Have you ever felt like your “gospel knowledge” on a subject was inadequate? I’m sure many of us feel at times that we could know more about specific aspects or history of the gospel or Church history.
This is how I feel when discussing the Children of Israel—their scattering and gathering. After recent talks by Church leaders on this subject, I finally decided to study this topic more seriously.
This post is not a comprehensive history of the Lord’s chosen people and the prophecies surrounding them. Instead, it’s a summary of what I learned as I focused on this topic.
I am not an expert on this subject. I’ve never taken an institute course on The Old Testament. This is simply a summary of what I learned—I hope it helps others that may feel their knowledge about this subject is lacking.
Backstory: Who Are the Children of Israel?
The Lord blessed Abraham to make his people a great nation and numerous as the sands of the sea. He also promised his people:
- They would inherit a chosen land
- They would carry the priesthood
- That families of the earth would be blessed by the covenant Abraham made
The Lord renewed His promise to Abraham through both Isaac and Jacob (Israel).
According to the Old Testament, the name Israel was given to Jacob at both Penuel and Bethel. Jacob is the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham. Therefore, the people became the Children of Israel.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also consider themselves children of Israel as they make sacred covenants in holy temples. Speaking to members of the Church, President Russel M. Nelson taught:
“We are also 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.” 1
While all have the opportunity to be adopted into this family, during this post, I will focus on literal descendants.
Backstory: The Scattering of Israel
Since their existence, the children of Israel, have had many difficult trials and peace has rarely been obtained.
Jacob (Israel) lived in 1800 BC. He lived in Canaan but eventually went to Egypt because of famine. This is the story related to Joseph, Jacob’s son, that was sold into Egypt by his brothers.
While Joseph had great authority in Egypt, after his death, Jacob’s people were eventually taken captive and became slaves to the Egyptians. They lived this way for roughly 300-400 years before Moses was born. At which point, he famously led the children of Israel from Egypt back to Canaan (the promised land).
Later, the children of Israel gained prosperity under King David and his son Solomon. During this time, the tribes of Israel were united and had peace. However, after Solomon’s death, the kingdom was divided between the land north and south. The southern kingdom belonged to the tribe of Judah.
Eventually the Assyrians scattered the northern tribes in 721 BC (see 2 Kings 17:6). Then the Babylonians took Judah into exile 586 BC (see 2 Kings 25).
The scattering of Israel had been foretold by prophets for centuries (see Leviticus 26:33 and Deuteronomy 28:64).
This captivity and scattering were a result of broken covenants and a turning from the Lord. “They hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the children of Israel.” (2 Kings 21:9)
Three Things I Learned
During this study, I learned many things, the backstory I’ve provided is helpful for three primary things I learned:
- The difference between Israelites and Jews
- What The Book of Mormon teaches and its alignment to The Old Testament
- How Joseph Smith asked to start the gathering process
The Difference Between Israelites and Jews
Often the words Israelites and Jews are used interchangeably but may be used incorrectly.
Jacob (Israel) had 12 sons. He divided his lands among them—except for Levi, who received priestly duties. Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, split Joseph’s inheritance.
The tribe of Judah inhabited most of the southern portion of the land, while most of the other tribes lived in the northern regions. Through wars and disobedience, the northern tribes were scattered and conquered. However, the tribe of Judah was spared for a time.
Descendants of Judah are considered Jews. Israelites are any descendants of Jacob. The people of Judah are Israelites, but not all Israelites are Jewish.
Birthright alone doesn’t determine whether a person is Jewish. There are three primary reasons someone was considered Jewish:
- They belonged to the tribe of Judah
- They were born in the southern kingdom
- They practiced the religion of Judaism
What The Book of Mormon Teaches About Israel
The Book of Mormon teaches about the scattering and gathering of Israel. And the timelines and historical records align with The Old Testament.
Nephi’s family left Jerusalem just prior to the Babylonians taking control of the kingdom of Judah (586 BC). At that time, the prophet Jeremiah was warnings the people about the destruction they would face because of their wickedness.
From 1 Nephi chapter 5 and chapter 7 we know that Nephi knew of Jeremiah and his teachings. Jeremiah’s influence over Nephi cannot be ignored. Nephi lived among the Jews during the early part of his life as he watched his own father along with Jeremiah provide prophecies on certain destruction of the people.
“Jeremiah, a Levite, came from Anathoth, a town of the priests that lay a few miles northeast of Jerusalem in the tribal territory of Benjamin. He labored in his prophetic calling during the reign of at least four kings of Judah: Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. He began his labors as a youth in approximately 627 B.C. and was the leading prophet in Jerusalem, serving with Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Lehi, and others.” 2
Through prophetic teachings and revelation, Nephi not only knew about the scattering, but the eventual gathering of the children of Israel.
1 Nephi 10:14: “And after the house of Israel should be scattered they should be gathered together again; or, in fine, after the Gentiles had received the fulness of the Gospel, the natural branches of the olive tree, or the remnants of the house of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer.”
Joseph Smith Asked to Start the Gathering
Since the beginning of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, critical doctrine has been taught about the gathering of Israel. The realization of this process started during the dedication of the Kirtland temple in March 1836.
During the dedicatory prayer, the prophet asked that the gathering of Israel commence:
62 We therefore ask thee to have mercy upon the children of Jacob, that Jerusalem, from this hour, may begin to be redeemed.
63 And the yoke of bondage may begin to be broken off from the house of David;
64 And the children of Judah may begin to return to the lands which thou didst give to Abraham, their father.
65 And cause that the remnants of Jacob, who have been cursed and smitten because of their transgression, be converted
67 And may all the scattered remnants of Israel, who have been driven to the ends of the earth, come to a knowledge of the truth, believe in the Messiah, and be redeemed from oppression, and rejoice before thee.
About a week later, the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery received a vision within the temple that God had heard their prayer and was willing to begin the gathering process.
“After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north.” (D&C 110:11 )
The Lord was fulfilling a promise he had made since the Old Testament—one day the children and Israel would be restored to their lands and come to the knowledge that Christ is the Messiah and redeemer for all mankind.
Conclusion
There is so much I have learned during my studies. The impact it’s had on my knowledge and views of this chosen people has helped me better understand both ancient scripture and modern revelation. I have especially gained insights into the New Testament, and the people Christ was teaching during His earthly ministry.
Perhaps most importantly, it’s given me additional motivation to be involved in the gather of Israel. President Russell M. Nelson said, “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.” 3
If you’re like me and feel confusion about this subject, I would highly recommend taking time to increase your knowledge and study about the significance of the scattering, gathering, and covenants of Israel. Doing so will give you a greater appreciation for the critical work taking place on the earth today.
- Russell M. Nelson, Children of the Covenant, General Conference, April 1995, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1995/04/children-of-the-covenant?lang=eng ↩︎
- Old Testament Student Manual 1 Kings–Malachi, Chapter 23 “As Ye Sow, So Shall Ye Reap”, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/old-testament-student-manual-kings-malachi/chapter-23?lang=eng ↩︎
- Russell M. Nelson, Hope of Israel, Worldwide Devotional, June 3, 2018, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/worldwide-devotional-for-young-adults/2018/06/hope-of-israel?lang=eng ↩︎
