Shy of 60,000, the town where I live is considered – especially when compared to bustling metropolises – quite small. But even here there is cool evidence of Israel’s children coming home to the gospel covenant.
It’s so thrilling!
Earlier this year I had the sweet privilege of interpreting for a friend who is Deaf as she received her patriarchal blessing. She was told she was from the tribe of Gad. It was an incredible experience. Prior to the patriarch placing his hands on her head, he spoke to her about the tribe of Ephraim and what it meant to be from the tribe of Ephraim. Then, as he began the blessing and went to pronounce her tribe, there was a notable pause, and I heard him say, “You are from the tribe of (pause) Gad.” She wasn’t from the tribe of Ephraim, and he had heeded the Spirit’s impression.
Our ward had a baptism some months ago of another brother. His fiancée told me recently that he is from the tribe of Reuben.
These are just two of the almost 60K here where I live. Imagine members from other tribes who are here waiting to come home to the gospel covenant. Waiting to be gathered.
It thrills me to the center of my being. Absolutely thrills me.
“What then,” asked Bruce R. McConkie, “is involved in the gathering of Israel? The gathering of Israel consists in believing and accepting and living in harmony with all that the Lord once offered his ancient chosen people. It consists of having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, of repenting, of being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and of keeping the commandments of God. It consists of believing the gospel, joining the Church, and coming into the kingdom. It consists of receiving the holy priesthood, being endowed in holy places with power from on high, and receiving all the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, through the ordinance of celestial marriage.” (Quoted from Behold I Come Quickly, pg 133. Hoyt W. Brewster Jr.)
Joseph Smith said, “One of the most important points in the faith of the Church of the Latter-day Saints, through the fullness of the everlasting Gospel, is the gathering of Israel…that happy time when Jacob shall go up to the house of the Lord, to worship Him in spirit and in truth, to live in holiness.” (HC, 2:357, Quoted from Behold I Come Quickly, pg. 144. Hoyt W. Brewster Jr.)
And President Joseph Fielding Smith noted, “The keys are with Ephraim. It is Ephraim who is to be endowed with power to bless and give to the other tribes…their blessings. All other tribes of Jacob…are to be crowned with glory in Zion by the hands of Ephraim.” (DS, 2:251, Quoted from Behold I Come Quickly, pg. 140. Hoyt W. Brester Jr.)
THRILLING.
Though some of these happenings are still futuristic, there is so much we can do now, especially those of the tribe of Ephraim. Since President Nelson has said that the gathering is the most important thing taking place on planet earth right now, it really behooves and blesses us to jump in with both feet and get involved in the excitement.
One simple way is to help the full-time missionaries. We presently have a delightful little duo covering our ward (they are so united they share the exact same last name!). The name badge wearing servants of the Lord are specifically commissioned to teach and baptize, and we members are commissioned to find. Going out with them is the highlight of my month. I love finding, inviting, and teaching Israel’s children. I feel closer to Israel himself.
His children are coming home to the gospel covenant. It’s happening as prophesied. It’s real, and it’s beautiful.
Unto all the world: Israel’s children are coming home to the gospel covenant. Let’s keep doing our part to find and welcome them back.