Category: Zion

Posts about the City of Zion

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Why This Blog, Part 2

Why this blog?? It requires time and effort and provides no monetary compensation. Few people relate to my “Zion” theme – it’s totally foreign to most, even for some Latter-day Saints. Those who know me may think it is a bit odd. After all, who do I think I am to address these topics? I am certainly not a “General Authority” or an official representative of the LDS Church. The men and women who officially represent the Church speak frequently, publish widely read articles, and are more experienced and wiser than I am – at least in general theological and spiritual subjects. My site statistics show an increasing number of hits, visitors, and page views – but I don’t believe the stats really. I do believe more and more robots visit my blog as time goes by because WordPress does a pretty good job of SEO (Search Engine Optimization). I get lot’s of spam and have only received two genuine comments since my first post of April 2009.

Well, that’s the negative perspective. If I really believed in the overall tone the first paragraph, I should quit, and if I were blogging on less important subjects I would.

However, here are my real thoughts: Continue reading “Why This Blog, Part 2”

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Babylon O Babylon


Tabernacle Choir – Israel, Israel, God is Calling

Robert Koldeway’s map of Babylon (in black) with overlays (in color). Ancient riverbed and moat in blue. Total wall length = 37,735 meters = 23.45 miles

Like an onion, truth from scripture is revealed by pealing back one layer at a time. In this sense the scriptures are not “dumbed down” for the masses but require some effort and study. Both the Holy Temple and the Holy Scriptures teach truth by allegory1, parable2, symbolism3 and metaphor4.

So that brings us to Babylon, a major scriptural metaphor that helps reveal a layer of truth as a guide to understanding our present world in the Latter-days. There are many striking parallels.

In scripture, the symbol for our world is BABYLON, from which God advises the righteous to flee, first spiritually and then later, physically. The simple problem with Babylon (the present world system) is that it is a bad investment from a spiritual and physical point of view: There is no future in it! It is all scheduled for demolition. And where does God say to go? Flee to Zion! ZION is the future: God’s Kingdom of Heaven5 is destined to grow, expand, and last forever6.

Continue reading “Babylon O Babylon”
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Trusting in God a No-Brainer

[Note: Hover over the links for more information.]

A friend of mine has a poster of Albert Einstein’s face with the caption:

“I want to know Gods’ thoughts, the rest are details.”

It would be great to know Gods thoughts, but logic tells me that we can’t come close to approaching it1. We just don’t live long enough to know anything, really. This is fundamental2.

In the early days of Christianity, converts consisted of just ordinary people. The rulers, the rich, and the famous3 were not interested4 in God’s truths — they felt they were just too smart5 for it! The same is basically true in the modern era. The Latter-day Saint missionaries have always had more success with the poorer classes. Then after a generation, especially in a free country, the rising tide of Gospel truth lifts their descendants to an increased level of education and prosperity6.

To trust in God with humility is the starting point to wisdom7. Trusting oneself instead of God is the ultimate delusion8. As for knowing Gods thoughts9: Sorry Albert, even you didn’t get there. You had the the right goal10 though.

 

 

References

1Jacob 4:8 & Mosiah 4:9


8 Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God.

9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

2Isaiah 55:8-9


8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

32 Nephi 9:40-43 & 1 Corinthians 3:18-19


5 Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom’s paths!
6 Behold, they do not desire that the Lord their God, who hath created them, should rule and reign over them; notwithstanding his great goodness and his mercy towards them, they do set at naught his counsels, and they will not that he should be their guide.
7 O how great is the nothingness of the children of men; yea, even they are less than the dust of the earth.

18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

4Mosiah 8:20-21


20 O how marvelous are the works of the Lord, and how long doth he suffer with his people; yea, and how blind and impenetrable are the understandings of the children of men; for they will not seek wisdom, neither do they desire that she [wisdom] should rule over them!

52 Nephi 9:28-30


28 … O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.

6Mosiah 2:21-22


21 I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.
22 And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.

71 Kings 3:5-13


5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
6 And Solomon said, …
7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

82 Nephi 9:40-43


42 And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.

9Isaiah 55:8-9


8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10James 1:5


5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.





































































































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Missionary Tales

As a young man I served two years as a French speaking missionary in Quebec, Canada for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Serving a mission was a life changing experience. Talking to perfect strangers every day for two years gave me experience in understanding of how people really think. I learned to love the people and also overcome my natural shyness – to some extent.

There sometimes exists among the Latter-day Saints the idea that our mission as a people is to convert the whole world. Not so. Continue reading "Missionary Tales"

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The Biblical Joseph Smith

Sometimes, critics say they believe in the Bible but not in Joseph Smith because he’s “not Biblical”. In actuality, everything Joseph Smith did is Biblical in the extreme. Here’s a list of controversial things about Joseph Smith, all of which are very Biblical.

  1. Said God and Angels appeared to him and that he had visions from God – All over the Bible. All Bible prophets claim the same in one form or another. Joseph Smith relates the “First Vision” where God the Father introduces His Son Jesus Christ, who then related to Joseph Smith his divine assignment to restore the full Gospel in the Latter-days.

  2. Created new Scripture – Each Bible prophet has made a contribution to new scripture. Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Peter, James, John, etc, etc. Revelations from God to Joseph Smith resulted in three Holy books of scripture: The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

  3. Claimed authority from God – All Bible prophets claimed the same, saying: “Thus saith the Lord” in one form or another. Joseph Smith also claimed authentic Priesthood ordination by angelic messengers and he received modern scripture revelation where the Lord speaks in the first person.

  4. Had multiple wives -Very common in the Bible, sometimes in a completely positive way: Abraham, Jacob, Moses. Sometimes in an approved, yet flawed way: David, Solomon. Under the command of God, Joseph Smith had more than one wife.

  5. Used oracular devices to receive revelation – The Urim and Thummim, also mentioned in the Bible, was an oracular device and used by the Temple Priests to receive the word of God. Joseph Smith also used a “Urim and Thummim” and well as other “seer stones” to translate scripture and receive revelation.

  6. Importance of Temples – The central role of the Temple is obvious in the Old Testament. Often overlooked is it’s importance in the New Testament. Jesus often taught there and reverenced it as a Holy Place. The Apostles taught in the temple, until they were no longer allowed in. In many of their teachings, the Apostles and Prophets directly reference temple ceremonies. Two latter-day Temples, one in Kirtland, Ohio, and one in Nauvoo, Illinois were built under the direction of God, during Joseph Smiths lifetime.

  7. Martyred for the cause – Six Old Testament Bible Prophets and ten New Testament Apostles/Prophets are said to have been martyred by Biblical and also extra-Biblical ancient sources: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Micah, Amos, Zechariah, Peter, James, James (the lesser), Jude, Matthew, Philip, Simon, Thomas. Joseph Smith also “sealed his testimony” in death by being murdered, shot to death by his enemies while supposedly under the protection of the State.
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The Nature of God

The Father

He is the Supreme Being of the universe, the Father of the spirits of all mankind, and the One True God. He is the only one to whom we should pray. Names and Titles He is known as: 1) God; 2) God the Father; 3) Father; 4) Man of Holiness; 5) Elohim/Eloheim; 6) Man of Counsel; 7) Endless and Eternal. Physicality God the Father is not just a concept or philosophy but is an actual living Being – a perfect Man. He has Continue reading “The Nature of God”
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Power In The Priesthood

[Note: Hover over the links for more information.]

The Latter-day Zion is governed by God through men holding the Melchizedek Priesthood1. The Holy Priesthood is the power of God delegated to men and it’s reach and purpose2 is the most amazing thing in the universe. Outsiders don’t understand it43. Some Priesthood holders don’t understand it43 either. The effect of Priesthood is to delegate authority5 from God through man. That is POWER. To be sure, only a very narrow slice of the divine authority is typically given, and even then with a stern warning6. This POWER can include wielding control over nature7. Enoch8, Elijah9, Moses10, and Jesus11 Himself controlled the forces of nature. The Holy Priesthood has power over disease12, infirmity13, death14, and lucifer15. But the greatest power Continue reading “Power In The Priesthood”

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Joy in Zion

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The Latter-day Saints do not have an easy religion to live1. Yet it is not so very hard2 either if one has the love of God3 and His law written on the heart4. It’s worth living on so many different levels5. So I feel it a huge privilege6 and thus a responsibility7 to promote the cause of Zion8 in whatever way I can. Sure it takes a little extra work9, and patience10, and outward orientation11 but it is oh so worth it12. And who can argue against the eradication of poverty, war, hate, lust, deception, ignorance, disease, and death13? And who is not in favor of boundless wealth, peace, love, eternal truth, intelligence, knowledge, strength of body, and eternal life14? Of all my blessings as a Latter-day Saint, the most significant are those of The Holy Temple15 which points me to a future role and destination16 – the purpose for living17 and the way to lasting happiness18.

 

 

 

References

1Matthew 25:31-43


31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

2Matthew 11:28-30


28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

3Matthew 22:37-38


37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment

42 Corinthians 3:3


3 … written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

5Deuteronomy 28:2-13


2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.
11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

6John 15:16


16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

7DC 88:81-83


81 Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.
82 Therefore, they are left without excuse, and their sins are upon their own heads.
83 He that seeketh me early shall find me, and shall not be forsaken.

8Moses 7:62


62 And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem.

92 Nephi 25:23


23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

10Section 121:41


41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

11Mark 8:35


35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

12Matthew 25:21


21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

13Revelation 21:4-5


4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

14Isaiah 11:5-9 & Alma 40:22-25


4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

22 Yea, this bringeth about the restoration of those things of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets.
23 The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame.
24 And now, my son, this is the restoration of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets—
25 And then shall the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of God.

15Isaiah 11:5-9 & Alma 40:22-25


30 And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

16Section 76:5-10


35 For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.
6 Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory.
7 And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom.
8 Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations.
9 And their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven; and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the understanding of the prudent shall come to naught.
10 For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will—yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man.

172 Nephi 2:15-16


15 And to bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man, after he had created our first parents, and the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and in fine, all things which are created, it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter.
16 Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.

182 Nephi 9:41-43 & Mormon 7:7


41 O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.
42 And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.
43 But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them forever—yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints.

7 And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end.

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Prayer

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Because of experience I accept the reality of prayer1. But I’ve often wondered about the mechanics of it . After all, at any given moment there are thousands of people praying to God and, if he is like us, it would be just jumble of noise. So obviously He doesn’t have a limited listening ability like we do.

Early in my computer career I came to a new paradigm in understanding of how God could perceive all prayers Continue reading “Prayer”

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Sexual Purity, Part 1

[By Jay Mackley. Note: Hover over the links for tool tip info.]

… God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife. We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed.

The Family: A Proclamation to the World,34 pdf35

This simple principle of sexual purity is necessary for happiness. The pure in heart1 and action are considered safe with their friends, trusted by their spouses, prized by their parents, and have respect among their peers. In other words, all that is necessary for a successful community and family life is dependent upon sexual purity2. It’s sad to see (time and time again) successful and famous people who fail in their morality3 – they end up not happy4.

Everyone is different, but for most, sexual purity Continue reading “Sexual Purity, Part 1”

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The Scientific Method

According to the Holy Scriptures, God does not require us to accept truth “blindly” or based on faith alone1. Faith is only needed as a starting point2. The basic idea is: “Try it and you’ll like it.3” God always provides evidence4 and witnesses5. In fact, in the discovery of truth He recommends the same processes that we commonly call “the scientific method”. Here’s the Continue reading “The Scientific Method”

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Heros in Zion

I have a number of “hero’s” in my life. #1 is Jesus Christ. He was, after all, the only perfect person1 to ever live on this earth and His example and teachings have affected more people than any other person, and influenced me personally far more than any other. I have read and studied more about Him more than anyone else, including reading the New Testament 11 times and the Old Testament 5 times. The best book written, by far, on the life of Christ, in my opinion, is Continue reading “Heros in Zion”

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The Focus on Zion

In maintaining this Zion blog, I hope to not be viewed as a “gospel crank” — one who focuses on just one point of doctrine to the exclusion of others. Unbalanced. A blog must have some focus to make it interesting, however Zion is an umbrella concept that covers all aspects of doctrine and gospel living – the whole point of which is to bring to us happiness and joy1, to be approved of by God2, to be in the presence3 of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and to be knit together4 as one eternal family.

 

 

References

12 Nephi 2:24-26

24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.
25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.
26 And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever…

2Matthew 25:23

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

3DC 76:62-70

62 These shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever.
63 These are they whom he shall bring with him, when he shall come in the clouds of heaven to reign on the earth over his people.
64 These are they who shall have part in the first resurrection.
65 These are they who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just.
66 These are they who are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly place, the holiest of all.
67 These are they who have come to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of Enoch, and of the Firstborn.
68 These are they whose names are written in heaven, where God and Christ are the judge of all.
69 These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood.
70 These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical.

4DC 128:15-18

15 And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers—that they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect.
16 And now, in relation to the baptism for the dead, I will give you another quotation of Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:29: Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?
17 And again, in connection with this quotation I will give you a quotation from one of the prophets, who had his eye fixed on the restoration of the priesthood, the glories to be revealed in the last days, and in an especial manner this most glorious of all subjects belonging to the everlasting gospel, namely, the baptism for the dead; for Malachi says, last chapter, verses 5th and 6th: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
18 I might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times.

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Utah as Zion?

Oh yes, absolutely1. I am always sorry to hear an LDS person criticizing church members in Utah. It’s painful to hear a faithful member of the church lay out “holier than thou”, “we are superior” attitudes. Oh my! Not ready for Zion. Great need to repent.2

I don’t live in Utah although I attended and graduated from BYU Provo and have visited Utah many times. If I could choose to live anywhere I wanted for my own selfish reasons, it would be in the center stakes of Zion, in Utah. My observation is that the Utah Saints are generally more dedicated, more active, and more effective in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ than their brothers and sisters outside of Utah. They are the core strength of the Church, providing more missionaries, more general authorities, and more material means per capita than the rest of us. We should strive to be more like them.

The Lord has blessed the saints in Utah. Anyone just driving through can see prosperity everywhere and a Stake Center on every corner. One doesn’t see the blighted neighborhoods that are so common in predominately “gentile” cities. Downtown Salt Lake City is vibrant and safe – and I have walked it late at night. I am amazed anew every time I visit.

Zion must eventually be politically independent3 in order to uphold the divinely inspired Constitution4 of the United States and be a place of safety5 for all good people everywhere. This occurs in Salt Lake City first.

 

 

References

1Micah 4:1-2 / Isaiah 2:2-3 / 2 Nephi 12:2-3

1 BUT in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

2DC 105:4-5

4 And [they] are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom;
5 And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.

3Section 78:14-15

14 … that the church may stand independent above all other creatures beneath the celestial world;
15 That you may come up unto the crown prepared for you, and be made rulers over many kingdoms, …

4DC 105:4-5

5 And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.
6 Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;
7 And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.
8 I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free.

5Section 45:67-68

67 And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion.
68 And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety.

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New Jerusalem vs “old” Jerusalem

The purpose of this blog is to comment on Zion in the last days, also called the New Jerusalem. In doing this I do not ignore the Holy Jerusalem currently existing in Israel and the important role that it plays in the last days. The “old” Jerusalem serves as one of two great capitals on earth throughout the 1000 year millennial reign of Jesus Christ. Every scriptural prophecy regarding Jerusalem is to be fulfilled. The Jewish people will build a great temple there, become very prosperous, “begin” to believe in Jesus, and will continue to defeat their enemies. The essential difference is that Jews gather to Jerusalem in the Middle East and the rest of the House of Israel gathers initially to the New Jerusalem in America. The two Jerusalem’s become united, politically, after Armageddon. The New Jerusalem is explicitly mentioned1 by John the Revelator as coming down from God out of heaven2. Many assume that the “new” Jerusalem is just the old Jerusalem with a make-over. However, Ether, as quoted by Moroni in the Book of Mormon, explains it clearly3 – they are two separate places.

Temple attending Latter-day Saints recognize the significance of the “new name” that John4 (and Isaiah5) mention. It is connected with entering6 into the New Jerusalem and the presence of the LORD.

 

 

References

1Revelation 3:12


12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

2Revelation 21:2 – 3


2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

3Ether 13:2 – 5


2 … the words of Ether; for he truly told them of all things, … and that after the waters had receded from off the face of this land it became a choice land above all other lands, …
3 And that it was the place of the New Jerusalem, which should come down out of heaven, and the holy sanctuary of the Lord.
4 Behold, Ether saw the days of Christ, and he spake concerning a New Jerusalem upon this land.
5 And he spake also concerning the house of Israel, and the Jerusalem from whence Lehi should come—after it should be destroyed it should be built up again, a holy city unto the Lord; wherefore, it could not be a new Jerusalem for it had been in a time of old; but it should be built up again, and become a holy city of the Lord; and it should be built unto the house of Israel.

4Revelation 3:12


12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

5Isaiah 62:1 – 3


1 FOR Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.
2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.
3 Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.

6DC Section 130:11


11 And a white stone is given to each of those who come into the celestial kingdom, whereon is a new name written, which no man knoweth save he that receiveth it. The new name is the key word.

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Gathering to Zion: Albert James

I once saw my great grandfather, Albert James Mackley (1873-1967), when I was about 6 years old. He had come to America from Norwich England with his parents in the early 1880’s. I have had the pleasure of visiting Norwich, seeing St Andrews Hall, Magdelene Street and as it crosses the Wensum river where he was likely baptized. Here are excerpts from his story:
… I was the only son alive of James Goodwin Mackley and Continue reading “Gathering to Zion: Albert James”
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Gathering To Zion – Helena

The process of preparing for Zion is through one individual at a time and eventually, like a rocket, momentum builds. Helena Ericksson/Rosbery (1822-1899), my great-great grandmother, had a zeal for God and for Zion. I look forward to meeting her there. Here are some excerpts from her story:
Just four years after I heard the first of Mormonism, I helped to build me a nice house. Then I went ten years before I heard the Gospel. I [had] wished to go to the Priest to find out how to be saved–but I was afraid to go. The first Mormon I heard preach was Brother Wimbery. He was talking about the “thousand years” to a man, but I dared not ask him what it meant. After that, I went to [a] meeting and the police were there writing the names of everyone listening to the Mormons to put them in prison. Continue reading “Gathering To Zion – Helena”
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Zeal for Zion

I confess I have this “zeal” and that I use this blog to give expression to my feelings. However, in research and writing, my zeal for Zion grows even more. What I am really talking about is what I feel for Jesus Christ and what He means for me and all mankind. However, talking about Jesus is a bigger canvas and it means so many different things to so many different people. My zeal for “Zion” is simply my zeal for Jesus in a more focused way and a more immediate future Continue reading “Zeal for Zion”