The tribes of the northern kingdom were first driven north, after the Assyrian captivity ended, then scattered more widely. God knows where they are if man doesn't. God said that "not a grain would fall to earth" meaning that the ethnicity of the scattered Israelites would be preserved. The WASP nations form the largest group of the descendants of Israel.
Jesus said he was "sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel", the descendants of the northern kingdom. It is from them, the WASP countries, that the church arose in its fulness (the Reformation). Genesis 49 reveals the latter-day characteristics of the tribes. Some are clearly identifiable, others not so much. (See British Israelism.)
...that the ethnicity of the scattered Israelites would be preserved...
Yes, and thus in these latter-days there is a gathering of scattered Israel. Thus the great need for missionary work.
The Gathering
- Both ancient and modern prophets, from Enoch to Joseph Smith, have foretold that the Lord’s covenant people would be gathered again in a future day—first spiritually and then temporally (see 1 Nephi 15:12–16; 19:16).
- The gathering is a prelude to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (see Moses 7:61–65).
- The gathering is part of the Restoration and has priesthood keys associated with it, which were restored when Moses delivered them to Joseph Smith (see D&C 110:11).
- Though the Lord’s people may sometimes be asked to gather to a particular place, people today generally are gathered when they accept the gospel, receive ordinances, and make covenants (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:2).
- All people can be gathered to Israel, either by direct descent or by adoption, which happens when they are baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
- Those who have been baptized can later receive a patriarchal blessing, which declares their lineage in a tribe of Israel.
- The Book of Mormon is written to “the remnant of the house of Israel” and to “the Jew and Gentile” (Book of Mormon title page) and is a sign that God is fulfilling His covenant to gather Israel in the last days (see 3 Nephi 21), as well as a major instrument of that gathering.
How You Are Helping
“
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.”
President Russell M. Nelson, “
Hope of Israel” (worldwide youth devotional, June 3, 2018), 19, HopeofIsrael.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
The Gathering will make it possible for there to be the 144,000 of which there are 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel in these last days.
Revelation 7:3-8
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
