Through the instrumentality of Joseph Smith, the Gentiles of the last days, those of Israelite descent who live in the nations of the Gentiles, shall learn of the lives and labors and ministries of the Nephite and Jaredite civilizations. Then the Gentiles, the Latter-day Saints, shall take the Book of Mormon and the message of the Restoration to the natural branches of Israel, the Lamanites and the Jews.
“A Land Which Is Choice Above All”
The Book of Mormon informs us that the whole of America, both North and South, is a choice land above all other lands, in other words-Zion, declared President Joseph Fielding Smith (Doctrines of Salvation 3:73). Nephi also was promised “a land which is choice above all other lands” (1 Nephi 2:20). Numerous other Book of Mormon passages refer to America as this choice land to which the Lord would lead certain chosen or covenant peoples (see 1 Nephi 10:13; 2 Nephi 1:5-6; 2 Nephi 10:19; also Commentary 1:183-87).