D&C 84
The name of the city will apparently be “New Jerusalem” – perhaps Zion will be a suburb when it is returned to earth.
It is interesting to read how the Lord preserved the Priesthood upon the earth while the children of Israel were in bondage. Esaias lived at the time of Abraham and was blessed of Abraham (was he like Lot, or perhaps a freed servant of Abrahams?) and he passed it down – I assume through his sons – until it was given to Jethro who then gave it to Moses, the escaped Israelite prince from Egypt.
Those who obtain the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods and remain faithful are the seed of Moses and Aaron and inheritors of the promises made to them.
When this revelation was given not every man received the priesthood as a matter of course. It was given as needed to those who the Lord selected. This was His invitation for all men to seek it. I wonder if simply attending church until both priesthoods have been conferred is really commensurate with the invitation to “be faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods.” I would say that being faithful enough to be ordained as a high priest might have been our modern equivalent, but I have since learned that this is also given virtually as a matter of course. As I understand it, bishops seek opportunity or excuse to ordain those who have reached the age of 40 who have not received this ordination prior to that age. I guess that remaining active for 3 decades without being given any of the responsibilities that would require ordination to that office would be an indication of fortitude in the gospel.
Being under the bondage of sin is not a direct indication of personal sin – it is more directly indicative of being led by those in darkness. Personal sin (through ignorance or malice) is bound to result. Those who have not found the Savior are not necessarily under the bondage of sin, only those who are not seeking Him and seeking light.
“Every member a missionary” – Elder Bednar told us that missionaries are called to teach and members should be doing the bulk of the finding. That means that our job is to let our light shine and invite those around us to partake of our light. Those who express an interest in light who are not members of the church should be introduced tot he missionaries to receive the light of the gospel and the invitation to baptism.
We are not to boast of the gifts of teh spirit and signs that will follow the believers.