I want to introduce to you a concept that applies to Zion and Babylon today.
When I was younger I read a science fiction story about how an advanced group of aliens had constructed a building which could not be destroyed, you couldn’t even mar the surface of the walls. The earth people finally figured out the surface of the building had been placed in a different dimension so it could never be touched by drills, lasers, explosives etc. Fascinating but impossible you say. But as you will see it is possible.
The current teachings of the LDS church regarding Zion, Babylon and the gathering to Zion is readily available on the LDS website. Just navigate to “Search Gospel Library” and type in Zion, Babylon or gathering and the following concepts will come up.
We hear this in church, “Brothers and sister I would like us to consider and ask ourselves What is Zion?” How many times have we heard a question like that and then we’re given the answer, “Yes that’s right, Zion is the pure in heart.” We are taught the righteous people of the church constitute Zion. We are taught that Zion is here among us today. We are told, “Please note: Zion is people; Zion is the Saints of God; Zion is those who have been baptized; Zion is those who received the Holy Ghost; Zion is those who keep the commandments; Zion is the righteous; or in other words, as our revelation recites, “This is Zion—the pure in heart.” (D&C 97:21.) (Bruce R. McConkie Liahona Sep. 1977)
One key facet about Zion is the gathering to it. Without a gathering there is no Zion. In the LDS church we are told that the gathering to Zion is two fold spiritual and physical. That it is a spiritual gathering when people join the LDS church. And the physical gathering is when they gather to the stakes and districts of the church. And we are told,
“The physical gathering of Israel will not be complete until the second coming of the Savior (see Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37). Then the Lord’s promise will be fulfilled.” (Gospel Principles Chapter 42)
The problem is the question “What is Zion?” is messed up and messes with our minds. It presupposes something which is not true. It is like saying have you stopped beating your wife? It supposes that Zion is, that it exists today. But Zion does not exist upon the earth today. The real answer to “What is Zion?” is that “Zion is not!”
Now regarding Babylon we are being taught “Babylon the symbol of decadent societies and spiritual bondage” and “Of course, there is no particular city today which personifies Babylon. We see Babylon in our cities; we see Babylon in our communities; we see Babylon everywhere.” and this “Babylon, a city that really did exist historically, is also a symbol.” And I must add this incredible (literally) quote, “We have to create Zion in the midst of Babylon.”
So we are being taught and have been taught for many years that Zion is among us; that it exists as a spiritual entity and its physical portion is the LDS church. We are taught it is flourishing. Babylon we are taught is a spiritual entity. We see it all around us, yet it is not a physical city or nation today.
LDS scholars (and other bible scholars) have identified 6 Babylonian kingdoms of the past. We know from scriptures that there will be a total of 8 Babylonian kingdoms. The ancient prophets adopted the term Babylon to refer to each of these kingdoms even though in the past there was actually a Babylonian kingdom in Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Rome etc. Yet the learned men of latter-day “Zion” don’t seem to believe Satan has a physical kingdom now days.
But this is all wrong.
By viewing Zion and Babylon in this way something horrible has happened. Since Zion does not exist by believing it does exist we have no need to seek to bring it about, it is already here. It is like a man being told he is free, that what he is experiencing is freedom. But if in fact he is in bondage then the false idea that he is free will prevent him from seeking freedom.
And if we believe that Babylon is a spiritual entity we will never identify the physical Babylon nor see the chains that this physical entity has on us.
You see it is possible to place things in another dimension. Zion which is only spiritual today has been placed as physical thus preventing the need to establish it. Today’s Babylon which actually is physical has been placed in the spiritual realm thus protecting it from detection. This allows Babylon to carry on Satan’s work and there is none to molest or make afraid.
Can we identify today’s Babylon?
Yes we can. It is real and real close. All Babylonian kingdoms have significant traits in common, traits which must be present for Satan to accomplish his designs. All the Babylonian empires were the super powers of their day. If another nation were more powerful Satan could not control the people in that nation. In their prime no other nation could overpower the Babylonian empires of the past.
All Babylonian empires of the past used their military might to enforce their will on other nations. They each had a constant large standing army in order to carry out this objective. They didn’t need to always destroy a nation so long as they could control it.
Rome was very notable and successful in this regard. The nation Jesus was born into was still a nation, but its head of government was controlled by Rome.
What government in our day has these traits? Which government is the super power today? Which government goes around removing the leaders of a nation and replacing them with one of their own liking and then leaves a large contingent of soldiers just like ancient Rome. Which government has a more powerful military than any other? Which mighty gentile nation cannot be overpowered by any other nation? Which government operates Under Satan’s Authority (hint-hint)?
Today’s USA is the physical Babylon of our day. It is weak in comparison to past Babylonian kingdoms. This was prophesied by John the revelator and Daniel. It must garner UN and public opinion support which its media creates to move forward the policies Satan desires in our world today. But it is presently and has been for years the most powerful military in the world. If you know about the world wide secret combinations Moroni tells us about then you know they have their headquarters in New York City. They are the power behind the government pushing forward the plan of their founder Satan.
Don’t bother accusing me of being a conspiracy theorist, I am not. Moroni testified a secret combination which seeks the overthrow of liberty of all people (so it is worldwide) will exist among us (Ether 8). I happen to know what is written in the Book of Mormon is fact not theory. Hence I do not believe a theory. I know a fact.
So the USA is Babylon 7. But there will be another Babylon number 8. I know that most of you living in the USA believe she will never be overpowered and brought into captivity by another nation. We are told that in Ether 2:12 aren’t we?
Uh,…no we are not. The Lord’s decree regarding this land choice above all others is in Ether 2 8-10:
8 And he had sworn in his wrath unto the brother of Jared, that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and forever, should serve him, the true and only God, or they should be swept off when the fulness of his wrath should come upon them.
9 And now, we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity.
10 For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off.
11 And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God—that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done.
Would you like to count the number of times the words “swept off” are used in those verses? Verse 12 says that if the people of USA do not serve Jesus Christ they will be swept off. I do not believe the people of the USA are serving Jesus Christ. In fact I would have to say I know they are not. Hence I know they will be swept off. Jesus prophesied this in 3 Nephi 21.
This is what I believe the LDS are not mentally or spiritually prepared for. When they see the US fall and none of the supposed divine protection in sight they will stop waiting on the Lord. They will think it is all a farce.
It will certainly be at complete odds with the words of their leaders. Here is what we have been taught:
“Our Article of Faith says that “We believe … in the restoration of the Ten Tribes.” This is in the future. It will occur when the Lord brings again Zion, according to the promises. Our Article of Faith says “the Zion (the new Jerusalem) will be built upon this [the American] continent.” This also is future and will occur after the Lord’s people have gained strength and influence and power in all the nations whither he hath scattered them. (Bruce R. McConkie Liahona Sep. 1977)
So according to this Zion will be established when the LDS get so strong in the nations and have influence to…to…to do what? In D&C 45 verses 67 to 75 the Lord explains Zion will be a nation unto herself and the wicked will not be able to go up against it. Do we think that the members of the church will get so strong and influential that they will be allowed to build a separate government within the borders of the USA? This is what we have been taught.
What and where will Zion be?
Zion will be a physical place. It will be a place of gathering for believers in Christ from all over the world. It will be a place of refuge where we do not have to bow to Babylon’s laws and are safe from Satan’s enslavement by unrighteous decrees. It will be its own nation and have its own laws. This last fact alone should tell us that Zion does not now exist upon the earth.
Now regarding the real Zion Jesus said in D&C 58: 1
“ 1 Hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, who have assembled yourselves together, according to my commandments, in this land, which is the land of Missouri, which is the land which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints.
2 Wherefore, this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion.”
And regarding the gathering He said in D&C 101: 20:
“20 And, behold, there is none other place appointed than that which I have appointed; neither shall there be any other place appointed than that which I have appointed, for the work of the gathering of my saints”
I wonder which of the brethren has the responsibility to explain to Jesus Christ the change in policy? I’m glad it isn’t me. But I will have to explain to Him why I believed a Sunday school teacher or manual or even the words of an apostle if they were in direct conflict with His own voice as recorded in the D&C and the Book of Mormon.
And as we consider the notion that this gathering and building of physical Zion will happen when Jesus comes, or in other words after or at the same time of His second coming please take these words of Christ in to account. Jesus said in D&C 49: 24-25:
24 But before the great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness, and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose.
25 Zion shall flourish upon the hills and rejoice upon the mountains, and shall be assembled together unto the place which I have appointed.
I do not buy for a second that “flourish upon the hills and rejoice upon the mountains” refers to the church being in Utah because the next phrase, “assembled together unto the place which I have appointed” refers to Jackson County, MO and no place else.
Now since Zion will be established and flourishing before the Lord comes and it is a place where Jesus will personally come then there must be a cleansing first just as in the Book of Mormon. Which is to say that the cleansing will come first to the USA and the American continents and it will spread like a fire to the rest of the world. Most people read what is in Revelations and think the destruction of the wicked will come as the Lord appears. Not so it will start years before hand. And it will start in earnest upon the hypocrites within the LDS church in the USA. (D&C 112:24-26)
Brigham Young said before Zion would be built up the land of western Missouri would be left desolate of all it inhabitants. I would not be surprised if Babylon 8 uses a few nukes placed in the heartland, in the fly over country of the US so as not to mess with the boss’s house in NYC or the delightful things they love on the west coast (Hollywood, Bohemian grove etc).
All it would take is a few nukes right around KC, Missouri and everyone would stay away for years. Because very few people realize that after 2 weeks fallout is not a problem. I think Satan will love to push the people to his death camps and so no one would think to go back to Jackson County area. But what a perfect cover for the gathering to begin. So even though you may hear there is nothing but death and disease there, if you hear some one claiming to be Joseph Smith is leading others to go there, think twice before you dismiss it out of hand.
The destruction of Babylon 7 is spoken of in Isaiah 10. Verses 1 to 6 talk about the destruction of the USA by Babylon 8. Then verses 7 to 19 talk about the King of Assyria or Babylon 8 who is an axe in the Lord’s hands to destroy the mighty gentile nation. This is why Jesus talking to Lehi’s seed says He will destroy the gentile nation.
Then verses 20 to 27 the Lord speaks comfort unto the remnant who are escaped of the house of Jacob. The Lord says:
24 Therefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt.
25 For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.
As you read the words of Jesus in 3 Nephi chapters 16 to 22 you will see these concepts stated by the Lord. And by applying what has been written here you can understand the words better.
In Revelations it is said that Babylon the 8th will rule only for 3 ½ years. This seems to be exactly what the lord is talking about when he says that He hides His face for a very little while in this and other scriptures.
What happens during the 3 1/2 years is the beginning of the actual gathering and establishing of Zion. After that Babylon the 8th tries to destroy Zion. But this battle will be fought by the power of God. Guess who wins.
I am not going to take any more of your time right now. But if you think about these principles:
That Zion does not exist, that there is only one gathering place which will not change
That the people of the LDS will become so corrupt that there will a great cleansing
That the gathering to Zion will not begin till after the USA government ceases to exist
That the USA will be invaded by Babylon 8 and they will rule for only 3 ½ years
That during this reign Zion will begin to be established
That Babylon 8 will then attack Zion and the power of God will fight the battle
Then the meek of the earth will gather to Zion and what is said in D&C 45:67-75 will then be fulfilled
Now what can you do? I suggest you read about the things here in LDS Anarchist blog and start seeing how you need to be free of every thing beneath the Celestial world. God only should be your lawgiver. Set up your tribe. Prepare them to understand that they need to get free of Babylon and flee Babylon. God has always had His people prosper rapidly by living from the abundance of the land. Produce you grow is non taxable. The land brings forth 60 to 100 fold. Even if everything you plant is destroyed, your experience and knowledge of how to prosper from the land can not be destroyed.
If nothing else just knowing what is coming can direct you to ask God the right questions.