Zion ripples (An Ode to Doctrine & Covenants)
- alcarraway
- Jan 20
- 2 min read
Before we move on from 2025 #ComeFollowMe, and ode:
You could say my testimony first sprouted in, and from, and because, of church history.
I read Doctrine and Covenants before the Book of Mormon.
Lessons with missionaries were often in Palmyra.
The first time I ever spoke to my God in prayer was in the Sacred Grove.
Before I ever step foot in our church, I step foot in Joseph’s home.
Again, and then, yet again.
My beginning was his beginning.
Restoration ringing ripples to my soul in intimate ways.
Jolting adrenaline of wonderment.
An unfamiliar, unrecognizable pull, like my soul inside pushing me forward another step, another step. Pushing, leading—quickly turning into sprinting on my own, finding fulfillment, passion, and purpose within it all.
Restoration of gospel, perhaps, but tangibly, restoration to self.
Is it any wonder that I lead Church History tours?
My soul smirks back because it knew all along.
From his start until his end, I have walked in Joseph’s footsteps again, and then, yet again.
Over and over. I have taught where he has taught. From humble homes, groves to rivers, to temples, and the long, long roads in between being just as rich.
Every stop, every step, feels like a coming home.
Feeling a sliver of what he has felt, a sliver substantial enough to jolt my soul to calming adrenaline. And to keep showing up again, and then, yet again.
How can this anchor feel so light?
Saint’s quest to find and establish Zion, I know they must have realized they had it all along. That’s what I have felt each time I’ve walked in their steps, in their places. Echoed sacred salutations of their stories, their sacrifices have surrounded me. Enveloped me. Changed and electrified me.
I’ve felt that from them. I am certain the veil is thinner on that restoration path.
As Come Follow Me moves on, I know full-well I won’t be able to “move on.” Never have. Because they are us.
Zion ripples.
I know Joseph’s steps end in Nauvoo. And the tours stop at Carthage.
And sometimes we think they finally got him, and that darkness had won, and it all ends there.
Perhaps the final ode is knowing darkness did not win.
Not a victim, but a victor.
Reality rings with renewal and revival.
Sacred salutations of saints past enveloping us with energetic release to rest, yet a purposeful resolve pulling us forward into another step, another step—
to keep showing up again, and then yet again.
Surrounded by saints present,
And we are Zion. This is Zion.
And Zion ripples.
Restoration, all right.
xoxAL
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