This is another work in the Zion series. The first volume, “The Foundation of Zion” focuses on what we as individuals can do singly and in groups to bring about Zionic conditions in our own lives and those of our families. This work, “The Redemption of Zion”, focuses on the worldwide scope of the Restoration, the heavenly messengers who are yet to come as promised in the Scriptures, exactly what they will bring with them, and events leading up to the second coming of Christ.
This work is based on a work of the same title, written by Francis M. Darter, published by Deseret News Press, SLC, 1933. Elder Darter was a Civil engineer, a surveyor, and a High Priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He lived in Long Beach, CA, and was the author of numerous other pamphlets and books including The Great Pyramid: Our Bible in Stone.
This work is co-authored by yours truly. The contribution I have added is the insights gained in the intervening nearly 70 years since this book was originally written. In keeping with the spirit of the Restoration, new inspired writings have come forth from both inside and outside the LDS Church. To name just a few sources there are: The Dead Sea Scrolls, The Nag Hammadi library, Scientology, A Course in Miracles, Edgar Cayce, Emmanuel, the writings of Annalee Skarin and Betty Eadie, and numerous other New Age authors. The Internet has literally exploded with a proliferation of documents purporting to be restorations of lost scriptures, new revelations from God in our day, and inspired commentary. I have contributed to this body of literature myself. I have added a generous sprinkling of these writings where they lend support to the themes of this document. Also, l added several new sections.
Despite the advances in spiritual knowledge, the advances in technology, and the massive changes in global politics, it is noteworthy that this work is as relevant today as it was over 70 years ago in a depression-ridden, pre-WWII America.
It is amazing that this book was published by the Church in its day (by Deseret Press, no less!) because Elder Darter comes down rather hard on the LDS Church for failing to live up to its responsibility, and it is occasionally critical of Church leadership and members. I am puzzled by Darter's accusations that the Church removed 95 sections from the Doctrine & Covenants. I checked in my 70's edition of the D&C and found all the sections he mentioned still intact. However, Elder Darter mentions that several footnotes by people like Orson Pratt have been removed.
Darter expresses the fear that because he has written this book he will probably be forced to resign from his teaching assignment in the Church. His parting words are an admonition to share these words with as many people as possible. Little did how know when he penned these words in 1933 that 65 years later the means would be provided to literally shout them from the housetops, around the world.
In addition to adding additional source material, and adding a couple of new sections, I have removed several sections where he makes extended reference to the Depression and to the Nazi's and WWII.
The basic reference books used are the Bible (both the King James and Joseph Smith's translations); the Book of Mormon (the Bible of the American Indian forefathers, called “the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim” by Ezekiel, 37:16-19); the Doctrine and Covenants (revelations given direct to the Prophet Joseph Smith); and the Pearl of Great Price (containing original writings of Abraham while in Egypt, preserved with a mummy, brought to America, sold to the Latter-day Saints, translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith; also containing visions of Moses as revealed to Joseph Smith; and his own writings); from Church History (a record established by Joseph Smith); also from Joseph Smith's Teachings.
I also updated the style of writing to current standards and have endeavored to use a consistent format for scriptural references and to other church writings. I employ the following abbreviations: D&C (Doctrine & Covenants), PGP (Pearl of Great Price), JST (Joseph Smith translation of the Bible), TPJS (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith), HC (History of the Church), and JD (Journal of Discourses).
I have tried to organize this book in an easier to follow format. Elder Darter tended to wander off topic occasionally, and I have tried to rein him in a bit. He was also a student of the Great Pyramid of Egypt and believed that there was a correlation between various structures in the Pyramid and important historical dates. There are many interpretations of these dates and they are all controversial, so rather than deal with the critics on these issues, I simply removed all references to specific years. Besides, had I left them in, the Second Coming would have happened by now. Elder Darter was not good with dates, but he knew his scriptures.
If you are familiar with any of my other writings you might be aware of my views. These views are based on a lifelong study of the scriptures and upon personal revelation. I don't expect anybody to blindly accept these views, nor should they be condemned out of hand. However, since these views form the foundation for this document, I am presenting them up front.
First, Joseph Smith was an extremely inspired man, and probably one of the greatest men who ever lived. However, he was not perfect, as the LDS church would like to portray. He had many faults and the church, in its own best interest, is doing its best to cover them up. This work is not at attempt to condemn the man, nor the church he founded. This work simply points out that the church has a mission to perform in the Restoration and in preparing the people for the events that are to take place. It also points out where the Church is failing in its role and cites the leaders for their lack of vision. The book also points out that that there are other churches and other peoples who play critical roles in the Restoration of All Things, particularly the role of holy personages who are to come and perform their works with Priesthood authority independent from the LDS Church.
Second, I recognize the assertion that there are those who doubt that Joseph Smith actually received the Melchizedek Priesthood since the event is poorly documented, and that he overstepped his bounds in proclaiming himself the possessor of all kinds of Priesthood keys. This document lends support to this belief by pointing out through the writings and revelations of Joseph Smith, himself, that he never made most of the claims that the LDS Church would gladly attribute to him.
Third, I strongly believe in “the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel”, and what might be called the fundamentals of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, particularly as taught in the Book of Mormon. We tend to think that once we have had faith, repented, received baptism and confirmation into the Church, that this was the end, we don't need to keep revisiting these principles daily. Truth be told, all the principles of the Gospel, (even the so-called “meaty matters”) are contained in these fundamentals, and we have yet to plumb these principles to their full depths.
Fourth, I have never believed in “salvation by organization”. It doesn't matter how perfect an organization you belong to or how much Priesthood authority you can wield or how many revelations you can lay claim to. The ultimate goal of all of this “striving”, as the Mormons love to call it is to establish the Kingdom of God (Zion) here on the earth so that the Kingdom of Heaven might come, that Christ and Enoch and the Heavenly City of Zion will descend to the earth that they might take up their abode with us, and that ultimately we will all return to the Presence of God in the Celestial Kingdom. To state it more accurately, we will not return to the Celestial Kingdom; the Celestial Kingdom will return to us.
Fifth, this great work of redemption starts with us as individuals and the relationship each of us has with Jesus Christ. There is no substitute for a personal relationship with God.
The aim of this document is to educate and to urge individuals to repent and to seek the guidance of the Spirit. It is not trying to establish anybody as a leader: God has already chosen His leaders, and they operate on both sides of the veil. It is not trying to establish any church or organization. God has already set up His organization, and it is operating on both sides of the veil. This book invites you to discover for yourself the work that is going on under the direction of the Holy Spirit, discover for yourself the work you are called to perform, and do it.
“Blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost.” (1 Nephi 13:37).