The Zion's Camp Expendition.—So was it styled. The Camp consisted of two hundred and five men, led by Joseph Smith in person, and including quite a number of Elders subsequently called to positions of high prominence in the Church. The expendition failed of its object—its avowed object—for reasons similar to those which had caused the expulsion from Jackson County. Disobedience and rebellion on the part of some members of the Camp, and the continued disregard, by many of the exiles, of the divine requirements made of them, prevented their restoration to the homes and possessions of which they had been despoiled.
A Want of Preparedness.—Zion might have been redeemed, even at that early day, had the redemptive machinery been ready and in condition to do the necessary work.[[1]] But such a condition did not exist. "Gather up the strength of my house," the Lord had said concerning those upon whom he proposed to lay the sacred duty of Zion's redemption. But "the strength" of his "house" did not hearken to the appeal,[[2]] and the few who enrolled themselves as members of that historic band were not all trained for the task nor equal to the trials that lay before them.
"The Redemption of Zion Must Needs Come by Power."[[3]]—So spake the Divine Oracle. But "power dwells in unity, not in discord; in humility, not in pride; in sacrifice, not selfishness; in obedience, not rebellion."[[4]] Had all the Jackson County colonists borne this in mind and practiced accordingly, no such catastrophe as that which occurred would have befallen them. And if all who went to their relief had acted consistently with the same righteous principle, they would have escaped the tribulation that came upon them as a chastisement.
Transgression the Cause.—The failure to build the New Jerusalem was due to transgression;[[5]] in other words, to a lack of preparedness on the part of those selected for the sacred undertaking. Had the players been ready, the play could have been staged and presented. But nothing could compensate for the absence of readiness on their part. There is no substitute for the qualities that men and women must possess who are chosen for so exalted an enterprise.
All Not Responsible.—All members of the Church were not responsible for the Jackson County failure;[[6]] but all had to share in the consequences entailed. The strength of a chain is proverbially the strength of its weakest link, and the general average of the newly-formed and inexperienced community was not high enough to justify a better outcome.
Not a Complete Failure.—The Camp of Zion did not utterly fail. Indeed, there are good reasons for believing that it accomplished everything expected of it under the circumstances. And if this be true of the members of the Camp, it is also true of those whose relief and reinstatement were the announced purpose of the expedition.
All Things Foreseen.—At all events, what occurred must have been foreseen. Divine prescience extends to all things connected with the Lord's work. When He commanded his people to build the New Jerusalem, he knew how much, or how little, they were capable of accomplishing in that direction—knew it just as well before as he did after. Such a thing as surprise or disappointment on his part is inconceivable. An all-wise, all-powerful Being who has created, peopled, redeemed and glorified "millions of earths like this,"[[7]] is not one to be astounded by anything that happens on our little planet.[[8]]
The Time Not Ripe.—The All-knowing One knew in advance what those Zion-builders would do, or leave undone, and he shaped his plans accordingly. Evidently the time was not ripe for Zion's redemption. The proof is in the trespasses committed by them against the divine laws ordained for their government.
A Season of Waiting.—"In consequence of the transgression of my people, it is expedient in me that mine Elders should wait for a little season for the redemption of Zion." So came the voice of the Lord to Zion's Camp, on Fishing River, Missouri. But this word of comfort came with it: "I have heard their prayers and will accept their offerings; and it is expedient in me that they should be brought thus far for a trial of their faith."[[9]]
"A Trial of Their Faith."—Such then, was the real purpose of the call for that expendition. More was not expected of the members of Zion's Camp, than a manifestation of willingness to do all that the Lord might require of them.