Lesson 13 Teacher Material

The Gathering of Israel in the Last Days

In this unit we will discuss the Book of Mormon’s distinctive teachings about the scattering and gathering of Israel. The Lord scattered ancient Israel because they rejected His covenant, but He promised to gather them in the last days. In this lesson students will have the opportunity to explain the blessings and responsibilities of being a part of the house of Israel. They will also be encouraged to consider how they can help someone “on either side of the veil … take a step toward making covenants with God” (Russell M. Nelson and Wendy W. Nelson, “Hope of Israel” [worldwide youth devotional, June 3, 2018], supplement to the New Era and Ensign, 15, HopeofIsrael.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Suggestions for Teaching

Improving Our Teaching and Learning

Help students discover relevance. When students feel that what they are studying connects to the circumstances of their lives, they are more likely to engage in learning that helps them take righteous action. As you prepare lessons, consider your students’ backgrounds, cultural experiences, interests, questions, and struggles. Be careful not to tell students what is relevant to their lives; rather, help them to discover relevance for themselves.

Lehi and Nephi teach about the scattering and gathering of Israel.

Display the following scenario:

Your friend Becky has just attended her first sacrament meeting. After church you ask her how she felt about it. She replies: “The people were friendly and the talks were interesting, but I was really confused when one speaker talked about the gathering of Israel and said it was the most important thing taking place on the earth today.” She then asks: “What is the gathering of Israel, and why is it so important to your church?”

Invite students to discuss with a partner how they would answer Becky’s question. (If needed, students could also review section 1 of the preparation material.) After students have given their answers, invite a few to share what they learned or felt about the house of Israel as they talked together.

Consider displaying the accompanying image. Invite students to review section 2 of the preparation material (especially 1 Nephi 10:12–14 and 1 Nephi 15:12–15). Then ask a student to briefly explain how Lehi and Nephi used an olive tree to talk about the scattering and gathering of Israel.

olive tree

You may want to write the following incomplete statement on the board: A person is gathered into the house of Israel when he or she …

As students share their insights, record their answers, which could include the following truth: A person is gathered into the house of Israel when he or she receives the fulness of the gospel, comes to a knowledge that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Redeemer, and makes and keeps the covenants of the gospel. You could use some of the following questions to help students deepen their understanding of the gathering of Israel:

• How does the gathering of Israel relate to those who are alive and those who have died?

• Why do you think President Nelson said that the gathering of Israel is “the most important thing taking place on earth today” (“Hope of Israel,” 8)? (You may want to review his statements in the introduction and sections 1 and 2 of the preparation material.)

• In what ways do we honor the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ when we participate in the gathering of Israel?

• How has your life been influenced or how have the lives of your family members been blessed by the gathering of Israel?

Consider inviting students to ponder what they might feel and how they might respond if the prophet personally asked them this question: “Would you like to be a big part of the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on earth today?” (“Hope of Israel,” 8).

Jesus Christ calls servants to assist in the work of gathering Israel.

Briefly review how Jacob used Zenos’s allegory of the olive tree to teach about the gathering and scattering of Israel (see section 3 of the preparation material). Point out that partway through the allegory the Lord of the vineyard was grieved because the olive trees (which represent the Lord’s people) were not producing good fruit. Invite students to read Jacob 5:47, 51, looking for the Lord’s feelings about the house of Israel.

• What do these verses teach us about the character of Jesus Christ?

• How can knowing the Lord’s deep concern for you influence your feelings for Him?

Invite students to review Jacob 5:61–62, 70–72, looking for our role in helping the Lord gather Israel. (Help students identify the following principle: As we labor diligently with the Lord to help gather Israel, we will be blessed with joy.)

• Why is it important for each of us to assist the Lord in gathering Israel?

• What things can we do to gather Israel? (Students might spend some time listing ideas and talking about how they have participated in the gathering of Israel. You might also want to review the statement by President Nelson in section 3 of the preparation material.)

• How have you felt when you have helped someone on either side of the veil be gathered to the house of Israel?

You may want to end the lesson by sharing the following statement or showing a video clip (time code 32:19 to 33:37) of the following statement by President Nelson from the talk “Hope of Israel”:

President Russell M. Nelson

Every prophet has talked about our day, when Israel would be gathered and the world would be prepared for the Second Coming of the Savior. Think of it! Of all the people who have ever lived on planet earth, we are the ones who get to participate in this final, great gathering event. How exciting is that! (“Hope of Israel,” 8)

Remind students that in preparation for this lesson, they were invited to identify someone—on either side of the veil—they could help to take steps toward making covenants with God (see sections 2 and 3 of the preparation material). Provide students time to reflect, record their impressions, and finalize their plan of action. As you feel it is appropriate, invite some students to share what they feel inspired to do.

For Next Time

Explain to students that to help gather Israel, we are invited to become instruments in the hands of God and share His gospel with all people. As students read in preparation for the next class, invite them to consider what they can do to become even more effective instruments in God’s hands to share the gospel.