Much confusion ensues among some Latter-day Saints because of a narrow reading of certain passages in the Book of Mormon. The phrase “remnant of Jacob” is not confined wholly to the descendants of Lehi, nor should we limit the Lord or the prophetic word to that interpretation. The remnant of Jacob refers to all the house of Israel (see Doctrines of Salvation 2:247-51; The Teachings of Spencer W Kimball, p. 600). See 1 Nephi 15:17, 20; 3 Nephi 29:8; Mormon 5:14 for examples of how the prophets seek to broaden our scope of the prophetic picture
“Be Numbered Among This the Remnant of Jacob”
President Joseph Fielding Smith explained: ’I think this [3 Nephi 21:23] is the stumbling block. This has been interpreted to mean that the remnant of Jacob are those of the descendants of Lehi, but there is nothing in the passage as I read it which should convey this thought.
Remember, that all through the Lord has been speaking of the remnant of Jacob or Israel, and of the great promises made to the gentiles who are on this land and in all other lands, if they will only come into the Church and be numbered with the house of Israel. Their privileges would be to assist in building the New Jerusalem, and if they refuse, then shall the punishments come upon them.
“Be Numbered Among This the Remnant of Jacob”
“I take it we, the members of the Church, most of us of the tribe of Ephraim, are of the remnant of Jacob. We know it to be the fact that the Lord called upon the descendants of Ephraim to commence his work in the earth in these last days. We know further that he has said that he set Ephraim, according to the promises of his birthright, at the head. Ephraim receives the ’richer blessings, ’ these blessings being those of presidency or direction.
The keys are with Ephraim. It is Ephraim who is to be endowed with power to bless and give to the other tribes, including the Lamanites, their blessings. All the other tribes of Jacob, including the Lamanites, are to be crowned with glory in Zion by the hands of Ephraim.”