Build Zion by sharing resources

 

One of the most important developments in the effort to establish Zion has recently occurred. Few people have noticed, but is represents a sea-change in direction and focus.

A new web page offers resources to the entire world that will, if embraced, lead directly to the establishment of Zion in our day.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/share/church-resources?lang=eng

Share Church Resources

The Church offers various resources to help us temporally and spiritually and to become more like the Savior. These resources are available for anyone, regardless of their faith or interest in the Church.

1. Consider who you know who might benefit from the resources below.
2. Confirm with your local priesthood leader what is available.
3. Invite your friend to participate.

These resources include the following categories.

Self-Reliance and Education

Family History

Language Learning

Life Help

Spirituality

Other (Service opportunities)

The great restoration

 

The restoration in the latter days, described by Jonathan Edwards.

 

Scripture instances and examples of success in prayer give great encouragement to pray for this mercy. Most of the remarkable deliverances and restorations of the church of God, that we have account of in the Scripture, were in answer to prayer. So was the redemption of the church of God from the Egyptian bondage (Exodus 2:23 and Exodus 3:7).

The great restoration of the church in the latter day, is often spoken of as resembled by this; as in Isaiah 64:1–4, Isaiah 11:11, Isaiah 11:15–16, Isaiah 43:2–3, Isaiah 43:16–19, Isaiah 51:10–11, Isaiah 51:15, Isaiah 63:11–13; Zechariah 10:10–11; Hosea 2:14–15. It was in answer to prayer, that the sun stood still over Gibeon, and the moon in the valley of Aijalon [Joshua 10:12], and God's people obtained that great victory over their enemies: in which wonderful miracle, God seemed to have some respect to a future more glorious event to be accomplished for the Christian church, in the day of her victory over her enemies, in the latter days; even that event foretold Isaiah 60:20. "Thy sun shall no more go down, neither shall thy moon withdraw itself."

It was in answer to prayer, that God delivered his church from the mighty host of the Assyrians, in Hezekiah's time; which dispensation is abundantly made use of, as a type of the great things God will do for the Christian church in the latter days, in the prophecies of Isaiah. The restoration of the church of God from the Babylonish captivity, as abundantly appears both by scripture prophecies and histories, was in answer to extraordinary prayer; see Jeremiah 29:10–14, and Jeremiah 50:4–5; Daniel 9 throughout; Ezra 8:21 ff.; Nehemiah 1:4–11, Nehemiah 4:4–5, and Nehemiah 9 throughout.

This restoration of the Jewish church, after the destruction of Babylon, is evidently a type of the glorious restoration of the Christian church, after the destruction of the kingdom of Antichrist; which (as all know) is abundantly spoken of in the Revelation of St. John, as the antitype of Babylon. Samson, out of weakness, received strength to pull down Dagon's temple, through prayer [Judges 16:28–30].

So the people of God, in the latter days, will out of weakness be made strong, and will become the instruments of pulling down the kingdom of Satan, by prayer.

D&C 65

 

1 Hearken, and lo, a voice as of one sent down from on high, who is mighty and powerful, whose going forth is unto the ends of the earth, yea, whose voice is unto men—Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

2 The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth.

3 Yea, a voice crying—Prepare ye the way of the Lord, prepare ye the supper of the Lamb, make ready for the Bridegroom.

4 Pray unto the Lord, call upon his holy name, make known his wonderful works among the people.

5 Call upon the Lord, that his kingdom may go forth upon the earth, that the inhabitants thereof may receive it, and be prepared for the days to come, in the which the Son of Man shall come down in heaven, clothed in the brightness of his glory, to meet the kingdom of God which is set up on the earth.

6 Wherefore, may the kingdom of God go forth, that the kingdom of heaven may come, that thou, O God, mayest be glorified in heaven so on earth, that thine enemies may be subdued; for thine is the honor, power and glory, forever and ever. Amen.

(Doctrine and Covenants 65:1–6)

Self reliance and Zion

We've looked at aspects of the Self-Reliance programs before. If you haven't participated in one of the groups, you should as soon as you can.

Here is the tagline for Self-Reliance Services:

You can have a better life, and God will help you.

Self-reliance groups offer practical courses with spiritual benefits.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/self-reliance?lang=eng

The web page includes this quotation:

“In the history of the Church, there has never been anything quite like this. . . . 

The ultimate outcome is to elevate people to the next level of their development.”

Rick Johnson, stake president

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/self-reliance/leaders-specialists?lang=eng

I completely concur, and I'd go beyond this statement to say in the history of the world, there has never been anything quite like Self-Reliance Services.

Here are a few of the Q&A you should read:

1. What is self-reliance?

“Self-reliance is the ability, commitment, and effort to provide the spiritual and temporal necessities of life for self and family. As members become self-reliant, they are also better able to serve and care for others” (Handbook 2: Administering the Church [2010], 6.1.1).

2. Where did the self-reliance initiative come from?

The self-reliance initiative is a First Presidency initiative. The initiative has been in place since 2014. It began outside of North America and is now available worldwide. Hundreds of thousands of people have improved their self-reliance by participating.

3. Can people of other faiths participate? 

Yes, of course. Be sensitive to the perspective and understanding of people from different faiths. It might help to explain some scriptures and quotes that are specific to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It may also be necessary to adjust some of the faith-based commitments.