Promises to covenant Israel

I love the object lesson Christ teaches about the gathering of Israel right before he begins to teach the Nephites about the real gathering of Israel. Back in 3 Nephi, chapter 16, Jesus starts to teach the Nephites about the gathering of the House of Israel, but he stops because he perceives that they are weak and cannot understand everything that He's been commanded by the Father to teach them (3 Nephi 17:2). So, instead of plowing through His sermon about the gathering of Israel (which is huge!), He sees an opportunity to teach about the principle of gathering on a much smaller scale. He asks all the believers to leave and go find somebody who needs to be healed and that they then bring that person back with them to the temple, to Him, to be healed. That is exactly what the gathering of Israel is all about! The ones who have already been gathered (covenant Israel/us) are asked to go and gather those who need to be gathered (scattered Israel) and bring them back to the temple/Jesus (where they can make covenants) and be made whole! (3 Nephi 17: 7-10) I love the symbolism in that object lesson. 

It’s amazing that just one week after President Nelson’s General conference invitation to "make a list of all that the Lord has promised He will do for covenant Israel" ("Let God Prevail"), we are studying 3 Nephi 20-26,  which is full of these promises! These are great chapters to start making your list. I'm sure I've missed some, but here's my attempt at starting a list of promises for covenant Israel. 

1. We shall be gathered and brought to a knowledge of our Redeemer. The fullness of the gospel will be preached unto us. (20:13, 29-30)
2. We shall be given a land for our inheritance (20:14, 22, 29)
3. The power of heaven will be among us (20:22), (21:25)
4. Our seed shall bless all the kindreds of the earth (20:25, 27)
5. We will have the blessing of the pouring out of the Holy Ghost; which blessing shall make us mighty above all (20:29)
6. The Lord will go before us and be our rearward (20:42) (21:29)
7. He will establish His church among us (21:22)
8. Christ will be in our midst (21:25)
9. We will receive everlasting kindness, mercy, and peace from the Lord (22:7-8, 10, 13)
10. Our children shall be taught of the Lord (22:13)
11. We shall be far from oppression (22:14)
12. We shall not fear (22:14)
13. Terror shall not come near us (22:14)
14. Those that gather against us shall fall (22:15)
15. No weapon that is formed against us shall prosper (22:17)
16. As we pay tithing the windows of heaven will open and blessings will be poured out so that there will not be room enough to receive them (24:10)
17. The Lord will rebuke the devourer for our sakes (24:11)
18. All nations shall call you blessed (24:12)
19. We will be spared as a man spareth his own son that serveth him (24:17)
20. We will be able to discern between the righteous and the wicked (24:18)
21. The hearts of the fathers will be turned to their children, and the children to their fathers (25:6)

We are covenant Israel and these are our promised blessings! And just as President Nelson prophesied, I was astounded to find so many promises in these chapters that have been "hidden" from me until I accepted his challenge to look deeper. As I've been thinking about these promises throughout the week,  I'm beginning to understand how President Nelson can be so optimistic about the future. When we truly understand that God keeps His promises, then we can trust that He will fulfill all of the promises that he has made to covenant Israel as well. President Nelson is encouraging us to look for these promises in our Book of Mormon studies because he wants us to be as joyful and optimistic about the future as he is! And as we begin to understand how the Lord will lead, guide and protect us through these challenging times, then we will be blessed with that same joy, excitement and optimism as well😊.

More promises to covenant Israel- these are found in Mormon 7-9 (added Nov. 5, 2020)

• dwell in the presence of God in his Kingdom (7:7)
• sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above (7:7)
• live in a state of happiness with no end (7:7)
• it shall be well with you in the day of judgement (7:10)

• the Lord will remember the covenant which he has made with the house of Israel-that they may be blessed forever (8:23, 9:37)
• (whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing) whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him (9:21)
• (he that believeth and is baptized) shall be saved (9:23)
• the gift of protection (9:24)
• (whosoever shall believe in my name, doubting nothing) unto him I confirm all of my words (9:26)
• you will in nowise be cast out (9:29)
• prayers will be answered according to your faith (9:37)
• Armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory (1 Nephi 14:14)
• Gates of hell shall not prevail against you, the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your glory (D&C 21:6)