2 Nephi 24:31-32

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Reference Search: 2 Nephi 24:31-32

31 Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved; for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none shall be alone in his appointed times.

32 What shall then answer the messengers of the nations? That the Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.

Quotes for Discussion

Howl, O gate/cry, O city. The inhabitants of all Philistine cities will wail and moan once the Assyrians begin their destructive advances.

come from the north a smoke. Smoke represents the burning cities the Assyrians destroyed by fire as they advanced southward toward Philistia.

none shall be alone in his appointed times. The Jerusalem Bible reads “there are no deserters in those battalions,” which means that all enlisted men who belong to the Assyrian army are mighty warriors; there are no cowards or deserters among them.

What shall then answer the messengers of the nations? When envoys from various nations ask how they may be saved from Assyria’s destructive forces, they will find comfort in knowing that “the Lord hath founded Zion” (2 Ne. 24:32).

Lord hath founded Zion. The Lord himself has established a place for the pure in hearth to dwell. Indeed he is the very foundation of it; he is our “safe foundation” and our “sure foundation” (Jacob 4:15, 17; Hel. 5:12).

poor of his people shall trust in it. The poor will find both temporal and spiritual salvation in Zion.

Ibid

Isaiah also knew that ultimately the whole Philistine coast would be occupied by a righteous people who would say: “The Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.” The word ‘Zion” refers to a place and a condition. Modern prophets have been told that the place called Zion is North and South America, to which Isaiah referred frequently in his writings (Smith, Teachings, 362). However, “Zion” as a condition can be anywhere. As the Lord has declared, “This is Zion—the pure in heart” (D&C 97:21). Isaiah knew that ultimately Palestine would belong to the pure in heart.

W. Cleon Skousen, Isaiah Speaks to Modern Times [salt Lake City: Ensign Publishing co., 1984], 286