Zion has several key attributes:
- Pure in heart = Holiness, individually and collectively
- No poor among them = Commonwealth or having all things in common (4Nephi 1:3)
- One heart one mind = Unity
One might think that one's unique identity might disappear, that individuality might be washed away in this system known as Zion. Does Unity create a condition of "sameness"? Does submission to God's plan of Happiness make participants bland and uninteresting?
I feel that the opposite is true. Zion is a perfect system that brings out the highest and best in a person. It is a system that recognizes something very important - our God-given gifts and talents. Zion encourages the sharing of such treasures for the benefit of all. As I look at what God creates, I see that He likes diversity and variety. It is part of His creativity, that which is beautiful and glorious, of good report and praiseworthy.
I see meekness as a power. It is that willing submission to duck down under a special doorway that leads to an ever expanding eternity of joy, happiness, health, wisdom, perfection, pleasure, and pure love.
Part One: A Movement
Proposal: Discover true, inspired actions that will prepare
Opportunity: Prepare fertile ground to receive the "seeds" of Zion. Be living as close as we can the law of Celestial Kingdom in preparation to Receive and be Received in the Lord's City, Zion
The Lord has stated clearly that He makes the rich.
Doctrine and Covenants 38:16
And for your salvation I give unto you a commandment, for I have heard your prayers, and the poor have complained before me, and the rich have I made, and all flesh is mine, and I am no respecter of persons. He has also stated that as part of our trial we will face a variety of afflictions. Poverty is one. The elimination of poverty is stated as an outcome in Zion (does this occur first or as a result, chicken and egg dilemma?) He also said he will humble the rich to exalt the poor. That seems to be a redistribution of wealth, but in His way. Ironically the Proud will be upset by this as they, like Satan, fail to see that it is not their wealth He would redistribute, but His! As He is the true owner of the property, then no-one can be upset by His making changes in the arrangements.Why the afford-ability theme?
- who could be opposed to it?
- recent developments (such as open source opportunities) seem to be open doors for participation of the masses. we could systematically help all sorts of persons escape poverty and move to wealth
- Can it be a way to help bless the masses, bless the whole human family? I feel it is
- I have been given some personal insights into how the Lord's plan will play out. I am trying to work out how much of it is driven by my efforts vs how much is observational and participatory. This did come as a relief to me to know that this is God's work and while He may allow me to help, it is indeed His glorious labor and does not rely on me.
Thesis: Given our foreknowledge of God's plans, we through His priesthood and church, are encouraged to prepare for New Conditions soon to come. Why wait to participate? Let's begin now, sooner than later.
So, why afford-ability?
What is the connection to the Zion concept?
The connection may be that a system to make goods and services affordable may be an important step in humbling the rich and exalting the poor. Why? The rich are not exalted only by virtue of money, there is a "wall" of separation too. Status and class systems are nothing new.
I am not rich in worldly means. I really possess little to strip away and give to the poor. I don't see myself as poor, but by all measures, I probably am. Currently we are well below the poverty line. For me though, one way to equalize would be to make all commodities and services affordable, within reach for even the poorest, as they need them. Then even the poor are empowered to make choices, to live well, to pursue education and other opportunities that may seem to be luxuries only for the rich.
India's Mighty Micro Economy , http://www.fastcompany.com/1725661/indias-mighty-microeconomy
See the above link for a great article about the possibilities. Entrepreneurs are willing to do things differently to serve the poor segment. From telecommunications to shampoo. And the Internet via computers is not growing but it is all wireless via cell phones for communications and commerce, even selling bus tickets.
So, why afford-ability?
What is the connection to the Zion concept?
The connection may be that a system to make goods and services affordable may be an important step in humbling the rich and exalting the poor. Why? The rich are not exalted only by virtue of money, there is a "wall" of separation too. Status and class systems are nothing new.
I am not rich in worldly means. I really possess little to strip away and give to the poor. I don't see myself as poor, but by all measures, I probably am. Currently we are well below the poverty line. For me though, one way to equalize would be to make all commodities and services affordable, within reach for even the poorest, as they need them. Then even the poor are empowered to make choices, to live well, to pursue education and other opportunities that may seem to be luxuries only for the rich.
India's Mighty Micro Economy , http://www.fastcompany.com/1725661/indias-mighty-microeconomy
See the above link for a great article about the possibilities. Entrepreneurs are willing to do things differently to serve the poor segment. From telecommunications to shampoo. And the Internet via computers is not growing but it is all wireless via cell phones for communications and commerce, even selling bus tickets.
