#36 “Were it not for the transgressions of my people… they might have been redeemed even now…”

In June of 1834 the Saints who were still in a scattered condition refused to gather with the Saints in Zion and consecrate their monies for the cause of Zion.

They refused to impart of their substance to help the poor and afflicted Saints.

Because of their disobedience, they failed to redeem Zion and fell under condemnation and made it so that the ungathered Saints would need to wait a little season (which, as shown in other posts is otherwise identified as four generations) for the redemption of Zion:

“Verily I say unto you who have assembled yourselves together that you may learn my will concerning the redemption of mine afflicted people— Behold, I say unto you, were it not for the transgressions of my people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they might have been redeemed even now.

But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them; And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom;

And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.

And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it must needs be, by the things which they suffer.

I speak not concerning those who are appointed to lead my people, who are the first elders of my church, for they are not all under this condemnation; But I speak concerning my churches abroad—there are many who will say: Where is their God? Behold, he will deliverer them in time of trouble, otherwise we will not go up unto Zion, and will keep our moneys.

Therefore, in consequence of the transgression of my people, it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season for the redemption of Zion—" (D&C 105:1-9)

This provides not only another proof that the Great Work will need to resume at a latter time than the LDS foundation movement, it also explains WHY it was hindered.

The great work was hindered, in part, by the disobedience of the enemies within the church who refused to consecrate and gather to Zion.

We usually blame the enemies of the church who persecuted the Saints and drove them out of Jackson County and Kirtland and Far West and Nauvoo for the failed effort, however, as you can see from the passages above, the church membership itself must take some responsibility as well.