Who Are The Latter-Day Gentiles in the Book of Mormon?

Who are the Gentiles that the Book of Mormon prophesies of? The word “Gentiles” appears in five out of fifteen books in the Book of Mormon (1 Nephi, 2 Nephi, 3 Nephi, Mormon and Ether). Gentiles is referenced 146 times and is more frequently used by the prophets than: “truth”, “Zion”, “resurrection” and “baptize.” But why? Who are these latter-day gentiles and why would the Book of Mormon prophets warn, bless and prophesy about them? Why are they so special?

Understanding the Importance of the Gentiles

The Book of Mormon teaches: “out of the books which shall be written shall the world be judged” (3 Nephi 27:25-26). The Latter-Day Saints will be judged out of their books, just like the Jews.

In the Book of Mormon, there are 3 groups of Gentiles:

1. Anyone who isn’t Jewish or of the House of Israel
2. Non-Jewish and settled the America’s, preparing the way for the restoration of the gospel
3. Those who receive of the fullness of the gospel through the book of Mormon (“latter-day gentiles”)

The scriptures reviewed here will only pertain to the 3^rd group: The Latter-day gentiles, or those who had a chance at the fullness of the gospel in the latter days.

Those Who Had a Chance to Receive the Fullness of the Gospel

Book of Mormon Came Forth “By Way of The Gentile”

And from the Introduction Page we read the following:

It says it’s written to the Gentile. The only Gentiles who read this book are the Latter-Day Saints and the offshoot branches of Joseph Smith’s restoration church of 1830. The Book of Mormon “came forth” by way of a gentile, and that gentile was Joseph Smith. This clearly explains that Joseph Smith is a Gentile.

The previously outlined scriptures show that: The only people who can bring this sacred work to the House of Israel, are those Gentiles who have received the fulness themselves. There is no question here that the “fulness” of the gospel comes to the latter-day Gentiles, today called: Latter-day Saints. The Latter-Day Saints receive of the fulness of the Gospel through the restoration under Joseph Smith and have the fulness continually before them in the form of the Book of Mormon. Nephi explains that the “fulness” means the true gospel of the Messiah found in the book of Mormon. No other people have this fulness. Only the Latter-Day Saints.

The Gentile/Latter-Day Saints spoken of in the Book of Mormon have a great work to accomplish. It is imperative that they understand the scriptural blessings, warnings and prophecies directed at them. Then they can begin to prepare to do the Fathers will.

Latter-day Gentiles to Bring Book of Mormon to Lehi’s Posterity

These are some of the promises to the posterity of Lehi through the Gentiles (Latter-Day Saints) in the last days, showing that the Latter-Day Saints will bring the Book of Mormon to Lehi’s posterity:

Blessings Given to the Latter-day Gentiles

The members of the LDS church (and restoration branches) understand these blessings because of the Book of Mormon:

Warnings Given to the Latter-day Gentiles

God follows the same patterns through each dispensation. The Jews had many chances to repent, they were his chosen people, the people who would prepare the way for the Messiah. However, they were also the people who would kill the Messiah because most of them wouldn’t awaken and take the Holy Spirit as their guide. Today, the LDS are the modern Jews, with their laws and orders, they believe they are the only ones with the true gospel, just as the Jews believed. This leads to great pride and vanity. Even though they do have the fulness through the Book of Mormon, most do not understand this fulness, which cause great stumbling and confusion.

Christ Speaks to the Latter-day Gentiles

The salvation of the Gentiles and the Remnant of Lehi, are so important to Christ that he prophecies a great deal in regard to them. Christ knows that the people who will read the record of the Nephites, are the Gentiles/Latter-Day Saints and then the Remnant. Hence, Christ spends a large amount of time reviewing those prophecies and redirecting the focus of the book to the blessings, warnings and prophecies that will befall the future Gentiles / Latter-Day Saints.

Christ addressed the Gentiles directly by saying things such as: “Turn all ye Gentiles” (3 Nephi 30:2) and “Come unto me, O ye Gentiles” (Ether 4:13).

Blessings & Promises to Latter-day Gentiles

Destruction Prophecies of the Latter-day Gentiles

Christ starts off his teachings by explaining that the gospel would go forth to the Gentiles because of Israel’s unbelief. He then explains that it will go forth again to the House of Israel after the Gentiles reject His words and fall into unbelief and wickedness after receiving the fulness of the gospel (3 Nephi 21:5-6). Christ expounds on the timing and purpose of the fulness going from the Gentiles to the remnant.

See also 3 Nephi 22:3.

The Rise of the Remnant

There is a steady pattern of conditional warnings unto the Gentiles from Jesus Christ and Mormon. If the Gentiles stay in their wicked state after having received the fulness of the gospel then the remnant of Israel will tread them down.

Christ utilizes the ‘if/then’ warnings to the Gentiles (Latter-Day Saints):

We have not yet seen the remnant rise up, which means that we are currently in the middle of this prophecy. We are in the stage of the Gentiles/LDS falling into pride and unbelief after receiving the fulness.

Zenos’s Description of the Gentile Olive Tree

It’s important to reflect upon Jacob 5. The prophet did not place the longest chapter in the Book of Mormon because it was a pretty allegory. One of the main points of that allegory is the principle that none of the trees in the vineyard simply flourish until the Master returns. The branches overtake the roots in all the trees, leading to grafting, transplanting and burning. Not a single tree just brings forth good fruit continually, especially the tree representing the modern latter-day Gentiles. Every tree in the vineyard becomes corrupt and causes the Master to weep. Over time the branches overcome the roots and the Master of the vineyard must work again with the servants of the vineyard to prune and/or replant branches. A more thorough study of that chapter will yield further understanding of this process.

There are many examples of this throughout history. We see these branches over coming the roots in Christ’s time. The Jews wanted to kill the true teachers of Christ’s gospel, rather than consider it. The Holy Spirit was NOT their guide. Instead, the law was. The law and their leaders became their idols. They would rather kill Christ, than search the scriptures for themselves with the Spirit as their guide. The Jews loved their traditions more than truth, and loved their law more than guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Mormon & Moroni

Mormon and Moroni speak directly to the reader of the Book of Mormon in several places calling them “Gentiles.” They say:

• “Hearken, O ye Gentiles” (3 Nephi 30:1)
• “Therefore, I write unto you, Gentiles” (Mormon 3:17)
• “O ye Gentiles” (Mormon 5:22)
• “And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles” (Ether 2:11)
• “Wherefore, O ye Gentiles” (Ether 8:23)

These prophets don’t simply include a verse here or there regarding the Gentiles (Latter-Day Saints), but instead they write 5-10 verses straight, warning them of what will come because they have SEEN it. These prophets could not have been more direct and urgent in their messages to the Latter-Day Saints.

Moroni was able to pinpoint the greatest threat to these people and the fulness they had received. Moroni’s warnings state that the Gentiles should watch for the time when pride, vanity, unbelief and secret combinations would be among them, for it would lead to their complete destruction (Ether 8:23).

Then he warns, the lack of Charity among those Gentiles,( because of their pride and unbelief) would cause them to judge the sacred truths in the Book of Mormon as unimportant. He also warned that if the Gentiles fail to have charity, God would take away that which they had received (Ether 12:35).

Blessings & Promises to the Latter-day Gentiles

The sealed portion and “other scriptures” constitute the “greater things.” One should ask themselves if they have received that portion yet? If the Latter-day Saints have not received this greater truth, they should sincerely ask themselves:

Why hasn’t it been revealed?

Why has the lord not brought forth this greater work, if they believe they are faithfully doing all they should with what they have been given?

Wickedness & Abominations of the Latter-day Saint Gentiles

If one cannot grasp these indictments against the Latter-Day Saints, then at least have the Faith to ask the Lord if it’s true.

Remember Laman and Lemuel? What did they say to Nephi about the Jews from whence they came?

Repent & Return, Latter-day Gentiles

The Latter-day gentiles must come to see that there is a pattern of blindness. If it was easy to see and discern then everyone would have already seen it. Do not throw aside the truth simply because it is not easily understood. Seek for further understanding. The Lord can only give “line upon line and precept upon precept.” However, he cannot give truth if a people believe they already have all the answers.

Jesus Showed Mormon the Latter-day Gentiles’ Pride

Mormon saw the Latter-Day Saint churches: the clothing, apparel, pride and other iniquities. He says the churches have become polluted because of the pride of the hearts of the people. Pride is a great stumbling block for the Saints. The prophets continually point out pride, vanity and unbelief as the greatest sins the Saints must overcome. The above scripture continues:

There is great truth awaiting the Latter-Day Saint who goes to the Lord truly seeking knowledge regarding verse 41. If the Saints go to him in Faith the truths hidden in verse 41 will be revealed.

Showing the Latter-day Gentiles “All My Revelations”

What a grand promise! To see and experience what the Brother of Jared saw even to the unfolding of all revelations. This has not happened and will not until the Saints fulfill their part by having true faith and becoming sanctified in Christ.

Why the Gentiles Don’t Have the Sealed Portion

Moroni tells us the Latter-Day Saints do not have the sealed portion because they have not repented, become clean and cast off their unbelief. When they do so, they will receive all that the Brother of Jared experienced!

Here’s the Key: coming to the Father with a broken heart and contrite spirit. Latter-Day Saints believe they have all the truths necessary for salvation. Can their hearts really be broken and their spirits contrite with such an attitude? What great pride Moroni sees in the Latter-Day Saints, such that he tells them to “rend the veil of unbelief.”

Awake to a Sense of Your Awful Situation

Conclusion

Nephi, Mormon, Moroni and Christ saw the Latter-Day Saints today. They knew what the LDS would be fighting against and what great stumbling blocks they would encounter. The prophets warned sharply of secret combinations, in both their political and church leaders, alike. Latter-Day Saints must seek to have these secret combinations revealed to them.

Ezra Taft Benson

“I testify that wickedness is rapidly expanding in every segment of our society (see D&C 1:14–16, D&C 84:49–53). It is more highly organized, more cleverly disguised, and more powerfully promoted than ever before. Secret combinations lusting for power, gain, and glory are flourishing. A secret combination that seeks to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries is increasing its evil influence and control over America and the entire world” (see Ether 8:18–25)

Pride, vanity, unbelief and Secret Combinations are the great threats to the Latter-Day Saints. In the allegory of the tame and wild olive tree, Zenos explains apostasy with the following words:

Ironically the “stumbling block” of the Gentiles is their own wisdom. This wisdom replaces the plain and precious truths, causing them to stumble and apostize from the truth. Thus, the secret combinations overtake them and they are lead down to hell by the chains of Satan, “he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever” (2 Nephi 26:22).

If Zion is under condemnation, she cannot arise!

The Gentiles in the Book of Mormon are the Latter-Day Saints. They have been given great blessings, warnings and prophecies for these last days. If members of the church choose to ignore these truths, it has been prophesied what will happen to them. If members choose to take these prophecies to the Lord and seek his guidance, then the Book of Mormon teaches that greater things will be revealed to them.

When the scriptures are understood, the LDS can awaken. Awaking causes them to go to the Lord and receive greater truths. This process will refine each Latter-Day Saint, allowing them to partake of the blessings and great prophecies regarding them in the Book of Mormon.