Redemption of Zion

This week in our Doctrine and Covenants class we are learning about the redemption of Zion. We were reading in Doctrine and Covenants sections 101-105. The main topic in these sections is the redemption of Zion. I found this quote that was given by Dallin H. Oaks in 1985 his talked was title Spirituality.

"Elder John A. Widtsoe taught that "there is a spiritual meaning of all human acts and earthly events. … It is the business of man to find the spiritual meaning of earthly things. … No man is quite so happy … as he who backs all his labors by such a spiritual interpretation and understanding of the acts of his life." (in Conference Report, Apr. 1922, pp. 96–97.)

In another great event in Mormon history, several hundred men marched from Ohio to give military relief to the persecuted Saints in Zion—western Missouri. But when the men of Zion's Camp approached their intended destination, the Prophet Joseph Smith disbanded them. According to its ostensible purpose, the expedition was a failure. But most of the men who were to lead the Church for the next half-century, including those who would take the Saints across the plains and colonize the Intermountain West, came to know the Prophet Joseph and received their formative leadership training in the march of Zion's Camp. As Elder Orson F. Whitney said of Zion's Camp:

"The redemption of Zion is more than the purchase or recovery of lands, the building of cities, or even the founding of nations. It is the conquest of the heart, the subjugation of the soul, the sanctifying of the flesh, the purifying and ennobling of the passions." (The Life of Heber C. Kimball, 2d ed., Salt Lake City: Stevens & Wallis, 1945, p. 65.)"

I really like the first and last part of this quote. The first because it talks about knowing that everything happens for a purpose. I really liked learning out that. It is up to us to figure out why things happen because they all have a spiritual meaning behind it. The last part because building Zion should not be focused on building buildings or those things of the worldly matter but a matter of making one a better person. To look inward and focus on making ones soul better. Zion is stronger when all the members are of one heart and one mind and to become like that is to become like Jesus. Focusing on making one's life closer to Jesus will make us closer to the redemption of Zion.

I can take this and apply it to my life. So I can be part of the redemption of Zion I can prepare now and become a better person and study on becoming more Christ like. As I do the small and simple things I will see myself and my testimony grow. As I grow and become a better member of the church then I can start building Zion by helping others and sharing the Gospel. We can start building up Zion now.