Zion, the Pure in Heart

I wrote and gave this talk in church this last week. Your comments are welcome:

When young Joseph Smith read James, chapter 1 verse 5 from the Bible, he said, “Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. [JS-H 1:12]”

In their recent annual letter to their stake members, the Moroni Stake Presidency asks, “When was the last time you read or heard a scripture that penetrated your heart and caused you to change your course?”

To aid in fathoming the question, the High Councilors have been asked to a teach in their speaking assignments about their own “Joseph experience” with the scriptures. One of my “Joseph experiences” was during a talk given by Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, entitled “Come to Zion” (Ensign, Nov 2008).

The word Zion has more than one meaning in the scriptures. It is sometimes used to refer to specific geographical locations, such as the city of Enoch (see Moses 7:18–21), the ancient city of Jerusalem (see 2 Samuel 5:6–7; 1 Kings 8:1; 2 Kings 9:28), and the New Jerusalem, which will be built in Jackson County, Missouri (see D&C 45:66–67; 57:1–3; Articles of Faith 1:10).
In the words of Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “Zion is both a place and a people.” Today were going to focus on the “people” part: "the pure in heart" (D&C 97:21). The Lord called Enoch’s 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). The direct opposite of Zion is Babylon - its worldliness and its worship of evil, combine to make Babylon the symbol of decadent societies and spiritual bondage.
From Elder Christofferson’s talk, “Come to Zion,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 37–40:
“Under the direction of the Prophet Joseph Smith, early members of the Church attempted to establish the center place of Zion in Missouri, but they did not qualify to build the holy city. The Lord explained one of the reasons for their failure [to qualify, but first, when I think of the saints in Joseph Smith’s day, I envision a generally righteous people filled with zeal for the gospel. But the scriptures tell us in D&C 105, verses 3 and 4]:”
“‘They have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;
And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom.’”
[And in D&C 101:6, the Lord says:] “‘There were jarrings, and contentions, and envyings, and strifes, and lustful and covetous desires among them; therefore by these things they polluted their inheritances.’”
“Rather than judge these early Saints too harshly, however, we should look to ourselves to see if we are doing any better.”
[If you’re asking, ‘What makes Zion Zion?’ Elder C has the answer:] “Zion is Zion because of the character, attributes, and faithfulness of her citizens. Remember, ‘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). If we would establish Zion in our homes, branches, wards, and stakes, we must rise to this standard. It will be necessary (1) to become unified in one heart and one mind; (2) to become, individually and collectively, a holy people; and (3) to care for the poor and needy with such effectiveness that we eliminate poverty among us. We CANNOT wait until Zion comes for these things to happen—Zion will come ONLY as they happen.”
Elder C. then teaches us on the three characteristics of Zion mentioned: Unity, Holiness, and Caring for the Poor.

Unity

He speaks of unity being required for Zion to flourish. I like to look words up in the thesaurus. Consider these synonyms for the word “flourish:” amplify, bear fruit, bloom, blossom, develop, multiply, succeed, and thrive.

He suggests we ask ourselves if we have overcome the contentions and envyings in our lives (see D&C 101:6). And examine ourselves to truly see if we are “individually and as a people free from strife and contention . . . ” And he teaches us, “Forgiveness of one another is essential to this unity.” As I pondered that last sentence, I realized that was a new thought for me. “Forgiveness of one another is essential to . . . unity.” Of course, I thought! How can unity exist between two people if complete forgiveness is not a part of their relationship? It really brings to the forefront that forgiveness is an essential part of any positive - and flourishing - relationship.

He continues - and listen to this. “We will become of one heart and one mind as we individually place the Savior at the center of our lives...” Again, I say, ‘Of course!’ A key to being “united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom [D&C 105]” is to “individually place the Savior at the center of our lives.”

Holiness
In the section of his talk on becoming individually and collectively, a holy people, he says that “much of the work to be done in establishing Zion consists in our individual efforts to become “the pure in heart” (D&C 97:21). “Zion [will] be built up [only] by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom (D&C 105:5) - which principles include our constant remembrance of the Savior and our pledge of obedience, sacrifice, consecration, and fidelity.”



A year before Elder C’s talk, Elder David A. Bednar taught us:
“We are commanded and instructed to so live that our fallen nature is changed through the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost. President Marion G. Romney taught that the baptism of fire by the Holy Ghost ‘converts [us] from carnality to spirituality. It cleanses, heals, and purifies the soul.’ (Learning for the Eternities, comp. George J. Romney [1977], 133; see also 3 Nephi 27:19–20). Hence, as we are born again . . . ultimately, we are to stand spotless before God.”



Elder C continues on the subject of becoming holy. “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 [, he said].” And he asks a poignant question, “In a world now awash in sexualized images and music, are WE free from lustful desires and their attendant evils?” The question is one for each of us to answer on an individual basis.

Then another ‘aha! moment’ struck me when he piercingly teaches: “To come to Zion, it is not enough for you or me to be somewhat less wicked than others.” WOW, I thought, I sometimes make myself feel pretty good about myself by comparing myself to others I hand pick for comparison. He continues, “We are to become not only good but holy men and women.” Elder C. finishes up the section on holiness by “recalling Elder Neal A. Maxwell’s phrase, let us once and for all establish our residence in Zion and give up the summer cottage in Babylon (see Neal A. Maxwell, A Wonderful Flood of Light [1990], 47).”


Caring for the Poor
Here’s food for thought: He says, “Throughout history, the Lord has measured societies and individuals by how well they cared for the poor. ‘...And this not grudgingly, otherwise the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit shall be withheld (D&C 70:14).’” He continues, “It is gratifying to witness your generosity as you contribute to fast offerings and humanitarian projects. . . . Nevertheless, as we pursue the cause of Zion, 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, . . . whether we are remaining aloof from covetousness and the lust to acquire more and more of this world’s goods . . . [this kind of] 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 said, “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).
In much of the world, we are entering upon unsettled economic times. Let us look after one another the very best we can. I remember the story of a Vietnamese family that fled Saigon in 1975 and ended up living in a small mobile home in Provo, Utah. A young man in the refugee family became the home teaching companion to a Brother Johnson who lived nearby with his large family. The boy related the following:
“One day Brother Johnson noticed that our family had no kitchen table. He appeared the next day with an odd-looking but very functional table that fit nicely against the trailer wall across from the kitchen sink and counters. I say odd-looking because two of the table legs matched the tabletop and two did not. Also, several small wooden pegs stuck out along one edge of the worn surface.
“Soon we used this unique table daily for food preparation and for eating some quick meals. We still ate our family meals while we sat on the floor … in true Vietnamese fashion.
“One evening I stood inside Brother Johnson’s front door as I waited for him before a home teaching appointment. There in the nearby kitchen—I was surprised to see it—was a table practically identical to the one they had given to my family. The only difference was that where our table had pegs, the Johnsons’ table had holes! I then realized that, seeing our need, this charitable man had cut his kitchen table in half and had built two new legs for each half.
“It was obvious that the Johnson family could not fit around this small piece of furniture—they probably didn’t fit comfortably around it when it was whole. …
“Throughout my life this kind act has been a powerful reminder of true giving” (Son Quang Le, as told to Beth Ellis Le, “Two-of-a-Kind Table,” Ensign, July 2004, 63).
“We can live as a Zion people, if we wish to. Will it be hard? Of course it will, for the waves of Babylonian culture crash incessantly against our shores. Will it take courage? Of course it will. We have always been entranced by tales of courage of those who faced fearsome odds and overcame. Courage is the basis and foundation for all of our other virtues; the lack of courage diminishes every other virtue that we have.” - David R. Stone, “Zion in the Midst of Babylon,” Ensign, May 2006, 90–93
“And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people. And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God. There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God. And how blessed were they! For the Lord did bless them in all their doings; yea, even they were blessed and prospered . . .” - 4 Nephi 1:15-18

And finally, “The Prophet Joseph Smith said, ‘We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object’ (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 186).”