The 'center place' of Zion revealed
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The Book of Mormon tells of a New Jerusalem that will be located in "this land" - the Americas. (3 Ne. 20:22; 21:23-24; Ether 13:1-12.)
In September 1830, less than six months after the Church was organized, the Lord revealed that this holy city would be erected "on the borders by the Lamanites." (D&C 28:9.)Even then, the exact location of the New Jerusalem was still unknown to the early Latter-day Saints. In February 1831, the Lord promised "it shall be revealed unto you in mine own due time where the New Jerusalem shall be built." (D&C 42:62.)
That promise was fulfilled when, on July 20, 1831, the Lord declared that Missouri was the land He had appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints. In the same revelation, He also identified Independence (in Jackson County) as the "center place; and a spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the courthouse." (D&C 57:1-4.)
Concerning Jackson County, the Church Educational System's Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual contains this notation:
"In the early days of the Church, Jackson County was often referred to as the `center stake' of Zion, but this expression is not technically correct. As Hyrum M.T Smith and Janne M.T Sjodahl pointed out, `it might . . . be well to remember that no stake was ever organized in early Church historyT in Jackson County. Following the figure symbolT given by Isaiah, chapters 33:20 and 54:2, we cannot speak of a center stake of Zion. The term Stake of Zion was first used in a revelation given in November 1831. (Section 68.)
" `It is a comparison to the stakes which bind a tent. . . . Zion is the tent, and how can the tent be a stake?' (Doctrine and Covenants Commentary, p. 189.)
"In other words, since the tent symbolizes Zion itself, and the stakes the individual units that strengthen Zion, it is more correct to speak of Zion as the `center place' rather than the `center stake.' "
