Missionaries establishing Zion

There is a movement underway around the world that is bringing about Zion. Thousands of senior citizens from various countries are volunteering to "Serve, lift and grow" as senior missionaries. 

We've seen senior missionaries on every inhabited continent. They're always happy, engaged, and enthusiastic. They are integrated with their local communities and church units. Because they come from different parts of the world, they are a bridge to understanding and unity world-wide.

Here's the link:

https://seniormissionary.churchofjesuschrist.org/srsite/?lang=eng

The page has these topics.

What are the options?

Explore over 30 meaningful missionary experiences—whether close to home or across the world—that will allow you to serve the Lord and bless others.

What is the best missionary opportunity for me?

Your needs and circumstances are unique. Answer a few simple questions about your specific situation and preferences to discover the best missionary opportunities for you. Log in with your Church Account for even better results.

Can I browse a list of opportunities?

Absolutely! Click below to view current missionary opportunities worldwide. You can set filters and search keywords to narrow the list.

_____

The Options page includes this explanation and these opportunities:

As a mature member of the Church, you likely have experience serving, teaching, and leading others and working to accomplish the Church's divinely appointed responsibilities of living the gospel of Jesus Christ, caring for those in need, inviting all to receive the gospel, and uniting families for eternity. You now have the opportunity to build on that experience as a senior missionary.

When reviewing the following service options, remember that "all things unto [the Lord] are spiritual" (D&C 29:34). Regardless of your specific assignment, as a missionary you will be called to represent the Lord and His Church.

PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN AID

Help provide desperately needed services and goods. Work with other organizations to assist in developing local humanitarian projects. Build relationships and coordinate with government, community, and charity organization leaders to determine critical local needs.

Types of opportunities to expect

Latter-day Saint CharitiesLatter-day Saint Charities Technical SpecialistsSalt Lake Humanitarian Center

FEED THE HUNGRY

Provide for the hungry in the Lord's way at Church canneries, bakeries, and mills. Fill orders at bishops' storehouses, or help people build their food storage.

Types of opportunities to expect

Bishops' StorehousesHome Storage CentersCanneries and Production Facilities

HELP PEOPLE BECOME SELF-RELIANT

Lift people from their current circumstances to a better life by helping them learn how to provide for themselves and their families. Foster self-respect and healing for those who are struggling with addictions, assist refugees and others in need, and help people improve their education, employment, and financial outlook.

Types of opportunities to expect

Self-Reliance ServicesEmployment ServicesAddiction RecoveryBYU Pathway WorldwideDevelopment CounselingInner City Mission

USE YOUR PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

You have spent most of your life developing and using professional skills that are needed in many areas of the world. Your skills are needed to support missionaries, members, and communities worldwide.

Types of opportunities to expect

Health CareChurch Education SystemsLegal SupportChurch Headquarters

SUPPORT YOUNG ADULTS

Strengthen the faith of youth and young adults with your testimony and life experience. Teach seminary and institute classes, operate and manage an institute, or support administration.

Types of opportunities to expect

Seminaries and InstitutesStake Young Single Adult Program (SYSAP)Military Relations

TEACH AND FELLOWSHIP

Minister one-on-one to help people understand and receive the blessings of living the gospel of Jesus Christ. Assignments include working in stakes and wards, at visitors' centers and historic sites, and with military families.

Types of opportunities to expect

Member and Leader SupportMilitary RelationsVisitors' Centers and Historic SitesMember and Leader Support (Senior Sisters)Inner City Mission

INTERACT WITH THE PUBLIC

Build positive impressions of the Church as you reach out to local communities or interact with visitors at Church sites. Assignments include public affairs, Church hosting, and guest services.

Types of opportunities to expect

Area Public AffairsHeadquarters HostingHeadquarters Guest Services

PRESERVE AND SHARE CHURCH HISTORY

Help collect and share the continuing history of the Church. Whether you interview modern Church pioneers, preserve records at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City, or share Church history at a historic site or library, you can be part of the effort to preserve Church history for future generations.

Types of opportunities to expect

Area Church History Advisers and SpecialistsChurch HeadquartersVisitors' Centers and Historic Sites

HELP PEOPLE FIND THEIR ANCESTORS

More people than ever before are participating in family history, and you can help them. Work with people one-on-one in a family history library or from home, help people find and prepare names for the temple, and train stake and ward family history leaders.

Types of opportunities to expect

Area Family History SupportFamilySearch LibrariesFamily History Support

PRESERVE FAMILY HISTORY RECORDS

Every name in the temple came from a record. You can help preserve and digitize original records in archives and libraries, digitize and index books containing family history information, or prepare images to be uploaded to FamilySearch.

Types of opportunities to expect

Records PreservationBook ScanningRecords Operation Center

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.

Pathway to Zion

It's one thing to describe Zion and something entirely different to make it happen.

The Pathway program, BYU-Pathway Worldwide, has the informal name of "Pathway to Zion." Through Pathway, every Latter-day Saint (as well as many people who are not Latter-day Saints) can obtain a great education, which leads to better employment possibilities, which leads to more prosperity and ultimately the elimination of poverty.

This is a phenomenal, world-changing opportunity that is growing fast. It deserves our recognition and support.

You can see the statistics here: https://www.byupathway.org/facts-stats

51,583 Total BYU-Pathway Worldwide unduplicated students in 2020^*

152 Countries

The Zion society we seek enables everyone to develop their talents and contribute to society. Everyone has a good education. Everyone avoids thinking errors. People can pursue life, liberty and happiness.

18 And 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.

19 And Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days, that he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion.

(Moses 7:18–19)

Healthy Thinking Patterns

The Emotional Resilience course (which every Latter-day Saint should take) includes a week on "Healthy Thinking Patterns" that can have profound implications for establishing Zion.  

Here's the outline:

Emotional Values and Skills

1. Our Thoughts Influence Our Emotions

2. Recognizing Inaccurate Thinking Patterns

3. Responding to Triggers

4. Creating More Accurate Thinking Patterns

5. Changing Our Thinking Takes Practice

The manual provides a list of "common inaccurate thinking patterns" that are not only common in the world. They are ubiquitous. 

The manual gives examples of how these thinking patterns affect our self-image, but these thinking patterns dominate the way people see the world and how we relate to one another, not only with interpersonal relationships, but also in politics, religion, science, economics, psychology, and other aspects of life. 

Recognizing and correcting these thinking errors will enable Latter-day Saints to establish the Zion that everyone in the world is looking for. They just don't know where to find it.

11 And also it is an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation, and to all the pure in heart—

12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—

13 Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven—

14 These should then be attended to with great earnestness.

(Doctrine and Covenants 123:11–14)

_____

Here is the list of thinking patterns. See how they apply to you and others you know. 

The course includes awesome techniques for evaluating these errors and offers a system for us to either believe the thinking error or create more accurate thoughts.

Thinking Patterns	Explanation	Example
All or Nothing	Seeing something or someone as all good or all bad. Look for phrases with words like always and never.	“I always say the wrong thing.”
Mislabeling	Taking something that happened and making a broad or incorrect statement.	“The relationship ended, so I’m not good enough.”
Jumping to Conclusions	Interpreting others’ thoughts or assuming the worst possible outcome.	“I bet everyone is laughing at me.”
Personalizing	Blaming yourself or someone else for a situation that in reality involved many factors.	“They didn’t call me back, so they must be mad at me.”
Emotional Reasoning	Judging a situation based on how you feel.	“I feel guilty. I must have done something bad.”
Overgeneralization	Applying one experience and generalizing it to all experiences.	“I did poorly on this assignment, so why should I stay in the class?”
Negative Mental Filter	Focusing on a negative detail and dwelling on it.	“It feels like nothing went well today. It was just failure after failure.”
Discounting the Positive	Rejecting all positive experiences because you don’t feel like they count.	“It doesn’t matter if my daughter ate breakfast. She threw so many tantrums throughout the rest of the day!”
Magnification	Exaggerating your weaknesses or comparing them to others’ strengths.	“I barely cook dinner for my family, and when I do, it’s nothing like her dinners.”
“Should” Statements	Telling yourself how things should or should not be.	“I shouldn’t have messed up like that.”

Validating Others

Zion becomes real on an individual basis when people live the principles of Zion, including love, compassion, charity, empathy, etc.

The Emotional Resilience book, which is in effect a handbook for how to create Zion, offers this important explanation of how to validate others.

4. VALIDATING OTHERS 

Sister Reyna L. Aburto taught, “Even if we do not know how to relate to what others are going through, validating that their pain is real can be an important first step in finding understanding and healing” (“Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me!” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019). 

To validate someone's feelings is to first accept someone's feelings and then to understand them. 

Below are some steps to help you validate someone who is facing a challenge: 

1. Listen. Be present and listen intently to what this person is telling you. Don't be defensive if you have contributed to their problem. 

2. Try to understand. You may need to ask compassionate questions to better understand what this person is feeling. Do your best to understand where they're coming from. 

3. Accept their feelings. Don't try to change them or say they're wrong for feeling that way. 

4. Express compassion. Express that you care about what they're feeling. You can validate their feelings by saying things like, "You feel disrespected. It's hard to feel disrespected (or anxious, hopeless, worthless, angry, etc.)," even if you can't relate to the situation or the cause of the feeling 

5. Show love. Tell this person that you care about them and that you are confident in their ability to solve or overcome the problem they are facing.

Self-reliance overview

One of the most profound developments in the modern world is the self-reliance program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The concept of self-reliance contrasts starkly with political systems and politicians who promise to solve problems through their programs. They often engender reliance on government instead of self-reliance.

Zion will come when people are prepared and eager to build Zion. The self-reliance program prepares people by teaching them how to gain an education, start a business, get a better job, and manage their finances. 

The program also includes a class in resilience, titled Emotional Resilience, that is preparing participants to help lay the foundation for Zion.

The contents of the course demonstrate how powerful this class is:

1. Building Emotional Resilience

2. Healthy Thinking Patterns

3. Our Body and Emotions

4. Managing Stress and Anxiety

5. Understanding Sadness and Depression

6. Overcoming Anger

7. Managing Addictive Behaviors

8. Building Healthy Relationships

9. Providing Strength to Others

10. Moving Forward with Faith

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/ldsorg/topics/self-reliance/4-10-20-Emotional-Self-Reliance-Manual_updated.pdf?lang=eng

The scriptures explain that we should be honored in laying the foundation.

7 And also that you might be honored in laying the foundation, and in bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand;

8 And also that a feast of fat things might be prepared for the poor; yea, a feast of fat things, of wine on the lees well refined, that the earth may know that the mouths of the prophets shall not fail;

9 Yea, a supper of the house of the Lord, well prepared, unto which all nations shall be invited.

(Doctrine and Covenants 58:7–9)

Superabundance

Reliable data shows that the world is becoming more and more abundant. While this trend contradicts the narratives from mainstream media (which promotes fear, contention and insecurity for business purposes), it represents the fulfillment of the prophecies and promises in the scriptures, both the Bible and the latter-day scriptures.

13 For it is expedient that I, the Lord, should make every man accountable, as a steward over earthly blessings, which I have made and prepared for my creatures.

14 I, the Lord, stretched out the heavens, and built the earth, my very handiwork; and all things therein are mine.

15 And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine.

16 But it must needs be done in mine own way; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.

17 For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.

18 Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment.

(Doctrine and Covenants 104:13–18)

_____

Here's an example of how the data corroborates the truth of these passages:

We found that humanity is experiencing what we term Superabundance – a condition where abundance is increasing at a faster rate than the population is growing. Data suggests that additional human beings tend to benefit, rather than impoverish, the rest of humanity....

There is no physical or economic reason why human resourcefulness and enterprise cannot forever continue to respond to impending shortages and existing problems with new expedients that, after an adjustment period, leave us better off than before the problem arose.… Adding more people will cause [short‐​run] problems, but at the same time there will be more people to solve these problems and leave us with the bonus of lower costs and less scarcity in the long run.… The ultimate resource is people—skilled, spirited, and hopeful people who will exert their wills and imaginations for their own benefit, and so, inevitably, for the benefit of us all.

https://www.humanprogress.org/the-simon-abundance-index-2021/

thou wilt remember the poor...

Overview of how to establish Zion.

30 And behold, thou wilt remember the poor, and consecrate of thy properties for their support that which thou hast to impart unto them, with a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken.

31 And inasmuch as ye impart of your substance unto the poor, ye will do it unto me; and they shall be laid before the bishop of my church and his counselors, two of the elders, or high priests, such as he shall appoint or has appointed and set apart for that purpose.

32 And it shall come to pass, that after they are laid before the bishop of my church, and after that he has received these testimonies concerning the consecration of the properties of my church, that they cannot be taken from the church, agreeable to my commandments, every man shall be made accountable unto me, a steward over his own property, or that which he has received by consecration, as much as is sufficient for himself and family.

33 And again, if there shall be properties in the hands of the church, or any individuals of it, more than is necessary for their support after this first consecration, which is a residue to be consecrated unto the bishop, it shall be kept to administer to those who have not, from time to time, that every man who has need may be amply supplied and receive according to his wants.

34 Therefore, the residue shall be kept in my storehouse, to administer to the poor and the needy, as shall be appointed by the high council of the church, and the bishop and his council;

35 And for the purpose of purchasing lands for the public benefit of the church, and building houses of worship, and building up of the New Jerusalem which is hereafter to be revealed—

36 That my covenant people may be gathered in one in that day when I shall come to my temple. And this I do for the salvation of my people.

37 And it shall come to pass, that he that sinneth and repenteth not shall be cast out of the church, and shall not receive again that which he has consecrated unto the poor and the needy of my church, or in other words, unto me—

38 For inasmuch as ye do it unto the least of these, ye do it unto me.

39 For it shall come to pass, that which I spake by the mouths of my prophets shall be fulfilled; for I will consecrate of the riches of those who embrace my gospel among the Gentiles unto the poor of my people who are of the house of Israel.

40 And again, thou shalt not be proud in thy heart; let all thy garments be plain, and their beauty the beauty of the work of thine own hands;

41 And let all things be done in cleanliness before me.

42 Thou shalt not be idle; for he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer.

43 And whosoever among you are sick, and have not faith to be healed, but believe, shall be nourished with all tenderness, with herbs and mild food, and that not by the hand of an enemy.

44 And the elders of the church, two or more, shall be called, and shall pray for and lay their hands upon them in my name; and if they die they shall die unto me, and if they live they shall live unto me.

45 Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die, and more especially for those that have not hope of a glorious resurrection.

46 And it shall come to pass that those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them;

47 And they that die not in me, wo unto them, for their death is bitter.

48 And again, it shall come to pass that he that hath faith in me to be healed, and is not appointed unto death, shall be healed.

49 He who hath faith to see shall see.

50 He who hath faith to hear shall hear.

51 The lame who hath faith to leap shall leap.

52 And they who have not faith to do these things, but believe in me, have power to become my sons; and inasmuch as they break not my laws thou shalt bear their infirmities.

53 Thou shalt stand in the place of thy stewardship.

54 Thou shalt not take thy brother’s garment; thou shalt pay for that which thou shalt receive of thy brother.

55 And if thou obtainest more than that which would be for thy support, thou shalt give it into my storehouse, that all things may be done according to that which I have said.

56 Thou shalt ask, and my scriptures shall be given as I have appointed, and they shall be preserved in safety;

57 And it is expedient that thou shouldst hold thy peace concerning them, and not teach them until ye have received them in full.

58 And I give unto you a commandment that then ye shall teach them unto all men; for they shall be taught unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people.

59 Thou shalt take the things which thou hast received, which have been given unto thee in my scriptures for a law, to be my law to govern my church;

60 And he that doeth according to these things shall be saved, and he that doeth them not shall be damned if he so continue.

61 If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.

62 Thou shalt ask, and it shall be revealed unto you in mine own due time where the New Jerusalem shall be built.

63 And behold, it shall come to pass that my servants shall be sent forth to the east and to the west, to the north and to the south.

64 And even now, let him that goeth to the east teach them that shall be converted to flee to the west, and this in consequence of that which is coming on the earth, and of secret combinations.

65 Behold, thou shalt observe all these things, and great shall be thy reward; for unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom, but unto the world it is not given to know them.

66 Ye shall observe the laws which ye have received and be faithful.

67 And ye shall hereafter receive church covenants, such as shall be sufficient to establish you, both here and in the New Jerusalem.

68 Therefore, he that lacketh wisdom, let him ask of me, and I will give him liberally and upbraid him not.

69 Lift up your hearts and rejoice, for unto you the kingdom, or in other words, the keys of the church have been given. Even so. Amen.

(Doctrine and Covenants 42:30–69)

In setting the scene for D&C 41, which preceded D&C 42 by a few days, John Whitmer wrote in his history: “About these days Joseph the Prophet and Sidney [Rigdon] arrived at Kirtland to the joy and satisfaction of the Saints. The disciples had all things common, and were going to destruction very fast as to temporal things: for they considered from reading the scripture that what belonged to a brother belonged to any of the brethren, therefore they would take each others clothes and other property and use it without leave: which brought on confusion and disappointments: for they did not understand the scripture. After Joseph lived here a few days the word of the Lord came.”5 JS’s history gave a similar introduction: “The branch of the church in this part of the Lord’s vineyard, which had increased to nearly one hundred members, were striving to do the will of God, so far as they knew it; though some strange notions and false spirits had crept in among them. With a little caution, and some wisdom, I soon assisted the brethren and sisters to overcome them. The plan of ‘common stock,’ which had existed in what was called ‘the family,’ whose members generally had embraced the ever lasting gospel, was readily abandoned for the more perfect law of the Lord: and the false spirits were easily discerned and rejected by the light of revelation.”

Revelation, 4 February 1831 [D&C 41], Page 61 (josephsmithpapers.org)

seek it with all your hearts

The Lord explained that we can have a Zion society if we seek it with all our hearts.

1 Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made;

2 The same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eyes;

3 I am the same which spake, and the world was made, and all things came by me.

4 I am the same which have taken the Zion of Enoch into mine own bosom; and verily, I say, even as many as have believed in my name, for I am Christ, and in mine own name, by the virtue of the blood which I have spilt, have I pleaded before the Father for them.

5 But behold, the residue of the wicked have I kept in chains of darkness until the judgment of the great day, which shall come at the end of the earth;

6 And even so will I cause the wicked to be kept, that will not hear my voice but harden their hearts, and wo, wo, wo, is their doom.

7 But behold, verily, verily, I say unto you that mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me;

8 But the day soon cometh that ye shall see me, and know that I am; for the veil of darkness shall soon be rent, and he that is not purified shall not abide the day.

9 Wherefore, gird up your loins and be prepared. Behold, the kingdom is yours, and the enemy shall not overcome.

10 Verily I say unto you, ye are clean, but not all; and there is none else with whom I am well pleased;

11 For all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men, in the presence of all the hosts of heaven—

12 Which causeth silence to reign, and all eternity is pained, and the angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned; and, behold, the enemy is combined.

13 And now I show unto you a mystery, a thing which is had in secret chambers, to bring to pass even your destruction in process of time, and ye knew it not;

14 But now I tell it unto you, and ye are blessed, not because of your iniquity, neither your hearts of unbelief; for verily some of you are guilty before me, but I will be merciful unto your weakness.

15 Therefore, be ye strong from henceforth; fear not, for the kingdom is yours.

16 And for your salvation I give unto you a commandment, for I have heard your prayers, and the poor have complained before me, and the rich have I made, and all flesh is mine, and I am no respecter of persons.

17 And I have made the earth rich, and behold it is my footstool, wherefore, again I will stand upon it.

18 And I hold forth and deign to give unto you greater riches, even a land of promise, a land flowing with milk and honey, upon which there shall be no curse when the Lord cometh;

19 And I will give it unto you for the land of your inheritance, if you seek it with all your hearts.

20 And this shall be my covenant with you, ye shall have it for the land of your inheritance, and for the inheritance of your children forever, while the earth shall stand, and ye shall possess it again in eternity, no more to pass away.

21 But, verily I say unto you that in time ye shall have no king nor ruler, for I will be your king and watch over you.

22 Wherefore, hear my voice and follow me, and you shall be a free people, and ye shall have no laws but my laws when I come, for I am your lawgiver, and what can stay my hand?

23 But, verily I say unto you, teach one another according to the office wherewith I have appointed you;

24 And let every man esteem his brother as himself, and practice virtue and holiness before me.

25 And again I say unto you, let every man esteem his brother as himself.

26 For what man among you having twelve sons, and is no respecter of them, and they serve him obediently, and he saith unto the one: Be thou clothed in robes and sit thou here; and to the other: Be thou clothed in rags and sit thou there—and looketh upon his sons and saith I am just?

27 Behold, this I have given unto you as a parable, and it is even as I am. I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.

(Doctrine and Covenants 38:1–27)

Emotional Resilience and Zion

The Self Reliance program now includes a course on Emotional Resilience that could revolutionize the Church. The course includes such topics as "Healthy Thinking Patterns," "Managing Stress and Anxiety," "Building Healthy Relationships," and "Providing Strength to Others." 

The course materials are exceptional, and working through the course with other ward members both enhances the materials and enables participants to incorporate the concepts and principles into their lives. This program directly leads to the establishment of a Zion society.

If you haven't already participated, do so as soon as you can.  

The manual is available online here:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/emotional-resilience-for-self-reliance?lang=eng