This morning, as I studied 2 Nephi 16-20 (Isaiah 6-10), a number of phrases caught my attention. Here they are and why they are meaningful to me: "Here am I; send me" (2 Nephi 16:8). When Isaiah heard that help was needed, he volunteered immediately and enthusiastically. I would like to be that quick to... Continue Reading →
“Thine Anger Is Turned Away” – 2 Nephi 22:1
The following refrain appears five times in the book of Isaiah: For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. It appears in chapter 5, after the prophet pronounces six "woes" or warnings of evil practices which will bring painful consequences (2 Nephi 15:25, Isaiah 5:25). It appears... Continue Reading →
What Is Wisdom?
Near the beginning of the Book of Mormon, the prophet Jacob gives us the following counsel: "O be wise; what can I say more?" (Jacob 6:12). Near the end of the book, the prophet Moroni advises us, "Be wise in the days of your probation" (Mormon 9:28). The words "wisdom" and "wise" appear exactly 100... Continue Reading →
Is It Wrong to Boast?
Near the beginning of the Book of Mormon, Nephi quotes a passage from the Book of Isaiah which warns of the dangers of boasting. Isaiah prophesies that the king of Assyria will claim full credit for his victory over the kingdoms of Israel and Syria and will not acknowledge God's hand. Isaiah illustrates the foolishness... Continue Reading →
What Is “Stoutness of Heart?”
After prophesying that the Savior will one day establish peace and justice on the earth, Isaiah contrasts God's steady leadership with the frantic efforts of people trying to do things on their own: And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart:... Continue Reading →
What Is Haughtiness?
I wrote yesterday that pride means thinking too highly of yourself, exaggerating your capabilities and minimizing your limitations. When pride leads you to treat other people with contempt, it is called haughtiness. The words "haughty" and "haughtiness" appear six times in the Book of Mormon. Five of those occurrences are quotations from Isaiah, and they... Continue Reading →
How Can I Find Peace?
The Hebrew word shalom (שָׁלוֹם) appears 237 times in the Old Testament. It is usually translated as "peace," but it is sometimes rendered "safety," "welfare," "good health," or "prosperity." For example, when the sons of Jacob made their second trip to Egypt seeking relief from a devastating famine, their brother Joseph (whom they didn't recognize) tried to... Continue Reading →
Which of Isaiah’s Writings Are Quoted in the Book of Mormon?
About a third of the book of Isaiah (21 out of 66 chapters) is quoted in the Book of Mormon. Here is a list of those chapters with a brief description of each: Isaiah 2 (2 Nephi 12) - There will be a great division in the last days: Many people will ascend to God's... Continue Reading →
What Is the Historical Context for the Book of Isaiah?
Nephi taught that the words of Isaiah "are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy" (2 Nephi 25:4). But he also acknowledged that he had an advantage over his descendants, because he had lived in Jerusalem and had "beheld the things of the Jews" (2 Nephi 25:5). Unlike the Book... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Anger?
As we've discussed the last couple of days: We feel sadness when something bad happens to us or to someone we love. We feel fear when we think something bad is likely to happen to us or to someone we love. Anger is also triggered by a negative experience. But unlike sadness and fear, anger... Continue Reading →
