When the Savior appears to the Israelite remnants in America following the predicted geophysical upheavals that cleanse the land, the surviving multitudes are “gathered together … round about the temple which was in the land Bountiful” (3 Nephi 11:1). How fitting that they are thus assembled near a holy place in a state of “marveling and wondering” (ibid.), with open hearts and minds, ready to receive the glorious Visitor into their midst. The Savior and Redeemer teaches them how to live a celestial law and how to value and magnify their roles as part of the grand covenant design of the Father to gather His children to Zion and, eventually, to their eternal heavenly home.
How fitting that Jesus counsels them to gather to their homes to ponder and internalize the wisdom and light He has given them. When word is sounded concerning the Savior’s visit and announced return, the multitudes flock from all regions of the land to be edified (see 3 Nephi 19:1–3). The disciples gather them together in twelve major groups (not without analogy to the twelve tribes of Israel) to hear the precise words that the Savior has given them (see 3 Nephi 19:5–8). Then the Savior again appears and teaches them a lesson of transcendent beauty and inspiration about the gathering—in the broadest sense of the term—that will characterize the latter-day work among the Gentile nations and the remnants of Israel.
This illuminating endowment of truth kindles within the hearts and souls of devout Saints everywhere the desire to become active participants in the gathering of the Lord’s sons and daughters and the gathering in one of His sacred word (see 2 Nephi 29:14). The sign given by the Savior that this ultimate gathering has commenced is the Restoration of the gospel and priesthood in our time, including the coming forth of the Book of Mormon (see 3 Nephi 21:9). How privileged we are today to take part in the glorious renewal of God’s work: “And then shall they say: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings unto them, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings unto them of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion: Thy God reigneth!” (3 Nephi 20:40, compare Isaiah 52:7; Mosiah 15:18).