In December, 2018, I authored an important blog post entitled "Prophecy Fulfilled 016" identifying the mighty nation among the Gentiles described in 1 Nephi 22:7 as Spain. The article explained the historical succession of Spain/France/England as global superpower and interpreted 1 Nephi 13:30 in that light. 3 Nephi 20:27 also refers to this global primacy. 3 Nephi 21:4 specifically refers to New World hegemony.
Chronology clinches the identification of Spain as the mighty nation. What did the mighty nation do? They scattered Lehi's descendants 1 Nephi 22:7. When was Lehi's seed scattered? Before the marvelous work among the Gentiles began 1 Nephi 22:8. What was the marvelous work? The coming forth of the Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:17, 27:26 was a major part of it. We learn from the Doctrine & Covenants that in 1829 the marvelous work had not yet happened, but was imminent D&C 4:1, 6:1, 11:1, 12:1. We learn from D&C 18:34-44 That Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer in their capacity as two of the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon would play a part in the marvelous work.
The Savior referenced this same chronology. 3 Nephi 16:4, 7 says the Book of Mormon would go first to the Gentiles. And when would this blessing go to the Gentiles? After the Gentiles had scattered the remnant of the house of Israel in the New World 3 Nephi 20:15.
Nephi himself verifies this chronology in 1 Nephi 15:17. The fulness of the Gospel is the Book of Mormon D&C 20:9, 27:5. Many generations after Christ comes to the earth, the fulness of the gospel (Book of Mormon) will come to the Gentiles and from the Gentiles to Lehi's posterity. This will only happen after the children of Lehi are scattered by the Gentiles.
To make sure we moderns do not mistake this chronology, Mormon in his farewell tells us that Gentiles will possess the land where Lehi's posterity was once blessed, those Gentiles will drive and scatter the children of Israel, and the glorious events of the restoration will only happen after this driving and scattering has finished. Mormon 5:19-20.
Key dates associated with the modern Book of Mormon include:
- December 23, 1805 Joseph Smith, Jr. was born
- August 24, 1821 Treaty of Córdoba recognized Mexican independence from Spain.
- September 21, 1823 Angel Moroni first appeared to Joseph Smith, Jr.
- March 26, 1830 Book of Mormon went on sale to the public
- May 28, 1830 President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act into law which scattered some of the Lamanites who were forced to walk the "Trail of Tears." This scattering by the young United States was trivial compared with the massive depredations Spain caused among the Lamanites for more than 3 centuries.before the time of Joseph Smith and the restoration.
During those 300 years preceding the marvelous work of the restoration, no other nation came close to the level of influence Spain exercised in the Western Hemisphere.
