Plausible Modern Identity of Ancient Metaphors

Reflecting on the unprecedented blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon our nation, and realizing the extent to which she has turned her back on him, we recognize that probably no other nation on earth better fits the title "hypocritical nation." Also, in prophecy "Zion" often refers to America. (1 Ne. 14:2; 6:2; Deut. 33:15,16.) (It will eventually become Zion for the remnant of Joseph and as many as are numbered among them.)⁽¹⁾ Furthermore, this reference to a hypocritical nation being trodden down conforms to one of Christ's prophecies in Third Nephi about the latter days. He said that the Gentiles--particularly those in the United States of America (3 Ne. 16:7,8)--will be trodden down when they reject the Gospel and become "lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth..." (16:10,15; Micah 5:8). Therefore, apparently the United States of America will be the primary target of this terrible assault. President Benson once stated, "In connection with attack on the United States, the Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith there would be an attempt to overthrow the country by destroying the Constitution."⁽²⁾

At first, this possibility may seem inconceivable. Perhaps this is why Nephi warned us that Satan would pacify many, lulling "them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth...." (2 Ne. 28:21.) Ezra Taft Benson once stated,

"Too often we bask in our comfortable complacency and rationalize that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine, and earthquake cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not acquainted with the revelations of the Lord, or they do not believe them. Those who smugly think these calamities will be set aside because of the righteousness of the Saints, are deceived and will rue the day they harbored such a delusion."⁽³⁾

During this period of Book of Mormon history we have been discussing, the Nephites held the same smug attitude that seems prevalent today. Nephi (son of Helaman) had warned them, "...If ye will not repent, behold, this great city [Zarahemla], and also all those great cities which are round about...shall be taken away that ye shall have no place in them...." (Hel. 7:22.) (Recall the strong correlation we have seen between Zarahemla and the United States.) They replied aghast, "And now we know that this is impossible, for behold, we are powerful, and our cities great, therefore our enemies can have no power over us." (8:6.)

If the United States, then, is the probably primary target of this attack, who will the likely aggressor nation be?

In his prophecies in Third Nephi, Christ said that the remnant of Israel will do the treading. He also specified the modern-day Lamanite descendants (largely the Latin Americans) as at least one of the remnants of Israel. (3 Ne. 20:14,16.) Will there be others besides them?

We noted above that the biblical prophecies often mention the Assyrian (or Chaldean) as a metaphor for a modern counterpart who will tread down the Gentiles. Analyzing several references reveals that the Assyrians could also be included under the label "remnant of Israel." The book of Hosea reveals that when Israel was scattered, they were taken "up to Assyria...." (Hosea 8:8,9.) Other sources state that until the Lord delivers them, many of the remnant of Israel will be in bondage to "Assyria." (Isa. 52:4,5; 2 Ne. 24:3,25 = Isa. 14:3,25; 2 Ne. 20:20 = Isa. 10:20; Nahum 1:13; 1 Ne. 22:12.) Still other references declare that eventually many of the remnant of Israel will be gathered out of "Assyria." (2 Ne. 21:11 = Isa. 11:11; Zech. 10:10; 2 Kings 17:23.) Therefore, though Assyria may have been a Gentile nation, it appears that at this point a significant proportion of its people descend from Israelite lineage. (Hosea 8:8,9.) Therefore, when the Assyrians tread down the hypocritical nation, won't that essentially be the same thing as a remnant of Jacob treading down the Gentiles?

Reading other prophecies which appear to describe this dreadful event, we find more qualifying aspects that help identify the modern Assyrian nation. Not only will they come from far, but they "shall come...from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain," suggesting that the attack will be intercontinental. (Micah 7:12.) Furthermore, they will come from the north. (Jer. 4:6; 6:22; Joel 2:20.) They "shall come...from the fortified cities...." (Micah 7:12.) Also, they "shall come up as clouds, and [their] chariots shall be as a whirlwind: [their] horses are swifter than eagles," indicating both the aerial aspect and the speed of the assault. (Jer. 4:13; Hab. 1:8.) All these definitive factors, including the ones mentioned earlier--such as the fact that there are many of the House of Israel who are presently in bondage under them⁽⁴⁾--appear to converge to identify the Soviet Union as the modern Assyrian nation.  China could also play a role.

This does not contradict Christ's prophecy of the Lamanite descendants' involvement in treading down the Gentiles. Cuba and Nicaragua, for example, have become powerful Communist satellites, so they would most likely be involved.⁽⁵⁾ Also, even though other Central and South American nations are not presently labeled as Communist countries, many have Marxist leanings. How many more of them might be professed satellites by the time this probable invasion occurs?

We should note that the treading down prophesied to occur probably entails more than just an attack. We need only look to our Southern border to see another method whereby our nation could be trodden down. We are already seeing a massive influx of hopeful Central Americans into our country. Once our cities become desolated, as the prophecies indicate they will, might that trend swell as these people come to fill in the void? (3 Ne. 22:3 = Isa. 54:3.) The recent eruption of the drug war also presents ominous possibilities of terroristic trampling.

5. Cuba has a military 10 times the size of Canada's. They have carried out the largest land-based maneuvers in the history of the world. (John Hoyt Williams, "The Cuban Paradox: Part I," National Defense, Sept. 1987, pp. 36,37.) See also Drew Middleton, "Moscow is Behind Nicaragua's Defense Buildup," Defense News, Dec. 21, 1987, p. 19.