Isaiah 59

God Himself redeems Israel. That's Isaiah's message in chapter 59 of his book. He opens by affirming God's ability and willingness to save and listing Israel's sins. Israel confesses, and God, finding no intercessor for them, becomes their Redeemer. As Abinadi later testified, God Himself would come to redeem His people.

Without Money and Without Price

Isaiah taught that God provides His greatest blessings "without money and without price." He urged his people not to waste energy on things of no value but instead to take the actions which will enable them to receive God's salvation: seek Him, call upon His name, return to Him.

Reading Isaiah 53 with Abinadi and Alma

Abinadi and Alma both comment on the Song of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53. Abinadi teaches us that the servant is "God himself." Alma teaches us that His suffering empowered Him to both erase our sins and to succor us in our infirmities.

Isaiah 50-51: One Message of Redemption

I've always read Isaiah 50-51 as a series of short proverbs that are unrelated to one another. But if we read them as a dialogue between God and Israel, with Isaiah cheering Israel on, we see a coherent message: Our Creator can empower us to overcome every obstacle we face.

The Brass Serpent

Book of Mormon prophets derived multiple lessons from the story of the brass serpent. Nephi taught that we shouldn't reject simple solutions. Alma added that we shouldn't be too sure of our doubts. And another prophet named Nephi emphasized that we too can be healed by looking up to Christ.

An Offering for Sin

Lehi and his descendants followed the law of Moses, including offering sacrifices. Book of Mormon prophets used that practice to teach their people about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and to encourage them to live a consecrated life.

The Four Cups

During the Seder service, four cups of wine are blessed and consumed. Each corresponds to a promise God made to Israel: removal of burdens, freedom, redemption, and divine acceptance. The third cup is associated with the sacrament, which we partake of every week to remember the Savior's redeeming sacrifice.

The Sign of Jonah

Jesus highlighted the prophet Jonah as a symbol of His Atonement. Jonah prefigured Christ by offering himself to save his shipmates. Additionally, he learned to accept Christ's individualized mercy during his three days in what he called "the belly of hell."

Into Thy Hands

The Atonement of Jesus Christ is not only the mechanism through which He saves us but also emblematic of the process by which we receive that salvation. As He suffered on our behalf, He quoted from a psalm, reaffirming His commitment to submit fully to the will of His Father.

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