City of Zion (Mormonism)

In Mormonism, the City of Zion is both a Millennial expectation of the future and something to be constructed in the here and now.

On July 20, 1831, Joseph Smith, Jr. claimed to receive a revelation that designated Missouri as the "land which I have appointed and consecreted for the gathering of the saints." (LDS D&C 57:1). The revelation further stated, "Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the center place; and the spot for the temple is lying westward…" (LDS D&C 57:3). Smith later envisioned the Missouri temple as being the starting point for the creation of a New Jerusalem: "Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation." (LDS D&C 84:4). The Mormons were forced to leave the state of Missouri, however, before this temple could be constructed. [1]

See also Zion.