Lesson 46: "Zion -- The Pure in Heart"

Purpose

To help class members understand what the scriptures teach about Zion and to inspire them in their efforts to establish Zion.

Preparation

Prayerfully study the following scriptures and other materials:

• Doctrine and Covenants 57:1–3; 64:33–43; 82:14–15; 97:8–28; 105:1–12; Moses 7:12–19, 61–63, 68–69; Articles of Faith 1:10.
• Our Heritage, pages 37–38, 145–46.
• Review the material for this lesson in the Class Member Study Guide.

To gain a greater understanding of historical events related to the doctrine in this lesson, consider reviewing the following:

• “Newel K. Whitney and the United Firm.”
• “Teachings of Joseph Smith: Preparing for Zion.”
• Additional historical material for this lesson.

Additional Reading:

• Becoming the Pure in Heart - by President Spencer W. Kimball - March 1985
• Come to Zion - by Elder D. Todd Christofferson - October 2008

Discussion and Application 

1. Zion - The word has several meanings.
The word Zion has various meanings in the scriptures. Read the following scripture passages. Identify the meaning of Zion in each passage.

• D&C 97:21. (The pure in heart.)
• D&C 82:14. (The Church and its stakes.)
• Moses 7:19. (The city of Enoch.)
• 2 Samuel 5:6–7; 1 Kings 8:1. (The ancient city of Jerusalem.)
• D&C 45:66–67; 57:1–2; Articles of Faith 1:10. (The New Jerusalem, which will be built in Missouri.)
• Hebrews 12:22–23. (The dwelling place of those who are exalted.)

In the scriptures, Zion can mean the Lord’s people (the pure in heart), a specific place, or both. In this lesson, when we speak of building Zion in our day, we are referring to purifying our hearts so that the places we live can be called Zion.

2. Zion has existed in previous dispensations.
There have been a few times in previous dispensations when Zion has existed among God’s people. The city of Enoch is one example of a people who established Zion. Ask the assigned class member to summarize the events recorded in Moses 7:12–19, 68–69.

• What characterized the Zion of Enoch’s time? (See Moses 7:12–19.)
  • Why was their city called Zion? (See Moses 7:18.) 
  • What does it mean to be “of one heart and one mind”?
• What will happen to the city of Enoch in the Millennium? (See Moses 7:61–63. It will return to the earth and become part of the New Jerusalem.)
  • Why is the account of Enoch and his people important to us today? (In addition to helping us understand the destiny of the city of Enoch, the account can help us understand what we must do to establish Zion.)

3. The Saints of our dispensation have been commanded to establish Zion.
One of the most frequently mentioned subjects in the Doctrine and Covenants is the establishing of Zion in the latter days. There are more than 200 references to Zion in these revelations. Some of these refer to a physical location, some to a condition of the heart, and some to building the Lord’s Church. Even before the Church was formally organized, the Lord directed a number of brethren to “seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion” (D&C 6:6; 11:6; 12:6; 14:6).

For the early Saints, establishing Zion not only meant becoming pure in heart and living in unity. It also meant building the city of Zion, or New Jerusalem. In July 1831, the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith that the city of Zion should be built in Missouri, with Independence as the center place (D&C 57:1–3). After this revelation, many Saints gathered to Missouri. They prospered for a time, but contentions and divisions soon arose among them. There were also tensions with other settlers in the area. In November 1833, mobs drove the Saints from their homes. A few months later, in July 1834, the Lord revealed that the Saints would have to “wait a little season for the redemption of Zion” (D&C 105:9). (See lessons 12 and 27 for more information about establishing the city of Zion in Missouri.)

• Why were the early Saints unable to build the city of Zion? (See D&C 101:6–8; 105:1–12.) 
• What can we learn from their experience that can help us build Zion today? (To build Zion—whether in a city, in our stakes, or in our homes—we must develop the qualities of a Zion people: pure hearts, unity, and unselfishness.)
  • See Come to Zion - by Elder D. Todd Christofferson - October 2008
    • What three things does Elder Christofferson teach us are required If we would establish Zion in our homes, branches, wards, and stakes?
  • See Becoming the Pure in Heart - by President Spencer W. Kimball - March 1985
    • According to President Kimball, what three fundamental things must we commit ourselves to If we are to “bring again Zion?
• Although the building of the city of Zion was postponed, latter-day prophets have exhorted us to continue our efforts to establish Zion in our hearts, stakes, and homes.
  • President Harold B. Lee said: “The borders of Zion, where the righteous and pure in heart may dwell, must now begin to be enlarged. The stakes of Zion must be strengthened. All this so that Zion may arise and shine by becoming increasingly diligent in carrying out the plan of salvation throughout the world” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1973, 5; or Ensign, July 1973, 3).
• Read D&C 82:14–15. What did the Lord command in these verses? 
• What are some specific things we should do to build Zion? 
• Read the following scriptures and identify what they teach about building Zion.
  • D&C 97:21. (Strive to be pure in heart.)
    • The Lord gave the simplest definition of Zion when He called it “the pure in heart” (D&C 97:21).
      • What can we do to help us become pure in heart? (See Moroni 7:47–48; 10:32.)
  • D&C 38:27. (Become unified.)
    • The people in the city of Enoch were described as “being of one heart and one mind” (Moses 7:18). 
    • Lack of unity was one of the reasons the early Saints were not able to build the city of Zion (D&C 101:6; 105:4).
      • What are some effective ways to increase unity in families? 
      • How can we be more unified in our ward?
  • D&C 64:34–35; 105:3, 5–6. (Be obedient.)
    • In D&C 105, the Lord cited disobedience as one of the reasons the city of Zion was not to be established at that time.
      • In what ways have you or your family been strengthened as a result of obedience to gospel principles? 
      • How has your ward or stake been strengthened by members’ obedience to gospel principles?
  • D&C 105:3. (Care for the poor and afflicted.)
    • The Saints who were trying to establish Zion in Missouri were chastised by the Lord for failing to care for “the poor and afflicted among them” (D&C 105:3).
      • Why is caring for the needy a necessary part of building Zion? 
      • What opportunities do we have to care for those who are in need?
  • D&C 97:10–16. (Build temples and receive the blessings of the temple.)
    • Why are temples important in building Zion? (See D&C 97:13–16; 105:9–12.)
  • D&C 105:10. (Teach one another and learn our duties more perfectly.)
    • What can we do to improve teaching in our families and in formal Church settings? 
    • In what ways might we need to learn our duties more perfectly?
  • D&C 133:8–9. (Preach the gospel to the world.)
    • The Lord directed the elders of the Church to call people out from Babylon (the world) to Zion.
      • In what ways does preaching the gospel strengthen the stakes of Zion?

4. The scriptures include glorious promises about the future of Zion.
In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord speaks of many blessings that will come to Zion in the last days. For some examples of these blessings, read D&C 97:18–25 and identify specific blessings promised to Zion. See also the following list.

• Zion will spread and become glorious and great (D&C 97:18).
• Zion will be honored by the nations of the earth (D&C 97:19).
• The Lord will be Zion’s salvation (D&C 97:20).
• Zion will rejoice (D&C 97:21).
• Zion will escape the Lord’s vengeance (D&C 97:22–25).
  • What must we do to enjoy these blessings? (See D&C 97:25.)
  • How do you feel as you consider the future of Zion?
• The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “The building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age; it is a theme upon which prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight; they have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day; … we are the favored people that God has [chosen] to bring about the Latter-day glory” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 231).

Conclusion
President Gordon B. Hinckley stated:

“I see a wonderful future in a very uncertain world. If we will cling to our values, if we will build on our inheritance, if we will walk in obedience before the Lord, if we will simply live the gospel, we will be blessed in a magnificent and wonderful way. We will be looked upon as a peculiar people who have found the key to a peculiar happiness.

“‘And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord … : for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem’ (Isaiah 2:3).

“Great has been our past, wonderful is our present, glorious can be our future” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 94; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 69).

Lesson 45: “The Family Is Ordained of God”

Purpose

To help class members understand the eternal importance of the family and to inspire them to strengthen their families.

Preparation

Prayerfully study:

• "The Family: A Proclamation to the World"
• The Plan and The Proclamation - Elder Dallin H. Oaks
• Isaiah 54:13
• 1 Nephi 1:1
• Mosiah 4:14–15
• D&C 68:25
• D&C 93:40

Discussion and Application

 

1. The family is central to God's plan.

"The Family: A Proclamation to the World" was presented by President Gordon B. Hinckley at the general Relief Society meeting in September 1995. Since that time, it has been reprinted in many languages for Church members and others throughout the world. It has also been presented to government leaders in many lands.

Read the title, subtitle, and first two paragraphs of the proclamation.

• What is happening in our own families, communities, and nation that suggests a need for this counsel and warning from God's prophets?
  President Gordon B. Hinckley taught: "Why do we have this proclamation on the family now? Because the family is under attack. All across the world families are falling apart. The place to begin to improve society is in the home. Children do, for the most part, what they are taught. We are trying to make the world better by making the family stronger" ("Inspirational Thoughts," Ensign,Aug. 1997, 5).
• The proclamation states that marriage and family are "ordained of God" and "central to [His] plan for the eternal destiny of His children." Why is the family central to God's plan for the eternal destiny of His children? (See D&C 131:1–4; 1 Corinthians 11:11.)
• The proclamation states that we are all spirit children of God, created in His image (see also Genesis 1:26–27). What does this doctrine teach about our potential? How does the knowledge that you are a member of Heavenly Father's family affect the way you feel about earthly families? How can this doctrine strengthen us?

2. Sacred ordinances make it possible for families to be together eternally.

Read the third paragraph of the proclamation.

• What does this paragraph teach about the purpose of mortal life? How can our earthly experience help us in our eternal progression?
• What is necessary for a marriage and family to be eternal?
• How can we strengthen our commitment to keep our temple covenants? In what ways can parents help children prepare to enter the temple?
• How should the promise that we can live eternally with our families affect the way we treat family members now?

3. The power to create mortal life is sacred.

Read the fourth and fifth paragraphs of the proclamation.

• What has God commanded regarding the use of the power to create mortal life? Why is obedience to this commandment important?
  Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve taught:
  "Children are the inheritance of the Lord to us in this life and also in eternity. Eternal life is not only to have forever our descendants from this life. It is also to have eternal increase. …
  "We can understand why our Heavenly Father commands us to reverence life and to cherish the powers that produce it as sacred. If we do not have those reverential feelings in this life, how could our Father give them to us in the eternities?" ("The Family," Ensign, Feb. 1998, 15).
  Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve taught: "The body is an essential part of the soul. … We declare that one who uses the God-given body of another without divine sanction abuses the very soul of that individual, abuses the central purpose and processes of life. … In sexual transgression the soul is at stake—the body and the spirit" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1998, 99–100; or Ensign, Nov. 1998, 76).
• What can parents do to help children understand the importance of moral cleanliness?

4. Parents have a sacred duty to care for each other and teach their children.

Read the sixth paragraph of the proclamation.

• What can married couples do to strengthen their love for each other?
  President Gordon B. Hinckley taught: "When you are married, be fiercely loyal one to another. Selfishness is the great destroyer of happy family life. If you will make your first concern the comfort, the well-being, and the happiness of your companion, sublimating any personal concern to that loftier goal, you will be happy, and your marriage will go on throughout eternity" ("Excerpts from Recent Addresses of President Gordon B. Hinckley," Ensign, Dec. 1995, 67).
• How are children blessed when they have parents who love and care for each other?
• What are parents responsible to teach their children? (See Mosiah 4:14–15; D&C 68:25–28; 93:40.) What are some effective ways to teach these principles to children? How have you benefited from your parents' teachings?
• What are some settings in which parents have an opportunity to teach their children?
• What is the role of the Church in teaching children? (See the following quotation.) How can parents work together with the Church to teach their children?
  President Spencer W. Kimball said: "It is the responsibility of the parents to teach their children. The Sunday School, the Primary, [Mutual,] and other organizations of the Church play a secondary role" (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 332).

5. Successful marriages and families are based on righteous principles.

Read the seventh paragraph of the proclamation.

• The proclamation teaches that "happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ." How have the teachings of Christ brought happiness into your home?
• The proclamation states that "successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities." Which of these principles have been especially important in your marriage and family? What effective ways have you found for teaching these principles in your family?
• According to the proclamation, what are the primary responsibilities of fathers? What does it mean to "preside … in love and righteousness"? (See D&C 121:41–46.)
• How can boys and young men prepare themselves now to provide for their families? What can parents do to encourage youth to gain a formal education and learn practical skills?
• What primary responsibility does the proclamation describe for mothers? How can young women prepare themselves now to fulfill this responsibility?
  President Gordon B. Hinckley taught:
  "If there is to be a return to old and sacred values, it must begin in the home. It is here that truth is learned, that integrity is cultivated, that self-discipline is instilled, and that love is nurtured. …
  "Sisters, guard your children. … Nothing is more precious to you as mothers, absolutely nothing. Your children are the most valuable thing you will have in time or all eternity. You will be fortunate indeed if, as you grow old and look at those you brought into the world, you find in them uprightness of life, virtue in living, and integrity in their behavior" ("Walking in the Light of the Lord," Ensign, Nov. 1998, 99).
• How can fathers help nurture their children? Why is it important for parents to help each other as equal partners?

6. Strengthening families is everyone's responsibility.

The proclamation concludes by warning of the serious consequences of family disintegration and by calling upon all people to strengthen the family. Read the final two paragraphs of the proclamation.

• What are some of the things you have done that have helped bring greater strength and unity in your family?
• What can we do as individuals and families to promote stronger families in our own communities?
  President Gordon B. Hinckley told a gathering of mayors and other public officials: "To you men and women of great influence, you who preside in the cities of the nation, to you I say that it will cost far less to reform our schools, to teach the virtues of good citizenship, than it will to go on building and maintaining costly jails and prisons. … But there is another institution of even greater importance than the schools. It is the home. I believe that no nation can rise higher than the strength of its families" ("U.S. Conference of Mayors," Ensign, Nov. 1998, 109).
• Why must families be strong in order for nations to survive?