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Scripture

It Meaneth Us

Nephi taught his brothers two things: how to place themselves inside the scriptural narrative and how to lengthen their perspective by identifying with their posterity. When he interpreted Isaiah 48 and 49 for them, he said, “It meaneth us in the days to come,” indicating that their descendants would receive the promised blessings.

General Conference

Hear Ye The Words of the Prophet

Nephi urged his brothers to listen carefully to the words of Isaiah. He emphasized that those words applied to them personally. Both of the chapters he quoted at that time, Isaiah 48 and 49, open with an invitation to listen. As we hear and follow the words of prophets, we experience peace.

Faith

They That Wait Upon the Lord

Isaiah promised that people who wait upon the Lord will be blessed with power and with vindication. Book of Mormon prophet Jacob added that the people of God wait for a specific event, the coming of the Messiah, and Alma showed that they wait with joyful expectation coupled with patience.

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COME, FOLLOW ME

  • He Hath Borne Our Griefs, and Carried Our Sorrows

    “The Mocking of Christ” (detail) by Carl Heinrich Bloch

    Six of the chapters we will study this week, Isaiah 50-55, play a significant role throughout the Book of Mormon:

    • Jacob quotes chapters 50, 51, and the first two verses of 52 in his sermon about the gathering of Israel (2 Nephi 7, 8). He also paraphrases Isaiah 55:1-2 during that same sermon (2 Nephi 9:50-51).
    • The priests of King Noah challenge Abinadi to explain Isaiah 52:7-10, and during Abinadi’s detailed response, he quotes all of chapter 53 (Mosiah 12:21-24; 14; 15).
    • Jesus quotes and explains most of Isaiah 52 during His ministry among Lehi’s descendants and then quotes all of chapter 54 (3 Nephi 16:18-20; 20; 21; 22).
    • In the final verses of the Book of Mormon, Moroni again quotes Isaiah, merging phrases from Isaiah 52:1-2 and 54:2, placing both admonitions within the context of God’s covenants, just as Isaiah does in 54:10 (Moroni 10:31).

    And there are many smaller allusions to the content of these chapters, including Lehi admonishing his sons to “awake” and “shake off the chains” which bind them (2 Nephi 1:13, 23; see Isaiah 52:1-2), Alma warning the people of Zarahemla to separate themselves from the wicked and “touch not their unclean things” (Alma 5:57; see Isaiah 52:11), and Mormon praising the sons of Mosiah, “for they did publish peace; they did publish good tidings of good; and they did declare unto the people that the Lord reigneth” (Mosiah 27:37; see Isaiah 52:7).

    By the time Moroni shares that final quote merging Isaiah 52 and 54, the reader has heard these chapters referenced numerous times. He seems to be telling the reader that these chapters contain the heart of the Book of Mormon message: Your chains have been removed by Christ. You are now empowered to arise, shake off the dust, and flourish. Accept the gift. Let God fulfill His covenant.

    This week, as we study Isaiah 50-57, let’s find that message in Isaiah’s words. Let’s seek to better understand the Savior’s atoning sacrifice and how we can joyfully receive the gift.

FEATURED POSTS

  • A Hundredth Part: Mormon’s Editorial Decisions

    A Hundredth Part: Mormon’s Editorial Decisions

    Book of Mormon authors made it clear how much they were leaving out as they wrote this “abridgment” of their history. Here’s a diagram showing how many words are dedicated to each of the 103 decades in the book.

  • Jesus Christ’s Sermon at the Temple in Bountiful – 3 Nephi 12-16, 20-22

    Jesus Christ’s Sermon at the Temple in Bountiful – 3 Nephi 12-16, 20-22

    Following His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ visited a group of people in the Americas. He taught them principles to help them deepen their discipleship, and He expanded their perspective by teaching them about God’s global, multigenerational work.

  • Names and Titles of Jesus Christ

    Names and Titles of Jesus Christ

    In March, 2019, I studied 20 different names or titles of Jesus Christ which appear in the Book of Mormon. I was particularly interested in the way each name was used, both in the Book of Mormon and in the Bible.