Zion Mormonism: Encyclopedia - Zion Mormonism

Zion (Mormonism)

In Mormonism, Zion is a term with numerous meanings, including the following:

• In one sense, Zion retains its Biblical meaning of Jerusalem. See Zion.
• In another sense, Zion refers to the New Jerusalem, a physical, Millennial city expected to be established in Jackson County, Missouri.
• In another sense, Zion is any city in which the people are unified and are "pure at heart".
• The term also refers to the central location to which Latter Day Saints have physically gathered.
• In yet another sense, Zion is a metaphor for a unified society of Latter Day Saints, metaphorically gathered as members of the Church of Christ.

In the spiritual, metaphorical sense, Zion is regarded by Latter Day Saints and Mormons as a perfect social state of being of "pure in heart" believers, where all people have all things in common, and there is no suffering nor impoverished among them. It stands in opposing contrast to proverbial Babylon, where there is much suffering, poverty and wickedness.

Geographical uses of the name "Zion" are associated with references in the Book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price, where Enoch the son of Jared founds a city for the righteous descendants of Adam. This city became so righteous and pure that it was translated (taken) from the presence of the earth and brought into the presence of God, leaving behind on earth only Methuselah and his family (including Noah) to repopulate the earth with righteous people. LDS believe that, at the Second Coming, Zion the city of Enoch will return to the presence of the earth.

In a literal sense, Zion (the New Jerusalem) is a city that Latter-day Saints believe will be built in Jackson County, Missouri, and a common reference to both North and South America as the "Promised Land".

On July 20, 1831, Joseph Smith, Jr. claimed to receive a revelation that designated Missouri as the "land which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints." (LDS D&C 57:1). The revelation further stated, "Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the center place; and the spot for the temple is lying westward…" (LDS D&C 57:3). Smith later envisioned the Missouri temple as being the starting point for the creation of a New Jerusalem: "Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation." (LDS D&C 84:4). The Mormons were forced to leave the state of Missouri, however, before this temple could be constructed. [1]

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, people have been counseled (by their scriptures and their leaders) to build up the cause of Zion. So spiritually, Zion can be wherever there are those seeking to build up the cause of Zion. This has been generalized to mean that Zion is wherever there is a concentration of LDS people actively participating in their religion. So, in a physical sense, the term "Zion" has come to mean the Salt Lake Valley and surrounding regions. The term has been so frequently used that it, too, is often considered a "literal" usage. It is even used mockingly in the term "Zion Curtain" (similar to Iron Curtain), indicating a vastly different culture between "Zion" (in this sense) and the culture of surrounding regions.

See also:

• Plat of Zion

Category: Latter Day Saint doctrines, beliefs, and practices

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Zion Mormonism", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki