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Zion or Tzion (ציון "Height", Standard Hebrew Ẓiyyon, Tiberian Hebrew Ṣiyyôn; Arabic صهيون Ṣuhyun) originally was the specific name given to a Jebusite fortress near modern-day Jerusalem that was conquered by David. The original fortress was located on the hill in southeastern Jerusalem, called Mount Zion.
Zion, or Sion, is an archaic term that originally referred to a section of Jerusalem, which, by Biblical definition, is the City of David. After the death of King David, the term Zion came to refer to the hill in Jerusalem which was the site of Solomon's temple. Later, Zion came to refer to temple and the temple grounds themselves. Beyond that, Zion is used to symbolize Jerusalem and the Promised Land of God to come, in which God dwells among his chosen people.
The longing for Zion of the Babylonian Hebrews was adopted as a metaphor by Christianized Black slaves. Thus, Zion symbolizes a longing, by wandering peoples, for a safe homeland. This could be a literal place such as in EthiopiaThe Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ityop'iya Amharic ) is a country of northeastern Africa. It has one of the most extensive known histories as an independent nation in the continent. Unique among African countries, the Ethiopian monarchy maintai for Rastafarians for example. For others, it has taken on a more spiritualSpirituality may include belief in supernatural powers, as in religion, but the emphasis is on experience. What is referred to as "religion" and what is referred to as "spirituality" are often the same. In recent years, "spirituality" has often carried co meaning—a safe spiritual homeland, like in heavenThe heavens are the sky, the celestial sphere, or outer space. Indeed, sky is the original meaning of the word Heaven''. Heaven is an afterlife concept found in many world religions or spiritual philosophies. Those who believe in heaven generally hold tha, or a kind or peace of mind in one's present life.
Zion is a city that Latter-day Saints believe will be built in Jackson County, MissouriJackson County is a county located in the U. State of Missouri. As of 2000, the population is 654,880. Its county seat is Independence 6. Geography According to the U. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,596 km² (616 mi²). 1,567 km² (605 mi²), and a common reference to both North and South America as the " Promised Land".
In a spiritual sense, Zion is regarded by LDS as a perfect social state of being of "pure in heart" believers, where all people have all things in common, and there is no suffering nor impoverished among them. It stands in opposing contrast to proverbial Babylon, where there is much suffering, poverty and whoredoms.
These uses of the name "Zion" are associated with references in the Book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price, where Enoch the son of Jared founds a city for the righteous descendants of Adam. This city becomes so good and so pure that it is translated (vanished) from the presence of the earth and brought into the presence of God, leaving behind on earth only Methuselah and his family (including Noah) to repopulate the earth with righteous people. LDS believe that, before the Second Coming, Zion the city of Enoch will return to the presence of the earth.