Lessons of 2026
Lesson No. Twenty-Three
The Lord’s Grand Design for the Latter Days Includes the Gathering of Israel
Nephi’s vision of the latter days was the topic of last week’s Lesson. The conclusion of that Lesson was that the Lord orchestrated the founding of the United States “with meticulous preparation and precise timing” so the gospel could be restored.
The gathering of Israel is the next step in the Lord’s Grand Design for the latter days. Nephi understood this. In 1 Nephi 13 -14 Nephi prophesied of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter days. The next chapters, 1 Nephi 15 – 18 are devoted primarily to Lehi’s family preparing for their voyage to the promised land, and the difficulties they endured on this voyage.
In 1 Nephi, Nephi continued his discussion of the latter days. As Nephi explains why he is quoting Isaiah, remember that the house of Israel was scattered among all nations, and in the latter days Israel will be gathered. That gathering is taking place as people from these nations join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Remember also that we are the remnant of the house of Israel Nephi is speaking about:
“….that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.”
“Wherefore I spake unto them, saying: Hear ye the words of the prophet, ye who are a remnant of the house of Israel, a branch who have been broken off; hear ye the words of the prophet, which were written unto all the house of Israel, and liken them unto yourselves, that ye may have hope as well as your brethren from whom ye have been broken off; for after this manner has the prophet written” (I Nephi 19:23-24, emphasis mine).
In 1 Nephi 20-21 Nephi quotes Isaiah 48-49. In 1 Nephi 20 we are reminded that God has chosen Israel to be His people, and therefore even though we live in the world we are to separate ourselves from the worldly and not to be of the world. In 1 Nephi 21 we are reminded that “Israel will be gathered with power in the last days and Kings will be their nursing fathers” (1 Nephi 21 headnote).
In I Nephi 22 Nephi explains Isaiah 48-49 in plainness. (My comments are in italics)
Vs 7. “…the time cometh that after all the house of Israel have been scattered and confounded, that the Lord God will raise up a mighty nation among the Gentiles, yea, even upon the face of this land; and by them shall our seed be scattered.”
The “mighty nation among the gentiles” is the United States, and in early American history many native Americans, descendants of Lehi, who were upon the land were scattered and displaced.
V 8. “And after our seed is scattered the Lord God will proceed to do a marvelous work among the Gentiles, which shall be of great worth unto our seed; wherefore, it is likened unto their being nourished by the Gentiles and being carried in their arms and upon their shoulders.”
This “marvelous work” is the continuing restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ which stated with Joseph Smith and it is continuing as new members are gathered to and nourished by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Vs 9. “And it shall also be of worth unto the Gentiles; and not only unto the Gentiles but unto all the house of Israel, unto the making known of the covenants of the Father of heaven unto Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.”
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are the fathers of the house of Israel. Joseph Smith, all latter prophets, and most members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are literal descendants in the house of Israel. Many temple worthy members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been given all the blessings given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These blessings include the promise of an eternal posterity.
Vs 10 – 11. “And I would, my brethren, that ye should know that all the kindreds of the earth cannot be blessed unless he shall make bare his arm in the eyes of the nations. Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to make bare his arm in the eyes of all the nations, in bringing about his covenants and his gospel unto those who are of the house of Israel.”
Vs 12. “Wherefore, he will bring them again out of captivity, and they shall be gathered together to the lands of their inheritance; and they shall be brought out of obscurity and out of darkness; and they shall know that the Lord is their Savior and their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.”
Our God is a God of miracles who is showing His power as people from all nations are being gathered into the house of Israel when they join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and receive their blessings in temples throughout the earth. Members who stay on the covenant path come to know their Savior and their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.
I add my testimony to that of Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “As far as the gathering of Israel is concerned the Book of Mormon is the most important book that ever has been or ever will be written” (Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p. 554).
One of the reasons for this is that the Book of Mormon quotes and explains the most important chapters of Isaiah for people in the latter days. When Isaiah is quoted, the Book of Mormon prophet explains in plain language, both in advance and afterwords, the doctrine Isaiah teaches. That is why the Book of Mormon is the best way to understand Isaiah.
I add my testimony to that of President Russell M. Nelson: “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” (Worldwide Youth Devotional • June 3, 2018).
I also testify as President Nelson taught: “The gathering of Israel on both sides of the veil is the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on earth today!” (Ibid).
Released on June 28th. 2026.