I was encouraged to keep reading “The Triumph of Zion” by a friend after being turned off by an idea that the author, John Pontius, repeats several times in the first chapter. GLAD I KEPT READING! He has some great quotes by authoritative sources like this one by Elder McConkie:
“…the redemption of Zion… will only be when the people have prepared themselves to do it…. I prophesy to you, in the name of the Lord, that when the Latter-Day Saints have prepared themselves through righteousness to redeem Zion, they will accomplish that work, and God will go with them.”
Notice Elder McConkie used the words, “prepared themselves” – he didn’t say, “when the people are sufficiently prepared by the Church”. He said “when the people have prepared themselves”. Preparation for redeeming Zion is dependent on us.