For behold, the promises which we have obtained are promises unto us according to the flesh; wherefore, as it has been shown unto me that many of our children shall perish in the flesh because of unbelief, nevertheless, God will be merciful unto many; and our children shall be restored, that they may come to that which will give them the true knowledge of their Redeemer.
The scattering and gathering of Israel is both literal for the house of Israel and metaphorical in our individual lives. We all fall short and find ourselves separated from God and scattered to isles of isolation. Nevertheless, Christ promises to gather up the broken pieces of our lives, reconstruct us in his image, heal us, and make us whole. The land of our inheritance to which we will be restored is the kingdom of God, even the celestial kingdom. It is where we came from and where we will ultimately return through repentance and the mercy of the atonement. Elder Boyd K. Packer taught: “The discouraging idea that a mistake (or even a series of them) makes it everlastingly too late, does not come from the Lord. He has said that if we will repent, not only will He forgive us our transgressions, but He will forget them and remember our sins no more (see Isaiah 43:25 Hebrews 8:12 10:17 Alma 36:19 D&C 58:42)” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 72 or Ensign, May 1989, 59).
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