James E. Talmage
"The Book of Mormon foretells the establishment of Zion on the western continent; but the precise location was not revealed until after the restoration of the Priesthood in the present dispensation. In 1831 the Lord commanded the elders of His Church in this wise: 'Go ye forth into the western countries, call upon the inhabitants to repent, and inasmuch as they do repent, build up churches unto me. And with one heart and with one mind, gather up your riches that ye may purchase an inheritance which shall hereafter be appointed unto you. And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God; And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion.' (DC 45:64-67)
"Later revelations directed the elders of the Church to assemble in western Missouri (DC 52:2), and designated that place as the land appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints: 'Wherefore, this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion.' The town of Independence was named as 'the center place,' and the site for the Temple was designated, the saints being counseled to purchase land there, 'that they may obtain it for an everlasting inheritance.' (DC 57:1-5) On August 3, 1831, the temple-site thus named was dedicated by the prophet, Joseph Smith, and his associates in the Priesthood. The region round about was also dedicated that it might be a gathering place for the people of God.
"Such, then, is the belief of the Latter-day Saints; such are the teachings of the Church. But the plan of building up Zion has not yet been consummated. The saints were not permitted to enter into immediate possession of the land, which was promised them as an everlasting inheritance. Even as years elapsed between the time of the Lord's promise to Israel of old that Canaan should be their inheritance, and the time of their entering into possession thereof -- -years devoted to the people's toilsome and sorrowful preparation for the fulfilment -- so in these latter days the divine purpose is held in abeyance, while the people are being sanctified for the great gift and for the responsibilities associated with it. In the meantime the honest in heart are gathering to the valleys of the Rocky Mountains; and here, in the tops of the mountains, exalted above the hills, Temples have been erected, and all nations are flowing unto this region. But Zion shall yet be established on the chosen site; she 'shall not be moved out of her place,' and the pure in heart shall return 'with songs of everlasting joy, to build up the waste places of Zion.' (DC 101:17,18)
"… Zion is to be chastened, but only for a little season, (DC 100:13) then will come the time of her redemption.
"That time will be appointed of God, yet it is to be determined according to the faithfulness of the people. Wickedness causes the Lord to tarry; for, saith He: 'Therefore, in consequence of the transgressions of my people, it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season for the redemption of Zion.' (DC 105:9) And again: 'Zion shall be redeemed in mine own due time.' (DC 136:18) But the Lord's time in giving blessings is dependent upon the prospective recipients. As long ago as 1834 came the word of the Lord unto the Church: 'Behold, I say unto you, were it not for the transgressions of my people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they might have been redeemed even now.' (DC 105:1-2)" (A Study of the Articles of Faith, pp. 352-4)
Spencer W. Kimball
"[Speaking to the Lamanites] You must blossom as the rose upon the mountain. You must flourish, and you must become a great people so that you can go back to Jackson County with us and we with you, and we will build there the magnificent temple which Orson Pratt said will be the most beautiful building that ever was built or that ever will be built. It will be the culmination of everything that is beautiful and wonderful, and within its walls [will be] the sealing power.
"And the Indians are going to assist with the temple. That is why these Indian people who have accepted the gospel must remain true no matter what comes. They must remain true and faithful. They must go to the temple and get their endowments and their sealings. They must be leaders in their communities, because not too far away there is going to be a great migration to Jackson County, Missouri, and there we are going to build the great temple.
"…And that is only part of it. We will then go forward with you Indian people by the thousands and the tens of thousands to work night and day in the holy temple of God to see that your ancestors—all those that died from Christ up to now, all those who were killed at the hill Cumorah, all those who were killed in between for hundreds and hundreds of years—all have the work done for them so they may receive the exaltation and eternal life of man.
"What works you have to do, you good folks! You must never falter. You must continue on growing to your total stature and bringing your people with you, because the Lord's promises never fail." (Book of Mormon Student Manual, 1981, p. 426-7)