The second step in Seeking Zion is obedience. Obedience we learn is the first law of heaven. Without being obedient, we can not obtain anything, including Zion. I think Doctrine and Covenants says it best:
20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.
– D&C 130:20-21
In order to receive any blessing, we must obey the law that is associated with that blessing. With every law and every commandment, there are certain blessing. Depending on what kind of obedience you want to put into it, will also depend on what kind of blessing you receive.
What I mean by this is that if you only put in half your effort, you will only receive the portion of the blessing that you deserve. For example, we have been command to read our scriptures. If a person chooses to read a couple of verses a day of the scriptures, then the blessing they will receive will be based on that. They will still be blessed and even have an increase in the Spirit for obeying, but, they won’t receive the complete blessing they could receive.
Then if you take the person who chooses to study for 30 minutes a day. This person will not only understand the stories of the scriptures, but will come to a deeper understanding of the gospel and the principles taught in them. They will also gain a greater remembrance of what they study and where to find topics and verses that will help them in other situations. They will receive greater blessing because of their willingness to obey the law the greater law.
Not every law has an exact set of steps to obey either. Baptism for example has a specific set of steps. A person needs to have faith in Jesus Christ and repent. Then, they can be baptized. The steps are laid out and unchangeable. Other laws don’t have exact steps like studying the scriptures. We haven’t been told that we need to do at least 5 minutes a day or 30 minutes a day. For us to determine how we need to obey this law, we need to rely on the Spirit to guide us.
One of the best examples of perfect obedience is the Strippling Warriors. Not only did they know that the gospel was correct and true, but they were willing to do whatever was asked of them that was right. Helaman says this about them:
20 And as the remainder of our army were about to give way before the Lamanites, behold, those two thousand and sixty were firm and undaunted.
21 Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness.
– Alma 57:20-21 (emphasis added)
Notice that Helaman specifically says that they were firm and undaunted and that they obeyed with exactness. Not just half heartedly. This exact obedience is what spared their lives and protected them during their times in battle. They received an extra increase of the Spirit because they choose to obey.
My two bits with this is that not only did they obey Helaman and his commands, but that they were continuously guided by the Spirit and obeyed Him as well. As I mentioned above, sometimes we have the path set before us and other times, we have to decided what the path is like for us. The Spirit is the key in figuring this out. Obedience to the promptings of the Spirit is the ultimate thing that we can do. Remember Nephi killing Laban.
To be able to complete our next step toward Zion, we must be willing to obey the laws associated with Zion. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin has said:
To open the windows of heaven, we must conform our will to God’s will. Diligent, enduring obedience to God’s laws is the key that opens the windows of heaven. Obedience enables us to be receptive to the mind and will of the Lord. “The Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient” are those who receive the blessings of revelation through the open windows of heaven.
– Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, General Conference, October 1995
It is my hope and prayer that as you desire to be a Zion person and be in Zion, that you will also seek for obedience with exactness. Following the promptings of the Spirit with exactness and with speed. That is my challenge to you for the week. Exactness with Speed.