Sometimes, it can be difficult to see ourselves as part of the covenant God made with Israel, and we wonder if we have a role in the upcoming prophecies that will usher in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. In the October 12-18, 2020 chapter of Come Follow Me we are reminded that “anyone who is baptized and makes covenants with Him is also of the house of Israel.” We who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a role to play in the remarkable winding up scenes of the latter days.
Reviewing Christ’s Prophecies in 3 Nephi 20-26
In 3 Nephi 20-26, the Savior is again ministering to the faithful at Bountiful. He miraculously provides them with bread and wine and administers the sacrament to them (3 Nephi 20:3-9).
In what must have been a truly remarkable sacrament meeting, Jesus begins to teach them about their heritage as children of Israel and the promises and prophecies that will usher in the Second Coming. He quotes from Isaiah, Moses, Samuel, and Malachi to remind them, and us, that we “are the children of the prophets; and … of the house of Israel, and [we] are of the covenant which the Father made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham: And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed” (3 Nephi 20:25).
What follows is a wonderful discourse directed to all of us on how we can bless and prepare the world for the Second Coming. The Saviour highlights a number of the most exciting and joyful latter-day prophecies that we can personally participate in as we prepare for His return.
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The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is the sign that Israel is being gathered in again: “It shall be a sign unto them, that they may know that the work of the Father hath already commenced.” (3 Nephi 21:7).
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The gospel will be preached to scattered Israel: “And then shall the remnants, which shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth, be gathered in from the east and from the west, and from the south and from the north; and they shall be brought to a knowledge of the Lord their God” (3 Nephi 20:13).
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All types of wickedness will be destroyed and “shall be done away” (3 Nephi 21:15-19).
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Christ’s Church will be restored: “I will establish my church among them, and they shall come in unto the covenant and be numbered among this the remnant of Jacob” (3 Nephi 21:22).
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Zion will be established on the American continents and a New Jerusalem built: “I will establish in this land … a New Jerusalem. And the powers of heaven shall be in the midst of this people; yea, even I will be in the midst of you” (3 Nephi 20:22).
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The Spirit of Elijah will turn our hearts to our ancestors and to future generations (3 Nephi 25:5-6).
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The children of the covenant will prevail “upon all the nations” for the Father “will establish my people, O house of Israel” (3 Nephi 20:20-21).
We Need to Help Gather Israel
President Russell M. Nelson has sent out a clarion call for each of us to get involved in the great and marvelous work that the Lord will perform in our day: “My dear…brothers and sisters, these surely are the latter days, and 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. And if you choose to, if you want to, you can be a big part of it. You can be a big part of something big, something grand, something majestic! ... You were sent to earth at this precise time, the most crucial time in the history of the world, to help gather Israel. There is nothing happening on this earth right now that is more important than that. There is nothing of greater consequence. Absolutely nothing. This gathering should mean everythingto you. This is the mission for which you were sent to earth” (“Hope of Israel,” [Worldwide Devotional with President and Sister Nelson, Jun. 3, 2018]; Conference Center broadcast, Salt Lake City, Utah).
How can we personally be part of this grand endeavour? As we study these Come, Follow Me prophecies this week, we should think about our roles in each of the seven prophecies.
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We need to prayerfully read and obtain our own firm convictions that the words in the Book of Mormon are from God. Then we share our testimonies that there is Another Testament of Jesus Christ with others in normal and natural ways.
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President Nelson explained, “The gathering of Israel ultimately means offering the gospel of Jesus Christ to God’s children on both sides of the veil who have neither made crucial covenants with God nor received their essential ordinances” (“Hope of Israel”). We do this by serving others in any way possible, finding our ancestors and providing them with the opportunity of accepting sacred temple covenants. We should invite all around us to “Come and see,” “come and help,” and “Come and stay” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Your Great Adventure,” Ensign, Nov. 2019).
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Be optimistic in times of turmoil and strife. President Nelson has reminded us that ““The road ahead will always be bumpy; the destination will be serene and secure” (“First Presidency Emphasizes Faith Amid Fear, Isolation and Sorrow of COVID-19,” Church News, Sept. 3, 2020).
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Be a light to others through your good works and kindness of the blessings of the gospel. The restored Church of Jesus Christ is established as we “Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations” (Doctrine and Covenants 115:5).
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Zion is, by definition, the “pure in heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 97:21). We can personally help build Zion by hearkening to the Spirit as He invites us to repent, live our covenants, and reach out to and lift up others. The promise that Christ will personally be in our midst happens when we learn to “Hear Him” (Matthew 17:5).
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The Spirit of Elijah can impact us in so many ways. Family history work, temple attendance, journal writing, and family traditions are all ways that we can bind our families together into the eternities and prepare the world for Christ’s Second Coming.
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Never give up or doubt. When Peter began to sink, he did not doubt Christ. Instead, he reached out to Him and implored “Lord, save me” (Matthew 14:30). In our times of crisis, let us remember always that Israel will prevail, wickedness will cease, and Christ will reign.
Each of us has a role to play in the Second Coming of our Savior. The Lord knows we are capable of fulfilling this marvelous work that has been ushered in with the restoration of the gospel and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. President Nelson emphatically encourages us to move faithfully forward in gathering Israel: “I have complete confidence in you. I love you, and so does the Lord. We’re His people, engaged together in His holy work” (“Children and Youth: A Face to Face Event with Elder Gerrit W. Gong,” Nov. 17, 2019).
We should never forget Christ’s tender promise to us: “My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed” (3 Nephi 22:10).