"Scattered Israel, those who for generations have lived without the light of the gospel who have not been fruitful in the faith of their fathers. These are also identified in this passage as 'the children of the desolate.'
"The children of the married wife [are] the members of the Church." (McConkie, Millet, and Top, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 4, p. 155)
Jeffrey R. Holland
"Sometimes by choice and sometimes by circumstance, Israel has been a barren, childless woman who had not borne fruit or lived up to her promises, potential, and covenants. Nevertheless, desolate Israel can—and will—be fruitful, even in the times and places of her scattering and dispersion." (Christ And The New Covenant, p. 289 – 290)