Multiple lands of promise

Recently I was annotating 2 Nephi 9 and I was reminded about this important passage.

1 And now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things that ye might know concerning the covenants of the Lord that he has covenanted with all the house of Israel—
2 That he has spoken unto the Jews, by the mouth of his holy prophets, even from the beginning down, from generation to generation, until the time comes that they shall be restored to the true church and fold of God; when they shall be gathered home to the lands of their inheritance, and shall be established in all their lands of promise.
(2 Nephi 9:1–2)

This is an essential point to keep in mind in today's world. The "Guide to the scriptures" gives this definition.

Promised Land

Lands that the Lord promises as an inheritance to His faithful followers, and often also to their descendants. There are many promised lands.

The "promised land" for ancient Israel was Israel. The "promised land" for Lehi, as well as the Jaredites "in this north country," was North America. The "promised land" for the early Latter-day Saints was Kirtland, then Missouri, then Illinois, then Utah.

But the promised land in our day is wherever the saints gather. 

That's why the Book of Mormon refers to "lands of promise," plural.

It has been over 50 years since President Lee emphasized the relevance of this passage.

At the Mexico City Area Conference last August, Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Council of the Twelve, in a thought-provoking address, made some comments pertinent to this subject, and I quote a few sentences from his address:

“Of this glorious day of restoration and gathering, another Nephite prophet said: ‘The Lord … has covenanted with all the house of Israel,’ that ‘the time comes that they shall be restored to the true church and fold of God’; and that ‘they shall be gathered home to the lands of their inheritance, and shall be established in all their lands of promise.’ (2 Ne. 9:1–2.)

“Now I call your attention to the facts, set forth in these scriptures, that the gathering of Israel consists of joining the true church; of coming to a knowledge of the true God and of his saving truths; and of worshiping him in the congregations of the Saints in all nations and among all peoples. Please note that these revealed words speak of the folds of the Lord; of Israel being gathered to the lands of their inheritance; of Israel being established in all their lands of promise; and of there being congregations of the covenant people of the Lord in every nation, speaking every tongue, and among every people when the Lord comes again.”

Elder McConkie then concluded with this statement, which certainly emphasizes the great need for the teaching and training of local leadership in order to build up the church within their own native countries:

“The place of gathering for the Mexican Saints is in Mexico; the place of gathering for the Guatemalan Saints is in Guatemala; the place of gathering for the Brazilian Saints is in Brazil; and so it goes throughout the length and breadth of the whole earth. Japan is for the Japanese; Korea is for the Koreans; Australia is for the Australians; every nation is the gathering place for its own people.”

(1970s, 1973, April, Lee, Strengthen the Stakes of Zion, ¶31–35 • CR)