Missionary Work

In my Book of Mormon reading for today, I came across the scripture that I chose for my missionary plaque before I went on my mission almost 5 years ago. (In our Church, local Church units often hang a plaque with the missionary's picture, favorite scripture, and where they're serving, just so members of the congregation can remember the person).

It's not necessarily my favorite scripture--it's just one about missionary work. The Savior is teaching some of his disciples about some of the "signs of the times."

"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. 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. And they shall go out from all nations; and they shall not go out in haste, nor go by flight, for I will go before them, saith the Father, and I will be their rearward." (3 Nephi 21:27-29)

Basically, the Savior prophecies that all those who were "scattered" historically--this refers to both a literal scattering (ie. when people were brought/sold/conquered/etc. out of Israel) and a spiritual scattering, too (ie. people becoming separated from their religion--as I understand, this was mainly a consequence of being physically scattered). Anyway, I'm no history buff. But that's basically what I understand about what happened. The important thing is, there's been a promised "gathering." People will go out from all nations--missionaries--and Heavenly Father will prepare the way for them so His children can hear about the gospel. I was a missionary once. I went to Puerto Rico and Aruba and Curacao for 18 months, and although I didn't often think of it this way, I was an active participant in the gathering. I worked non-stop to help people accept Jesus Christ, live His commandments, and be able to be gathered home to Him someday.

I'm not a full-time missionary anymore. But I believe Heavenly Father can use any of us to prepare the way for His children to be gathered in. What are some thoughts you have about the gathering? What evidence do you have that it is taking place? What part do you think we should play as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?