Zion
Zion, in Mormonism, 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).
As a Place Name in Israel
In the Old Testament, Mount Zion was a 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 term Zion is used to refer to Jerusalem. This same city was often called the temple on Mount Zion.
As an Ideal City
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 paradisaical glory.
During Christ’s millennial reign he will rule from Zion, also known as the Promised Land (see Isaiah 2:2-3).
The City of Enoch was an ancient antediluvian city which was known as Zion. In Moses 7:69 we read, "and Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days, that he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even ZION." The abundant information that is available in the scriptures regarding this ancient city makes it the great archetype of the Zion society. It has inspired both modern and ancient prophets and informs much of our understanding of what the New Jerusalem is to be. The city of Enoch was taken up by the Lord before the flood and it is expected that it will return to meet the New Jerusalem.
Another ancient Zion society was the city of Salem, ruled by the great patriarch Melchizedek. Unlike the city of Enoch, which was established by Enoch and his righteous followers, the city of Salem appears to have been an unrighteous city (Alma 13:17-18) which was brought to repent under the influence of Melchizedek's preaching.
One of the most salient characteristics of a zion city is unity. The people must work together and put aside petty differences.
The Pure in Heart
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, Mormons are now 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.
