We believe....Article 10

 "We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is known today for its missionary work and missionaries. They are spread out all over the world. This is following the command of Jesus Christ as He commanded His early apostles to:

   

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen"(Matthew 28: 19-20)

There is a process that is gone through before missionaries ever enter into a country. Part of that process is the dedication of the country for the sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Just as it occurred in the early part of the Church it still continues today.

Shortly after the Church was formed in the early 1830s missionaries were sent to England to share the Gospel. Unlike today the missionaries sent out then were not usually 19 year old young men. Nor did they serve for a set period of time of two years- sometimes it was shorter and sometimes longer. A number of those sent were married and left families behind to be cared for by family members and friends. The Gospel message in England was well received and hundreds and thousands of people entered the waters of baptism to join the restored Church.

Orson Hyde

Shortly after that one of the early Apostles of the Church was assigned to go to the Palestine to dedicate that land for the gathering of Israel. The Apostle's name was Orson Hyde. From April 1841 to December 1842 he was in Jerusalem. Part of his dedicatory prayer included the following:

"Now, O Lord! Thy servant has been obedient to the heavenly vision which Thou gavest him in his native land; and under the shadow of Thine outstretched arm, he has safely arrived in this place to dedicate and consecrate this land unto Thee, for the gathering together of Judah's scattered remnants, according to the predictions of the holy Prophets -- for the building up of Jerusalem again after it has been trodden down by the Gentiles so long..."

The gathering of Israel continues...

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