Growth Through Sacrifice - D&C 105:16-19

Behold, I have commanded ... [b]ut the strength of mine house have not hearkened unto my words. But inasmuch as there are those who have hearkened unto my words, I have prepared a blessing and an endowment for them, if they continue faithful. I have heard their prayers, and will accept their offering; and it is expedient in me that they should be brought thus far for a trial of their faith.

The subject scripture is concerning Zion's Camp which was a small army that banded together in 1834 to protect and redress the wrongs of their fellow saints who were being persecuted and attacked in Jackson County, Missouri. Through the Prophet Joseph the Lord asked for a camp of 500 (D&C 103:30), but less than 200 showed up. There were many who certainly could have went up, but presumably had excuses which they assumed excluded them from the call of the Lord.

We can't judge these men, because we are for the most part, guilty of the same excuses. The Lord outlined some of them (D&C 105:2-5,8):

... were it not for the transgressions of my people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they might have been redeemed even now. But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them; And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom; And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself. ... [T]here are many who will say: Where is their God? Behold, he will deliver them in time of trouble, otherwise we will not go up unto Zion, and will keep our moneys.

This event and our other failures to keep celestial laws has caused speculation as to our willingness to really keep God's laws and to be ready to build Zion and ready the earth for the return of the Lord.

George Q. Cannon:

I do fear that we will defer the redemption of Zion indefinitely through our unwillingness to do the things that God requires at our hands.

In the case of those who did go up to Zion's camp, the topic quotation says: I have heard their prayers, and will accept their offering; and it is expedient in me that they should be brought thus far for a trial of their faith.

The end result of the assembly and march of Zion's camp is interesting. The Missourians assembled an army on horseback with every intention of attacking Zion's Camp, but never succeeded due to fierce storms which swelled the river, putting their lives in danger and precluding them from advancing on the Camp. The Camp was also struck with Cholera, and it was revealed that the cause was infighting among them.

The whole enterprise truly was more a trial of faith than a rescue mission. And those who were faithful through the ordeal were blessed with greater faith - many went on to hold offices in the church and do great things in Zion.

I believe that it is helpful for us to view our service in whatever capacity as an offering to the Lord. When our hearts are in the right place, sacrifice tends to strengthen us and help us grow. And most importantly, we draw closer to God in the process.