What is the Mormon's theory on the lost tribe of Israel (Zion)?

Question

What is your veiw on Zion, isn't UT, Zion, or is that still to come?

Answer 1

The early brethren of this dispensation taught that the Garden of Eden was located in what is known to us as the land of Zion, an area for which Jackson County, Missouri, is the center place. In our popular Latter-day Saint hymn which begins, "Glorious things are sung of Zion, Enoch's city seen of old," we find William W. Phelps preserving the doctrine that "In Adam-ondi-Ahman, Zion rose where Eden was."...(D. & C. 107:53-56.) (Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce McConkie, p.
19-20)

Joseph Smith declared this new understanding of Genesis and the location of Eden during a trip through Missouri in 1831. Historian Fawn Brodie commented:

"Shortly after his arrival Joseph rowed up the Grand River to Lyman Wight’s ferry to explore land on the north bank in Daviess County [Missouri]. On a high bluff overlooking the river someone in the party discovered the ruins of what seemed to be an altar and excitedly led the prophet to it. After examining it Joseph stood silent, his eyes sweeping over the prairie that rolled away beneath him....The glory of the scene made Joseph heady as with new wine. 'This is the valley of God in which Adam blessed his children,' he said, 'and upon this very altar Adam himself offered up sacrifices to Jehovah....we will lay out a city which shall be called Adam-ondi-Ahman. Here Adam, the Ancient of Days, shall come to visit his people....' " (No Man Knows My History: the life of Joseph Smith, by Fawn Brodie, Random House, 1971, p. 211)

President Brigham Young Young said:

You have been both to Jerusalem and Zion, and seen both. I have not seen either, for I have never been in Jackson County. Now it is a pleasant thing to think of and to know where the Garden of Eden was. Did you ever think of it? I do not think many do, for in Jackson County was the Garden of Eden. Joseph has declared this, and I am as much bound to believe that as to believe that Joseph was a prophet of God. (Journal History, March 15, 1857)

There is nothing in the book of Genesis to indicate that the first eight chapters of the story happened in North America.

http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/gardenofeden.htm

Many of the books published on the American Indians claimed a possible tie to the lost tribes of Israel. The Book of Mormon follows this idea and claims that the main group in the story is Israelites from Jerusalem. During and even before Joseph Smith's time it was believed by many people that the Indians were the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel. Although the Book of Mormon does not claim that the Indians are the Lost Ten Tribes, it does claim that they are descendants of Joseph, thus making them Israelites.

The Israelite/Indian theory is rejected by scientists today.

Answer 2

Zion can have different meanings based on the context.

Zion is often thought of as a way of living.
Selfless
Service oriented
Slow to anger
Quick to forgive
Generous
Lives the commandments
Always is worthy of the Holy Spirit
Prays to God in all things
etc.

So that one can create Zion in ones home (where ever) or a community can create Zion just by their collective meekness.

I lived in Utah for 9 years a while back. I saw homes worthy to be called Zion but no communities worthy to be called Zion.

D

BTW Zion may also refer to a city in the Americas where Christ will administer the law of the land during the millennium

or

The city of Enoch

or a number of other meanings.

d

Answer 3

My daughter is Mormon and what I have been told is that the Indians that Christ visited in America were the lost tribe of Israel. As far as Zion it is the members of their church. I'm not exactly sure of any of this. The Bible does speak of lost tribe of Israel that was the tribe that was around the outer court to guard the Tabernacle in the wilderness.

Answer 4

There's a literal Zion and a figurative Zion.

The literal city of Zion is yet to be established, but as Gumby stated it was prophesied to come near Independence Missouri.

Figurative Zion is, I guess almost a "state of mind". Wherever the kingdom is being established and people are living the gospel, there Zion lays. Hence our terminology for our types of congregations: (Wards (as a city has) and Stakes (as a tent has) of Zion).

Answer 5

Zion can be anywhere the members are. Utah is not "the" Zion. "The" Zion is still yet to be established, although the location has been prophesied.

http://www.lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.3933737ad2ff28132eb22a86942826a0/?vgnextoid=bbd508f54922d010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=8b93f73c28d98010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____

see additional info.

Answer 6

The mormons insist that the Americas,
including Central and South America, the
indians are real descendants of the
Scripture Israelites.

Answer 7

Zion is the pure in heart.

as well as a specific location which had already been answered.

Answer 8

I'm not sure what you mean. But they believe Jesus will return there when the time comes. Sorry I can't think of their theory right off my head.

Answer 9

pffhh.