BE A TSYON!

The subject of Zion is very interesting to me and I think I have come up with a name for the virus that causes Zion hallucinations - Zionitis.  It is a pathogen that takes hold of people and causes them to believe that if they can go out into the middle of nowhere and construct a commune, nirvana like society then they will then be living the gospel.  It's more extreme side effects include bankruptcy, social isolation, murder, rape (no joke if you actually look at all the groups this is the usually what happens to them).  In every case, they end up as a pool of iniquity and filth with a kingman or men at the head who consume the flock.  Strangely in modern Mormonism it appears that many who contract this virus usually follow this symptomatic pattern.

So Here is my prescription:  

In all seriousness  the term Zion or in Hebrew Tsyon means marked or a landmark.  When a person is sealed or marked by God they become the living embodiment of God - a marked one. They carry his name; they walk in his commandments and represent his will and message. When a group of marked ones come together at a place where God places his name then the City of Tsyon (City of the sealed or marked ones) can be established.  The City or place is the ultimate Landmark.  To attempt to establish a place before receiving God's mark or seal is an effort in futility.  I think this is the reason so many fail.  So instead of focusing on where to go perhaps it is more important to focus on WHO to come unto that we may receive his mark or seal.

"And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." (Rev 7:2-3)