STAKES OF ZION
Isaiah 54:2
What does the tent mentioned represent? (The Church of Jesus Christ.)
What do the tent stakes represent?
President Ezra Taft Benson said: “The term stake is a symbolic expression. Picture in your mind a great tent held up by cords extended to many stakes that are firmly secured in the ground. The prophets likened latter-day Zion to a great tent encompassing the earth. That tent was supported by cords fastened to stakes. Those stakes, of course, are various geographical organizations spread out over the earth. Presently, Israel is being gathered to the various stakes of Zion”
D&C 101:20–21
The first stakes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were organized in Kirtland, Ohio, and in Clay County, Missouri, in 1834. As the Church grew, more stakes were added as commanded by the Lord . Today there are hundreds of stakes located throughout the world.
Region Temples Missions Stakes Districts Wards Branches
World 170 406 3,104 554 22,083 7,381
United States 81 120 1,533 9 12,065 1,936
Utah 17 9 573 1 4,633 330
Outside U.S. 89 286 1,571 545 10,018 5,445
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/statistics/units/
Back to Isaiah 54:1-2
What do you think is the meaning of the phrase “Enlarge the place of thy tent”?
What other counsel is given regarding the tent, or Church?
Isaiah’s Counsel What We Can Do
Stretch the tent curtains and lengthen the cords. Serve as full-time missionaries; share the gospel with friends and neighbors.
Strengthen the tent stakes. Strengthen our local stakes.
What can we do to strengthen the stake in which we live? (Develop personal spiritual strength, influence our families and friends to do the same, serve our member and nonmember neighbors, and accept calls from priesthood leaders to serve in the Church.)
How can stakes bless people’s lives? (see D&C 115:5–6.)
What examples have you seen where stake of Zion is a place of defense and refuge?
Groups of people whom the Lord wants to come to him and find safety in the gospel:
A. All who thirst (Isaiah 55:1–3)
B. The wicked who will repent. (Isaiah 55:6–7)
C. Strangers who do not know the Lord. (Isaiah 56:3, 5–8)
A) ALL WHO THIRST
Isaiah 55:1-2
2 Nephi 9:50-51
What kind of thirst is referred to in these verses? (Spiritual thirst)
Who does the water represent? (Jesus is the living water and the bread of life)
What is this call to all who thirst? (Come unto Christ, Receive Salvation)
How much does it cost?
2 Nephi 2:4 - Salvation is free
What is Salvation?
D&C 6:13 - Salvation if greatest gift
What happens when we try to satisfy spiritual thirst by spending money and effort on temporal things?
What kind of effort is needed in this life to obtain salvation?
* The invitation to come unto Christ and obtain those gifts without money and without price suggests not that they can be obtained without effort but that one does not need the goods of this world to obtain them.
What is the price we pay for salvation?
Elder Marion G. Romney explained what price is required: “When earth life is over and things appear in their true perspective, we shall more clearly see and realize what the Lord and his prophets have repeatedly told us, that the fruits of the gospel are the only objectives worthy of life’s full efforts. Their possessor obtains true wealth—wealth in the Lord’s view of values. I conceive the blessings of the gospel to be of such inestimable worth. The price, is within the reach of us all, because it is not to be paid in money nor in any of this world’s goods but in righteous living. What is required is wholehearted devotion to the gospel and unreserved allegiance to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A half-hearted performance is not enough. We cannot obtain these blessings and be like the rich young man who protested that he had kept the commandments from his youth up but who went away sorrowful when, in answer to the question, ‘What lack I yet?’ Jesus said unto him,‘If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor … and come and follow me.’ (Matt. 19:21.) Evidently he could live everything but the welfare program. There can be no such reservation. We must be willing to sacrifice everything. Through self-discipline and devotion we must demonstrate to the Lord that we are willing to serve him under all circumstances. When we have done this, we shall receive an assurance that we shall have eternal life in the world to come.”
SECOND COMING
Isaiah prayed fervently for the Second Coming of the Savior, which would bring retribution for the wicked and great rejoicing for the righteous
Isaiah 64:1–4
How does this message increase your desire to endure to the end in serving the Lord?
MILLENNIUM
The closing chapters of Isaiah’s record present a beautiful picture of the Millennium
Isaiah 65:17–25
What conditions will exist during the Millennium?
A. The Lord will create new heavens and a new earth (v.17).
B. There will be great joy and no more weeping for the Lord’s people (v.18–19).
C. People will not die young; they will live to be 100 years old (v.20).
D. People will enjoy the fruits of their own labors (v.21–23).
E. Prayers will be answered immediately (v.24).
F. There will be no enmity among beasts (v.25).
It is my prayer that we will be dedicated to help strengthen the stakes of Zion and prepare for the Second Coming and the Millennium.
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