“On the last night of a play, the whole cast and stage crew stay in the theater until the small, or not so small, hours of the morning striking the old set. If there is to be a new opening soon, as the economy of the theater requires, it is important that the new set […]
zion
How Pride & Humility are Steppingstones to Babylon & Zion
Last time we “reasoned together” and came to two conclusions: 1. Pride is the great steppingstone to Babylon, and 2. Humility is the great steppingstone to Zion. These two ideas may not seem like much to you if you’re wondering how a simple character trait as pride or humility can lead a whole society to […]
A Little Zion Philosophy — by a Ziontist.
By Jesse Fisher Although it doesn’t appear to have helped my career much, studying Mathematics at BYU did actually benefit me — I learned deductive reasoning. “If all frogs are green” and “Johnny has a frog”, then we can deduce “Johnny’s frog must be green”. Simple logic. Now let’s apply the same deductive reasoning to […]
Thoughts on Zion 19 – Building Zion in Utah
Why do we Mormons use the term “Zion” to refer to the Church here in Utah? It’s because our LDS forefathers were actually, physically engaged in building a real-live Zion society here during the 1850s and beyond. Our use of the term in that context today is just an echo of their determined efforts to […]
Thoughts on Zion 11: Kings in Babylon or Zion
The premise in this series has been that in order to “flee Babylon” and “build Zion” we must understand with clarity the difference between the two, and the line separating them. Once we do, how to move from one to the other should become crystal clear. In quick review, here are the two foundational values […]
If God Wants Us to Leave Babylon & Build Zion, Why Wait?
These statements from The Lord and his modern apostles and prophets indicate the Lord’s will that we: 1. Flee Babylon, and 2. Establish Zion. “The establishment of Zion should be the aim of every member of this Church…. “Zion comes not as a gift but because virtuous covenant people are drawn together and build it…. […]
Where is the dividing line between Zion and Babylon?
Crossing Over Couple of years back I began pondering the location of the line dividing Babylon and Zion. As Elder Christofferson pointed out, Babylon and Zion are the antitheses and antagonists of each other. We LDS have been commanded by God to flee Babylon and have covenanted to establish Zion through His church. I think […]
“If they labor for money, they shall perish”?!
Second Nephi, chapter 26 has a verse that has perplexed me for decades. Verse 31 states, “But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish.” “Wait! Doesn’t EVERYONE labor for money? Does that mean we’ll all perish? If we all stop laboring for money, what will […]