Israel and the Gentiles.--From Shem came Abraham and the House of Israel; from Japheth, the Gentiles, founders of the most civilized and enlightened nations of modern times, including Great Britain, France, and the United States of America. How wonderfully God has "enlarged Japheth," the original Gentile! Israel wields the powers of the Priesthood, and administers the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. These are his prerogatives. But the children of Japheth also have their mission--a mission in statecraft and commerce, in science and art, in discovery, invention, and kindred activities. It was the Gentiles who discovered and peopled America; who fought for and won the freedom and independence of this chosen land, an event preparatory--though they knew it not--to the founding of a government under which Christ's work might come forth and not be crushed out by the tyranny of man. The God of Israel was with Columbus, with Washington, with the Pilgrim Fathers, with the patriots who founded this republic [12]--Gentiles all, though probably of a mixed lineage, having much of the blood of Israel in their veins. [13] He is with all good and great men whose hearts are set to do right and to uplift humanity--is with them, whether they recognize it or not, and he uses them as seemeth him good, to effect his beneficent designs. Ham's Descendants.--The descendants of Ham became eminent, wealthy, wise and powerful in Egypt, "the cradle of civilization;" reaping "the blessings of the earth" and the blessings "of wisdom," richly realizing the heaven-inspired promises made to their forbears. They have prospered also in other African countries. But in Europe, America, and other lands, they were long held in slavery. Nor are the days of their bondage even now at end in Africa and some parts of Asia. The Ethiopian has served the Gentile and the Semite, just as Noah predicted. Japheth and "The Tents of Shem."--What are "the tents of Shem?" In the Scriptures "tent" is a term used figuratively as well as literally. The canopy of heaven is compared to a tent; as is also the Church of Christ and the city of Jerusalem. [14] The word may therefore be applied to a country or a place of sojourn. How Japheth has dwelt "in the tents of Shem," is partly shown by the history of Palestine, Israel's original homeland, long dominated by the Saracens and Turks--both Gentile peoples--and only recently delivered from the Moslem yoke by the military power of the British, a racial blending of Japheth and Shem. [15] Japheth's remarkable blessing has also been realized in America, the Land of Joseph, which the Gentiles now possess, and where, according to the Book of Mormon, they are to assist in gathering Israel and in building the New Jerusalem. It is their privilege to share, if they will, in all the blessings of the chosen people, and to be even as the seed of Abraham. [16]