By Jared Eastley

2019

There has been some discussion of late within LDS circles about Gentiles, the House of Israel, and of how Israel is to be gathered.  Here is what Jesus Christ commanded to be written on the subject:

1  HEARKEN, O ye Gentiles, and hear the words of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, which he hath commanded me that I should speak concerning you, for, behold he commandeth me that I should write, saying:

2  Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel.

(3 Nephi 30:1 – 2)

Let’s outline this.  The Lord has said that if we, the Gentiles, are to be numbered with His people who are of the house of Israel, we must:

1. Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and
2. repent of your evil doings,
3. of your lyings and deceivings, and
4. of your whoredoms, and
5. of your secret abominations, and
6. your idolatries, and
7. of your murders, and
8. your priestcrafts, and
9. your envyings, and
10. your strifes, and
11. from all your wickedness and abominations,
12. and come unto me, and
13. be baptized in my name, that ye may
14. receive a remission of your sins, and
15. be filled with the Holy Ghost 

…then “ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel.”

That’s the criteria.  His words, not mine.

I don’t think that just joining the right church or going to the temple quite cuts it. 

Additionally, it should be pointed out that in order to gather Israel we must be numbered with His people who are of the house of Israel first.  Let’s not get too excited about gathering an Israel that doesn’t even exist yet.