D&C 58

Some have wondered why the Lord revealed the land or center place of Zion to later have the land abandoned for a period.  In my mind, He reveals that answer with -

"Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.
4 For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand."  (Doctrine and Covenants 58:3–4)

Adding -

"Remember this, which I tell you before, that you may lay it to heart, and receive that which is to follow.
6 Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you—that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come;
7 And also that you might be honored in laying the foundation, and in bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 58:5–7)

I sense that even though the Lord knew what would happened for a time period with Zion,  He wanted the saints to understand that it was from this center that the great work in the last days would progress.