2 Nephi 14:5

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Reference Search: 2 Nephi 14:5

5 And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory of Zion shall be a defence.

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Defense

A protecting cover. But even so, the expression needs explanation. Perhaps a question might help. Suppose the prophet, seven hundred years before our era, had been carried away, in the spirit, to Ensign Peak and been permitted to see Salt Lake valley, as it is today, first at noon, then at sunset with its indescribable beauty of colors; then, let us suppose that he had seen the shadows of night fall, and, all of a sudden, the entire valley, as by a miracle, lit up by thousands of lights, the Temple radiant among all the glittering little stars; how would he have described this vision to a public not aware of electricity, and he, himself, just as ignorant in that particular as his hearers, except by saying just what he did say, that the Lord had created upon every dwelling place on Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; and that this marvelous beauty, this evidence of progress and prosperity would be the protection of the glory of Zion? Or, suppose that the prophet had been standing on the Mount of Olives in Palestine, at a future day, viewing the New Jerusalem and the new temple across the Valley of Kedron, and the thousands of homes that will be there, even more wonderfully illuminated, as scientific marvels are multiplied; what could he have said in a description? That the modern glory of Zion reminded him of the cloud and the fire by which God anciently manifested his glory to Israel is certain. (See Ex. 13:21; 33:18; Numb. 9:15; 2 Chron. 5:13, 14. See also Ezek. 11:22, 23; 43:1-5).

Reynolds & Sjodahl, Commentary on the BOM, p.