Building Zion

Yesterday  I was reading Mosiah 18 and was very impressed by what Alma taught as he tried to build his little Zion community of 400 people. 

21 And he commanded them that there should be no ^acontention one with another, but that they should look forward with ^bone eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts ^cknit together in unity and in love one towards another.

I have also been impressed at the temple lately at home much Satan wants and tries to use enmity to create contention and fighting amongst us, As President Benson says in his talk about pride:

The central feature of pride is enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means “hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.” It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us.

This element of enmity or contention is in exact oposition to the Lords plan, and command to be "one"

After settling a little squabble with my girls last night I decided to look up some scriptures on contention to see just what the Lord says about it, as well as what he has to say about unity.

Here is what I found:

Contention:

• 3 Nephi 11:29 For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of ^acontention is not of me, but is of the ^bdevil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.
  
• Mosiah 2:32 But, O my people, beware lest there shall arise ^acontentions among you, and ye ^blist to ^cobey the evil spirit
  
• Mosiah 18:21 There should be no ^acontention one with another, but that they should look forward with ^bone eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts ^cknit together in unity and in love one towards another.
• D&C 95:10 Nevertheless, my servants sinned a very grievous sin; and ^acontentions arose in the ^bschool of the prophets; which was very grievous unto me, saith your Lord; therefore I sent them forth to be chastened.
• 4 Nephi 1 15 And it came to pass that there was no ^acontention in the land, because of the ^blove of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.     
• 4 Nephi 1:2,13,15,18, Contention is mentioned four times in this one chapter that deals with the only true Zion society in the Book of Mormon.

Unity/Love:

•   Moses 7:18 And the Lord called his people ^aZion, because they were of ^bone heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.

• Mosiah 4:15,26 ... Teach them to love and serve one another, administring to the poor, visiting the sick
• D&C 38:27 Be one and if ye are not one ye are not mine
• Mosiah 18:8-9 Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are ^adesirous to come into the ^bfold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are ^awilling to mourn with those that ^bmourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort

• Mosiah 18:21 ... look forward with ^bone eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts ^cknit together in unity and in love one towards another.
• 4 Nephi 1:15 And it came to pass that there was no ^acontention in the land, because of the ^blove of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people. (Zion)
• 1 Cor. 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no ^adivisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same ^bmind and in the same judgment.
• 1 Peter 3:  8 Finally, be ye all of ^aone mind, having ^bcompassion one of another, love as ^cbrethren, be ^dpitiful

It is apparent that contention comes from the Devil and that when we are contentious or feeling anger, we are in his service. Could it be that the feelings of anger come from the adversaries spitits entering our bodies?

There can be no mistake, anger and contention come from the adversary who would have us elevate ourselves above others in order to diminish them.

When one enters the World room in the SLC temple they realize that Satan rules this earth with blood and horror. Gone are Gods ways where the lion and the lamb lie down together, we are now in a world of fear, intimidation, anger, the law of the jungle rules, we must watch our backs. 

However, we are to have no part in Satans kingdom, we are to reject his ways and seek only to build the kingdom. 

We must live the exact opposite of what the adversary or the world expects. (D&C 95:13, D&C 53:2, D&C 127:11, D&C 133:5)

So if we are to forsake the world, come out from among the world, and have no part with the world, what are we to do? 

We must build Zion

I believe the first step in building zion is to learn to love our fellow men, starting in our family, wards, stake, community country and world.

We must pattern our homes after Zion, forsake fighting and contention. and build a home of security, love, confidence, patience, faith and hope.

We must not seek to intimidate or to be isolated from our fellow man but to help him feel loved, cared for and valued.

These feelings should extend to actions of giving to the poor (Mosiah 4: 15-26), visiting the sick and looking to help and lift another.

I hope that I can become a Zion person by seeing others as the Savior sees his children, and by showing those feelings to them, through a kind smile as well as actions.