Mormons believe in—the Gathering of Israel

Who are the people that God sent prophets to throughout the Bible? Who received and recorded the revelations? {Article of Faith #9}. Quite simply: They were the Israelites, more commonly known as the Jews.

The House of Israel (Jews) are an important nation who God led and blessed through Old Testament times. Yet so many Christians know so little about them. Let's start with a baseline of background information about their history and how they were scattered:

• Abraham's son, Jacob, was given the name of Israel by God (Genesis 32:38). Israel can refer to Jacob himself, his descendants or to the kingdom of Israel in the Old Testament.
• Jacob, or Israel, had twelve sons. Their descendants became known as the twelve tribes of Israel. 
• Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage (Exodus 3-14). Judges governed their nation for the first few hundred years; then came the reign of kings.
• When King Solomon died, ten tribes revolted to form a separate nation. They became the northern kingdom of Israel (the remaining two tribes are known as Judah) and were carried away captive into Assyria in 721 B.C. They have become lost to all known records.
• The last two tribes, who became known as Judah, were taken into captivity by Babylon just a short time later. They were eventually allowed to return to their homeland.

God made a covenant with Abraham. What's a covenant? It's a two way promise between God and us. God sets the conditions and then promises to bless us if we obey. Abraham promised that he and his household would forever serve God and keep His commandments. In return, God promised Abraham would "be a father of many nations" and that his descendants would be blessed with the Gospel (Gen. 17:1-22). That is why the House of Israel is also called: God's covenant people.

Remember Jesus Christ's lineage? He was a Jew. As prophesied, He was born into the House of David. The New Testament is a record of Jesus Christ teaching his fellowmen, the Jews. When Christ and the apostles taught and baptized Gentiles as well, many of the Jews were confused and offended by such a drastic change from their traditions. In response to these concerns, Paul (a Jew and a Pharisee) answered, "What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved Jews and gentiles, that they are all under sin . . . Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God" (Romans 3:9, 29-30).

Before Christ came, an Israelite was someone born into that lineage. The change that occurred, that many of the Jews did not fully comprehend, was Christ's Atonement. Part of His purpose was to fulfill the law of Moses and establish a new covenant. Jesus is the "mediator of the new covenant" part of which allows for the adoption of other nations (the gentiles) into the House of Israel (Hebrews 12:24, 8, 9). How is that possible? The House of Israel is also called God's covenant people. It is not just a declaration of lineage or nation, but of a person's belief in God.

Israel is more than just a man, a nation, or a location; it has a deeper meaning: a true believer in Christ (Ephesians 2:12). When we make and keep God's covenants, we become God's covenant people. Part of the gathering of Israel is inviting all men to come unto Christ and follow His example by becoming a covenant keeping people. 

The other part of the gathering is literally bringing the lost ten tribes of Israel back to a knowledge of who they are and back to their God. The ten tribes may be lost to mankind, but they are not lost to God. He loves and remembers His covenant people, and will uphold His promises to them. Even as they were scattered in fulfillment of prophecy, they will again be gathered as prophecied (Deuteronomy 4:27-31). "I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion" (3 Nephi 21:1). 

We believe this is a key component of Christ's Second Coming. While Jews do not believe it will be the Messiah's second coming, one of their own 13 Articles of Faith mirrors our belief that the Messiah will come and reign in power and glory, claiming the earth as His kingdom. We embrace our commonalities with the Jewish faith and look forward to the day when all will be united in truth and love under our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Luke 13:34 "How often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!"

Continue reading: {Article of Faith #11} Should all men be free to worship and believe as they wish?