The Gathering of the House of Israel

Lesson Summary for Oct 16th, 2011, by Liz Thomey
Chapter 42, The Gathering of the House of Israel; Taught by Sister Phillips


The Lord made an everlasting covenant to Abraham when he prepared to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice. Jacob, Abraham’s grandson, became a prophet and had 12 sons, who became the heads of the 12 tribes of Israel. They fought amongst themselves and split into northern and southern kingdoms. 10 tribes composed the Northern Kingdom. During a war they were conquered and led into captivity. Some escaped to the North and were lost to the rest of the world.

The tribes of Benjamin and Judah comprised the Southern Kingdom. In 586 BC, with the destruction of Jerusalem, they were conquered and taken into captivity. Lehi and his family escaped to America shortly before the destruction. After the time of Christ, Jerusalem was destroyed again by the Roman soldiers.

The Lord promised that the House of Israel would be gathered again. (Jeremiah 23:3) God gathers the House of Israel through missionary work and they become a covenant people through baptism (3 Nephi 20:26).


There are four main reasons why the Lord wants his people to be gathered:
1. So that they may learn the teachings of the gospel and prepare to meet the Savior.
2. To build temples and perform ordinances for their ancestors
3. To unify and strengthen each other
4. To prepare them to share the gospel with others


Joseph Smith was given the responsibilities and keys to gather the tribes of Israel by Moses in the Kirkland Temple. The Israelites are to be gathered both spiritually and physically. They are gathered spiritually upon baptism as they make and keep sacred covenants. The physical gathering began when Joseph Smith called the saints together in Ohio. It continues today by members being gathered together in each nation.