The House of Israel in the Book of Mormon

One of the themes of the Book of Mormon is the importance of the house of Israel and the covenants the Lord has made to them.  The title page, undoubtedly written by Moroni, describes one of its purposes this way: “Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever.”  Nephi focused a lot on the House of Israel in his writings, testifying that the Bible contains “the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel” (1 Nephi 13:23).  He told his brothers about the covenant status of the house of Israel, saying “at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Israel, and that they are the covenant people of the Lord” (1 Nephi 15:14).  He wrote of the prophecy concerning Israel in the last days: “Then will he remember the aisles of the sea; yea, and all the people who are of the house of Israel, will I gather in, saith the Lord, according to the words of the prophet Zenos, from the four quarters of the earth” (1 Nephi 19:16).  Nephi similarly prophesied how the Lord promised, “I [will] my hand again the second time to recover my people, which are of the house of Israel” (2 Nephi 29:1).  Many other writings of Nephi similarly focus on the house of Israel—including his quotations from Isaiah—and its importance in the last days.

               Several other Book of Mormon prophets spoke and wrote about the house of Israel and the promises regarding it.  Jacob told his people that he read them the words of Isaiah “that ye might know concerning the covenants of the Lord that he has covenanted with all the house of Israel” (2 Nephi 9:1).  Jacob spent great effort to engrave the words of Zenos that contained the allegory of the olive tree, which was likened unto the house of Israel (Jacob 5:3).  Jacob then testified that God “remembereth the house of Israel, both roots and branches” (Jacob 6:4).  When the Savior came among the Nephites, He likewise spoke much about the House of Israel.  He testified of His devotion to them, “And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel” (3 Nephi 10:5).  Like Nephi He promised concerning the gathering of Israel, “And then will I gather them in from the four quarters of the earth; and then will I fulfil the covenant which the Father hath made unto all the people of the house of Israel” (3 Nephi 16:5).  He also promised, “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).  Clearly to the Savior, the fate of and promises regarding the house of Israel were very important. 

               Mormon also stressed the house of Israel.  He said, “The Lord will remember his covenant which he hath made unto his people of the house of Israel” (3 Nephi 29:3).  He spoke of how the Father would “bring about, through his most Beloved, his great and eternal purpose, in restoring the Jews, or all the house of Israel, to the land of their inheritance, which the Lord their God hath given them, unto the fulfilling of his covenant” (Mormon 5:14).  The last chapter he wrote was addressed specifically to the house of Israel: “I speak unto you, ye remnant of the house of Israel….  Know ye that ye are of the house of Israel” (Mormon 7:1-2).  Moroni prayed, “May God the Father remember the covenant which he hath made with the house of Israel; and may he bless them forever, through faith on the name of Jesus Christ” (Mormon 9:37).  He wrote in the final verses of the Book of Mormon, hoping “that the covenants of the Eternal Father which he hath made unto thee, O house of Israel, may be fulfilled” (Moroni 10:31).  The Book of Mormon testifies again and again that the house of Israel is remembered by the Lord and will be gathered in the last days.