At the time of his martyrdom on June 27, 1844, the Prophet Joseph Smith understood more about the destiny of the House of Israel than any person living upon the earth, with the possible exception of translated beings, Daniel H. Ludlow asserted at the Sidney B. Sperry Symposium, Oct. 7.

Brother Ludlow, BYU professor of ancient scripture emeritus, drew primarily upon and quoted extensively from the scriptures and Joseph Smith's visions, writings and translations. In so doing, he listed 44 points regarding the destiny of the House of Israel as revealed to the prophet.The following were among those points:

- Joseph Smith knew that those of the House of Israel had been foreordained from before the foundations of the earth.

- He knew that God entered into sacred covenants with Abraham, reaffirmed through his descendants, and that they would remain in their promised lands so long as they were faithful to their part of the covenant.

- He knew that one of the major branches of the House of Israel to be scattered was the descendants of Lehi, Zoram, Ishmael, Zarahemla and Mulek, who were led by the Lord to their promised lands of inheritance.

- He knew that the law of Moses was given to the House of Israel in ancient times to prepare them for the coming of Christ.

- He knew that one of the major purposes for the writing and coming forth of the Book of Mormon was to convince the Gentiles and the House of Israel that Jesus Christ was the Son of God.

- He knew there would be an apostasy from the covenants of God and a time of restitution or restoration would occur.

- He knew that after many generations, the portion of the House of Israel known as Judah would return to the lands of their inheritance, and that major powers and forces on the earth would seek their destruction and try to prevent their returning to their promised land, but the Lord would preserve them as a people and enable them to return.

Pertaining to events in the current dispensation and in the future, Brother Ludlow drew these points, among others:

- In 1837 the first formally organized mission of the Church was established in the British Isles, the exact region into which many of the blood of Israel had been scattered by the Romans. The hearts of the prophets of the dispensation of the fulness of times started to be turned toward the Jews and toward all the descendants of the House of Israel.

- In 1841, two apostles set apart by Joseph Smith dedicated the ancient covenant land of Israel for the return of the Jews.

- The descendants of Judah and the House of Israel will continue to return to their lands of inheritance. This endeavor will continue to so excite and concern other nations on the earth that they will fight against Judah.

- The descendants of Ephraim (and thus of Joseph) will continue to carry the "good news" of the gospel throughout the earth, and will build holy houses to the Lord where conditions and need merit.