1 Nephi 13:14 - 13:18
1 Nephi 13:14 And it came to pass that I beheld many multitudes of the Gentiles upon the land of promise; and I beheld the wrath of God, that it was upon the seed of my brethren; and they were scattered before the Gentiles and were smitten.
Now the result of these new people coming to this country is the displacing and creating havoc to the indigence people already living here, namely the Lamanites. They will be killed by people wanting there lands for farming, to search for gold and other reasons. They will also die because of disease and famine caused by the coming of the Gentiles.
It is referred to as the wrath of God. It is God that is causing their suffering and displacement. And as stated in other places it because they are ripe in iniquity and are to be swept off this land just like the Philistines in the promised land that the Israelites under Moses were heading for from Egypt.
1 Nephi 13:15 And I beheld the Spirit of the Lord, that it was upon the Gentiles, and they did prosper and obtain the land for their inheritance; and I beheld that they were white, and exceedingly fair and beautiful, like unto my people before they were slain.
The Spirit was inspiring the Gentiles in their search for freedom of religion and economic opportunity. Their countenance is described as ‘white and exceedingly fair and beautiful’. I can only think that those who are looking for the Gospel are certainly more pleasing to look at than those who are barbaric in their desires. I have often wondered if this description also refers to the attitudes and love for one another that those who are trying to live gospel principles have? It may not just refer to outward appearance.
1 Nephi 13:16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles who had gone forth out of captivity did humble themselves before the Lord; and the power of the Lord was with them.
Nephi sees that their prosperity is the result of their humility and desire to live gospel principles. Even if you don’t have all the knowledge and ordinances of the gospel principles you still are blessed. It also shows that the blessing come from God through their efforts. If they don’t have God's help they will not prosper for long and will be destroyed after warnings.
1 Nephi 13:17 And I beheld that their mother Gentiles were gathered together upon the waters, and upon the land also, to battle against them.
Nephi sees that the countries from where these settlers come from are trying to gain domination over them and are sending armies to subdue them.
1 Nephi 13:18 And I beheld that the power of God was with them, and also that the wrath of God was upon all those that were gathered together against them to battle.
Lord was not going to allow these foreign powers to gain this domination and He would stop them. It would be His power that would be against them. They would not realize that but their efforts were domed and they would not succeed.
