It will be recalled that in the last chapter the concluding sentence was missing from the Bible version. But in the brass plates it said "I will be merciful unto my people [who are righteous], but the wicked shall perish."1 Now the Lord amplifies his assurance to those who are righteous. The Lord says he will be merciful to the tribes of Jacob in spite of their temporary captivity or persecution.
This happened to the Jews in 538 B.C. when Cyrus felt inspired to send the Jews back to rebuild Jerusalem and raise up another temple. The Lord has also promised to be mindful of Israel in the latter days. They will be gathered to their original land of inheritance. It is interesting that each time the Lord has gathered his people there have been strangers or Gentiles who wanted to join with them. This has been true whenever Israel has been righteous and worthy of Gentile admiration. Some of these will be those who formerly held many of the Israelites in captivity. Now they will be willing to be governed by the Israelites.