Saturday, May 02, 2009

Approaching Zion I

In the past I have used our blog to capture pictures of the family.  Due to the craziness of our schedule right now, I have not taken the time to post the pictures and write the narratives.  I was talking with Tim W about the latest book that I have been reading, Hugh Nibley's Approaching Zion.  He suggested that I write some thoughts about the book.  I liked the idea.  So here goes.

The book has generated many thoughts. My view of the theme of his book is that it is about understanding Zion so that we can better prepare ourselves to live there, to become a Zion people. Zion and its antithesis, Babylon, are continually compared and contrasted to help us better understand the differences of the two societies. We need to compare the principles of Zion to the principles that we live by each day.  This can be a very sobering experience.

Zion is a place of peace, of consecration, and of pure love, e.g. there is no money in Zion, everything is free. On the other hand, Babylon is a very competitive place, where the question is what is in it for me.  You can buy anything in this world for money.   One must work endlessly to obtain the money that in reality never satisfies; for you cannot get enough of what does not satisfy.

The question that I have been asking myself, is what do I need to learn before I leave this frail existence, to prepare Sally and me to become part of a Zion people in the highest degree in the Celestial Kingdom. I repeatedly come away with the thought that I need to trust and look much more to Heavenly Father; apply the atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ, is my life more fully; and be totally responsive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

More thoughts later.