Gathering Of Israel

[Shoofly]

Can anyone enlighten me more on the why's and who's of this, or direct me to some talks or teachings concerning it?

[NeuroTypical]

Hi Shoofly,

From "The Gathering of the House of Israel", chapter 42 of the Gospel Principles manual:

The House of Israel Are God’s Covenant People

Jacob was a great prophet who lived hundreds of years before the time of Christ. Because Jacob was faithful, the Lord gave him the special name of Israel, which means “a prince of God” (see Genesis 32:28). Jacob had twelve sons. These sons and their families became known as the twelve tribes of Israel, or Israelites (see Genesis 49:28).

Jacob was a grandson of Abraham. The Lord made an everlasting covenant with Abraham that was renewed with Jacob and his children (see Deuteronomy 32:7–9; see also chapter 15, “The Lord’s Covenant People”). God promised that the Israelites would be his covenant people as long as they would obey his commandments (see Deuteronomy 28:9–10). They would be a blessing to all the nations of the world by taking the gospel and the priesthood to them. Thus, they would keep their covenant with the Lord and he would keep his covenant with them.

The House of Israel Was Scattered

Again and again prophets of the Lord warned the house of Israel what would happen if they were wicked. Moses prophesied, “And the Lord shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other” (Deuteronomy 28:64).

Gradually the Israelites began to break the commandments of God. They fought among themselves and split into two kingdoms: the Northern Kingdom, called the kingdom of Israel, and the Southern Kingdom, called the kingdom of Judah. Ten of the twelve tribes of Israel lived in the Northern Kingdom. During a war they were conquered by their enemies and carried away into captivity. Some of them later escaped into the lands of the north and became lost to the rest of the world.

About one hundred years after the capture of the Northern Kingdom, the Southern Kingdom was conquered. The capital city of Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 B.C., and the remaining two tribes of Israel were taken captive. Later, some of the members of these tribes returned and rebuilt Jerusalem. Just before Jerusalem was destroyed, Lehi and his family left the city and settled in the Americas. The Lamanites are descendants of Lehi’s people.

After the time of Christ, Jerusalem was again destroyed, this time by Roman soldiers. The Jews were scattered over much of the world. Today Israelites are found in all countries of the world. Many of these people do not know that they are descended from the ancient house of Israel.

The House of Israel Must Be Gathered

The Lord promised that the Israelites, his covenant people, would someday be gathered: “I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them” (Jeremiah 23:3).

The Lord has some important reasons for gathering the Israelites. The people of Israel need to learn the teachings of the gospel and prepare themselves to meet the Savior when he comes again. The Israelites have the responsibility of building temples and performing sacred ordinances for ancestors who died without having this opportunity. The covenant people of God must take the gospel to all nations. They must fulfill the covenant to be a blessing to all the world.

The power and authority to direct the work of gathering the house of Israel was given to Joseph Smith by the prophet Moses, who appeared in 1836 in the Kirtland Temple (see D&C 110:11). Since that time, each prophet has held the keys for the gathering of the house of Israel, and this gathering has been an important part of the Church’s work. The house of Israel is now being gathered as they accept the restored gospel and serve the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see Deuteronomy 30:1–5).

How Will the House of Israel Be Gathered?

The Israelites are to be gathered spiritually first and then physically. They are gathered spiritually when they join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This spiritual gathering began during the time of the Prophet Joseph Smith and continues today all over the world. Converts to the Church are Israelites either by blood or adoption. They belong to the family of Abraham and Jacob (see Abraham 2:9–11; Galatians 3:26–29).

President Joseph Fielding Smith said: “There are many nations represented in the … Church. … They have come because the Spirit of the Lord rested upon them; … receiving the spirit of gathering, they have left everything for the sake of the gospel” (Doctrines of Salvation, 3:256).

The physical gathering of Israel means that the Israelites will be “gathered home to the lands of their inheritance, and shall be established in all their lands of promise” (see 2 Nephi 9:2). The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh will be gathered to the land of America. The tribe of Judah will return to the city of Jerusalem and the area surrounding it. The ten lost tribes will receive from the tribe of Ephraim their promised blessings (see D&C 133:26–35).

When the Church was first established, the Saints were instructed to gather in Ohio, then Missouri, and then the Salt Lake Valley. Today, however, modern prophets have taught that Church members are to build up the kingdom of God in their own lands. Elder Bruce R. McConkie said:

“Every stake on earth is the gathering place for the lost sheep of Israel who live in its area.

“The gathering place for Peruvians is in the stakes of Zion in Peru, or in the places which soon will become stakes. The gathering place for Chileans is in Chile; for Bolivians it is in Bolivia; for Koreans it is in Korea; and so it goes through all the length and breadth of the earth. Scattered Israel in every nation is called to gather to the fold of Christ, to the stakes of Zion, as such are established in their nations” (“Come: Let Israel Build Zion,” Ensign, May 1977, p. 118).

The physical gathering of Israel will not be complete until the second coming of the Savior (see Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37). Then the Lord’s promise will be fulfilled:

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;

“But, the Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers” (Jeremiah 16:14–15).

Additional Scriptures

• Genesis 17:1–8 (God’s covenant with Abraham)

• 2 Kings 17 (Northern Kingdom taken captive)

• 2 Chronicles 36:11–20 (Southern Kingdom taken captive)

• James 1:1 (twelve tribes scattered abroad)

• 1 Nephi 10:12–13 (Nephite migration was part of the scattering)

• Jeremiah 3:14–18 (one from a city, two from a family)

• Jeremiah 31:7–14 (lost tribes to come from the north countries)

• Ezekiel 20:33–36 (Israel will be gathered from all countries)

• 3 Nephi 20:29–46 (Jews will be gathered to Jerusalem)

• 3 Nephi 21:26–29 (gathering starts with restoration of the gospel)

• D&C 133:26–34 (ten tribes to return from the north)

• Isaiah 11:11–13 (the Lord will recover his people)

• Revelation 18:4–8 (a voice will proclaim the gathering)

• D&C 133:6–15 (Gentiles to Zion, Jews to Jerusalem)

LM

[jadams_4040]

Hi Shoofly,

From "The Gathering of the House of Israel", chapter 42 of the Gospel Principles manual:

LM

And as Elder Russel Nelson noted last conferance {before this one} without the B.O.M the gathering of israel could not happen. i thought about this statement time and time agfain till it registered to me, and how very true that statement is!

[SeattleTruthSeeker]

I have come to believe that the "Gathering of Israel" is the spiritual Gathering and not a physical Gathering.

[NeuroTypical]

I have come to believe that the "Gathering of Israel" is the spiritual Gathering and not a physical Gathering.

Quoting again from the Gospel Principles manual:

The Israelites are to be gathered spiritually first and then physically. They are gathered spiritually when they join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This spiritual gathering began during the time of the Prophet Joseph Smith and continues today all over the world. Converts to the Church are Israelites either by blood or adoption. They belong to the family of Abraham and Jacob (see Abraham 2:9–11; Galatians 3:26–29).

...

The physical gathering of Israel means that the Israelites will be “gathered home to the lands of their inheritance, and shall be established in all their lands of promise” (see 2 Nephi 9:2). The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh will be gathered to the land of America. The tribe of Judah will return to the city of Jerusalem and the area surrounding it. The ten lost tribes will receive from the tribe of Ephraim their promised blessings (see D&C 133:26–35).

[Neighbor]

Quoting again from the Gospel Principles manual:

Has anyone here read Grant Jeffrey's "The Signature of God"?

God told Moses/Israel that if they sin and do not repent that their punishment would be multiplied seven times. Take that with the number of days the prophet laid on his sides and we find that Israel - in part - was restored to the land after the Babylonian captivity - 1 day for 1 year. Those who did not repent and return had their punishment multiplied seven times the number of days (years) prophecied. This was fulfilled to the exact day when Israel was restored as a nation after WWII. We see the prophetic word made sure in our own lifetime that fulfills what Jeremiah said. I think we should marvel at the lengths God goes to be faithful to His word. Don't you?

[Guest Seraphim]

Has anyone here read Grant Jeffrey's "The Signature of God"?

God told Moses/Israel that if they sin and do not repent that their punishment would be multiplied seven times. Take that with the number of days the prophet laid on his sides and we find that Israel - in part - was restored to the land after the Babylonian captivity - 1 day for 1 year. Those who did not repent and return had their punishment multiplied seven times the number of days (years) prophecied. This was fulfilled to the exact day when Israel was restored as a nation after WWII. We see the prophetic word made sure in our own lifetime that fulfills what Jeremiah said. I think we should marvel at the lengths God goes to be faithful to His word. Don't you?

There's nothing offensive about this post, but since you are the same Neighbor from mormonapologetics.org, this is not a place for you considering your recent posting history there. This forum is for congenial discussion with members and sincere questioners.

Seraphim

[Honos]

There's nothing offensive about this post, but since you are the same Neighbor from mormonapologetics.org, this is not a place for you considering your recent posting history there. This forum is for congenial discussion with members and sincere questioners.

Seraphim

As a matter of clarification for those who remain curious, Neighbor is a particularly virulent and hostile critic- one of the ravening wolves we are warned about in Scripture.

It is his habit to pretend nuetrality or indifference, to establish himself as a mild voice and then to attack in the most bitter terms, including harassing those he sees as potentially vulnerable in extended private messages.

After due deliberation, and given his recent behavior on other boards, the mods have decided not to risk attacks upon our membership by someone long proven to hunger for the destruction of their testimonies.

Honos

[fish4kitty]

As a matter of clarification for those who remain curious, Neighbor is a particularly virulent and hostile critic- one of the ravening wolves we are warned about in Scripture.

It is his habit to pretend nuetrality or indifference, to establish himself as a mild voice and then to attack in the most bitter terms, including harassing those he sees as potentially vulnerable in extended private messages.

After due deliberation, and given his recent behavior on other boards, the mods have decided not to risk attacks upon our membership by someone long proven to hunger for the destruction of their testimonies.

Honos

Honos..Thanks for being here. I don't go on any other boards so I don't know if the posters are sincere or not.

f4k

[Honos]

Honos..Thanks for being here. I don't go on any other boards so I don't know if the posters are sincere or not.

f4k

Actually, it was the mighty and wrathful Seraphim who first twigged to Neighbor's post.

The "Queen of Hearts" avatar she sports is not a bit of fancy, but rather an accurate rendition of her character by a reknowned psychologist and artist who protested his innocence right up until the axe blade hit.

Do not tempt her, ye foolish mortals.

Having said all this, I'll be hiding behind the hedge rows looking for the mushroom which will allow me to brush aside her playing card minions.

I hope I find it soon..........

Curiouser and curioser,

Honos

[Guest Seraphim]

Actually, it was the mighty and wrathful Seraphim who first twigged to Neighbor's post.

The "Queen of Hearts" avatar she sports is not a bit of fancy, but rather an accurate rendition of her character by a reknowned psychologist and artist who protested his innocence right up until the axe blade hit.

Do not tempt her, ye foolish mortals.

Having said all this, I'll be hiding behind the hedge rows looking for the mushroom which will allow me to brush aside her playing card minions.

I hope I find it soon..........

Curiouser and curioser,

Honos

Leave my minions alone.

[SeattleTruthSeeker]

Quoting again from the Gospel Principles manual:

From my initiatory investigation into the gathering of Israel, the consensus I have received is that Israel in the Old Testament is the symbolism of the Body of Christ - the Christian Church and that the Gathering of Israel is that of a spiritual nature. One of the passages of scripture that intrigues me is that of Christ in John 8 (I think) where Christ is talking with the multitude about who their father is and the statement being made that not all who are of abraham's seed are abraham's children. The context is that of the Children of the Abrahamic Promise.

33They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

34Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

35And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

36If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

37I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

38I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

39They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

40But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

41Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

42Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

43Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

45And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

46Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

47He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

48Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?

49Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.

50And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

51Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

52Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.

53Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

54Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:

55Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

56Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

57Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

59Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

I have to go back and study this again...but from what I had studied years ago, Israel is the Bidegroom of Christ and it is encompassing of both Jews and Gentiles who are the Spiritual restoration of Israel.

[Shoofly]

Thanks for all the replys. Good stuff.