Interpreting these verses, Nephi later explained (1 Nephi 22:6-9) that after the scattering of Israel the Lord would raise up a mighty gentile nation that would act like a nursing parent to Israel. in this nation (obviously the United States of America) the gospel would come forth to nourish the spiritually famished descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, thus giving them the strength to grow to spiritual maturity (1 Nephi 22:6-9). Jacob prophesied of the time when Israel would be “restored to the true church and fold of God; when they shall be gathered home to the lands of their inheritance, and shall be established in all their lands of promise” (2 Nephi 9:2; see also Jacob's discussion of these verses in 2 Nephi 6:8-15).