Please read the “Restoration of Israel (Lost Tribes)” before reading this.
As previously explained in “the Restoration of Israel (lost Tribes)”, the Apostles proclaimed the Spirit-filled Gentiles were the promised “descendants” of the lost Tribes; and that the union of the Jews and the Gentiles was fulfilling the promised Restoration of Israel. Moreover, that the Restoration continues to be fulfilled as more and more Jews and Gentiles “come to Life” through the Spirit to worship the Messiah Jesus together and forever, Amen! But over the years, several teachings which contradict the Apostle’s teachings have arisen. One of the most prevalent is Mormonism. In fact, the Book of Mormon blatantly discredits the Apostle’s account of the lost Tribes.
The Book of Mormon is the story of an Israelite family who under the instruction of God fled Jerusalem before the Babylonian destruction and traveled to the Americas where they became the American Indians. However, after hundreds of years the Israelites came to forget who they really were. Therefore, after his ascension, Jesus visited the Indians to reveal their true identity. Moreover, He revealed his New Covenant to them and explained how America was their Promised Land. The Mormon Jesus further told the Israelite Indians about how he had tried to tell their “brethren at Jerusalem” (the Disciples) about them when he said to them “other sheep I have who are not of this pen”. However, because of their “stiffneckedness” “unbelief” and “iniquity”, they understood him not; but instead they “supposed” the lost Tribes had become the “Gentiles”. Here is that excerpt from the Book of Mormon III Nephi 7:15-21:
“And not at any time hath the Father given me (Jesus) commandment that I should tell it unto your brethren at Jerusalem (the Disciples); neither at any time hath the Father given me commandment that I should tell unto them concerning the other tribes of the house of Israel, whom the Father hath led away out of the land. This much did the Father command me, that I should tell unto them, that other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. And now because of stiff-neckedness and unbelief, they understood not my word; therefore I was commanded to say no more of the Father concerning this thing unto them. But, verily, I say unto you, that the Father hath commanded me, and I tell it unto you, that ye were separated from among them because of their iniquity; therefore it is because of their iniquity, that they know not of you. And verily, I say unto you again, that the other tribes hath the Father separated from them; and it is because of their iniquity, that they know not of them. And verily, I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said, Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles…”
Although Jesus was addressing all of the Jews when He proclaimed Himself the promised Good Shepherd come to restore the “other sheep” (lost Tribes). The “stiff-neckedness”, “iniquity” and “unbelief” was directed to the Disciples—as they were the ONLY ones who ever “supposed” the lost Tribes “had been the Gentiles”. Indeed, the Pharisees nor any other Jewish sect would ever claim that the Gentiles were the lost Tribes. So whereas the Scriptures tell us that the Apostles were born again, filled with the Holy Spirit, sanctified, and commissioned by Jesus to distribute the Gospel; the Book of Mormon tells us that the Disciples were deceived about the Gentiles being the lost Tribes because they were stiff-necked, full of iniquity and in unbelief.
Besides the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith also authored a revised version of the Bible called the “Inspired Version” which is claimed to be cleansed of all corruptions. While Joseph added to and removed many things from the Bible, he failed to remove the Scriptures wherein the Apostle proclaimed the Gentiles were the lost Tribes. Indeed, the Inspired Version still contains Romans 9 where Paul proclaimed that the Gentiles were fulfilling the “not my people / are my people” prophecies of Hosea. He also did not remove Galatians 4 where Paul quoted from Isaiah 54 proclaiming the Gentiles were the “descendants” of lost Israel. Thus, Joseph’s Inspired Version still contradicts his Book of Mormon!
Jesus said the Kingdom (Israel) would no longer be found on ANY physical land but only “within you” through His Spirit. This is the “New Spirit” the Prophets foretold would one day be poured out on the Israelites to make them Holy in heart. But like all of the Restoration corruptions, Mormonism detours and distracts believers from the inward Kingdom of the Spirit and back to an outward physical kingdom—from a Spiritual people back to a physical people, and from a Spiritual Promised Land back to a physical Promised Land.
The Prophets foretold that the descendants of the lost Israelites would arise and reunite with Judah (the Jews) through the New Spirit—and that the restored Israel would bless the whole world. Truly those prophecies have been fulfilled, and are still being fulfilled as the Holy Spirit is still being poured out upon ALL Israel (Jew and Gentile) making them “one”—just as the Prophets foretold—and just as the Apostles proclaimed!
For more false teachings of the Book of Mormon please see: “Lehi’s Land” and the “Laws of Mormonism”.