The Gathering of the Elect – The True and Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Last Days -TLC

The gathering of the Lord’s people out of the world and into one place is a literal event whereby God will build up His kingdom and establish Zion. It is the only way His elect people are taught the fulness of the Gospel and have the opportunity to live it. In this setting they receive protection and enjoy the presence of God in their midst. The gathering is a basic principle of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because it has been changed, ignored, and put at naught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in this day, as well as by some of the fundamentalist groups, we, as Apostles of Jesus Christ, have been impressed by the Lord to address this doctrine.

Therefore, the purpose of this pamphlet is to bring an understanding of what the gathering of Israel is, to also show the way it has always been, and always will be, and why God has always gathered his people in every dispensation of time. It is a witness and a warning to all the House of Israel in these last days. May the Spirit of truth accompany you as you contemplate this important doctrine.

A direct tenet of the restored gospel given to Joseph Smith is the 10th Article of Faith. It reads:

We believe in the literal gathering of Israel, and in the restoration of the ten tribes; that Zion will be established upon the western continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth a thousand years; and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory. (Articles of Faith, 1835)

Notice the change in the current Article contrasted with the original:

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 it’s paradisiacal glory. (Articles of Faith, 1989)

The meaning, however, is still the same–the “gathering” together “of Israel” upon the face of this, “the American continent.”

Early in this dispensation, the Lord spoke to His Servant, Joseph Smith Jr., concerning the gathering of the Lord’s elect in the last days. In September of 1830, the Lord instructed Joseph and six Elders, who were witnesses:

And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts; Wherefore the decree hath gone forth from the Father that they shall be gathered in unto one place upon the face of this land, to prepare their hearts and be prepared in all things against the day when tribulation and desolation are sent forth upon the wicked. (D&C 29:7-8)

In this scripture, the Lord called Joseph Smith Jr., and these Elders (and thus all of their successors), “to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect”, because “the decree hath gone forth from the Father”. Therefore, we can say that a commandment has gone forth from our Father in Heaven, that the leaders of His church shall bring to pass “the gathering” of his elect, and “that they (the elect) shall be gathered in unto one place” on this, the American continent. The gathering of the Lord’s elect people, is an eternal principle of the Gospel. It is not an optional doctrine of the true Church of Jesus Christ, but rather, it is a commandment from the Father! This principle is not to be altered or changed. We know of no revelation received by anyone, nor can we locate any revelation in the standard works of scripture that discontinues the gathering of the Lord’s people unto “one place, upon this land”. Joseph taught that a person could discern a false prophet from a true prophet “by his contradicting a former revelation” (DHC 4:581, TPJS,. p 215). The Prophet Joseph Smith also gave us this qualifier for true revelations from God to His people:

If anything should have been suggested by us, or any names mentioned, except by commandment, or thus saith the Lord, we do not consider it binding; (History of the Church, 3:295)

The Lord is the same, as is His Gospel, His Priesthood, and the ordinances thereof, from before the foundations of the world.

Enoch gathered the elect of God into his city, which was eventually taken into heaven. Noah gathered those who would hear him unto one place where the Ark was constructed and the elect delivered. At the tower of Babel, the brother of Jared gathered those together who would obey the voice of the Lord and they were brought to the promised land. Moses gathered the Lord’s people out of Egypt for eventual deliverance into the land of promise. Lehi collected those of his family and others and left Jerusalem before it was destroyed. Alma gathered the righteous and escaped the evil empire of wicked King Noah and his priests. There are numerous examples in the history of God’s people that the principle of gathering is vital for their spiritual and temporal survival. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, during his mortal probation here on this earth, spoke of His many attempts to gather those who would hear His voice:

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often I would have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gatherethtogether her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (Matt. 23:37)

The great prophet Moses delivered the keys of the gathering of Israel to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple, on the 3rd of April, 1836:

After this vision closed, 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. (D&C 110:11)

The keys of the gathering of Israel, as well as all the keys of this dispensation, were committed to the Prophet Joseph Smith and remain with him even at this time.

Verily I say unto you (Joseph Smith Jr.), the keys of this kingdom shall never be taken from you, while thou art in the world, neither in the world to come: (D&C 90:3).

Exalt not yourselves; rebel not against my servant Joseph; for verily I say unto you, I am with him, and my hand shall be over him; and the keys which I have given unto him, and also to youward, shall not be taken from him till I come. (D&C 112:15)

Also, you must know that Brother Joseph imparted to his successors and his brethren, only those keys that were necessary for them to conduct the affairs of the temporal church:

So it is with the Prophet Joseph Smith. He has gone before with the keys of this dispensation, after having lived and conferred them upon the authorities of the church, even all that was necessary until he shall come again to build up this kingdom preparatory to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Franklin D. Richards, JD 26:302)

The Prophet Joseph Smith Jr., as the head of this dispensation and holding all the keys of the kingdom on this and the other side of the veil, even at this time, has had a great deal to say concerning the doctrine of gathering:

It (the gathering) is a principle I esteem to be of the greatest importance to those who are looking for salvation in this generation, or in these, that may be called, ‘the latter times.’ All that the prophets that have written, from the days of righteous Abel, down to the last man that has left any testimony on record for our consideration, in speaking of the salvation of Israel in the last days, goes directly to show that it consists in the work of the gathering. (TPJS, p. 83)

One of the most important points in the faith of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, through the fulness of the everlasting Gospel, is the gathering of Israel… (TPJS, p. 92)

In speaking of the gathering, we mean to be understood as speaking of it according to scripture, the gathering of the elect of the Lord out of every nation on earth. (TPJS, p. 93)

It is also the concurrent testimony of all the prophets, that this gathering together of all the saints, must take place before the Lord comes to take vengeance upon the ungodly…(TPJS, p. 183)

…and if we are not sanctified and gathered into the places God has appointed, with all our former professions and our great love for the Bible, we must fall; we cannot stand; we cannot be saved; for God will gather out His Saints from the Gentiles, and then comes desolation and destruction, and none can escape except the pure in heart who are gathered. (DHC 2:52)

It was the design of the councils of heaven before the world was, that the principles; and laws of the priesthood should be predicated upon the gathering of the people in every age of the world. Jesus did everything to gather the people, and they would not be gathered, and He therefore poured out curses upon them. (TPJS, p. 308)

Because he is a true prophet of God, Joseph Smith preached and applied the doctrine of the gathering of the elect–an eternal principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Remember Joseph’s words and write them upon your heart, for he truly declared:

When did I teach anything wrong from this stand? When was I ever confounded? I want to triumph in Israel before I depart hence and am no more seen. I never told you I was perfect; but there is no error in the revelations which I have taught. (Joseph Smith, TPJS, p. 368)

…if any man preach any other Gospel than that which I have preached , he shall be cursed; (TPJS, p. 366)

Did brother Joseph’s successors and his contemporary brethren, preach this same Gospel? What did they say concerning the principle of the gathering? We include here for your consideration some of their remarks:

BRIGHAM YOUNG

We as a people are commanded to leave our places of abode in the countries where we received the gospel, and are required to gather together. (JD 11:321)

If I lay down the Book of Mormon, I shall have to deny that Joseph is a prophet; and if I lay down the doctrine and cease to preach the gathering of Israel and the building up of Zion, I must lay down the Bible; and consequently, I might as well go home as undertake to preach without these three items. (JD 6:279)

DANIEL H. WELLS

Remember that it is one of the chief duties of the Saints to gather Israel, in building up the kingdom of God; and everything we do should conspire to this end. (JD 9:81)

JOHN TAYLOR

What was it that implanted the idea of gathering and union in our bosoms? It was the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and that principle is implanted in our breasts by the power of the Holy Ghost, which earth and hell cannot eradicate. (JD 5:237)

Whence comes our gathering? Because we are introduced into a Gospel of gathering, because we are living in a gathering dispensation, because that is one of the dispensations that existed in former days, and has been restored in the latter days wherever this Gospel is preached, that spirit accompanies it. You cannot prevent it. Go and preach to the people, baptize them, lay hands upon them for the reception of the Holy Ghost, and the first thing that exists among the people is the feeling to go to Zion. (JD 19:82)

And when these Elder’s went forth in the performance of their duties, calling upon the people among whom they traveled to repent and to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins, promising believers that they should receive the Holy Ghost, in obedience to the Gospel requirements, they laid their hands upon their heads confirming them members of the church and also conferred the Holy Ghost, and they received it; and among other things they received was the principles of the Gathering. And it was universally the case, and they hardly knew why it was, that among their first desires after their confirmation, was a wish to gather to Zion; and no one who remains faithful to the cause ever remained satisfied until he did gather with the saints. (JD 19:239)

GEORGE A. SMITH

Among the first principles that were revealed to the children of men in the last days was the gathering; the first revelations that were given to the Church were to command them to gather and send Elders to seek out a place for the gathering of the saints. (JD 2:214)

JEDEDIAH M. GRANT

We believe in gathering together, the Lord God has spoken to us from the heavens and commanded us to gather. (JD 2:272)

MILLENNIAL STAR

The gathering is a self-evident principle to people who have the spirit of the Lord. It is one of the simplest and most obvious of all principles. The spirit of the gathering always attends the work of God. There never was a dispensation in which it did not prevail to greater or less extent. If we throw overboard the principle of the gathering, we cast away one of the most important principles connected with the work of God and salvation of humanity. (Mill. Star 33: 210, 326)

ORSON PRATT

The doctrine of the gathering of the people of God, including Israel, is one so clearly predicted by the inspired writers, that it seems almost superfluous to refer to the numerous passages relating to it. (Orson Pratt’s Works, p. 9)

These men and prophets of the early part of this dispensation taught, as did the Prophet Joseph, the same Gospel and principles concerning the gathering of the Lord’s people in these last days–it being the same as in all other dispensations of time.

We bear testimony as Apostles of the Lord that the gathering of the elect continues today. This gathering is essential today as the judgments and destructions of the Lord are about to be poured out upon the earth in great ferocity. Each individual must prayerfully discern where this gathering is taking place today. We testify that those who are the elect of God are waking up and are heeding the promptings of the Holy Ghost to gather.

We know by the Spirit that the Sanpete valley in Utah has a manifest destiny in the work of the Lord, and we testify that great and marvelous events will yet transpire in this prophetic valley. The Lord’s covenant people will also need sacred ordinances performed preparatory to bringing in the Millennium. This valley will serve as a temporary refuge for the righteous while great destructions occur in all the land. That righteous remnant of the elect are already gathering to this place to fulfill the covenants they have made with God before they came to earth. You, the reader, must ask God in humble prayer if you are to do the same. The days are coming soon when calamity and chaos are going to be unleashed with great fury.

Decisions to gather are more easily made during a time of relative peace and order. The elect will not procrastinate the day of their repentance until it is too late. It will be very distressing to try to come when war, calamity and anarchy are raging across the globe. The following scriptures and quotes support the reasons for gathering, as testified to above:

SCRIPTURES

And now I show unto you a parable. Behold, wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together; so likewise shall mine elect be gathered from the four quarters of the earth. And they shall hear of wars, and rumors of wars. Behold I speak for mine elect’s sake; for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. And again, because iniquity shall abound, the love of men shall wax cold; but he that shall not be overcome, the same shall be saved. (JST Matthew 1:27-30)

Therefore, I will unfold unto them this great mystery; For, behold, I will gather them as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if they will not harden their hearts; Yea, if they will come, they may, and partake of the waters of life freely. (D&C 10:64-66)

Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints… (D&C 84:4)

Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned. (D&C 86:7)

Go ye out from Babylon. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. Call your solemn assemblies, and speak often one to another. And let every man call upon the name of the Lord. Yea, verily I say unto you again, the time has come when the voice of the Lord is unto you: Go ye out of Babylon; gather ye out from among the nations, from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (D&C 133:5-7)

And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts; Wherefore the decree has gone forth from the Father that they shall be gathered in unto one place upon the face of this land, to prepare their hearts and be prepared in all things against the day when tribulation and desolation are sent forth upon the wicked. (D&C 29:7-8)

JOSEPH SMITH Jr.

All that the prophets that have written, from the days of righteous Abel, down to the last man that has left any testimony on record for our consideration, in speaking of the salvation of Israel in the last days, goes directly to show that it consists in the work of the gathering. (TPJS, p. 83)

BRIGHAM YOUNG

The Latter-day Saints are called to separate themselves from the wicked—to assemble together and associate with each other; and this is one of the greatest blessing bestowed upon me—that I may not be obliged to mingle with the ungodly. (JD 8:277)

…the testimony of God’s servants has sounded like the voice of a trumpet from nation to nation, and from people to people, warning the honest and meek of the earth to flee from Babylon to the chambers in the mountains for safety until the indignation shall be past. (JD 9:365)

What do you gather here for? To be guided and dictated in the things of the kingdom of God, so as to become of one heart and of one mind in all things political, religious and social; to learn how to live to overcome the evils that are in you, that you may be kind and gentle and truth-loving, full of the Spirit of the Lord from Sunday morning to Sunday morning; not coming together at the first day of the week for our meetings and sacraments, and then going away and turning to the beggarly elements of the world without thinking of religion again until the next Sabbath morning. The Latter-day Saints are gathered together to learn how to overcome every sin, and every passion within them, to sanctify themselves before the heavens, and sanctify the Lord God in their hearts … we are gathered together that we may become one, as a people, in our politics and in our financial matters, as well as in our faith; … When we are truly one we will be one in those things that pertain to this life… Do the Latter-day Saints know that they have been gathered together to be taught in temporal things, in all their business movements and dealings, and to learn how to live in families and as a community in peace and happiness … We are here to be sanctified, that every thought, and desire and feeling may be brought into subjection to the will of God. (JD 11:284,287,288,289)

DANIEL H. WELLS

The Gospel of salvation has been promulgated—has reached our ears where we dwelt among different nations and countries, and has brought us to these mountain regions. And now what is our duty? Shall we be like the world from which we have been gathered out? If this is our intention, we might as well have stayed in our native country, where we could have ripened for destruction as well as here. But if we have essayed to be servants of the Most High, to be his children, to be his chosen and peculiar, and for which purpose we are gathered out from among the Gentile nations, let us not do as they do, but let us do according to the high behest of Heaven, who has given us an appointment, and has called us forth to build up his kingdom in these last days. We have been gathered out to form a nucleus of power to take the kingdom, overcome evil with good, tread wickedness under our feet, and exalt righteousness upon the mountain tops, that the power, the wealth, and earthly prosperity may be taken from the powers of the Devil and placed within the power and control of a righteous people where it belongs. (JD 9:59-60 )

They will gather the people together in these valleys, for the Saints have no desire for the fellowship of the world. (JD 9:350-351)

JOHN TAYLOR

The true seed of the house of Israel are coming out of the world, and the saints are shut up in the mountains to learn and practice those principles which pertain to salvation in the celestial kingdom of our God, and my prayer is that we may be enabled to accomplish the gathering of Israel and the redemption of Zion. Amen.(JD 4:273)

We have listened to the voice of the charmer—participated in all the blessings of the Gospel; and this has been the means of our gathering together in this place. Why did we come here? For the same reason this brother said he came—to serve God and work righteousness, gain intelligence, and bring salvation to ourselves, to our wives and children, and obtain it for our progenitors. We came here to learn the principles of eternal life, and be enabled to fulfill our destiny upon the earth, and prepare ourselves and our posterity for a celestial inheritance in the eternal worlds. (JD 7:118)

WILFORD WOODRUFF

How the soul of the Prophet rejoiced when he beheld the work of God spreading abroad in the earth, the truth received by the children of men, and the promises of God verified to the letter in the gathering of the Saints, and a way prepared for the establishment of Zion upon the earth. (JD 7:98)

JOSEPH F. SMITH

…gather my people from the world, that I may have a righteous and pure people who will worship me in spirit and truth. (JD 11:310)

MILLENNIAL STAR

How can Zion be built up, unless the Saints gather and build it up? And how can Babylon fall, so long as the Saints stay and hold it up? (Millennial Star, 32: 233 Editorial)

As can be seen from the preceding quotations, the gathering of the Lord’s people in every dispensation is the spirit and desire of those who have received of the Holy Ghost. It is also a commandment to all those who call themselves the Saints of God. The Saints must always gather out of the world (Babylon), that they might be sanctified in all things and learn the right ways of the Lord. The kingdom of God can then be built up by them and Zion established. These are commandments unto the elect of Israel.

The higher Laws of Zion can only be lived when in a gathered condition, apart from the world. The economy of consecration must be lived in a gathered condition. Children should grow up and marry outside of the wicked influence of a corrupt world. The phrase, “in the world, but not of the world” is a false reality, and was coined to rationalize the mixing of the Saints into the world instead of remaining a gathered and peculiar people unto the Lord. How can we hope to be spared from the trials and the tribulations that are soon to come upon the world, if we are, in fact, part of the world? If we as a people are part and parcel of the world (Babylon), we shall fall and be destroyed with her when she falls! We will be cut off!

They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own God, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall. (D&C 1:16)

For after today cometh the burning—this is speaking after the manner of the Lord—for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, for I am the Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon. (D&C 64:24)

Go ye out from Babylon. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord… Yea, verily I say unto you again, the time has come when the voice of the Lord is unto you: Go ye out of Babylon; gather ye out from among the nations, from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other… Go ye out from among the nations, even from Babylon, from the midst of wickedness, which is spiritual Babylon. (D&C 133:5,7,14)

If we as individuals and as a people have received unto our souls the Holy Ghost, then we will gather. If we as a people desire to learn and to keep the Lord’s commandments within the bounds that the Lord has set, we will gather. If we as a people desire to inherit this earth in its glorified state and to walk the streets of the New Jerusalem and to live the Celestial law in a Celestial Kingdom, we will gather. If we as a people, are God’s people, we must gather. If we hope to enjoy the blessings of that kingdom, we must live and keep the laws of that kingdom, here and now!

And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself. (D&C 105:5)

There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated–And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. (D&C 130:20-21)

Whenever a people reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ and do not take the Holy Ghost unto themselves as their guide, they will not gather nor will they teach the gathering. They will do the opposite. They will not desire to leave Babylon or the world, but rather, they desire to get gain and the praise of the world. They will care more about their treasures that they’ve laid up for themselves in the world than those in heaven. They will seek after, build up, love, and befriend the world. They will not gather out. We should remember what was in the heart of Lot’s wife that turned her into a pillar of salt. She loved Sodom and Gomorrah (Babylon) more than she loved God. She preferred to be friends with the world rather than to obey God and come out of the world.

For no man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matt. 6:24)

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4)

And when the spirit of persecution, the spirit of hatred, of wrath, and malice ceases in the world against this people, it will be the time that this people have apostatized and joined hands with the wicked… (Brigham Young, JD 4:326-327)

You have now read testimony from the scriptures and prophets declaring the doctrine of gathering. Knowing that God is unchangeable, one may intelligently inquire as to why those who claim to be the Lord’s people no longer gather as the Lord has commanded? Maybe it is because the people follow the arm of flesh more than the Holy Ghost. Perhaps the current LDS leaders no longer teach or obey these former commandments because of their desire to be friends with the world. It becomes very apparent that the course pursued today is at odds with the Zion concepts previously embraced.

Notice in the following quotes the change of attitude toward the literal gathering of Israel:

JOSEPH F. SMITH

The policy of the Church is not to entice or encourage people to leave their native land; but to remain faithful and true in their allegiance to their governments, and to be good citizens. (Mess. of the First Pres., 4:165)

JOHN A. WIDTSOE

The time of the gathering is past. We now live in the time of scattering. We want to scatter our people over the face of the earth that we might leaven the whole lump. (Truth Mag., Sept. 1952, p. 103)

HEBER J. GRANT

Many of the saints, who come here, could be far more useful in assisting to strengthen and build up the church in their native lands, that by making sacrifices to come to Zion where their expectations may not be realized.

With cordial good wishes we are,

Sincerely your brethren

Heber J Grant

A.W. Ivins

C.W. Nibley

THE FIRST PRESIDENCY

(Mess. of the First Pres., Clark, 5:269)

MATTHEW COWLEY

I would like to say to you (Saints around the world) that I know that in your hearts this day there is a longing to be here at the hub of this great Church, a longing which you cannot realize; and in a sense I am pleased that you do not have that desire fulfilled. You are needed where you are. We encourage you to stay where you are because you are needed there where the light is going out,…(Conf. Report, April 1952, Pg. 102)

SPENCER W. KIMBALL

…as we have told the Saints in Europe in hundreds of meetings in many different locations, if the Saints in Europe will remain in their lands and will build the church and the kingdom in Europe and train and hold their children and bring them into the holy temples in Europe for marriage, the kingdom can grow and prosper, and God will bless them, and I know that. (Improvement Era, Dec. 1955)

DAVID O. McKAY

I recall asking him (David O. McKay) if missionaries should persist in encouraging members to leave their homes and move to Zion. No, he answered, it is important that the branches be built up, and members should remain and work toward that end. (Instructor, Nov. 1963,Pg.385)

BRUCE R. McCONKIE

We are now in a new era of church growth and development. We are becoming a world church. Every nation is the gathering place for its own people. (Church News, Sept. 2, 1972)

The place of gathering for the Mexican Saints is in Mexico; the place of gathering for the Guatemalan Saints is in Guatemala; the place of gathering for the Brazilian Saints is in Brazil; and so it goes throughout the length and breadth of the whole earth. (Church News, Sept. 2, 1972)

JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH

…our building of foreign temples is to encourage the saints to stay in their own countries. (Des. News, Oct. 17, 1936, Church Section)

HAROLD B. LEE

President Lee explained that one of the purposes in holding the various area conferences was that many more people could assemble than could come to the headquarters of the Church at the semi-annual conferences held in Salt Lake City. (Church News, Aug. 25, 1973, Pg. 4)

It is disturbing to see modern leaders contradict the earlier prophets, scriptures, and the Lord Himself. Has there been a new revelation given? If so, where is it documented in the form of a canonized revelation with “Thus saith the Lord”? Joseph Smith sealed his testimony with his own blood and no man has the right to break that seal that was set in place by sacrifice.

We do solemnly testify that those who preach against gathering the Lord’s elect, are enemies to God and literally fight against the establishment of Zion. Zion cannot be built up without this principle being implemented. The Saints cannot, under current conditions, be in one place to receive the Lord’s protection and deliverance. A doctrine of scattering has been erroneously taught and upheld by current leaders.

This gathering of the Saints is literal! As the judgments of God are soon poured out, this folly and error will become manifest. Many will suffer and perish because of ignorance to God’s law and pattern for the last days. These are firm words that must be taken to the heart. The elect must awake and arise and put on the full armor of God, gather with the elect and prepare this earth for the coming of the Savior. The Spirit bears witness that these things are true.

Up to this point, we have presented for your consideration the mind and the will of the Lord and His prophets, concerning the doctrine of the gathering of the Lord’s people unto one place. We have also presented for your consideration quotes from modern LDS Church leaders, showing that a conflict of doctrine exists between the Lord’s prophets and the current leaders of Mormondom. These Leaders, in their New Age, now preach of a scattered Israel. This dogma defies the purposes of the Lord for His covenant people in the last days. Satan has effectively neutralized the establishment of Zion among the LDS membership as he swore he would do back in the days of the Garden of Eden. Satan has attacked every principle that would depose him and establish Christ’s kingdom. The Doctrine of Gathering has been one of those victims. As long as Satan can keep the covenant people scattered and imbibing the ways of the world, he wins. This warfare of good and evil is very real and is occurring in our lifetime. We must awake to our duty. See what the Lord has to say about scattering:

He that is not with me, is against me; and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth abroad. (Luke 2:24)

Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:1)

I have heard brother Brigham preach it here time and time again, and other men, that a scattering spirit was not the spirit of God; and I know it is not. (Heber C. Kimball, JD 4:362)

Does God vary or change? Does He walk in crooked paths? Does God know the beginning from the end? Can anyone have faith in a God that does not keep His word? Does God lie?

We testify, that God cannot lie nor can He change or He would cease to be God, for God is eternal and forever must He be the same.

The works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught. For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round. Remember, remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men; For although a man may have many revelations, and have power to do many mighty works, yet if he boasts in his own strength, and sets at naught the counsels of God, and follows after the dictates of his own will and carnal desires, he must fall and incur the vengeance of a just God upon him. (D&C 3:1-4)

For I am the Lord, I change not; (Malachi 3:6)

From eternity to eternity he is the same, (D&C 76:4)

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. (Heb. 13:8)

For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing? (Mormon 9:9)

Proving to the world that the holy scriptures are true, and that God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old; Thereby showing that he is the same God yesterday, today, and forever. Amen. (D&C 20:11-12)

A house divided against itself cannot stand. The Lord is not double minded. A conflict therefore exists between the Lord, His prophets and servants, and those who now lead the LDS Church.

Do you know why some men give counsel different one from another? Because they undertake to give counsel without the spirit of the Lord to dictate them. But when the Spirit dictates, then each one knows what to do, and their counsel will be the same. Adam, Seth, Enoch, Noah, all the Patriarchs and Prophets, Jesus and the Apostles, and every man that has ever written the word of the Lord, have written the same doctrine on the same subject; and you never can find that Prophets and Apostles clashed in their doctrines in ancient days; neither will they now, if all would at all times be led by the spirit of salvation. (Brigham Young, Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 135)

Why has this apostasy happened in the LDS Church, and how did the leaders get so far away from the work of Zion? It is evident that the philosophies of men mingled with scripture have crept into the teachings of the modern LDS leaders. All men, including the leaders of the LDS Church, have their agency and are free to choose, for it is given them. However, God holds each man responsible and accountable for his actions. It is incumbent upon all seekers of truth to importune Heaven and receive personal revelation from the divine source as to their course in life. In this way, seekers of truth can know of a surety whether their leaders are dictating the will of the Lord or not. Consider the following statements:

Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come (after 1831), for the Lord is nigh; And the Anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth. And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh (after 1831) that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles (all of them), shall be cut off from among the people; for they (all who fight against Zion) have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant; They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own God, whose image is the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall (after 1831) perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall. (D&C 1:12-16)

And after they (the LDS Church) have fallen asleep (apostasy) the great persecutor of the church, the apostate, the whore, even Babylon, that maketh all nations to drink of her cup (denies agency), in whose heart the enemy, even Satan, sitteth to reign—behold he soweth the tares (those who are not the elect of God); wherefore, the tares choke the wheat (the elect of God) and drive the church into the wilderness. (D&C 86:3)

How often has it been taught that if you depend entirely upon the voice, judgment and sagacity of those appointed to lead you, and neglect to enjoy the Spirit for yourselves, how easily you may be led into error, and finally be cast off to the left hand? (Brigham Young, JD 8: 59)

…what a pity it would be if we were led by one man to utter destruction! Are you afraid of this: I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken that influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way. Let every man and woman know, themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not. This has been my exhortation continually. (Brigham Young, JD 9: 150)

I told the people that if they would not believe the revelations that God has given, he would suffer the devil to give revelations that they–priests and people would follow after –I told the people that as true as God lived, if they would not have the truth they would have error sent to them, and they would believe it. (Brigham Young, Deseret News, 18 June 1871)

We testify, as those crying in the wilderness, that the principle and doctrine of the gathering of the Lord’s people, even His elect, is true and of God. The Lord’s elect are called to gather themselves out from the world unto one place upon this continent, to be separate from the world, a peculiar people unto God. This is an eternal principle and does not change in time or in eternity.

Come and learn to live all the laws pertaining to the Celestial Kingdom, that you might receive the keys of the Holy Priesthood and commune with the heavens, receive the further light and knowledge promised to the true and faithful. Come and help build up the Kingdom of God and establish Zion. This will prepare the elect to endure the presence of God and truly know Him, and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent.

We, as apostles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, testify to you, that Jesus is the Christ and at the head of His Church,the True and Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Last Days, that Joseph Smith Jr. is His Prophet and holds all the keys to this last dispensation. We testify to you that our God and Father in Heaven, is an unchangeable God, that He knows the beginning from the end, that there can be no variance in Him, for He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Again we testify, that the doctrine of the gathering is a true principle in all dispensations of time, especially now!

This gathering is now taking place in a humble valley encompassing Manti, Utah. The prophetic future destiny of this valley will yet be made manifest to those who are worthy to endure the events of the last days. We as the Lord’s authorized servants, call unto all the elect of Israel and especially that remnant of Ephraim, to come out of Babylon and forsake the world. Partake not of her whoredoms. Gather with the Lord’s remnant and be prepared in all things necessary, to meet our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We exhort all of the elect to come out from under condemnation for the day of the Lord is soon at hand. The harvest is great and the laborers are few. The laborer in Zion is worthy of his hire and must thrust in his sickle with his might while the day lasts. Soon that night of darkness will come in which no work can be done, and the day of probation will be past. This warning and invitation will certainly be heeded by those who have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts that understand.

We will leave you with the inspired words of our beloved Prophet, Priest and King, Joseph Smith Jr., as our final testimony to you, that the things testified in this pamphlet are true:

What was the object of the gathering of the Jews, or the people of God in any age of the world?

……The main object was to build unto the Lord a house whereby He could reveal unto His people the ordinances of His house and the glories of His kingdom, and teach the people the way of salvation; for there are certain ordinances and principles that, when they are taught and practiced, must be done in a place or house built for that purpose. It was the design of the councils of heaven before the world was, that the principles and laws of the priesthood should be predicated upon the gathering of the people in every age of the world. Jesus did everything to gather the people, and they would not be gathered, and He therefore poured out curses upon them. Ordinances instituted in the heavens before the foundation of the world, in the priesthood, for the salvation of men, ARE NOT to be ALTERED or CHANGED. All must be saved upon the same principles. It is for the same purpose that God gathers together His people in the last days, to build unto the Lord a house to prepare them for the ordinances and endowments, washings and anointings, etc. (Joseph Smith, TPJS, p. 307-308)

…if any man preach any other Gospel than that which I have preached, he shall be cursed; (Joseph Smith, TPJS, p. 366)

The Law of Gathering is an essential part of the building up of Zion in these last days. Zion will not be redeemed without the compliance to this Holy Law. The righteous remnant of Israel will be feverishly building the kingdom while the world at large will be in great turmoil and desolation. We invite the elect to come with us and assist in the redemption of the house of Israel as the Lord has decreed. Now is the time to make these decisions, for time is short and God’s judgments are at our doors. Only those who keep all of their covenants and gather will be under God’s protective “cloud by day and pillar of fire by night”. These days are surely at hand and are soon to be fulfilled.

This is our witness and our warning unto all Israel and they who read these words, that these things are true and we so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Why is Manti, Utah the gathering place for the TLC?

The Lord has commanded His saints to gather to Manti.

Manti has always been believed by the pioneers to be a special place, one with significance in the Last Days. President Brigham Young and the Twelve Apostles recognized that the commandment to build a “city of Zion” would be fullfilled in the West. President Young designated Manti to be that city and commanded a Temple to be built there. In 1851, the Legislature of the “State of Deseret” set aside a massive area of land in the Sanpete Valley for the city of Manti in order to follow the pattern originally designed by Joseph Smith.

The Manti Temple itself has special significance. Originally built by polygamists, it has one of the few “live” endowment sessions still available. Following all true temples, the Manti Temple was built as an architectural metaphor of the Law of Eternal Progression and as yet has remained unchanged in that respect. We believe that before His coming in glory, the Lord will return to the Manti Temple to endow His people with power, even the Fullness of the Priesthood.