“Lesson 13 Class Preparation Material: The Gathering of Israel in the Last Days,” Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon Teacher Material (2021)
“Lesson 13 Class Preparation Material,” Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon Teacher Material
Lesson 13 Class Preparation Material
The Gathering of Israel in the Last Days
President Russell M. Nelson declared, “The Lord is hastening His work to gather Israel. That gathering is the most important thing taking place on earth today. Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in importance, nothing else compares in majesty” (Russell M. Nelson and Wendy W. Nelson, “Hope of Israel” [worldwide youth devotional, June 3, 2018], supplement to the New Era and Ensign, 8, HopeofIsrael.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). In this unit you will have an opportunity to study distinctive Book of Mormon teachings on the gathering of Israel and consider how this important work brings people to Jesus Christ. As you study, look for the responsibilities and opportunities that can be yours as you participate in the gathering of Israel.
Section 1
Why is being part of the house of Israel important?
To understand the importance of belonging to the house of Israel, it is helpful to learn how the house of Israel began. Sometime after 2000 BC, Jesus Christ appeared to Abraham and made an everlasting covenant with him. The Lord promised Abraham and Sarah that their descendants would be offered all the blessings of the gospel. These promises and blessings are called the Abrahamic covenant. (See Abraham 2:6–11; Guide to the Scriptures, “Abrahamic Covenant,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.)
The Lord renewed this covenant with Abraham’s son Isaac and his grandson Jacob. Jacob’s name was changed to Israel by the Lord. Israel had 12 sons, whose descendants are known as the house of Israel or Israelites. (See Genesis 26:24; 28:10–15; Guide to the Scriptures, “Israel,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.)
The house of Israel is God’s covenant people. With the authority of the holy priesthood, they have the responsibility to carry the Lord’s gospel to all people on earth and to make available essential ordinances and covenants to those who have died without the gospel.
When the literal descendants of Israel believe in Jesus Christ and accept the Abrahamic covenant, they are gathered to the house of Israel and become part of the Lord’s covenant people. Those who are not literal descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob can be adopted into the house of Israel by exercising faith in Jesus Christ and accepting the ordinances and covenants of His gospel (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Adoption,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Addressing members of the Church, President Nelson taught:
We are … children of the covenant. We have received, as did they of old, the holy priesthood and the everlasting gospel. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are our ancestors. We are of Israel. We have the right to receive the gospel, blessings of the priesthood, and eternal life. Nations of the earth will be blessed by our efforts and by the labors of our posterity. The literal seed of Abraham and those who are gathered into his family by adoption receive these promised blessings—predicated upon acceptance of the Lord and obedience to his commandments. (“Children of the Covenant,” Ensign, May 1995, 33)
Ponder in Preparation for Class
How would you explain to someone who is not a member of the Church what the house of Israel is and why it is significant?
Section 2
Why should I participate in the gathering of Israel?
When Lehi studied the brass plates, he learned more about his genealogy and his place in the house of Israel (see 1 Nephi 5:14). To help his family understand the importance of being part of the house of Israel, Lehi compared the house of Israel to an olive tree. He explained that just as a branch could be broken off an olive tree, so would the peoples of Israel be broken off and scattered to distant lands. And just as an olive branch from one tree could be grafted into and become part of a different tree, so scattered Israel would eventually be gathered together and become part of the Lord’s covenant people. (See 1 Nephi 10:12–14.)
Grafting is a process in which a branch that has been cut off from one tree is joined to a different tree in such a way that the branch becomes a permanent part of the tree.
Study in Preparation for Class
Read 1 Nephi 10:12–14, and consider marking truths about the gathering of Israel. (Note: In the Book of Mormon, the term Gentiles generally means “nations that are without the gospel, even though there may be some Israelite blood among the people” [Guide to the Scriptures, “Gentiles,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org].)
Not long after Lehi’s teachings on the scattering and gathering of Israel, Nephi found his brothers arguing with each other about what their father had taught. They told Nephi they could not understand Lehi’s teachings about “the natural branches of the olive tree, and also concerning the Gentiles” (1 Nephi 15:7).
Study in Preparation for Class
Read Nephi’s explanation in 1 Nephi 15:12–15, and consider marking truths that help you better understand the gathering of Israel.
Of the gathering of Israel, President Nelson also said:
When we speak of the gathering, we are simply saying this fundamental truth: every one of our Heavenly Father’s children, on both sides of the veil, deserves to hear the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. (“Hope of Israel,” 8)
Individuals on both sides of the veil include those who are alive and those who have died.
Record Your Thoughts
Take a minute to record how your life or the lives of your family members have been blessed by the gathering of Israel. Think of a person—on either side of the veil—who may need to receive the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Record this person’s name and why he or she is important to you. Consider what you can do to help this person receive these blessings.
Section 3
How can I participate in the gathering of Israel?
Jacob, Nephi’s younger brother, taught about the scattering and gathering of Israel by quoting Zenos’s allegory of the tame and wild olive trees. In the allegory, the Lord of the vineyard represents Jesus Christ, and the servants represent His prophets and other disciples who have been called to gather Israel. The various olive trees planted in the vineyard represent groups of God’s children, including members of the house of Israel. (See Jacob 5.)
Study in Preparation for Class
Read Jacob 5:61–62, 70–72, and look for what the Lord expects of those who have been called to gather Israel.
President Nelson explained how simple it can be to help gather Israel:
Anytime you do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—take a step toward making covenants with God and receiving their essential baptismal and temple ordinances, you are helping to gather Israel. It is as simple as that. (“Hope of Israel,” 15)
Make a Plan
Think about the person—on either side of the veil—that you wrote about in section 2. Make a simple plan of what you will do to help this person take steps toward making covenants with God. For example, you might invite someone to a Church activity or share a scripture with someone, or you could download and begin using the FamilySearch Family Tree mobile app. Notice how many tools in this app can help you gather Israel wherever you are.