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This book has focused on two of the major themes of President Russell M. Nelson’s prophetic ministry—personal revelation and home-centered religious life. In this concluding chapter, we will briefly discuss two other central themes that the living prophet has emphasized: (a) the gathering of Israel and (b) the central importance of covenants and “the covenant path.” We will first share prophetic teachings and scriptural verses pertaining to the gathering of Israel and then will suggest ways that Latter-day Saints can seek and share revelatory experiences as they fulfill these prophetic calls in their homes and families.

The Gathering of Israel

In a 2006 general conference talk, while serving as an Apostle, President Russell M. Nelson said, “We are part of a great movement—the gathering of scattered Israel. I speak of this doctrine today because of its unique importance in God’s eternal plan.” He then taught about the importance of the “doctrine of the gathering”:

This doctrine of the gathering is one of the important teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Lord has declared: “I give unto you a sign . . . that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion” [3 Nephi 21:1]. . . . We not only teach this doctrine, but we participate in it. We do so as we help to gather the elect of the Lord on both sides of the veil.[1]

Since becoming the Lord’s prophet, President Nelson has put even greater emphasis on the gathering of Israel. In a landmark talk to the youth of the worldwide Church, President Nelson taught about the importance of the gathering of Israel and referenced teachings about it in the Book of Mormon.[2] In the first book of the Book of Mormon, the prophet Nephi teaches about the gathering of Israel in the last days:

And after the house of Israel should be scattered they should be gathered together again; or, in fine, after the Gentiles had received the fulness of the Gospel, the natural branches of the olive tree, or the remnants of the house of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer. (1 Nephi 10:14)

Nephi taught that the purpose of the gathering of Israel centers on people receiving a knowledge of the true Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, in 3 Nephi, that true Messiah, the resurrected Savior, taught that the coming forth of the Book of Mormon would be “a sign” to those in the latter days “that ye may know the time when these things shall be about to take place—that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion” (3 Nephi 21:1). The Savior taught that the gathering of Israel (or Jacob) involves the establishment of Zion.

In his talk to the youth of Zion, President Nelson emphasized the importance of the gathering of Israel in the lives of each young man and young woman:

My dear young 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. . . .

My dear extraordinary youth, 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 everything to you. This is the mission for which you were sent to earth. . . .

Anytime you do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—take a step toward making covenants with God and receiving their essential baptismal and temple ordinances, you are helping to gather Israel.[3]

In a 2018 general conference talk to the women of the Church, President Nelson taught about the ways that women can help gather Israel:

It is a cause that desperately needs women, because women shape the future. So tonight I’m extending a prophetic plea to you, the women of the Church, to shape the future by helping to gather scattered Israel. . . .

My dear sisters, we need you! We “need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom, and your ���Ǿ������.”[4] We simply cannot gather Israel without you.[5]

Turning from the words of our modern prophet, President Nelson, to an ancient one, we read the following words of Mormon in 3 Nephi 5 as he prophesied of the last days and the gathering of Israel (whose birth name was Jacob):

And as surely as the Lord liveth, will he gather in from the four quarters of the earth all the remnant of the seed of Jacob, who are scattered abroad upon all the face of the earth.

And as he hath covenanted with all the house of Jacob, even so shall the covenant wherewith he hath covenanted with the house of Jacob be fulfilled in his own due time, unto the restoring all the house of Jacob unto the knowledge of the covenant that he hath covenanted with them.

And then shall they know their Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God; and then shall they be gathered in from the four quarters of the earth unto their own lands, from whence they have been dispersed; yea, as the Lord liveth so shall it be. Amen. (Verses 24–26; emphasis added)

In this passage, Mormon references “covenant” or “covenanted” five times to help us understand the centrality of covenants. Also note that Mormon uses the word “all” repeatedly in these verses (he uses “all the remnant” and “all the face of the earth” once and “all the house of Jacob” twice).

The Central Importance of Covenants and “the Covenant Path”

Few phrases are more closely tied to President Nelson than his loving counsel to “keep on the covenant path.”[6] Elder D. Todd Christofferson summarized, “Throughout his ministry, President Russell M. Nelson has studied and taught of God’s covenants with His children. He is himself a shining example of one who walks the covenant path.”[7]

In fact, in his first message as President of the Church, President Nelson stated:

Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants will open the door to every spiritual blessing and privilege available to men, women, and children everywhere.

. . . The ordinances of the temple and the covenants you make there are key to strengthening your life, your marriage and family, and your ability to resist the attacks of the adversary. Your worship in the temple and your service there for your ancestors will bless you with increased personal revelation and peace and will fortify your commitment to stay on the covenant path.[8]

Covenants are sometimes thought of as being profoundly personal and individual—and in some senses they are. However, the impact of making and keeping covenants is expansive and eternal. The power of covenants, when honored, can shake and shape both time and eternity. The late Apostle Elder John A. Widtsoe referred to covenants as world changing: “The world moves forward by the efforts of covenanted people—who keep their covenants.”[9] Indeed, the solemn power of honored covenants extends forward and backward in time, across generations, and on both sides of the veil. It is to these realities that we now turn. And yet these monumental possibilities begin in the humble setting of home and family. That is, while the gathering of Israel has global reach and while the covenant path extends through eternity, small and simple actions in our personal and relational lives allow us to contribute to these grand endeavors (see Alma 37:6).

Blessing Families by Turning Hearts

Two powerful divine promises found in the first and the last books of the Old Testament have great relevance to covenant making, to covenant keeping, and to the gathering of Israel on both sides of the veil. In Genesis 12:3 the Lord promises Abraham, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” Again, note the use of the word “all” in this promise. The scope of this divine promise includes all the history of the earth as well as eternity. The Book of Abraham provides clarification to this promise that the seed of Abraham includes his actual descendants, his “literal seed,” as well as those who receive the gospel covenant and are “called after [his] name” (Abraham 2:10). So all the seed of Abraham will be a blessing to all families of the earth.

In the last book of the Old Testament, the Lord makes another promise:

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:

And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. (Malachi 4:5–6)

This promise is of such profound importance that it is repeated nearly verbatim in the Doctrine and Covenants at least half a dozen times (see sections 2, 27, 98, 110, 128, and 138), in the Pearl of Great Price (see Joseph Smith—History 1:39), and in the Book of Mormon by the Savior Himself (see 3 Nephi 25:5–6). The fulfillment of the great promises involving keys, covenants, gathering, and turning hearts has commenced.

Along with the “dispensation of the gospel of Abraham,” the keys to the gathering of Israel on earth and in eternity were revealed when the Kirtland Temple was dedicated and Moses, Elias, and Elijah appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith:

After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north.

After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed.

After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:

Behold the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come—

To turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse—

Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors. (Doctrine and Covenants 110:11–16)

About this, President Nelson taught:

The Lord reaffirmed the Abrahamic covenant in our day through the Prophet Joseph Smith. In the temple we receive our ultimate blessings, as the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. . . .

. . . We gather pedigree charts, create family group sheets, and do temple work vicariously to gather individuals unto the Lord and into their families. . . .

This work of Almighty God is true. He lives. Jesus is the Christ. This is His Church, restored to accomplish its divine destiny, including the promised gathering of Israel.[10]

Implications of the Prophet’s Teachings

We find it meaningful that, in teaching about the gathering of Israel, both the Lord Jesus Christ and His prophets, ancient and modern, have used decisive terms (such as all, nothing, everything, anytime, anything, and anyone). This gives us some sense of the deep importance, meaning, and purpose of the gathering. This strength and urgency of language is appropriate because the gathering of Israel is about inviting every person to receive the knowledge of his or her Savior and Redeemer and to make saving and exalting covenants with Him. Latter-day Saints can enjoy these ultimate blessings during their life on earth and are able to help extend these blessings to those on the other side of the veil. Because God blesses those who seek to bless others in His family in this way, this work is indeed among the most satisfying and consequential work on earth.

President Nelson urged the youth in the Church to deeply ponder, pray, and counsel together about how they might gather covenant Israel.[11] Likewise, Latter-day Saint parents and grandparents—and future grandparents—would do well to think about how they might assist and encourage their children and grandchildren in this shared sacred mission. Stake and ward leaders might also consider how they can support the parents and grandparents in their stakes and wards in this mighty work.

A question from Come, Follow Me asks, “What do I feel inspired to do to help fulfill the promise that ‘all the families of the earth shall be blessed’? (Abraham 2:11).”[12] We think this is a good question to ask ourselves. As an individual, none of us can bless all the families of earth. But as individuals, as couples, and as families, we can try to be a blessing to some families, beginning with our own and then branching out to help others. The Prophet Joseph Smith said:

Love is one of the leading characteristics of Deity, and ou[gh]t to be manifested by those who aspire to be the Sons of God. A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the world, anxious to bless the whole of the human family.[13]

We are greatly blessed in the latter days because we can use various technologies that virtually range through the world—from the comfort of our homes—to share the glorious truths of the restored gospel, do family history work, and provide humanitarian assistance to those in need.

Gathering Encourages Revelatory Experiences

Throughout history, the Lord has called His people to gather in various ways: in temples, in sacred gatherings, and in quorums and councils. Perhaps one of the most important purposes of gathering as covenant people is to receive revelatory experiences.

Temples

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that in every dispensation the Lord has gathered His people to build temples. Among other things, temples are places of revelation. In an informative essay on the Nephites gathering to the temple in Bountiful to hear the Savior, Gerald Hansen Jr. discussed the principle of gathering and revelation at the temple:

“Gathering,” in the highest sense of the word, means to receive the same temple blessings that Abraham received. Gathering to “lands” is primarily for the purpose of gathering to locations where we have or will build temples. As Joseph Smith said, the main object of gathering the people of God in any age to certain places is “to build unto the Lord a house whereby He could reveal unto His people the ordinances of His house and the glories of His kingdom, and teach the people the way of salvation” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith 307–308).[14]

God gathers us to reveal to us divine ordinances, glories, and teachings. In this dispensation, from the outpouring of divine and angelic appearances in the Kirtland Temple in 1836 (see Doctrine and Covenants 110) to the outpouring of revelation regarding the priesthood received by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1978 (see Official Declaration 2), the Saints have received, as individuals and in groups, profound revelatory experiences when gathered in temples.

Meetings and Councils

Many Saints receive revelatory experiences when gathered with other Saints in sacrament meetings, Sunday School classes, Relief Society meetings, and priesthood meetings. Earlier in the book we noted Elder Bednar’s teaching that a key purpose of our meetings and councils (at home and at church buildings) is to enjoy revelatory experiences together.[15] The Lord is always pouring out His Spirit on His Saints. Wherever we are, whatever we are doing, and whenever we are open to receive them, personal and interpersonal revelatory experiences are available to us. This is especially true in our meetings and councils, including home and family-centered gatherings, in which the combined faith of those gathered results in the Spirit being manifest in the hearts, minds, and spirits of the Saints. A central purpose of Church councils is for leaders to gather to receive revelation about the needs of those they serve. Likewise, a central purpose of couple and family councils is for family members to gather to enjoy personal and interpersonal revelatory experiences for the edification of all in the family as well as for others whom family members can influence and serve.

The Blessings of Belief in God and His Prophets

The fourth king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, spoke to his people during stressful, dangerous times and pleaded with them to “believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper” (2 Chronicles 20:20). We concur with King Jehoshaphat that in all times, but particularly during changing and difficult times, believing in God and God’s prophets allows us to be established and to prosper in our homes and families. We urge all Latter-day Saints and all families of the earth to turn their hearts and minds and ears to the living God and His living prophets. We are confident that doing so will allow Zion to be established in each heart, in each family, and throughout all the earth so that when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to earth in glory, there will be a worldwide community of covenant Saints prepared to welcome Him as their King.

Conclusion

Years ago, a friend who was wary of a long-winded and preachy answer said, “All right, tell me what your church is all about—but in ten words or less.” The response, after some deep reflection and quick counting, was “building eternal families through Christ.”

Our core intent in this book is not simply to promote home-centered worship or to reissue the invitation to “come, follow me.” It is not simply to highlight President Nelson’s exhortation to seek revelation and to “hear Him.” Our core intent is to support and sustain our living prophet and the Savior’s Church in the sacred effort to build eternal families through Christ.

We have spent over a quarter of a century of our professional lives together, earnestly seeking answers and insights regarding how to build eternal families. Despite countless mistakes that we have made in our personal, familial, and professional efforts to build exemplary (and hopefully eternal) families, we humbly offer you some of the best of what we have learned. We share our personal witness that there is a potential in imperfect but sincere and faithful home-centered worship of the Father—a potential that refines our ability to welcome, recognize, hear, and respond to the power of God that flows through revelation. This revelation guides, lifts, directs, and heals us as we progress along the covenant path. Graciously and mercifully, this covenant path of faith, revelation, action, and Christ-inspired concern for others will lead us forward so that our home-centered efforts here will culminate in a joyous and eternal return “home to that God who gave [us] life” (Alma 40:11; see Helaman 3:29–30).

Questions to Encourage Contemplation and Conversation

1. What aspects of the gathering of Israel are most important to you and your family members?
2. What personal and relational activities would be most likely to help you and your family stay on the covenant path?
3. What meaningful revelatory experiences have you enjoyed while gathered in your family or with the Saints?
4. What are some practical ways you could help turn the hearts of parents and children and of grandparents and grandchildren to one another?

Creating Opportunities for Revelatory Experiences (CORE)

1. What intentions do you have to enjoy personal revelatory experiences?
2. How can you and your loved ones encourage each other’s revelatory experiences?
3. What personal and relational activities might encourage your own revelatory experiences?

Notes

[1] Russell M. Nelson, “The Gathering of Scattered Israel,” Ensign, November 2006, 79, 80.

[2] See Russell M. Nelson and Wendy W. Nelson, “Hope of Israel” (worldwide youth devotional, June 3, 2018), note 7, https://abn.ChurchofJesusChrist.org/study/broadcasts/worldwide-devotional-for-young-adults/2018/06/hope-of-israel.

[3] Nelson and Nelson, “Hope of Israel.”

[4] Russell M. Nelson, “,” Ensign, November 2015, 96; emphasis added.

[5] Russell M. Nelson, “Sisters’ Participation in the Gathering of Israel,” Ensign, November 2018, 69, 70.

[6] Russell M. Nelson, “As We Go Forward Together,” Ensign, April 2018, 7.

[7] D. Todd Christofferson, “Why the Covenant Path,” Ensign, May 2021, 116.

[8] Nelson, “As We Go Forward Together,” 7.

[9] John A. Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations, comp. G. Homer Durham (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1960), 196–97.

[10] Nelson, “Gathering of Scattered Israel,” 80–81.

[11] See Nelson and Nelson, “Hope of Israel.”

[12] Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2021), 30.

[13] Joseph Smith, “Letter to Quorum of the Twelve, 15 December 1840,” p. 2, The Joseph Smith Papers, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/letter-to-quorum-of-the-twelve-15-december-1840/2.

[14] Gerald Hansen Jr., “Gathering to the Temple: Teachings of the Second Day,” in The Book of Mormon: 3 Nephi 9–30; This Is My Gospel, ed. Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate Jr. (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1993), 214.

[15] See David A. Bednar, The Spirit of Revelation (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2021), 58; see also Bednar, in “Panel Discussion” (worldwide leadership training meeting, November 2010), broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.