Building Zion
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Speaking July 30 at his university's Education Week, BYU-Idaho President Kim B. Clark explored the connection between the rising generation and the establishment of Zion.
"You and I have an errand from the Lord to help the rising generation develop the Spirit of Zion so that all through their lives wherever they are they will build Zion," he said.
President Clark referenced Section 133 of the Doctrine and Covenants in establishing that the two great commandments about the building up of Zion are to go out from spiritual Babylon and to actively gather to Zion.
"These commandments are in force in our day," he said. "We are to flee Babylon and gather to the covenant people of the Lord in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are to leave the towers and the great and spacious buildings of Babylon, and we are to come to Zion and stand in holy places."
But there are great challenges associated with fleeing Babylon and building Zion: "[Babylon] is all around us, and its most insidious elements that fight against Zion are hidden and disguised."
According to President Clark, the rising generation will be empowered to discern and avoid Babylon's lies as the youth develop patterns of Zion in their lives such as unity, purity of heart and the equality embodied in sacrifice and work.
"We must help them see Babylon and we must help them see Zion," he said. "But this is the great blessing of Zion. Zion is not hidden or disguised. Zion is bright and shining. It is the ensign to the nations. And once you see Zion, you can see Babylon much more clearly.
"It is like seeing the difference between the sun and neon lights. Once you have seen the sun and felt its warmth and life and power, you can see neon lights for what they really are — flash and buzz; but artificial, lifeless and empty."
In order to effectively help young people learn how to flee Babylon and build Zion, adult leaders must be strong in both the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
"The nurture of the Lord is the pure love of Christ," President Clark said. "We need to love the rising generation the way the Lord loves them. … The admonition of the Lord is the standard of the gospel. We need to teach doctrine and set high standards for the rising generation, especially by living them ourselves."
President Clark noted that inasmuch as leaders exhibit charity and exemplify gospel standards, the net effect on the rising generation will be lasting and eternal.
"We can help the rising generation flee Babylon and come to Zion if we will love them and set high standards for them," he said. "That means the spirit of Zion must be in our hearts and the patterns of Zion evident in our lives. The gospel of Jesus Christ must be deep down in our hearts.
"You and I know. … We know that the patterns of Babylon lead to misery and heartache and destruction. We know the patterns of Zion will build Zion and that in Zion there is joy, happiness, peace and power."
