Not only do we see how extensive Lehi’s and Nephi’s visions were, we see that they beheld the latter days—our days—and the end of the world. This sweeping vision was seen by many prophets (see commentary at 1 Nephi 14:26).
The great war between the forces of good and the forces of evil that began in the premortal world has changed battlefields, but the war rages on. The mother of abominations, the whore of all the earth or the church of the devil seems omnipresent (see commentary at 1 Nephi 13:2–9); it has infiltrated organizations and movements and has pervasive power and influence.
In 1845 the Council of the Twelve Apostles proclaimed: “As this work progresses in its onward course, … no king, ruler, or subject, no community or individual, will stand neutral. All will … take sides either for or against the kingdom of God.” 39 President Ezra Taft Benson declared: “I testify that as the forces of evil increase under Lucifer’s leadership and as the forces of good increase under the leadership of Jesus Christ, there will be growing battles between the two until the final confrontation. As the issues become clearer and more obvious, all mankind will eventually be required to align themselves either for the kingdom of God or for the kingdom of the devil.” 40
The kingdom of the devil is described as a whore. The image is a foil, or a contrasting opposite, to the kingdom of God, which is described in the most sacred relationship of husband and wife. The Lord is married to his people; he is the Bridegroom and she, his Church, is the bride. If there is ever any infidelity, it is always on the part of the wife, because the Lord is faithful eternally. That is why the wife is cast in the role of the whore or the harlot; she has prostituted the holiest of all relationships. In this case, the devil and his companions have violated or prostituted all the covenants of eternity. Nephi saw that the whore “sat upon many waters,” meaning that her influence was far and wide, as the next phrase indicates: “she had dominion over all the earth, among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people.” The waves of her wickedness were washing up on all the shores of humankind.
The power and influence of the true Church, comparatively speaking, seems meager. Nevertheless, the numerically minor power of the Church and the Saints is manifested in strong and impressive ways because righteousness is power, and God’s power is glorious.
God’s anger is poured out as the great and abominable church engages in constant wars and war-mongering efforts. When we see all this happening in our day, we know that the Father’s work of fulfilling his covenants to Israel is in progress.