On August 2, 1831 a group of saints gathered twelve miles west of Independence in Kaw township. Twelve men, representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel, laid a log as a “foundation in Zion.” Before Sidney Rigdon offered the dedicatory prayer, he asked the saints gathered there, Do you pledge yourselves to keep the laws of God on this land, which you never have kept in your own lands? [The audience responded,] “we do.” Do you pledge yourselves to see that others of your brethren who shall come hither do keep the laws of God? [Those present again said,] we do.

After [the dedicatory] prayer [Elder Rigdon] arose and said, I now pronounce this land consecrated and dedicated to the Lord for a possession and inheritance for the Saints (in the name of Jesus Christ having authority from him). And for all the faithful servants of the Lord to the remotest ages of time. Amen” (Institute Manual, Church History, 107).

From that time until October 1838, the Saints sought to build Zion in Missouri. Establishing a Zion society proved difficult. The Lord warned them in 1831 that Zion’s glory would only come “after much tribulation” (D&C 58:4). Are you ready for Zion?

Join Lynne Hilton Wilson and special guest Professor Alex Baugh for this special edition of Come, Follow Church History. Professor Baugh is an expert on the time period in Missouri detailed in sections 51-59 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

Thank you for joining us at Scripture Central! We hope that you have enjoyed this content.