President's Weekly Letter #24

 …VAN EEN VERNUFTIGE MAKELIJ…

(1 Nephi 18:1)

Belgium/Netherlands Mission

THE SEED OF ABRAHAM

Much is prophesied of the gathering of Israel in the latter days.  The need for a gathering is due to the scattering of Israel which also has been spoken of by all the prophets over the dispensations. We are engaged today in this historic work in our Mission of gathering.  The gathering began after the appearance of Moses to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple on April 3, 1836.  After seeing the Lord, Joseph and Oliver record:

 “…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.” (DC110:11)

Abraham received promises concerning his seed that they should be as innumerable as the stars and the sand upon the seashore.  His seed is called the House of Israel.  This is a blessing that Abraham received.  Abraham’s family, his seed, will consist of all those who choose to follow the commandments and are saved in the kingdom of God.  Can you imagine this great blessing for Abraham to sit at the head as the Patriarch of this family?

 “9 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations;

 10 And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father;” (Abr.2:9-10)

It appears Abraham’s seed is made up of two separate lines.  The first line is the blood line of actual descendants on earth called the children of Israel whose blood line has become diluted in most cases. God is not a respecter of persons and loves all his children.  His covenant with Abraham is with Abraham not special spirit children.  An individual, by virtue of a pure blood line, appears not to be guaranteed an automatic place in the kingdom of God, but all of God’s children can become part of Abrahams blessing.  This happens if someone is a direct blood line by repenting and believing in Christ.  Also, if someone is not of direct blood line but joints Abraham’s seed by repenting and believing in Christ. 

“ 2 For behold, I say unto you that as many of the Gentiles as will repent are the covenant people of the Lord; and as many of the Jews as will not repent shall be cast off; for the Lord covenanteth with none save it be with them that repent and believe in his Son, who is the Holy One of Israel.” (2 Nephi 30:2)

“6 For thus it behooveth the Father that it (the gospel) should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may show forth his power unto the Gentiles, for this cause that the Gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent and come unto me and be baptized in my name and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel;”  (3 Nephi 21:6)

Indeed, the faithful are adopted into the family of Abraham; they are spiritually begotten of Christ becoming his sons and daughters as declared by King Benjamin in Mosiah 5:7. Paul was the first great Prophet who took the gospel to the Gentiles.  He offered further clarification to this doctrine. 

      “4 …God sent forth his Son…

 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts.

 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Gal. 4:5-7)

“24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Gal. 3: 24-29)

As we work to gather the House of Israel, keep in mind everyone you see is eligible to be adopted into the House of Israel.  Also, everyone is interested or would be interested under other circumstances to hear our message.

President Robinson