As used in the scriptures, Gentiles has several meanings. Sometimes it designates people of non-Israelite lineage, sometimes people of non-Jewish lineage, and sometimes nations that are without the gospel, even though there may be some Israelite blood among the people. This latter usage is especially characteristic of the word as used in the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants.

Israelites were not to marry non-Israelites (Gentiles), Deut. 7: 1-3. The Lord would come to be a light of the Gentiles, Isa. 42: 6. Peter was commanded to take the gospel to the Gentiles, Acts 10: 9-48. God also granted repentance to the Gentiles, Acts 11: 18. We are baptized into one church, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, 1 Cor. 12: 13. The Gentiles should be fellowheirs in Christ by the gospel, Eph. 3: 6. The Book of Mormon was written to the Gentiles, Title page of the Book of Mormon (Morm. 3: 17). A man among the Gentiles went forth upon the waters, 1 Ne. 13: 12. Other books came from the Gentiles, 1 Ne. 13: 39. The fulness of the gospel shall come to the Gentiles, 1 Ne. 15: 13 (3 Ne. 16: 7; D&C 20: 9). This land shall be a land of liberty to the Gentiles, 2 Ne. 10: 11. The Gentiles are a likeness of a wild olive tree, Jacob 5. The gospel is to come forth in the times of the Gentiles, D&C 45: 28 (D&C 19: 27). The word will go forth unto the ends of the earth, unto the Gentiles first, and then unto the Jews, D&C 90: 8-10. The Seventy are to be special witnesses to the Gentiles, D&C 107: 25. Send forth the elders of my church to call upon all nations, first upon the Gentiles, and then upon the Jews, D&C 133: 8.