Lessons from the Doctrine and Covenants 2021
Lesson No. Fifteen
The Doctrine of Election and the Gathering of Israel
The gathering of Israel is a fundamental doctrine of the Restored Church of Jesus Christ – The Prophet Joseph Smith wrote: “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 be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory” (The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Article 10).
The gathering of Israel is a major theme of the ministry of President Russell M. Nelson – “For the more than 36 years I’ve been an Apostle, the doctrine of the gathering of Israel has captured my attention. Everything about it has intrigued me, including the ministries and names of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; their lives and their wives; the covenant God made with them and extended through their lineage; the dispersion of the twelve tribes; and the numerous prophecies about the gathering in our day. I have studied the gathering, prayed about it, feasted upon every related scripture, and asked the Lord to increase my understanding. So imagine my delight when I was led recently to a new insight. With the help of two Hebrew scholars, I learned that one of the Hebraic meanings of the word Israel is ‘let God prevail’. Thus the very name of Israel refers to a person who is willing to let God prevail in his or her life. That concept stirs my soul!” (Let God Prevail, October 2020 General Conference).
The gathering of Israel is also known as the gathering of the elect – Enoch, who lived in the days of Adam, was taught about the gathering of the elect in the latter days: “And righteousness will I send down out of heaven (revelations); and truth will I send forth out of the earth (the Book of Mormon), to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten ; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City…and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem” (Moses 7:62, emphasis added).
The Lord has again spoken of the gathering of the elect in the latter days: “And verily, verily, I say unto you, that this church have I established and called forth out of the wilderness. And even so will I gather mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, even as many as will believe in me, and hearken unto my voice” (D&C 33:5-6, emphasis added).
The doctrine of election – “Election is a theological term primarily denoting God’s choice of the house of Israel to be the covenant people with privileges and responsibilities, that they might become the means of blessing the whole world (Romans 9:11; 11:5, 7, 28). Election is an opportunity for service and is both on a national and an individual basis. On a national basis the seed of Abraham carries the gospel to the world. But it is by individual faithfulness that it is done” (Bible Dictionary, Election, p. 663).
The primary way the house of Israel blesses the whole world is through missionary service – Abraham’s seed have the responsibility to “bear this ministry and priesthood unto all nations” (Abraham 2:9). Furthermore, “Abraham’s seed have carried out the missionary activity in all the nations since Abraham’s day” (Bible Dictionary, Abraham, Covenant of, p. 602).
The house of Israel is gathered when an individual joins the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and receives their temple blessings – “The main object of the gathering of Israel was to build unto the Lord a house whereby He could reveal unto His people the ordinances of His house and the glories of His kingdom, and teach the people the way of salvation; for there are certain ordinances and principles that, when they are taught and practiced, must be done in a place or house built for that purpose” (Joseph Smith, History of the Church 5:423).
Salvation is promised to those who work to gather Israel on both sides of the veil – We help to gather Israel on this side of the veil as we live the gospel and perform missionary service. We help to gather Israel on the other side of the veil as we do family history and serve in the temple. The Lord promised: “The field is white already to harvest….and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul” (D&C 4:4). This promised gift of salvation and eternal life to those who serve in His kingdom “is the greatest of all the gifts of God” (1 Nephi 15:36).