Book of Mormon (Plain English Version)/2 Nephi/Chapter 12
Nephi writes some of Isaiah's words...
(compare 2 Nephi, chapter 12)
What Isaiah, the son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
“In the last days, when the Lord's temple will be established in the chief of the nations (Zion), the righteous throughout all the world will come to it.
- Note: The word “mountain” is a metaphor for the word "nation." Two parallel scriptures, 2 Nephi 12:2 and Jeremiah 31:6-7, illustrate this metaphor. Note how "top of the mountains" and "chief of the nations” are used in the exact same context.
"They will say, ‘Let us go to the Lord's nation (New Jerusalem)--to the temple of the God of Jacob. In His temple, the Lord will teach us,’ for the Lord's word will come from Jerusalem, and His law from Zion.'
The Lord and His law will judge all nations and rebuke many. Then they will repent and convert their weapons into farming tools. They will no longer think of war, but of peace.
Oh house of Jacob, come back to walk in the Lord's light. You have all gone astray, for each tribe has wicked traditions.
The Lord will not protect His people who mix with the unbelieving-- those who listen to mystics rather than make covenants with Him.
The land of the unbelievers is full of silver and gold, and there is no end to their wealth. Their land is filled with transports, and there is no end to their streams of chariots. Their land is also full of man-made idols.
Because the people are so proud in their sins, refusing to humble themselves before God, He will not forgive them.
The wicked will fear the Lord and hide in the rocks, preferring to be buried by mountains rather than face His glory.
The proud will be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted when He comes, for on that day, which soon comes, all nations that have put themselves above others will be brought down.
The day of the Lord will come upon all the finely dressed people who possess so much, who think they are above others. It will come against all the earth--upon all the proud nations--against every tall tower and fortress--against all the sea vessels that bear fine merchandise.
Proud men will bow down, and their pride will be made low, for only the Lord will be exalted in that day, and He will completely destroy their idols.
Many will go and hide in the cracks of the rocks and in caves because the fear of the Lord will come upon them. The glory of His majesty will smite them when He rises to terribly shake the earth. In that day, a man will throw gold and silver idols he's made for himself to the moles and bats.
Again, many will hide in the holes of the rocks and in the tops of the tagged rocks as the fear of the Lord comes upon them. The majesty of His glory will smite them when He comes to terribly shake the earth.
Oh descendants of Israel, stop doing things according to the ways of men, who forget they depend on the Lord for their every breath. For of what worth are the ways of men?