r In cataloging all the “building Zion” quotes from early LDS leaders, 33 of them, spanning the same number of years, show that the goal of establishing Zion was a primary focus for them. Here are a few of those quotes:
1862:r● “I have Zion in my view constantly.” – Brigham Youngr● “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
1867:r● “We have many duties to perform, and a great work is before us. We have Zion to build up, and upon this we are all agreed….” – Brigham Youngr● “… I trust … that men and women will consider these things and realize that we have one great interest, which is to build up Zion …. – George A. Smith
1873:r● “My brethren and sisters, we are commanded not to give the whole of our attention to the accumulation of earthly things …. We are required to build up Zion on the earth ….” – Wilford Woodruff
1874:r● “I want to help to roll forth the Kingdom of God and to build up the Zion of the Most High, and I want to see my brethren engaged in the same work, and we will do it. In the name of Israel’s God we will do it.” – John Taylor
1877:r● “Then let us search after truth … that we may comprehend the Gospel, be able to sustain the hands of the servants of God in their efforts to build up Zion, and work out our own salvation.” – Joseph F. Smith
1882:r● “… we are operating to build up the Zion of God, where righteousness can be taught … and where liberty can be proclaimed to all men of every color, of every creed and of every nation.” – President John Taylorr● “It is upon President Taylor night and day, I know. Every thought and desire of his heart is for the salvation of this people, and to establish and build up the Zion of our God.” – George Q. Cannon
1887:r● “We mourn President Taylor’s absence …. We need such men in the Church to establish righteousness and preach the Gospel and build up Zion on the earth.” – Franklin D. Richards
We could go on, but these quotes should be sufficient to persuade the reader that LDS leaders during the Territorial Utah era were laser-focused on building Zion as a primary objective. As members of the LDS Church, are we willing to change our focus to match theirs, or do we remain focused on “the accumulation of earthly things”?
Learn more at BuildingZion.org.
