In the April 2013 session of General Conference, Boyd K. Packer said, “We find safety and security for ourselves and our children in honoring the covenants we have made and living up to the ordinary acts of obedience required of the followers of Christ.”
Jesus Christ revealed to Joseph Smith in D&C 38 the following:
29 Ye hear of wars in far countries, and you say that there will soon be great wars in far countries, but ye know not the hearts of men in your own land.
30 I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.
After Christ had visited the Nephites and Lamanites at Bountiful, they had become a Zion people.
3 Nephi 26:19 And they taught, and did minister one to another; and they had all things common among them, every man dealing justly, one with another.
How many of us have more than one year’s worth of food storage and also emergency preparedness items? How many of us have less? How many of us just barely got started? And how many still haven’t worried about it. Now let’s look outside the box.
What if the “big day” hits tonight in the middle of your sleep. Your city has just been hit by a massive earthquake or some other disaster. Or war has struck. You just got a phone call from your Elder’s Quorum or another leader informing you of an emergency meeting in your chapel building as soon as you can get there. Bring EVERYTHING.
You loaded up the truck or your camper, whatever. Your family is set! You show up at church and wait as the rest of your ward/branch members show up over the next few hours, even the next few days, depending on the circumstances of the disaster.
The bishop has organized the ward into groups and everyone is “asked” to bring everything they have forward. What you have been saving up will be shared by everyone according to their needs.
Are you one of those who are giving years of saved goods? Or are you one who brought nothing, but will be sharing what others have shared? Would you feel slighted if you had been obedient for many years and now you’re seeing all your stuff going to those who spent their time and money four wheeling or boating instead? But what if you were the one who left all his toys on the driveway and reality has set in and you realize that you will be eating what your neighbors have been saving over the last decade? Or maybe you truly have been scraping by and doing without worldly things.
Will everyone be glad of heart, having all things common as Zion? Will there be grudges? Accusations? Perhaps some will be glad to share without judgment, being true and faithful to their temple covenant to live the law of consecration. Perhaps it would truly be Zion.
Could you do it with the pure and perfect love of Christ, whatever your circumstances might be, without judgment? Would you? You might find it harder than you ever thought possible. Or maybe it would come naturally. Perhaps only time will tell.
Who can abide Zion?
