Comments on: For Zion – Part 1

By: Kaye

Kaye — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 03:36:10 +0000

Orson Scott Card has written some interesting essays related to this topic.

By: Phillip

Phillip — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 13:29:43 +0000

Although I am not advocating that you follow Denver Snuffer, I will note that the new communities that are being formed according to his teachings sound a lot more like Zion than what I’m used to seeing in the church – e.g., using tithing to help people directly, rather than to build more buildings; having leadership be based on real common consent; giving women a say in who leads the congregations. It will be interesting to see if it all works out. If it does, maybe it will be a model for future changes in the church.

By: SilverRain

SilverRain — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 12:49:13 +0000

Clark Goble: I’ve never tried it because I love my dead tree books, but you might want to know about http://www.wired.com/2013/06/1dollarscan/

By: Thomas Parkin

Thomas Parkin — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 08:48:07 +0000

“If you aim directly at Mormonism, you’ll miss seeing the thing that deserves your fidelity.”

Just so.

By: Jax

Jax — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 05:42:59 +0000

I don’t think it needs to be top down Clark Goble. I think that if the “grassroots” started doing it then direction would come from the top. The top (God) has already given instruction/commandments and is waiting on us to take it seriously enough to at least try. We have no one to blame if we don’t, you are right.

By: Clark Goble

Clark Goble — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 02:11:27 +0000

While they probably don’t make up the majority of any ward, when I consider the number of people who have dropped their busy schedule to come help me when in need or cheques under the door when they hear of financial troubles not to mention the ridiculous amount of time spent on callings I have a very hard time saying Mormons don’t follow consecration or are not trying to build of Zion. Let’s remember even in the 19th century united order projects were done on a small scale with many different experiments. The idea that Zion must be built as a top down totalizing structure seems erroneous.

As I’ve often said we buy into the world’s criteria of status and then frequently judge the Church in terms of it. I’m convinced the basic unit of consecration in the Church isn’t the city or ward, but the companionship of a home teacher or visiting teacher or your home itself. So if Zion’s not being sought we have no one to blame but ourselves.

By: rameumptom

rameumptom — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 01:57:47 +0000

I’ve frequently noted that for the Nephites, it took a major destruction and the coming of the resurrected Christ in glory for them to enact Zion. I wonder if it will take such a big disaster for the saints to stop working for money and begin working for Zion.

By: Clark Goble

Clark Goble — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 01:52:04 +0000

I’ve noticed that a lot of LDS books aren’t on Kindle and even fewer are on (the superior in my opinion) iBooks. Makes me sad. Space and clutter has convinced me never to buy a paper book unless there’s no choice. In fact I wish I could digitize my library and be done with it.

By: Stephen R. Marsh

Stephen R. Marsh — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 01:07:14 +0000

The Kindle Edition has a premium price compared to paper. http://www.amazon.com/Zion-Mormon-Theology-Hope-ebook/dp/B00KJ4TL0M/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423789574&sr=1-1&keywords=for+zion

By: Jack

Jack — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 22:51:42 +0000

I don’t know why the distinction between Mormonism and Zion would be important. IMO, if there is a distinction in our minds it’s because we don’t understand Mormonism.

By: Jax

Jax — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 20:59:18 +0000

Haven’t read it yet, but will.

We’ve clearly abandoned Zion as a goal and largely ignored the covenant of Consecration though we repeat it every temple endowment session. So will a book fix it? Do you expect (or know of now) any large groups to take actual steps to establish Zion? What would it take to gather/influence/persuade a group of saints (a ward, stake, or collection of strangers) to start implementing Zion-required practices?

By: Clark Goble

Clark Goble — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 20:44:30 +0000

I’ve got a few books ahead of it in the queue (including going back through your book on OOP). But it definitely looks interesting. I always enjoy and learn from his writing.

By: Curtis Cahoon

Curtis Cahoon — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 20:32:13 +0000

My experience was much the same as James’ experience. The early philosophical chapters (especially chs. 1-4) relating faith, hope, and love (and consecration) were hard for me to get through. Part 1 had some great parts (like helping me make sense of the historical context of Paul’s epistle to the Romans), so they were worth my effort. However, I was richly rewarded by pushing through them to the interlude and part 2, which were absolutely wonderful and more than worth the effort of getting through part 1. I’m very excited for this series.

By: Jon

Jon — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 19:51:25 +0000

I’m very much looking forward to this series. I read ‘For Zion’ on your recommendation, loved what I saw, and am eager to get more out of the book.

By: James

James — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 17:10:31 +0000

Great. I read ‘For Zion’ last Summer and confess I found the early philosophy chapters somewhat hard going. But persevered and was rewarded with the second half close reading of D&C 42. I’ll read again in hope that your round table can help me better understand the first half of the book. Looking forward to it.