to do that work for him. The foundations of Zion have already been laid in North America, in South America, in Europe, in Asia, in the South Pacific, and in every place where there are stakes of Zion. But Zion is not yet perfected in any of these places. When she is perfected, it will be as it was with Zion of old—The Lord will come and dwell with his people.
Our tenth Article of Faith says, “We believe in the literal gathering of Israel.” This gathering occurs when the lost sheep of Israel come into the Church. It occurs when their sins are washed away in the waters of baptism so that once again they have power to become pure in heart; and Zion is the pure in heart.”
- Elder Bruce R. McConkie
This quote helps me understand that we all have a part in the building up of Zion. Sometimes personally I forget that I am commissioned to do that work for. I know that sometimes I feel embarrassed to share what I know, and that is not fulfilling what I’m supposed to be doing. I like How Elder Bruce R. McConkie mention that the foundation of Zion has already been establish. Now it is up to us to try to become perfects as Jesus Christ. It is so conforming to hear that as Zion becomes perfect, the Lord will come to dwell with us.

The second part of this quote reminds me of D&C section 101 verses 17 and 18. They say, “ Zion shall not be moved out of her place, notwithstanding her children are scattered. They that remain, and are pure in heart, shall return, and come to their inheritances, they and their children, with songs of everlasting joy, to build up the waste places of Zion”  I know that I have seen in my life the gathering of Israel. In my family we are all converts to the church. We were lost sheep, but we have come to the knowledge. In my Patriarchal Blessing, it talks about how I’m going to witness the gathering of Israel and that I’ll have the privilege of helping to bring this to pass. I can already see this happening around me and I can’t wait until the Lord comes. In the quote and scriptures talk about how it is so important that we become pure in heart because Zion is pure in heart. We need to be faithful to the covenants and promises that we have made. We need to be clean inside and out so we can help those return and also their prosperity.