There is no place in scripture where you can find a people who brought Zion about as a result of generations of slow and steady work.
Enoch did not lay a foundation for others to gradually build on over generations.
Neither did Melchizedek.
They came with power, held the fulness of the Melchizedek priesthood, and through teaching the truth to people willing to live it, established Zion.
Each time Zion has come, the Lord visited and dwelt with them.
In the Book of Mormon, Christ came to Bountiful after His death and ministered to the Nephites. It was Christ who established a people of peace. His community then dwelt in harmony.
What I am about to type is important information for those that believe the Church/we collectively can not nor have not fallen out of alignment with the Lord.
Do you consider yourself greater than the people at the time of Bountiful?
They touched the Savior personally. They were healed by Him. Listened to Him teach for days. Had their children blessed by Him. Christ personally established His church among the Nephites.
***Additionally Jesus left three translated beings living among them for four generations...***
...and yet even they still fell into apostasy (3 Ne. 28: 4-23).
Are you greater than those at Bountiful during the time Christ ministered to them directly?
How much more cautious must we be in our day, four generations after Joseph’s death, with no personal visitation from Christ and no translated beings directly remaining with us like the people in Bountiful?
This is why Joseph truly lamented the failure to complete the Nauvoo Temple while he was still alive when he said: “And I would to God that this temple was now done, that we might go into it, and go to work and improve our time, and make use of the seals while they are on earth.” (TPJS p. 330). He knew the “seals” which he possessed would soon depart. Joseph died and Zion had not been brought again.
We have moved further away from Zion since the early days of Nauvoo. Until we understand the God of the Old Testament and the New as well as remember the Book of Mormon and renew ourselves by accepting what was once offered through that “covenant,” our minds will remain darkened (D&C 84: 54-57) and Christ can not come.
Because Christ is Zion.
