Chapter 23

Zion at Home and in the Ward

How Zion begins in a ward—A woman's first vision of Zion for her family occurs during her
normal routine at home––Zion calls out to all members of the Church with a beautiful voice.

So where does Zion begin?

In one’s soul, that’s where Zion begins, in the powerful desires of just one person—a
catalyst. It is written, “Faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God
qualify him for the work.”

No special land, no special revelation, no special calling, and no special leadership skills
are required. The earth is covered with many attractive plots of land just perfect for the building
of Zion, including those that reside underneath our own homes and apartments in Utah. The
dedication of new lands for Zion can be done at any time, with dedicatory prayers being
performed first followed by years of faith and good works. Alternatively, the order of these steps
can be reversed, with the faith and good works coming first, and the formal dedicatory prayers
for the lands coming years later.

To move closer to Zion, we need to become better at obeying the commandments. Is it
possible to find joy in obeying the commandments and in doing our Church assignments? Joyful
obedience is the ideal, just as Zion is the ideal. Both of these represent great challenges to us in
life. However, once we are filled with the love of God, and as we go forward with full purpose of
heart, there is no limit to what we can achieve. Challenges such as these can be overcome.

Zion in a ward might begin one day like this. A fine Latter-day Saint woman working at
home in her kitchen hums along with a Tabernacle Choir performance of “Come, Come, Ye
Saints” on her CD player or computer. The music lifts her, taking her for a moment to a higher
plane. The Spirit then comes upon her, filling her soul with the wonderful imagery of the
pioneers crossing the plains. Matching the power of the music, the Spirit intensifies her
emotions, lifting her a step higher. It is here at this higher level that she finds the first inkling of
Zion––a feeling, a hope, a desire to move closer to the ideal in life. Here, carried away in the
Spirit, she can look out from her kitchen’s covered wagon and say, “It is enough. This is the right
place.” She sees a first vision of what Zion will look like for her family. But she must act quickly
while in the Spirit, remembering to lay down bread crumbs so she can return again at any time.

Who is the Zion coordinator of the ward?

The bishop certainly holds the keys, but otherwise, there is no respecter of persons in the
building of Zion. It can be anyone: a young man, a young woman, a bishop, a Relief Society
president, a retired couple, a single person, a married person, some or even all members of a
family. Any active or inactive member who has sufficient desire can become the catalyst of Zion
for the ward. In fact, the hearts of nonmembers living around us are often made of pure gold,
very suitable to this great work of souls. The Church organization is perfect enough that it can
easily receive anyone’s sincere hopes and dreams for Zion. Therefore, anyone in the world living
inside or outside the boundaries of a Latter-day Saint ward can aspire to take part in such a work;
although it must be said that a nonmember with such desires should first report to the leader of
their ward and ask to be baptized and confirmed on the spot! Surely, we need all such persons of
the world, and in great numbers.

What does Zion feel like? How does one share its glad tidings?

Let us consider once again the woman described above. A testimony of something truly
special has filled her soul. In the hours that follow her first vision of Zion, there is a radiance
about her much like that seen in new members of the Church as they are baptized and raised out
of the water, and as hands are laid upon them to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. This radiance
will tarry with her for a while, but soon the normal challenges of a fast-paced world return.
Following the trail of breadcrumbs, however, she can find her way back. Along this pathway in
the return journey, she must kneel to pray and ponder often, sounding out new words in the
language of the Spirit, and learning to think, feel, and act by the power of the Holy Ghost. As she
returns to this place, for a second or even a third time, there is a cumulative effect that leaves a
more lasting impression upon her soul. Therefore, she can gather up the breadcrumbs and lay
down more permanent markers—polished white stones that illuminate the pathway for herself
and others.

The quickening effect of the Holy Ghost transforms her; she becomes a sparkling
ornament brightening the family Christmas tree for generations to come. Light reflects off her,
creating a magical effect upon everything in the home. Her countenance changes; she speaks
more often in reverent tones, communicating to everyone through sensitive facial expressions,
love, tears, and good works.

If he is not too busy with his day job or his Church work, her husband will soon notice
the great and marvelous change taking place in the home. Where she is like a shiny Christmas
tree ornament reflecting light, he becomes like a small kitten sitting close to the tree, watching
her every move. His eyes are suddenly full of the wonderment and curiosity of Zion, seeing the
sparkling tinsel, and how the light of the gospel reflects off of her. Through her, he sees a vision
of Zion, gaining a testimony all his own. Zion as seen through the natural beauty of a woman is
all the more wonderful for a man to experience in life.

Although humble and meek like a small kitten towards his wife, the man of the house can
draw power from this new vision and become a great and powerful lion, one of faith and
leadership among his fellow men. Following the stones set along this pathway to Zion, he might
first look to the example of Melchizedek, trying to visualize what marvelous works were done in
his era. For Melchizedek was a great high priest, and a prince of peace; many came before, and

many came after, but none were greater. He, therefore, follows after the order of Melchizedek,
and after the order of the Son of God, exercising mighty faith and establishing peace in his home
and in his ward. He can pursue a great legacy, and rise to take his place among the most honored
of Heavenly Father's children. Zion will wait, for she is very patient, allowing him time to gain a
knowledge of all these things in their proper order.

As for this fine woman, there is no limit to how far she can grow in the gospel. As the
months and years pass, her body becomes a temple of God, sanctified by the Spirit. The same
will also be true of her home. A profound beauty and feelings of humility will reside there,
something to be seen on all days, but most especially on Sundays and Monday nights. In her
home, calmness and serenity are present as the children are put to sleep at night; smiles, soft-
spoken words, and the excitement of a new day greet them as they awake the next morning.

Moving through the different rooms of her home each morning becomes like a temple
endowment. She does her normal tasks, but still listens and prays in her thoughts. There are no
longer ordinary days, only special ones. Carried away by the Spirit to the upper floors of her
home, or to its pinnacle, she can look out and see amazing things.

The woman learns how to be like a little child again, with simple wants and desires,
where even the smallest things in life can bring her joy.

She becomes like an excited young bird that has just found a pool of pure water left
overnight from drops of rain. Looking around to see if anyone is watching, she tries a small
drink, dipping her beak to test out the flavor—it is very good! Passing through the water pool to
the other side, she excitedly flaps her wings, flipping up water all around—like a child running
through the sprinklers. There, she moves closer and drinks again, but still monitors the evolving
scene around her. Her desire is that other birds might come and see what she has discovered
here, to play and drink with her in this wonderful spot.

The bird finds treasure in the pool of water; the woman, in her vision of Zion. Both joy in
that which they have desired.

The excitement felt at the scene of the pool of water extends slowly outward from her
family into the ward and among her friends. A quickening by the Spirit of the sociality among
ward members comes next, manifest through the subtle changes in the way individuals talk and
interact with one another.

Ministering to the families in our wards will no longer be a burden to us, but rather
something we look forward to. Beyond this, there is seldom a need for friendships to be assigned
as part of a priesthood or Relief Society duty. Instead, unassigned friendships are allowed to
flourish on their own. New members are welcomed spontaneously with great joy. Inactive
members who return are befriended with love in normal flow. Pure reverence fills the
meetinghouse on Sundays. The members of the ward are as one.

All of these things are the beginnings of Zion––individuals quickened by the Spirit,
family members reflecting the light of the gospel one to another, and long-term friendships

flourishing throughout our wards and stakes. Line upon line, the little things of Zion grow in a
community. First come the grass, the plants, the trees, and the beautiful flowers; later come the
sidewalks, the streets, the neighborhoods, and a great temple.

Zion calls out to all members of the Church as with a prophetic voice of olden times,
mirroring the sweet song of the happy, chirping bird at the pool of water:

“Come, come, to Zion! All is well!"