Central to The Gospel

As I scoured the Journal of Discourses for every quote mentioning “build Zion” or “establish Zion”, I was surprised to discover a huge amount of them showed that building Zion was a central element of the Gospel, right up there with “preach the gospel” and “redeem the dead”. I do not make the mistake of faulting our current church leaders for not pursuing Zion as vigorously as Brigham Young and John Taylor did. Having read the economic history of the early Saints, I realized that the Saints were literally conquered by the US Government, and, consequently, their efforts to build a Zion society were put to an end. We are left to languish in Babylon. The Good News is that Babylon will fall. And since it will, shouldn’t we be getting ready to build Zion when it does? I believe the Church is making preparations, although quietly. We should too.

September 24, 2026

68. Central to The Gospel, Brigham Young, 1860

We are to build up and establish Zion, gather the house of Israel, and redeem the nations of the earth. This people have this work to do, whether we live to see it or not. – Brigham Young, 6/3/1860

Jesse Central to The Gospel Brigham Young

September 24, 2026

98. Central to The Gospel, John Taylor, 1862

“The poet says—’Do what is right, let the consequence follow.’ This is the duty of the Latter-day Saints in their attempts and endeavors to build up Zion.” – John Taylor, 4/13/1862

Jesse Central to The Gospel John Taylor

September 24, 2026

45. Central to The Gospel, Brigham Young, 1857

A great many have said to you and me, “Just leave out Joe Smith, the Book of Mormon, and modern revelations, and you will become popular.”… We are not going to leave out Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, nor the gathering, nor the building up of Zion. – Brigham Young, 7/5/1857

Jesse Central to The Gospel Brigham Young

September 24, 2026

53. Central to The Gospel, Daniel H. Wells, 1860

This Gospel is meat to my soul; it affords me continual pleasure; I contemplate it with delight. If I had the tongue of an angel, or of the most eloquent upon the earth it would be my delight to speak of the goodness of God and of the work he is performing; for it appears […]

Jesse Central to The Gospel Daniel H. Wells

September 24, 2026

89. Central to The Gospel, Brigham Young, 1860

“If the Twelve Apostles and the Presidents of Seventies and the High Priests will take the responsibility of bearing off this kingdom and sending the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth, of gathering the poor, building up Zion, and doing all that is necessary preparatory to the coming of the Son of Man, […]

Jesse Central to The Gospel Brigham Young

September 24, 2026

27. Central to The Gospel, Brigham Young, 1856

May the Lord God of heaven and earth bless you, and may He preserve us and all good men and women upon the earth, and give us power to [1] blow the Gospel trump to earth’s remotest bounds, and [2] gather up the honest in heart, [3] build up Zion, [4] redeem Israel, [5] rebuild […]

Jesse Central to The Gospel Brigham Young

September 18, 2026

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

Jesse Central to The Gospel Brigham Young

September 17, 2026

44. Central to The Gospel, Brigham Young, 1857

There is no time allotted to us to use outside of the limits of duty. But in doing our duty, in serving our God, in living our religion, in using every possible means to send forth the Gospel of salvation to the inhabitants of the earth, to gather Israel, and establish Zion, and build up […]

Jesse Central to The Gospel Brigham Young

September 13, 2026

1. Central to The Gospel: Brigham Young on 7/29/1852

“If I lay down the Book of Mormon, I shall have to deny that Joseph is a Prophet; and if I lay down the doctrine and cease to preach the gathering of Israel and the building up of Zion, I must lay down the Bible; and consequently, I might as well go home as undertake […]

Jesse Central to The Gospel Brigham Young

September 12, 2026

18. Central to The Gospel, Jedediah M. Grant, 1854

They will then find out that the “Mormons,” notwithstanding their curious bumps, for they have got some curious bumps, are authorized to preach the Gospel of God, gather Israel, build up Zion, bind Lucifer with a chain, and establish the reign of peace on earth. – Jedediah M. Grant, 2/19/1854

Jesse Central to The Gospel Jedediah M. Grant

September 11, 2026

2. Central to The Gospel: Brigham Young on 7/29/1852

“Don’t mention Joseph Smith — never mention the Book of Mormon or Zion, and all the people will follow you. ” – Brigham Young, 7/29/1852

Jesse Central to The Gospel Brigham Young