2 Nephi 25:16-17

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Reference Search: 2 Nephi 25:16-17

16 And after they have been scattered, and the Lord God hath scourged them by other nations for the space of many generations, yea, even down from generation to generation until they shall be persuaded to believe in Christ, the Son of God, and the atonement, which is infinite for all mankind—and when that day shall come that they shall believe in Christ, and worship the Father in his name, with pure hearts and clean hands, and look not forward any more for another Messiah, then, at that time, the day will come that it must needs be expedient that they should believe these things.

17 And the Lord will set his hand again the second time to restore his people from their lost and fallen state. Wherefore, he will proceed to do a marvelous work and a wonder among the children of men.

Quotes for Discussion

Gathering (second time)

The gathering of Israel is first spiritual and second temporal. It is spiritual in that the lost sheep of Israel are first “restored to the true church and fold of God,” meaning that they come to a true knowledge of the God of Israel, accept the gospel which he has restored in latter-days, and join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is temporal in that these converts are then “gathered home to the lands of their inheritance, and…established in all their lands of promise.” (2 Ne. 9:2; 25:15-18; Jer. 16:14-21), meaning that the house of Joseph will be established in America, the house of Judah in Palestine, and that the Lost Tribes will come to Ephraim in America to receive their blessings in due course (D&C 133).

Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 280

In that day when Israel remembers their God—that is, accepts Jesus as the Christ—then he will remember them and the covenants which he made with their fathers. This spiritual gathering must precede the temporal gathering.

R. Millet and J. F. McConkie, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 1:148

Certainly one of the major messages of the 25th chapter of 2 Nephi is concerned with this general topic of the gathering and restoration of Israel, with a specific message and invitation to the descendants of Judah to gather back to the true fold of the Shepherd of Israel. As some of you will recall, within a month of the death of President Kimball and the reorganization of the First Presidency in 1985, a special statement from the First Presidency was published under the title: “An invitation to come back” (LDS Church News [22 Dec 1985] 3). As most of us read this stirring invitation, we thought primarily of those who had previously been members of the Church in this dispensation but who may have wandered from the fold because of inactivity or had even left the fold through disfellowshipment or excommunication. However, as you reread here some of the words of this invitation by the First Presidency, I would invite you to think of them as extending to the descendants of those of prior dispensations—including the Jewish people and others who have not yet accepted the fullness of the gospel. These words include the following:

We rejoice in the blessings that come of membership and activity in this Church whose head is the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. In deep sincerity we express our love and gratitude for our brethren and sisters everywhere….

To those who have ceased activity and to those who have become critical, we say “Come back. Come back and feast at the table of the Lord, and taste again the sweet and satisfying fruits of fellowship with the saints.”

We are confident that many have longed to return, but have felt awkward about doing so. We assure you that you will find open arms to receive you and willing hands to assist you.

This is the…season when we honor the birth of the Lord who gave His life for the sins of all. We know there are many who carry heavy burdens of guilt and bitterness. To such we say, “Set them aside and give heed to the words of the Savior: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

“’Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

“’For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’” (Matthews 11:28-30)

We plead with you. Pray for you. We invite and welcome you with love and appreciation.

Sincerely your brethren,

The First Presidency

Ezra Taft Benson

Gordon B. Hinckley

Thomas S. Monson

To me, this is essentially the message to the Jews that was given by Nephi in his writings:

Come back. Come back and feast at the table of the Lord, and taste again the sweet and satisfying fruits of fellowship….We plead with you. We pray for you. We invite and welcome you with love and appreciation.

May this inspired invitation be truly received.

Daniel H. Ludlow, The Message to the Jews