2 Nephi 21:12-13

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Reference Search: 2 Nephi 21:12-13

12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

13 The envy of Ephraim also shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.

Quotes for Discussion

Judah & Ephraim

It is important to know biblical history in order to understand how significant it is that Judah and Ephraim will be at peace in that day (Isa. 11:12-13). In biblical times, Ephraim, the Northern Kingdom (also called Israel), and Judah, the Southern Kingdom, often fought each other (Isa. 11:13), as we have seen (Isa. 7-8). Things will be otherwise in the Millennium, when they will come together amicably. As the scattered bones of a body will be reunited into one body, so scattered Israelites will become one nation under one king (see Ezek. 37:1-14).

Keith A. Meservy, Studies in Scripture, Vol. 4, ed. Kent P. Jackson [salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1993], 103

The entire verse recalls the tensions and hostilities that existed between Ephraim (the Northern Kingdom) and Judah (the Southern Kingdom), beginning with Jeroboam’s break with Rehoboam (1 Kgs. 11-12). God’s latter-day gathering will result in the uniting of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel, made possible because the gospel teaches peace and love and because the Messiah, who is the true king of Israel and Judah, rules with justice and righteousness (11:1-5). The Book of Mormon also plays a prominent role in reuniting Ephraim and Judah (Ezek. 37:15-28).

Donald W. Parry, Jay A. Parry, and Tina M. Peterson, Understanding Isaiah [salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1998], 124

Who is Judah? The Jews. Who is Ephraim? Those of the birthright, the leaders of the kingdom, the Church. This harmony between Judah and Ephraim is something never before experienced, due to the early envy and jealousy inherited from Judah himself toward the chosen son of Joseph. News releases of the day confirm and fulfill this latter-day prophecy. Judah has given Ephraim a position on its famous Mount Olivet for a historical monument of peace, the Orson Hyde Memorial. The Jerusalem Post referred to President Spencer W. Kimball as a “prophet in the line of Abraham and Moses.”

Church News, Dec. 29, 1979, 5