Zion, The New Jerusalem

Members of the church are also instructed to “build up Zion” wherever they are in the world. Obviously, this is referring to the building up of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the world. It is clear to those who are familiar with the church that one of the fundamental beliefs is that the true Priesthood authority was given to the early church leaders from Heavenly messengers. So, it should not be taken offensively to anyone outside the Church to hear the LDS members referred to as “the pure in heart,” for there are truly pure in heart people throughout the world that love the Lord with all their hearts. The members of the church are counseled to become “a Zion People.” In fact, one of the principle goals of Brigham Young University – Idaho is to help facilitate a Zion like environment. 

In the LDS Bible Dictionary under “Zion” it describes this Zion as being a place in many instances.

“Other usages of Zion have to do with a geographical location. For example, Enoch built a city that was called Zion (Moses 7: 18-19). Solomon built his temple on Mount Zion (1 Kgs. 8: 1; cf. 2 Sam. 5: 6-7); and Jackson County. Missouri, is called Zion in many of the revelations in the D&C, such as D&C 58: 49-50;D&C 62: 4; D&C 63: 48; D&C 72: 13; D&C 84: 76; D&C 104: 47. The city of New Jerusalem, to be built in Jackson County, Missouri, is to be called Zion (D&C 45: 66-67). The revelations also speak of “the cause of Zion” (D&C 6: 6; D&C 11: 6). In a wider sense all of North and South America are Zion”

The other definition of Zion, as mentioned, is a location. It is clear that in the past, the Lord has referred to Zion in this definition of the word. The Guide to the Scriptures found on LDS.org gives a brief explanation of why Jackson County, Missouri is referred to as “Zion.”

“In the latter-days a city named Zion will be built near Jackson County, Missouri (United States of America), to which the tribes of Israel will gather (D&C 103: 11-22; 133: 18).”

One misconception is that Jackson County Missouri is also the same place as Adam-Ondi-Ahmen. The map below shows the location of each of these:

Map from LDS.org: http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=00bba41f6cc20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=637e1b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

Again in D&C 116 it says: “Spring Hill is named by the Lord^aAdam-ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where^bAdam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet.”

What impresses me most about all this information is that it is clearly stated for the world to see. I think that by doing this, the Lord is showing clearly to all that He will fulfill all his words. As it states in the tenth Article of Faith, "We believe in the literal ^agathering of Israel and in the restoration of the ^bTenTribes; that ^cZion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will ^dreign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be ^erenewed and receive its^fparadisiacal ^gglory."

The Lord has spoken it clearly, and I know that He will fulfill all those words that have been spoken by His prophets, even in these latter days.