I am a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and am a “card-carrying” member in every sense of the meaning. I am also grateful for what has been preserved and handed down by the sect of converts that followed Brigham Young (for there are hundreds of prior and current sects) and am appreciative of what we currently enjoy in the institutional LDS church, however it is very apparent that we don’t have Zion amongst us in the scriptural definition. We are steeped in the ways of the world so much so that it is easy to see why Zion is fled and has not returned.
While it is important to possess the appropriate gratitude towards our spiritual forefathers of the restoration, it is also important to not be lofty or prideful in assuming that we currently enjoy the fullness of the blessings or the fullness of the priesthood that the Lord was willing to restore to the early saints of this dispensation. For those who may think we enjoy these blessing in the church today I would humbly refer you to JST Genesis 14 to compare the fruits of this order of priesthood to the fruits enjoyed today, or to simply compare the fruits of what was produced by Joseph Smith versus those who came after.
The doctrine of the Father teaches us to avoid contention; commands us to repent and to completely turn ourselves to Christ and to press forward steadfastly in Him. It beckons us to have humility and child-like innocence and faith. It bids us to feast upon the words of Christ until we can lay hold upon this grace to transform ourselves and become a people of one heart and one mind, to become one with Christ as he is with the Father. It invites us to have the Spirit of truth manifest in our lives to the degree that we can speak with the tongue of angels. (See 3 Nephi 11 and 2 Nephi 31)
An honest assessment in our lives will show that we as a people have missed the mark. We have let the precepts of men muddle the strait and narrow path that Christ walked and invited us to walk upon. So I cannot help but to weep for Zion and to pray that we may qualify to be worthy to associate with those who did pay the price to attain it. Joseph Smith taught:
“Let us here observe, that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; . . . It is in vain for persons to fancy to themselves that they are heirs with those, or can be heirs with them, who have offered their all in sacrifice, and by this means obtained faith in God and favor with him so as to obtain eternal life, unless they, in like manner, offer unto him the same sacrifice, and through that offering obtain the knowledge that they are accepted of him.” (Lectures on Faith; sixth lecture, par. 7–8)
We have not qualified ourselves for Zion. We have not paid the price nor have we offered an acceptable sacrifice. Some of us think that just being members of the church is the price for admission as if all that is required is to board the correct “good ship” and then let is sail us onward to Zion and the celestial kingdom. This idea cheapens the gospel. The most precious blood to ever grace the earth was shed 2000 years ago to provide an infinite atonement for our transgressions and to usher in the fulfillment of the good news. The best blood of the 19th century was shed as a witness that the restoration of the fullness of the gospel was returned to the earth. The price of admission to Zion was never cheaply attained and never can be. What price are we willing to pay to attain it?
Far from proclaiming that all is well and that Zion prospers, I cannot help but to lament and ask “how long O, Lord?” And the reply that causes me to shudder in anguish is “until the cities be left desolate without inhabitants.” For what more could the Lord have done to preserve his vineyard? Has He slackened his hand, has He not nourished it and pruned it and dunged it and sent laborers therein? Yet Zion is gone, is fled and I mourn her absence and will send up my cries on her behalf. Had I the trump of an angel I would lift my voice and proclaim repentance to this generation. Turn ye to the Lord and make his paths straight for he is returning and not as a meek and lowly lamb but as one who has tread the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God alone.
Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard; and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.
And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. (Malachi 3: 16-18)
May we as a people be found worthy to have our names be written in that book of remembrance. May we be those bright and shining jewels to add glory to the Holy One of Israel. May we know whom it is that we serve and in the coming day be spared even as sons and daughters of God for these are they who will be worthy to prepare, build and dwell in Zion.