This is the second of seven videos in the Christian Restoration videos currently being created. The timing of the delayed release of Part 2: Essential Missing Parts is interesting due to the current battle with the LDS Church's publicly getting involved in the Prop 2 campaign.
I agree with Thomas Jefferson and Roger Williams, both featured in the video about the importance of separation between Church and State.
Sidenote: Tomorrow is officially the Fall Equinox. It is important time of year. It begins the harvest season.
Preface: A few years ago, a friend of mine wrote a blog post that went viral. It was entitled, Marriage isn't for you. It is a must read for anyone getting ready to get married. Using that same theme.. I have named this blog post.. Zion is not for me.
......
As the Prophet Joseph Smith observed, “The building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age; it is a theme upon which prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight; … it is left for us to see, participate in and help to roll forward the Latter-day glory [of Zion] … a work that is destined to bring about the destruction of the powers of darkness, the renovation of the earth, the glory of God, and the salvation of the human family.”
Zion is not for me.
... nor is it for you.
Zion is for the "we" and for the "us"
Zion is not only a location, but it is a diverse group of people that are of one heart and one mind. It is a rare thing.. and you can count with one hand how many times it has occured in the history of the world. All the powers of darkness will make sure that it does not happen. It is almost impossible to achieve.
But I have hope. I believe that Zion can happen for Us.
The strength of Zion comes from the unity of the community and not the strength of the individual.
If I ever want to be considered to live amongst a group of people that are of one heart and one mind I need to remember that Zion is not for my wants and my needs, nor is it about your wants and needs.. but it is about OUR needs and OUR wants...
Our Need to become a Zion people is to learn how to Honor God. We have been commanded by the Lord to Teach our Children to Honor God.
Few understand what it means to truly Honor God.
What does that mean? I have recently been given a profound definition of what it means to Honor God. To honor God means to Follow His Command with Alacrity.
Since my vocabulary is limited, I did not know the definition of the word 'alacrity.'
Alacrity means to briskly accomplish a task and with enthusiasm.
Too often we delay, postpone, put off, procrastinate, and hinder in the work that the Lord asks us to do. I am guilty of laziness, reluctance, apathy and hesitancy.
I need to repent. It is time to complete the task and the commands He has given us.
I want to Honor God.. and follow His commands with Alacrity.
Tomorrow is Labor Day. It is considered the unofficial end of summer in the United States. Fall begins and we enter into the Harvest Season.
This Labor Day also happens to be the one year anniversary of when the Covenant was given on September 03, 2017. The below video has been created to commemorate that event.
"Wherefore, labor ye, labor ye in my vineyard for the last time—
for the last time call upon the inhabitants of the earth."
D&C 43: 28
...
"Wherefore we labored diligently among our people,
that we might persuade them to come unto Christ,
and partake of the goodness of God, that they might enter into his rest,"
Jacob 1:7
...
"The spirit of God is withdrawing from the world. Men are increasingly more angry without good cause. The hearts of men are waxing cold...
Language of scriptures gives a description of the events now underway and calls it the end of the times of the gentiles. This process with the spirit withdrawing, will end on this continent, as it did with two prior civilization in fratricidal and genocidal warfare. For the rest of the world, it will be as in the days of Noah in which, as that light becomes eclipsed, the coldness of men’s hearts is going to result in a constant scene of violence and bloodshed. The wicked will destroy the wicked.
The covenant, if it is kept, will prevent you from losing light and warmth of heart as the spirit now steadily recedes from the world. The time will come when you will be astonished at the gulf between the light and truth you will comprehend and the darkness of mind of the world.
Be charitable and patient and labor to reach others. They will judge you harshly, but nevertheless be kind to them. They are going to grow to fear you, but that’s only part of how darkness responds to light. Give them no reason to fear you. The time will come for us to gather, but between now and then, be leaven. Preserve the world. Be salt.
Preserve the world, even if it hates you"
From the Closing remarks at the Covenant of Christ Conference on September 3, 2017
/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-sltrib.s3.amazonaws.com/public/VLVXLNDZCBDRXOICT4R5LYU3FM.JPG)
