August 8

How Can I Participate in the Gathering of Israel?

Doctrine and Covenants 85–87

Counsel Together

Led by a member of the quorum or class presidency; approximately 10–20 minutes

At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme or the Young Women Theme. Then lead a discussion about items such as the following, and plan ways to act on what you discuss (you can decide in a presidency meeting which items to discuss):

• Our quorum or class. What activities have we had recently? Were they successful? What went well, and how can we improve them?

• Our duties or responsibilities. Who needs our service? How can we help them?

• Our lives. What goals are we working on individually? What experiences can we share? What blessings have we received?

At the end of the lesson, as appropriate, do the following:

• Testify of the principles taught.

• Remind quorum or class members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.

Teach the Doctrine

Led by an adult leader or youth; approximately 25–35 minutes

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

Those in your quorum or class probably know something about their responsibilities for doing missionary work and temple and family history work. But if you talk to them about gathering Israel, they might not know what you are talking about. How can you help them understand that sharing the gospel, researching their family history, and performing ordinances in the temple are part of a much greater work of gathering Israel in preparation for the Savior’s Second Coming?

Those you teach may have studied the parable of the wheat and tares in Doctrine and Covenants 86, which teaches about the gathering of Israel in the last days. As you read this section, try to envision the people in your quorum or class as laborers in the Lord’s fields. How will you help them experience the joy that comes from participating in this great work? To learn more about this topic, study President Russell M. Nelson and Sister Wendy W. Nelson’s message “Hope of Israel” ([worldwide youth devotional, June 3, 2018], supplement to the New Era and Ensign, ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Young men and young women can help to gather Israel by doing temple and family history work.

Learn Together

You might begin by asking class members questions like these: What stood out to you as you read Doctrine and Covenants 86 at home? What did you learn about the work of gathering God’s children in the last days? What are we doing to participate in this work? Below are additional ideas to inspire your quorum or class to participate in the gathering of Israel.

• Ask members of your quorum or class what they think of when they hear the term “gathering of Israel.” If they need help, suggest that they read the following definition by President Russell M. Nelson: “The gathering of Israel ultimately means offering the gospel of Jesus Christ to God’s children on both sides of the veil who have neither made crucial covenants with God nor received their essential ordinances. Every child of our Heavenly Father deserves the opportunity to choose to follow Jesus Christ, to accept and receive His gospel with all of its blessings” (“Hope of Israel,” 11–12). How does this definition affect the way we think about this important duty?

• To help quorum or class members see how the parable of the wheat and tares applies to them, you could write phrases from Doctrine and Covenants 86 on the board. These phrases could describe symbols in the parable—such as “sowers of the seed,” “tares choke the wheat,” “blade is springing up,” and “gathering of the wheat” (verses 2–4, 7). The phrases could also describe interpretations of these symbols—such as “the Apostles,” “the Apostasy,” “the Restoration,” and “missionary work.” Then quorum or class members could work together to review section 86 and match the symbols with their meanings. (They could also read Matthew 13:36–43.) What do we learn from this parable about the work of gathering Israel? What can we do to be “a light” and “a savior” to God’s children? (Doctrine and Covenants 86:11).

• Quorum or class members might remember that in his “Hope of Israel” message, President Russell M. Nelson invited them to do specific things to prepare to help gather Israel (see pages 14–17). Ask them what invitations they remember, and review the invitations together as needed. How might doing these things make us more effective in gathering Israel? What can we do to remind ourselves of these invitations and help each other fulfill them? Encourage quorum or class members to think creatively and share their ideas.

• Quorum or class members could read the introduction and first two sections of Elder Quentin L. Cook’s message “Great Love for Our Father’s Children” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 76–79), looking for why love is so important in our missionary and temple and family history efforts. Ask them to share what they learned about how love can make a difference as we strive to share the gospel with those on both sides of the veil. Give quorum or class members time to write down something they would like to do because of the discussion today. To help them think of ideas, you might suggest that they think about people they know. How might God be reaching out to these people? How can we help?

Act in Faith

Encourage quorum or class members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. How does today’s lesson relate to personal goals they have made? If they would like, quorum or class members could share their ideas.

Supporting Resources

• Russell M. Nelson, “The Gathering of Scattered Israel,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 79–82

• Church History Topics, “The Gathering of Israel,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org/study/history/topics

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

The Savior trusted those who followed Him. He prepared them and gave them important responsibilities to teach, bless, and serve others (see Teaching in the Savior’s Way [2016], 28). What opportunities can you provide for the youth to teach each other?