(Isa. 54:1)
Isaiah now commences chapter 54 by returning to the earlier theme concerning the restoration of Israel in the latter days. It is interesting that this chapter was quoted in its entirety by the Savior when he appeared among the Nephites following his resurrection (see 3 Ne., chapter 22). However, before quoting it the Savior outlined what would precede it (3 Ne. chapter 21). There would be a free nation raised up in America where the Gospel would be restored among the Gentiles. The Lord’s servant who restored the Gospel would be “marred because of them,” but the Lord would heal him (3 Ne. 21:10; see also Isa. 52:14). Eventually there would be a cleansing of the land, leaving many of the Gentile cities in America “desolate.” Then the Lord would prepare to destroy the wicked in other parts of the earth. However, before doing so, he would gather out all the members of the Church and as many Gentiles as would repent. This is the great final gathering spoken of by Jesus when he said:
“Yea, the work shall commence among ALL THE DISPERSED OF MY PEOPLE, with the Father, to prepare the way whereby they may come unto me… .
“Yea, and then shall the work commence, with the Father among all nations in preparing the way whereby his people may be gathered home to the land of their inheritance.
“And they shall GO OUT FROM ALL NATIONS; and they shall not go out in haste, nor go by flight, for I will go before them, saith the Father, and I will be their rearward.” (3 Ne. 21:27–29; emphasis added.)
Jesus then introduces Isaiah chapter 54 by saying, “AND THEN SHALL THAT WHICH IS WRITTEN COME TO PASS” (3 Ne. 22:1; emphasis added).
(W. Cleon Skousen, Isaiah Speaks to Modern Times [Salt Lake City: Ensign Publishing Co., 1984], 667–68.)
“More are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.” That is, greater are the numbers of Israel born outside of the covenant than those born within it.
(Joseph F. McConkie, Studies in Scripture, Vol. 8, ed. Kent P. Jackson, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1988], 192–93.)
The comparison of Zion to a childless woman evokes the stories of Eve, Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, Elizabeth, and other female ancestors in Israel who received the blessings of posterity after a trial of their faith. Children are the greatest blessing that the Lord can bestow, so to be barren is a great affliction. In Near Eastern societies of the Bible, barren women were among the most vulnerable people, often subject to disgrace… .
Zion will receive so many children that she will not know where they came from, just as Saints in the latter-days marvel when missionaries throughout the world bring nearly 1000 persons per day into the new life of the gospel.
(Cynthia L. Hallen, “Redeeming the Desolate Woman,” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, vol. 7, no. 1:43.)