This was the law among the Nephites: "Wo unto the murderer, who deliberately killeth, for he shall die."—(II Nephi 9:35).
John says: "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that ye shall pray for it."
Every nation since the world began has practiced blood atonement at least in part as that doctrine is based upon the Scriptures. And men for certain crimes have had to atone for their sins wherein they have placed themselves beyond the redeeming power of the blood of Christ.
But that the Church practices "Blood Atonement" on apostates or any others, which is preached by ministers of the "Reorganization" is a damnable falsehood for which the accusers must answer.
ZION.
Members of the "Reorganized" Church inform us that Zion does not include Utah,[2] but is limited to Jackson County, Mo., and the regions round about, Nauvoo being one of the "corner stones;" and when the Saints came westward they left the borders of Zion. Moreover, since Temples were to be built in Zion and Jerusalem, all the Temples we may build in Utah or the West are not recognized of the Lord on this ground alone, if no other.
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:
"I want to make a proclamation to the Elders. You know very well that the Lord has led this Church by revelation. I have now another revelation—a grand and glorious revelation. I shall not be able to dwell as largely upon it as at some other time, but I will give you the first principles. You know there has been a great discussion in relation to Zion, where it is, and where the gathering of the dispensation is, which I am now going to tell you. The Prophets have spoken and written upon it, but I will make a proclamation that will cover a broader ground. The whole of America is Zion itself, from north to south, and is described by the Prophets, who declared that it is the Zion, where the mountain of the Lord should be, and that it should be in the centre of the land. When the Elders will take up and examine the old prophecies in the Bible they will see it."