The Attitude of Zion
Written mostly in the late 80’s, this is probably the most popular document I’ve written. I’ve had more requests for this one than any other. Intended to serve as the next “building block” of gospel scholarship after Detecting the Philosophies of Men. Discusses the attitude and insights required to live in a Zion society according to the scriptures and leaders of the restoration. Contains lengthy discussions on topics such as the fallacies of self-esteem therapy, the need for equality in riches, and our relationship with God.
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The following is an excerpt from this manuscript:
Introduction
Concerning the building of Zion, President Spencer W. Kimba ll has said,
May I suggest three fundamental things we must do if we are to “bring again Zion,” three things for which we who labor for Zion must commit ourselves.
First, we must eliminate the individual tendency to selfishness that snares the soul, shrinks the heart, and darkens the mind.
Second, we must cooperate completely and work in harmony one with the other.
Third, we must sacrifice whatever is required by the Lord. (“Becoming the Pure in Heart,” Ensign, March 1985)
These three “fundamental things” are what this book is all about. I believe that if the principles in this book are learned and lived, Zion will not be far away.
There are at least three types of beings with which we must deal in this life and in the life to come. They are ourselves, other beings like ourselves, and God or deity. As hard as we sometimes try to avoid it, the time will come when every individual in existence will have to deal with each of these three groups, whether in this life or in the life to come. It simply cannot and will not be avoided by anyone. The trick comes in figuring out how to deal with each of these groups in such a way so as to bring about the greatest amount of joy, happiness, and peace.
I should mention that this book discusses the ideal. The Celestial Kingdom or Zion is the ideal and that is what we should be striving for. Many of the principles contained in this book will be difficult to accept by those who are engrossed in or captivated by this telestial life in which we live. This earth life is not the ideal, it is telestial in nature. One step up, the Terrestrial Kingdom, is also not the ideal. We often believe that we are as righteous as we need to be if we do the minimum required to get a temp le recommend. This is simply not the case. We all want to believe that we are going to the Celestial Kingdom and yet it has been my experience that we are seldom willing to even discuss the higher principles involved with such an exalted state. I have often asked myself, “Why do we believe we will end up in the Celestial Kingdom when in reality we are so far from it?” At least in part, this book is intended to show us just how far away from a celestial lifestyle we really are, and hence, how much more we must do to become celestial beings ourselves.
There is much contained in this work which I have personally experienced - things which I have tried and tested in my own life and have found to be of significance. I did not come to believe these things through only a little experience or a brief study. Many of the ideas contained in this book are things of which I had to be converted myself - doctrines which I have not always believed. One of my fears is that the reader will skim through the ideas expressed here without putting them to the test, or giving them further study. I encourage you not to take this route. If you find something offensive or difficult to accept, please take the time to study it out before discarding it completely. It is also important that you read the entire book. The first chapter will make much more sense in light of the other two chapters. The same is true of the second and third chapters. If you read only a part of this book, you may not be able to gain the “big picture” I am trying to convey.
These chapters deal with attitudes, not just thoughts or actions. They attempt to discuss not only what we do or think, but what we are and what we can become. Together they try to describe a single attitude. Although the book is broken down into three separate “attitudes,” it should be recognized that, in reality, the three main chapters of the book are trying to convey the same attitude, just from three different perspectives. As mentioned above, I believe that when we incorporate all three attitudes within ourselves we will find one big picture. This big picture makes up who we are, and hence, what we think and do in this life. I believe the attitude expressed here is found at the core of the gospel message. It is found on almost every page of scripture. To a large extent, it is what the Lord is trying to accomplish with us.