spektator, I find it interesting that you mentioned 3 Nephi 21. Just today I completed a blog post entitled, “3 Nephi 21 expounded” in which I expounded verse by verse that entire chapter. (I’ll publish it over the next couple of days.) Your comment of the 11th of January must have floated around the ether during this time and then lodged in my head today, impelling me to write. Then it must have inspired me to come back into the LDS Alive in Christ blog to see your comment today, completing the circle. (Or maybe it is just that the Spirit has been turning both our minds to that chapter during this time for some…strange…reason…)

I also feel that the Lord is with the church leaders in our day and that there are many members who are on time to build the New Jerusalem. The events that will transpire before that day comes will sanctify those who survive.

“…for if Zion will not purify herself, so as to be approved in all things, in His sight, He will seek another people, for His work will go on until Israel is gathered, and they who will no hear His voice, must expect to feel His voice. (TPJS, p. 18)

No people, including those of the restoration, have a ‘lock’ on being chosen. It will only come to those who have been purified and sanctified. As a people, I don’t see the significant majority fitting that definition.

Given that the definition of Zion is the ‘pure in heart,’ I would be careful how it is used. I don’t think that it is appropriate to refer the church and its members, in general, as Zion. That seems to be jumping the gun since the Lord told Joseph that it was not to be redeemed until certain conditions were met.

As to who will build New Jerusalem. I suggest you read chapter 21 of 3rd Nephi. The Gentiles of the restoration, if they repent will assist “the remnant of Jacob as as many of the house of Israel as shall come, that they may build a city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem.”

I believe the Gentiles, who represent the restored church, will only be able to assist the remnant of Jacob and the house of Israel to build New Jerusalem. I assume assist means that they will be under that direction of the remnant of Jacob. The same body that was scattered by the unbeleving of the Gentiles.

Orson Pratt stated that before the Saints return to Jackson County, God will visit that area “in judgment, and there will be no owners left to occupy the country”. Prophecy Key to the Future, P. 45.

Regarding SLC as Zion—the brethren have used this term for many years to refer to SLC, the home of the saints. I agree with your point that we didn’t establish the Zion the Lord sought to give to us, but He did point out that Zion, as He intends for it to be, will be established some day by church members. Notice the use of the word “transgressions”, same word used to describe the fall—instead of sin in the following scripture.

Therefore, in consequence of the transgressions of my people, it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season for the redemption of Zion— D&C 105:9

Until the full blown Zion is redeemed, I don’t see any harm in using the word Zion to describe the modern day church wherever there are covenant making saints, SLC, or wherever.

Yes, the wheat and tares, the 10 virgins are all present. The process you referred to appears to be underway where there will be a separation. I’m leaving that up to God. My part is to repent of all my sins and receive and maintain the gift of the Holy Ghost. He will show me all things I need to do.

I also look forward to the day when the apostles and prophets will lead the saints back to Jackson County and build the New Jerusalem. However, it will be both great and terrible day.

“Out of the ashes of Babylon will emerge the city of Zion.”

“The heart of today’s Zion is Salt Lake City.”

My understanding of the prophecies is that the above statements are incorrect.

1st, Zion (the New Jerusalem) will (and must) be established before Babylon falls, not after it falls.

2nd, Salt Lake City is not Zion. The people are not purified: they have not seen God. They are not sanctified: they have not come into His presence. They do not live His laws: the law of Zion (D&C 42) remains unfulfilled and no one consecrates. We do not live in cities of Zion, nor is the city of Zion (the New Jerusalem) redeemed. The high council at Zion has been disbanded for years, thus the church is in a scattered, not a gathered state. We are scattered among the gentiles and our lives are Babylon-lite. That is the reality.

However, on a more positive note, the parable of the wheat and the tares will have an end. Although our place in that parable has been during the time that the tares and the wheat grow together and mature, the time is finally now upon us, I believe, when the reapers will start to bind up the tares and gather the wheat into barns, and a remnant of saints (the wheat) will establish Zion, while the rest of the saints (the tares) will be bound up in bundles. Only after that will Babylon be destroyed. (In the meantime, though, Babylon will be shaken from time to time to get the elect out.)

So, although all seems gloomy now with the current economic picture, it is actually quite a hopeful time (as long as you are wheat, that is!)