Come Up Hither to Zion: William Marks and the Mormon Concept of Gathering delves deep into the life of William Marks, a devoted follower of Joseph Smith and a key figure in the early history of the Latter Day Saint movement. Marks's journey from a descendant of Puritan settlers to a fervent convert to Mormonism is a fascinating exploration of faith, community, and the quest for spiritual truth. As Marks navigates the tumultuous landscape of early Mormonism, readers are taken on a gripping journey through pivotal moments such as the banking crisis in Kirtland, the expulsion of Saints from Missouri, and the clandestine practice of plural marriage. However, Marks's story goes beyond mere historical events; it is a testament to the enduring struggle to define one's place within a religious tradition while attempting to balance devotion to the faith, interpersonal relationships, and personal integrity. After the death of Joseph Smith, Marks found himself at the center of a power struggle among various groups claiming succession. His interactions with Brigham Young, James Strang, and others illuminate the diverse interpretations of Mormon doctrine and the differing visions of what Zion should be. From his involvement in defining moments in Mormonism to his break with Young and eventual ordination to the First Presidency of the Reorganized Church, Marks's life encapsulates the challenges and complexities of early Latter Day Saint history. Through meticulous research and insightful analysis, Come Up Hither to Zion sheds light on the intricate tapestry of beliefs and practices that shaped Marks's spiritual journey and offers a compelling exploration of the Mormon concept of gathering as both a physical and philosophical endeavor.

AN INACCESSIBLE MORMON ZION:EXPULSION FROM JACKSON COUNTY This is Volume IV of an epic, multi-volume work entitled The Quest for the New Jerusalem: A Mormon Generation Saga, which combines family, Mormon, and American history, focusing upon how the author's ancestors were affected by their conversion to the Mormon religion. In Volume I, four of the author's ancestral families the Carters, Hammonds, Knowltons, and Spencer's and the ancestors of Mormon Church founders Joseph Smith and Brigham Young are followed from the time they enter the Massachusetts Bay Colony in New England in the 1600s down to the early 1800s. Toward the end of Volume I, the focus is upon Joseph Smith and his family, including their move from Vermont to western New York and their religious and occult "magic worldviews." Volume II takes up the narrative at about the year 1820, and involves a detailed, comprehensive, and critical look at the events in the life of Joseph Smith, Jr., during the decade in which he purportedly was visited by numerous heavenly messengers, received the "golden plates," translated the writing on the plates to produce the Book of Mormon, received priesthood authority from other heavenly messengers, published the Book of Mormon, and organized the Mormon Church. There is a detailed examination of the contentious debate concerning the authenticity of the Book of Mormon and the validity of Smith's 1820s visionary experiences. The later chapters describe the movement of Church headquarters from western New York to northeastern Ohio in early 1831, Smith's interest in western Missouri as the site for his New Jerusalem/Zion, and the conversion of the author's direct ancestor Simeon Daggett Carter. Volume III roughly covers Mormon history for the years 1831-33, and describes the influence of Sidney Rigdon and many other Ohio Campbellites (Disciples of Christ Church members) on the early Mormon Church. Numerous Joseph Smith revelations designate Jackson County, Missouri, as the New Jerusalem/Zion, the place where the Second Coming of Christ will soon take place. However, Smith chooses to live instead in Kirtland, Ohio, and serious disagreements and tensions develop between Smith in Ohio and Missouri Mormon leaders. Smith begins construction of a temple in Kirtland, and angry Missourians rise up in the summer of 1833 and violently expel the Mormons from Jackson County. They are given temporary sanctuary mainly in Clay County, located across the Missouri River to the north. Volume IV describes the expulsion of Mormons from Jackson County, the efforts of Missouri state officials to deal with the explosive situation, and Smith's attempt to explain why his Missouri Zion is now off-limits to Mormons, although the Lord purportedly has designated it as the site for the hallowed New Jerusalem and imminent Second Coming of Christ. Smith recruits a Mormon army ("Zion's Camp") and leads it from Ohio to western Missouri in an unsuccessful effort to forcefully "redeem Zion," and fourteen members of the camp die of cholera at the end of the trek, including one of the author's Carter ancestors. There are serious recriminations against Smith within the Mormon Church on account of the total failure of this military venture, and a member of the Kirtland High Council Sylvester Smith brings formal charges against him. In the "trial," however, the accuser quickly becomes the accused, and to avoid excommunication Sylvester is forced to apologize profusely for his "false accusations" against "The Prophet." A disgruntled, excommunicated Mormon--Doctor Philastus Hurlbut--travels to western New York in late 1833 and collects numerous affidavits from residents of the Palmyra/Manchester area alleging that the young Joseph Smith, his father, and some of his brothers engaged in illegal, occult, "treasure-seer," "treasurer-digging" activities during the 1820s, and were lazy and dishonest. Many of these affidavits are published by Pain

This eBook contains the complete Restoration Edition Scriptures. Volume 1: The Old Covenants - Comprised of Joseph Smith's Translation of The Old Testament. Volume 2: The New Covenants - Comprised of Joseph Smith's Translation of The New Testament and the Book of Mormon. Volume 3: Teachings and Commandments and A Glossary of Gospel Terms. As one of his most important works, Joseph Smith Jr. spent years making inspired clarifications to the Bible text. Here, for the first time, every known emendation that he wrote or taught has been assembled into the most complete version of Joseph Smith's New Translation of the Bible. In October 1831, Joseph Smith said "except the church receive the fullness of the scriptures that they would yet fall." From that time until his death in 1844, Joseph Smith worked diligently to prepare an edition of the Bible that could be received by the church. However, he was murdered before completing the work, and with the scattering of his notes following his death, it was never published in its entirety until now. The Book of Mormon is a sacred text to millions worldwide. Joseph Smith was led to the buried records in 1823. Thereafter he sought and received the ability to translate the records by the gift and power of God. He published the resulting work as the Book of Mormon in 1830. Since then, many churches have claimed the book as scripture, but it is not the property of any particular church or denomination. Rather, it is a gift to the world, inviting all to come unto Christ, and teaching the path back to His presence. This Restoration Edition of the Book of Mormon is the most accurate version ever printed, and is remarkable among Christian books both for what it is and what it is not. Like the Bible, it makes the case for Christ as the long-awaited Messiah, Savior and Redeemer of the world. Unlike other scripture that descended through thousands of years of scribal copying, alterations and error, the Book of Mormon was translated only once, directly from the original written manuscripts recorded between 600 BC and 400 AD. Teachings and Commandments boldly declares that the heavens are open again, and that the prophesied days of revelation and warning are already upon us. This volume contains the most true and accurate compilation of the history and revelations of Joseph Smith, the first modern American prophet. Each of the revelations has been diligently compared with the originals in an effort to retain only the authentic text of each, and to discard all changes subsequently made by others. The volume also includes Lectures on Faith, which was originally published in 1835 as the first part of Doctrine and Covenants, and teaches more about the character, attributes, and perfections of God than any other modern work; and the Book of Abraham as originally restored by revelation to Joseph Smith. This volume also contains the revelations of Denver Snuffer, another witness of the resurrected Lord who has walked and talked with Him, and the Testimony of St. John as restored by revelation. Taken together, the various works included in Teachings and Commandments speak to us through hundreds of revelations containing thousands of words from God, all pertaining to us in our day and time. A Glossary of Gospel Terms provides inspired and thought provoking insights into many of the most interesting terms and puzzling concepts found in scripture. A wealth of information, this intriguing book should be the companion of everyone searching for a deeper understanding of the things of God. Covering hundreds of scriptural topics, A Glossary of Gospel Terms adds depth to seemingly well-understood topics, and provides new and delicious insights into those areas of spirituality that have been shrouded in mystery until now. Its objective is to uncover truth and inspire readers to pursue a relationship with Christ.