“Lesson 12: ‘The Gathering of My People’” Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Class Member Study Guide (1999)
“Lesson 12,” Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Class Member Study Guide
Lesson 12
“The Gathering of My People”
Reading assignment: Doctrine and Covenants 29:1–8; 33:3–7; 37; 38:24–41; 52:2–5, 42–43; 57:1–3; 110:11; Articles of Faith 1:10; Our Heritage, pages 16–23, 37–39.
The spiritual gathering of Israel occurs as people learn the gospel, come unto Christ, are baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and keep their covenants. In this way they are gathered from the world into the Church, or the kingdom of God on earth. The physical gathering of Israel occurs as Church members come together in a particular location or in the stakes of Zion throughout the world.
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Read D&C 29:1–2, 7–8. What do these verses teach about the purposes of the gathering?
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What purposes did the Lord give for commanding His people to go to Ohio? (See D&C 38:31–32; 39:15.) How were the Saints “endowed with power from on high” after they gathered to Ohio? (See D&C 95:8; 105:33; 110:9.)
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Rather than gather to a central location as the early Saints did, we are now counseled to gather to and strengthen the stakes of Zion where we live. What can we do to ensure that our stakes are a refuge and a defense against evil?
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The gathering of the Lord’s people continues today. Many of Heavenly Father’s children are searching for the truth, and “are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it” (D&C 123:12). What responsibilities do we have to assist with this work?