Building Zion

I thought it was interesting learning about the background of Doctrine and Covenants sections 58 & 59. The Lord had asked all of these new members to relocate to Independence, Missouri which He refers to as "the land of promise" (D&C 57:1-3). But as the Saints start arriving to this "land of promise", they aren't very impressed with what they find. "Some thought they would find a thriving, industrious community with a strong group of Saints. Instead they found a sparsely populated outpost, lacking the civilization they were used to and inhabited by rough frontier settlers rather than Saints." (Come, Follow Me manual pg. 92). I'm sure all of us can think of similar experiences we've had when our expectations go unmet that can help us relate to the early Saints during this part of their history. One of those moments for me happened when Brady and I moved into our first family ward. I was looking forward to seeing lots of families in Sacrament meeting and a large primary and youth program (our oldest was a new Sunbeam and living far from family I was excited to meet some young women who could be potential babysitters:). Essentially, I was expecting to attend a ward just like the one I'd grown up in. I was shocked when we walked into that chapel for the first time and it was occupied by a few young families and some senior couples. When we started singing the opening hymn, I felt like I was singing a solo! The primary consisted of about 15 children and I only remember seeing three young women. Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed.

No matter what unexpected situations we find ourselves in, the Lord still expects us to move forward and build Zion. One way we can do this is to practice becoming Zion-like individuals (people of one heart and one mind-Moses 7:18).  These two sections give us some ways that we can do this.

• keep the commandments/be obedient (58:2,6)
• be faithful in tribulation (58:2)
• bear testimony (58:6, 47)
• keep the laws of the land (58:21)
• be anxiously engaged in a good cause (58:27)
• repent (58:42)
• work and labor both to gather Israel and bring life to the land (58:54-56)
• love God and your neighbors (59:5-6)
• show gratitude (59:7)
• broken heart and contrite spirit (59:8)
• keep the sabbath day holy (59:9-13)

These early Saints were "honored in the laying the foundation" of the church (57:7), but we can also lay foundations of faith and help build up Zion one person at a time. We start with ourselves and then over time we will have opportunities within our sphere of influence to help others as well. We only lived in that family ward for two months, but we have some sweet memories and lasting connections from the time we spent there. Building Zion starts with building that feeling in our homes, wards and stakes and we can only do that if we're willing to become Zion-like individuals.

Bloom where you’re planted—even if only for a little season

A wonderful principle of the gospel is taught in these sections (51-57) of the Doctrine and Covenants that I like to call “Bloom where you are planted.”

There seems to be a lot of movement going on in these sections. Saints migrating from the eastern states are beginning to arrive in Ohio (section 51). Missionaries are being sent out to preach the gospel while traveling to Missouri (section 52, 56) and some of the Saints who just got to Ohio are now being commanded to relocate to Missouri (section 54, 57).

In 51:16-17, the Lord tells the Saints (and us) that even if we are placed somewhere “for a little season” we should still “act upon (that) land as if for years.” In other words, make a difference no matter how short or how long you are going to be somewhere. Bloom where you are planted. Not only does this principle apply to our physical location (the land which we live), but it can apply in other settings such as in our church callings or even in any stage of life. 

A good example of this principle is Sidney Gilbert (section 53). In section 52 the Lord is calling all these sets of missionaries to go out and preach the gospel as they journey to Missouri, but Sidney Gilbert doesn’t receive an assignment. So what does he do? He doesn’t go hide out and breathe a sigh of relief like he just dodged a bullet. He asked Joseph Smith to ask the Lord what his assignment should be. He wanted to contribute to the work and make a difference. 

This can be hard to do, especially when you get a new calling that you don’t feel prepared for or when you’re a college student moving around every few months or even in a seminary class where you don’t know anybody. No matter what the circumstances are, the Lord expects us to get involved and do our best to make a difference.

Why is this principle important to the Lord? If you look in section 57, you’ll find the word plant/planted used five times. Just like planting any flower or tree, you won’t see the full beauty or fruit of that plant unless you take it out of its pot and plant it in the soil where it has room to grow. The same is true for our spiritual growth. The only way we’re going to see growth in ourselves is to plant ourselves firmly in whatever situation we are in-even if it’s only for a little season. That’s when the fruit will come.

True Manifestations of the Holy Ghost

This week, one of the prompts in the Come, Follow Me manual asked us to look throughout D&C 50 for principles that help us understand how to recognize true manifestations of the Holy Ghost. My favorite principle was found in verses 23-25: If something fills us with more light then it comes from God. This principle reminded me of a quote by Parley P. Pratt that I heard a couple of years ago that was shared at one of my Stake Conferences. Since then, I've seen it quoted in lots of other talks:

"The gift of the Holy Spirit...quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation and social feeling. It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, invigorates and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being."

As we allow ourselves to be guided and directed by the Holy Ghost, then we will continue to receive more light. That light can (and will!) grow brighter and continue to enlighten our minds and give us more understanding and knowledge. 

 

A Pattern for Conducting our Lives

As I studied this weeks' sections of Come, Follow Me, the principle that really stood out to me was in Section 46:2. In answer to the question of "how should we conduct our meetings?", the Lord gives the answer that it should be a combination of using "those things which are written" and "directed and guided by the Holy Spirit."

In the podcast “Book of Mormon Central”, the host cited an analogy of this principle that was given by Elder and Sister Renlund in their book "The Melchizedek Priesthood".  In this book they give an analogy of how to administer things in the church. The analogy is this: picture in your mind a playing field (like for soccer or basketball). The boundaries of this playing field represent "those things which are written" (v 2). Those boundaries are the scriptures, words of the living prophets, the church handbook of instruction and direction from your local leaders. Those things that happen in the middle of the playing field are "directed and guided by the Holy Spirit" (v 2). 

An example of this process is given within the next few verses of section 46. In verses 3-6 the Lord gives very specific instruction on who can come to public meetings (boundaries), but in verse 7 the Lord also instructs them to  "ask of God, who giveth liberally" (playing field).  So you end up having a lot of freedom to navigate and find good solutions to your problems by striking a balance between the written words and the guidance of the Spirit.

As we work to implement this pattern, verse 7 also gives us some promised blessings. It says that "ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of the devil, or commandments of men." What a blessing to know that as we strive to obey the written words and be guided by the Holy Ghost that we will be blessed with the gift of discernment to know and follow what comes from God.

Principle of Preparation

Doctrine and Covenants 45 is filled with prophetic signs we can look for as we anticipate the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. There are both positive and negative signs that are given for us to look for. We are living in a day when there has never been so much evil and so much good in the world at the same time. As we witness the prophecies of wars, the earth being in commotion, and desolating sicknesses covering the earth (v 26-31) we are also seeing missionaries leave at a younger age, the introduction of Come, Follow Me, and 20 temples announced in one General Conference!

In the closing verses of section 45 the Lord reminds us of the parable of the ten virgins from Matthew 25. I think the placement of this parable at the end of this section is significant. After being told what calamities and blessings will be upon the earth, we are reminded that our responsibility is to make sure we are spiritually prepared all of the time. How do we know if we have spiritually prepared ourselves enough to be ready when those wedding doors open for us? Verse 57 gives us some insight on what a wise virgin would look like.

They that are wise have...

• received the truth
• taken the Holy Spirit as their guide
• not been deceived

And when you are counted as one of the wise, you receive certain promised blessings...

• you shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire (v 57)
• you shall abide the day (v 57)
• the earth shall be your inheritance (v 58)
• you shall wax strong (v 58)
• your children shall grow up without sin (v 58)
• the Lord will be in your midst (v 59)
• His glory shall be upon you (v 59)

Signs are intended to help prepare us for what lies ahead. Just think of different traffic signs; a stop sign, a speed limit sign, an exit sign.  All these signs help prepare us to know what to expect on the roads and to be able to drive safely and confidently. The signs of the second coming work the same way. As we see these signs we are being made aware of what's ahead and how to prepare to navigate safely and confidently through this life. “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” (D&C 38:31).