Isaiah not only gave Lehi's descendants an understanding of God's redemption of His chosen people; he also provided a template for individual salvation. Isaiah's description of being called as a prophet in the throne room of God parallels the conversion experiences of Enos and Alma.
The Fear of the Lord Had Come Upon Them
Fear isn't always a bad thing. King Benjamin taught his people to always remember God's greatness and their nothingness. Enos worked to keep his people "in the fear of the Lord." When coupled with trust, that fear transforms from despair into confidence, because God responds with mercy and grace.
He Shall Direct Thy Paths
The wisdom literature of the Old Testament, specifically the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, focuses on several topics that are also prominent in the Book of Mormon, including disciplining speech and emotions, the corrupting influence of wealth, the dangers of pride, and the importance of family.
Psalm Themes in the Book of Mormon
After three weeks summarizing 150 psalms and finding 67 Book of Mormon connections, I discuss four overarching psalmic themes which also appear in the Book of Mormon: tender mercies, the hazards of pit-digging, the sorrows of death and pains of hell, and the importance of approaching God with broken hearts and contrite spirits.
How Did Book of Mormon Authors Use Psalms 1-50?
Book of Mormon authors followed the "performances and ordinances" of the law of Moses, but the psalms gave them a language for spiritual life. They used psalmic language to describe their internal spiritual experiences, to preach sermons, to explain events in their narratives, and to express gratitude and joy.
Psalms 41-50
41. Consider the Poor 42 & 43. Why Art Thou Cast Down? 44. Why Sleepest Thou? 45. Thy Throne, O God 46. Be Still 47. O Clap Your Hands 48. The City of Our God 49. The Power of the Grave 50. If I Were Hungry
Psalms 31-40
31. Into Thine Hand I Commit My Spirit 32. I Acknowledged My Sin 33. He Fashioneth Their Hearts 34. Taste and See 35. Plead My Cause 36. The Fountain of Life 37. Fret Not Thyself 38. A Loathsome Disease 39. To Know Mine End 40. A New Song
Esther and Alma: Individual vs. Collective Deliverance
Both Esther and Alma made decisions that affected large numbers of people. But both of them received warnings which deemphasized the impact of their decisions on the group and focused instead on the danger to them personally. Our decisions may not ultimately change outcomes ordained by God, but they will change us.
The Musician King
King David expressed his love for God through music. Book of Mormon prophets also emphasized worship through music. Alma associated conversion with "[singing] redeeming love." Singing requires us to overcome our self-consciousness and prioritize our love for God over our concern for what others maythink.
Bitter
Disciples of Christ absorb bitterness. Imagine the impact as people experience suffering without passing it along and without letting it define them! Like the maror in the Seder service preceding the Paschal lamb, our suffering can turn our hearts to Christ, who can replace the bitterness with exquisite joy.