Editing Lamanites (section)

===Teachings in the 1800s===
Early Mormons expected large numbers of Native American converts, who would teach gentiles how to interpret scripture, according to a revelation given to Joseph Smith in May 1829. In the Book of Mormon, Jesus told people in the New World that conversion would precede the millennium, and members interpreted this promise as one referring to Lamanites, and by extension, Native Americans. These Native American converts would work alongside other members as partners in building [[Zion (Latter Day Saints)|Zion]]. After the failure of early missions to Indigenous peoples, Smith focused on building Zion without the cooperation of "Lamanite" people. The concept began to expand to include all [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas]].<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/27538250 |title=New Jerusalem Abandoned: The Failure to Carry Mormonism to the Delaware |author=G. St. John Stott |journal=[[Journal of American Studies]] |year=1987 |volume=21 |issue=1 |doi=10.1017/S0021875800005508 |jstor=27538250 |s2cid=145246542 |pages=72–80 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |location=Cambridge, England}}; and {{harvnb|Austin|2024|p=70}}</ref>