2 Nephi 23:4-5, 15

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Reference Search: 2 Nephi 23:4-5, 15

4 The noise of the multitude in the mountains like as of a great people, a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together, the Lord of Hosts mustereth the hosts of the battle.

5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, yea, the Lord, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.

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15 Every one that is proud shall be thrust through; yea, and every one that is joined to the wicked shall fall by the sword.

Quotes for Discussion

Final War

At the very moment of the Second Coming of our Lord, “all nations” shall be gathered “against Jerusalem to battle” (Zech. 11; 12; 13; 14)….As John expressed it, “the kings of the earth and of the whole world” will be gathered.”

Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 74

The end of heaven (Isa. 13:5)

The end of heaven may simply suggest the farthest reaches of the earth.

Donald W. Parry, Jay A. Parry, and Tina M. Peterson, Understanding Isaiah [salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1998], 132

To destroy the whole land (Isa. 13:5)

Isaiah seems to be saying here that the Lord’s valiant servants will successfully battle evil during this time period. A modern revelation adds light to this phrase of Isaiah: “Wherefore, I [the Lord] call upon the weak things of the world, those who are unlearned and despised. To thrash the nations by the power of my Spirit; And their arm shall be my arm, and I will be their shield and their buckler; and I will gird up their loins, and they shall fight manfully for me; and their enemies shall be under their feet; and I will let fall the sword in their behalf, and by the fire of mine indignation will I preserve them” (D&C 35:13-14; 133:58-59).

Donald W. Parry, Jay A. Parry, and Tina M. Peterson, Understanding Isaiah [salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1998], 131

Just as the Medes conquered the Babylonians, so will the wicked be destroyed at the Second Coming. “Thus the past becomes the key that unlocks the future. As history has its cycles, so prophecies have multiple fulfillments and repeated applications. Isaiah’s prophecies of events now past foretell events yet future. The past is the stage upon which the future is portrayed.” (Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet, Doctrinal Commentary, 1:282.)

Brian D. Garner, Search These Things Diligently, p. 90