Zion

In Mormonism the term Mount Zion, often shortened simply to Zion, represents the perfect, just society ruled by Jesus Christ where all the inhabitants live in harmony, equally sharing all things. Zion, also spelled Sion in the New Testament, refers both to the actual place where a Zionic society exists, the people, and the society in general. The Apostle Paul used the imagery of Zion to describe the righteous society existing amongst members of the early Church (Heb. 12:22-24).

There is, in fact, a real Mount Zion. In the Old Testament it was hill in southeastern Jerusalem (see 1 Kings 8:1). The city of David, or Jerusalem, was called Zion (see 2 Samual 5:6-7). More specifically, the fortress that was on Mount Zion was called Zion, but as David built up his kingdom the people began to call all of the area Zion. After David’s death, Zion was used to refer to the hill that was the site of Solomon’s Temple. In 1 Kings 8:1, the prophet Enoch refers to Zion as a city. This same city was often called the temple on Mount Zion.

In modern day revelation Zion is a city that will be built near Jackson County, Missouri (see D&C 45:66-67). This Zion in Missouri, also referred to as the New Jerusalem, will be where the twelve tribes of Israel gather before Christ’s second coming. The tenth Article of Faith, which outlines some of the basic beliefs of Mormonism, states,

• We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

During Christ’s millennial reign he will rule from Zion, also known as the Promised Land (see Isaiah 2:2-3).

Zion also refers to being pure in heart (see D&C 97: 21) or refers to a place where the pure in heart live. As such it can refer to an actually physical location like Jerusalem or Jackson County, or it can refer to anyplace where the pure in heart gather together and live righteously. Joseph Smith declared that ultimately all of North and South American would become Zion (see Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg 362). At one time in the history of the Mormon Church the Lord counseled his people to gather together in Zion, which is why so many people crossed the plains to Utah so that they could be together in one place and try to build a just society. However, now Mormons are counseled to build up Zion wherever they are living in the world. This is often referred to as the cause of Zion: to make a place where the people are of one heart and one mind.