3rd Nephi 21:1

And verily I say unto you, I give unto you a sign, that you 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.

The church's role in gathering Israel was established early. They sent missionaries out all over the world. We still send our young men and women on missions all over the world. They know that the gathering is taking place.

But who is Israel? How do we find them?

Israel has been described in many different ways over the course of my life. Here are the two dominant thoughts.

First, I was taught that they are literally Israel-the DNA of the tribe of Israel is in their blood. That lineage is revealed in patriarchal blessings. When I first joined the church I was led to believe that this was indeed literal. Israel was long ago scattered and dispersed throughout the world. We were to find them. And patriarchal blessings revealed their true DNA and what tribe of Israel they belong to.

That evolved into a more reasonable theory. We become Israel by being adopted into the house of Israel and assigned a tribe.

It is interesting that there is little emphasis on this anymore. Perhaps that is because we realize more fully that God wants all His children to come home to Him.

As that theory weakened, another arose. Israel became the "honest in heart who accepted the gospel". This was perhaps the more destructive of the two theories because young missionaries weaponized it. They loved to share the stories of wiping the dust off their feet as a rebuke of any who did not accept their message. It led to a holier than thou attitude most un-befitting a follower of Christ.

Preach My Gospel now teaches that the missionaries purpose is to "invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end."

"You are surrounded by people. You pass them on the street, visit them in their homes, and travel among them. They are all children of God, your brothers and sisters. God loves them just as He loves you. Many of these people are searching 

for purpose in life."

How true. How honest. How inclusive.

In this October's general conference we were given a new definition of who Israel is. President Nelson shared that in his study of Israel he learned that one of the Hebraic meanings of the word Israel is 'let God prevail.' "Thus the very name of Israel refers to a person who is willing to let God prevail in his or her life."

That is a nice way to think of the term Israel.It reminds me of Joshua's famous words, "Choose you this day home he will serve... But as for me in my house, we will serve the Lord."

There are people all over this world who let God prevail in their life. This definition allows us to be inclusive in our thinking. In a world that is increasingly divisive, we need that kind of unity and inclusion.

Elder Quinton L. Cook in his address, Hearts Knit in Righteousness and Unity (October conference 2020) reminded us of the people described in 4th Nephi where it reads "There was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people."

He then says, "With our all-inclusive doctrine, we can be an oasis unity and celebrate diversity. Unity and diversity are not opposites. We can achieve greater unity as we foster an atmosphere of inclusion and respect for diversity."

As we then learn to embrace, respect and love all people, as we extend our circle to include those of all faiths and even those of no faith, we fulfill our destiny as the Lord's church. For all men and women are His children and He loves them all. How could we do less?