Pursuing Zion requires living a life of purity
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Zion is both a place and a people, declared Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve in his address during the Saturday afternoon session of conference.
He spoke of the city of Enoch, named Zion, in the days before the flood, and of Jerusalem and its temple, which were called Mount Zion.
"The scriptures prophesy of a future New Jerusalem where Christ shall reign as King of Zion when 'for the space of a thousand years the earth shall rest,"' Elder Christofferson said.
Pointing out that the Lord called Enoch's people Zion because they were of one heart and mind, he added that the Lord elsewhere defined Zion as "the pure in heart" (Doctrine and Covenants 97:21).
"The antithesis and antagonist of Zion is Babylon," Elder Christofferson said, telling of the ancient city by that name. "Its worldliness, its worship of evil and the captivity of Judah there all combine to make Babylon the symbol of decadent societies and spiritual bondage."
Against that backdrop, the Lord commanded Church members to go out of Babylon and gather in from among the nations (see Doctrine and Covenants 133:7), Elder Christofferson pointed out. "He called for the elders of His Church to be sent forth across the world to accomplish this gathering, commencing an effort that continues in full vigor today."
He noted that Nephi foresaw that the dominions of the Church throughout the world would be small, but that the Lord's power would descend upon the Saints (see 1 Nephi 14:12-14). "The Lord calls upon us to be beacons of righteousness to guide those who seek the safety and blessings of Zion."
Noting that the early members of the Church attempted to establish the center place of Zion in Missouri but did not qualify to build the holy city, Elder Christofferson said, "Rather than judge these early Saints too harshly, however, we should look to ourselves to see if we are doing any better.
"Zion is Zion because of the character, attributes and faithfulness of her citizens. ... If we would establish Zion in our homes, branches, wards and stakes, we must rise to this standard." He said to do so requires being unified in heart and mind, becoming individually and collectively a holy people and caring for the poor and needy so effectively that poverty is eliminated.
"We cannot wait until Zion comes for these things to happen," he said. "Zion will come only as they happen."
Regarding holiness, he asked, "In a world now awash in sexualized images and music, are we free from lustful desires and their attendant evils? Far from pushing the limits of modest dress or indulging in the vicarious immorality of pornography, we are to hunger and thirst after righteousness. To come to Zion, it is not enough for you or me to be somewhat less wicked than others. We are to become not only good, but holy men and women."
Pertaining to caring for the poor, Elder Christofferson said, "We control the disposition of our means and resources, but we account to God for ... stewardship over earthly things. ... As we pursue the cause of Zion, each of us should prayerfully consider whether we are doing what we should, and thus all that we should in the Lord's eyes with respect to the poor and needy."
