The Mormons are Israelites?: Quotes from LDS Sources

In an explanation of how Joseph Smith saw regeneration by the Holy Spirit, he explains what he believed to happen when one receives the Holy Ghost:

[T]he effect of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile, is to purge out the old blood, and make him actually of the seed of Abraham. That man that has none of the blood of Abraham (naturally) must have a new creation by the Holy Ghost. In such a case, there may be more of a powerful effect upon the body, and visible to the eye, than upon an Israelite, while the Israelite at first might be far before the Gentile in pure intelligence”

Joseph Smith, Teachings, 149–50

This, in no unclear terms, shows us Smith believed one is literally transformed into a literal son/daughter of Abraham. In a Student Manual, along with the first quote, a second authority, late LDS apostle John A. Widtsoe, is used to bring even further clarity stating this:

“All who accept the gospel become by adoption members of the fam ily of Abraham”

The Pearl of Great Price Student Manual: Abraham 2:1-13; lds.org

The reason this is able to happen for latter-day saints is because they are taught that being god's covenant people is conditional and that the literal Israelites' status as God's covenant people was based on their obedience:

God promised that the Israelites would be His covenant people as long as the y would obey His commandments (see Deuteronomy 28:9–10). They would be a blessing to all the nations of the world by taking the gospel and the priesthood to them (see Abraham 2:9–11).

Gospel Principles, Chapter 42: The Gathering of the House of Israel; lds.org

Later in this same chapter, we once again get more clarity about what this means for people today and their relationship before God. If we keep his commandments, we can be "children of the covenant":

God gathers His children through missionary work. As people come to a knowledge of Jesus Christ, receiving the ordinances of salvation and keeping the associated covenants, they become “the children of the covenant” (3 Nephi 20:26).

Probably the clearest example of this teaching is found in the LDS Church's definition of adoption in their scripture guide:

(1) A person who is of non-Israelite lineage becomes a member of the family of Abraham and the house of Israel by having faith in Jesus Christ, repenting, being baptized by immersion, and receiving the Holy Ghost ( 2 Ne. 31:17–18 ; D&C 84:73–74 ; Abr. 2:6, 10–11 ).

Guide to the Scriptures: Adoption; lds.org

As a last note, we can also see this idea in Latter-day Saint scripture. One example is in D&C 103. In the section titled, "The redemption of Zion will come by power, and the Lord will go before His people;" The LDS people are being called the children of Israel:

Therefore, I will raise up unto my people a man, who shall lead them like as Moses led the children of Israel. For ye are the children of Israel, and of the seed of Abraham, and ye must needs be led out of bondage by power, and with a stretched-out arm.

Doctrine and Covenants 103:16-17

As Christians, we should know how to respond to the claims made by Latter-day Saints and their leaders.

For our response to these claims you can click the link below that will take you to our video response:

Does the LDS Church Replace Israel? (feat. David HaLevy)