Church of Jesus Christ in Zion
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The Church of Jesus Christ in Zion is a small Christian sect that began in 1984 in Orem, Utah. The Church was founded by Ken Asay, who became its First Elder, and by David Bradley Eyre, who was appointed as the Second Elder.
Doctrinally, the Church follows the teachings of Mormon leader Joseph Smith. They use as scripture the New Jerusalem Bible, the Book of Mormon, the LDS Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.
The main mission of the Church is to help bring about the City of Zion which Joseph Smith taught would be built at the end of this age in Independence, Missouri.
The main doctrinal difference with the much larger LDS Church has to do with the City of Zion. While the LDS Church teaches that Zion is everywhere, the Church of Jesus Christ in Zion (CJCIZ) teaches that God will build the City of Zion in Missouri. They base their belief on a revelation given to Joseph Smith which says, "Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God. Zion shall not be moved out of her place, notwithstanding her children are scattered. They that remain, and are pure in heart, shall return, and come to their inheritances, they and their children, with songs of everlasting joy, to build up the waste places of Zion — And all these things that the prophets might be fulfilled. And, behold, there is none other place appointed than that which I have appointed; neither shall there be any other place appointed than that which I have appointed, for the work of the gathering of my saints...." (Doctrine and Covenants 101:16-20.)
Another doctrinal difference is regarding who may be saved “in the highest glory” of the Celestial Kingdom of Heaven. The LDS teach that this glory can only come to members of the LDS faith that have been sealed in one of the LDS temples. The CJCIZ believes that good people of all faiths will be blessed with the Highest Glory in the Celestial Kingdom.
Rather than following the conventional religious model of most Christian churches today, the Church of Jesus Christ in Zion is a life plan for families to find and live close to God. One of the unique doctrines taught by Asay and espoused by the Church is that "true worship" is done in the family, and that every father should preside over his individual family as the Family Patriarch. Asay taught that if this were done, there would be no need for organized religion. He also taught that every person is a child of God and has the right to receive inspiration for themselves. He taught that anyone who gained a testimony of Jesus Christ by personal revelation was a Prophet in his own right, and that we should all be prophets.
Ken Asay died in an aircraft accident in 1985. At that time, David Eyre became the First Elder of the Church, a position which he holds to this day.
