This blessing of Zion has always thrilled me. I see several scripture stories where this blessing of divine protection is realized. Some examples include:
- Moses parting the Red Sea (Genesis 14)
- Elisha teaching his servant that "There are more for us than against us." (2 Kings 6)
- The City of Enoch is repeatedly protected (Moses 7)
- Nephi and Lehi are protected in prison and miraculously freed (Helaman 5)
- Zion's Camp at Fishing River (see D & C 105)
I have pondered and wondered, "How does this look in my day? What must I do to claim these blessings given to Zion?"
Section 105 in the Doctrine and Covenants teaches me two specific principles. The first is that I must impart of my substance to the poor. (see v. 3) I must learn to live with out. I must not have my eyes "full of greediness (D & C 68:31)." (See also the story of Lemhi's people in Mosiah 21). Am I giving a generous fast offering? What am I doing with my gain? With my free time? With my talents?
A second principle we learn is that we must seek unity with the Saints. (see v.) This starts with myself, then my spouse, then my children, and is extended from there. To begin with do I even have peace and unity with myself? When Christ came to the Nephities after teaching them the ordinance of baptism the next thing he did was to command them to have no disputations among them. (3 Nephi 11: 22) Elder Christofferson also speaks of unity is his gospel classic, "Come to Zion." He said,
As we consider the unity required for Zion to flourish, we should ask ourselves if we have overcome jarrings, contentions, envyings, and strifes (see D&C 101:6). Are we individually and as a people free from strife and contention and united "according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom"? (D&C 105:4). Forgiveness of one another is essential to this unity. Jesus said, "I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men" (D&C 64:10).
Further study of this section reveals other things we can do to claim the blessings of Zion. One includes repentance (see v. 9). The Misfit Cygnet blog does a fine job of helping us recognize areas where we can work on.
In our day the church is an example of letting God fight its battles. The church is continuously challenged and vilified by newspapers and organizations from everything to church policies to general conferences messages. What does the church do? Nothing. They remain silent. They do not counteract.
Mr. Patriot and I have learned the value of silence as we have been personally attacked through the campaign process. As we have chosen to do nothing the Lord has fought our battles. People have been exposed for who they really are. Those who are our true friends and have rallied around us and united with us. Since the attacks began we have seen a ten-fold increase in people united to campaign for us. While those who have attacked have been left friendless and supportless.
We have witnessed this in other areas, among other people, within the campaign arena. The principles are true. When you are on the Lord's side God will truly fight your battles.
I have also learned that God will fight my battles as I submit to him in my individual spiritual, mental, emotional and physical battles. I have learned that God will give me strength to fight personal weaknesses, emotional challenges and physical trials such as fatigue and illness.
When I symbolically picture myself with Zion's Camp lodged in a school house on the banks of Fishing River with hell's furry raging I am comforted to know that "there are more for us than against us" and that "God will fight our battles."
