Put on thy strength, O Zion



            D&C 113: 7& 8 tells us that the heading of this article refers
to those whom God should call in the last days who should hold the power of
priesthood to bring again Zion, and the redemption of Israel; and that the
putting on of her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood
which she has a right to by lineage.

            This scripture has great meaning to me as it was in the summer
of 1968 that I had a dream (which was more than a dream) wherein I heard the
voice of God calling me to put on the "beautiful garments."  I had no real
idea what God was calling me to do that summer as I was rapidly approaching
my fourteenth year, nor do I truly comprehend things now.  I do however
understand, and know, without doubt, that this is what I must do if I am to
please my eternal Father and His son Jesus Christ.

            It seems to be the most natural thing for people to come forward
claiming some great ordination, or calling, which places them in a position
of authority or power.  What I know is that I have no extra-ordinary
authority or power.  I have been guilty of wondering if I had, and at times
acting as if I did.  Yes I have taken wrong turns, made wrong decisions, and
commanded others in the name of God to get off their duff and get moving, as
it were.  The embarrassment and shame I have caused myself remains to this
day.  Yet coming out of a society and culture, both secular and
ecclesiastical, that are established on power and authority, both real and
imagined, has its effect on all of us.  No one is immune from its pervading
influence.

            I do have the authority, as do all those having been called to
the priesthood, to be the voice of one crying in the wilderness, saying,
"prepare ye prepare ye the way of the Lord."  This is the critical issue.
"the way of the Lord."  His ways are not our ways, neither are our ways His
ways.  What this means is that there will be problems to solve, issues to
resolve, and personalities of nearly everyone that will have to be dealt
with.  I am not speaking about the many who God has called, but the few who
will elect (choose) to exercise their birthright and put on their strength,
or take upon them the burden of the priesthood i.e. the government of God.

            What am I referring to?  I am simply referring to those whom God
shall call by His still small voice, and in other ways, to a kingdom of God
convention (which, in my mind, or understanding, shall function very similar
to the Constitutional Convention that framed this Nation)  There we shall
not only discuss issues, but call on God to reveal His will in guiding us
and our decisions; and (as must be) to make us as one.

            Hyrum Andrus wrote that there would need to be a body of people
living Gods celestial laws before Jesus would be able to return and
establish His kingdom; otherwise there would be no one to confer the kingdom
upon.  As the world, guided by the modern day gadianton robbers, moves
forward in its goals to destroy God's people and all they stand for; a Zion
will need to be provided for those who do not thirst for blood to flee to.
The covenants that many have made, in holy places with God, to give their
all for the kingdom must needs have an avenue for completion via action.
And last of all, all good men and women with the desires to do good by
giving their support for that which they deem to be of worth and of value;
(be it they believe in God, a god, or in no god at all) should have the
opportunity to do all the good they can, of their own choosing.

            Having been called by God to put on the priesthood; I call upon
all those in whom the spirit of god might move, to arise; to shake the dust
from their eyes; to step forward; to place their hand on the plow; to put
their shoulder to the wheel, though it be in the heat of the day; knowing
that the night soon cometh when no man can work.

            Let it be known that I have authority over no man, or set of
men.  That the vision I saw of this gathering was of men who were led by the
spirit, and who functioned after the order of the priesthood.  Perhaps it
will begin with a few men who simply come together to talk and feel out the
situation, but when it is organized there will be no grandstanding, or
seeking for office; it will be the priesthood that will rule and not a man,
or set of men; or all is vain.

I saw this body of men (and perhaps women) have its Day of Pentecost as they
were endowed with power from on High.  It will be Joseph Smith, and Jesus
who will come, not only to endow us with power from on high, but to set the
course for those who would be Saviors on Mt. Zion.
Amen.



no1papabear@ gilavalley.com