The Lord's way is not always our way

I've been thinking a lot about Zion's Camp this week and the lessons we can learn from that experience. One principle that keeps coming to my mind is that the Lord's way is not always our way (Isaiah 55:8-9). Those that were called to march with Zion's Camp thought that they were going to reclaim their land in Jackson County, Missouri, by force, if necessary. But it turns out that the revelation to "redeem Zion by power" (D&C 103:15) might have had a different meaning to the Lord. What if "redeeming Zion" is not referencing the place of Zion, but the people of Zion? And what if "by power" does not mean by physical power but by spiritual power? It's easy to see the double meaning in this revelation now that we're looking back and know the result of Zion's Camp and how many members were spiritually redeemed through that experience. Can we also look back on our own lives and see the Lord working in our lives in the same way?

As I thought about this question myself, an interesting experience came to my mind that I haven't ever thought about in this "Zion's Camp" context. We had four young children and lived two hours away from our extended families when my husband was called to serve in a bishopric. As the Stake President met with us to issue him the calling, the counsel that he gave to us was to not miss our local church meetings more than twice a year. I was a little taken back by this counsel. I remember feeling like that was pretty restrictive counsel to give a young family that lived so far away from home. I would ask myself "what's wrong with missing a few Sunday's a year because we're traveling or supporting other family events?" As I now look back over the past 13 years, it is more clear to me now the spiritual blessings that have come because we were obedient to that counsel. First of all, we feel more dependable and can be relied on to fulfill our Sunday commitments. Second, it set a precedence for our children-they know where we will be each Sunday. Third, it has allowed us to consistently be edified by our local leaders who are called to receive revelation for us. Fourth, it has allowed our children to be available to serve in various capacities as needed (through priesthood and/or class responsibilities). Fifth, it puts our family in an environment every Sunday where we can have spiritual experiences.

Our missionary is currently in the middle of a "Zion's Camp" experience as he struggles to understand his purpose of being a missionary--when he has yet to teach any investigator lessons! As discouraging as this can be for a missionary (and for his parents) he is learning this principle that "his way is not always the Lord's way." He is learning to exercise faith in this principle, knowing that spiritual blessings will be realized as he continues to do what  he's been asked to do.

The same is true for all of us. As we are obedient to the commandments and counsel of the Lord and our local leaders, we will be blessed in ways that the Lord sees fit to bless us.