Foreword to Working Toward Zion by James W. Lucas and Warner P. Woodworth
God recognizes only one justification for seeking wealth, and that is with the express intent of helping the poor (Jacob 2:19). One of the disturbing things about Zion is that its appeal, according to the scriptures, is all to the poor. "The Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it" (Isaiah 14:32). Of course, once in Zion, no one suffers from poverty, for they dwell in righteousness and there are no poor among them (Moses 7:18). The law of consecration is a minimal requirement, for "if my people observe not this law,... it shall not be a land of Zion unto you." (D&C 119:6).
In stark contrast to the pride and power struggles of the world, true Saints have always sought the things of eternity rather than material success. They labor for a higher order, even a holy order. The question I have been asked most frequently by Saints who read or hear the prices in Approaching Zion is "but what can we do? how do we do it?"
Woodward and Lucas suggest that there is much we can and must do to consecrate our lives to the blessing of others. This book is not a call to formally enter into the united order, but for each of us to do all we can to move toward Zion in this contemporary era. Drawing upon the scripture and prophets of this dispensation, Working Toward Sion conveys a vision of how to apply God's temporal teachings here and now in the modern world economy.
Hugh Nibley
Provo, Utah