After quoting a sermon by his brother, Nephi introduces a lengthy insertion from the book of Isaiah by explaining why he loves Isaiah so much. “He verily saw my Redeemer,” Nephi testifies (2 Nephi 11:2). And he taught about two important and joy-filled doctrines: the coming of Christ and the covenants of the Lord.
Chapter Outline
- Jacob, Isaiah, and Nephi are three witnesses of Jesus Christ (v. 1-3).
- Nephi’s soul delights in proving that salvation comes through Christ and that God has promised to deliver us (v. 4-8).
My Takeaways
- We can avoid being deceived by looking for multiple witnesses.
- The words of Isaiah can point us toward Christ and bring us joy.
Featured Blog Posts
❖ Full Chapter
About Isaiah and Plainness
Nephi was extremely careful about the content he included in his record. A large amount of that content comes from the book of Isaiah. Isaiah’s writings are difficult but with some effort can be extremely rewarding. Here are some ideas to help.
How Can the Words of Isaiah Bring Us Joy?
Nephi explained why he quoted so much from Isaiah: “My soul delighteth in his words.” He introduced thirteen consecutive chapters of Isaiah by saying that he hoped the words would make us “lift up [our] hearts and rejoice for all men” (2 Nephi 11:2, 8). Immediately after, we begin to read, and we find phrases like…
How Does Isaiah Point Us Toward Christ?
Nephi tells us that he read to his brothers from the books of Moses, “but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah” (1 Nephi 19:23). Just before quoting thirteen chapters in a row by Isaiah,…
❖ Witnesses
He Proveth All His Words – 2 Nephi 11:2-3
2 And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him. 3 And my brother, Jacob,…
Old Testament Foundations
“In the Mouth of Three Witnesses” – Ether 5:4
One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. Deuteronomy 19:15 (See also Deuteronomy 17:6.) One of the features of this mortal life is…
Church History Connections
Who Were the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon?
While Joseph Smith was translating the Book of Mormon, he was not allowed to show anyone else the metal plates containing the original record (Joseph Smith–History 1:42). His scribes sat near him, recording the words he spoke, but Joseph kept the plates hidden from their view. But near the end of the translation process, in…
“Lift Up Your Heart”
Jeremiah encouraged his people to “lift up our heart” during difficult times and to remember the promises they had received from God. Jacob and Nephi echoed this invitation to their people, and the Lord has reiterated it in modern revelation. We can find joy not only in blessings received but also in promised blessings.
All Posts Referencing 2 Nephi 11
- Contents of the Brass Plates (1/3/2026)
- Likening Doctrine and Covenants 111: A Case Study (10/8/2025)
- “Lift Up Your Heart” (4/6/2025)
- Devoted to Study (3/21/2025)
- What Do You Delight In? (11/3/2024)
- The Plan of Salvation (4/18/2024)
- Mercy (3/26/2024)
- About Isaiah and Plainness (2/4/2024)
- O Be Joyful (8/26/2022)
- “In the Mouth of Three Witnesses” – Ether 5:4 (11/14/2020)
- Just and Merciful (7/31/2020)
- Justice and Mercy (4/4/2020)
- How Can the Words of Isaiah Bring Us Joy? (2/19/2020)
- What Do We Need to Do to Be Saved by Grace? (8/30/2019)
- What Is the Plan of Redemption? (6/16/2019)
- How Does Isaiah Point Us Toward Christ? (6/1/2019)
- Who Were the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon? (5/24/2019)
- What Does It Mean for Jesus to Be Our “Redeemer?” (3/10/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Grace? (1/28/2019)
- Why Does the Book of Mormon Quote from the Bible? (1/20/2019)
- He Proveth All His Words – 2 Nephi 11:2-3 (10/2/2018)
- 2 Nephi 11:7 He Cometh in the Fulness of His Own Time (2/20/2015)