The “New Jerusalem” of the last days will be built on the American continent by (1) “the remnant of Jacob,” (2) the Gentiles who “shall come into the covenant and be numbered among … the remnant of Jacob,” and (3) “as many of the house of Israel as shall come.” (3 Nephi 21:22-25. Read also 3 Nephi 20:22; Ether 13:1-12.) After quoting extensively from chapters 20 and 21 of 3 Nephi, President Marion G. Romney explained the role of the “remnant of Jacob” in building the New Jerusalem:
From these declarations by Jesus, it is certain that the believing, repentant, righteous, faithful Indians shall be among “the remnant of Jacob” who are to build the New Jerusalem to which the Savior will come.As early as 1831 the Lord assured the Prophet Joseph that “before the great day of” his coming should arrive “Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness, and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose.” (D&C 49:24.)
Some fifty-seven years ago, Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl, commenting on this prophecy, wrote:
“The American Indians are, indeed, flourishing today. On Government reservations they enjoy a measure of prosperity beyond the dreams of their fathers. In Indian Territory they have attained a high degree of both civilization and prosperity. Indians now occupy Government offices and seats in legislative assemblies, in schools and pulpits, and in every walk of life. They are flourishing. This is all the more remarkable because at one time the general belief was that they were a vanishing race. When the United States became an independent nation, the number of Indians in North America was estimated at three millions, and in the year 1876 at only one million three hundred thousand. In 1907 the decrease had been checked, and an increase to one million four hundred and seventy-four thousand was reported. Only a prophet inspired by God could have foreseen such a decided turn in the tide of Indian affairs.” (D&C Commentary, p. 287.)
In 1849, Orson Pratt wrote:
“ … the fulness of the gospel, with its heavenly powers and blessings is now in the midst of many powerful tribes or nations of Israel or Indians; and thus has the prophecy of Jesus been in part fulfilled. The remainder of this great prophecy will soon come to pass, and then many of the Indian nations will become a civilized and Christian people, after which the Indians, who are the remnant of Joseph, will build [Had I been writing this I should have said, ”Will assist in building"] the city called the New Jerusalem or Zion, being assisted by the Gentile Saints.
"If the Gentile Saints had built up the city of Zion in Jackson county, Missouri, before the gospel had been taken from among that nation, and before many of the Indian nations became converted, it would have falsified the prediction of Jesus in the Book of Mormon.
“The converted remnants of Joseph are to be the principal actors in the great work of the building up of the city of Zion [I believe this is true. I also believe that the said ”remnants of Joseph“ include the descendants of Ephraim]; after which the Indian nations will be gathered in one to the city of Zion and the surrounding country; then the powers of heaven will be revealed, and Jesus will descend in his glory and dwell in the midst of Zion.” (Millennial Star, October 1, 1849, p. 293.)
That the Lord will continue to bless and prosper the Indians and all the rest of us in preparing Zion for the coming of the Savior, I humbly pray, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. (BYU Speeches of the Year, 1972.)