The Remnant of Israel - "Numbered Among the Remnant Seed of Joseph"

The first qualification for anyone to live in Zion, the New Jerusalem of the latter days, is, their "garments are white through the blood of the Lamb." (Ether 13: 10) That qualification was discussed in the last entry. The second qualification according to the Book of Mormon prophet Ether, for a person to dwell in Zion, the New Jerusalem, is, "they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel."

Ether is quoted by Moroni as follows:

"And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel" (Ether 13: 10)

Ether did not say a person needs to be the blood of the remnant seed of Joseph in order to dwell in the New Jerusalem, instead he says they are "numbered among" the remnant of the seed of Joseph. 

Primary responsibility for establishing and building Zion, the New Jerusalem is given to the remnant seed of ancient Joseph. (Ether 13: 8-10 and 3Nephi 20: 22 and 3Nephi 21: 23) We have already seen In the lay out of the last seven posts that the remnant of Israel, the remnant of Joseph, is the latter day offspring of Lehi mixed with the blood of Ishmael. Both Lehi and Ishmael are the direct blood of ancient Joseph through Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. The remnant of Jacob, (Israel) is the latter day offspring of ancient Joseph through Lehi and Ishmael. (1Nephi 13: 34) They are the Lamanites to whom the Book of Mormon is written. (See the Title Page of the Book of Mormon also Mormon 5: 12-15)

If a person is not of the blood of the remnant of Israel, is it possible for that person to dwell in Zion? If so, how does that person qualify to dwell in Zion, the New Jerusalem, by being "numbered among" the remnant of the seed of Joseph?

The invitation of the Lord to come to Him in order that He may make you clean, or in other words “wash your garments white” in His blood, is to every member of the family of man. (2Nephi 26: 33) No one is excluded. Only He has the power that can effectively make a person pure and spotless before Him. (2Nephi 9: 41) It requires a pronouncement from Him to make that person "pure" and "spotless" thereby qualifying them for Zion and His presence. Until such a personal pronouncement from Him is received, one remains unclean and unprepared. (D&C 131: 5-6)

Since the first requirement spoken of by Ether for a person to dwell in the New Jerusalem, is to have garments "washed In the blood of the Lamb," (Ether 13: 10), it becomes clear that being "numbered among" the remnant of the seed of Joseph depends first on having garments washed white in the blood of the Lamb. Then, the person may qualify to be "numbered among" those of Joseph's remnant seed that will have power, authority, and the prophetic destiny to build the New Jerusalem.

The Book of Mormon speaks of a progression (perhaps "regression" is a better description) of the gospel over time in the latter days. The sacred record speaks of an eventual transfer of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the remnant of Israel, (Joseph's remnant seed.) The effective transfer of the fullness of the gospel from the European Gentiles who are to be the original stewards of the gospel, to the remnant of Israel who will take over stewardship of the gospel, will position the remnant seed of Joseph to fulfill the prophecies concerning them building Zion, the New Jerusalem. For a full review of the role and prophetic destiny of the Gentiles according to the Book of Mormon record, you may go back and read the series of entries to this blog concerning the Gentiles.  


The fullness of the gospel according to the words of the Lord Jesus Christ will ultimately be rejected and lost by the Gentiles. (3Nephi 16: 10, see also D&C 45: 28-29) In the words of the Lord, "then will I remember my covenant which I have made unto my people, O house of Israel, and I will bring my gospel unto them. And I will show unto thee, O house of Israel, that the Gentiles shall not have power over you; but I will remember my covenant unto you, O house of Israel, and ye shall come unto the knowledge of the fulness of my gospel." (3Nephi 16: 11-12) When these words of the Lord are fulfilled, the remnant of Joseph's seed, the remnant of Israel, the Lamanites, will be prepared to fulfill the prophetic destiny set forth in the Book of Mormon by which they will establish and build the New Jerusalem as prophesied by the prophet Ether.

What is to become of the Gentiles who will have lost the fullness of the Gospel because they preferred the precepts of men? (D&C 45: 29 and 2Nephi 28: 14, 26, 31) According to the words of the Lord, they may yet be "numbered among" the remnant of Israel. Ether used the words "numbered among" the remnant of the seed of Joseph to describe those individual's that would dwell in New Jerusalem. The Lord Jesus uses the very same words to describe latter day Gentiles that choose to repent and come to Him. He said:

"But if the Gentiles will repent and return unto me, saith the Father, behold they shall be numbered among my people, O house of Israel." (3Nephi 16: 13)

And

"For thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may show forth his power unto the Gentiles, for this cause that the Gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent and come unto me and be baptized in my name and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel;"

(3Nephi 21: 6)

And

But if they (Gentiles) will repent and hearken unto my words, and harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them, and they shall come in unto the covenant and be numbered among this the remnant of Jacob, unto whom I have given this land for their inheritance (3Nephi 21: 22)

So Gentiles (or anyone,) may qualify to “be numbered among” the remnant seed of Joseph and may therefore qualify to dwell in Zion. However, it will require mighty repentance, coming down in the very depths of humility before the Lord. Outward observances and rote performances will fail. It will require “(knowing) the true points of (His) doctrine." No other doctrine or precept of men is allowed. Even if gentiles like us become qualified, our role will be only to “assist” the remnant of Joseph in building Zion, the New Jerusalem. (3Nephi 21: 23 and 24) For a gentile, for anyone, dwelling in Zion will be a bestowal and a gift from God who will personally qualify each person.    

Speaking directly to the latter day remnant seed of Joseph, the Lamanites, Mormon informs them: (Mormon 7: 1-3, 10)

"I would speak somewhat unto the remnant of this people who are spared, if it so be that God may give unto them my words, that they may know of the things of their fathers; yea, I speak unto you, ye remnant of the house of Israel; and these are the words which I speak: 

Know ye that ye are of the house of Israel.

Know ye that ye must come unto repentance, or ye cannot be saved.

...And ye will also know that ye are a remnant of the seed of Jacob; therefore ye are numbered among the people of the first covenant; and if it so be that ye believe in Christ, and are baptized, first with water, then with fire and with the Holy Ghost, following the example of our Savior, according to that which he hath commanded us, it shall be well with you in the day of judgment. Amen."

Whether it be a Gentile, (you and me), or whether it be someone of the remnant seed of Joseph, in order to be "numbered among" those who dwell in Zion the New Jerusalem, repentance is the key. Come to Him. In Mormons words to the remnant, "Know ye that ye must come unto repentance, or ye cannot be saved." Then, "believe in Christ, and (be) baptized, first with water, then with fire and with the Holy Ghost, following the example of our Savior, according to that which he hath commanded us." Having done all, seek diligently his face. Never quit. Never give up. Beg Him to come to you. Beg Him to pronounce you clean. Beg Him to wash your garments white in His holy blood.

According to Ether, your garments must be "white in His blood" and you must thereby be "numbered among" those of Zion, the New Jerusalem. (Ether 13: 10)