(6/14/03)
"Though we abhor war, peace nearly always is more a dream than a reality. During most of the world's history, strife, dissension, and conflict have flourished and displaced peace. The times when peace has reigned, it has begun in the hearts of righteous, obedient individuals and has grown until it has engulfed a society." — Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Finding Peace in Our Lives," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1995], p. 7

(6/15/03)
"Visualize in your mind a society in which all are pure in heart and completely free of deceit and dishonesty. Can you imagine a total absence of contention and disputes, with no one ever attempting to deceive another? How would life be if we always were certain, without question, that what others represent to us is true? Theft would be unknown. We would have little use for jails or prisons, and litigation would be rare. The greatest blessing that would come to a society without guile is the personal inner peace that comes to those who know they are doing the right and that their lives are acceptable to the Lord.

"A society without guile is possible. I cite two examples from the scriptures. The first is the City of Holiness, even Zion, a city in which the inhabitants were pure in heart and dwelt in righteousness. That city, referred to as the city of Enoch, was taken up into heaven. (See Moses 7:18-21.)

"The second example is the society of the Nephites that lasted for about two hundred years after the resurrected Lord visited and taught them. (See 4 Nephi 1.)

"Though we know that we must perfect our lives grace upon grace and line upon line (see John 1:16; 2 Nephi 28:30), these are examples of the goal of perfection that we should strive for." —Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Finding Peace in Our Lives," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1995], p. 186

(6/16/03)
"The place where the people named Zion dwelt became the place named Zion. The city bore the title of the people, and of course it was a City of Holiness, for all of its inhabitants were holy. And because they were holy, the Lord preserved them from their enemies, even as he shall do in the latter days. This marvelous manifestation of preserving care caused Enoch to say to the Lord: 'Surely Zion shall dwell in safety forever.' To this the Lord replied: 'Zion have I blessed, but the residue of the people have I cursed,' even as it shall also be when Zion comes in the last days. And that his servant might know the state of Zion, 'the Lord showed unto Enoch all the inhabitants of the earth; and he beheld, and lo, Zion, in process of time, was taken up into heaven. And the Lord said unto Enoch: Behold mine abode forever.' (Moses 7:13-21.)" — Bruce R. McConkie, "The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1982], p. 283

(6/17/03)
"This City of Holiness, or Zion, was a theocracy like unto the government established by the Lord in the days of Adam. In it the celestial law prevailed, the commandments of the Lord were respected; there were no jealousies, envyings, immorality or wickedness of any kind. The people were truly happy, and only by obedience to divine law can a people be truly happy. If we, today, had the faith and willingness to serve the Lord and would love God and our neighbor as ourselves, as we have been commanded to do, we would be just as happy and blessed as were the people of the City of Zion. The Son of God would again be willing to do as he did with the inhabitants of Zion, he could dwell in our midst, in other words, we could "walk with God." It is only our rebellion and unwillingness to be obedient in all things, that keeps us from having the companionship of heavenly messengers in this latter day. Eventually this condition will come, but not until the earth is cleansed of its wickedness and the reign of righteousness is ushered in for one thousand years." — Joseph Fielding Smith, "The Progress of Man," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1964], p. 86-87