Conference Report, Lee, Oct. 1972, pp. 63-64: Moses 7:18; D&C 82:19; 38:24, 27; Mormon Doctrine, McConkie, p. 852
“Surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God” (4 Nephi 1:16).
“What a glorious time that must have been when everybody was happy, when everybody was at peace, when everyone loved his neighbor as himself, and above all he loved God, because we are informed here that the thing which brought about this condition of happiness was the fact that the love of God was in the hearts of the people. There never will be a time of peace, happiness, justice tempered by mercy, when all men will receive that which is their right and privilege to receive, until they get in their hearts the love of God.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3:319-320)
“However, when the Lord appeared, he established one unified society in which there was no sin, no crime, and no wars… . [4 Nephi 1:15-16]. What would one not give to live in a society like that? … But how are those races able to live as a celestial society for so long? We might also ask, ‘How will it be possible during the Millennium for the people to remain righteous for almost a thousand years?’ The answer seems to be the same in both cases, and I believe that it consists in this: Parents teaching their children the gospel, and doing so especially during that early period of their lives when they cannot be tempted.” (H. Verlan Andersen, Conference Report, Oct. 1991, pp. 110-111)
“When we are swallowed up in the will of Him who has called us; when we enjoy the peace and the smiles of our Father in Heaven, the things of His Spirit, and all the blessings we are capacitated to receive and improve upon, then are we in Zion, that is Zion.” (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 1:3)
“In one context, Zion is geographic, having a center, while enlarging its boundaries to eventually fill the earth… . Another context shows Zion as an organization wherein we work to strengthen its stakes through our callings… .The scriptures suggest that Zion has a third context, an intensely personal one. It is the perfecting process within us. Those willing to serve are invited to labor in the vineyard of the Lord, steadily transforming themselves to become the pure in heart.” (Dale E. Miller, Ensign, May 1998, pp. 29-30)
[As a guide to becoming a Zion Society] “First, we must eliminate the individual tendency to selfishness that snares the soul, shrinks the heart, and darkens the mind… . Second, we must cooperate completely and work in harmony one with the other. There must be unanimity in our decisions and unity in our actions… . Third, we must lay on the altar and sacrifice whatever is required by the Lord. We begin by offering a ‘broken heart and contrite spirit.’ We follow this by giving our best effort in our assigned fields of labor and callings. We learn our duty and execute it fully. Finally we consecrate our time, talents, and means as called upon by our file leaders and as prompted by the whisperings of the Spirit.” (Spencer W. Kimball, Conference Report, Apr. 1978, p. 123)