Nephi lamented the future destruction he foresaw of his people, but he was compelled to acknowledge to the Lord, “Thy ways are just” (2 Nephi 26:7). Nephi also foresaw that “the righteous that hearken unto the words of the prophets … are they which shall not perish” (v. 8; see also 1 Nephi 22:17–19). These people would be visited by Christ and begin several generations of peace (see 2 Nephi 26:9). Eventually, however, the Nephite nation would fall into a “speedy destruction” because the Spirit of the Lord would cease to strive with the people (see vv. 10–11).In verse 12 Nephi seems to have used the term Jew in the broader sense of the word, that is, as a term for Israel. He divided those who were to be convinced as Jews (Israel) from those convinced as Gentiles (non-Israel). Nephi prophesied that this great conversion would take place in the last days (see v. 14).
