Isaiah sees our day: the temple, the gathering of Israel, and the establishment of Zion. Nephi is also favored to view the latter days in prophetic vision, as are most certainly all the prophets in all dispensations. Among the first initiatives undertaken by the Nephites upon separating themselves from the Lamanites is to construct a temple, patterned after the great temple of Solomon. Clearly Nephi has a keen sense of covenant history and a commitment to align his growing branch of Israel with the practices of a Zion people (see 2 Nephi 5:16).
This great prophecy [2 Nephi 12:2–3], as is often the case, is subject to the law of multiple fulfillment. 1. In Salt Lake City and other mountain locations temples, in the full and true sense of the word, have been erected, and representatives of all nations are flowing unto them to learn of God and his ways. In this connection and as part of the general fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, is the fact that one of the world’s greatest genealogical societies has been established in Salt Lake City—a society to which people of all nations come to do the ancestral research which must precede the performance of vicarious temple ordinances. 2. But the day is yet future when the Lord’s house is to be built on that “Mount Zion” which is “the city of New Jerusalem” in Jackson County, Missouri. (D&C 84:2–4.) Mount Zion, itself, will be the mountain of the Lord’s house in the day when that glorious temple is erected. 3. When the Jews flee unto Jerusalem, it will be “unto the mountains of the Lord’s house” (D&C 133:13), for a holy temple to be built there also as part of the work of the great era of restoration. (Ezek. 37:24–28.)” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966], 518)
How do these grand concepts apply to each of us and our families today? As the seed of Abraham, we have a great responsibility to participate in bringing the saving and exalting truths of the gospel to all quarters of the earth and promoting and sustaining the gathering of the Lord’s elect to Zion.