The Other Sheep of North America
“And 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 cone fold, and one shepherd.” John 10:16
“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.” 3 Nephi 15:21
In reference to the Land of Joseph also called the United States of America, Elder Russell M Nelson has said, “The Book of Mormon reveals that Joseph, the son of Jacob who was once sold into Egypt, foresaw the Prophet Joseph Smith and his day (see 2 Ne. 3:6–21) and noted that there would be many similarities in their lives. Centuries later, the Prophet Joseph stated, “I feel like Joseph in Egypt.” (The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, ed. Dean C. Jessee, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1984, p. 409; spelling modernized.)
“The Book of Mormon reveals that the inheritance of Joseph, son of Israel, was not forgotten when, as promised in the Abrahamic covenant, land was distributed to the tribes of Israel. Joseph’s inheritance was to be a land choice above all others. (See Ether 13:2, 8.) It was choice not because of beauty or wealth of natural resources, but choice because it was chosen. It was to be the repository of sacred writing on plates of gold from which the Book of Mormon would one day come, choice because it would eventually host world headquarters of the restored church of Jesus Christ in the latter days.” A TREASURED TESTAMENT By Elder Russell M. Nelson Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles JULY 1993 Adapted from an address given 25 June 1992 at a seminar for new mission presidents, Missionary Training Center, Provo, Utah.
President Thomas S Monson said, “The Lord gave a divine promise to the ancient inhabitants of this favored country (the United States): ‘Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ” (Ether 2:12). “Our Heavenly Father inspired the leaders of…the United States of America, that they might together, under His direction, having been raised up by God for the purpose, establish the Constitution of this country and…Bill of Rights, that by the year of our Lord 1805 [there would be] a climate where our Heavenly Father could send into this period of mortality a choice spirit who would be known as Joseph Smith, Jr.” Monson, Thomas S., Teachings of Thomas S. Monson, 2011, pp. 14-15, 157-158
Other Sheep in Addition to America and Jerusalem
“The ‘other sheep’ here referred to constituted the separated flock or remnant of the house of Joseph, who, six centuries prior to the birth of Christ, had been miraculously detached from the Jewish fold in Palestine, and had been taken beyond the great deep to the American continent” (Jesus the Christ, p. 419).
INTRODUCTION TO THE ANNOTATED EDITION OFTHE BOOK OF MORMON
THE OLD TESTAMENT:
“I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries whither I have driven them.”(Jeremiah 23:3)
THE NEW TESTAMENT:
“I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine. As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father, and I lay down My life for the sheep. And 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.”(John 10:14-16)
THE BOOK OF MORMON:
“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.’”(3 Nephi15:21)“… for behold, I know My sheep and they are numbered.” (3 Nephi 18:31) (Note: words spoken by Jesus Christ are in red lettering.)
“Other Sheep” Prophecies and Promises
“The Savior declared that He must visit others unknown to “this people” and unknown to those at Jerusalem, emphasizing that he must manifest Himself to them and that they must hear His voice. Read closely the few verses below as they indicate those to whom Christ had appeared to.
And verily, verily, I say unto you that I have other sheep, which are not of this land, neither of the land of Jerusalem, neither in any parts of that land round about whither I have been to minister.
For they of whom I speak are they who have not as yet heard my voice; neither have I at any time manifested myself unto them.
But I have received a commandment of the Father that I shall go unto them, and that they shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep, that there may be one fold and one shepherd; therefore I go to show myself unto them. 3 Nephi 16:1-3
These statements made by the Savior should be emphasized inasmuch that they indicate that the story is not over or limited to one group of people. They also indicate that the story did not begin with the visit of Christ after his resurrection, in Jerusalem and then in Bountiful. Christ teaches that “I have other sheep, which are not of this land, neither of the land of Jerusalem, neither in any parts of that land round about whither I have been to minister.”
The scriptures teach that there may be many nations that He visited who no doubt have kept records of His appearance and teachings. The fact that Christ has visited other sheep and nations does not necessarily mean that all of them must be located outside of the western hemisphere. These nations may be in the proverbial “backyard” of the Promised Land as well as any other continents in the same hemisphere, or even different peoples and cultures within a continent. There are no stated limitations. Some have addressed this thought and possibility as recorded in scripture about the visitation of Christ to other nations.
From the vantage point of the scriptures, the Lord could have made a visit to the inhabitants of the Japanese islands, and for that matter, to other peoples of Asia as well. During his earthly ministry Jesus frequently reassured the Jews that he was the Good Shepherd, always mindful of his sheep, and known of them. He explained that he had other sheep not of their fold whom he would visit (see John 10:14-16). This promise was fulfilled when the resurrected Messiah appeared on the American continent as recorded in the Book of Mormon (see 3 Nephi 15:21). But while still among the Nephites, Jesus made a further promise that he would also visit other tribes of the house of Israel, neither of the land of Jerusalem nor of the land of the Nephites, whom the Father had led away. He had been commanded of the Father to administer to the needs of these sheep, and they would hear his voice.
unquestionably about a people on the Promised Land and speaks specifically about the nation established by Gentiles who came out of captivity. This is the same nation and Promised Land where the New Jerusalem will be built. This latter-day nation is the United States of America.
The Savior states in 3 Nephi that there were others that He must visit besides those to whom He was speaking. These other people are unknown to those in this land of promise and the land of Jerusalem. 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. 3 Nephi 15:19-21
The Lord declares that others were separated, and that there have been many migrations of people that were led by the hand of the Lord to different lands, continents, and isles of the sea. The movement of families for the preservation of life and religion is a motif seen throughout the scriptures. The separation of the righteous from the wicked is evident in all of our standard works.
The City of Enoch, Abraham’s departure from Ur, the Rechabites in Jeremiah at the same time Lehi leaves Jerusalem, and then Nephi going into the wilderness leaving behind the land of their first inheritance are examples. Even the saints in this dispensation were led by the Lord from place to place seeking safety from persecution and religious freedom until they settled in the Salt Lake Valley. The Lord has led many families and groups into the “nethermost parts of the vineyard” as explained in Jacob 5.
The Allegory of the Olive Tree
Jacob, the brother of Nephi, also gives clues to some migrations led by the hand of the Lord in the “Allegory of the Olive Tree” in Jacob 5. Zenos prophesied that the “natural branches” will be taken off the “mother” tree and planted in the “nethermost parts of the vineyard” (Jacob 5:13). This allegory teaches that one branch, planted in a “good spot of ground”, brought forth both good and bad fruit:
And he said unto the servant: Look hither and behold the last. Behold, this have I planted in a good spot of ground; and I have nourished it this long time, and only a part of the tree hath brought forth tame fruit, and the other part of the tree hath brought forth wild fruit; behold, I have nourished this tree like unto the others.
In this “good spot of ground” there is a division of the “tame fruit” and “wild fruit” in the branch planted there. In verses 43-45 the wild fruit eventually overcame the good and tame fruit that was planted in a “good spot of ground”—a place that was “choice unto me above all other parts of the land of my vineyard.” Verse 44 speaks of the Jaredites being in the same “spot of ground” that was cut down to plant the branch which brought forth the two kinds of fruit.
And behold this last, whose branch hath withered away, I did plant in a good spot of ground; yea, even that which was choice unto me above all other parts of the land of my vineyard. And thou beheldest that I also cut down that which cumbered this spot of ground, that I might plant this tree in the stead thereof. And thou beheldest that a part thereof brought forth good fruit, and a part thereof brought forth wild fruit; and because I plucked not the branches thereof and cast them into the fire, behold, they have overcome the good branch that it hath withered away. Jacob 5:43-45
The commentaries that exist on these verses are unanimous in their interpretation of this “good spot of ground” as the Promised Land obtained by Lehi, one that is “choice unto me above all other parts of the land of my vineyard.” This same part of the vineyard was given to Lehi, the descendants of Mulek and to the Jaredites that once “cumbered” this good spot of ground. The “good fruit” being overcome by the “wild fruit” is always viewed as the eventual wickedness and destruction of the Nephites by the Lamanites.
This “good spot of ground” is described as the spot where those described in the Book of Mormon as “this people” were led to “this land.” The Book of Mormon is not only a history of the people led to “this land” but it also becomes a historical record and prophetic text about the “Promised Land” and those who shall inherit it.
The other people led away and “planted in the nethermost part of the vineyard” could be those in any part of the world.146 This “nethermost part” could be in Japan, China, and India, parts of Russia, Scandinavia, Greenland, Australia, or New Zealand. Any of the “isles of the sea” could be included. The “nethermost part” could even be the peoples and cultures that might be living and keeping records near the Promised Land and be found in Central or South America.
There are “myths” and stories of one like Christ appearing in many places and cultures around the world and teaching “Christian-like” concepts. The important lesson learned from the Book of Mormon is that there are other nations and groups of people that kept their own records of His teachings and His appearances to them. It would be folly to decide or interpret that the visit of Christ was limited to a single geographical setting. The fact that Christ appeared to the people on “this continent,” according to Moroni, and Joseph Smith, does not negate a possible visit to many other cultures in this hemisphere as well as those in the Promised Land as recorded in 3 Nephi, nor does it mean that all those who were visited by Christ were of necessity “Nephites.”
Christ Speaks to All Nations
An important question asked by the Lord in scripture and about scripture is “Know ye not that there are more nations than one?” There is no limit to the Lord’s love and concern for the nations, kindreds, and tongues of the world. Having reviewed a few scriptures about “other sheep” that are usually associated with the House of Israel, a review of passages about other nations might be helpful. These nations are discussed in scripture, beyond the scope of the historical setting and people of the Book of Mormon. However, the Lord has seen a need for the scriptural text of the Nephites to include information about these nations, lands, and records that lie beyond the borders of the particular Land of Promise. The paraphrased passages below give insight beyond “this land” into other peoples and other lands.
Know ye not that there are more nations than one?…and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth? …that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. …that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another… Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written.
For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them… For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it. 2 Nephi 29:7-12
Could these other “nations” in the verses (especially verse 12) above, include the highly advanced civilizations of Asia, and the Far East, perhaps the nations of northern Europe? Could these passages even include the peoples and cultures of Central and South America that might not be recorded in the Book of Mormon?
The last verse above speaks of the Jews, and then the Nephites and all the “other tribes of the house of Israel” and then includes the statement, that he “shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it.”
The fact that the Book of Mormon is a record of the Promised Land does not mean that the entire hemisphere was that land. There can be no limitations on the Lord and the work He might do as He questions and declares: “Know ye not that there are more nations than one?…I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it.”
Other Records, Other People, Other Lands
Teachers of the Book of Mormon often remind their students that this sacred text is a record of “three migrations” and no more. Therefore, this written history is not the record of every migration to this continent or hemisphere. The claim of the book itself, and that of the translator, is that it consists of a record of only those who came to the “Promised Land.” It is a history of Lehi and his family, Mulek and those who came with him, and the earlier migration and history of the Jaredites.
All of these groups were led to the very same “Promised Land” as is evident in the scriptures. The fact that the record does not represent all cultures of the Western Hemisphere does not necessarily indicate that all lands within the hemisphere should be represented and included as the “Promised Land” within the Book of Mormon text.
There are only three groups of people that make up the known populations in the text of the Book of Mormon. Therefore, the land within the scriptural text should only include the land that those three groups inhabit. The prophecies and promises about the people and the land are to be fulfilled within the same land which they inhabit.
Based on the limited number of cultures that the Book of Mormon embraces and the information presented above, let us hypothesize for the moment that the text is just as limited in its geography. Suppose it is the record of those groups only, that were “planted in the good spot of ground” that is the “Promised Land.” Nephi explains that the record he is making “should be kept for the instruction of my people, who should possess the land” (1 Nephi 19:3) — then and now.” Prophecies and Promises
I Will Graft Them
“In the process of grafting, healthy, living branches are cut from a tree and inserted into the trunk of another tree to grow. The “branches” in this allegory of the Tame Olive Tree represent different groups of people whom the Lord takes from one place and then plants in another place to keep the “tree” from dying. Ultimately, the regrafting in of those of the House of Israel will include their coming to “the knowledge of the true Messiah”(1 Nephi 10:14).” Annotated Book of Mormon by David Hocking and Rod Meldrum page 107
