From the last episode we learned why around 1200 saints had moved from Kirtland, OH to Independence, MO, with more on the way. In this episode we learn about how the locals, who were largely frontiersmen and former southerners, didn’t love the idea of the northerner religious saints moving in and kind of taking over (for some reason).
Unfortunately the way the differences were handled on the Missourians’ side was to resort to mob violence and other such unlawful means to make their feelings known and to force the saints out of the area. Members of the Church were killed, beaten, abused, their property destroyed, etc. until they were driven out of Independence without any compensation for the property they left behind. The political leaders did not come to their aid. They crossed the Missouri river one night to the north into Clay County (Missouri) where they were received, temporarily at least.
Why did the Missourians have such beef with the saints? What did Joseph Smith and the saints in Kirtland do when they found out? What did the Lord direct them to do to redeem Zion? What was the biggest problem in that effort (Zion’s Camp) and what was a tragic result? What miracles occurred? Why did it ultimately fail in its supposed purpose? What essential actual purpose did Joseph Smith say it served? What did Brigham Young say about the experience? What did the Lord say about why the saints couldn’t redeem Zion? What did He say about when Zion WOULD be redeemed? What song did Clayton sing this time?
Get the answers to these questions and more on this episode. Glad you can join us!
The purpose of the 1834 Zion’s Camp was a test of faith but not primarily to identify future leaders of the Church. All those leaders have died and been replaced but Zion is still not redeemed. The test of faith was a test to strengthen faith in the power of God’s love. The ultimate expression of this love is in the Great Endowment described in D&C 105:12. This is the endowment of the Love of the Father that will redeem Zion.
The purpose of the 1834 Zion’s Camp was a trial of faith (see D&C 105:19). However, this trial of faith was not primarily to distinguish those who would be future leaders of the Church. It was to strengthen the faith of those in Zion’s Camp in the power of God’s love. With strong enough faith in the power of God’s love, the anointed in Zion’s Camp would be chosen to receive the Great Endowment from God described in D&C 105:12. This Great Endowment is the pure love of the Father (see 1 John 2:15; D&C 95:12). This endowed love purifies our love to pure love. The pure love of God as a heavenly gift is needed to dwell in Zion (see 4 Nephi 1:3, 15). It is the Great Endowment, that requires strong faith in the love of God, that will redeem Zion.