Of the twelve sons of Jacob, Joseph becomes the birthright son because Leah’s oldest, Reuben commits a grievous sin and loses it. The birthright, therefore, transfers to Joseph, the oldest of Jacob’s second wife. Of Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, Jacob gives the birthright to the younger, Ephraim. That’s us!
Prophecies of Ephraim in the Old Testament include that he will be mixed in with the gentile nations. That isn’t surprising as the tribe of Ephraim was scattered with the other ten tribes when the King of Assyria conquered the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BC.
Joseph Smith tells us that we are the Gentiles in the Book of Mormon in his Kirtland Temple dedicatory prayer. [D&C 109:60] If we pay attention to all the prophecies of the gentiles in the Book of Mormon, we will learn a lot. We are to be the nursing mothers and nursing fathers to all the house of Israel as they are gathered. This is a repeated them in the Book of Mormon.
From the beginning of the Church, Joseph Smith prayed for the Jews to commence their return to Israel. Orson Hyde in 1841 dedicated the land of Israel to the return of the Jews, and many other Church leaders have pronounced blessings in that land. Oliver Cowdery mentioned it in an article in the Latter-day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate.
Our 10th Article of Faith also decrees, “We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the 10 tribes.”
Our job as the tribe of Ephraim is to gather Israel. Let us not lose our way by getting caught up with the antisemitism and anti-Zionism that is sweeping the world.
Scriptures that refer to the role of Ephraim in the last days.
Genesis 49:22-26 Blessings given to Joseph as the birthright son. The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
Hosea 7:8 Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.
Zechariah 10:6-9 And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the Lord their God, and will hear them. And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man . . . I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased. And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.
D&C 90:9 The word will go forth to the Gentiles and then turn to the Jews.
D&C 109:60-65 We, members of church, are the gentiles in the Book of Mormon who have been given revelations and commandments from Lord. Reference to boundaries of the everlasting hills like in Isaiah. Prays for the return of the children of Judah to the lands given to Abraham, that Jerusalem from that hour may be redeemed.
D&C 133:25-35 Greatest blessings given to Ephraim. He will be in charge of the gathering. They shall bring Ephraim their treasures and be crowned by Ephraim.
1 Ne. 21:20-24 In latter days, new children, those grafted in, will start to turn away, gentile’s nurture the house of Israel; they will be nursing mothers and fathers and carry Israel upon their shoulders.
1 Ne 22:6 Jews and tribes of Israel will be carried in the arms and on the shoulders of the gentiles. Symbolic of gathering them back into the fold of God and teaching them the gospel. Nephi says these are temporal things; they will happen here on earth. Gentiles will help bring all of house of Israel back.
2 Ne 10:9, 18 gentiles will be like nursing fathers and nursing mothers to the house of Israel and will be numbered among them. They will help gather them to the gospel.
2 Ne. 6:6-7,9-18 For the people of the Lord are they who wait for him; for they still wait for the coming of the Messiah; Gentiles are nursing fathers and nursing mothers; Gentiles who repent the Lord will save, people of the Lord are those who wait for the coming of the Messiah. [not who necessarily join our church]
2 Ne 29: 1-2 Nephi warns his people that they are not more righteous than the gentiles shall be [us]. Gentiles and Jews are both covenant people if they will repent and have faith in Christ.
Jacob 5 Allegory of the Olive Tree; this is the story of the House of Israel.
Jacob 6:2-4 Second time God sets out to recover His people is the last time; God remembers both root and branch of house of Israel.
3 Ne. 21:3-7,22-24 Gentiles will bring gospel to house of Israel. If Gentiles believe and repent they shall be numbered among Israel [not replace them]. Gentiles who believe will be numbered among the remnant of Israel who have been given this promised land; they will assist remnant in building New Jerusalem and help gather Israel.
3 Ne. 22 There are more are the children of the desolate [children of Israel] than the children of the married wife [Gentiles] saith the Lord; entire chapter is talking about the forsaken wife; God’s covenant of peace will not be removed.
3 Ne. 30 Gentiles, repent, come unto me and be baptized etc and then you will be numbered among the house of Israel [not replace, but be numbered among].