Most accept the idea that the Gentiles spoken of in the Book of Mormon include the inhabitants of the United States. There are many passages that state as much.536 For example,
The Gentiles shall be blessed upon the land. And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise up unto the Gentiles. And [the Lord] will fortify this land against all other nations. (2 Nephi 10:10-12.)
What is less understood is that the Book of Mormon authors also considered members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as Gentiles. This fact should be evident from the start of the Book, as the Title Page states that the Book of Mormon should “come forth by way of the Gentile.” Of course, the book came forth through Joseph Smith. Moroni said, “O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you” (Ether 8:8). Non-LDS Americans do not read the Book of Mormon. Therefore, it can be said that the only group to whom these things are shown are those who are LDS. Moroni was speaking to the readers of the Book of Mormon, which means that his appellation is used interchangeably with “members of the LDS church.”
Some would contend that Joseph Smith and other members of the church cannot be referred to as Gentiles because once someone joins the LDS church, they become part of the house of Israel. For example,
For behold, I say unto you that as many of the Gentiles as will repent are the covenant people of the Lord; and as many of the Jews as will not repent shall be cast off; for the Lord covenanteth with none save it be with them that repent and believe in his Son, who is the Holy One of Israel. (2 Nephi 30:2.)
Interestingly, however, Nephi still calls those who repent Gentiles. And, as previously stated, the Title Page calls Joseph Smith a Gentile. Joseph Smith even stated,
Now these words, O Lord, we have spoken before thee, concerning the revelations and commandments which thou hast given unto us, who are identified with the Gentiles. (D&C 109:60.)
The identity of Joseph Smith shows how church members can be both of the house of Ephraim and still Gentiles. The Book of Mormon tells us that Joseph is a descendent of Ephraim. Ephraim was the son of Joseph of Egypt, but also the son of an Egyptian woman. Therefore, Ephraim was both an Israelite and a Gentile. The Book of Mormon calls Joseph a Gentile even though it identifies him as a descendent of Ephraim. Mormons should consider themselves Gentiles and Israelites.
This labeling is exceedingly important. When Mormons understand that they are Gentiles, they can associate the warnings and descriptions of the Gentiles in the Book of Mormon with themselves. Instead of deflecting them to non-LDS Americans, they can repent from the sins predicted as seen and described by ancient prophets.