The way to Zion


David Brainerd was a missionary to the Indians in western Massachusetts in the 1700s. Brainerd gave his journal to Jonathan Edwards, who edited it, added commentary, and published it as The Life and Diary of David Brainerd. 

Both Brainerd and Edwards wrote often about the concept of Zion. They quoted from Jeremiah 50:4-5 and applied it to their own life experiences.

4 ¶ In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the Lord their God.
5 They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we often "ask the way to Zion" in the same sense that David Brainerd did in this example from his diary.

'Tis sweet to hear nothing but spiritual discourse from God's children; and sinners inquiring the way to Zion , saying, "what shall we do?" Acts 2:37 , etc. Oh, that I may see more of this blessed work!