The elements are here to produce as good a Zion as was ever made in all the eternities of the Gods. Here are the elements to produce grain which is good for the food of man, as also the fruit of the vine, and that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the […]
Monthly Archives: August 2015
42. It’s Temporal Too!, George A. Smith, 1861
In this case the Mission to which you, brethren, are called is to build a city [ie. St. George]; it calls for wives, children, for machinery, for mechanics, for everything that is calculated to add to the comfort and happiness of the citizens of a city. We are not going to be a great while […]
41. What Building Zion Requires of Us, Heber C. Kimball, 1860
Every man that has received the Priesthood, whether an Apostle, Prophet, High Priest, Elder, Bishop, Priest, or Teacher—all should live as one man—be of one heart and one mind. – Heber C. Kimball, 7/1/1860
How Books About Zion Discourage us From Building It
In a Facebook group discussing Zion, a participant posted this comment which illustrates the problem pointed out in the title of this blog post: “I am all for increased spirituality. I keep thinking of John Pontius’ book regarding Zion. I feel I still have so much to learn and so far to go. I too […]
40. Early Utahns Were Building Zion, Wilford Woodruff, 1856
There must be a change in the way of the gathering, in order to save them from the calamities and the scourges that are coming upon the wicked nations of the earth. It would require more gold than all the Saints possess upon the earth, to gather the Saints unto Zion from all nations in […]
39. Early Utahns Were Building Zion, Brigham Young, 1856
I desire [Congress] to let us alone…. Let them attend to their own business, and we will build up Zion while they go to hell. – Brigham Young, 8/31/1856
38. Building Zion is God’s Will, Brigham Young, 1863
Our hearts have been made to feel the divine influence that comes from heaven to prepare us to build up the Zion of our God upon the earth in the latter days. – Brigham Young, 5/31/1863
37. Central to The Gospel, Brigham Young, 1857
It now remains with us to [1] bear off this kingdom, [2] build up Zion, and [3] establish the law thereof, until Christ shall reign King of nations as he now reigns King of Saints. – Brigham Young, 6/7/1857
36. Central to The Gospel, Wilford Woodruff, 1857
We are the only people to whom this holy Gospel, Priesthood, and covenants have been committed in our day; and we shall be held responsible for the use we make of them. Then we should be diligent and faithful in offering this great salvation unto the children of men, and in building up Zion and […]
History Shows We Can Prepare for Zion Now by Building Cooperatives

My guess is that it will take us a whole generation, or two, functioning on the cooperative enterprise level before our children, or grandchildren, would be ready for the United Order level. Better get started, eh? If you’ve had any doubts to this point that “building Zion” is an economic activity, this should clinch it. […]
35. No Need to Wait, Brigham Young, 1862
We are not going to wait for angels, or for Enoch and his company to come and build up Zion, but we are going to build it. We will raise our wheat, build our houses, fence our farms, plant our vineyards and orchards, and produce everything that will make our bodies comfortable and happy, and […]
Thoughts on Zion 32 – LDS Church Launches Cooperative System!

In 1868, while manufacturing and retailing cooperatives were thriving in Brigham City, the LDS Church leadership wanted to expand that model throughout the Utah Territory to protect, strengthen, and unite the Saints economically, and prepare them to eventually live in United Orders. General Conference that October focused on preparing the Saints to support a church-wide […]
Jesse 'Thoughts on Zion' newspaper column 9 Cooperatives, manufacturing, ZCMI