Gathering Israel

When the prophet of the Lord stands in front of the entire world and claims something to be the GREATEST WORK ON THE EARTH TODAY…we better listen!
Then in the last conference, to the women, (men don’t worry…you’re not excluded), “Extending a prophetic plea to you , the women of the Church, to shape the future by helping to gather scattered Israel.” 
The prophet is pleading with us to HELP!! A plea is an URGENT EMOTIONAL request!
The Lord, full of emotion, is urgently asking us to help gather Israel!

Prophets from the beginning of time have foreseen this day…the day that Israel is gathered….And WE have been called to do it!

Here are the basics..
Israel are the 12 sons of Isaac…who were scattered because they rebelled against God, were unrighteous in their living, and killed prophets.
God promises to gather his covenant people in the last days…this is a prelude to the second coming!
“We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive it’s paradisiacal glory.” – Articles of Faith 1:10

We are to do everything in our power to seek, find, teach those whom do not know or have not heard about our Savior and His restored church. We need to bring the blessing of the gospel to ALL who will listen!
The Lord is NOT satisfied with ALMOST, or MANY…he expects us to not stop until we have found ALL!!

1. We are in a war….as real as a physical war between countries, we are in a raging spiritual war. The Lord is pleaing with us to enlist on his side, to fight with everything we have to rescue those who have been lost and captured by the other side.
“There are two powers on the earth and in the midst of the inhabitants of the earth-the power of God and the power of the devil. In our history we have had some very peculiar experiences. When God has had a people on the earth, it matters not in what age, Lucifer, the son of the morning, and the millions of fallen spirits that were cast out of heaven, have warred against God, against Christ, against the work of God, and against the people of God. And they are not backward in doing it in our day and generation. Whenever the Lord set His hand to perform any work, those powers labored to overthrow it.” -Gordon B. Hinkley 1986

2. The Shepherd cares about ALL his sheep!
If he is enlisting the entire world to gather Israel, (His people), that means he is enlisting the entire world to save all of us! We are all part of this gathering Israel. Just because your found doesn’t make it any less personal. If you were the one lost…you would be the one who was the “greatest work on earth” to find.
“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until you find it?” -Luke 15:4

3. It’s about the ONE!  We are all enlisted because this isn’t a cave we are looking for, full of tribes of people. They are scattered throughout the world, and we have to find them..one by one!! We need EVERYONE to find one..and then one more…and then one more! It’s one at a time!
“He loves you, He will find you. He will place you upon His shoulders, rejoicing. And when He brings you home, He will say to one and all, ‘Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.'” -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Luke 15:6)

If we were in the military and we were about to fight the GREATEST WAR OF ALL! We would have a commander who would have a plan, and would know how to execute it. He wouldn’t allow you to go to battle empty handed. I believe the commander would give us access to the most powerful, successful weapons and protective gear as possible.  I believe that we would listen and accept these weapons and protections with gratitude and diligence.

The Lord is our commander…He has given us what we need to protect ourselves!Put on your amour, gather your weapons…and start the fight!

Here are a few of the weapons and protections we have been given…
1. The gift of the Holy Ghost! He will guide us every step of the way if we will but listen and respond!
“My message today focuses on the importance of the Holy Ghost in our lives. Our Father in Heaven knew that in mortality we would face challenges, tribulation, and turmoil; he knew we would wrestle with questions, disappointments, temptations, and weaknesses. To give us mortal strength and divine guidance, He provided the Holy Spirit, another name for the Holy Ghost.” -Rondal A. Rasband (April 2017)

2. Read the Book of Mormon!

In fact, Russel M Nelson, has asked us to read the entire thing from now until the end of the year. Plus he wants us to mark references to our Savior!
I am already feeling his assistance in helping me accomplish this goal…and I am feeling AWAKE..and more spiritually minded!
“There is something deep in our hearts that longs to draw nearer to God, to be more like Him in our daily walk, to feel His presence with us constantly? If so, then the Book of Mormon will help us do so more than any other book.” -Ezra Taft Benson

3. Fervently Pray! This is our communication with the Lord. If we seek His guidance, we need to ask for help and be willing to listen! Thank you to Joseph Smith’s example of ASKING the Lord. This is the number 1 best way to figure out what you need to day today, tomorrow, and everyday after that. He will lead us, guide us, walk beside us…if we will but seek and listen!
“If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all man liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” -James 1:5

4. We need to increase our temple attendance. He even tells us exactly what to do if we do not live near a temple or are unable to attend for some reason. We are not off the hook. He asks us to study about temples, to read the words of the prophets and to build the strongest love, understanding, and testimony of temples then we have ever before done.
“Do you young people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors, prepare their names for the sacred vicarious ordinances available in the temple, and then go to the temple to stand as proxy  for them to receive the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. As you grow older, you will be able to participate in receiving the other ordinances as well. I can think of no greater protection from the influence of the adversary in your life. – Richard G. Scott

5. Strengthen our homes! We are the teachers of the new home curriculum. We need to be mentally preparing for this responsibility…through prayer and scripture study (which #2 takes care of! 🙂 )  Have you looked at the first lesson yet? It’s fun to look at to give an idea of what the curriculum looks like, and that will help you prepare mentally for this exciting new program. What a great opportunity to strengthen our homes!
“We never stop being their teachers. We are never released from these eternal callings.” -Devin G. Durrant

6. Beware of distractions. Take at least a 10 day social media fast! I love social media! This 10 day fast has really helped me pause and reconsider how I use it!  It’s so easy to get caught up in the trends of social media…we need to see it for what it is…a tool for the work! The adversary will try to use it as a distraction!
“Today I raise an Apostolic voice of warning about the potentially stifling, suffocating, suppressing, and constraining impact of some kinds of cyberspace interactions and experiences upon our souls. The concern I raise are not new. They apply equally to other types of media such as television, movies, and music. But Brothers and Sister, in a cyber world these challenges are more pervasive and intense. I plead with you to be aware of the sense dulling and spiritually destructive influences of cyberspace technologies that are used to produce high fidelity and that promote degrading and evil purposes.” -Elder David A. Bednar

If we will follow the prophet and do as he has asked us to, we will start to understand how we play a role in the gathering of Israel..and we will enlist, as a top warrior for the Lord. We will find that we have the time we need in order to be on the front lines. We will find peace and comfort that will fill our homes and hearts, during this turbulent exciting time of history!

Click here if you would like to see all that pulls up when I searched “Gathering Israel” on lds.org!