“To Restore His People from Their Lost and Fallen State”

K. Douglas Bassett

2 Ne. 6:11; 9:2; 10:7-8; 30:7; 3 Ne. 5:26; 16:4-5; D&C 101:20-21; Jer. 16:14-21; Millennial Messiah, McConkie, pp. 351-352; refer in this text to 3 Ne. 20:13, 29-33; 3 Ne. 21:28-29

“The gathering of Israel is first spiritual and second temporal. It is spiritual in that the lost sheep of Israel are first ‘restored to the true church and fold of God,’ meaning that they come to a true knowledge of the God of Israel, accept the gospel which he has restored in latter-days, and join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is temporal in that these converts are then ‘gathered home to the lands of their inheritance, and … established in all their lands of promise.’ (2 Ne. 9:2; 25:15-18; Jer. 16:14-21), meaning that the house of Joseph will be established in America, the house of Judah in Palestine, and that the Lost Tribes will come to Ephraim in America to receive their blessings in due course (D&C 133).” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 280)
“In that day when Israel remembers their God—that is, accepts Jesus as the Christ—then he will remember them and the covenants which he made with their fathers. This spiritual gathering must precede the temporal gathering.” (R. Millet and J. F. McConkie, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon,1:148)

Latter-Day Commentary on the Book of Mormon

References