D&C 95 - 97

Recently I was asked to be the keynote speaker at an honors convocation at Arizona State University in the Del E. Webb School of Construction. One of the topics I was asked to address was what my education has meant to me. One of the ideas I suggested was -

"Almost everyone seems to possess something that is of great value to them. We all tend to value things differently. What one person would consider a possession of great value, another would considerate it worthless. Value is a personal thing based upon the price one paid to possess it. The price I am speaking about is not necessarily a monetary thing, but the amount of work and sacrifice that was expended to obtain it."

I went on to explain some of the challenges I faced in getting an education and because of that, why it means so much to me personally.

These thoughts returned to me as I read the 97th Section of the Doctrine & Covenants. The Lord commands "...a house built unto me for the salvation of Zion—" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 97:12). Things were probably very difficult in Zion - both economically and with all the persecution that was taking place. Such a charge must have seemed overwhelming. But the Lord said -

"...this is the tithing and the sacrifice which I, the Lord, require at their hands..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 97:12) For many today would question why the Lord would do such a thing in such difficult circumstances. It seems so cruel and almost selfish on the Lord's part - as Laman and Lemuel murmured "...saying it is a hard thing which [Lehi] required of them..."
(Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 3:5)

Is it really cruel or selfish on the Lord's part or does it have more to do with love? Again I have found that the things we value most is that which we paid the greatest price for.

To those who are willing, "...who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice—yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command—they are accepted of me.
9 For I, the Lord, will cause them to bring forth as a very fruitful tree which is planted in a goodly land, by a pure stream, that yieldeth much precious fruit." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 97:8 - 9)

He promises that if they sacrifice and "...build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it;
16 Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God....And... she shall prosper, and spread herself and become very glorious, very great, and very terrible.
19 And the nations of the earth shall honor her, and shall say: Surely Zion is the city of our God, and surely Zion cannot fall, neither be moved out of her place, for God is there, and the hand of the Lord is there;
20 And he hath sworn by the power of his might to be her salvation and her high tower.
21 Therefore, verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion—THE PURE IN HEART; therefore, let Zion rejoice...(Doctrine and Covenants Section 97:15 - 21)

What promises are given to those who are willing to sacrifice and follow the counsel of the Lord.