D&C 97

As the Lord commends as well as rebukes several saints in land of Zion or Jackson County Missouri, we learn a great deal more concerning the meaning or nature of Zion.  He begins with -

"that I may show unto you my will concerning your brethren in the land of Zion, many of whom are truly humble and are seeking diligently to learn wisdom and to find truth."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 97:1)

"...blessed are such, for they shall obtain; for I, the Lord, show mercy unto all the meek, and upon all whomsoever I will, that I may be justified when I shall bring them unto judgment."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 97:2)

In addition to those being humble, meek, and who are diligently striving to learn and find wisdom and truth, the Lord adds -

"...all among them who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice—yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command—they are accepted of me."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 97:8)

It is of these people the Lord says -

"...I, the Lord, will cause them to bring forth as a very fruitful tree which is planted in a goodly land, by a pure stream, that yieldeth much precious fruit."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 97:9)

In these words, we are beginning to get a taste of what Zion is.  The Lord then adds that in Zion -

"...that it is my will that a house should be built unto me in the land of Zion..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 97:10)

Why?

"...for the salvation of Zion—"  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 97:12)

On my mind, as the saints are living in a Christlike manner, that in doing so, it is in His house that He will provide that which is necessary for salvation.  Not only essentials ordinances and covenants, but also -

"For a place of thanksgiving for all saints, and for a place of instruction for all those who are called to the work of the ministry in all their several callings and offices;
14 That they may be perfected in the understanding of their ministry, in theory, in principle, and in doctrine, in all things pertaining to the kingdom of God on the earth, the keys of which kingdom have been conferred upon you."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 97:13 - 14)

All conditioned upon the saints -

"...inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it;
16 Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 97:15 - 16)

But He also warns them that -

"...if it be defiled I will not come into it, and my glory shall not be there; for I will not come into unholy temples."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 97:17)

This could also include our own bodies which Paul taught -

"...which temple ye are."  (New Testament | 1 Corinthians 3:17)

Living in this manner according to the celestial law of God and having a house of the Lord, the Lord then promises us -

"...if Zion do these things she shall prosper, and spread herself and become very glorious, very great, and very terrible.
19 And the nations of the earth shall honor her, and shall say: Surely Zion is the city of our God, and surely Zion cannot fall, neither be moved out of her place, for God is there, and the hand of the Lord is there;
20 And he hath sworn by the power of his might to be her salvation and her high tower.
21 Therefore, verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion—THE PURE IN HEART; therefore, let Zion rejoice, while all the wicked shall mourn."  "Doctrine and Covenants | Section 97:18 - 21)

Zion then is "The pure in hearts" for He also -

"...called his people ZION, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 7:18)

In my mind then, Zion is living in a celestial life or manner here on earth having His house to learn and receive the ordinances and covenants of exaltation.