We accept the fact that the center place where the City New Jerusalem is to be built, is in Jackson Country, Missouri. It was never the intention to substitute Utah or any other place for Jackson Country. But we do hold that Zion when reference is made to the land, is as broad as America, both North and South--all of it is Zion. If Zion is limited in its scope to the country surrounding Jackson County, it is indeed too bad that Nephi did not know that fact. What a glorious thing it would have been had there been a few Reorganites in his day to inform him of it. Then he and his people would not have fallen into the error of building Temples--like unto Solomon's at Jerusalem--away off down in Central or South America, but they could have placed one in Jackson Country, or the regions round about. It was really an unfortunate occurrence. But to be serious. The Book of Mormon informs us that the whole of America, both North and South, is a choice land above all other lands, in other words--Zion. The Lord told the Jaredites that He would lead them to a land "which is choice above all the land of the earth." (Ether 1:42). We understand that they landed in Central America where their kingdom existed the greater part of their residence in America. When the Lord led the family of Lehi to this land, He said to them: "And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands." (I. Nephi, 2:20). It is generally understood that they landed in South America, and that their nations, the Nephites and Lamanites, dwelt in South and Central America during the greater part of their sojourn here. At any rate, the time of their civilization was principally spent in the South and not in the region now comprising the United States. This proves beyond the possibility of doubt that the choice land was South as well as North America, and while the City New Jerusalem, which the Book of Mormon tells us is to be built on this land that is choice above all other lands, will be in Jackson County, nevertheless, if one accepts the Book of Mormon, one must accept the whole hemisphere as the land of Zion. At the April conference of the Church, held at Nauvoo in 1844, the Prophet Joseph Smith declared that the whole of America was Zion. (See Mill. Star, 23:280). His remarks are recorded in the _Life of Joseph the Prophet_ (Reorganite edition, page 503) as follows: "But in the mighty sweep of the crowning sermons of his life we must not overlook the more miscellaneous gems and striking sayings. Here is one for America, like the sound of an archangel's trump: