Seek the Cause of Zion

The other day I asked my 1st grader what he did at recess & who his friends were.

He was like, “I play with everyone. Cause I’m friends with almost everyone.” Then, with realization, “Actually, I AM friends with everyone!”

He was so sincere! He meant it.

I thought of it yesterday when he came home from school with this art project. Isn’t it the sweetest?

Do we strive to be friends with everyone?

Is it possible?

We are commanded to make it possible!

The first commandment is love God with all our hearts, souls, minds.

“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matt. 22:39)

ALL other commandments support those first two!

“Keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth & establish the cause of Zion” (D&C 12:6) This is repeated in three other sections!

What is the cause of Zion?

“The Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart & one mind, & dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them” (Moses 7:18)

“For this is Zion—the pure in heart” (D&C 97:21)

Zion is LOVE & all Christ-like attributes. It’s the sanctifying power of the atonement. It’s overcoming selfishness. It’s harmony.

“As we consider the unity required for Zion to flourish, we should ask ourselves if we have overcome jarrings, contentions, envyings, & strifes (D&C 101:6).... Forgiveness of one another is essential to this unity.” (Christofferson)

Satan ALWAYS seeks to “stir up in the hearts of the people to contention” (D&C 10:63) It’s everywhere! In the world! In our homes!

Just last night Kid A used a baby Yoda doll to hurt Kid B (baby Yoda would not approve), Kid B pushed Kid A, then Kid A taunted Kid B, “Your hamster hates you!” (a low blow), which made Kid B chase Kid A around the house screaming. 

It was not very Zion-like.

When my husband & I acted out their fight- causing them to laugh hysterically- they saw how silly & selfish they were being.

Is your cause contention? Or is it Zion? Which one is worth your energy?

"Peace cannot be imposed. It must come from the lives & hearts of men. There is no other way.” We must each “search inward; reach outward; look heavenward” (Pres. Benson)

We can “be’s nice to each other.”