Val, You hit the issue on the head. In one context, a word has a particular meaning, in another something different. But, after the first scratch of the surface, I can see that there are definite patterns. For example, in 1st Nephi chapters 13-15, one can see a pattern of pre-restoration (1st Nephi 13:1-33), restoration ( 1st Nephi 13:34-42) and post restoration (1st Nephi 14) designations of gentiles. As can be expected, the restoration and post-restoration are, I believe, inclusive of the members of the church. That approach makes sense to me based of the blessings bestowed in the last two sections relative to the Gentiles. It is also appropriate to consider the warnings in those sections to be applicable to the members of the church Hope that helps. Noel -------Original Message------- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Sunday, October 27, 2002 3:39:50 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [ZION] Who is the House of Israel? Noel: After reading your response to John, I had a thought (I know, scary thing). Sometimes--in fact many times--in the scriptures and doctrines of the church, one word does mean many different things. For example--salvation and exaltation. Are they the same?? Sometimes "Salvation" is used in a context to mean "Exaltation" but generally speaking, and standing alone, they are not. I think context is important as you make your list of relevant scriptures. For instance, we are gentiles. Most of us have earth origins that go back to Europe--or that is predominant in our genealogy. However, we are adopted into the tribes of Israel by our righteousness. That is what my patriarchal blessing tells me. I am of the tribe of Ephraim. Am I a direct descendent of Ephraim? I doubt it. It's an adoption thing. In another context, the term gentile is meant to refer to the worldly world--those who do not have the light of Christ. end of thoughts FWIW val
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