Establishing Zion
by Mohonri
July 21, 1999

The ONLY solution, IMO, and I believe it is supported over and over again throughout restored scripture, is the establishment of Zion, in the way the Lord has decreed it.   Here is the basis for my position.

Mormonism is inescapably linked to the restored  Priesthood and both are the establishment of Zion.  In order to understand this we need to answer a few basic questions.  These are:

   1.What is Zion?
   2.How Important is Zion to our religion and our theology?
   3.How is Zion to be built?
   4.What role do those who hold the priesthood have in building/redeeming Zion? (This indeed begs the question, What is Priesthood? --- subject for another discussion.....)

1. What is Zion?

Zion is a spiritual and a literal gathering; it is the pure in heart where there are no rich and no poor:

Moses 7:18-20

          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.

          20 And it came to pass that Enoch talked with the Lord; and he said unto the Lord: Surely Zion shall dwell in safety forever. But the Lord said unto
          Enoch: Zion have I blessed, but the residue of the people have I cursed.

It is a gathering place for the righteous:

D&C 45:71

          71 And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of
          everlasting joy.

Conversely, it is not a place for the unrighteous:

D&C 64:35

          35 And the rebellious shall be cut off out of the land of Zion, and shall be sent away, and shall not inherit the land.

HOW IMPORTANT IS ZION TO OUR RELIGION AND OUR THEOLOGY?

The concept of Zion and the Gathering is central to our theology; unless it is built in the Lord's way, not our way, He will not receive it; indeed it really isn't Zion; its a cheap Babylonian imitation :

D&C 105:5
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.
 
D&C 6:6
6 Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion;

The Prophet Brigham Young said, that it was the entire object of the Latter-Day Saints Existence:
Discourses of Brigham Young, p.89

The Latter-day Saints throughout the valleys in these mountains and throughout the world ought to be learning what they are on this earth for. They are here to increase and multiply, to enlarge, to gather the House of Israel, redeem Zion, build up the Zion of our God, ... and to promote that eternal intelligence that dwells with the Gods, and begin to plant it in this earth, and make it take root downward and bring forth fruit upward to the glory of God, until every obnoxious principle in the hearts of men is destroyed, and the earth returns to its paradisiacal state, and the Lord comes and dwells with this people, and walks and talks with them as he did with Father Adam. That is our business, and not to suffer all our energies to be expended in merely preparing to die. 8:282.

Discourses of Brigham Young, p.88
The purpose of our life should be to build up the Zion of our God, to gather the House of Israel, bring in the fulness of the Gentiles, restore and bless the earth with our ability and make it as the Garden of Eden, store up treasures of knowledge and wisdom in our own understandings, purify our own hearts and prepare a people to meet the Lord when he comes. 10:222.

   HOW IS ZION TO BE BUILT?

Zion is to be built based upon eternal Priesthood Law which is the Law of the Celestial Kingdom:
D&C 105:1- 9
 1 VERILY I say unto you who have assembled yourselves together that you may learn my will concerning the redemption of mine afflicted people--

2 Behold, I say unto you, were it not for the transgressions of my people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they might have been redeemed even now.
3 But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;
 
4 And 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.

6 And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it must needs be, by the things which they suffer.

7 I speak not concerning those who are appointed to lead my people, who are the first elders of my church, for they are not all under this condemnation;

8 But I speak concerning my churches abroad--there are many who will say: Where is their God? Behold, he will deliver them in time of trouble, otherwise we will not go up unto Zion, and will keep our moneys.

9 Therefore, in consequence of the transgressions of my people, it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season for the redemption of Zion?
  What then is Celestial Law?

(See D&C 130:20-21) We can?t receive a blessing for laws we do not live.

Brigham Young taught that it is impossible to embrace the ways of Babylon (Baby-lon) and simultaneously build / redeem Zion:  Discourses of Brigham Young, p.90

But so long as we willingly hold fellowship with that which tends to death and destruction, we cannot progress as we should in the work of perfection in ourselves, nor in the building up and beautifying Zion. 9:284.

Journal of Discourses, Vol.4, p.38, Brigham Young, August 31, 1856
When "Mormonism" finds favor with the wicked in this land, it will have gone into the shade; but until the power of the Priesthood is gone, "Mormonism" will never become popular with the wicked. "Mormonism" is not one farthing better than it was in the days of Joseph.
 
Journal of Discourses, Vol.10, p.32, Brigham Young, April 8, 1862
There is nothing that would so soon weaken my hope and discourage me as to see this people in full fellowship with the world, and receive no more persecution from them because they are one with them. In such an event, we might bid farewell to the Holy Priesthood with all its blessings, privileges and aids to exaltations, principalities and powers in the eternities of the Gods.

Discourses of Brigham Young, p.113 - p.114
There has been considerable said this afternoon with regard to redeeming and building up Zion, the Order of Enoch, etc. I see men and women in this congregation only a few of them who were driven from the central Stake of Zion. Ask them if they had any sorrow or trouble; then let them look at the beautiful land that the lord would have given them if all had been faithful in keeping his commandments, and had walked before him as they should; and then ask them with regard to the blessings they would have received. If they tell you the sentiments of their minds, they will tell you that the yoke of Jesus would have been easy and his burden would have been light, and that it would have been a delightful task to have walked in obedience to his commandments and to have been of one heart and one mind; but through the selfishness of some, which is idolatry, through their covetousness, which is the same, and the lustful desire of their minds, they were cast out and driven from their homes. We have been driven many times; but each time, if they who professed to be the servants of God had served him with an undivided heart, they would have had the privilege of living in their houses, possessing their lands, attending their meetings, and spreading abroad on the right and the left, lengthening the cords of Zion, and strengthening her stakes until the land had been dedicated to the Gospel of the Son of God. Well, I have been with the rest and I expect I have been covetous like them, and probably I am now; but if I am, I wish somebody would tell me wherein. 13:1.

 WHAT ROLE DO THOSE WHO HOLD THE PRIESTHOOD HAVE IN BUILDING ZION?
First, the building of Zion is not a PH only function; and it should be clear that "holding the Priesthood" does not mean "ordination to Priesthood office"....

Discourses of Brigham Young, p.118
When we conclude to make a Zion we will make it, and this work commences in the heart of each person. When the father of a family wishes to make a Zion in his own house, he must take the lead in this good work, which it is impossible for him to do unless he himself possesses the spirit of Zion. Before he can produce the work of sanctification in his family, he must sanctify himself, and by this means God can help him to sanctify his family. 9:283. Refer to Alma 13: 10-12 (6-12)

What principles do we need to embrace and practice to build Zion in our homes?

Discourses of Brigham Young, p.118 - p.119
Let me say a few words with regard to Zion. We profess to be Zion. If we are the pure in heart we are so, for "Zion is the pure in heart." Now when Zion is built up and reigns, the question may arise with some, will all be Latter-day Saints? No. 12:274.

Journal of Discourses, Vol.6, p.100, Brigham Young, November 29, 1857
The First Presidency have of right a great influence over this people; and IF WE SHOULD GET OUT OF THE WAY AND LEAD THIS PEOPLE TO DESTRUCTION, WHAT A PITY IT WOULD BE! How can you know whether we lead you correctly or not? Can you know by any other power than that of the Holy Ghost? If have uniformly exhorted the people to obtain this living witness each for themselves; then no man on earth can lead them astray.

Journal of Discourses, Vol.9, p.151, Brigham Young, January 12, 1862
What a pity it would be if we were led by one man to utter destruction!Are you afraid of this? I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him. I AM FEARFUL THEY SETTLE DOWN IN A STATE OF BLIND SELF-SECURITY, TRUSTING THEIR ETERNAL DESTINY IN THE HANDS OF THEIR LEADERS WITH A "RECKLESS CONFIDENCE" that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken that influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way. Let every man and woman know, by the whispering of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not. This has been my exhortation continually.

George Q. Cannon, Gospel Truth, Vol. 1, p.319
Do not, brethren, put your trust in man though he be a Bishop, an Apostle or a President; if you do, they will fail you at some time or place; they will do wrong or seem to, and your support be gone; but if we lean on God, He never will fail us. When men and women depend on God alone and trust in Him alone, their faith will not be shaken if the highest in the Church should step aside. They could still see that He is just and true, that truth is lovely in His sight and the pure in heart are dear to Him.

Journal of Discourses, Vol.4, p.38, Brigham Young, August 31, 1856
When "Mormonism" finds favor with the wicked in this land, it will have gone into the shade; but until the power of the Priesthood is gone, "Mormonism" will never become popular with the wicked. "Mormonism" is not one farthing better than it was in the days of Joseph.

Journal of Discourses, Vol.10, p.32, Brigham Young, April 8, 1862
There is nothing that would so soon weaken my hope and discourage me as to see this people in full fellowship with the world, and receive no more persecution from them because they are one with them. In such an event, we might bid farewell to the Holy Priesthood with all its blessings, privileges and aids to exaltations, principalities and powers in the eternities of the Gods.
 
Journal of Discourses, Vol.10, p.273, Brigham Young, October 6, 1863
I am willing that we should be forgiving. I do not know that I have one single feeling against any man or woman upon earth; I do not love wickedness, and I mean to hate it in myself and in everybody else, and wherever I see it, from this time and henceforth and for ever. When we see the time that we can willingly strike hands and have full fellowship with those who despise the Kingdom of God, know ye then that the Priesthood of the Son of God is out of your possession. Let us be careful how we make friends with and fellowship unrighteousness, lest the curse of God descends heavily upon us.

Discourses of Brigham Young, p.112
There never has been a day for ages and ages, not since the true church was destroyed after the days of the Apostles, that required the faith and the energy of godly men and godly women, and the skill, wisdom and power of the Almighty to be with them, so much as this people require it at the present time. There never was that necessity; there never has been a time on the face of the earth, from the time that the church went to destruction, and the Priesthood was taken from the earth, that the powers of darkness and the powers of earth and hell were so embittered, and enraged, and incensed against God and Godliness on the earth, as they are at the present. And when the spirit of persecution, the spirit of hatred of wrath, and malice ceases in the world against this people, it will be the time that this people have apostatized and joined hands with the wicked, and never until then; which I pray may never come. 4:326.

Journal of Discourses, Vol.5, p.204 - p.205, Heber C. Kimball, October 12, 1856

You might as well deny "Mormonism," and turn away from it, as to oppose the plurality of wives. Let the Presidency of this Church, and the Twelve Apostles, and all the authorities unite and say with one voice that they will oppose that doctrine, and the whole of them would be damned. What are you opposing it for? It is a principle that God has revealed for the salvation of the human family. He revealed it to Joseph the Prophet in this our dispensation; and that which he revealed he designs to have carried out by his people.

J. Golden Kimball, Conference Report, April 1904, p.29
I feel a good deal, or at least I imagine I do, like a man does when held up by a burglar and he is looking into the muzzle of a six-shooter. I would quietly and willingly hold my hands up, but during the time would think very profoundly of what I would do if given my liberty. We are in a similar position today, but all the men in the United States cannot prevent a man from thinking. There are not Apostles enough in the Church to prevent us from thinking, and they are not disposed to do so; but some people fancy because we have the Presidency and Apostles of the Church they will do the thinking for us. There are men and women so mentally lazy that they hardly think for themselves. To think calls for effort, which makes some men tired and wearies their souls. Now, brethren and sisters, we are surrounded with, such conditions that it requires not only thought, but the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Latter-day Saints, you must think for yourselves. No man or woman can remain in this Church on borrowed light. I am a strong believer in the following statement made by my father in the House of the Lord in 1856 "We think we are secure in the chambers of the everlasting hills, but the time will come when we will be so mixed up that it will be difficult to tell the face of a Saint from the face of an enemy to the people of God. Then, brethren, look out for the great sieve, for there will be a great sifting time, and many will fall; for I say unto you there is a test, a test, a TEST coming, and who will be able to stand?"

J. Golden Kimball, Conference Report, October 1930, p.59
"A spirit of speculation and extravagance will take possession of the Saints, and the results will be financial bondage."

Ezra Taft Benson, Conference Report, October 1963, p.16
Those of us who think ". . . all is well in Zion . . ." (2 Nephi 28:21) in spite of Book of Mormon warning might ponder the words of Heber C. Kimball when he said, "Yes, we think we are secure here in the chambers of these everlasting hills . . . but I want to say to you, my brethren, the time is coming when we will be mixed up in these now peaceful valleys to that extent that it will be difficult to tell the face of a Saint from the face of an enemy against the people of God. Then is the time to look out for the great sieve, for there will be a great sifting time, and many will fall. For I say unto you there is a test, a Test, a TEST coming." (Heber C. Kimball, 1856.
Quoted by J. Golden Kimball, Conference Report, October1930, pp. 59-60.)

Journal of Discourses, Vol.2, p.183 - p.184, Brigham Young, February 18, 1855
God will preserve a portion of the meek and humble of this people to bear off the Kingdom to the inhabitants of the earth, and will defend His Priesthood; for it is the last time, the last gathering time;

Journal of Discourses, Vol.15, p.361 - p.362, Orson Pratt, March 9, 1873
This is plain preaching, and perhaps some of you will not like it. I can not help it, these are the things that present themselves before my mind... I do not know but that it would be an utter impossibility to commence and carry out some principles pertaining to Zion right in the midst of this people. They have strayed so far that to get a people who would conform to heavenly laws it may be needful to lead some from the midst of this people and commence anew somewhere in the regions round about in these mountains.

Journal of Discourses, Vol.11, p.145, Heber C. Kimball, October 6, 1865
To be a Saint is an individual work, and it is out of the power of God, angels, or men to make a Saint of a man who is determined to be a sinner... But the day will come when the Lord will choose a people out of this people, upon whom he will bestow his choicest blessings.