But we are not called upon to build an ark to save ourselves; we are called to build up Zion. God has spoken from the heavens, and given us revelations, and it is for you and me to obey. The command has been given, it is recorded, and you can all read for yourselves. – […]
Monthly Archives: August 2016
143. Central to The Gospel, George Q. Cannon, 1865
While many are willing to admit that the servants of God understand everything connected with the work of God, and with the various departments of it on the earth, they think there are some kinds of knowledge which they possess in a superior degree to them who preside over us. They will admit that the […]
142. Economic Unity, Wilford Woodruff, 1870
We are the only people under heaven who are one, and we are not half as much one as we ought to be; we have to improve. We are the only people in the whole Christian world who make any pretensions to oneness in building up the Zion of God on the earth. We profess […]
141. Central to The Gospel, Brigham Young, 1863
The Lord gives us possessions, and he requires of us one-tenth of the increase which we make by the putting to good use the means He has placed in our hands. I am sorry to see a disposition manifested in some to go to distant parts to trade and build up themselves and make money, […]
140. It’s Temporal Too!, Wilford Woodruff, 1867
There is no division among us so far as the principles of our religion are concerned; it is in relation to some things the world call temporal that we are not one. How are you going to build up Zion? In the hearts of the people?…. We have to build up Zion, a temporal work […]
139. What Building Zion Requires of Us, Wilford Woodruff, 1867
I know the world oppose us because we are united; they say we are governed by one man. I would to God that all Israel would obey the voice of one man as the heavens obey the voice of God. Then we would have power to build up Zion and to obtain all things necessary […]
138. Building Zion Requires Real Labor, Brigham Young, 1863
We want all the Latter-day Saints to understand how to build up Zion…. [The Lord] will not come here to build a Temple, a Tabernacle, a Bowery, or to set out fruit trees, make aprons of fig leaves or coats of skins, or work in brass and iron, for we already know how to do […]
Zionites Experience Gifts of the Spirit in Abundance

In High Priests Group* today, our Group Leader brought up the issue of unity. He had us read D&C 38:27 where the Lord says, “Behold, this I have given unto you as a parable, and it is even as I am. I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are […]
137. Early Utahns Were Building Zion, John Taylor, 1867
We have come out from among the world, for the express purpose of serving God and keeping His commandments, building up Zion, and establishing His Kingdom upon the earth. – John Taylor, 7/21/1867
136. Zion Prophesied, Brigham Young, 1867
[W]e actually have that surer word of prophecy delivered to us through the Prophet Joseph, that in the last days the Lord would gather Israel, build up Zion, and establish His kingdom upon the earth. – Brigham Young, 6/23/1867
Thoughts on Zion: The Temporal Side of Building Zion

Reviewing quotes by LDS Church leaders during the Utah Territorial years, one finds that “Zion” meant much more to them than just a spiritual ideal, it had a strong temporal element. For example, in 1861 Apostle Daniel H. Wells stated, “To build up Zion is a temporal labor; it does not consist simply in teaching: […]