Education Week presenter S. Michael Wilcox said one of the major principles to remember in the building of Zion is neighborly love.

"Let every man esteem his brother as himself," he said. While members of the church may differ in opinion on some of the undefined areas, having charity will solve contentions, Wilcox said.

He uses the Apostle Paul's experience from the Book of Romans in the Bible to teach the solution to modern day conflicts. In his diligent efforts to create Zion, Paul struggled to bring Jew and Gentile together in differing opinions on the law -one example Wilcox used was eating meat. As Wilcox quoted verses from Romans, he explained that despisers and judgers exist on both sides of issues. In this example Jews are judging the Gentiles for eating meat they consider unclean and the Gentiles despise the Jews for being such fanatics on rules that don't matter. Judging and despising will only hinder the building up of Zion, Wilcox said. Some issues disputed in modern times include drinking Coke, wearing shorts after receiving temple endowments, traveling on Sunday and chewing gum on Fast Sunday. "I hate to call these gray areas," he said, "because for some people these issues are white or black. The point is not whether they're white or black, the point is they tend to pull people apart."

Quoting Romans 14:14, he said "I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean." Specific things may be fine to some people and terrible to others, and if doing one of those things goes against feelings of conscience, then it is not right, Wilcox said.

Paul speaks to the judgers and despisers in turn, asking the judgers to stop judging and asking despisers to think more of their brother than themselves.

"Make your decisions based on charity," Wilcox said. "Don't make them based on rights." Some issues may not matter, but if it becomes a stumbling block to someone else then it becomes a problem, he said.

Reading from Romans again he explained it is more important in a kingdom of righteousness to compromise certain actions if it is offensive. "If you know drinking Coke offends someone just get a 7up," he said, "For the sake of peace and unity can't you give that up?"

To further the building of Zion God gave everyone a gift to enlighten others. Like a precious jewel, Wilcox said, "hold it up and let the light catch it," streaming rays to all around. "Let it edify others." He said we all have different gifts to contribute and the value of each and every person should be recognized.

Copyright Brigham Young University 19 Aug 2008