Just a Thought
Where is Zion?
(D&C 27-28)
In Section 28, we have Hiram Page claiming to know where Zion was supposed to be built up. Why did it matter? Why does it still matter? Because Oliver, Hyrum, Joseph Knight Sr., David Whitmer, Joseph Smith Jr., and Emma had all been given revelations telling them to “build up” Zion and promising them an inheritance in Zion for their faithfulness.
What is Zion? Where is Zion? What were they supposed to do with that information? Would it surprise you to learn that the #1 source of everything Zion-related in the scriptures is the Book of Isaiah? Of all the 153 direct references to Zion in the Old Testament, 50 of them come from Isaiah—and doesn't include the Zion imagery that Isaiah uses in his prophecies without mentioning the name directly. Interestingly, another 37 references come from the Psalms, which should be understood at Temple liturgy. There are 0 references to Zion in the New Testament. The Book of Mormon has 41 references, and they are all quoting Isaiah. The D&C has 199 references to Zion, and the vast majority of them reference Isaiah in one way or another.
Isaiah is our source material for Zion, and Zion is to be built up and redeemed in our day before the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The D&C makes it perfectly clear how important establishing Zion is. Recent talks in General Conference have explicitly indicated that this is to be done in our lifetime, not just "our day", but in "our lifetime".
How do we come to understand what Zion is? We have to understand the Book of Isaiah. If Isaiah is the source material for Zion, and we don't understand Isaiah, then we don't understand Zion. President Eyring gave a talk during the women's session in October 2020 titled Sisters in Zion. He addresses the notion of building Zion several times. Pay attention to how many times he addresses "you" personally. His talk was not for an ambiguous or intangible group of women "sometime in the future". His remarks are for you (and extended to all covenant keepers), right now.
"As the beloved daughters of Heavenly Father and as the daughters of the Lord Jesus Christ in his kingdom, you will play a crucial part in the grand times ahead.”
“We know that the Savior will come to a people who have been gathered and prepared to live as the people did in the City of Enoch.
“You sisters, your daughters, your granddaughters, and the women you have nurtured will be at the heart of creating that society of people who will join in glorious association with the Savior. You will be an essential force in the gathering of Israel and in the creation of a Zion people who will dwell in peace in the New Jerusalem.”
“Our current prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, has given this description of the part you play in preparation for the Savior's coming: ‘… the women of this dispensation are distinct from the women of any other because this dispensation is distinct from any other. This distinction brings both privileges and responsibilities.’"
“This dispensation is distinct in that the Lord will lead us to become prepared to be like the City of Enoch. He has described through his apostles and prophets what that transformation to a Zion people will entail.”
“If the past is prologue, at the time of the Savior's coming, the daughters who are deeply committed to their covenants with God will be more than half of those who are prepared to welcome him when he comes.”
“But whatever the numbers, your contribution in creating unity among the people prepared for that Zion will be far greater than half.”
“It is not by accident that the relief society, the first church organization specifically for Heavenly Father's daughters, has as its motto, "charity never faileth." Charity is the pure love of Christ. And it is faith in Him and the full effects of his infinite Atonement that will qualify you, and those you love and serve, for the supernal gift to live in that sociality of a long-looked for and promised Zion.”
“There you will be sisters in Zion, loved in person by the Lord and those you have blessed.I testify that you are citizens of the Lord's kingdom on the earth. You are daughters of a loving Heavenly Father, who sent you into the world with unique gifts that you promised to use to bless others.”
“I promise you that the Lord will lead you by the hand, through the Holy Ghost. He will go before your face as you help him prepare his people to become his promised Zion. I so testify in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."
Men and brothers of the covenant, perhaps we should pay particular attention to how our mothers, wives, and sisters, indeed all women who keep covenant, seek to establish Zion. Perhaps the Priesthood could learn how to be gentler, kinder, and more tender in our spiritual associations? The pure love of Christ involves service with sacrifice. That’s how the scriptures illustrate that Zion will be redeemed in the Last Days.