“Zion Cannot Be Built Up Unless It Is by the Principles of the Law of the Celestial Kingdom”
Doctrine and Covenants 105:1–6
1 Verily I say unto you who have assembled yourselves together that you may learn my will concerning the redemption of mine afflicted people—
2 Behold, I say unto you, were it not for the transgressions of my people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they might have been redeemed even now.
3 But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;
4 And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom;
5 And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.
6 And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it must needs be, by the things which they suffer.
President Joseph Fielding Smith said:
“[A] matter . . . of great interest to us in relation to our times, is the promised building of the City of Zion, or New Jerusalem on this continent. . . . Zion on this continent will be built. . . . The word of the Lord shall not fail. Had the members of the Church been willing to give heed to the commandments and walk in the light of truth as it has been revealed, the Lord said that Zion could, even now, have been redeemed. Thus has the Lord spoken: [See D&C 101:75; 105:2–5.]
“. . . Because the people were not ready, or able, to abide in the laws which had been given them, the blessings were withdrawn, and the Lord said that they must wait for a little season for the redemption of Zion. [See D&C 105:9, 13.] In the meantime the people were to be chastened until they learn obedience, through the things which they suffer. [See D&C 105:6.] After much tribulation would come the blessing [see D&C 103:12] and Zion would be redeemed, her Temple would be built, and ‘they [that] have been scattered shall be gathered.’ [D&C 101:13.] Zion was not to be moved out of her place.” [See D&C 101:17.]
(The Signs of the Times [1952], 194–95, 195–96.)
