“We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the ten tribes, that Zion (the new Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth and, that the earth will receive its paradisiacal glory."
To learn about the gathering of Israel1, we must go back in history. Abraham, a great prophet of the Old Testament, received many blessings from the Lord due to his faithfulness. The Lord made a special covenant1 with Abraham called the Abrahamic Covenant.
The Lord appeared to Abraham and said: “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations; And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father; And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee; and in thee (that is, in thy Priesthood) and in thy seed (that is, thy Priesthood), for I give unto thee a promise that this right shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee (that is to say, the literal seed, or the seed of the seed of the body) shall the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessing of the gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal.2”
A) The Abrahamic Covenant3 :
1. Abraham was to be a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ to a strange nation
2. He was to be a father of a great nation
3. His name would be great among all nations
4. Abraham and his posterity would be given a land, which would be unto them an everlasting inheritance as long they served God
5. Abraham's posterity would be as numerous as the stars of heaven and the sands of the sea
6. Many of his descendant would bear the name of God, even the holy Priesthood
7. In Abraham and that Priesthood, all families of the earth would be blessed
8. Those throughout the world from Abraham's time forward who received the Gospel of Jesus Christ would be accounted as the seed of Abraham
9. Christ would come through Abraham's seed
10. God promised to bless them that blessed Abraham and cursed them that cursed Abraham
11. Circumcision was to be the sign of the covenant
12. The covenant was to be an everlasting one, or a gospel covenant
13. In return for all the foregoing blessings, father Abraham and his posterity were to serve the Lord and keep all his commandments.
Jacob was a descendant of Abraham through his son Isaac. Jacob was also faithful and received great blessings. One of the blessings he received was to be called Israel; meaning a prince with the power of God: “And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.4”
These blessings given to Abraham were to continue upon his seed as long as they were serving the Lord and keeping His commandments. “The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he has sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee. And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee.5”
B) The scattering of the house of Israel
Jacob had twelve sons and with their families, became known as the twelve tribes of Israel: “All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.6” Through the years, the prophets dedicated their time to warn the house of Israel. The Lord revealed to His prophets the consequences of their evil ways. For example, Moses prophesied about this consequence; “And the Lord shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.7”
Gradually because they broke the commandments of God, through wars and captivity, they were scattered throughout the world. James, one of the Apostles, addressed his epistle to the twelve tribes: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting...8” Israelites are now found everywhere in the world.
As a result of this scattering, many of them do not even know they are descendants of the ancient house of Israel.
In the Book of Mormon, the Nephite migration was part of the scattering. Nephi recorded: “Yea, even my father spake much concerning the house of Israel, that they should be compared like unto an olive-tree, whose branches should be broken off and should be scattered upon all the face of the earth. Wherefore, he said it must need be that we should be led with one accord into the land of promise, unto the fulfilling of the word of the Lord, that we should be scattered upon all the face of the earth.9”
C) The actual gathering of the house of Israel
The Lord made a covenant with Abraham and promised that one day they would be gathered. “And after the house of Israel should be scattered they should be gathered together again; or, in fine, after the gentiles had received the fullness of the gospel, the natural branches of the olive-tree, or the remnants of the house of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer.10” The prophet Jeremiah also prophesied: “And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.11” Ezekiel also testified of the gathering : "As I live, saith the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you. And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out. And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord God.12”
One of the reasons this gathering is important is for these tribes to know the Gospel of the Savior Jesus Christ, so they will be ready to meet the Savior when he comes again. The gathering of Israel is an important part of Christ's church. In fact, the prophet Joseph Smith received the keys and authority to direct the work of the gathering. Every prophet since Joseph Smith has held these keys. As the house of Israel accepts the restored gospel, the gathering will take place.
The gathering is composed of two parts. The house of Israel gathers spiritually as they join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; they are gathered physically in their return to Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem, which will be built on the American continent. It is the Land promised to the Nephites: “And now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things that ye might know concerning the covenants of the Lord that he has covenanted with all the house of Israel- That he has spoken unto the Jews, by the mouth of his holy prophets, even from the beginning down, from generation to generation, until the time comes that they shall be restored to the true church and fold of God; when they shall be gathered home to the lands of their inheritance, and shall be established in all their lands of promise.13”
The gathering will not be complete until the Second Coming of the Savior. The prophet Joseph Smith received the following revelation about the gathering in the New Jerusalem: "...the time shall come when it shall be revealed unto you from on high, when the city of the New Jerusalem shall be prepared, that ye may be gathered in one, that ye may be my people and I will be your God.14”
“Zion”, in a general sense, is a place where the Saints are gathered and live in peace according to the commandments of God. Zion, or the city of New Jerusalem will be a city built for the Saints, in the last days, where they can live in complete harmony with the Lord. According to the scripture, it is a city of God; as John the revelator said: “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.15” Zion should be built on the American continent, said the prophets: “And that a New Jerusalem shall be built up upon this land (talking about America), unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, for which things there has been a type.16” A few prophets talked about Zion and the last days. These are some selected prophecies for this study. “And in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.17 ”
D) Christ shall reign in the last days
There is room for a lot of interpretations, but we believe those mountain of the house of the Lord are the temples, where all the Saints will gather to be taught God's ways. Mountains, in the Old Testament were considered sacred places where revelations from God, to His prophets, were given and received. “For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever. In that day, saith the Lord, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted. And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the Lord shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.18”
Christ shall reign in person in the last days. “And the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall no be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.19” The Lord will be king over the earth: “And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.20” Christ shall reign: “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.21” Christ shall be the king of kings and come back in splendor as a king in the midst of us.
E) The earth will receive her glory
We believe as the prophets of old concerning the destruction of the earth: “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.22” “The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.23” Then the earth will be renewed: “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.24”
The earth shall move: “Therefore, I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger25” and will there be a physically changed : “For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.26”
“For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.27”
The Lord promises a new heaven and earth: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.28” Peter said: “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.29”
We believe as the prophets of old concerning the destruction of the earth: “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.22” “The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.23” Then the earth will be renewed: “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.24”
The earth shall move: “Therefore, I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger25” and will there be a physically changed : “For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.26”
“For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.27”
The Lord promises a new heaven and earth: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.28” Peter said: “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.29”
John the revelator saw: “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.30” This paradisiacal state is the earth receiving a condition like the Garden of Eden: “And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the Garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.31”
The prophets knew about the last days. The Lord had revealed to them about the gathering of Israel, the New Jerusalem or Zion built for the righteous. The prophets knew about the reign of the Lord on the earth which will receive her own glory; a paradisiacal glory. As Peter said; according to the promise given throughout the scriptures, we, as latter-day Saints, look for those signs. How great shall be the day of the Second Coming of the Lord.
Gathering of Israel : The twelve tribes of Israel were scattered when she forsook the Lord, rejected His statutes, and turned to unrighteousness. Israel is now being gathered as she turns to the God of her fathers, stands fast in the everlasting gospel, and turns her heart to righteousness. This gathering is both spiritual and temporal. As they accept the Savior and join the church of Jesus Christ they are spiritually gathered. Temporally, these converts then gather home to the land of their inheritance, and... “established in all their lands of promise”. (See Mormon doctrine p305, 306)
Covenant: A covenant is a promise, or agreement between person or in this case, nation. More often, it is between God and man. God fixes the terms, which man accepts. (See Bible dictionary, Covenant)
References:
1. See Explanation on pg. 137
2. Pearl of Great Price, Abraham 2: 8-11
3. Pearl of Great Price, Abraham 2: 6-11; Genesis 12: 3, 17:7, 10-14
4. Genesis 32: 28
5. Deuteronomy 28: 9-10
6. Genesis 49: 28
7. Deuteronomy 28: 64
8. James 1: 1
9. 1 Nephi 10: 12-13
10. 1 Nephi 10: 14
11. Jeremiah 23:3
12. Ezekiel 20: 33-36
13. 2 Nephi 9: 1-2
14. See Doctrine and Covenants 42: 9, 84: 2
15. Revelation 3: 12
16. Ether 13: 6
17. Micah 4: 1-2
18. Micah 4: 5-7
19. Daniel 2: 44
20. Zechariah 14: 6
21. Revelation 20:4
22. Isaiah 13: 9
23. Nahum 1: 5
24. Isaiah 11: 9
25. Isaiah 13: 13; 2 Nephi 23: 13
26. Isaiah 54: 10; 3 Nephi 22: 10
27. Isaiah 51: 3; 2 Nephi 8: 3
28. Isaiah 65: 17
29. 2 Peter 3: 13
30. Revelation 21: 1-2
31. Ezekiel 36: 35
2. Pearl of Great Price, Abraham 2: 8-11
3. Pearl of Great Price, Abraham 2: 6-11; Genesis 12: 3, 17:7, 10-14
4. Genesis 32: 28
5. Deuteronomy 28: 9-10
6. Genesis 49: 28
7. Deuteronomy 28: 64
8. James 1: 1
9. 1 Nephi 10: 12-13
10. 1 Nephi 10: 14
11. Jeremiah 23:3
12. Ezekiel 20: 33-36
13. 2 Nephi 9: 1-2
14. See Doctrine and Covenants 42: 9, 84: 2
15. Revelation 3: 12
16. Ether 13: 6
17. Micah 4: 1-2
18. Micah 4: 5-7
19. Daniel 2: 44
20. Zechariah 14: 6
21. Revelation 20:4
22. Isaiah 13: 9
23. Nahum 1: 5
24. Isaiah 11: 9
25. Isaiah 13: 13; 2 Nephi 23: 13
26. Isaiah 54: 10; 3 Nephi 22: 10
27. Isaiah 51: 3; 2 Nephi 8: 3
28. Isaiah 65: 17
29. 2 Peter 3: 13
30. Revelation 21: 1-2
31. Ezekiel 36: 35
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