Zion the Pure in Heart

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Take out a piece of paper and a pen or pencil.  Write down five important things you would like to accomplish in this life. Now take a look at your list.  Are they earthly, worldly goals or are they more gospel oriented in nature such as: building and strengthening family, personal progress, or self reliance.

Joseph Smith teaches us that “We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object. … The time is soon coming, when no man will have any peace but in Zion and her stakes” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 160–61)

Take a look again at your list, how many of the items could help build up Zion?  How might you modify your list to respond to the admonition of the Prophet Joseph Smith?

The goal of building up Zion is important, so much so that the Doctrine and Covenants is full of 

revelations that contain many instructions on how to do so.  We must first however understand what Zion is so that we can accomplish this great commandment, that we might have peace.  

 Elder Alexander B. Morrison:  "The dream of a better world is as old as mankind. From time immemorial, men and women of faith and hope have dreamed of a Holy City, whose king is the Lord God Omnipotent; a place of refuge for the righteous fleeing the storms of a wicked world; an abode where peace is in every heart, where there is no fear nor want and all people are brothers and sisters, where faith and purity shine in every face. That place, in Judeo-Christian parlance, is called Zion." (Visions of Zion, p1)

What is Zion?  

The word Zion has various meanings in the scriptures and is explained well in the Doctrine and Covenants.

D&C 97:21:  Zion is the Pure in Heart
Therefore, verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion—the pure in heart; therefore, let Zion rejoice, while all the wicked shall mourn.

 Brigham Young:  "If we go to the Scriptures we shall find that the Zion of God is composed of the pure in heart. Brethren and sisters, have you Zion within you? If Jesus Christ is not in you, the apostle says, 'then are ye reprobates.' [2 Cor. 13:5.] Be careful that no man takes advantage of you, leads you astray, and causes you to leave the Church and Kingdom of God, apostatize, and go down to hell. If you have Jesus and the Kingdom of God within you, then the Zion of God is here." (Journal of Discourses, 12:60) 

 Elder Orson F. Whitney:  "Yet it is none the less significant: for as the mountain towers above the plain, as the great peaks of these ranges lift their heads above the valleys where we dwell, so must the Zion of God, the pure in heart, be lifted up, not in pride and vanity, but by their purity and righteousness above the level of the rest of mankind. Therefore, Zion, in its temporal and in its spiritual significance, means something high and lifted up, and it is in this sense that the prophets of old used it when speaking of Mount Zion, meaning not only that little hill in the city of Jerusalem, but in its grander and broader significance, the people of God, the pure in heart, who were to rise above and become superior to the rest of mankind." (Collected Discourses, vol 1)

 D&C 82:14:  Zion is the Church and its Stakes 
For Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments.

The Lord makes reference to the "stakes" as being the "curtains or the strength of Zion" (see D&C 101:21). The stakes "are established as protected enclaves of spiritual strength and righteousness around the globe, symbolically holding the curtains around God's presence in the Church and among his people, in preparation for the establishment of the New Jerusalem (D&C 115:6; Isa. 4:6) and the rebuilding of the 'old' Jerusalem in the Holy Land." (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, p1412)

Elder James E. Talmage:  "But gathered Israel cannot be confined to the 'center place,' nor to the region immediately adjacent; other places have been and will be appointed, and these are called Stakes of Zion. Many stakes have been established in the regions inhabited by the Latter-day Saints, to be permanent possessions; and thence will go those who are appointed from among the worthy to receive possessions of their inheritances." (Articles of Faith, p319)

 Moses 7:19:  Zion is the City of Enoch
And Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days, that he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion.

When we mention the word Zion, we often think of the city of Zion, the New Jerusalem, that will be established with its center in Jackson County, Missouri. Anciently, the Lord called the people of Enoch Zion. Why? Because they lived in perfect unity. Because they were truly righteous. Because they cared for all, rich and poor. In our time, the Lord has defined Zion as "the pure in heart."

 "Enoch built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion. The preaching of the Prophet Enoch was met with so much success that the number of God's people waxed even greater than the place of their habitation could contain. He therefore built a city and dedicated it to the purposes of God. He called it the CITY OF HOLINESS, EVEN ZION after the people of God." (Commentary on the Pearl of Great Price, p223)

Wilford Woodruff:  "He [Enoch] stood at the head of the dispensation in which he lived. He, in the course of time, some 350 years, built and perfected the city called Zion. He, however, met with all kinds of opposition from the people among whom he labored; but the power of God was manifested to such an extent that his enemies stood and trembled through fear; and through that power he was enabled to perform the mighty work which he and his people did; it was not because the devil and his party were any more kindly disposed towards the Saints of God, but because they could not help themselves; and in the wisdom of God, Enoch and his people and their city were taken away from the earth." (Journal of Discourses  24:53.)

Elder James E. Talmage:  "The Church in this day teaches that the New Jerusalem seen by John and by the prophet Ether, as descending from the heavens in glory, is the return of exalted Enoch and his righteous people; and that the people or Zion of Enoch, and the modern Zion, or the gathered saints on the western continent, will become one people." (Articles of Faith, p318)

 2 Samuel 5:6–7; 1 Kings 8:1:  Zion is the ancient city of Jerusalem

 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.  Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

 "The name "Zionism" comes from the word "Zion," which was the name of a stronghold in Jerusalem. Over time, the term 'Zion' came to be applied to Jerusalem in general, and later to the Jewish idea of utopia." (web site: Judaism 101)

 1 Kings 8:1   Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion.

 D&C 45:66–67; 57:1–2; Articles of Faith 1:10:  Zion is The New Jerusalem, which will be built in Missouri.

 Elder Bruce R. McConkie:  "The New Jerusalem to be built in Jackson County, Missouri, is also called the City of Zion or Zion. Dozens of revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants speak about this Zion. Isaiah and other of the ancient prophets have much to say both about it and about the Jerusalem of old which shall be restored in grandeur and beauty in the last days. These two great cities, dual world capitals, are needed to fulfil the great millennial promise: 'Out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.' (Isa. 23)." (Mormon Doctrine, p855)

 D&C 45:66–67;  And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God; And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion.

• Joseph Fielding Smith:  "Shortly after the organization of the Church the Lord revealed that the time would come when the New Jerusalem, or Zion, would be built on this continent. Naturally the members of the Church were anxious to know where this city would be built. After the Lord had led missionaries west into Missouri the revelation came and the place for the city was made known. Naturally the saints were anxious to find inheritances in this holy place. They were instructed this could be done only by complying with the laws of the celestial kingdom, for this was the edict on which Zion should be built.... It was also made known that in this city there should be a glorious temple, but only on principles of righteousness could the city be built with its temple. The spot for the temple was chosen in Independence and at some future day it will be built, when the Lord has prepared the way, and Zion is redeemed.

    "While the members of the Church were gathering in Jackson County, the Prophet prepared a plat for the city for he wished it to be built on correct principles from the very start. Of course this city has not been built because the saints were prevented by their enemies who robbed them and drove them from their homes. The drawing of the plat, however, has been preserved. In June 1833, according to the description, it contains measurements representing one mile square. All the squares in the plot were to be ten acres square. The lots were laid off alternately in the squares, one running from south to north to the line through the center of the square; the next, the lots running from east to west to the center of the line.... The Prophet estimated that this plan would permit space for twenty thousand people.... As the city grew other squares could be laid off as needed, 'and so fill up the world in these last days, and let every man live in the city for this is the city of Zion.'....
    "There are to be twelve temples in the City. The idea is quite general that there is to be but one grand temple, but there are to be temples for various purposes....
    "The purpose for which these twelve temples were to be built, the nature of the work of them, is not explained, except as it may be surmised from the descriptions. The great work, however, in the central, commanding temple was without question to be for all the ordinances for the living and the dead such as we have in our temples today. The plan of this temple was similar in some respects to the one built in Kirtland and in Nauvoo. However, when that temple is erected and the glory of the Lord rests upon it, it will be the House of the Lord for the salvation of the souls of men. In it the endowment and sealing ordinances will be performed for living and dead. The baptismal font may be placed in one of the other temples, although it is needless for us to speculate in relation to this. There will be temples for ordinances and duties to be performed, not only by the brethren holding the Melchizedek Priesthood, but there will be temples for the labors of the brethren in the Aaronic Priesthood, and each will have its definite purpose." (CHMR, 2:173-175)

 D&C 57:1–2  

Hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, who have assembled yourselves together, according to my commandments, in this land, which is the land of Missouri, which is the land which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints. Wherefore, this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion.
  
Joseph Smith:  "The whole of America is Zion itself from north to south, and is described by the Prophets, who declare that it is the Zion where the mountain of the Lord should be, and that it should be in the center of the land." (TPJS, p362)

Articles of Faith 1:10 
We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

 Brigham Young:  "And what is Zion? In one sense Zion is the pure in heart. But is there a land that ever will be called Zion? Yes, brethren. What land is it? It is the land that the Lord gave to Jacob, who bequeathed it to his son Joseph, and his posterity, and they inhabit it, and that land is North and South America. That is Zion as to land, as to territory, and location. The children of Zion have not yet much in their possession, but their territory is North and South America to begin with." (Journal of Discourses, 2:253)

 Hebrews 12:22–23:  Zion is the dwelling place of those who are exalted

 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Brother Hugh Nibley:  "Zion is a code word denoting a very real thing. Zion is any community in which the celestial order prevails. Zion is 'the pure in heart' (D&C 97:21), but Zion is also a real city or any number of real cities. It is a constant; it is unchanging. There are Zions among all the worlds, and there are Zions that come and go. Zion is a constant in time and place—it belongs to the order of the eternities. We're not making Zion here, but we're preparing the ground to receive it. As the Lord says, 'My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom' (D&C 136:31)." (Approaching Zion, p4)

 In the scriptures, Zion can mean the Lord’s people (the pure in heart), a specific place, or both.  But when we speak of building Zion in our day, we are referring to purifying our hearts so that the places we live can be called Zion.

 Elder Alexander B. Morrison:  "In its complete sense, then, Zion remains for us the golden, flawless ideal, the dream of what we may become if we are worthy, the goal toward which we must labor, the paradise which though now lost may yet be regained. The dream of establishing Zion thus is a dream of perfection that deals with the conquest of the heart rather than with constructing buildings or paving streets with gold. It calls us to subdue and purify our passions, to overcome the carnality of the natural man; and to become 'as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon [us], even as a child doth submit to his father'." (Visions of Zion, p16-17)

Zion has existed in previous dispensations

There have been a few times in previous dispensations when Zion has existed among God’s people. The city of Enoch is one example of a people who established Zion. Moses 7:12–19, 68–69

What characterized the Zion of Enoch’s time?

 And it came to pass that Enoch continued to call upon all the people, save it were the people of Canaan, to repent;

13 And so great was the faith of Enoch that he led the people of God, and their enemies came to battle against them; and he spake the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his command; and the rivers of water were turned out of their course; and the roar of the lions was heard out of the wilderness; and all nations feared greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which God had given him.

14 There also came up a land out of the depth of the sea, and so great was the fear of the enemies of the people of God, that they fled and stood afar off and went upon the land which came up out of the depth of the sea.

15 And the giants of the land, also, stood afar off; and there went forth a curse upon all people that fought against God;

16 And from that time forth there were wars and bloodshed among them; but the Lord came and dwelt with his people, and they dwelt in righteousness.

17 The fear of the Lord was upon all nations, so great was the glory of the Lord, which was upon his people. And the Lord blessed the land, and they were blessed upon the mountains, and upon the high places, and did flourish.

18 And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.

19 And Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days, that he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion.

 Why was their city called Zion? Moses 7:18

 And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.

 What does it mean to be “of one heart and one mind”?

 What will happen to the city of Enoch in the Millennium?   It will return to the earth and become part of the New Jerusalem.  Moses 7:61–63

 And the day shall come that the earth shall rest, but before that day the heavens shall be darkened, and a veil of darkness shall cover the earth; and the heavens shall shake, and also the earth; and great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but my people will I preserve;

62 And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem.

63 And the Lord said unto Enoch: Then shalt thou and all thy city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom, and they shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other;

Why is the account of Enoch and his people important to us today?  In addition to helping us understand the destiny of the city of Enoch, the account can help us understand what we must do to establish Zion.

 The Saints of our dispensation have been commanded to establish Zion

Joseph Smith Preparing for Zion (CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO)

 One of the most frequently mentioned subjects in the Doctrine and Covenants is the establishing of Zion in the latter days. There are more than 200 references to Zion in these revelations. Some of these refer to a physical location, some to a condition of the heart, and some to building the Lord’s Church. Even before the Church was formally organized, the Lord directed a number of brethren to “seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion” (D&C 6:6; 11:6; 12:6; 14:6).

For the early Saints, establishing Zion not only meant becoming pure in heart and living in unity. It also meant building the city of Zion, or New Jerusalem. In July 1831, the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith that the city of Zion should be built in Missouri, with Independence as the center place (D&C 57:1–3). After this revelation, many Saints gathered to Missouri. They prospered for a time, but contentions and divisions soon arose among them. There were also tensions with other settlers in the area. In November 1833, mobs drove the Saints from their homes. A few months later, in July 1834, the Lord revealed that the Saints would have to “wait a little season for the redemption of Zion” (D&C 105:9).

 Why were the early Saints unable to build the city of Zion?

D&C 101:6–8 Behold, I say unto you, there were jarrings, and contentions, and envyings, and strifes, and lustful and covetous desires among them; therefore by these things they polluted their inheritances. They were slow to hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; therefore, the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, to answer them in the day of their trouble.

 The Lord had promised to redeem Zion and restore His people to their lands in Jackson County, Missouri. However, this promise was conditioned on the Saints’ obedience (D&C 103:5–8, 11–14). Just as ancient Israel was not able to enter the promised land for 40 years because of their disobedience, the Lord revealed that modern Israel would have to “wait for a little season” for the redemption of Zion because of the disobedience and dissension of some Saints (D&C 105:9, 13).

 What can we learn from their experience that can help us build Zion today?   To build Zion—whether in a city, in our stakes, or in our homes—we must develop the qualities of a Zion people: pure hearts, unity, and unselfishness.

 The Saints must learn obedience (D&C 105:3, 6; see also verse D&C 105:37).

 They must care for the poor and needy (D&C 105:3).

They must be “united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom” (D&C 105:4; see also verse D&C 105:5).

They must be taught more perfectly, gain more experience, and know their duties more perfectly (D&C 105:10).

They must be endowed with power from on high (D&C 105:11–12; see also verse D&C 105:33).

 Although the building of the city of Zion was postponed, latter-day prophets have exhorted us to continue our efforts to establish Zion in our hearts, stakes, and homes. President Harold B. Lee said:

“The borders of Zion, where the righteous and pure in heart may dwell, must now begin to be enlarged. The stakes of Zion must be strengthened. All this so that Zion may arise and shine by becoming increasingly diligent in carrying out the plan of salvation throughout the world” (Conference Report, Apr. 1973, 5; or Ensign, July 1973, 3).

 In  D&C 82:14–15 the Lord commands  For Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments. Therefore, I give unto you this commandment, that ye bind yourselves by this covenant, and it shall be done according to the laws of the Lord.

 What are some specific things we should do to build Zion?  

D&C 97:21  Strive to be pure in heart: The Lord gave the simplest definition of Zion when He called it “the pure in heart”  

 Therefore, verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion—the pure in heart; therefore, let Zion rejoice, while all the wicked shall mourn.

  Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet:  "When we live in such a way that our desires are appropriate and are but reflected by our righteous actions, then we are said to be pure in heart. To be pure in heart is to be single, focused, riveted, aligned with the ways and will of the Almighty. It is to have no desires but desires for righteousness. When a Latter-day Saint is pure in heart, he seeks to build up and establish the cause of Zion; Zion is the pure in heart." (Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 4:67)

What can we do to help us become pure in heart?  

Moroni 7:47–48  But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

Moroni 10:32  Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

 D&C 38:27   Become unified:  Behold, this I have given unto you as a parable, and it is even as I am. I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.

 The people in the city of Enoch were described as “being of one heart and one mind”  Moses 7:18

 Lack of unity was one of the reasons the early Saints were not able to build the city of Zion (D&C 101:6; 105:4

 How can we be more unified in our ward?  

Elder Orson F. Whitney:  "How was this miracle of Enoch's city accomplished? Not by an empty and vain profession of righteousness; not by men seeking themselves, and their own honor and glory; not by heaping up gold and silver and precious stones; not by making a golden calf and bowing down and worshiping it; not by the rich grinding under heel the poor; not by the proud despising the humble; not by the poor hating and envying the rich. It was not done by loving the things of this world. But it was by the practice of the grand principle of self-denial, the principle of sacrifice—the foundation stone of the great fabric of human salvation.

  "'The Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind.' Do I need to expatiate to this congregation upon the benefits which flow from unity? Need I repeat that ancient axiom: 'United we stand, divided we fall?' Need I show to you that power dwells in union, in coming together, just as you Latter-day Saints have come together in this dispensation, this dispensation of gathering, of unity, and consequently of power? No, I do not need to argue with you upon this point, to prove to you that power invariably dwells in the midst of a people who are united, who are of one heart and mind. This was the state of the people of Enoch; and this is one of the reasons why they were worthy of the name Zion—'because they were of one heart and one mind.' They all believed alike; they were not torn asunder by various opinions, by conflicting views and notions, by divers interpretations of the things of God; but they had ascended in the scale of intelligence, of spirituality, to that glorious plane where they saw eye to eye, each man with his neighbor, and all saw God alike, so far as they were capable of comprehending Him and His purposes. 'And they dwelt in righteousness.' Need I argue to convince you that a righteous people are a powerful people, and that it is by the righteousness of His Saints that the Lord will redeem Zion? Do we not know that sin and iniquity bring weakness and destruction? Do we not know that the tendency of error and wrong-doing are ever downward, while the tendency of truth and righteousness are ever upward; and that they who attach themselves to the principles of the Gospel of Christ by the faithful practice thereof, will go onward, upward, just as the city of Enoch rose above its surroundings of this fallen world? 'And there was no poor among them.' Here was another grand principle. There were no rich in Zion. There were no poor in Zion. Zion, in that day, was not under the ban which God has placed upon this generation. He says: 'It is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.' Thus, one of the reasons that the Lord gives today why the world lieth in sin, is because one man possesses above another. There is not that equality, consequently not that unity, not that fraternity, not that love, that freedom from envy, jealousy, strife and jarring, that must prevail when the Zion of God is fully established." (Collected Discourses, vol 1)

D&C 64:34–35; 105:3, 5–6   Be obedient:  In D&C 105, the Lord cited disobedience as one of the reasons the city of Zion was not to be established at that time.  

D&C 64:34–35  Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.  And the rebellious shall be cut off out of the land of Zion, and shall be sent away, and shall not inherit the land.

 D&C 105:3, 5–6  But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them; And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.

And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it must needs be, by the things which they suffer.

How has your ward or stake been strengthened by members’ obedience to gospel principles?

 D&C 105:3  Care for the poor and afflicted:  The Saints who were trying to establish Zion in Missouri were chastised by the Lord for failing to care for “the poor and afflicted among them” 

 But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;

Why is caring for the needy a necessary part of building Zion? 

 D&C 97:10–16  Build temples and receive the blessings of the temple

 Verily I say unto you, that it is my will that a house should be built unto me in the land of Zion, like unto the pattern which I have given you.  Yea, let it be built speedily, by the tithing of my people.

 Behold, this is the tithing and the sacrifice which I, the Lord, require at their hands, that there may be a house built unto me for the salvation of Zion—For a place of thanksgiving for all saints, and for a place of instruction for all those who are called to the work of the ministry in all their several callings and offices; That they may be perfected in the understanding of their ministry, in theory, in principle, and in doctrine, in all things pertaining to the kingdom of God on the earth, the keys of which kingdom have been conferred upon you.  And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it; Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God.

Why are temples important in building Zion?  

D&C 97:13–16   For a place of thanksgiving for all saints, and for a place of instruction for all those who are called to the work of the ministry in all their several callings and offices;  That they may be perfected in the understanding of their ministry, in theory, in principle, and in doctrine, in all things pertaining to the kingdom of God on the earth, the keys of which kingdom have been conferred upon you.  And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it;  Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God.

 D&C 105:9–12  Therefore, in consequence of the transgressions of my people, it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season for the redemption of Zion—That they themselves may be prepared, and that my people may be taught more perfectly, and have experience, and know more perfectly concerning their duty, and the things which I require at their hands.  And this cannot be brought to pass until mine elders are endowed with power from on high.  For behold, I have prepared a great endowment and blessing to be poured out upon them, inasmuch as they are faithful and continue in humility before me.

 D&C 105:10  Teach one another and learn our duties more perfectly

 That they themselves may be prepared, and that my people may be taught more perfectly, and have experience, and know more perfectly concerning their duty, and the things which I require at their hands.

 D&C 133:8–9  Preach the gospel to the world

 The Lord directed the elders of the Church to call people out from Babylon (the world) to Zion.

 Send forth the elders of my church unto the nations which are afar off; unto the islands of the sea; send forth unto foreign lands; call upon all nations, first upon the Gentiles, and then upon the Jews.

And behold, and lo, this shall be their cry, and the voice of the Lord unto all people: Go ye forth unto the land of Zion, that the borders of my people may be enlarged, and that her stakes may be strengthened, and that Zion may go forth unto the regions round about.

  

The scriptures include glorious promises about the future of Zion

  In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord speaks of many blessings that will come to Zion in the last days.

D&C 97:18   Zion will spread and become glorious and great 

 And, now, behold, if Zion do these things she shall prosper, and spread herself and become very glorious, very great, and very terrible.

 D&C 97:19  Zion will be honored by the nations of the earth 

 And the nations of the earth shall honor her, and shall say: Surely Zion is the city of our God, and surely Zion cannot fall, neither be moved out of her place, for God is there, and the hand of the Lord is there;

D&C 97:20  The Lord will be Zion’s salvation 

 And he hath sworn by the power of his might to be her salvation and her high tower.

D&C 97:21  Zion will rejoice

 Therefore, verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion—the pure in heart; therefore, let Zion rejoice, while all the wicked shall mourn.

 D&C 97:22–25  Zion will escape the Lord’s vengeance

 For behold, and lo, vengeance cometh speedily upon the ungodly as the whirlwind; and who shall escape it?  The Lord’s scourge shall pass over by night and by day, and the report thereof shall vex all people; yea, it shall not be stayed until the Lord come; For the indignation of the Lord is kindled against their abominations and all their wicked works.  Nevertheless, Zion shall escape if she observe to do all things whatsoever I have commanded her.

What must we do to enjoy these blessings?  Nevertheless, Zion shall escape if she observe to do all things whatsoever I have commanded her.

 How do you feel as you consider the future of Zion?

 The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “The building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age; it is a theme upon which prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight; they have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day; … we are the favored people that God has [chosen] to bring about the Latter-day glory” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 231)

 “I see a wonderful future in a very uncertain world. If we will cling to our values, if we will build on our inheritance, if we will walk in obedience before the Lord, if we will simply live the gospel, we will be blessed in a magnificent and wonderful way. We will be looked upon as a peculiar people who have found the key to a peculiar happiness.

“‘And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord … : for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem’ (Isaiah 2:3).

“Great has been our past, wonderful is our present, glorious can be our future” ( Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 94; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 69)

 Conclusion

 We must establish Zion within our hearts, our families, and our stakes. Each of us has a place in Church history. Some members are born into families who for generations have embraced the gospel and nurtured their children in the ways of the Lord. Others are hearing the gospel for the first time and entering the waters of baptism, thereby making sacred covenants to do their part in building the kingdom of God. Many members live in areas where they are just beginning their era of Church history and are creating a heritage of faith for their children. Whatever our circumstances, we are each a vital part of the cause of building Zion and preparing for the second coming of the Savior. We are “no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).

Whether we are new members or old, we inherit a legacy of faith and sacrifice from those who have gone before us. We are also modern-day pioneers to our children and to those millions of our Heavenly Father’s children who have yet to hear and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. We make our contributions in different ways throughout the world by faithfully carrying out the work of the Lord.

Fathers and mothers prayerfully train their children in principles of righteousness. Home and visiting teachers care for those in need. Families bid good-bye to missionaries who have chosen to devote years of their lives to carrying the gospel message to others. Selfless priesthood and auxiliary leaders answer calls to serve. Through countless hours of quiet service given in searching out the names of ancestors and performing sacred ordinances in the temple, blessings are extended to the living and the dead.

We are each helping to fulfill the destiny of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith. In 1842 he prophesied:

“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”

Although the Church remained very small during the Prophet Joseph Smith’s lifetime, he knew that it was the kingdom of God on earth with a destiny to fill the whole earth with the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have seen the dramatic growth of the Church in recent years. We are privileged to live at a time when we can offer our faith and sacrifices in helping to establish the kingdom of God, a kingdom that will stand forever.

Resources:  

Our Heritage, pages 37–38, 145–46.

Conference Reports 

Ensign

Teachings of Prophet Joseph Smith

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Volume 4, by Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet.
Encyclopedia of Mormonism edited by Daniel H. Ludlow.
History of the Church (HC).
Journal of Discourses (JD).
Mormon Doctrine by Bruce R. McConkie.
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith selected and arranged by Joseph Fielding Smith.
Visions of Zion by Alexander B. Morrison

Approaching Zion by Hugh Nibley.
Articles of Faith by James E. Talmage.
Church History and Modern Revelation by Joseph Fielding Smith.
Collected Discourses edited by Brian H. Stuy.
Commentary on the Pearl of Great Price by George Reynolds and Janne M. Sjodahl.