Letter Number 16, February 8, 2009

Dear Enoch,

It has been over sixty days since I have written my feelings, my goals, and dreams about establishing a Zion Society. As I pause to review the reasons why, I guess establishing Zion within my own heart was placed behind other less important things so that I could not see it, feel it, and desire it as much as I have in the past.

My dream of living in that type of a relationship with other Saints has not at all diminished. In fact is has grown. I have been urged by many others to continue this blog, and to continue writing these letters. Finally I am doing as I have been told, not only by friends, but by the Sweet Spirit. So, I again begin to follow my dreams and goals to create within my own heart the feelings, the Charity, the Hope in Christ, quest to prepare, at least myself, for that kind of sociality among brothers and sisters.

Instead of finding excuses why I "went away" for over 60 days, I will just commit to rededicate myself to trying again, writing feelings, and seeking others who feel the same as I feel about Zion. These letters Brother Enoch, help me ponder about you, your challenges, your successes, and the results you enjoyed. It took many years, I know. But if you had a million or so of people like me who truly desire to establish Zion in these days, perhaps it may not take as long?

Thanks Enoch, for understanding my absence and my desire to pursue Zion once again. It must be in my mind daily, or I may take another sabbatical, which I do not want to do. Zion should be constantly in my mind, my goal, and my desire every day to make progress toward that special condition where all shall know, love, and treat each other as a dearly beloved brother or sister.

I do love you brother Enoch. I can't wait to sit at your feet and learn from you so many things.

NOTE: I invite anyone else who reads this to comment. But since I am computer illiterate, I don't know what I need to do to make that possible. Please teach me, so that is possible.

Letter # 15, December 4, 2008

Dear Enoch,

I think I have figured out how to get more input from you and those you love and inspire. When I began these short letters to you, I was "sort of" inviting you into my dreams, my house, my temple-time, to teach me and instruct me. What an error. I have had insights, and ideas come to me, and I am sure they came from you.

I have learned many things. I have learned that the quest for Zion and establishing Zion is an individual thing, but as Elder Christopherson said in conference, Christ when he comes will be looking for a Zion-people. There needs to be just more than one, more than two, but a "Group of people.". What does that mean?

I have learned that seeking Zion, fulfilling our covenant to give all that we have to build up Zion takes more than just a once-in-a-while thought. It is something constant. It needs to be something that is always in our mind. It is a concept that we should be thinking about each day of the week, every hour, it should influence every aspect of our life.

Since I am so weak, and since I don't seem to do it alone, I have learned from others something that MAY work.

I am creating an additional blog. Stephen Covey, who is a well respected leader in our time, has suggested that we should surround ourselves with others who feel the same as we do, those who have different experiences, those who share our vision and we should hold what he calls a "round table." We need to discuss our common goal in order to learn from each other. We should call upon everyone else to share their thoughts and ideas, which in turn will help each of us learn more. Everyone has different insights, and putting them "on the table" will definitely help us learn.

Therefore, I am creating this blog and inviting anyone who wants to post to this blog their feelings and thoughts to do so. I am sure it will help us all if we read and try to learn from this type of a set up. Enoch cannot visit us all, but he can give each one of us different ideas and suggestions, which if shared will help the whole group. So, please consider giving me your email address, and I will post your address so you can add your feelings and comments as you post your thoughts on creating a Zion and finding a people interested in this common goal.

Therefore, if you would like to share your thoughts, or just read those of others, please go to www.thezionchronicles.blogspot.com

Please do not be afraid or embarrassed to add your thoughts, we are all trying to understand and make progress toward this. Everyone thoughts are welcome and asked for.

Thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving, Letter # 14, November 27, 2008

Dear Enoch,



I would assume that this day would nothing special where you are. You see, we pause today to consider our blessings, try to forget our trials and afflictions and realize how blessed we are. We give thanks, pray, gather with friends and family AND EAT.



I would assume that every day is like Thanksgiving, and even Christmas where you are. But we, in this mortality, need the reason to pause, counts blessings, feel gratitudee, and improve in our lives. It is sort of like our quest to establish Zion. The founding/ruling fathers have specified that the fourth Thursday of November we all express thanks. I sort of wish that the "Eternal Fathers" would create a day once a year to remember, work toward, consider progress, etc in our quest to fulfill this dream of creating Zion.


Rather than once a year, perhaps once a month, or even once a week, or even one hour every day, we need something to remind us about our inner desire to work toward this coveted state.

Why wait for once a year, as we do now to express gratitude, take a whole day to ponder of how blessed we are. Why can't we create our own regular time to remember and dwell upon our desire for Zion?

Three fellow-Saints commented that we cannot purify ourselves. How true. We need the Savior. We need the help of others. We need encouragement from many different sources. And, we also know what we should be doing to work toward this goal, but do we do it? Do we have a list to follow? Are we trying, or is it something that just once in a while hits us over the head, we think about it for a few minutes, an hour, or even a day, then return to our own challenges and forget our overall challenge to purify ourselves, work with others in creating a Zion?

I do appreciate the comments of others, for it gives me input and direction, helps and encouragement also. We all need it. We need help. It took you many years, but as I view the condition of the world, I really don't believe that we have as long as you took to create a city, to create a Zion that our Savior will find as He returns with your City of Zion.

We need to be at work NOW. If it means creating a daily list how we can create Zion in our own lives, purify ourselves, then so be it, make the list. If it requires adding comments to this crazy blog just to remind us of our goals, so be it. Whatever each of us needs, we should dedicate ourselves to make progress toward it each day.

Happy Thanksgiving Enoch. We pause today and remember you, your selfless service, and your successes. Wish us luck, inspiration, and ultimate success. Please send help and direction for we all desire to be involved in those people who are a part of this glorious latter day Zion.

I continue to ponder in my mind....

Brother Enoch,

As I covenanted in the temple to give all that I have, all that I will be blessed with to the cause of Zion, I still wonder if that means I need to first purify myself, and then seek to share with others, or does that mean I should share with others and get their input to assist me.

When you did your for over 300 years, did you spend the first 50 years purifying yourself and then start preaching to others? I am sure it was difficult, but you did it, your had enough following to translate your whole city.

I know we must prepare for a Zion, but I am still researching how. Please give whomever reads this insights and enough nerve to add their comments so we can all glean from each other? Thanks again for taking the time to read this when you are so busy.

Zerin

PS. (Those who wonder where the first letters to Enoch are and would desire copies of them, please send me an email and I shall copy them off and send them to you. seekingtobringforthzion@gmail.com)

Is this an individual goal?

As I review the words of Joseph Smith, I realize that Prophet Smith challenged all to be purified. Zion cannot be built on any other principle. When I recall and try to visualize the condition that existed the two hundred after Christ's visit, I can't help but believe that those wonderful saints were, indeed, purified.

Thus if I want to find "zion" today, then I need to follow Joseph's direction and purify myself. What a challenge. I am far from it.

However, as I listen to others, read conference talks, as I study, I get the feeling that there are others who feel as I do, who want to draw nearer to the Zion we are promised about in the Articles of Faith.

Therefore, I wonder if this is a individual goal, becoming a Zion people or is it something that many people can work toward, helping each other, working together, sharing insights about how to become this kind of people.

Just wondering....

Talking to my good friend Enoch

Dear Brother Enoch,

I am sure in your hundreds of years preaching Zion, you faced many obstacles. I am sure some of your major frustrations was to excite others to your visions and dreams of what is possible. I am sure you totally understood the visions of living in a Zion/Charity society, or with the laws of the Celestial Kingdom. Many years after you were on the earth, for many years following Christ's visit to the Americas, there was this type of living conditions.

I envision that same kind of life in our future. We are living in the last dispensation, and somewhere, someone has to begin in seeking out and preparing for this type of Celestial Condition.

I don't mean to express sadness, nor defeat, I just wanted you to know that in today's world, with the evil influences surrounding us everywhere, it is also challenging.

I continue to dream and anticipate the time will indeed come, and I want to be a part of it. So look down upon me, upon us and consider sending some insights again to help prepare us in our quest. Thanks for understanding.

The other letters to Enoch

I have been called to repentence, (tear tear) that some readers want the other previous letters. If that is truly the feelings of readers, then I shall publish them.

By the way, if anyone wants to invite anyone else to add feelings and follow this blog, it is fine with me.