Jerusalem as a metaphorical parallel

The Jews were the chosen people of the Lord anciently, the apple of his eye, the ones who crucified Jesus Christ, the ones from whom the gospel was therefore taken and given to the gentiles.  Yet in the latter-days the stone which the builders rejected, the same will become the head stone of the corner. Jerusalem will become a holy and glorious city, no longer burdonsome to all nations.

Likewise today, the Mormons specifically, and the Christians generally, both of whom are prophetically called Gentiles in these latter-days, which is the time of the Gentiles, are the chosen people of the Lord.  There are likewise among them as a people those who spurning the work of Messiah among them, and the kingdom will be taken from them and given back to Israel (which will include those Gentiles who repent and are therefore numbered among Israel).

Jerusalem, anciently, at the time of the Jews, was Jerusalem.

As a code metaphor for a parallel people in these latter days, "Jerusalem" is often a reference to Salt Lake City, Utah, which is the headquarters city of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- the people of God (supposed to be anyway).  Even geographically, there are compelling parallels between the two locations, except North is South and South is North:  the first shall be last and the last shall be first.   Utah lake, a large Galilee-like lake surrounded by snowcapped mountains and the people of God, flows down the Jordan to the Great Salt Lake, for which Salt Lake City is named -- just as the Jordan in Israel flows into the dead sea.  These two lakes are both the largest and the most famous inland salt water bodies with no outlet.  For a people who were supposed to be a light to the world and the saviors of men, this has ironic dual imagery:  (1) the salt of the earth; (2) no outlet (we have enough, we need no more; don't bother us with "greater things").

by Sterling D. Allan; Mapleton, Utah; November 29, 1998

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