Who Are the Children of Israel?

Although the blood of Israel has been scattered literally throughout the world, Israel is not only a national name. Spiritually, it is a qualitative term referring to purity of heart and behavior. Paul told the Galatians that it refers to a qualitative life-style based upon faith in God and obedience to His will:

“Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

“And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

“So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” (Gal. 3:7–9.)

And so it is with the children of Israel. Israel belongs to all those who accept the God of Abraham, and put him in their lives. Israel signifies the love of Christ manifest in kinship and brotherly service. It involves charity, humility, and repentance. For as many as have been worthily baptized into Christ have put on the mantle of Israel. None else. This is the vital consideration: What think ye of Christ? For in him “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Gal. 3:28–29.)

Spencer J. Palmer
“Latter-day Israel: Who and Where?” (Religion lecture series, December 5, 1973, Brigham Young University)