The Book of Mormon helps us to understand Bible passages. In the Bible, the same warning is given to the pregnant, woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! (Matt 24:19, see also Lu 23:29). From the Bible alone, the reader is left to wonder why the Lord specifically mentioned these women. Was some special curse to come upon them? The answer is simple and simply stated in the Book of Mormon. The destructions spoken of will be so violent, that confusion and fear will take hold of everyone. The only recourse will be to flee and to do so as quickly as possible. The Book of Mormon makes clear that the Lord proclaims a special wo upon the nursing and pregnant women because their flight will be slowed down, for they shall be heavy and cannot flee; therefore, they shall be trodden down and shall be left to perish. This prophecy applies to three different times of destruction: those among the Nephites & Lamanites prior to the coming of Christ (3 Nephi 8), the destruction of the Jews at the hands of the Romans in AD 70 (JS-Matt 1:16), and the destructions which are to attend the Second Coming (see JS-Matt 1:16,32).