Ezekiel prophesied of the gathering of Israel using two sticks as an object lesson, one labeled "For Judah" and the other labeled "For Joseph." Book of Mormon prophets associated the gathering of people with the unification of scripture and foretold the uniting of their words with the Bible and with scripture from other nations.
I Will Turn Away Your Captivity
Moses prophesied that Israel would be scattered, but he assured them that when they returned to God, He would turn their captivity and gather them. Jeremiah repeated this promise multiple times, even as his people were being scattered. We all experience forms of captivity. God can liberate us from the things that bind us.
The Remnant Shall Return
Isaiah's prophecy about the remnant of Israel returning to God assures that no matter how far they are from home, they are not out of God's sight. Book of Mormon authors echo this sentiment: God is mindful of you, wherever you are, and you can come home.
All the Gentiles
The gathering of Israel is more than the recovery of the people who were lost. It is the recovery of all of God's children who want to be found. God is working to gather all His children, and we can help by being welcoming and accepting of all.
“Smite the Shepherd”
Jesus quoted a passage from Zechariah to explain that His apostles would soon abandon Him, but He promised to meet them again n Galilee. When we are "scattered" in various ways, we can always be sure that God will gather us again.
One of a City, and Two of a Family
The gathering of Israel sounds like a massive family reunion, but it's actually something quite different. Israel was scattered thousands of years ago. They have intermarried with other nations, and their descendants are everywhere. Furthermore, as Nephi clarified, "As many of the Gentiles as will repent are the covenant people of the Lord" (2 Nephi... Continue Reading →
Hunters and Fishers
The gathering of Israel is underway, and each of us can be part of it. Jeremiah said, "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,... Continue Reading →
“Sweep the Earth as with a Flood”
God explained to Enoch that a great flood would one day destroy the wicked, and only Enoch's great-grandson, Noah, and his family would be spared (Moses 7:32-38, 42-43). Enoch pleaded that this flooding might be a one-time event, never to be repeated. In response, God "covenanted with Enoch, and sware unto him with an oath, that... Continue Reading →
Three Covenants
One of the purposes of the Book of Mormon is for us to "know the covenants of the Lord" (Title Page). The Savior emphasized three of those covenants during His visit to the American continent, following His death and resurrection: Israel will be gathered: "Then will I gather them in from the four quarters of the earth;... Continue Reading →
A Standard for My People
Isaiah prophesied that the Lord would one day erect a standard which would attract people from all nations: Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.Isaiah 49:22, 1 Nephi 21:22, 2 Nephi 6:6 Nephi... Continue Reading →