Are we at Zion yet?

 I sm so very grateful to our Heavenly Father to give us such amazing and in-tuned leaders that were so inspired to give the talks they did. We are living out the scriptures we have read for so many years and it is truly amazing to read " the playbook", as Adonis and I say, each Sunday as we do at home church and our scripture studies. 

So many  talks rang so loud for me. I have listened to them over and over again since first seen. One, of so very many things, that rang so true is where we are at right now and what Pres. Nelson said in one of his many wonderful talks.. He stated that he hoped we are using this unique time to grow spiritually. How general considering our circumstances but is it really? I thought a lot about that as well as the statement:  Satan is not even hiding anymore. We can certainly see it in the world right now... It is always easier to see how the adversary has touched others but how about ourselves? Talk about putting yourself in check!!! Man...I really had some reflection... How am I becoming closer to, or even trying to become more like Christ? What am I doing to better myself? What do I need to improve on? Lets just say... in this last month as I have reflected, I have done a few deep gulps when I know the lord has let me know... I defiantly have some attributes to pull out and start working on, a reminder given to us in the talk by Elder Scott E. Whiting. 

As Elder Bednar quoted Elder Holland " there is no more middle of the road" and " no choice is a choice" .  I liken that to not working on our weaknesses it also a choice in stating to the lord we are okay with not fixing this within ourselves. Possibly telling the lord in our small minds that we know better and some how the lord will over look it just like we have.  In the end we know it is just not so, it is something that could possible keep us from becoming the thing our Prophet is so diligently trying to help us to prepare for and that is to become like the people of Enoch.... a Zion people.  To become one in our hearts and in our minds with the lord.  To do that we must learn to do away with ourselves.   Matthew 10:39 " He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it".  Have we lost ourselves to find ourselves to become as the lord needs us to be to help build Zion? If the answer is no, are we working on it to do so? When I speak of Zion, I mean a place of   Zion in your heart, in your homes, in your minds and thoughts? Have you built Zion in you? 

Please remember as we have heard the call the last few years in helping the lord to gather his people, so is Satan. He too, knows the time has come and that his time is running out in taking the lords soldiers before the second coming. He will do all he can to distract, divert and even blind as many as he can from what is truly important, which is the eternal life with our father in heaven. We can miss the call by being all tied up in our own issues, problems, situations and even pride.  I have seen him lead many away these last several months. It is truly heartbreaking to see. 

 It brings me to the scripture that was shared by President Nelson as well in yet another statement from one of his talks..    "Admittedly, the Lord has spoken of our day in sobering terms. He warned that in our day Men's hearts (would fail) them and that even the very elect would be at risk of being deceived".    

So I asked you how strong is your faith? Are you easily moved by an offense from another that would keep you from progressing forward. Are you caught up in your own pride, anger, frustration, hurt, or even your own desires, etc. ? Are you able to dig deep into the Christ like attributes we are asked to live by and over come our selves and show to others? 

When we are tested and things are put in our way it is a time to dig deep and work on our weakness. We seem to grow the most when we are tested or when hard trials are put in our path.  It is when things are the hardest that we are tested to see if we can over come what is before us because the lord knows what is coming and is helping us to be prepared be ready for. 

I do not remember a time in my life when I have been so excited to  see what is coming. Especially knowing we have such horrible times moving towards us. I just focus on, what I think the prophet has asked us all to do, which is to keep your eye on the Christ. Christ will be here and I want to recognize him.  Not because I know about him or of him  from the scriptures and teachings  but because I know HIM through his spirit that can be with me as I lose myself to find my self through him by doing all I can to be like him. I have learned that there is not enough room for both so we need to make a choice in what we want to give up to gain. 

I love my savior and I know that this is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that these amazing men who have been put in as our leaders are leaders or our lord Jesus Christ. I know that as we move forward in this last dispensation that if we truly turn away from the world and away from our natural man we will find and be able to become in tuned with the spiritual self that our father in heaven and savior see within us. We will be able to do the work they need of us as we receive revelation to improve ourselves and serve and minister to others. I know that the closer we are to the lord the more he will reveal to us as he sees we are ready for it. 

I just hope and pray that I will be ready to kneel before my savior and hear him say... You have done well, my good and faithful servant". 

May the lord keep you all safe and good health and in good spirits. 

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ  Amen.