Why would the Lord use the metaphor of a lion in describing his Saints in the latter days? Study the references given in footnote 12a, plus Mormon 5:24 and 1 Nephi 14:14. See also commentary at 3 Nephi 20:15–21.
Verses 13–21 depict images reminiscent of Old Testament prophets as they envision the last days, and the many sins of a society that will be cut off, and try to describe what they see in terms of their own language.
Could the “horses” and “chariots” be cars and other forms of modern transportation? Could “cities” and “strongholds” be massive buildings, various public high-rise construction projects, and air force, army, and naval bases, along with their sophisticated aircraft, missiles, and other weaponry and armaments?
What could “witchcrafts” and “soothsayers” represent in our day? Do “graven images” and “standing images” represent television sets or computers, with their images or icons, or anything else that we covet that dominates our time, distracting us from the work of the Lord—making them our idols?
And the “works of thy hands” that are worshiped in the last days? Could they be recreational vehicles, or a host of appliances and tools, or numerous handheld gadgets like cellular phones, iPods, videogame players, and so forth?
What about “groves,” the hilltop shrines where the ancients set up altars for worshipping false gods and fertility goddesses? Is there a modern parallel?
Verse 19 lists moral and ethical violations and misbehaviors that plague those modern societies that the Lord will cut off as he comes to establish a new, righteous, peaceful world.
Verse 22 extends the invitation, once again, for the Gentiles to soften their hearts, repent, be obedient, become part of the covenant people, and partake of all the attendant covenant blessings.