1 IN the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.

2 And I saw in a vision; [ Daniels vision number 2. The vision here narrows significantly to highlight major events that transpire in Daniel’s immediate future. It reveals the rise of the Medo-Persian Empire followed by the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great. At an important point the vision shifts to focus on “a king of fierce countenance” (Dan. 8:23) ] and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.

3 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.

4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.

5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.

6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.

7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.

8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.

9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, [ Referring to the horns that are on this beast, which is synonymous with the great and terrible kingdom that will rule the world. The Stout Horn aka Wormwood comes out from one of the kingdoms. ] which waxed exceeding great, [ This prophecy speaks of the persecutions brought by Antiochus Epiphanes, previously mentioned. It speaks of the desecration of the temple and his attempts to culturally purge the Jewish religion in favor of his preferred Hellenism. It is not by coincidence that this event is recorded twice in the record of Daniel. This account serves as a pattern for similar trials to transpire in the latter days. There are many lessons the Lord wishes us to learn as we better understand what transpired among the Jews. ] toward the south, [ The king of the south. ] and toward the east, [ Israel. ] and toward the pleasant land. [ America. ]

10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it [ The stout horns hosts. ] cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. [ some of the ships of Chittim are destroyed by the power of the stout horn. This again shows how much power the stout horn has. The good news it is only some. See D&C 133:25-33. ]

11 Yea, he [ The antichrist. ] magnified himself even to the prince of the host, [ Meaning the leadership of the saints. John the revelator is the prince of the host. ] and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away,[ "by him" or he is the one that takes away the daily sacrifice. So this is not done by the brethren which some suppose as closing the temples during covid. I think here that it is done on purpose by the antiChrist while he is in power. Abomination of desolation. Him is Wormwood. The rise of the Medo-Persian Empire followed by the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great. At an important point the vision shifts to focus on “a king of fierce countenance” (Dan. 8:23), who it is said will “destroy” the people of God. This king is Antiochus Epiphanies of the Seleucid dynasty. He does not literally destroy God’s people but brings much trouble and persecution to the Jews as he seeks to destroy their culture and religion. He represents the anti-Christ and the persecutions he brings upon the Jews are a pattern of similar troubles to come upon the Saints in the latter days. ] and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. [ I think this might imply some sort of destruction to temples. Or does the his refer to "his" something that he has or has created? ]

12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it [ The stout horns hosts. ] cast down the truth to the ground; [ He introduced alternate histories, theories and things that will dispel or challenge the truth. ] and it practised, and prospered. [ Those alternative histories where accepted and became the practise for many - as they prospered. 2 Thes 2 "He seeks to change time and laws" turning the world upside down. ]

13 ¶ Then I heard one saint speaking, [ So who is speaking here? A member of the church. ] and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, [ Most likely the sacrament, and our ability as a congregation to meet together and partake of the sacrament and discuss the gospel. So this gives us an idea of the power that the anti-christ will wield. ] and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?

14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; [ 2,300 days or The anti Christ will be in power for 6 yrs and 4 months? So during that period of time the following take place: The removal of the daily sacrifice, the persecution of the saints and the abomination of desolation. This is the time frame in which all of the anti-Christs reign needs to fit in. With that knowledge let's go to Daniel 12: ] then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

15 ¶ And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.

16 And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

17 so he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.

18 Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.

19 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. [ The word is "The Moedim" means the time appointed, it also means "Gods appointments with the earth" appointed time, place, meeting, a set point of time. ]

20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.

21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.

22 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.

23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, [ This king is Antiochus Epiphanies of the Seleucid dynasty. He does not literally destroy God’s people but brings much trouble and persecution to the Jews as he seeks to destroy their culture and religion. He represents the anti-Christ and the persecutions he brings upon the Jews are a pattern of similar troubles to come upon the Saints in the latter days (Dan. 12:11). ] and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.

24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it ^ashall be for many days.

27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.