Brigham Young University BYU ScholarsArchive Theses and Dissertations 2002 A History of the Concepts of Zion and New Jerusalem in America From Early Colonialism to 1835 With A Comparison to the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith Ryan S. Gardner Brigham Young University - Provo Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd Part of the Mormon Studies Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Gardner, Ryan S., "A History of the Concepts of Zion and New Jerusalem in America From Early Colonialism to 1835 With A Comparison to the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith" (2002). Theses and Dissertations. 4706. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/4706 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. A HISTORY OF THE CONCEPTS OF ZION AND NEW JERUSALEM IN AMERICA FROM EARLY COLONIALISM TO 1835 WITH A COMPARISION TO THE TEACHINGS OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH by Ryan S. Gardner A thesis submitted to the faculty of Brigham Young University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Religious Education Religious Education Brigham Young University September 2002 BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY GRADUATE COMMITTEE APPROVAL of a thesis submitted by Ryan S. Gardner This thesis has been read by each member of the following graduate committee and by majority vote has been found to be satisfactory. BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY As chair of the candidate's graduate committee, I have read the thesis of Ryan S. Gardner in its final form and have found that (1) its format, citations, and bibliographical style are consistent and acceptable and fulfill university and department style requirements; (2) its illustrative materials including figures, tables, and charts are in place; and (3) the final manuscript is satisfactory to the graduate committee and is ready for submission to the university library. Accepted for the Department Accepted for the College ABSTRACT A HISTORY OF THE CONCEPTS OF ZION AND NEW JERUSALEM IN AMERICA FROM EARLY COLONIALISM TO 1835 WITH A COMPARISON TO THE TEACHINGS OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH Ryan S. Gardner Religious Education Master of Arts in Religious Education This thesis discusses the role that the idea of Zion has played in the first three centuries of American religion. Millenarian themes, such as building New Jerusalem, were common religious themes in seventeenth- to nineteenth-century America. Understanding the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding this vital subject will be helpful for historians, scholars, and teachers. When the Puritan colonists came to the New World in the early seventeenth century, they sought not only a land of religious liberty, but also a land of ultimate religious achievement: the establishment of Zion and/or New Jerusalem. Many of them hoped to demonstrate that an ideal theocratic society was possible and would solve the world's governmental dilemmas. They paved the way for a long-standing Zion tradition in America. During the eighteenth century, the dream for Zion faded due to the growing concern for individual salvation. The banner of revolution and independence also superseded the interest in the "ensign for the nations" (see Isaiah 11:10-12). Unfortunately, during this era Zion and New Jerusalem became the watchwords for dissident charismatic truth-seekers with small congregations. Antebellum America presented a completely new environment. As America forged westward, more and more settlers became dissatisfied with mainstream organized religions. Primitivism and restorationism made Zion and New Jerusalem an inevitable desire for many religious enthusiasts, though opinions varied on when, where, how, and by whom the "city of God" (Psalm 46:4; see also Psalm 48) could be established. Within this historical context rose The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members were intent on building the New Jerusalem on the American continent and establishing Zion throughout the earth (see Articles of Faith 1:10).1 It is my ardent hope that this attempt to put the Latter-day Saint concept of Zion and New Jerusalem in its early American millenarian context will be a useful resource in helping to "put all inquirers after truth in possession of the facts" (JS-H 1:1). 1 See also Joseph Smith, The Words of Joseph Smith: The Contemporary Accounts of the Nauvoo Discourses of the Prophet Joseph comp. and ed. by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook (Provo: BYU Religious Studies Center, 1980), 415-416, 418; and Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols., introduction and notes by B. H. Roberts (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1932-1951), 1:315. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS My entire experience in the graduate program in Religious Education has been an exciting, challenging, and rewarding academic and spiritual experience. I credit many family members and friends for their aid, counsel, and support throughout the past two and a half years. My experience with Religious Education professors, both in and out of the classroom, has been an anchor for me. I especially thank Richard O. Cowan and Richard E. Bennett who encouraged me in researching and writing on the subject of this thesis. I also express appreciation to Bruce Van Orden, who has spent countless hours advising and counseling me throughout this thesis project. He has been a true mentor and friend. His expertise in writing has been a priceless asset. His knowledge, experience, patience, cooperation, and service in reviewing this manuscript and making needed suggestions and corrections adds a professional polish to this work. He also gave freely of his time to coordinate all of the paperwork and meetings, leaving me free to concentrate on research and writing. I also appreciate my two other thesis committee members. Professor Grant R. Underwood of the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History took time out of his overloaded schedule to give advice to a young master's student. He especially aided me with his recognized expertise in the field of millennial studies and the tone that I should employ in this thesis. Thanks also to Professor Lawrence Flake for his guidance with the readability of the thesis and the pertinence of the subject matter. I appreciate all those who have reviewed my manuscript and caught errors. I am responsible for the remaining mistakes. I acknowledge my father-in-law, Robert Haws, who closely scrutinized the first two chapters. His suggestions helped immensely with the writing of the entire thesis. I express to my own parents my love and gratitude for their support, love, faith, and guidance. Most importantly, I thank my wife and children. Kathryn has made great sacrifices to make this entire degree possible. She has cheerfully endured the many months of course work, research, and writing without complaint. She has influenced my writing more than any other single person. Jordan, Abigail, Hannah, and Sadie have sometimes had to put their special times with their "pa" on hold in order for me to keep working. Finally, I acknowledge the vision, courage, and faith of all those who have sought for Zion in any age, whether or not they were directly involved with a specific gospel dispensation. I could not have written this thesis without their respective hopes, dreams, and sacrifices. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Biblical Foundations of Zion 1 The Beginnings of Zion in "Immanuel's Land" 32 The Errand in a Rising Nation 57 A Primitive, Restored Zion 76 The Unfolding of the Latter-day Zion 95 A Summary Comparison of the Latter-day Saint 125 Doctrine of Zion with Pre-Restoration Ideas Regarding Zion Sources Cited 138 Chapter One—Biblical Foundations of Zion Although the name Zion is one of the most ancient names in the Old Testament, it does not occur in the text until 2 Samuel 5.1 It appears one hundred fifty times throughout the Old Testament—about once every eight pages in a standard King James Version of the Bible. The term Zion appears only seven times in the New Testament, and five of those are from quotations or paraphrases of passages from the Old Testament—three from Isaiah and two from Zechariah. It is first mentioned as a place, but it also signifies a people or a society that exceeds geographical boundaries. This chapter will examine the biblical concept of Zion. Closely associated with the theocratic society of Zion is its capital city, the New Jerusalem. "The New Jerusalem refers to the capital of the new creation in which the presence of God is with humankind ... The OT image of the people of God as his bride is often associated with the renewal of Zion, the renewed Jerusalem."2 References to New Jerusalem must be included in this study of Zion for two important reasons. First, New Jerusalem is the archetypal biblical city in the New Testament and Christian theology denoting the ideal, redeemed, godly society. A study of the biblical concept of the "state of Zion" would be inherently flawed without including any references to its capital city. Second, this thesis investigates how early American ideas about Zion and New Jerusalem relate to the same concepts in "Mormonism." In the early history of the Church of 1 Regarding Zion as an ancient name, see David Noel Freedman, ed., Anchor Bible Dictionary (New York: Doubleday, 1992), 6 vols., 6:1096. Hereafter cited as ABD. All references from the Bible are from the Latter- day Saint edition of the King James Version, unless stated otherwise.