The Lord revealed the “center place” for the gathering of the saints in the last days, and the place of Zion, the New Jerusalem, in 1831 to Joseph Smith. The place was Independence, Missouri – a city at that time on the western boundary of the United States (west of that was all Indian territory).
At that time it was occupied by white settlers, with whom the idea that the land was consecrated for the Lord’s people did not sit well.
In this episode we talk about how the Lord made this land known to His prophet, how the saints attempted to settle there, why and how they were soon expelled, and how they attempted to redeem Zion in what was called Zion’s Camp.
Why weren’t the early saints successful in inhabiting Zion? What did they do wrong, if anything? Why did the Lord command His people to go to Zion if He knew they’d be kicked out? Why did He send them to redeem Zion if He knew they wouldn’t be successful? What good came out of Zion’s camp? Did the Lord appoint a new location? (No.) What did the Lord say about appointing a new location?
Get answers to these questions and more (and hear a great rendition of “Lord Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing”) on this episode.
Glad to have you back!