Circle Squared
A Textual Analysis of the Book of Mormon
Chapter 23: "Women and Children First"
Chapter Summary:
The destruction of Babylon is a type of the destruction at the Second Coming--It will be a day of wrath and vengeance--Babylon (the world) will fall forever--Compare Isaiah 13. About 559–545 B.C.
It is important to note that Isaiah is still talking to king Ahaz. Isaiah warned the king of the impending fight with Syria and Ephraim (part of Babylon), and that if Ahaz doesn't adequately believe in god, his army will fail.
After offering Ahaz a sign to bolster his faith, which is declined for fear of tempting god, Isaiah gives a prediction that a "virgin", or young maiden, will give birth to a child which will become a great political leader, uniting the Israelites to peace through victory in battle. At no point has Isaiah made any indication that he has stopped talking to king Ahaz.
This is very important because in this chapter Isaiah describes how the Babylonians will be destroyed. This chapter was written before the Babylonian siege on Jerusalem. We know that the Babylonians were not destroyed--Jerusalem was. So, either Ahaz didn't believe strongly enough to ensure victory or Isaiah got it wrong.
In gory detail, Isaiah describes how the Babylonians will be decimated so completely that no one will ever live in their land again. Babylon, which consisted of parts of the Middle East and Northern Africa, is currently inhabited by hundreds of millions of people. So, there's that.
Mormons sometimes claim that this great annihilation will happen during the apocalypse. First of all, nothing Isaiah has said indicates this is an event that will happen 3000 years in the future. He is still talking to Ahaz and making prophecies to convince Ahaz that god is totally awesome. What good is such a far-distant prophecy to Ahaz?
Second, everything about this reads as a prediction of a battle in the near future. Isaiah is reassuring Ahaz of victory. And not just any victory. A victory which will be complete and utter in its destruction.
According to Isaiah god will help the Jews in battle, using vicious tactics like slaying children--including fetuses--and raping women:
"16 Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled and their wives ravished."
"17 Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver and gold, nor shall they delight in it."
"18 Their bows shall also dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eyes shall not spare children."
This is how god fights in wars. This is brutality comparable to any murderous tyrannical dictator. I wonder how those in Geneva would react to such warcrimes. The fact that god's omnipotence would render useless any verdict we could issue against him does not mean he should get a pass. Might does not make right. Isaiah's god is a thug.
And again, Babylon was not destroyed! Isaiah got it wrong. Not just wrong. Completely backwards. Why, then, would anyone think any his vague messianic prophecies could pass even the slightest amount of muster?
This is precisely why prophets hide behind ambiguity. As soon as they get specific--as soon as they can be tested--they fail. Just ask the James Randi Educational Foundation if anyone has won their "million dollar challenge" by demonstrating any supernatural abilities whatsoever.
What's the matter, god? Don't you think your church (whose estimated net worth is 40 billion dollars) could use the money? Think of all the poor, meek widows and fatherless children who could be helped by a million dollars.
Oh, I forgot. Not only are you ok with women and children suffering excruciating pain and despair, you are omnipotent and could effortlessly fix all their problems without money. So, why don't you?