D&C 97:15-17 ” 15 And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it; 16 Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God. 17 But if it be defiled I will not come into it, and my glory shall not be there; for I will not come into unholy temples.”
Study Insights
D&C 97:18 (August 2, 1833): The Glory and Power of a Righteous Zion
A Promise in the Midst of Persecution
In August 1833, the Saints in Missouri were enduring severe persecution. Their dreams of building Zion—the city of God—were under assault. Homes were burned, families were displaced, and hope was tested. Yet, amid this turmoil, the Lord spoke words of promise and destiny through Doctrine and Covenants 97:18: “And now, behold, if Zion do these things she shall prosper, and spread herself and become very glorious, very great, and very terrible.”
This verse marked a turning point in how Zion was to be understood—not just as a place of gathering, but as a force of divine influence. The Lord’s conditional “if” underscored a vital truth: Zion’s greatness would come only through obedience to His commandments, purity of heart, and unwavering faith. If the Saints would remain steadfast in righteousness, Zion would not only survive—it would thrive, expanding in spiritual and temporal strength until its glory filled the earth.
The Glory of Obedient Zion
The Lord’s promise that Zion would “prosper” was not limited to wealth or land. Prosperity in divine terms means flourishing in spirit, unity, and holiness. Zion’s true power lies in her people’s consecration and compassion. As they built temples, established schools, and served one another, they were laying the foundation of a community where heaven could touch earth.
To “spread herself” suggests that Zion’s influence would not remain confined to Missouri’s borders or any single city. It would expand worldwide, inspiring righteousness and gathering the pure in heart from every nation. The “glory” of Zion would shine as a light upon the world—a people and a place defined by covenant, holiness, and the presence of God.
The word “glorious” evokes beauty and divine radiance, but the phrase “very terrible” adds a deeper dimension. In scriptural language, “terrible” does not mean frightening in the worldly sense—it denotes awe-inspiring majesty and unmatched power. Zion, purified and united, would stand as a spiritual fortress so mighty that even the hosts of darkness would tremble before her strength.
Zion’s Future: A Vision of Majesty and Strength
This revelation looked far beyond the struggles of 1833. It pointed toward the ultimate destiny of Zion in the latter days—an era when righteousness would prevail and truth would cover the earth. The Saints in Missouri could scarcely imagine that their humble beginnings would one day grow into a global Church, but the Lord’s promise anticipated that very future.
Zion’s glory was—and remains—the glory of a people refined through hardship, bonded by faith, and guided by divine law. Her greatness does not come from dominion or power in worldly terms, but from her holiness and unity. When Zion “does these things”—when she remains faithful to the Lord’s covenants, builds His house, and lives in purity—she becomes unstoppable.
Doctrine and Covenants 97:18 is both prophecy and invitation. It assures that Zion’s destiny is not one of fragility but of divine strength and expansion. The Lord’s people, if true to His commandments, will “spread and become very glorious,” not through conquest, but through righteousness. And in that glory, Zion will stand as a living testament that holiness and unity are stronger than persecution, and that the Lord’s kingdom—once planted in hardship—will grow into something truly “terrible” in majesty and eternal power.
