the work shall commence

3 Nephi 21 is interesting because the whole chapter consists of the Savior talking about the last days, namely, the Book of Mormon. So meta!

I love it though because he explains why it shows up, when it will show up, and what it means when it finally shows up.

 7 And when these things come to pass that thy seed shall begin to know these things—it shall be a sign unto them, that they may know that the work of the Father hath already commenced unto the fulfilling of the covenant which he hath made unto the people who are of the house of Israel.

I've always been confused by the use of the word 'gentile' in the scriptures. I always took it to mean 'people who were not descended from Abraham/Isaac/Jacob', meaning, like, those who were currently on the Earth: Romans, Greeks, Celts, those living in Asia and Africa, etc. There were TONS of people who would not be included in the Abrahamic covenant and whom the Lord would 'adopt' into the covenant should they accept His gospel.

But, I figured, after literally thousands of years and lots of war and plunder and 'scatter', that those descendants would become pretty spread out across the globe. They wouldn't be concentrated in the Middle East any more, but Europe, Africa, etc. Especially considering Lehi's group and the offshoots that ended up in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. I guess I thought that it would be kind of hard to find a true blue pure-blooded gentile any more.

But in this chapter, the Lord talks as if everyone not of Lehi's/Zoram/Ishmael's descent is a gentile...meaning....European settlers and EVERYONE else who shows up. I guess I get that. It's more of an 'us vs. them' feeling that works for the point he's making.

12 And my people who are a remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles, yea, in the midst of them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he go through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.

 13 Their hand shall be lifted up upon their adversaries, and all their enemies shall be cut off.

I suppose it doesn't matter what your lineage is. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is open to everyone. The promises of that covenant are available to all who accept and are baptized.

 24 And then shall they assist my people that they may be gathered in, who are scattered upon all the face of the land, in unto the New Jerusalem.

 25 And then shall the power of heaven come down among them; and I also will be in the midst.

 26 And then shall the work of the Father commence at that day, even when this gospel shall be preached among the remnant of this people. Verily I say unto you, at that day shall the work of the Father commence among all the dispersed of my people, yea, even the tribes which have been lost, which the Father hath led away out of Jerusalem.

 27 Yea, the work shall commence among all the dispersed of my people, with the Father to prepare the way whereby they may come unto me, that they may call on the Father in my name.

 28 Yea, and then shall the work commence, with the Father among all nations in preparing the way whereby his people may be gathered home to the land of their inheritance.

 One of these days I'll get to ask God about that covenant. Why Abraham? Why that particular people? I'm just curious.