Lesson Highlights

• Nephi testifies of Isaiah's writings and gives keys for understanding them.
• Isaiah sees the latter-day temple and the gathering of Israel.
• Isaiah prophesies that the Lord will raise an ensign and gather Israel.
• Isaiah and Nephi testify of Jesus Christ's redeeming power.

Scripture references for study:  2 Nephi 11–25
    Note: Underlined scripture references have been hyperlinked to the LDS Scriptures at LDS.org and will open in a new window.

Lesson 9 Handout (PDF format)

Introduction To The Isaiah Chapters

1. Jacob's important sermon is contained in 2 Nephi 6-10. In 2 Nephi 11 we return to Nephi's commentary.
2. Nephi introduces additional writings from Isaiah.
• READ 2 Nephi 11:2-5, 8. Nephi to write more of Isaiah's words.
• Consider Nephi's thoughts on Isaiah:
• Nephi's "soul delighteth" in the words of Isaiah (v2).
• Isaiah saw the Redeemer, even as Nephi and Jacob had seen the Redeemer (v2-3).
• His "soul delighteth in proving" to his people the truth of the coming of Christ (v4).
• His "soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord" (v5).
• Nephi wrote the words of Isaiah "that whoso of my people shall see these words may lift up their hearts and rejoice for all men" (v8).
• His words may be likened to all men (v8).
• HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT ISAIAH?  HAVE YOU LEARNED TO DELIGHT IN HIS WORDS?
3. HOW IMPORTANT ARE THE WRITINGS OF ISAIAH?
• We do know that Nephi thought they were important enough to include a large segment of Isaiah's writings as part of his own record. Since we know that the Book of Mormon was written and prepared for us in the Last Days, certainly Nephi and Mormon realized that we would have access to Isaiah's writings through the Jewish record. It would seem that these prophets were inspired to include a segment of Isaiah as additional emphasis on the importance of his words. Would we give Isaiah the same consideration if his writings had not been given extensive coverage in the Book of Mormon?
• Isaiah's writings are quoted extensively in other scripture.
• Book of Mormon:  Quotes 433 verses of Isaiah's 1,292 verses.
• About 32% of the book of Isaiah.
• Another 3% was paraphrased.
• New Testament:  Quoted at least 57 times.
• Doctrine & Covenants:  About 100 references by quoting, paraphrasing, or interpreting Isaiah's teachings.
• Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "It just may be that my salvation (and yours also!) does in fact depend upon our ability to understand the writings of Isaiah as fully and truly as Nephi understood them." (Ensign, Oct. 1973, p78)
4. The so-called "Isaiah problem" of the Book of Mormon.
• The problem:
• 433 Isaiah verses quoted in the Book of Mormon.
• 199 are word-for-word, the same as the corresponding verses in the King James Version of the Old Testament.
• The Question: How do Latter-day Saints account for the striking similarity in nearly half of the verses and the differences in the remainder of the verses?
• Brother Daniel H. Ludlow:  "There appears to be only one  answer to explain the word-for-word similarities between the verses of Isaiah in the Bible and the same verses in the Book of Mormon. When Joseph Smith translated the Isaiah references from the small plates of Nephi, he evidently opened his King James Version of the Bible and compared the impression he had received in translating with the words of the King James scholars. If his translation was essentially the same as that of the King James Version, he apparently quoted the verse from the Bible; then his scribe, Oliver Cowdery, copied it down. However, if Joseph Smith's translation did not agree precisely with that of the King James scholars, he would dictate his own translation to the scribe. This procedure in translation would account for both the 234 verses of Isaiah that were changed or modified by the Prophet Joseph and the 199 verses that were translated word-for-word the same. Although some critics might question this procedure of translation, scholars today frequently use this same procedure in translating the biblical manuscripts among the Dead Sea Scrolls." (A Companion To Your Study of the Book of Mormon, pp141-142)
5. Nephi's Keys To Understanding Isaiah.
• "I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning" (1 Nephi 19:23).
• "Many of Isaiah's prophecies deal with events in the latter days. As we watch these prophecies unfold and as we participate in their fulfillment, we can better understand Isaiah's teachings and apply them in our lives. For example, 2 Nephi 15 contains Isaiah's prophecy that the Lord will 'lift up an ensign to the nations' to gather Israel (2 Nephi 15:26). This prophecy can help us better understand the importance of sharing the restored gospel--the ensign, or standard, to guide all nations to the Lord." (Teacher's Manual, p38)
• "For behold, Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews" (2 Nephi 25:1).
• If it was hard for Nephi's people to understand the "manner of prophesying" among the Jews, then it stands to reason that this will also be a stumbling block in our understanding.
• A good Bible commentary is a useful tool in assisting us in better understanding the ancient Jews.
• We need to understand some of key elements of ancient Jewish prophecy:
• The Law of Moses: One needs to understand the law. The Jews were so familiar with the Law that a particular word or phrase would bring immediate understanding and no further explanation was necessary. Examples from our modern LDS culture: Word of Wisdom, Cumorah, "lengthen your stride".
• Imagery and figurative language: Isaiah made constant use of metaphors, similes, analogies, parables, and types and shadows that were familiar to the Hebrew people.
• Dualism and esoteric terms: Isaiah's writings often have more than one meaning or fulfillment.
• "Wherefore, I write unto my people, unto all those that shall receive hereafter these things which I write, that they may know the judgments of God, that they come upon all nations, according to the word which he hath spoken" (2 Nephi 25:3).
• We can get a better understanding of Isaiah as we learn of the judgments of God. The Lord is consistent in his dealings with his children in all ages of the world.
• "Isaiah foresaw how the kingdoms of Israel and Judah would suffer because of their wickedness, but he also prophesied that their blessings would be restored when they repented and followed Jesus Christ. From Isaiah's accounts of what happened to Israel and Judah, and from his prophecies of the future restoration of the house of Israel, we can better understand how God works in our lives and how He blesses nations according to their righteousness." (Teacher's Manual, pp38-39)
• "But behold, I, Nephi, have not taught my children after the manner of the Jews; but behold, I, of myself, have dwelt at Jerusalem, wherefore I know concerning the regions round about" (2 Nephi 25:6).
• Isaiah made frequent geographical references to the lands in which he lived.
• Isaiah also used geography figuratively. Example: Babylon was a symbol of wickedness.
• "Wherefore, hearken, O my people, which are of the house of Israel, and give ear unto my words; for because the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy" (2 Nephi 25:4).
• WHAT IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY?
• "...for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Revelation 19:10).
• HOW DO WE OBTAIN THAT TESTIMONY?
6. Additional Isaiah Helps:
• Understand the historical setting of Isaiah's writings.
• It is important to understand the history of the Hebrew people up to this time.
• Isaiah prophesied about four distinct periods of time. Knowing which historical period Isaiah was writing about aids in understanding. Unfortunately, Isaiah did not write chronologically.
• The Four Prophetic Periods Of Isaiah:
• I.  Events before and during the fall of Israel to Assyria (800-700 BC).
• II.  Events before and during the fall of Judah, the Babylonian captivity, and the Jewish return to Palestine (primarily 635-535 BC).
• III.  Events related to the ministry of Christ (in the Meridian of time).
• IV.  Events during the Last Days (beginning with the restoration of the Gospel).

The Isaiah Chapters In the Book of Mormon
Periods of Prophetic Fulfillment

	I	II	III	IV
1 Nephi 20		X
1 Nephi 21				X
2 Nephi 7			X
2 Nephi 8				X
2 Nephi 12				X
2 Nephi 13		X
2 Nephi 14				X
2 Nephi 15		X
2 Nephi 16	X
2 Nephi 17	X
2 Nephi 18	X
2 Nephi 19	X
2 Nephi 20		X
2 Nephi 21				X
2 Nephi 22				X
2 Nephi 23		X
2 Nephi 24		X
3 Nephi 22				X

 

7. Who was Isaiah?
• Isaiah:
• The name Isaiah means "Jehovah has saved."
• A tradition in the Talmud says that Isaiah was martyred by being tied to two planks and then being sawed asunder with a wooden saw.
• "Isaiah is a statesman and a member of Jerusalem's ruling class. He is well acquainted with the society and political intrigues of the capital city of Jerusalem and shows much interest in the political events of his time. He is a capable author and speaker. His writing reflects his culture and refinement." (Duane S. Crowther, Prophets & Prophecies of the Old Testament, p299)
• His mission:
• 740-697 B.C.
• His mission spanned the captivity of Israel by Assyria in 721 B.C.
• Prophesied to both Israel and Judah.
• Contemporary Prophets: Hosea and Micah.
• National Conditions - Israel and Judah (remember: this record was preserved by Mormon and Moroni for our time).
• Political decay was evident.
• Power had become concentrated in Jerusalem.
• Corrupt judges aided their friends in robbing the poor.
• Greater social and moral decay than at previous times was found in Judah and Israel.
• High and unequal taxation.
• Pagan worship.

The Isaiah Chapters

Period I - The Fall of Israel to Assyria

• 2 Nephi 16.
• The Beginning of Isaiah's Ministry.
• Compare to Isaiah 6.
• Isaiah's vision of the Lord in Heaven (v1-4). 
• Isaiah's calling (v8-12).
• 2 Nephi 17.
• The Syro-Ephraimite War (734 B.C.)
• Compare to Isaiah 7.
• The message: To Ahaz (king of Judah) - Do not fear Israel and Syria.
• Don't be afraid of Israel and Syria (v3-7).
• Within 65 years Ephraim (Israel) shall be broken so it will no longer be a nation (v8).
• READ 2 NEPHI 17:14. King Ahaz asked for a sign. The birth of the Lord foretold.
• 2 Nephi 18.
• Compare to Isaiah 8.
• To Ahaz: Instead of forming foreign alliances, trust the Lord (see v12-13).
• George Washington: "Honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none, I deem [one of the] essential principles of our government and, consequently, [one] which ought to shape its administration." (Washington's First Inaugural Address)
• Consider this modern counsel from Elder Sylvester Q. Cannon (Apostle):  "These are a few of the significant promises that have been made with regard to this Western hemisphere and the people who shall dwell upon the same. Promises have been made that if they will do the will of the Lord, if they shall serve him, they shall receive many blessings; and if, on the other hand, they fail to observe these laws, principles, and commandments, they shall fail of the blessings. Inasmuch as we are told the Lord will fortify this land against all other nations, is it not true conversely, that the Lord will not have us, the peoples of these lands, make any entangling alliances with those who dwell upon the other hemisphere? It is our responsibility to be true to these principles and the order of these lands upon which we dwell; and with all due respect to the other lands, that we shall not enter in any agreements or connections with them that will in any way interfere with our continuing to follow the laws and instructions of the Lord regarding this promised land." (CR, Oct 1939)
• 2 Nephi 19.
• Compare to Isaiah 9.
• To Ahaz: Israel's imminent sorrow contrasted with its joy at the birth of Christ.
• The suffering of the Zebulun and Naphtali areas of Israel will someday be alleviated by a visit of Christ to that area (v1-2).
• The birth of Christ will serve to increase the joy and reduce the burden of the people (v3-7).
  • "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (2 Nephi 19:6)

Period II - The Fall of Judah, The Babylonian Captivity, and the Return from Exile

1. 2 Nephi 13.
• Compare to Isaiah 3.
• READ 2 NEPHI 13:8-9. Judah will fall because of the sins of the people.
• Isaiah saw the destruction that would come upon Judah because of their sins.
• "The show of their countenance doth witness against them, and doth declare their sin to be even as Sodom, and they cannot hide it" (v9).
• Their very appearance was a testimony of their wickedness.
• IS THERE A WARNING IN THESE VERSES FOR US?
• The Lord will not tolerate wickedness among his people.
• Isaiah sees in vision “the daughters of Zion” and that they are "haughty" and act and dress in a proud fashion (see v16-24).
• This may be dualistic prophecy:
• It is clear that within the context of this chapter these verses refer to the women at the time of the fall of Jerusalem.
• However, President Joseph Fielding Smith made reference to these verses when he said, "Isaiah, one of the great prophets of early times, saw our day, and he described the conditions that would prevail among the ‘daughters of zion’ in these latter days." (Answers To Gospel Questions, 5:172)
2. 2 Nephi 15.
• Highlights: The Parable of the Vineyard - God's judgment upon Judah.
• Compare to Isaiah 5.
• Isaiah's prophecies move from the second prophetic period to the Last Days.
• "And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth; and behold, they shall come with speed swiftly; none shall be weary nor stumble among them."
(2 Nephi 15:26)
• WHAT IS ISAIAH TEACHING?
• The gospel "hissing" or going forth of the gospel to the ends of the earth. The gathering of Israel in the last days.
• Elder Bruce R. McConkie:  "When Isaiah promised that the Lord would 'set up an ensign for the nations' and gather the dispersed of Israel, the ensign, the standard, the divine flag around which all men should rally was to be the holy gospel." (The Millennial Messiah, p106)

Period IV - The Last Days

1. 2 Nephi 12.
• Highlights: The temple in Zion and Jerusalem, and Christ's Coming in glory.
• Compare to Isaiah 2.
• READ 2 NEPHI 12:1-3. Lord's house to be established in the tops of the mountains.
• HOW DO YOU INTERPRET THIS PROPHECY?
• Elder LeGrand Richards:  "You just take this temple standing here on this block. Isaiah and Micah were both permitted to look down through the stream of time (3,000 years) to the latter days, and they named the latter days when the mountain of the Lord's house would be established in the top of the mountains and all nations would flow unto it; and they would say, 'Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths. ...' (See Isa. 2:2-3.) As far as I know there is no building in the history of this world that has gathered people from all nations like this temple, and many of you who are here today are no doubt descendants of some of those who have been gathered to this land." (Conference Report, Oct 1970)
• President Harold B. Lee: "With the coming of the pioneers to establish the Church in the tops of the mountains, our early leaders declared this to be the beginning of the fulfillment of that prophecy. Orson Pratt, one of the members of the Twelve, delivered an oration on that occasion, in which he declared that this was the beginning of the fulfillment of the prophecy that out of Zion should go forth the law and the word of the Lord out of Jerusalem."  (Ensign, Nov 1971, p15)
• Elder Mark E. Peterson indicated that the General Conferences of the Church fulfill the prophecy that "out of Zion should go forth the law" (Why the Religious Life, pp200-201).
• With modern systems of communication (television, radio, satellite, internet, publications), the law is truly going forth to the world "out of Zion."
• Isaiah's prophecy clearly designates two headquarters for the righteous children of Israel in the latter days.
• ZION:
• The restoration of the Church in 1830 commenced the fulfillment.
• The building of the temple was another step in its fulfillment.
• Ultimately, the House of the Lord will be established in Jackson County as the center of Zion and from here "shall go forth the law."
• JERUSALEM:
• 1841 - Orson Hyde dedicates the Holy Land for the return of the Jews.
• 1896 - Zionist Federation established to motivate the return of the Jews to Palestine.
• Eventually the temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem and the "word of the Lord" will go forth from here.
• Most of the remainder of this chapter deals with the judgments of the Lord at the time of his second coming.
2. 2 Nephi 14.
• Compare to Isaiah 4.
• "And in that day, seven women shall take hold of one man, saying: We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel; only let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach."
(v1)
• Many consider this verse to be a reference to plural marriage in the restored church.
• Closer examination would indicate that such is not the case.
• This verse appears in the JST - Isaiah 3, and would seem to fit in with that prophecy. It seems to be talking of the world and not the church.
• Here we find evidence of the challenge we find in as we try to interpret Isaiah's writings.
• Isaiah seems to be writing about these women taking the man for the purpose of bearing children, but remaining independent of the man.
• D&C 132:61 seems to indicate that under the law of the priesthood, in plural marriage, it is the man who initiates the marriage.
• D&C 132:61: "And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood--if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent..."
• During the time of latter-day plural marriage, the man was responsible for caring for the wife. Several brethren married additional wives for that purpose only.
• READ 2 NEPHI 14:5-6. Zion to be a place of refuge.
• WHAT DOES ISAIAH SEE IN THESE VERSES?
• READ D&C 45:63-71. The righteous to come to Zion as a place of refuge.
• See D&C 84:2-5. The glory of the Lord to rest upon His house.
3. 2 Nephi 21.
• Compare to Isaiah 11.
• This chapter was quoted to Joseph Smith by Moroni.
• READ 2 NEPHI 21:1-5. The rod and stem of Jesse.
• READ D&C 113:1-4. Partial interpretation.
• WHO IS THE STEM OF JESSE?
• Jesus Christ.
• WHO IS THE ROD TO COME OF THE STEM OF JESSE?
• Joseph Smith.
• Verses 2 through 5 seem to have reference to both Christ and Joseph Smith.
• READ 2 NEPHI 21:10-12. An ensign to the nations and the gathering of Israel.
• Orson Pratt identifies the "outcasts of Israel" as the ten tribes (JD, 14:66).
• The "ensign" in verse 12 appears to be identified as the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi 29:2.
• Reference is often made to the "ensign" as the modern church.
4. 2 Nephi 22.
• Compare to Isaiah 12.
• A song of praise will be sung to Jehovah in the day of Israel's restoration.

2 Nephi 25

1. "But behold, I proceed with mine own prophecy, according to my plainness; in the which I know that no man can err; nevertheless, in the days that the prophecies of Isaiah shall be fulfilled men shall know of a surety, at the times when they shall come to pass.
Wherefore, they are of worth unto the children of men, and he that supposeth that they are not, unto them will I speak particularly, and confine the words unto mine own people; for I know that they shall be of great worth unto them in the last days; for in that day shall they understand them; wherefore, for their good have I written them." (2 Nephi 25:7-8)
• WHAT IMPORTANT INFORMATION IS NEPHI TELLING US?
• Nephi is about to proceed with his own prophecy. The information which he is about to reveal is not cloaked in peculiar language, but is unmistakingly clear. He says that that "no man can err."
• He also tells us that that we will come to more fully understand the prophecies of Isaiah as they are fulfilled.
• He says these prophecies are of great worth, particularly those who live in the last days.
• WHY ARE THESE PROPHECIES OF GREAT WORTH TO US?
2. Nephi's prophecy:
• The destruction and captivity of the Jews after the departure of Lehi and his family from Jerusalem (v10).
• The Jews to be gathered to their lands again after the Babylonian captivity (v11).
• The coming of the Messiah among the Jews, his crucifixion, and resurrection (v12-13).
• After the coming of the Lord, Jerusalem to be destroyed and the Jews to be scattered among the nations (v14-15).
• In the latter days the Jews will come to believe in Jesus Christ and be returned to their lands (v16-17).
• The Lord will do a marvelous work and wonder among the children of men, which will convince the Jews and men of the true Messiah and his work (v17-18).
3. Concluding verses:
• READ 2 NEPHI 25:23. It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.
• DO WE LABOR DILIGENTLY TO PERSUADE OUR CHILDREN AND BRETHREN TO BELIEVE IN CHRIST? IS THIS OUR PRIMARY FOCUS OR SOME OTHER?
• It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.
• This is a key point of disagreement with much of Christianity (works).
• We invoke the atonement in our lives after repentance, baptism, and a life of doing all we can do to serve the Lord.
• As members of the Church, we are often accused of not believing in Christ. Consider Nephi's response:
  • READ 2 NEPHI 25:26, 28-29. The right way is to believe in Christ.
  • Nephi testifies that we now have no excuse for not following Christ.
  • He has spoken plainly, so that we "cannot misunderstand."
  • Are any of us unclear about what Nephi is telling us? I think not. His message rings clear across centuries of time.

Gospel Doctrine Notebook

1. How did you feel about the prophecies of Isaiah prior to this lesson? How did this lesson change and enlarge your understanding of Isaiah? How can you make Isaiah's teachings of "worth" in your life?

Resources Used In This Lesson

• A Companion To Your Study of the Book of Mormon by Daniel H. Ludlow.
• Answers To Gospel Questions, Volume 5, by Joseph Fielding Smith.
• Conference Reports (CR).
• Ensign.
• Great Are The Words of Isaiah by Monte S. Nyman.
• Journal of Discourses (JD).
• Prophets and Prophecies of the Old Testament by Duane S. Crowther.
• The Millennial Messiah by Bruce R. McConkie.

Next Lesson

Lesson 10:  2 Nephi 26–30