We have a great deal to do to destroy wickedness and establish righteousness upon the earth, and to prepare ourselves for the establishment of Zion, that she may become the head upon the earth. …Do we feel that we should be diligent and economical,…and take that course that will make us the most independent people […]
Economic Independence
My guess is that you have never heard the idea that “building Zion” included achieving local economic independence “from Babylon”. Yet these quotes make it clear that that goal was central to the Zion-building efforts of Utah’s pre-statehood church leaders.
462. Economic Independence – L. Tom Perry quote, 2001
The Prophet had a design to build a community of Saints [ie. Zion]. He had three major objectives: first, economic; second, educational; and third, spiritual. The Prophet Joseph Smith’s desire was that the Saints should become economically self-sufficient…. A treasured remnant of our heritage of economic self-sufficiency is the Church Welfare Services program. It has […]