The Physicality of Zion: Introduction

Light version:
In my studies of Zion, I came across a very interesting fact.  I stumbled upon it in passing and it shocked me to a great degree.  Did you know that Zion must be established before the second coming of the Lord?  In fact, the Lord will not come until it is founded.  Here’s the reference:

Doctrine and Covenants 49: 24-25

24  But before the great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness, and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose.

25  Zion shall flourish upon the hills and rejoice upon the mountains, and shall be assembled together unto the place which I have appointed.

I know I’ve run across this reference before, and yet it didn’t have the same impact as it had on me recently.  Think about it.  The Lord cannot return until Zion is built.  That’s a prophesy, just as real as any other in the scriptures.  It brings new light to the mission of every prophet that has come after Christ’s resurrection.  Everything that they have done, everything that they have worked towards has been in fulfillment of that goal.

So, I set myself to pondering and dreaming some more over the last month.  The question: “What does Zion look like, physically?”


Full version:
In my studies of Zion, I came across a very interesting fact.  I stumbled upon it in passing and it shocked me to a great degree.  Did you know that Zion must be established before the second coming of the Lord?  In fact, the Lord will not come until it is founded.  Here’s the reference:

Doctrine and Covenants 49: 24-25

24  But before the great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness, and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose.
25  Zion shall flourish upon the hills and rejoice upon the mountains, and shall be assembled together unto the place which I have appointed.

I know I’ve run across this reference before, and yet it didn’t have the same impact as it had on me recently.  Think about it.  The Lord cannot return until Zion is built.  That’s a prophesy, just as real as any other in the scriptures.  It brings new light to the mission of every prophet that has come after Christ’s resurrection.  Everything that they have done, everything that they have worked towards has been in fulfillment of that goal.

The latter day prophets, especially Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, have made this a singular focus in their lives.  Joseph’s Nauvoo, Far West, and Kirtland were all predecessors…physical attempts at laying the practice of Zion, preparing the saints for the day that they would create God’s City in Jackson County Missouri.  Likewise, Brigham Young did the same when he used Joseph’s plans for Zion to layout the City of Salt Lake.  And those plans were used to build many other communities by the saints over the years, fulfilling the first part of the prophesy in Doctrine and Covenants section 49:25:

“Zion shall flourish upon the hills and rejoice upon the mountains…”

Yet, it is the latter part of the prophesy that has settled so heavily on my heart.  “…and [Zion] shall be assembled together unto the place which I have appointed.”  The language used is interesting when you break it down.  Take the words “assembled together” – it brings to mind an idea that Zion will come together like a three dimensional puzzle, piece by piece.  While pondering it, the image of an engine – car or otherwise, came to my mind.  Zion is the force from which the Gospel of Christ flows, and it must be assembled carefully with each part taking its place in order and perfection, for the Kingdom of God to flourish.

The second set of words that jumped out at me were: “unto the place” – this implies that these pieces will be gathered together from different places.  This brings me to believe that these “pieces” are in reality people.  People who have perfected or excel at certain tasks – leadership, organization, missionary work, teachers, doctors, and the list goes on and on.  Yet, the one common factor that will bind all the disparate parts together is the desire to see Zion built physically. Lastly, is the phrase “which I have appointed” – meaning that Heavenly Father has reserved a physical location for this all to take place.  My lovely wife pointed out that Zion is as much a state of mind as it is a physical place; which I feel the first half of the scripture focuses on specifically.  Zion will be built in many places all over the world – in the “hills” and “mountains” and “wilderness.”  However, there is a place reserved for the City of Zion, the New Jerusalem:

Doctrine and Covenants 57:2-3

2  Wherefore, this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion.
3  And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is wisdom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the center place; and a spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the courthouse.

This is the focus of my studies.  We amy build Zion in our homes, and within our hearts; and this is the first step to seeing God’s City becoming a reality.  Everything that is built in reality, is first built within the hearts and dreams of men.  Building Zion from the spirit of a dream and breathing life into it requires a solid commitment.  It also requires us to be educated in what Zion needs to become. 

So, I set myself to pondering and dreaming some more over the last month.  The question: “What does Zion look like, physically?”  This inevitably led to other questions:

•    How does it differ from other communities?
•    What is the governing body look like and how is it organized?
•    What of its economy?
•    Would there be industry and a modern infrastructure like we enjoy today?
•    What about technology and technological advancements?
•    How would education work?
•    What will our children learn?
•    What about higher studies?
•    Would education be geared towards careers, as they are in today’s world?
•    And what about the community of Zion?
•    What will our houses look like?
•    Will we have policemen to keep the peace?
•    What about social interaction and entertainment, will there be holidays or movies?
•    What about dating?
•    Will there be medical insurance and other institutions like it that impact the community?

So many questions…and more besides.  Over the next few months, I’m probably going to explore a number of these questions.  They may or may not be organized in any particular order, but I feel that it is a good mental exercise.  As I said before: In order to make Zion a reality, we must first visualize and understand it before we can apply it.

I will be looking to the scriptures, and the documented words of the prophets as my study guides.  And encourage those who read this to do the same.  Help me out by checking my facts.  Toss out your own discoveries, and ask your own questions.  Let’s see if we can paint a picture of God’s Zion, and then begin to assemble it piece by piece by recognizing our place in this massive multi-dimensional puzzle.

Until next week,

Jeffrey