SCRIPTURE FOCUS: Book of Mormon: Jacob 5-7.  Topic: Gathering of Israel.

Other scriptural references:

• D&C 138:56 (spirits were prepared to come forth.. to labor.. for the salvation of men);
• Pres. Nelson talk “Hope of Israel” (June 2018) (Enlist in the Youth Battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel);
• D&C 11:21 (seek first to obtain my word)

THEME: How do we/you (Aaronic Priesthood holders) help in the Gathering of Israel

Intro

Quorum business (Who needs service? Who can serve?  How can we serve? What are we doing [and what can we be doing] in these unique times to use our priesthood to help and bless others? Etc.)

Quote/Read “Aaronic Priesthood Theme”

I am a beloved son of God, and He has a work for me to do. With all my heart, might, mind, and strength, I will love God, keep my covenants, and use His priesthood to serve others, beginning in my own home. As I strive to serve, exercise faith, repent, and improve each day, I will qualify to receive temple blessings and the enduring joy of the gospel. I will prepare to become a diligent missionary, loyal husband, and loving father by being a true disciple of Jesus Christ. I will help prepare the world for the Savior’s return by inviting all to come unto Christ and receive the blessings of His Atonement.

Theme and key points of lesson:

• The allegory (metaphoric story) of the Olive Tree in Jacob 5 discusses the Lord’s dealings with the House of Israel (the descendants of the 12 sons [tribes] of Israel (Jacob, the grandson of Abraham).
• The last half of Jacob 5 discusses the “gathering of Israel” – this is the Lord and His servants’ efforts to bring His children back to Him.
• His “servants” are you/us. It is our responsibility to help gather Israel – we are the “under-shepherds” helping gather His sheep and bring them back to the flock.

President Nelson has said that “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.”

However, you need to be prepared to gather Israel.  As it says in D&C 11:21 “Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word…”, so I want to emphasize the importance of gaining your own personal testimony of the Restoration of Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness, through the Prophet Joseph Smith.  Study the Book of Mormon to gain this testimony. As you seek to gain this personal testimony, you’ll be brought closer to Jesus, and you’ll gain what you need to be able to help in the gathering of Israel.

If we were together in a class, I would ask a lot of questions to get you thinking and bring your insights, and the Spirit, into the discussion.  As we are not together, I’m still going to ask questions, and let you ponder and search for answers (some of the answers are easy, and some you’ll have to dig deep; either way, I hope you learn for yourselves).

The Allegory of the Olive Tree (Jacob 5)

I’ll admit, this chapter is long and can be quite confusing; there are a lot of metaphors, and there is a lot of symbolism.  Keep digging in and pray for help to understand it. Use reference guides (like the chart in Come Follow Me – For Families and Individuals) to help better understand what’s going on.  Also, Jacob kind of sums up the story of chapter 5 in chapter 6, so that helps a little. Don’t worry if you don’t understand the whole thing – I’ve read it a hundred times (realistically) and I still don’t understand all of it – don’t feel bad if you don’t get it (and if you do get it, please share your insights with me and others).

What did these chapters mean to you?  What did you learn from them? What insights/inspiration can you share from studying these verses?  How have these verses brought you closer to Jesus?

Gathering of Israel

The last half of Jacob 5 talks a lot about the gathering of Israel.

1. What is the Gathering of Israel?
2. Is gathering Israel important? Why?
3. Who/what is Israel?
4. How did Israel get scattered in the first place?
5. Why do we care about gathering Israel?
6. Whose responsibility is it to gather Israel? And Why?
7. What can I (you/we) do to help gather Israel?
8. What are you willing to do to help gather Israel?  How will you do it?
9. What would you be willing to sacrifice to gather Israel?
10. What are some ways we can gather Israel?
11. The Aaronic Priesthood Theme sums up a lot of ways we can help in the gathering of Israel (refer and review again)

Prepare to serve a mission

Gain your own testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ (study and pray about: The Book of Mormon; Joseph Smith; Jesus Christ and His Atonement; your loving Heavenly Father; the living prophet – President Nelson; the truthfulness of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).  As you gain a belief in these things, you have a “Core Testimony”. As you seek this testimony, share this testimony – testimonies grow as you share them, and are strengthened thru Spiritual experiences.

My mission was one of the best experiences of my life.  I loved serving Heavenly Father and His children, and loved bringing them closer to Him, by inviting them to seek Jesus and experience His Atonement in their lives.  It was a joy and a blessing; it has made all the difference in my life. Going on a mission will be a blessing in your lives too.

Go on a mission – gathering Israel is all you do (inviting people to come closer Christ). It is a joy and a blessing.

1. 1.  

President Russel M. Nelson’s talk “Hope of Israel”

Early in the talk, Pres. Nelson discusses the importance of “learning for yourself how to receive personal revelation”. Nothing will make a bigger difference in your life than that.  Pres. Nelson promised that “IF you do the work to learn to recognize the Spirit, you will have all the direction you’ll ever need.”

Pres. Nelson also discussed how you can gain a testimony of things, and learn things for yourself: follow the pattern of Joseph Smith – take your questions to your Heavenly Father in prayer. He will answer you.

Pres. Nelson also emphasized the importance of reading the Book of Mormon DAILY.  The Book of Mormon is central to the gathering of Israel.

Pres. Nelson went on to discuss 5 things we can do to better become part of the greatest cause on Earth (gathering Israel) and ‘enlisting in the youth battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel’

1. Disengage from social media for a bit (take a 7-day social media fast)
2. Make a weekly sacrifice of your time – do something to help gather Israel (you think about what you can sacrifice and you discuss it with the Lord, and then do it)
3. Keep on the Covenant Path and get on it if you’re not (repent)
4. Pray daily for all of God’s children the receive the Gospel of Christ
5. Stand out – be different – be a light and an example

Seek first to obtain the word

Gain your own testimony of the Core Elements of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As you grow closer to Christ, you can help others grow closer to Christ

Conclusion:

I have a testimony of the truthfulness of these things.  They bring me joy and bring me closer to my Heavenly Father.  I like to share this joy and help others come unto Jesus; thus, I like to help gather Israel.  I hope I can be a good example and a good “gather-er”.

I love and pray for you guys, particularly in these unique times.  Pray to your Heavenly Father for testimonies; pray to Him for peace; pray to Him for joy; pray to Him for health; pray to Him to show your gratitude and love.  You will be blessed; I testify of this.

Have a great week.  Study the Book of Mormon and pray about it.