As I revisit 2 Nephi, I'm reading the numerous references to Zion in a new light. Today, I'll focus on our actions as it relates to Zion. We can either fight against Zion and bring upon ourselves the consequences, or we can labor in Zion and participate in the Everlasting Covenant.
Laboring in Zion requires charity and an understanding that God desires salvation for all of His children, with me desire to get gain or praise:
29 He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.
30 Behold, the Lord hath forbidden this thing; wherefore, the Lord God hath given a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is love. And except they should have charity they were nothing. Wherefore, if they should have charity they would not suffer the laborer in Zion to perish.
31 But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish. (2 Nephi 26)
On the other hand, those who fight against Zion are left empty:
3 And all the nations that fight against Zion, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision; yea, it shall be unto them, even as unto a hungry man which dreameth, and behold he eateth but he awaketh and his soul is empty; or like unto a thirsty man which dreameth, and behold he drinketh but he awaketh and behold he is faint, and his soul hath appetite; yea, even so shall the multitude of all the nations be that fight against Mount Zion. (2 Nephi 27)
With these words, Nephi underscores the point that when we have felt the love of God, our most sincere desire is them to share that love with others. We cannot be complacent in Zion, we must labor diligently:
21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell...
24 Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion! (2 Nephi 28)
