Oliver Cowdery Receives Heavenly Vision of Zion's Location

“Having received, by an heavenly vision, a commandment, in June following, to take my journey to the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and there designate the very spot, which was to be the central spot, for the commencement of the gathering together of those who embrace the fulness of the everlasting gospel—I accordingly undertook the journey with certain ones of my brethren, and, after a long and tedious journey, suffering privations and hardships, arrived in Jackson county Missouri; and, after viewing the country, seeking diligently at the hand of God, he manifested himself unto me, and designated to me and others, the very spot upon which he designed to commence the work of the gathering, and the upbuilding of an holy city, which should be called Zion—and it is even so, that the fulness of the everlasting gospel is beginning to be preached in power and demonstration among the people of this generation.”

— Oliver Cowdery, Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate