Zion

• Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 9:283

"There is not one thing wanting in all the works of God's hands to make a Zion upon the earth when the people conclude to make it. We can make a Zion of God on earth at our pleasure upon the same principle that we can raise a field of wheat..."
"When we conclude to make a Zion we will make it, and this work commences in the heart of each person."

• 1 Nephi 13:37

"blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion [in the last days]"

• 1 Nephi 22:14,19

"all that fight against Zion shall be destroyed"

• 2 Nephi 8:3,11

"the Lord shall comfort Zion... he will make her wilderness like Eden"
"the redeemed of the Lord shall return... unto Zion"

• 2 Nephi 12:3

"many people shall go... up to the mountain of the Lord"
"out of Zion shall go forth the law"

• 2 Nephi 14

Description of Zion and conditions after the destruction.

• 2 Nephi 24:32

"the poor of his people shall trust in [Zion]"

• 2 Nephi 26:29-31

"if [the laborer in Zion] labor for money they shall perish"

• Isaiah 1:27

"Zion shall be redeemed with judgement"
Causes me to consider Melchizedek, who brought about an apparent Zion state in the role of a civil authority.

• Brigham Young, "Building Up Zion, Etc", Journal of Discourses, 13:151-153,155

Comments on building up Zion.
Unity required.
People hindered by false traditions and vain desires.
People don't know what they want.

The U.S. Constitution is the "law of Zion."
"Essentials of the United order" already in place.

• History of the Church 3:388-389

Also available in "Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith", Ch. 8, pp. 105-106

"[Adam] wanted to bring [his posterity] into the presence of God. They looked for a city, etc., ['whose builder and maker is God' - Heb. 11:10]. Moses sought to bring the children of Israel into the presence of God, through the power of the Priesthood, but he could not."

• Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith, "Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith", p. 21-22

When Zion is properly regulated, there will be a Bishop to each square (block?) in a pattern set down by Joseph Smith.

There should be the greatest familiarity and freedom amongst the rulers (leaders) in Zion. (ie. Communication between leaders should be uninhibited and information should not be kept back from a Bishop.)

Bishop to know all things pertaining to Zion as he is called as a judge and must have a knowledge of the affairs of Zion to do so.

• Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith, "Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith", p. 77

"...the Lord has manifested by revelation of His Spirit, that ... all the officers in the land of Clay County, Missouri, belonging to the Church, are more or less in transgression, because they have not enjoyed the Spirit of God sufficiently to be able to comprehend their duties respecting themselves and the welfare of Zion; thereby having been left to act in a manner that is detrimental to the interest, and also a hindrance to the redemption of Zion. Now if they will be wise, they will humble themselves in a peculiar manner that God may open the eyes of their understanding. It will be clearly manifested what the design and purposes of the Almighty are with regard to them, and the children of Zion, that they should let the High Council, which is appointed of God and ordained for that purpose, make and regulate all the affairs of Zion, and that it is the will of God that her children should stand still and see the salvation of redemption."

• Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith, "Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith", pp. 78-79

Joseph Smith explains that the Lord revealed to him the location of the center spot for the gathering of Zion and how he undertook to dedicate the land and then convince others to gather.

• Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith, "Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith", p. 107

Joseph Smith beheld the redemption of Zion.

Cross-References

• City of Enoch
• Jerusalem
• Salem
• The Law of Consecration
• The New Jerusalem
• United Order
• Unity