In the early church (1800-1900) a literal physical gathering made the only sense. There was no way to maintain a cohesive core if the saints were scattered physically across the globe (re: the Ohio/Missouri period and the gathering of the saints in Navoo/Utah) As technology has advanced, and communication became instantaneous across the globe, the church expanded to encompass all lands. We're not physically together, yet every Sunday we do gather together in worship and in the Lord's purpose, even more so with general Conference. I think it no longer requires a physical gathering of all the saints being centrally located in order for there to be a literal gathering of Israel to achieve the Lord's purpose. Further more, LDS are frequently, almost constantly advised and reminded to "seek out the truth of these things" when we are taught. It's expected that we'll gain knowledge not because it's what Elder so and so said, but because the Holy Ghost confirmed it.
