The Tenth Article of Faith

The Tenth Article of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reads, "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."

This article of faith describes our belief that just prior to the Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ, certain events must take place.

When Jacob attained a certain degree of righteousness he was renamed Israel, "And he said, thy name shall no more be called Jacob, but Israel . . ." (Genesis 32:28) Jacob, or Israel, had twelve sons. (See Genesis 29-35) The descendants of these sons were known as the house or family of Israel. The house of Judah and a portion of the tribe of Benjamin broke from the other Israelites and established their own nation. Israel's family moved to Egypt and Moses later led the descendants to their promised land. Eventually, because of unbelief and wickedness the entire house of Israel was scattered throughout the nations. "The Lord shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth." (Deuteronomy 28:25) We believe that before the Savior's return, the house of Israel must once again be gathered and organized.

We believe that the tribes of Israel will be restored and all will once again be in its proper order. In Deuteronomy 30:3 we read, "That then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee." The house of Israel will once again be restored to its own land, "For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land." (Isaiah 13:1)

The New Jerusalem, or Zion, will be established upon the American continent. "And that a New Jerusalem should be built upon this land . . ." (Ether 13:6) It has been revealed through latter-day prophecy that Zion will be built in Jackson County, Missouri.

Immediately preceding the Second Coming, the earth and its inhabitants will experience tumultuous events, such as has never before been experienced. The wicked will be cleansed from the earth and will be burned as stubble. The earth will be cleansed in preparation for the millennial reign of the Savior. "For the hour is nigh and the day soon at hand when the earth is ripe; and all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up saith the Lord of Hosts, that wickedness shall not be upon the earth; For the hour is nigh, and that which was spoken by mine apostles must be fulfilled; for as they spoke so shall it come to pass; For I will reveal myself from heaven with power and great glory, with all the hosts thereof, and dwell in righteousness with men on earth a thousand years, and the wicked shall not stand." (Doctrine and Covenants 29:9-11) The earth will once again return to its paradisiacal state, that is, the state in which it was during the time of the Garden of Eden.

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