“This Is Zion—the Pure in Heart”
Doctrine and Covenants 97:8–28
8 Verily I say unto you, all among them who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice—yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command—they are accepted of me.
9 For I, the Lord, will cause them to bring forth as a very fruitful tree which is planted in a goodly land, by a pure stream, that yieldeth much precious fruit.
10 Verily I say unto you, that it is my will that a house should be built unto me in the land of Zion, like unto the pattern which I have given you.
11 Yea, let it be built speedily, by the tithing of my people.
12 Behold, this is the tithing and the sacrifice which I, the Lord, require at their hands, that there may be a house built unto me for the salvation of Zion—
13 For a place of thanksgiving for all saints, and for a place of instruction for all those who are called to the work of the ministry in all their several callings and offices;
14 That they may be perfected in the understanding of their ministry, in theory, in principle, and in doctrine, in all things pertaining to the kingdom of God on the earth, the keys of which kingdom have been conferred upon you.
15 And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it;
16 Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God.
17 But if it be defiled I will not come into it, and my glory shall not be there; for I will not come into unholy temples.
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.
22 For behold, and lo, vengeance cometh speedily upon the ungodly as the whirlwind; and who shall escape it?
23 The Lord’s scourge shall pass over by night and by day, and the report thereof shall vex all people; yea, it shall not be stayed until the Lord come;
24 For the indignation of the Lord is kindled against their abominations and all their wicked works.
25 Nevertheless, Zion shall escape if she observe to do all things whatsoever I have commanded her.
26 But if she observe not to do whatsoever I have commanded her, I will visit her according to all her works, with sore affliction, with pestilence, with plague, with sword, with vengeance, with devouring fire.
27 Nevertheless, let it be read this once to her ears, that I, the Lord, have accepted of her offering; and if she sin no more none of these things shall come upon her;
28 And I will bless her with blessings, and multiply a multiplicity of blessings upon her, and upon her generations forever and ever, saith the Lord your God. Amen.
President Stephen L Richards said:
“. . . [T]he foe of today assumes many forms. I think, however, they may be generally classified under the caption, ‘Aping the Ways of the World.’ I know of few more salutary things for a Latter-day Saint than constantly to bear in mind the distinction between Zion and the world. Both terms are somewhat confusing because they are used with varying meanings and applications. Both have geographical application, and both have theological and moral import.
“For my purpose here today, I shall look upon Zion as being a condition and not a place, and the world likewise.
“‘. . . verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion—THE PURE IN HEART’ (D&C 97:21).
“There is no fence around Zion or the world, but to one of discernment, they are separated more completely than if each were surrounded with high unscalable walls. Their underlying concepts, philosophies, and purposes are at complete variance one with the other. The philosophy of the world is self-sufficient, egotistical, materialistic, and skeptical. The philosophy of Zion is humility, not servility, but a willing recognition of the sovereignty of God and dependence on His providence.
“The critics of Zion mistake humility for weakness. In their ignorance or shortsightedness they have failed to observe that generally speaking, the humble of the earth have been its greatest benefactors, in science, in statesmanship, and in great movements for the elevation of humanity, foremost among all being the Author of humility, our Lord and Savior. It is sometimes difficult to comprehend how humility can be a principle of strength and power, and why the great victories of life have gone to the humble.
“I think the explanation is this: The self-sufficient are not in a position to call to their aid the one greatest and most effective force in the world—the Spirit of God. The humble depend upon this power; it does not fail them. The battles for righteousness and liberty which is a divine endowment can always be won if those who wage the war are worthy of victory. This is the explanation and the lesson which, more than any other, the world needs today.
“I feel hesitant to say it, but I am constrained to make the assertion, even though it may seem highly presumptuous to many who hear it, that the Restored Church of our Lord, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is in better position, is more specifically charged with the responsibility, and has greater revealed knowledge than any other institution to teach to the world this one vital lesson it so sorely needs.
“In making this statement I intend no disparagement of the righteous and pure in heart of the world. I have not time to try to define their relationship to the Zion of the kingdom. They will receive the Lord’s compensation for their own goodness, and lasting gratitude for their contribution to the welfare of mankind.
“We can effectively bring this lesson to the world only as we build up Zion and protect her from her foes. . . .
“O God, help us, thy favored children, to preserve Zion, I humbly pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”
(In Conference Report, Oct. 1951, 110–11, 118.)
