Continuing, Sister M. Catherine Thomas in her book ‘Light in the Wilderness’ makes these observations regarding choosing ‘our place’ in Zion, in the worldwide church community (starting on page 141). (For the first post in this two post set click at ‘Law of Prosperity’.)
Debt and Self-Reliance
Perhaps it is self-evident that Zion has a citizenship that does not have debt. To prepare to live in Zion, the Saints must reduce and ultimately eliminate debt, control their spending and give generously to the Lord’s programs of building and relief. This requirement pertains to the temporal and spiritual independence of Zion (see D&C 78:14).
With respect to our accountability for our wealth, we find a possibly disquieting scripture in D&C 42:39— “For I will consecrate of the riches of those who embrace my gospel among the Gentiles(14) unto the poor of my people who are of the house of Israel” (membership of the Church throughout the world). The Lord has blessed His Saints in the North American Church with much prosperity—obviously not so we can buy more and more stuff, but as a stewardship, as a resource, that the rest of the world can draw on. The Church in North America supports the rest of the world Church, as well as many humanitarian projects for those who are not members. This is a great opportunity and blessing for us.
The Heavens watch what we do with our abundance: “If thou obtainest more than that which would be for thy support, thou shalt give it into my storehouse” (D&C 42:55) We see that the Lord has an ingenious program to eliminate poverty as well as to establish temporal and spiritual self-reliance among His people; as we work toward that, we qualify for Zion.
Who shall escape to Zion?
The Brethren have repeatedly reminded us of what’s coming on earth. President Henry B. Eyring spoke to a group of university students with these sobering words: “The Lord is anxious to lead us to the safety of higher ground, away from the path of physical and spiritual danger. As the world becomes darker and more dangerous, we must keep climbing. It will be our choice whether to move up or stay where we are. But the Lord will invite and guide us upward by the direction of the Holy Ghost, which He sends to His leaders and to His people who will receive it.” (15)
….We are experiencing now a foretaste of events precedent to the Lord’s coming. The Lord tells us that Babylon will fall. He, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, restored the gospel of Jesus Christ with its broad-spectrum protections to preserve us as trouble on earth deepens (see D&C 1:17-18). Zion, having become independent temporally and spiritually, will, the Lord says, be for a defense, and for refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth” (D&C 115:6).
The Lord looks to the future on our behalf: “If Zion do these things she shall prosper, and spread herself and become very glorious, very great, and very terrible. And the nations of the earth shall honor her, and shall say: Surely…God is there… Therefore, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion—THE PURE IN HEART;… therefore, let Zion rejoice, while all the wicked shall mourn.” (D&C 97:18,21)
But if some members choose not to follow the Lord’s instructions for advancement and protection, they will not find their Church membership any safeguard for them: “For behold, and lo, vengeance cometh speedily upon the ungodly as the whirlwind; and who shall escape it? The Lord’s scourge shall pass over by night and by day, and the report thereof shall vex all people; yea, it shall not be stayed until the Lord come;… Nevertheless, Zion shall escape if she observe to do all things whatsoever I have commanded her. But … if not … I will visit her … with sore affliction, with pestilence, with plague, with sword, with vengeance, with devouring fire. (D&C 97:22-23, 25-26)
A prolific writer, M. Catherine Thomas taught for many years at Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah.
14. In the Book of Mormon, “Gentiles” is the term the Lord often uses to refer to the saints gathered out of the great gentile nations of the earth, who are nevertheless the literal blood of Israel, but cultural gentiles. He uses the term “remnant of Joseph” or “remnant if Jacob” to refer to the literal seed of Lehi in America. For example, see D&C 109:58, 60. “House of Israel” is a comprehensive term and can refer to any of the tribes of Israel, members of the Church or not, throughout the world.
15. Church News Feb. 5, 2005, report of Henry B. Eyring’s devotional address at BYU Idaho, January 15, 2005.
