1 Nephi 22:5

"5 And since they have been led away, these things have been prophesied concerning them, and also concerning all those who shall hereafter be scattered and be confounded, because of the Holy One of Israel; for against him will they ^aharden their hearts; wherefore, they shall be scattered among all nations and shall be ^bhated of all men."

This is a somber verse. When I read it, it struck a familiar chord with me. Hadn't we discussed this before? Well, we have. It was back three chapters in 1 Nephi 19. But more on that later.

In the beginning of verse 5, we see that Nephi testifies of the scattering of Israel, that there were prophesies made concerning them. He testifies that they shall be scattered even more and even confounded. These consequences will be dealt to them because they harden their hearts against the Holy One of Israel, or Jesus Christ. As a result they shall be scattered among all nations and hated of all men. This seems like a harsh thing, but remember that those who are righteous shall prosper and those who are not shall not. They chose to not follow Christ. Later, Nephi shares more about their fate (2 Nephi 25:16):

"16 And after they have been ^ascattered, and the Lord God hath scourged them by other nations for the space of many generations, yea, even down from generation to generation until they shall be persuaded to ^bbelieve in Christ, the Son of God, and the atonement, which is infinite for all mankind—and when that day shall come that they shall believe in Christ, and worship the Father in his name, with pure hearts and ^cclean hands, and look not forward any more for ^danother

Messiah, then, at that time, the day will come that it must needs be expedient that they should believe these things."

Here is more on their promise (2 Nephi 10:7):

"7 But behold, thus saith the ^aLord God: ^bWhen the day cometh that they shall believe in me, that I am Christ, then have I covenanted with their fathers that they shall be ^crestored in the flesh, upon the earth, unto the ^dlands of their inheritance."

Also, remember that the promises are still individual. Those who accept Christ in that group of people shall prosper and be saved. I believe that they might not have to wait until the above promises are fulfilled. Nephi details this in the following selection of scripture about a great and marvelous work to take place in the latter-days (2 Nephi 30:1-8):

"1 And now behold, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you; for I, Nephi, would not suffer that ye should suppose that ye are more righteous than the Gentiles shall be. For behold, except ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall all likewise ^aperish; and because of the words which have been spoken ye need not suppose that the Gentiles are utterly destroyed.

"2 For behold, I say unto you that as many of the Gentiles as will repent are the ^acovenant people of the Lord; and as many of the ^bJews as will not repent shall be ^ccast off; for the Lord ^dcovenanteth with none save it be with them that ^erepent and believe in his Son, who is the Holy One of Israel.

"3 And now, I would prophesy somewhat more concerning the Jews and the Gentiles. For after the book of which I have spoken shall come forth, and be written unto the Gentiles, and sealed up again unto the Lord, there shall be many which shall ^abelieve the words which are written; and ^bthey shall carry them forth unto the ^cremnant of our seed.

"4 And then shall the remnant of our seed know concerning us, how that we came out from Jerusalem, and that they are descendants of the Jews.

"5 And the gospel of Jesus Christ shall be declared among ^athem; wherefore, ^bthey shall be restored unto the ^cknowledge of their fathers, and also to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, which was had among their fathers.

"6 And then shall they rejoice; for they shall ^aknow that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God; and their ^bscales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes; and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a pure and a ^cdelightsome people.

"7 And it shall come to pass that the ^aJews which are scattered also shall ^bbegin to believe in Christ; and they shall begin to gather in upon the face of the land; and as many as shall believe in Christ shall also become a delightsome people.

"8 And it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall commence his work among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, to bring about the ^arestoration of his people upon the earth."

In verse 2 of this selection lies the individual promise to the Jews (and Gentiles). What a marvelous, merciful plan. I am eternally grateful for the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for all that they have done and will do.