Doctrine and Covenants 125:3

"Let them build up a city unto my name upon the land opposite the city of Nauvoo, and let the name of Zarahemla be named upon it."
Doctrine and Covenants 125:3


It's kind of cool when the Lord asks us to build something... a temple, a building, a city... those things are tangible, and we can tell immediately whether we did it or not.  In the Doctrine and Covenants encyclopedia it says "This settlement was founded by the Saints in 1839, on the uplands about a mile west of the Mississippi River, near Montrose and opposite Nauvoo, Ill." ... then when the saints went west, the city was lost.  I wonder if we have to build it again, or if it was just a commandment for that time. :)  Building Zion is not as tangible, because even if it is a place, eventually, it is also a complete way of life... we have to learn to live in peace, with love... and none of us are used to that.  We're surrounded by so many things that detract from the ideal that must be realized... and we have to learn to let go of all of those things and find a good and peaceful way.  It's a tall order. :)  But just like a tangible request, the Lord prepares a way for us to accomplish what he asks.  The path to Zion is there to be found... it isn't just a dream.  Maybe someday we can live in Zarahemla while we are building Zion. :)