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What Are the Twelve Tribes of Israel?

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The Twelve Tribes of Israel are the descendants of Jacob's sons, forming a living covenant community restored through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day.

Going deeper

The Twelve Tribes of Israel are the descendants of Jacob’s twelve sons, forming the covenant people of God whose story spans ancient prophecy, biblical history, and modern restoration. 1 These tribes are not merely a historical category but a living covenant community whose identity and promises have been preserved and fulfilled through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2 Their story begins with blessings given by Jacob in Genesis, continues through the Old Testament covenants, and finds its fulfillment in the Restoration, where Joseph Smith’s revelations identify modern Latter-day Saints as part of the house of Israel. 2 This understanding connects ancient promises to present-day membership, showing that the tribes’ story is not closed but actively unfolding through the Church’s work of gathering God’s scattered children. 3

The Twelve Tribes: A Biblical and Covenantal Definition

The Twelve Tribes of Israel are defined as the twelve distinct lineages descending from the sons of Jacob, who collectively formed the original covenant people of God. This identity is established in Scripture when Jacob blesses each son, concluding with the declaration that “All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them” 4. The tribes are not merely ethnic groups but covenant partners, their names inscribed on the stones of the tabernacle as “twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes” 5. In the vision of the restored Jerusalem, the city is described as having “twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel” 6, symbolizing their permanent role in God’s redeemed kingdom. The Book of Mormon reinforces this covenantal identity, writing to “you, twelve tribes of Israel, who shall be judged according to your works by the twelve whom Jesus chose to be his disciples in the land of Jerusalem” 7. Thus, the tribes represent both a historical people and a spiritual lineage bound by divine promise.

The prophetic and modern revelation record affirms that the twelve tribes remain central to God’s gathering plan. Elder John H. Vandenberg explained that “Jacob, the younger, honored the birthright which he obtained by bargaining, sought the blessing of God, and desired to serve him. He became the progenitor of the 12 tribes of Israel, and his name is honored to this day. From Jacob came Joseph, from Joseph came Ephraim and Manasseh, and through the lineage of Manasseh came Lehi. And from Lehi came the great posterity and civilization accounted for in the Book of Mormon” 8. This genealogical connection anchors Latter-day Saints as part of the broader Israelite family. Elder Mark E. Petersen taught that “Ephraim was given the birthright of the tribes of Israel; that is why we are of Ephraim today. We are descendants of Ephraim; we have been gathered out of the world as the children of Ephraim; and we hold the priesthood of God. We stand at the head of the twelve tribes of Israel” 1. The tribes, therefore, are not a closed historical category but a living covenant community being restored through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Scriptural Foundations: From Genesis to the Book of Mormon

The biblical record establishes the tribes’ origins in the covenant promises given to Abraham and fulfilled in Jacob’s descendants. God declared to Moses, “And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes” 5. This imagery of engraved stones signifies permanence and divine ordering, grounding Israel’s identity in a sacred structure that extends far beyond mere lineage. The tribes are not arbitrary groupings but covenantal units shaped by God’s purposes. In 1 Kings, when the kingdom is divided, the Lord says to Jeroboam, “Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee” 9, marking the first major dispersal that would later echo in the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles. These events show that the tribes’ history is marked by both faithfulness and rebellion, yet their covenantal status remains intact because it rests on divine promise rather than human merit.

Modern scripture confirms that the tribes were never truly lost to God’s plan. Elder Russell M. Nelson taught, “As descendants of Abraham, the tribes of ancient Israel had access to priesthood authority and blessings of the gospel, but eventually the people rebelled. They killed the prophets and were punished by the Lord. Ten tribes were carried captive into Assyria. From there they became lost to the records of mankind. (Obviously, the ten tribes are not lost to the Lord)” 10. This distinction between being lost to human records and lost to God is essential. The Book of Mormon carries this truth forward: “And he said unto me: Thou rememberest the twelve apostles of the Lamb? Behold they are they who shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore, the twelve ministers of thy seed shall be judged of them; for ye are of the house of Israel” 2. Joseph Smith’s revelation identifies the modern Latter-day Saints as part of the covenant people, bridging ancient Israel and the restored Church. The tribes’ story, then, is not a closed chapter but a living thread in God’s ongoing redemptive plan.

Prophetic Teachings: Modern Apostles and Prophets on Israel’s Restoration

Modern prophets and apostles have consistently taught that the gathering of Israel is a central, unfolding part of God’s redemptive plan, extending beyond ancient history into the latter days. Elder Russell M. Nelson emphasized that the Abrahamic covenant, which includes promises to Abraham’s descendants, is being fulfilled in the latter days through the Church’s growth and expansion 11. He explained that doctrines relating to the scattering and gathering of the house of Israel were among the earliest lessons taught in the Book of Mormon, underscoring its doctrinal significance 11. Nelson further clarified that the Restoration is a process, not an event, and will continue until Christ returns, with the ultimate objective of bringing temple blessings to God’s faithful children 12. This ongoing Restoration requires ongoing revelation, guiding the Church as it fulfills ancient prophecies.

The Book of Mormon, described as the second witness for Christ, provides a modern scriptural account of the tribes’ covenantal identity and their role in the restoration. Elder Howard W. Hunter described how the Lord commanded Joshua to select twelve men, one from each tribe, to carry stones from the Jordan and lay them down as a sign for future generations 13. This act symbolized the covenantal unity of the tribes and their connection to the promises made to them. Elder David B. Haight recalled Joshua’s instruction to take stones from the Jordan Riverbed, emphasizing the memorial’s lasting significance 14. These ancient acts prefigure the latter-day gathering, where the tribes will be reunited and the covenant blessings restored.

Elder Russell M. Nelson also taught that modern Latter-day Saints are part of the covenant people of Israel, as stated in 3 Nephi 20:25 15. This identity is rooted in the Abrahamic covenant, which extends to all of Abraham’s descendants, including those in the Church today. Elder Neal A. Maxwell highlighted that the lost tribes of Israel are among the treasures yet to be revealed, and their records will complete a triad of truth alongside the Bible and the Book of Mormon 16. This revelation will unite all Christian dispensations into one fold under the Perfect Shepherd. Elder Russell M. Nelson noted that the gathering of the tribes involves both spiritual and physical restoration, as described in the Book of Mormon and the Articles of Faith 17.

The Articles of Faith affirm belief in the literal gathering of Israel and the restoration of the Ten Tribes, with Zion to be built upon the American continent 17. Doctrine and Covenants 77:15 identifies two witnesses to be raised up to the Jewish nation in the last days, prophesying to the Jews after their gathering 18. Similarly, D&C 77:14 describes the little book eaten by John as a mission to gather the tribes of Israel, identifying Elias as the one who must come and restore all things 19. These scriptures affirm that the gathering of Israel is a divine ordinance, central to the Restoration.

Elder L. Tom Perry explained that after King Solomon’s death, the Ten Tribes revolted and separated from the Tribe of Judah, leading to their eventual loss to the records of mankind 20. However, the Lord never forgot them. Elder Russell M. Nelson taught that while the tribes were scattered, they were not lost to God, and their eventual gathering is part of His plan 10. This gathering is both physical and spiritual, involving the restoration of the tribes’ covenant status and the fulfillment of promises made to Abraham and his descendants.

In summary, modern prophets and apostles teach that the tribes of Israel are not a historical relic but an active part of God’s ongoing plan. Their gathering is a central promise of the Restoration, fulfilled through the Church’s growth, the Book of Mormon’s revelation, and the ongoing work of gathering God’s children. This teaching enriches Latter-day Saints’ understanding of their place in the covenant family and their role in the fulfillment of ancient prophecies.

Historical Development: How the Doctrine Has Been Taught Over Time

Early Latter-day Saint leaders grounded their understanding of the tribes in the Book of Mormon, which they regarded as a key to ancient history. In 1997, Elder Russell M. Nelson noted that doctrines concerning the scattering and gathering of Israel were among the earliest lessons taught in the Book of Mormon 11. He opened by quoting 1 Nephi to illustrate how the Nephites recognized their own covenantal connection to Israel. Nelson explained that early Saints viewed the tribes not as a closed ethnic group but as a covenant family whose members had been dispersed according to divine plan 11. This early emphasis on covenant over ethnicity set a tone that would shape how subsequent leaders taught the topic.

As the Church grew, prophets and apostles expanded the doctrine to include both physical and spiritual dimensions of Israel’s gathering. In 2020, President Russell M. Nelson said, “For the more than 36 years I’ve been an Apostle, the doctrine of the gathering of Israel has captured my attention. Everything about it has intrigued me, including the ministries and names of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; their lives and their wives; the covenant God made with them and extended through their lineage; the dispersion of the twelve tribes; and the numerous prophecies about the gathering in our day” 21. He emphasized that the gathering involves every person who accepts the gospel, not only those of physical Israelite descent.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, clarified the biblical basis for the tribes’ dispersion. In 2006, he explained that the Bible teaches Abraham’s descendants would be scattered “into all the kingdoms of the earth,” “among all nations,” and from “one end of the earth even unto the other” (Deuteronomy 28:25, 37, 64) 22. The Book of Mormon affirms this teaching, declaring that the descendants of Abraham would be “scattered upon all the face of the earth, and … among all nations” (1 Nephi 22:3) 22. Oaks pointed out that this dispersion was not a punishment but part of God’s plan to bring blessings to all nations.

Elder Quentin L. Cook, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, addressed the reasons behind the scattering and the purpose of the captivity. In 2013, he taught that “The Lord scattered and afflicted the twelve tribes of Israel because of their unrighteousness and rebellion. However, the Lord also [utilized] this scattering of his chosen people among the nations of the world to bless those nations” 23. Cook clarified that the scattering served a dual purpose: it was a consequence of sin, yet also an opportunity for God to extend blessings through the tribes’ presence among the Gentiles.

In 2013, Elder Cook also explained the significance of the ten lost tribes. He noted that “The captivity of the Jews and the scattering of the tribes of Israel, including the ten tribes, are prominent doctrinal factors in the Restoration of the gospel. The ten lost tribes made up the Northern Kingdom of Israel and were carried away captive into Assyria in 721 b.c. They went to the north countries” 23. He added that the tenth article of faith states, “We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes” 23. Cook emphasized that the gathering is not merely physical but involves individual commitment, as Elder Russell M. Nelson has stated, the gathering “is not a matter of physical location; it is a matter of individual commitment. People can be ‘brought to the knowledge of the Lord’ [3 Nephi 20:13] without leaving their homelands” 23.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks further clarified that the Abrahamic covenant extends to all who accept the gospel. In 2006, he explained that “The Bible tells us how God made a covenant with Abraham and promised him that through him all “families” or “nations” of the earth would be blessed (see Genesis 12:3; 22:18). What we call the Abrahamic covenant opens the door for God’s choicest blessings to all of His children everywhere” 22. He added that the Book of Mormon promises that all who receive and act upon the Lord’s invitation to “repent and believe in his Son” become “the covenant people of the Lord” (2 Nephi 30:2) 22. This teaching shows that the tribes’ story is not limited to ancient Israel but includes all who are gathered into the covenant through the gospel.

In 1988, Elder Russell M. Nelson emphasized the covenantal nature of the tribes’ story. He quoted 3 Nephi 20:25, stating, “*And behold, ye are the children of the prophets; and ye are of the house of Israel; and ye are of the covenant which the Father made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham: And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed

Connections to Core Doctrines: Covenants, the Second Coming, and the Church

The story of the Twelve Tribes is woven directly into Latter-day Saint doctrine of covenants, gathering, and the Second Coming. At the baptismal font, Elder Quentin L. Cook pointed out that the twelve oxen supporting the font represent the twelve tribes, reminding the living and the dead that they are part of the covenant people gathered through Christ 24. This physical symbol mirrors the spiritual reality that the gathering of Israel is not merely about geography, but about covenant keeping. Elder Cook noted that the baptismal font sits atop those oxen, which brought recognition and tears to many who realized the sacred connection between ancient prophecy and present-day ordinances 24.

President Russell M. Nelson has emphasized that the gathering of Israel captures his attention precisely because it involves the covenants made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob 21. He reflected that the dispersion of the twelve tribes and the prophecies about their gathering are central to understanding the Restoration 21. The Articles of Faith declare, “We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes,” and that Zion will be built upon the American continent 17. Elder D. Todd Christofferson explained that the effort to build Zion includes recovering the Lord’s long-dispersed covenant people, and that the gospel will be preached “to recover [His] people, which are of the house of Israel,” before the end comes 25. The Book of Mormon, as Elder Cook explained, serves as a sign that the Lord has commenced to gather the children of the covenant, including scattered Israel and Gentiles adopted into the tribes 3.

Common Misunderstandings: What the Twelve Tribes Are Not

Many people mistakenly equate the Twelve Tribes solely with modern Jewish ethnicity, overlooking that the biblical and Book of Mormon records define them as a covenantal family rather than a single ethnic group. The Lord’s covenant was made with Abraham and passed through Jacob, and the twelve tribes are those descended from Jacob’s sons 4. This lineage is spiritual as well as physical; as Elder Mark E. Petersen explained, “We are descendants of Ephraim; we have been gathered out of the world as the children of Ephraim; and we hold the priesthood of God. We stand at the head of the twelve tribes of Israel. They are not all gathered yet; ten are still lost, and the Jews are just now beginning to gather in Palestine” 1. In this view, being part of Israel is determined by covenant membership and faith, not by ancestry alone.

Others assume the tribes’ story ended with the Old Testament, but the Church teaches that their narrative continues into the latter days. The Book of Mormon confirms that the ten tribes were carried into Assyria and became lost to the records of mankind, though not to the Lord 10. Elder Russell M. Nelson clarified that “Ten tribes were carried captive into Assyria. From there they became lost to the records of mankind. (Obviously, the ten tribes are not lost to the Lord)” 10. Scripture also shows that Israel includes both those of the blood and those who believe in Christ; “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel” 26. The tribes are not confined to ancient times or one region—they are a dispersed, covenant-keeping people whose gathering continues.

Why It Matters: The Tribes’ Role in Daily Life and the Gospel Message

Understanding the tribes transforms how Latter-day Saints view their daily responsibilities and missionary work. Rather than seeing the gathering of Israel as a distant historical event, modern prophets emphasize its present-day urgency. President Russell M. Nelson has taught, “The doctrine of the gathering of Israel has captured my attention. Everything about it has intrigued me, including the ministries and names of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; their lives and their wives; the covenant God made with them and extended through their lineage; the dispersion of the twelve tribes; and the numerous prophecies about the gathering in our day.” 21 This ongoing mission means every member participates in preparing the world for Christ’s return. Elder L. Tom Perry explained that after King Solomon’s death, the Ten Tribes revolted and separated themselves from the Tribe of Judah, and a divided Israel was not able to hold its own against the other powers of that region. 20 The resulting scattering set the stage for the restoration of the gospel, which includes both physical and spiritual gathering.

Knowing this background helps members approach their work with purpose. Elder Quentin L. Cook taught, “Our doctrine is clear: ‘The Lord scattered and afflicted the twelve tribes of Israel because of their unrighteousness and rebellion. However, the Lord also [utilized] this scattering of his chosen people among the nations of the world to bless those nations.’” 23 That blessing comes through missionaries who share the gospel with all people. President Nelson further clarified, “As I have stated before, the gathering of Israel is the most important work taking place on earth today. One crucial element of this gathering is preparing a people who are able, ready, and worthy to receive the Lord when He comes again, a people who have already chosen Jesus Christ over this fallen world, a people who rejoice in their agency to live the higher, holier laws of Jesus Christ.” 27 This understanding encourages members to view their service, prayer, and teaching as part of a divine plan that spans generations.

For those who wish to explore the doctrine of the Twelve Tribes in greater depth, several scriptural passages and modern teachings provide rich material for reflection. The Book of Mormon stands as a central modern witness, with passages such as 1 Nephi 12:9 declaring, “And he said unto me: Thou rememberest the twelve apostles of the Lamb? Behold they are they who shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore, the twelve ministers of thy seed shall be judged of them; for ye are of the house of Israel” 2. This verse connects the ancient tribes with the modern Church, affirming that Latter-day Saints are part of the covenant people of God. Similarly, D&C 124:56–59, which Elder Russell M. Nelson highlighted in his talk “The Exodus Repeated,” explains that the Abrahamic covenant was once again bestowed upon Joseph Smith, making it a blessing upon him and posterity 11. These scriptural foundations remind us that the tribes are not merely historical figures but active participants in God’s ongoing restoration.

Modern apostles have also expanded our understanding of the tribes’ spiritual significance. Elder Russell M. Nelson, in “The Gathering of Scattered Israel,” taught that the ten tribes carried into Assyria “became lost to the records of mankind” but remain known to the Lord 10. He emphasized that the gathering of Israel is central to the Church’s mission today. Elder David B. Haight, in “Filling the Whole Earth,” recalled how Joshua selected twelve men, one from each tribe, to carry stones from the Jordan River as a memorial 14. This act symbolizes unity and covenantal continuity, reminding members that their identity is rooted in divine lineage. Elder Howard W. Hunter, in “That We May Be One,” explained that these stones were meant to answer future generations’ questions about their heritage 13. Together, these teachings invite members to see the tribes’ story as living, relevant, and integral to the gospel message.

Footnotes

  1. Petersen, Mark E. (1980-09-28). "The Covenant People of God". ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  2. 1 Nephi 12:9. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  3. Cook, Quentin L. (2023-04-01). "Safely Gathered Home". ↩ ↩2

  4. Genesis 49:28. ↩ ↩2

  5. Exodus 28:21. ↩ ↩2

  6. Revelation 21:12. ↩

  7. Mormon 3:18. ↩

  8. Vandenberg, John H. (1974-10-01). "Truth Will Emerge Victorious". ↩

  9. 1 Kings 11:31. ↩

  10. Nelson, Russell M. (2006-10-01). "The Gathering of Scattered Israel". ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  11. Nelson, Russell M. (1997-09-07). "The Exodus Repeated". ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  12. Nelson, Russell M. (2021-10-01). "The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation". ↩

  13. Hunter, Howard W. (1976-04-01). "That We May Be One". ↩ ↩2

  14. Haight, David B. (1990-04-01). "Filling the Whole Earth". ↩ ↩2

  15. Nelson, Russell M. (2000-09-10). "Identity, Priority, and Blessings". ↩

  16. Maxwell, Neal A. (1986-10-01). "“God Will Yet Reveal”". ↩

  17. Articles of Faith 1:10. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  18. Doctrine and Covenants 77:15. ↩

  19. Doctrine and Covenants 77:14. ↩

  20. Perry, L. Tom (1988-04-01). "“In the World”". ↩ ↩2

  21. Nelson, Russell M. (2020-10-01). "Let God Prevail". ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  22. Oaks, Dallin H. (2006-04-01). "All Men Everywhere". ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  23. Cook, Quentin L. (2013-10-01). "Lamentations of Jeremiah: Beware of Bondage". ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  24. Cook, Quentin L. (2026-04-01). "Keys, Covenants, and Easter". ↩ ↩2

  25. Christofferson, D. Todd (2019-04-01). "Preparing for the Lord’s Return". ↩

  26. Romans 9:6. ↩

  27. Nelson, Russell M. (2022-10-01). "Overcome the World and Find Rest". ↩