"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
John 13:34-35
Right after he sent Judas off to betray him, Jesus says this to the remaining disciples. Part of it was that they were going to face a lot of opposition in the near term and they needed to stick together... but I think Christ was reminding them how much he loved them, and that there is a deeper lesson here about how we treat each other in general. As we are learning to be heavenly, so that we will be comfortable in heaven, this is a crucial lesson. Zion (the idea of heaven on earth) is a place we build together. It isn't an isolated place, but rather a community of people who are trying to learn to live and love more perfectly. The city of Enoch was able to achieve this, and many other groups were able to sustain it for long periods of time. We have to help each other get there though, gathering, learning, teaching, practicing, apologizing, repenting, and trying again. Like any relationship, it takes work, and it takes learning to love and respect others and treating them like valuable, treasured friends.
Today, let's imagine what it would be like to treat more people like we do our best friends. What would change? Maybe something to try, as we experiment and try to get closer to heaven.
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