“The New Jerusalem Which Should Come Down out of Heaven”

Alan C. Miner

According to McConkie, Millet, and Top, the establishment of Zion and the New Jerusalem will come "down out of heaven" (Ether 13:3) in both a literal and a symbolic way. In the symbolic way, the New Jerusalem will be built upon heavenly principles and under the influence of revelation to the Lord's chosen officers. . . . There is, however, an additional meaning--a very literal meaning--to this phrase. Enoch's city--the city of Holiness that was taken up into heaven (see Moses 7:13-21) will come down from heaven and be united with the earthly New Jerusalem (see Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary 3:581; see also Millennial Messiah, pp. 302-9) [Joseph F. McConkie, Robert L. Millet, Brent L. Top, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. IV, p. 307]

Step by Step Through the Book of Mormon: A Cultural Commentary

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