What does the phrase “they who were first, who shall be last; and they who were last, who shall be first” mean regarding taking the gospel to the nations of the earth?

Thomas R. Valletta

“At the Lord’s first coming, he ministered strictly to the Jews, commanding his apostles to do the same (Matt. 10:5–6; 15:24). Thus these Israelites received the gospel first. Only after his rejection by the Jews did he send his apostles out to the world—consequently the Gentiles received the gospel last, or after the Jews (see Acts 10). The Restoration began where the New Testament work ended, bringing the gospel to the Gentiles. Accordingly, the last to hear the gospel in the days of Jesus and the apostles became the first to hear it in the latter days” (Largey, Book of Mormon Reference Companion, 501).

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