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 its paradisiacal glory.

— Articles of Faith 1:10

As members of the Church study the Doctrine and Covenants and Church history this year, they will hear and learn much concerning the gathering of Israel. What they may not realize is the importance of the Doctrine and Covenants in preparing the way for the gathering.

During the October 1986 general conference, President Ezra Taft Benson spoke about the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. "I love all of these sacred volumes. This afternoon I would like to speak particularly about the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants. These two great books of latter-day scripture are bound together as revelations from Israel's God for the purpose of gathering and preparing His people for the second coming of the Lord. As President John Taylor wrote, the bringing forth of these two sacred volumes 'cost the best blood of the nineteenth century,' (Doctrine and Covenants 135:6) namely the lives of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum.

"To the Prophet Joseph Smith the Lord said, 'This generation shall have my word through you.' (Doctrine and Covenants 5:10.) The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants are part of the fulfillment of that promise. Together these two great works of scripture bring great blessings to this generation.

"Section 1 of the Doctrine and Covenants is the Lord's preface to the book. The Doctrine and Covenants is the only book in the world that has a preface written by the Lord Himself. In that preface He declares to the world that His voice is unto all men, (verse 2) that the coming of the Lord is nigh, (verse 12) and that the truths found in the Doctrine and Covenants will all be fulfilled. (Verses 37-38.)

"Many years before the coming of the Savior to this earth, the prophet Enoch saw the latter days. He observed the great wickedness that would prevail on the earth at this time and foretold the 'great tribulations' that would result from such wickedness; but in the midst of what was otherwise a very gloomy prophecy, the Lord promised, 'But my people will I preserve.' (Moses 7:61.) How would He do so? Note what the Lord Himself promised He would do to preserve His people. He said:

" 'And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; . . . and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare.' " (Moses 7:62.)