The Land of Zion--Its Dedication
1831
Character of Inhabitants
About the middle of July, 1831, the missionaries commenced to arrive
in western Missouri, and were met with tears of joy by their brethren
there. Here, on the borders of the United States, had gathered
renegades from the east; lawless and vile outcasts, who had been
forced to flee to the west for safety. "How natural it was," wrote the
Prophet, "to observe the degradation, leanness of intellect, ferocity,
and jealousy, of a people that were nearly a century behind the times."
First Sabbath in Zion
The first Sabbath (July 17, 1831), the elders spent in Jackson County,
William W. Phelps preached a public discourse. His congregation was
composed of "specimens of all the families of the earth." After this
meeting two persons, who had previously believed, were baptized.
Arrival of the Colesville Branch
A few days later the members of the Colesville branch, from Thompson,
Ohio, arrived in Missouri and were located on lands in Kaw township,
where a portion of Kansas City is now built.
Assignment of Labors
The duty devolved on the Prophet to assign the labors to the several
elders who were to remain in the Land. Some of them were called by
revelation to make their permanent settlement in Missouri, while others
were instructed to return to the eastern lands, after their mission in
the west was finished. William W. Phelps, who joined the Church at the
time the little band of missionaries were leaving Ohio for Missouri,
had previously been instructed by the Lord (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 55) to
engage with Oliver Cowdery, in the work of printing and selecting and
writing books for schools in the Church, that "little children also
may receive instruction" which would be pleasing to the Lord. Upon his
arrival in Jackson County, this commandment was repeated.
Algernon Sidney Gilbert was appointed to act as agent for the Church
in receiving moneys and buying lands on which the Saints might locate.
Edward Partridge was to act in his calling as bishop of the Church. His
great duty was to divide the inheritances of the members, severally,
according to their needs. In this manner duties were assigned to each
of those expected to remain as a nucleus for the building up of Zion
(Doc. and Cov. Sections 57-58).
Location of the City Revealed
As the Lord had promised, he now fulfilled. In answer to the questions:
"When will the wilderness blossom as the rose? When will Zion be built
up in her glory, and where will thy temple stand, unto which all
nations shall come in the last days?" the Lord gave the following:
"Hearken, O ye elders of my Church, saith the Lord your God, who
have assembled yourselves together, according to my commandments,
in this land, which is the land of Missouri, which is the land
which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the
Saints: wherefore this is the land of promise, and the place
for the city of Zion. And thus saith the Lord your God, if you
will receive wisdom, here is wisdom: behold, the place which is
now called Independence, is the center place, and the spot for
the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from
the court house. Wherefore it is wisdom that the land should be
purchased by the Saints; and also every tract lying westward even
unto the line running directly between Jew and Gentile. And also
every tract bordering by the prairies, inasmuch as my disciples are
enabled to buy lands. Behold, this is wisdom, that they may obtain
it for an everlasting inheritance" (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 57).
The Saints to Keep the Law
In another revelation (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 58) given at this time, the
members of the Church were commanded to keep the law the Lord had given
them, as well as to observe the laws of the land. "Let no man think he
is ruler," it read, "but let God rule him that judgeth, according to
the counsel of his own will; or, in other words, him that counseleth or
sitteth upon the judgment seat. Let no man break the laws of the land,
for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of
the land: wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns
whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet."
After Much Tribulation, the Blessings
That Zion was to be established and the city built at once, was
evidently the idea possessed by some of the Saints; moreover, that they
were at liberty to establish their own laws, independent of all else.
Hence the instructions as here given by the Lord regarding the keeping
of the law. The Lord had warned them previously and given instruction
in regard to their duties and requirements in that land. That the city
was not to be built at that time is indicated in his word: "Ye cannot
behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your
God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory
which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much tribulation
cometh the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned
with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand. Remember
this, which I tell you before, that you may lay it to heart, and
receive that which shall follow. Behold, verily I say unto you, for
this cause I have sent you that you might be obedient, and that your
hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to
come and also that you might be honored of laying the foundation, and
of bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand"
(Doc. and Cov. Sec. 58).
From this we see that the glory and greatness of the city Zion was
reserved for the future; although in the scriptural sense, the time
"is nigh at hand." These early settlers were to lay the foundation,
and prepare the way for the Saints, who were yet to come, after the
preaching of the Gospel "to the uttermost parts of the earth;" for the
elders were to "push the people together from the ends of the earth."
It was a great honor conferred upon the first laborers in the vineyard,
if they would be faithful to every command.
Dedication of the Land
The Colesville Saints were located in Kaw township. The Prophet
assisted them in laying the first log, "for a house, as a foundation of
Zion" in that place. The log was carried by twelve men representing the
twelve tribes of Israel. At the same time it was made manifest through
prayer that the land should be consecrated and dedicated by Sidney
Rigdon. "It was a season of joy," the Prophet said, "to those present,
and afforded a glimpse of the future, which time will yet unfold to the
satisfaction of the faithful." All this took place on the second day of
August, 1831.
Sidney Rigdon, according to his appointment, stood up and asked:
"Do you receive this land for the land of your inheritance, with
thankful hearts, from the Lord?"
"We do."
"Do you pledge yourselves to keep the law of God on this land, which
you never have kept in your own lands?"
"We do."
"Do you pledge yourselves to see that others of your brethren who shall
come hither do keep the laws of God?"
"We do."
After prayer, Elder Rigdon arose and said: "I now pronounce this
land consecrated and dedicated unto the Lord for a possession and
inheritance for the Saints, and for all the faithful servants of the
Lord, to the uttermost ages of time, in the name of Jesus Christ,
having authority from him. Amen" (_Documentary History of the Church_,
vol. 1:196).
Description of the Land
In addition to the appointment to dedicate the land, Sidney Rigdon was
also called by revelation to write a description of it, to be sent
"unto all the churches." One object of this description was to stir up
the Saints to donate for the purchase of the lands, by placing in the
hands of the bishop money for that purpose. Those who would do this
should be given an inheritance, for Zion was to be built by purchase;
otherwise they could not obtain it except by the shedding of blood,
which was forbidden. The first description written was rejected by the
Lord, and Sidney Rigdon was commanded to write another.
The Future Glory of Zion
Many of the ancient prophets spoke of Zion and her glory. Isaiah
declared that in the latter days "out of Zion shall go forth the law,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem," in that day when swords will
be made into plowshares, and spears into pruning-hooks."[1] Moreover,
again he prophesied, saying:
"For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish;
yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. The glory of Lebanon
shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box
together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make
the place of my feet glorious. The sons also of them that afflicted
thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised
thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they
shall call thee, The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy one
of Israel. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no
man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a
joy of many generations. . . . For brass I will bring gold, and
for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones
iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors
righteousness. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting
nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shall call thy walls
Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light
by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee;
but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God
thy glory. Thy son shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon
withdraw itself; for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light,
and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall
be all righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch
of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong
nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time."[2]
Dedication of the Temple Site
On the 3rd day of August, Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon,
Edward Partridge, William W. Phelps, Martin Harris and Joseph Coe, met
on a spot a little west of the Independence court house, and there they
dedicated the site for the great temple of the latter days. The 87th
Psalm was read, and the scene was most impressive; for here the house
of the Lord was to be reared in the holy city Zion, which had been
spoken of by ancient seers, from whence should go forth the law to the
ends of the earth.
First Conference in Zion
On the 4th day of August (1831) the first conference in that land was
held at the home of Joshua Lewis, in Kaw township. The members of
the Colesville branch formed the greater part of the congregation--a
total of thirty-one souls. The Spirit of the Lord was with them and
they rejoiced. Sidney Rigdon preached and exhorted the Saints "to
obedience to the requisition of heaven," that they might be planted in
their inheritances in Zion. Ziba Peterson, who had been silenced for
wrongdoing, humbled himself and made confession; by unanimous vote he
was reinstated. Joseph Smith addressed the conference and admonished
the people to be true to their covenants that they might receive the
blessings.
A Commandment and a Promised Blessing
On the 7th, Polly Knight wife of Joseph Knight, Sen., died; she had
been in failing health while on the westward journey. The same day
the Prophet received a revelation of commandment and blessing to the
Saints, in which they were admonished again to keep the commandments
of the Lord. Their course of action was pointed out for them with a
statement that all who had come up to the land to keep the commandments
should be blessed; if they lived they should inherit the earth; if they
died they should rest in the mansions of the Father. On the Lord's day
they were to rest from all labor and assemble in the house of prayer to
partake of the sacrament and confess their sins (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 59).
The Return to Kirtland
On the 9th day of August Joseph Smith and the elders who were to
return, started on their journey back to Kirtland. They traveled
down the Missouri River towards St. Louis. On the third day out they
encountered some of the dangers common on these waters. At a place
called McIlwaine's Bend, William W. Phelps, in open vision, saw the
destroyer in his power, riding upon the waters. The next morning the
Prophet Joseph received a revelation in confirmation of the vision of
Elder Phelps.
Dangers on the Waters
The Lord revealed (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 61) to Joseph Smith the great
dangers that would be upon the waters in these latter days. "Behold, I,
the Lord, in the beginning blessed the waters, but in the last days,
by the mouth of my servant John, I cursed the waters. Wherefore, the
days will come that no flesh shall be safe upon the waters. . . . I,
the Lord, have decreed, and the destroyer rideth upon the face thereof,
and I revoke not the decree." It was further stated that the time would
come when none would dare go upon the waters but those who were pure in
heart, and the elders were counseled to travel by other means than by
the rivers, that their faith fail not.
Object of the Mission to Zion
On the 27th day of August Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery and Sidney
Rigdon arrived in Kirtland; others of the elders had previously
arrived. Their mission had been fulfilled. They had gone to Missouri
for the purpose of receiving definite knowledge concerning the location
of the land and site for the future city of Zion; to dedicate the
land as the "inheritance of the Saints," also to choose and dedicate
a spot for the building of the temple. Those who were to remain were
instructed in their duties and given commandments by which they were to
be governed in that land and upon which their inheritances, and those
of the Saints who should follow after, might be made secure.
Notes
1. Isaiah 2:1-4.
2. Isaiah 60:12-22. The following reference to Zion or the New
Jerusalem, is from the prophecy of Ether; Book of Mormon, Ether, 13th
chapter:
"Behold, Ether saw the day of Christ, and he spake concerning a New
Jerusalem upon this land. And he spake also concerning the house of
Israel, and the Jerusalem from whence Lehi should come--after it
should be destroyed it should be built up again, a holy city unto
the Lord; wherefore, it could not be a new Jerusalem for it had
been in a time of old; but it should be built up again, and become
a holy city of the Lord; and it should be built unto the house of
Israel--And that a New Jerusalem should be built upon this land,
unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, for which things there has
been a type. For as Joseph brought his father down into the land of
Egypt, even so he died there; wherefore, the Lord brought a remnant
of the seed of Joseph out of the land of Jerusalem, that he might
be merciful unto the seed of Joseph that they should perish not,
even as he was merciful unto the father of Joseph that he should
perish not. Wherefore, the remnant of the house of Joseph shall be
built upon this land; and it shall be a land of their inheritance;
and they shall build up a holy city unto the Lord, like unto the
Jerusalem of old; and they shall no more be confounded, until the
end come when the earth shall pass away. And there shall be a new
heaven and a new earth; and they shall be like unto the old save
the old have passed away, and all things have become new. And then
cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who dwell therein,
for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the
Lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the
seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel."