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.
Eye Hath Not Seen
God can reveal to us things that we cannot learn through our natural senses. When the Nephites heard Jesus pray in Bountiful, they used language from Isaiah 64 to describe their experience: "The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard ... so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak."
Hearing Isaiah 54 with the Nephites and Lamanites
Isaiah 54 carries a message of reassurance and joy, delivered to people who have endured trauma. When Jesus quoted this chapter, it must have resonated with his audience, who had just survived terrible tempests and floods. But He indicated to them that its complete fulfillment would come in the last days.
Hearing the Words of the Book
God warned Isaiah that the people wouldn't understand him because their ears would be heavy and their eyes shut. But Isaiah later prophesied that a book, which Nephi identified as the Book of Mormon, would overcome this spiritual blindness and deafness. Personal scripture study can help us to perceive and understand more accurately.
Multiplying Bread
Elijah and Elisha miraculously expanded food supplies. So did the Savior, as recorded in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. We can learn two lessons from these miracles: (1) God can provide for our needs, and (2) just as the Savior can provide physical food, He is the source of our spiritual sustenance.
Unchangeable and Responsive
The author of 1 Samuel tells us that God "repented" for making Saul king. But Samuel testifies that God doesn't repent. The Book of Mormon clarifies this apparent contradiction. God is unchangeable, both Nephi and Moroni testify. But the Savior was responsive to the needs of the Nephites, changing His plans on their behalf.
Accounting for Israel
Moses numbered his people so that he could fulfill his responsibility to them. Book of Mormon prophets inherited and extended this practice, including men, women, and children. To be numbered is to be known and to be accountable.
His Father Observed the Saying
Like his sons, Jacob was bothered by Joseph's dreams. But after initially rebuking him, Jacob "observed the saying." Mary, similarly, pondered the words of twelve-year-old Jesus after initially being frustrated. We can follow their examples by thinking carefully about the things our children say, especially when those things hurt or seem wrong.
Abraham the Intercessor
God told Abimelech that Abraham was a prophet and would pray for him. Prophets pray for the people they serve. When Abraham prayed for Abimelech’s household, God healed them. In that moment, the covenant promise began to unfold: through Abraham, all families of the earth would be blessed.
“I Will Be in the Midst of You”
After the Savior's resurrection, He stood "in the midst" of His apostles in Jerusalem and later "in the midst" of a large multitude in the Americas. When He returns to the earth, He will be in our midst. We will not only know He has returned; we will feel close to Him.