What is required for building Zion? The Saints in the early 1830s had land, resources, and plans, but they weren’t aligned in their attitude. In today’s discussion of Doctrine and Covenants 64–66, we learn what the Lord asks of us as we continue their mission to build Zion on the earth. And even though it won’t be just one city, the requirements from God are the same.
Links:
Wrestling with the Restoration: Why This Church Matters by Steven C. Harper
Segment 1
Scriptures:
D&C 64 (The Lord’s law of forgiveness)
Study Helps:
In the miserable heat of August 1831, several elders were traveling back to Kirtland from the land of Zion in Missouri. The travelers were hot and weary, and tensions soon turned into quarrels. It may have seemed like building Zion, a city of love, unity, and peace, was going to take a long time. (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025, “The Lord Requireth the Heart and a Willing Mind”)
Segment 2
Scriptures:
D&C 64:3-4 (God is merciful)
D&C 64:10 (It is required for us to forgive)
Segment 3
Scriptures:
D&C 64:23-24 (God’s commandment of tithing)
CR: Malachi 3:8-12
D&C 42:28-31 (The Law of Consecration)
Translations:
Shekhinah = Presence of God (Hebrew)
Karat berit = Cut a covenant (Hebrew)
Segment 4
Scriptures:
D&C 65:3-4 (Prepare and pray)
D&C 45:58 (Children growing without sin)
Words of the General Authorities:
My dear brothers and sisters, in a coming day, Jesus Christ will return to the earth as the millennial Messiah. So today I call upon you to rededicate your lives to Jesus Christ. I call upon you to help gather scattered Israel and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord. I call upon you to talk of Christ, testify of Christ, have faith in Christ, and rejoice in Christ! (Russell M. Nelson, “The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again”, October 2024 General Conference)
Segment 5
Scriptures:
D&C 66 (The story of William McLellin)
D&C 66:13 (The Lord is our redeemer)
Segment 6
Scriptures:
John 6:66-69 (Jesus asks, “will we stay?”)
D&C 130:2 (The same socialites)
D&C 132:19-20 (Promise of the New and Everlasting Covenant)
View transcript here.