My Summary of Approaching Zion by Hugh Nibley

Hugh Nibley sums up the ultimate utopia in his book, Approaching Zion, as explained by ancient Israel, ancient American Book of Mormon prophets and early prophets of the Latter-Day dispensation. If one has read any of the writings of Karl Marx he may find that the two works seem to be similar. They both tout equality with no rich and no poor among them. The difference, however, is significant and immensely opposite. Marx’s utopia is obtained by force in an immoral world called communism. Zion, the other utopia, is achieved by individual choice in a pure and moral world. Shedding light on Zion, the prophet Brigham Young elucidates that it will never be achieved until “this inequality shall cease on the earth.” How is equality attained? Nibley describes the process in a series of lectures that comprise Approaching Zion. The people must prepare to receive Zion by obedience to and by becoming pure unto God. The mental attitude should be the belief that everything comes from God; that we do not earn anything from God and that because all comes from Him, everyone has a right to what he needs to sustain him, even that of the stranger who harvests a needed apple off another’s tree to maintain his life as he walks on his merry way.

Nibley writes of the zealous, but uneducated individuals who strive in vain to prepare for Zion. “Zeal,” he writes, “makes us loyal and unflinching, but God wants more than that.” He wants us to obtain knowledge and learn to do our own thinking in addition to having zeal. With many essential truths having been removed from its classrooms, the modern education of today is an education without spirituality and does not educate the whole man. Being humble and teachable is the key to receive the required knowledge that creates the whole man who is prepared to receive Zion. Writes Nibley, “True knowledge never shuts the door on more knowledge, but zeal often does.” He cautions us to become liberally educated equal to our zeal.

There is no middle ground when it comes to preparing for Zion. The masses want to have both the blessings from heaven and the excitement of the world. Zion can only be built on true religion, which is obedience to every principle and doctrine. It is a separation of worldly dogma. Nibley reiterates the truth in Matthew 6:19-20, “You cannot lay up treasures both on earth and in heaven—you cannot divide your heart between them; for to one master or the other you must give your whole and undivided devotion.” Devotion to God reduces corruption. Educating our families away from the middle ground to the saving principles of Zion is paramount to begin the preparation for the Lord to bring Zion to earth. Nibley exclaims that we must preach it, live it, study it and discuss Zion in our families so that they will know how to bring it to the earth!