I've had this exact question...and so have my friends
Question for Spencer–How do you keep a balance of living in this
world (i.e. the culture of this world) with striving for Zion? As I
have read your story, I too am filled with joy and a deep desire to
prepare myself for a Zion life. I find myself becoming more and more
serious and my conversations becoming “heavy” to those around me. I have
intense desires for a Zion life–I have ever since I was a young child
and became “aware.” I find that this is not good for my children who
need a mother who is “light” and unburdened by the call. Yet when I
learn these things of Zion, the cultural norms of our world (I’m
speaking of things that would be considered “acceptable” to our LDS
culture–movies, TV, books, politics, medical practices, to name a few)
seem to repulse me and I become more unrelatable–respected, but
unrelatable. How then do you, knowing what you so definitively know,
operate as a father, husband, friend, community member, etc.?
(Spencer)
E, I will attempt to discuss this process. May the Lord be with me.
When we are shown the great love and compassion the Savior has for all
that He has been given by the Father. Who we are, every one of us has
been given to Christ by the Father or we would not be on this site.. He
knows our needs, and our wants. When we see this clearly, our needs and
wants diminish considerably, we change and we see the process so much
clearer and far more deeply. This clarity is then imparted to us in
regards to what all of us must past through so we can lay this mortal by
and put it all, everything, holding nothing back on the altar and
consider each person in their present place, in their present
progression in a new light. The Lord gives us this vision and we become
changed by it. Dificult, Yes. Necessary, for sure. He then shows us our
standing before the Lord, as we progress through this veil of tears and
into the place where Zion penetrates our wanderings and daily walk until
it consumes us. The things of this world then seem to start taking care
of themselves. A transition takes place in us and our efforts can then
become multiplied, blessed and sanctified. People then begin to know
instinctivly that we love them in ways that are higher then how we used
to Love, act and how we used to be. Higher than the lone and dreary
world which bogs us down and causes us to flee from the world because we
are fearful it might splash on us and contaminate our efforts. Because
it certainly has the tendency to drag us down with it.
We then no longer are motivated out of attraction, lust or the desire
for status or power or gain. Our pride becomes swollowed up in the Love
He shows us and the purpose that burns in our bones like a fire shut up
within them. Our desire to do this and become this, is known by the Lord
in the same fashion that we are known.
We than start treating others as He treats us. They become caught up in
the rapture of His purposes and begin to accept all other souls in the
place they dwell and our desires become the spark which moves them to
see with new eyes and feel with a new heart. Others than begin to lift
up their heads and turn to the Lord and transform themselves bit by bit
till they are no longer comfortable with where they reside and live. The
discomfort of it all cause them to shift, move and reevaluate their
present status.Through this they then begin to look to Him and Do all
that they do in the Name of the Lord, that He may begin to sanctify
their service, work, thoughts and actions to their own good and the good
of all that are around them. We can not become a community of Monks and
bring this wortk forward.
Thus Zion is established. For the desire of Zion is to become one. One
in heart, one in purpose, one is spirit. O N E ! Even as The Father and
the Son are ONE. This becomes a mighty work. The energy continues to
grow and like “ Hurricane Sandy” it becomes a mighty force that desroys,
shakes up and causes change, all old things are taken away or destroyed
and the only place to move is to stand still and mourn or move forward
and learn of Him who is the author of this change.
Recall with me in the garden of Eden, on the Tree of Good and Evil, on
this very tree which the Father and the Son had planted, we find
opposition. Good and Evil. Change comes from loss, pain, struggle
movement. We must recall, the Lord said, “Be ye therefore even as I am”.
To align with Him we must be like Him. And often that takes going below
it all while also being above it all. Can we receive only those parts
of sanctification which are glorious, without seeing, and experiencing
that which is painful, trying and difficult? I do not believe this is
the path. He will succor us. He will lead us along. It is the path to
Him and the Path to Zion. Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life. I
testify of Him in the Name of Jesus Christ Amen. (Spencer)
