The Church Is Commanded to Physically Gather the Elect
Doctrine and Covenants 29:1–2, 7–8
1 Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the Great I AM, whose arm of mercy hath atoned for your sins;
2 Who will gather his people even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, even as many as will hearken to my voice and humble themselves before me, and call upon me in mighty prayer. . . .
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;
8 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.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie said:
“This promised gathering of the Lord’s chosen people was the hope and prayer of all the prophets of Israel. Of it they spoke, and wrote, and prophesied. . . . On the occasion when [Jesus] was ready to ascend to His Father, the disciples asked Him: ‘Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?’ (Acts 1:6). . . . He answered that this glorious eventuality was not for their day; . . . that it was not for them ‘to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power’ (Acts 1:7). Then He ascended into heaven, . . . leaving it to a day when the decree would go forth that the restored gospel should be preached ‘to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people’ (Revelation 14:6). . . . Now what concerns us is the gathering of Israel in these last days and the part each of us should play with respect thereto. This gathering has commenced and shall continue until the righteous are assembled into the congregations of the Saints in all the nations of the earth.”
(In Mexico and Central America Area Conference, Aug. 26, 1972, 42–43.)
