New Jerusalem
| In the Mormon doctrine, the New Jerusalem, also referred to as Zion, is the place where the Saints and the twelve tribes of Israel will gather (see Rev. 21:1-5). Jesus Christ will reign from the New Jerusalem, as well as the old Jerusalem, during the Millennium (see Micah 4:2). Article of Faith number ten, which was written by the Prophet Joseph Smith, states, “We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon this the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.”
The term New Jerusalem also refers to a holy city that will come down out of heaven during the Millennium. This idea can be found in Revelation 21:2, 10 where it states that “the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven.” This may refer to the return of the city of Enoch, which was so righteous that they were all taken up to live with God (see Moses 7:12-21, 59-64). Joseph Smith received revelation in July of 1831 that the New Jerusalem and a temple would be built in Independence, Missouri, and that the gathering of Israel would soon begin (D&C 57:1-3). The term Zion refers to the “pure in heart,” so when Jesus Christ comes again there could be many places in the world that would be referred to as Zion because the people have accepted the gospel and follow the commandments, but the New Jerusalem is to be a “center place” or the capital city of the pure in heart. Mormons believe the building of the New Jerusalem and the rebuilding of Jerusalem must happen before the Second Coming of Christ. A proclamation from the Twelve Apostles in 1845 states:
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