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Show Hingkley Journal of Politics 2005 City, Community, and Purity: Mormonism's Evolution of Zionism and Place M. Todd Ethington Place is fundamental to society's conception of community, both secular and religious. This paper examines and contrasts two such communities, Judaism and Mormonism, in the context of political and religious Zionism. It first introduces and explores communities of place in political theory in general. Jewish Zionism, a political and religious movement of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and the role that place has played in this movement, are briefly examined. The concept of Zion within Mormon theology is then discussed, tracing its evolution within Mormonism of being, in turn, a literal city and theocratic nation-state, a community of like-minded believers, and personal spiritual purity. Finally, the adherent changes in the concept of place within Mormon community are outlined, and reasons for these changes are proposed. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory. 10th Article of Faith, March 18421 I know now that the place of safety in this world is not in any given place; it doesn't make so much difference where we live; but the all-important thing is how we live, and I have found that the security can come to Israel only when they keep the commandments.... Harold B. Lee, April 19432 Introduction Religious communities have traditionally placed a great emphasis on place as an element of the community itself. This has sometimes been evidenced in the building of holy shrines or places of worship, the designation of certain land as sacred, or in gathering regularly or permanently as a body of like-minded believers. These components are apparent in aspects of Zionism-generally defined as a quest by Jews to "establish a homeland, or nation-state...in Israel" (Ball and Dagger 2002, 182). But the quest for Zion has also been evidenced-whether implicitly or explicitly- 1 In History of the Church. Vol. 4. 535-41. 'Conference Report, April 1943, 129. Quoted in Millet 1985, 228. Commonly called the "Mormon" or "LDS" Church; adherents are regularly referred to as "Mormons," "LDS," or "Saints." in strands of other religious traditions. Zion has played prominently in the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints3, and the pursuit of Zion among the Mormon faithful has become its own unique form of Zionism. Zion, its mythos, and its development in LDS theology have had a profound effect on how place in, and its essentiality to, Mormon community has evolved. This paper proposes to examine Mormon Zionism and how its developing emphasis within the Mormon tradition has affected community of place within Mormonism; it will attempt to look at the ways in which a changing concept of Zion has influenced the larger concept of place for Mormons. It suggests that in order to accommodate Zion's evolution, Mormons' sense of community of place has been forced to also change. It will first look at communities of place, and position Mormons in context by looking at Jewish Zionism in general. Next, this paper will attempt to trace how the original conceptions of Zion within Mormonism have evolved into modern conceptions. Finally, it will examine how the definition and importance of place to Mormon community has evolved as a result of changes in conceptions of Zion. It will be argued that one can see a shift in emphasis from the "bonding" of early Mormon community to current admonitions toward a more "bridging" Mormon community today (Putnam 2001, 22). Possible motives for developments in Mormon Zionism will also be discussed. Communities of Place in Political Theory Traditionally, place has been fundamental to society's conception of community. The ancient Greek city-state, or polis, was an urban center, the fundamental job of which was to |