What Does Zion Mean?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Doctrine and Covenants 94-97 in a lesson titled “For the Salvation of Zion.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

Anciently, the Lord commanded Moses to build a tabernacle “according to the pattern shewed to [him] in the mount” (Hebrews 8:5; see also Exodus 25:8-9). The tabernacle was to be the center of Israel’s wilderness camp (see Numbers 2:1-2).

In 1833, the Lord commanded Joseph Smith to build temples “not after the manner of the world” but rather “after the manner which I shall show” (Doctrine and Covenants 95:13-14; see also 97:10). Like the tabernacle in the wilderness, the temple was meant to be a central feature in Kirtland (see Doctrine and Covenants 94:1).

Today, temples are found around the world. Even if they aren’t at the center of our cities, they point us to Christ, who should be the center of our lives. Though each temple differs in appearance, within them we learn the same divine pattern—a heavenly plan to bring us back into the presence of God. Sacred ordinances and covenants connect us to Christ and strengthen our families “not after the manner of the world” but after the pattern God shows us.

Like previous lessons, this scripture block continues numerous principles, including (1) I can be “wholly dedicated unto the Lord” (Doctrine and Covenants 94; 97:10-17), (2) The Lord chastens those He loves (Doctrine and Covenants 95), (3) The temple is the house of the Lord (Doctrine and Covenants 95:8, 11-17; 97:10-17), (4) “They are accepted of me” (Doctrine and Covenants 97:8-9), and (5) Zion is “the pure in heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 97:18-28).

This essay will discuss principle #5 about Zion being “the pure in heart.” First, we will study the applicable verses in Doctrine and Covenants 97.

18 And, now, behold, if Zion do these things she shall prosper, and spread herself and become very glorious, very great, and very terrible.

19 And the nations of the earth shall honor her, and shall say: Surely Zion is the city of our God, and surely Zion cannot fall, neither be moved out of her place, for God is there, and the hand of the Lord is there;

20 And he hath sworn by the power of his might to be her salvation and her high tower.

21 Therefore, verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion—the pure in heart; therefore, let Zion rejoice, while all the wicked shall mourn.

When I think of Zion, I think of a different scripture that adds substance and understanding. It is Moses 7:18:

18 And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.

To the Saints in the 1830s, Zion was a place. In the revelation in section 97, the Lord expanded the definition to describe a people – “the pure in heart” (verse 21). In Moses 7:18, the Lord explains that people in Zion are of “one heart and one mind” and live in righteousness. Because they are so righteous, “there [is] no poor among them.” Another explanation is as follows:

“Zion is a people as much as a place. This principle had recently been reinforced in section 97… where the Lord clearly explained: ‘This is Zion – THE PURE IN HEART’ (v. 21). We are in bondage to our sins and weaknesses until we allow the Lord to redeem us through our faith, repentance, and covenant faithfulness. In Christ’s atoning sacrifice … [as] we choose redemption, His sanctifying power brings us out of bondage to the natural man and makes us Zion, the pure in heart” (Lane, “Redemption’s Grand Design,” 193). (As quoted by Thomas R. Valletta, general editor of The Doctrine & Covenants Study Guide – Start to Finish [2024], p. 550.)