Jeffrey R. Holland
"The large movement of Israel's conversion, gathering, and return to the lands of her inheritance will require strong, enlarged stakes in Zion. Growth will be 'on the right hand and on the left,' with Gentile cities (probably left desolate by the wrath 'poured out without mixture upon the whole earth' DC 115:6) inhabited by the children of the covenant. It is from this imagery of Israel's wilderness tent/tabernacle with its cords, curtains, borders, and stakes that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints draws its use of the word stake for the name of its basic ecclesiastical unit." (Christ And The New Covenant, p. 289 – 290)
Ezra Taft Benson
"To members, the term stake is a symbolic expression. Picture in your mind a great tent held up by cords extended to many stakes that are firmly secured in the ground. The prophet Isaiah likened latter-day Zion to a great tent encompassing the earth. That tent was supported by cords fastened to stakes. (See 3 Nephi 22:2; Isaiah 54:2.) Those stakes, of course, are various geographical organizations spread out over the earth. Presently Israel is being gathered to the various stakes of Zion. (Come unto Christ, p. 101.)
"In revelation the Lord states: 'For Zion must increase in beauty and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments' (D&C 82:14). Here the Lord declares a great purpose of a stake: to be a beautiful emblem for all the world to see. The phrase 'put on her beautiful garments' refers, of course, to the inner sanctity that must be attained by every member who calls himself or herself a Saint. Zion is 'the pure in heart' (D&C 97:21). (El Paso Texas Regional Conference, 25 January 1986.)" (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.149-150)