Bring Forth Zion

1 Nephi 13:37 (page 26): "And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be."

What is Zion? We often hear that we should be a Zion-like people, but what does that mean? How do we bring forth Zion? These are some of the things that I have been pondering lately. In Doctrine and Covenants 97:21 it states, "...for this is Zion - The Pure in Heart..." What does it mean to be pure in heart? This too, is not easily defined. Some scriptures that help describe the pure in heart include:
-2 Timothy 2:22 "...but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
-1 Peter 1:22 "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently."
-Psalm 24:34 "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart."

As I thought about these scriptures and others I came to the conclusion that those who are "pure in heart" are those who genuinely love and serve others. They are humble followers of Christ, happily doing his bidding without hesitation. They are loving, compassionate, and Christlike. They are those around us who do as Jesus would. As it states in Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." This is Zion and I desire it greatly. As I've studied, pondered, and prayed over these things, I've realized my many weaknesses. I've looked at myself more closely through the magnify glass and realized that there are many ways in which I can improve. Oddly enough, this recognition of my weaknesses has not caused me to be down or depressed but rather, it has awakened my soul and stirred within me a desire to greatly improve. I've felt a greater hope and faith within me.

This summer, a local movie theater decided to show the movie 17 Miracles for one week. This movie is about the Willie Handcart Company and its trek across the plains to the Salt Lake Valley. Since I have ancestors who traveled in the Willie Handcart Company, I was really excited to see this movie. In part of the movie, they highlight Mary Murdoch. Her son had already made the trek and was waiting for her in Salt Lake. Unfortunately, Mary Murdoch did not survive the journey. Just before she passed away, she stated, "Tell John, I died with my face toward Zion." Her profound statement touched me greatly and caused me to think about the significance of what she said. What does it mean to have our face toward Zion? It brought to mind a favorite scripture in the Book of Mormon. Alma 37:46-47 (pate 304) states, "O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. the way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever. And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live..." It is easier to focus our time and our energy on something when we look to it. If we have our backs toward Zion, then it will never come to be. On the other hand, if we look to it, focus on it, strive for it - then it is within our reach.

In the last General Conference, Elder Carl B. Cook shared a story about how after a long and difficult day shortly after he was called to be a General Authority, he packed his briefcase and got into the elevator to go home. He felt overwhelmed and down. His briefcase was heavy in his hand and he stared down at his shoes. The elevator door opened and someone stepped in, but he didn't look up. He continued to stare down at his shoes. Suddenly, he heard President Monson's voice asking how he was doing. Then he put his hand on Elder Cook's shoulder, pointed heavenward and said, "It's easier to look up!"

What does this mean for us today? How do we apply these principles in our own, busy lives? 1 Timothy 4:12 states, "Let no man despise they youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." How important is our example? Does it really make a difference?

There are many examples in the scriptures that I could list but there are two from the Book of Mormon that I would like to mention. First, the Anti Nephi Lehi's. These are those Lamanites who were converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ after being taught by Ammon and the other sons of Mosiah. In describing them, it states in Alma 27:27,30 (page 276-277): "And they were among the people of Nephi, and also numbered among the people who were of the church of God. And they were also distinguished for their zeal towards God, and also towards men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end. And they were a zealous and beloved people, a highly favored people of the Lord." These were people who were true to the faith and true to their covenants. As we read further in the Book of Mormon, we learn that their great example inspired their young sons to have the faith of giants who feared not death and doubted not God. (Alma 56:47-48 page 350-351). Their examples of faith had a great impact on their children and continue to inspire millions who read their story from the pages of the Book of Mormon.

I love to think of how many people they have inspired and uplifted. Likewise, a bad example can also have a great impact. We can learn this from Alma the Younger's son Corianton who allowed himself to commit serious sin. In Alma 39:11 (page 306) we read, "Suffer not yourself to be led away by any vain or foolish thing; suffer not the devil to lead away your heart again after those wicked harlots. Behold, O my son, how great iniquity ye brought upon the Zoramites; for when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words." Unfortunately, many would never believe in Alma's words because of the bad example set by his son.

1 Peter 2:9 says, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

What kind of an example are we setting? Five years ago, while attending a servicemen group's fast and testimony meeting, a young Airman stood and bore his testimony. I do not remember his name but I will forever remember his words. In his testimony, he talked about the difficulties that come with being a Latter-Day Saint in the Air Force. He talked about the temptations that were constantly thrown his way and he mentioned seeing others who were members of the church falter. He then stated, "Live such so that people aren't surprised to discover that you are a Mormon!" We are different! We are a peculiar people and others recognize that. Whether we want to or not, we represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. People base their opinion of the church by our examples. Are we representing it well?!

In a letter to his son, President Brigham Young stated, "The strength of Zion is in the virtue of her sons and daughters." Elder Dallin H. Oaks said in his last general conference address, "There is no middle ground. We are followers of Jesus Christ. Our citizenship is in His church and His gospel, and we should not use a visa to visit Babylon or act like one of its citizens. We should honor His name, keep His commandments, and 'see not the things of this world but seek...first to built up the kingdom of God, and to establish His righteousness' (Matt 6:33)" I have been guilty of keeping a foot in Babylon. In these times, where Satan is working extra hard with the little time he has left, that is very dangerous. Even a toe is something he can grab onto.

In the Oct 2011 Conference, President Monson stated, "We must be vigilant in a world which has moved so far from that which is spiritual. It is essential that we reject anything that does not conform to our standards, refusing in the process to surrender that which we desire most: eternal life in the kingdom of God." Have I been surrendering my chance for eternal life? This question can feel very overwhelming. A new Mormon Messages was recently released with Elder Russell M. Nelson sharing an experience he had while flying on a commercial airliner. I was greatly touched by his testimony when he said, "...to the individual who is weak in the heart, fearful in the heart. Be patient with yourself. Perfection comes not in this life but in the next life. Don't demand things that are unreasonable, but demand of yourself improvement. As you let the Lord help you through that, He will make the difference." We don't need to be overwhelmed. We can do so much and when we feel like we can't do any more, the Lord will be there to "make the difference"!

Zion is something that we can achieve. We can be the stripling warriors of today. We can be faithful, true at all times, keeping the commandments with exactness. Even with the chaos that surrounds us, there can be Zion within!