Daily Gems - 2 July 2009

Purity

"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. In a world now awash in sexualized images and music, are we free from lustful desires and their attendant evils?"

D. Todd Christofferson, "Come to Zion, Ensign," Nov. 2008, 38–39

Topics: Zion

Daily Gems - 16 April 2009

Of One Heart and One Mind

"As we consider the unity required for Zion to flourish, we should ask ourselves if we have overcome jarrings, contentions, envyings, and strifes (see D&C 101:6). Are we individually and as a people free from strife and contention and united 'according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom'? (D&C 105:4). Forgiveness of one another is essential to this unity. Jesus said, 'I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men' (D&C 64:10).

"We will become of one heart and one mind as we individually place the Savior at the center of our lives and follow those He has commissioned to lead us."

D. Todd Christofferson, "Come to Zion," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 38

Topics: Jesus Christ, Zion, Forgiveness

Youth Gems - 24 March 2009

Zion

"Zion is both a place and a people. Zion was the name given to the ancient city of Enoch in the days before the Flood. 'And it came to pass in his days, that he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion' (Moses 7:19). This Zion endured for some 365 years (see Moses 7:68). The scriptural record states, 'And Enoch and all his people walked with God, and he dwelt in the midst of Zion; and it came to pass that Zion was not, for God received it up into his own bosom; and from thence went forth the saying, Zion is fled' (Moses 7:69). . . .

"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). Elsewhere He said, 'For this is Zion—the pure in heart' (D&C 97:21)."

D. Todd Christofferson, "Come to Zion," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 37

Topics: Unity, Zion

Daily Gems - 18 March 2009

Rising to Zion's Standard

"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. . . .

"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."

D. Todd Christofferson, "Come to Zion," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 37–38

Topics: Zion, Righteousness

Daily Gems - 10 March 2009

From Babylon to Zion

"The antithesis and antagonist of Zion is Babylon. The city of Babylon was originally Babel, of Tower of Babel fame, and later became the capital of the Babylonian empire. Its principal edifice was the temple of Bel, or Baal, the idol referred to by Old Testament prophets as 'The Shame,' given the sexual perversions that were associated with its worship. (See Bible Dictionary, 'Assyria and Babylonia,' 615–16; 'Baal,' 617–18; 'Babylon, or Babel,' 618). Its worldliness, its worship of evil, and the captivity of Judah there following the conquest of 587 B.C. all combine to make Babylon the symbol of decadent societies and spiritual bondage.

"It is with this backdrop that the Lord said to the members of His Church, 'Go ye out of Babylon; gather ye out from among the nations, from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other' (D&C 133:7). He called for the elders of His Church to be sent forth across the world to accomplish this gathering, commencing an effort that continues in full vigor today. 'And behold, and lo, this shall be their cry, and the voice of the Lord unto all people: Go ye forth unto the land of Zion, that the borders of my people may be enlarged, and that her stakes may be strengthened, and that Zion may go forth unto the regions round about' (D&C 133:9)."

D. Todd Christofferson, "Come to Zion," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 37

Topics: Mission of the Church, Adversity, Zion

Daily Gems - 5 March 2009

Zion a Place and a People

"Zion is both a place and a people. Zion was the name given to the ancient city of Enoch in the days before the Flood. 'And it came to pass in his days, that he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion' (Moses 7:19). This Zion endured for some 365 years (see Moses 7:68). . . . Later, Jerusalem and its temple were called Mount Zion, and the scriptures prophesy of a future New Jerusalem where Christ shall reign as 'King of Zion,' when 'for the space of a thousand years the earth shall rest' (Moses 7:53, 64).

"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). Elsewhere He said 'For this is Zion—the pure in heart' (D&C 97:21)."

D. Todd Christofferson, "Come to Zion," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 37

Topics: Jesus Christ, Zion, Peace

Church History Gems - 9 May 2008

A Practical Religion

"If we wish to enjoy the Spirit of Zion, we must live for it. Our religion is not merely theory; it is a practical religion, to bring present enjoyment to every heart."

Brigham Young, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young (1997), 25

Topics: Zion

Church History Gems - 21 December 2007

Latter-day Saints Should Be a Light.

"It is easy to despair when we see about us the moorings of society slipping. We must remember, however, that the Lord sent His Saints into the world 'to be a light unto the world, and to be the saviors of men.' (D&C 103:9.) This is a time when 'Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments.' (D&C 82:14.) The contrast between the Church and the world will be increasingly marked in the future, which contrast, we hope, will cause the Church to be more attractive to those in the world who desire to live according to God's plan for us, His children."

Ezra Taft Benson, "May the Kingdom of God Go Forth," Ensign, May 1978, 33

Topics: Zion

Church History Gems - 5 October 2007

A Practical Religion.

"If we wish to enjoy the Spirit of Zion, we must live for it. Our religion is not merely theory; it is a practical religion, to bring present enjoyment to every heart."

Brigham Young, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 25

Topics: Zion

Young Single Adult Gems - 18 June 2007

On Zion's Hill

"When Emma Smith, wife of the Prophet Joseph, collected hymns for the first hymnbook, she included 'Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah,' which is, in fact, a prayer:

" 'When the earth begins to tremble,

Bid our fearful thoughts be still;

When thy judgments spread destruction,

Keep us safe on Zion's hill' (Hymns, no. 83).

Boyd K. Packer, "On Zion's Hill," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 73

Topics: Obedience, Zion

Daily Gems - 6 March 2007

Zion Will Be Built upon the Earth

"The choice to come unto Christ is not a matter of physical location; it is a matter of individual commitment. People can be 'brought to the knowledge of the Lord' (3 Nephi 20:13) without leaving their homelands. True, in the early days of the Church, conversion often meant emigration as well. But now the gathering takes place in each nation. The Lord has decreed the establishment of Zion (see D&C 6:6; 11:6; 12:6; 14:6)

in each realm where He has given His Saints their birth and nationality. Scripture foretells that the people 'shall be gathered home to the lands of their inheritance, and shall be established in all their lands of promise' (2 Nephi 9:2). 'Every nation is the gathering place for its own people' (Bruce R. McConkie, in Conference Report, Mexico City Mexico Area Conference 1972, 45). The place of gathering for Brazilian Saints is in Brazil; the place of gathering for Nigerian Saints is in Nigeria; the place of gathering for Korean Saints is in Korea; and so forth. Zion is 'the pure in heart' (D&C 97:21). Zion is wherever righteous Saints are. Publications, communications, and congregations are now such that nearly all members have access to the doctrines, keys, ordinances, and blessings of the gospel, regardless of their location."

Russell M. Nelson, "The Gathering of Scattered Israel," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 81

Topics: Zion