D&C 115

The Lord speaking first to -

"...my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and also my servant Sidney Rigdon, and also my servant Hyrum Smith, and your counselors who are and shall be appointed hereafter..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 115:1)

Then to -

"...my servant Edward Partridge, and his counselors..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 115:2)

And to others that hold the Melchizedek priesthoo -

"...my faithful servants who are of the high council of my church in Zion, for thus it shall be called, and unto all the elders..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 115:3)

And finally to the -

"...people of my Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, scattered abroad in all the world;
4 For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 115:3 - 4)

The Lord says to them all -

"...Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 115:5)

For the purpose -

"...that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 115:6)

I see this as one of the primary purposes of the stakes of Zion