Nephi is using the image of a parent who finds him or herself possessing a numerous posterity whose origin is surprising. She thought she had lost her children. Now, however, she finds there are great numbers of children belonging to her. How did she come to have so many children? Where did this great posterity come from? This image is about latter-day Zion. Although she is small, there are millions and tens of millions of her “children” who will yet join her ranks. The missionary effort of the past is nothing compared with what lies in the future for the growth of Zion. President Howard. W. Hunter remarked: Surely taking the gospel to every kindred, tongue, and people is the single greatest responsibility we have in mortality. In 1974, President Spencer W. Kimball, speaking on this theme, said: “I can see no good reason why the Lord would open doors that we are not prepared to enter.” He concluded by saying that the doors to nations would open “when we are ready for them.” Ensign, October 1974, p. 7. (Howard W. Hunter, The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, edited by Clyde J. Williams, p.246.)
He is quoting from a talk President Spencer W. Kimball gave which included these words:
“The Spirit of the Lord is brooding over these nations under a new regime that is certainly more open and more receptive to western ideas than ever before. Such cultural and educational interchanges will offer opportunities for exposure to the gospel. We must be prepared. The Lord is doing his part and is waiting for us to open the doors. There are almost three billion people now living on the earth in nations where the gospel is not now being preached. If we could only make a small beginning in every nation, soon the converts among each kindred and tongue could step forth as lights to their own people and the gospel would thus be preached in all nations before the coming of the Lord. I believe the Lord can do anything he sets his mind to do. But I can see no good reason why the Lord would open doors that we are not prepared to enter. Why should he break down the Iron Curtain or the Bamboo Curtain or any other curtain if we are still unprepared to enter? God will bless expanded effort to teach all nations. If we do all we can, and I accept my own part of that responsibility, I am sure the Lord will bring more discoveries to our use. He will bring a change of heart into kings and magistrates and emperors, or he will divert rivers or open seas or find ways to touch hearts. He will open the gates and make possible the proselytizing. Of that, I have great faith. ”(Spencer W. Kimball, The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, edited by Edward L. Kimball, p.584.)
Zion will: “Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments.” (2 Ne. 8: 24.) As she does, the whole earth will see her history unfold exactly as it has been foreseen: And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God; And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion. And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety. And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another. And it shall be said among the wicked: Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible; wherefore we cannot stand. And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy. (D&C 45:66–71.)
As surprising as the future numbers who will join with Zion may seem to us now, those numbers have already been seen by Nephi and other prophets. The size of the latter-day movement today is a trifle compared with the great stream it will become. It will come about primarily through the conversion of others, and not from natural growth within.