Chapter 2

Principles of Zion, Part II

 

Building Zion in the Church, Beautiful Music, Temple Work

 

 

 

Look into the eyes of your loved ones and dream of celestial glory. Snap a picture of that
marvelous scene and share with your extended family. Step back and expand the focus of your
camera lens to see the bigger picture. You will see a glorious vision that includes your family,
your friends and neighbors, members of your ward, and members of your stake. This is Zion (JRE Link, 2017-0106 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

Jesus Christ is perfection, the true ideal. Zion brings that ideal into the society of the
Church (JRE Link, 2023-0317 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

Zion––love and kindness on a grand scale. A people happily led by God (JRE Link, 2017-0316 (Thu), COM-STR2).

 

Zion––miracles and revelation on a grand scale. The crowning jewel of civilization.

 

A seer is like a bright candle in the darkness. Latter-day Saints walk in the light of that
candle.

 

You don't keep the light of a seer under a bushel. You share it with the world (JRE Link, 2017-0906 (Wed), COM-STR2).

 

The wealth of a seer. The wealth of a city of Zion.

 

A city of Zion is like morning sunlight. The sun never goes down, and the city is always
shining. Every day is new and exciting.

 

Salt Lake City––the beautiful capital city of the Church! Let spiritual gifts and countless
blessings from heaven fall down upon it like the tiny snowflakes of a snow globe. Let the Bell of
Zion ring out through the valley.

 

The dream of the pioneers was to build a beautiful city with a magnificent temple. They
called it Zion.

 

"My dream," says the Lord, "is to see Zion established throughout all stakes of the
Church."

Every stake of the Church should aspire to become like the city of Enoch, working
towards the goal of the five-dollar lawn in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every stake president
should strive to be like Enoch, conversing with the Spirit every day, and walking with the Lord.

 

To build up, to perfect, to help make one's home stake glorious (JRE Link, 2017-0911 (Mon), COM-STR2).

 

A perfect people. A perfect stake (JRE Link, 2017-0911 (Mon), COM-STR2).

 

An excitement for Zion. A passion for Zion (JRE Link, 2017-0911 (Mon), COM-STR2).

 

16,000 to 20,000 people––a multi-stake Zion (JRE Link, 2017-1227 (Wed), COM-STR2).

 

The temples of the Church throughout the world are powerful symbols of the ideal of
Zion. They literally exemplify the concept of the five-dollar lawn in their beautiful landscaping
and architecture (JRE Link, 2017-0407 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

Zion is found in the temple. Your hearts become as one (JRE Link, 2020-0922 (Tue), WSE-MAIN).

 

The temple awaits you. It is filled with the visions of heaven (JRE Link, 2016-1208 (Thu), WSE-MAIN).

 

The Spirit really loves the temple (JRE Link, 2017-0218 (Sat), COM-STR2).

 

Go to the berry temple and the sweetness of the Holy Spirit will fill your soul.

 

You will be blushing at the temple as you feel the presence of the Savior (JRE Link, 2017-0519 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

A new, larger Zion-class temple downtown that fills Temple Square. A glorious, three-
story celestial room housed in its own dome-topped building. A view of the stars. A view of the
universe. A temple for the ages. A church, full of momentum, on the move in the gospel (JRE Link, 2017-0603 (Sat), COM-STR2).

 

The work for the living. The work for the dead. In the eyes of God, the work for the souls
of men is one eternal round (JRE Link, 2018-1212 (Wed), COM-STR2).

 

We are transfixed on the shiny objects of our lives while many endowment sessions in
our temples are only half-filled (JRE Link, 2017-0529 (Mon), COM-STR2).

 

Be a temple. Be at the temple (JRE Link, 2023-0201 (Wed), WSE-MAIN).

 

Walk through the temple. It's free.

 

Rise and shine. Go early and often to the temple.

 

A beautiful date night––go to the temple together in the evening.

 

We were able to fulfill our temple assignments together (JRE Link, 2018-0109 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Enjoy the temples both inside and out. The beautiful temple grounds are especially made
for walking hand in hand, or to sit and ponder upon the things of God (JRE Link, 2018-1212 (Wed), COM-STR2).

 

Plan trips to all the temples of Utah and the surrounding states as you are able. Short
vacations you can look forward to every so often and assemble into a special temple photo
album (JRE Link, 2018-1212 (Wed), COM-STR2).

 

Temple reverence––go through the peace process (JRE Link, 2017-1215 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

The pure in heart go to the temple, finding peace amidst the trials of life.

 

Go to the library to learn interesting things from books.

 

Go to the temple to learn interesting things from the Spirit.

 

Temple sessions are sweet to those who attend them (JRE Link, 2017-0603 (Sat), COM-STR2).

 

Temple garments are sweet to those who wear them (JRE Link, 2016-0925 (Sun), WSE-MAIN).

 

The temple experience—reverence that is both seen and felt, a pondering of sacred
things, and a greater appreciation for the holiness of God (JRE Link, 2021-0617 (Thu), COM-STR2).

 

Temples are celestial edifices.

 

The celestial room—the place to go to ponder things in your mind with the Spirit and get
them straightened out. Each visit can help you chip away at the difficult problem you are facing,
step by step.

 

Celestial thoughts—the celestial room, temple workers, sacred covenants, teachings of
the endowment, special white attire, whisperings of the Spirit, holiness, reverence, humility,
beautiful architecture and grounds outside.

 

There are detractors of the work being done in our sacred temples. Let them go off to
their own place and they can ponder upon their state before God. The work of the Lord will go
forth triumphantly and unimpeded by them (JRE Link, 2021-0617 (Thu), COM-STR2).

 

Stand bright in the temple (JRE Link, 2017-0218 (Sat), COM-STR2).

 

Let your children come unto me and be exalted. What is sealed on earth is sealed in
heaven.

 

Climb the steps of the temple. Make your way into heaven a step at a time.

 

Ascend the mountain of the Lord. The knowledge of God will be bestowed upon you.

The music of Zion––a great symphony of truth. Sing, choirs of angels! Beautiful music
feeds the souls of the righteous (JRE Link, 2017-0516 (Tue), COM-STR2).

 

Drop the Handel on unbelief throughout the world––King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! (JRE Link, 2017-0423 (Sun), COM-STR2)

 

Passion and energy in the gospel––the members of the Church need more. The musical
performances of the Tabernacle Choir are filled with great passion. Listen to them over and over.

 

The music of the Tabernacle Choir stirs your soul. It will change your life forever if you
let it (JRE Link, 2018-0911 (Tue), COM-STR2).

 

Come unto me through music that inspires.

 

You're in the Spirit now. Your feelings––lifted by beautiful music––are like those of
heaven.

 

You like music. You like the Spirit. Beautiful music and the Spirit of God are very
complementary.

 

Make sweet new hymns of guitar (JRE Link, 2018-1230 (Sun), WSE-MAIN).

 

Make sweet new hymns for the people of Qatar (JRE Link, 2018-1230 (Sun), WSE-MAIN).

 

Music hath great charms. It should take on a greater role in the Church (JRE Link, 2018-0604 (Mon), COM-STR2).

 

Large and spacious stake conference centers are established throughout the world to
support the work of Zion. There are impressive stake choirs and stake orchestras. There is
dancing and great feasts enjoyed by the members. Many nonmembers take part in the grand
celebrations that are planned throughout the year. Everyone should come (JRE Link, 2017-0616 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

Conductors of stake choirs should work with talented musicians in their stake to compose
a hymn of Zion, both the music and the lyrics. The hymn can be regularly sung on Stake
Conference Sundays (JRE Link, 2020-1225 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

A second Latter-day Saint hymnbook can be created with the top 300 hymns of Zion
selected from among the 3000 stakes of the Church—a worldwide contest of great Zion music.
The new hymnbook can be provided to all ward chapels and mixed in with the regular hymns in
weekly services (JRE Link, 2020-1225 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

Let's start jolly new traditions in the Church to celebrate the work of Zion.

 

Zion celebration––a Christmas-like season in June for the Church (JRE Link, 2018-0704 (Wed), COM-STR2).

 

Home magazine––a new supplement to the Ensign every month dedicated to Zion in the
home (JRE Link, 2018-0802 (Thu), COM-STR2).

 

A new visitors' center at Temple Square dedicated to the theme of Zion (JRE Link, 2017-1115 (Wed), COM-STR2).

 

A new series of large commissioned paintings on the theme of Zion (JRE Link, 2017-1115 (Wed), COM-STR2).

 

Enjoy the arts. Cultural enlightenment in our lives is important, too.

 

Memory––a beautiful song for everyone, not just for cats (JRE Link, 2018-0705 (Thu), COM-STR2).

 

The golden age of moviemaking in the Church, like 1939 in Hollywood. Landmark
principles of Zion are taught to the Church members through beautiful film and music
production. A full spectrum of panoramic colors in the gospel (JRE Link, 2017-0725 (Tue), COM-STR2).

 

These will be the happiest times in the history of the Church (JRE Link, 2017-0919 (Tue), COM-STR2).

 

Knowledge will grow in the Church like never before (JRE Link, 2017-0919 (Tue), COM-STR2).

 

The world will start to take notice of the Church like never before (JRE Link, 2017-1020 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

Unbelievable change in the Church. Unbelievable potential to excel (JRE Link, 2018-0612 (Tue), COM-STR2).

 

The Church will reach its peak––historic gifts of the Spirit. (JRE Link, 2018-0612 (Tue), COM-STR2)

 

By the spirit of revelation and the spirit of prophecy, the Church can show forth great
signs and wonders to the world (JRE Link, 2017-0923 (Sat), COM-STR2).

 

The greatest of circumstances––the restored gospel seen in its full power and majesty.

 

Righteousness will shine in our wards. Wards will overflow with joy (JRE Link, 2017-1020 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

Spiritual headlines every day for the Church (JRE Link, 2017-0919 (Tue), WSE-MAIN).

 

The old ship Zion, the new ship Zion––excellence in gospel living is timeless (JRE Link, 2017-0413 (Thu), COM-STR2).

 

Zion comes to life at the waters of Mormon––a scriptural example of pure gospel living
that all of our wards and branches should strive for. If we can do this, love in greater measure
will be poured out from heaven upon the Church (JRE Link, 2017-0718 (Tue), COM-STR2).

 

Zion will save us so much time in proselyting. The mission of perfecting the saints will
become one with the mission of preaching the gospel (JRE Link, 2017-1227 (Wed), COM-STR2).

 

Zion will have a big impact on weekly attendance. The overflow into the cultural hall will
not just be for missionary farewells. Sacrament meeting will be a big and exciting event every
Sunday, with lots of visitors.

Let's bring the active and the inactive members together as one and make the Church
whole (JRE Link, 2017-0901 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

The heavens speak with one voice (JRE Link, 2017-0718 (Tue), COM-STR2).

 

The members of the Church should speak with one voice, having all things in common.
There should be no poor among us. There should be no disputations among us.

 

Celestial desires fill the hearts of the children of Zion.

 

Not eagle, but Joseph Smith (JRE Link, 2019-0826 (Mon), WSE-MAIN).

 

The scouting program was a great blessing to the Church for many years, but let's replace
it with something even better. Let's have our young Aaronic Priesthood holders strive to become
like Joseph Smith at age 14, seeking after the truth of their existence, and dedicating themselves
to the building of Zion in their wards.

 

Is it better to be drafted or to enlist?

 

The building of Zion requires that we not wait to be drafted, but that we stand up and
volunteer, ready to do great things in the Church and in the world already at a young age. Joseph
was like that.

 

A new Zion Training Center (ZTC) where the youth—ages 14-17—can go for a week's
worth of training on the principles of Zion every summer; and where adult members can go for
shorter, two-day stayovers to learn how to become better in their Church callings in the context
of building Zion in their wards (JRE Link, 2020-1209 (Wed), COM-STR2).

 

A vision of Zion inspires our young men of the Church. A new honor and respect for
their duty in the priesthood is leading them forward (JRE Link, 2018-0909 (Sun), COM-STR2).

 

Missionaries who arrive to the mission field with a vision of Zion in their hearts will
overwhelm and excite investigators with a spectacular array of spiritual gifts, inspiring their
companions and astonishing their mission presidents.

 

I have a picture of the truth in my mind that I've never had before––a vision of Zion. It
builds upon my existing testimony.

 

Channel your existing faith into a grand vision of Zion. The Savior will delight in your
newfound excitement for the gospel (JRE Link, 2021-1220 (Mon), COM-STR2).

 

A vision of Zion will change who you are and what you do every day (JRE Link, 2018-0130 (Tue), COM-STR2).

 

Write it down. Your family spiritual journal awaits you. Record the beautiful details of
your vision of Zion for posterity.

Take thee a great scroll––fulfill your important role as family historian.

 

Oliver, what writeth thou? Carefully edit and improve the writings in your family
spiritual journal on a regular basis, adding insight and inspiration from the Holy Spirit.

 

Manifestations of the Holy Ghost day by day in your life are very sacred. Record them.
Organize them. Cherish them (JRE Link, 2018-1107 (Wed), COM-STR2).

 

Index and organize all that God has revealed to you.

 

As members of the Church, we understand Zion only in very general terms. Let's change
that (JRE Link, 2018-0620 (Wed), COM-STR2).

 

We have to start somewhere. Empathy for the poor is a great place to start. They need us (JRE Link, 2018-0906 (Thu), COM-STR2).

 

The work of Zion is the work of the Lord. The Lord is looking for perfection (JRE Link, 2017-0827 (Sun), COM-STR2).

 

Zion is kind of a nice idea. God has many such ideas (JRE Link, 2020-0304 (Wed), WSE-MAIN).

 

To all Latter-day Saints: Think big! Think Zion! (JRE Link, 2020-0623 (Tue), COM-STR2)

 

"I speak Zion," says the Lord.

 

Learn the language of Zion. Speak like little lambs (JRE Link, 2017-0718 (Tue), COM-STR2).

 

Adopt my words. Adopt the Zion way of life.

 

Zion is the ideal. The way things should be, not the way things are.

 

Zion is real to those who partake (JRE Link, 2017-1213 (Wed), COM-STR2).

 

Zion is an ever-growing list of wonderful things to do (JRE Link, 2017-1227 (Wed), COM-STR2).

 

Zion provides us a new and expanded vision of the gospel.

 

Zion teaches us an astounding set of new principles that are heaven-sent.

 

Zion is the best that men can do. Zion is the best that the Church can do.

 

Zion—to improve the Church endlessly and gloriously by revelation (JRE Link, 2021-0911 (Sat), COM-STR2).

 

Zion—the great treasure of the gospel.

 

The powerful way of Zion in the world. The Church needs this power to reach her full
potential.

Zion brings about a special type of happiness in the Church. The restored gospel of Jesus
Christ is fully glorified (JRE Link, 2022-0421 (Thu), COM-STR2).

 

The Church was founded on idealistic principles, that the members of the Church might
come to Zion (JRE Link, 2017-0106 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

Let's get the Church on the fast track to greater growth and a discovery of all the hidden
treasures of the gospel. Zion is that fast track (JRE Link, 2021-1105 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

Promised blessings will be taken back from the Church if she fails in her mission to build
Zion (JRE Link, 2021-0515 (Sat), WSE-MAIN).

 

Will the building of Zion and the obedience to the law of consecration both go ignored by
us in this, the final dispensation of the gospel?

 

Turn the Church towards greater goals, with emphasis on Zion in old scripture and new (JRE Link, 2022-0423 (Sat), COM-STR2).

 

Look upward in faith. The Father and His Beloved Son have all of the wonderful
mysteries of Zion to share with the members of the Church (JRE Link, 2019-1227 (Fri), COM-STR3).

 

The Lord speaks to us saying—I will teach you everything of the ideal.

 

Don't be fooled. Mediocrity is not an acceptable outcome. The purpose of the Church
Handbook is to bring to pass the ideal of the gospel within the Church and throughout the world.
Our goal as members should not be to just do the minimum of what is asked of us through formal
callings, to run out the clock in our lives, and then to try to sneak into the celestial kingdom at
the last day.

 

Christ taught us to be perfect. The Holy Ghost will help us get there (JRE Link, 2017-0120 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

The goals of the Spirit are ambitious—perfection, Zion, the salvation of souls in the
kingdom of God like the sands of the sea (JRE Link, 2020-0928 (Mon), COM-STR2).

 

Perfection—as great as great can be (JRE Link, 2022-1101 (Tue), WSE-MAIN).

 

Open the door to success in your life. Open the door to perfection (JRE Link, 2017-0601 (Thu), COM-STR2).

 

Perfection is a very intriguing proposition. Be a scholar of the ideal.

 

Seek for common ground with the ideal. Be better than you've ever been before (JRE Link, 2017-0120 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

I don't have the ideal in my life yet, but I'm searching for it everywhere (JRE Link, 2017-1018 (Wed), COM-STR2).

 

We aspire to the ideal, but we focus every day on the practical. We build upon the
practical step by step to achieve the ideal.

The ideal of the gospel is found where you least expect it––in your very own home, in
your very own ward (JRE Link, 2017-1026 (Thu), COM-STR2).

 

There are many areas of our lives in which we can already be perfect (JRE Link, 2017-0120 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

The ideal family dinner is achievable (JRE Link, 2017-0120 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

The ideal family home evening is achievable (JRE Link, 2017-0120 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

The ideal sacrament meeting is achievable––a ward choir filling the chapel with the
Spirit (JRE Link, 2017-0120 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

The ideal general conference session is achievable––the Choir filling the airways with the
Spirit.

 

Zion––average members of the Church having supreme gifts of God bestowed upon
them (JRE Link, 2018-0626 (Tue), COM-STR2).

 

Don't wait for greatness to come along in the Church. Make greatness happen (JRE Link, 2018-0722 (Sun), COM-STR2).

 

Join together with the courageous souls of this earth in the march to Zion (JRE Link, 2018-1205 (Wed), WSE-MAIN).

 

Everyone is invited. Zion is all-inclusive (JRE Link, 2018-1227 (Thu), WSE-MAIN).

 

Zion tends to even out things in society over time, not by compulsion, and not by changes
in law, but by burdens being lifted, by money and material help being imparted one to another,
by genuine love and compassion being demonstrated, by miracles being brought to pass, and by
the gifts of the Spirit being bestowed.

 

Make the Church a showcase of Zion to the world. A continuation of the great events of
the 1820s, 1830s, and 1840s (JRE Link, 2018-0811 (Sat), COM-STR2).

 

The season of miracles is upon us. Our lives are being filled with the wonders of heaven (JRE Link, 2018-0908 (Sat), COM-STR2).

 

There is so much more to see and enjoy. Let's turn on all the lights of the restored gospel (JRE Link, 2018-0726 (Thu), COM-STR2).

 

Zion––a greater gloriousness for the Church (JRE Link, 2018-1227 (Thu), COM-STR2).

 

Zion has quickening powers. There could be nothing sweeter in our wards and stakes (JRE Link, 2019-0401 (Mon), COM-STR2).

 

Which stake will step forward and set an example of Zion for the Church? (JRE Link, 2018-0906 (Thu), COM-STR2)

 

Stake Conference Sunday is upon us. We feel the need to stand up and sing out to all the
world (JRE Link, 2019-0808 (Thu), COM-STR2).

 

Lift up your voice! Rejoice, the Lord is King! (JRE Link, 2019-0808 (Thu), COM-STR2)

 

Our stake is on the move towards Zion. Big things in the gospel are happening! (JRE Link, 2019-0808 (Thu), COM-STR2)

 

So much of the Spirit in one place. Saints gathered together and bringing the house down
with their joyous singing (JRE Link, 2021-1220 (Mon), COM-STR2).

 

The Lord speaks to a stake president saying––Tomorrow, do you have a minute to help
me start building Zion in the stake? I'm free all day (JRE Link, 2018-0617 (Sun), COM-STR2).

 

As stake president, dedicate yourself to one stake, and to the building of Zion. Like
Ammon, be prepared to dwell there for the rest of your life.

 

As stake president, be like Alma the Younger, and like Nephi, son of Helaman. Lay aside
your judgment-seat and go out among the people (JRE Link, 2019-0214 (Thu), COM-STR2).

 

Walk throughout the stake every day, directly supervising and helping to perfect the
wards under your care in the role of a leader.

 

Walk and walk and walk and walk throughout the streets of Zion. Be a light on the hill
for all to see.

 

The pursuit of Zion will bring sanctification to the members of the stake (JRE Link, 2019-0214 (Thu), COM-STR2).

 

The pursuit of Zion will improve every aspect of the Church (JRE Link, 2019-0208 (Fri), WSE-MAIN).

 

The pursuit of Zion is the pursuit of happiness and the pathway to exaltation in the
celestial kingdom.

 

Get busy in Zion-building activities (JRE Link, 2019-0101 (Tue), WSE-MAIN).

 

Be active not only in the Church, but in the work of Zion (JRE Link, 2017-1205 (Tue), WSE-MAIN).

 

Volunteer in life. The building of Zion is not a formal calling in the Church, but a
voluntary consecration of your time, talents, and wealth to the work of the Lord (JRE Link, 2017-1120 (Mon), COM-STR2).

 

Building Zion is the highest aspiration in the gospel and the pinnacle of Church service.

 

The center aisles and main podium of the Church provide everything we need. The
Church is beautiful and delightful at its core. It has great leadership at all levels. It has the perfect
building blocks for achieving the ideal of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Be mainstream in your beliefs, but through charity, lead the mainstream of the Church
closer to beautiful Zion. This is a catalyst (JRE Link, 2017-0106 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

A catalyst for Zion can make a ward sparkle, can make the entire Church sparkle.

Every member a missionary. Every member a catalyst of Zion (JRE Link, 2019-0505 (Sun), COM-STR2).

 

The Spirit of Elijah inspires us in the work of redeeming the dead.

 

The Spirit of Enoch inspires us in the work of perfecting the saints and building Zion.

 

Consecrate your life to the work of souls—missionary work, temple work, and the
building of Zion.

 

Establishing Zion in your ward is well worth the time and effort, like the work involved
in creating a beautiful rose garden.

 

The Countess wants our ward to be at the five-dollar lawn level. Let's arrive to work early
tomorrow before sunrise to get started. The work of Zion will take us from morning till night (JRE Link, 2018-0714 (Sat), COM-STR2).

 

A Zion morning––a beautiful sunrise, the heavens open, and the knowledge of God fills
the valley (JRE Link, 2018-0818 (Sat), COM-STR2).

 

What is all the excitement of Zion about? A love of life. A love of people. A love of God.

 

The members of the Church have great hopes in life. Zion fulfills those hopes.

 

Join hands with the members of your ward. Lift them to greater heights. Your ward has
limitless potential (JRE Link, 2017-0310 (Fri), COM-STR2).

 

Be a lighthouse. Be a lantern. Be a candle. Be a light on the hill.

 

Come together as a Church and make Zion a reality. The Church will be changed before
our eyes (JRE Link, 2017-1213 (Wed), COM-STR2).

 

The sound of this great Church body singing the song of Zion to all the world will be
overwhelming (JRE Link, 2017-1220 (Wed), COM-STR2).

 

The same vision of the restored gospel as the Church has today, but more... much, much
more (JRE Link, 2017-1214 (Thu), COM-STR2).

 

We live in a world without limits. There is no limit to how great the Church can be.

 

The Church is the catalyst. There is no limit to how great the world can be.

 

It's not a specific principle of the gospel that brings about Zion, but a whole system of
people, principles, and gospel activities all integrated and functioning together as one.