On 7/19/1863, Apostle Heber C. Kimball closed his talk that day this way: May the Lord multiply his blessings upon you, brethren and sisters, and upon all the faithful ministers and Saints throughout the world, and may He bless all those who do good, who love righteousness and desire the welfare and building up of […]
Monthly Archives: July 2014
The Early Utah Saints Were Literally Building Zion
As I have been reviewing quotes from talks given by LDS Church leaders in the 1850s & 1860s, I have run across two dozen statements that make is blatantly clear that the early Saints were in fact in the process of building a real live, brick and mortar Zion society. Here’s quote #24 found just […]
“We have to labor with our hands”
One hundred and fifty nine years ago today, at a conference held at “Provo City, Utah Territory”, President Brigham Young opened his remarks by saying: …if we are to build up the kingdom of God, or establish Zion upon the earth, we have to labor with our hands, plan with our minds, and devise ways […]
Oxymoron: “Zion’s Gold Mining”
I recall reading with shock Hugh Nibley’s criticism of Utahns’ use of the word “Zion” to give an air of legitimacy to Babylon-style businesses and organizations here in Utah. I remember at the time being surprised by his lambasting such companies as “Zion’s Bank”. Now, decades later, after having studied and pondered the scriptures and […]
Thoughts on Zion 20 – What it Takes to Build Zion
While reviewing talks given by LDS church leaders during the 1850s and 1860s, I found 26 statements that fell into the category of “What it Takes to Build Zion”. In pondering these, I realized that they fell into two subcategories: Spiritual and Temporal Requirements. In 1855, President Brigham Young, indicated that building Zion is as […]
Jesse 'Thoughts on Zion' newspaper column labor, temporal, unity