Lyrics:

1. Glorious things are sung of Zion,
Enoch’s city seen of old,
Where the righteous, being perfect,
Walked with God in streets of gold.
Love and virtue, faith and wisdom,
Grace and gifts were all combined.
As himself each loved his neighbor;
All were one in heart and mind.

2. There they shunn’d the pow’r of Satan
And observed celestial laws;
For in Adam-ondi-Ahman
Zion rose where Eden was.
When beyond the pow’r of evil,
So that none could covet wealth,
One continual feast of blessings
Crown’d their days with peace and health.

3. Then the tow’rs of Zion glittered
Like the sun in yonder skies,
And the wicked stood and trembled,
Filled with wonder and surprise.
Then their faith and works were perfect;
Lo, they followed their great Head!
So the city went to heaven,
And the world said, “Zion’s fled!”

4. When the Lord returns with Zion,
And we hear the watchman cry,
Then we’ll surely be united,
And we’ll all see eye to eye.
Then we’ll mingle with the angels,
And the Lord will bless his own.
Then the earth will be as Eden,

And we’ll know as we are known.
Text: William W. Phelps, 1792-1872; Dutch melody, ca. 1710.

-History: (Source: Wikipedia)

William Wines Phelps (February 17, 1792 – March 7, 1872) was an early leader of the Latter Day Saint movement. He was an assistant president of the church in Missouri, scribe to Joseph Smith, Jr., and a church printer, editor, and song-writer.

In the early part of 1835, he and his son Waterman were called to Kirtland, where they made their home with the family of the Prophet Joseph Smith and assisted a committee appointed to compile the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. About this time, Elder Phelps subscribed USD$500 toward the erection of theKirtland Temple. Phelps was the author of eleven popular early Latter Day Saint hymns. In Kirtland, Ohio, he helped print the first Latter Day Saint hymnal in 1835, which included “The Spirit of God Like a Fire Is Burning“, which was sung at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. He was also instrumental in printing the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.