Article of Faith 10
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 the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
At First Glance
This statement sounds deeply biblical.
It speaks of:
- The gathering of Israel
- The return of Christ
- A renewed earth
- A future kingdom
These are all themes found in Scripture.
So what’s the issue?
The issue is not whether these things will happen.
The issue is how they are defined—and where they are centered.
Why This Matters
This article reshapes three major biblical ideas:
- Who Israel is
- What Zion is
- Where God’s kingdom is established
And when those are redefined…
the entire storyline of Scripture begins to shift.
What This Means in LDS Teaching
In Mormonism, Israel is not limited to ethnic descendants of Abraham.
It includes those who join the LDS Church.
In fact, it is taught that a literal change occurs:
“The effect of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile… [is] to make him actually of the seed of Abraham.”
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith)
The Gathering of Israel
The gathering is understood in two stages:
- Spiritual — joining the LDS Church
- Physical — gathering to designated locations
The gathering occurs as people are “restored to the true church…”
(Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine)
Zion and the New Jerusalem
Mormon doctrine teaches that:
👉 The New Jerusalem will be built in Independence, Missouri (Jackson County)
“Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent…”
This location is seen as:
- A place of refuge
- A center of future government
- A gathering point for the faithful
The Saints gathered there “will be safe from the wrath of the Lord…”
(Ezra Taft Benson)
America as a Sacred Center
Some LDS teachings go further—linking key biblical events to the American continent:
- Eden associated with Missouri
- Adam-ondi-Ahman located in modern-day Missouri
- Future millennial rule centered there
Zion, in this view, becomes geographically anchored.
The Final Outcome
The most faithful are believed to inherit the highest level of glory—
becoming exalted beings in a celestial kingdom.
The earth itself is also described as eventually becoming a celestialized world.
The Critical Difference
This is where the contrast becomes clear.
Mormonism teaches:
- Israel includes those who join the LDS Church
- A literal transformation makes individuals descendants of Abraham
- Zion is a physical location in America
- The kingdom is centered in a specific geographic place tied to LDS identity
The Bible teaches:
- Israel includes both ethnic descendants and those brought in by faith
- Spiritual identity comes through faith—not physical transformation
- Zion is ultimately fulfilled in God’s presence—not a single earthly location
- The kingdom of God is not confined to one nation or institution
This is not just a difference in interpretation.
It is a shift in where the center of God’s plan is placed.
What Scripture Reveals
The True People of God Are Defined by Faith
“Those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.”
(Galatians 3:7)
This is not a physical transformation of blood.
It is a spiritual identity rooted in faith.
The Kingdom of God Is Not Geographic
“The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed… for behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
(Luke 17:20–21)
God’s kingdom is not limited to one location.
It is centered in His reign—not a map.
Zion Finds Its Fulfillment in God’s Presence
“You have come to Mount Zion… the heavenly Jerusalem…”
(Hebrews 12:22)
Zion is not ultimately a place we build.
It is a reality God establishes.
The Final City Comes From Heaven
“I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God…”
(Revelation 21:2)
The New Jerusalem is not constructed by human effort in a specific region.
It is brought by God.
Why This Changes Everything
This comes down to where your hope is anchored.
A Geographic Hope
“I must gather to the right place… be part of the right group… align with the right system.”
vs.
A Christ-Centered Hope
“My citizenship is in heaven… and my identity is in Him.”
One ties God’s promises to a location.
The other ties them to a Person.
A Gentle but Important Question
Is God’s kingdom centered in a specific place…
or in a specific Person?
And where does Scripture ultimately point you?
Final Thought
There is something deeply compelling about the idea of a physical gathering—a place of safety, purpose, and belonging.
But the Bible points us to something even greater.
Not a location we must reach…
but a Savior who has already come.
And in Him, the promises of God are not tied to geography—
they are fulfilled.