Building Zion seems like a massive undertaking, but there are many ways we can contribute in our own wards and branches.
Have you ever not known where to start with a work as lofty as building Zion? Recent Church publications have focused on this theme of building Zion, but it can often seem like a far off goal. As young adults, we may question our capabilities, and we may doubt that we can make a difference. However, there are many practical ways to contribute. Merrilee Browne Boyack explores these ways in her article “Building Zion in Our Wards and Branches: It Can Start with Me.”
One way to build Zion is to create an environment of love where all members of a ward feel welcomed and supported. “We develop greater unity,” Boyack explains, “by following the Savior’s commandment ‘to love one another not only as we love ourselves but as He loved us.’” Boyack shares the example of a woman who simply refused to say anything negative about anyone in the ward—a simple action anyone can commit to do. Such simple actions promote unity, and they don’t require access to abundant resources.
Another way we can help build Zion is to focus on improving ourselves and our own relationships with God. This strengthens us and also allows us to become a light, a love, and, as Boyack put it, a “beacon of righteousness,” which strengthens our wards and the people around us. Our efforts at improving ourselves and our relationship with God can be as simple as taking five minutes a day to pray, read the scriptures, or listen to a general conference talk.
A final way to build Zion that may feel unattainable to young adults is caring for those in financial need. As young adults, most of us don’t have abundant financial resources to offer those around us. However, giving financial resources is not the only way we can help. Boyack shares examples of men and women who taught related skills, like budgeting or writing a resume, to those in financial need. We all have skills that we can share to help others improve their financial outlook.
We don’t have to invest huge amounts of time or money to contribute to the building of Zion. Try setting a simple goal for how you can participate in your ward’s efforts to build Zion, and watch as you and your ward are lifted up by love and unity.
For more examples of how you can contribute to Zion, read the original article by Merrilee Browne Boyack: “Building Zion in Our Wards and Branches: It Can Start with Me.”
Source: Liahona
—Brooke Francis, Latter-day Saint Insights
FEATURE IMAGE BY VONICIA CARSWELL
Find more insights
Read and watch Elder Quentin L. Cook’s talk “Hearts Knit in Righteousness and Unity” to learn more about the importance of unity.
Read and watch Elder D. Todd Christofferson’s talk “Come to Zion” to learn more about Zion.