Book of Mormon - Week 18

Thought: - Without reservation, I promise you that if you will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, regardless of how many times you have previously read it, there will come into your heart an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord. There will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his commandments, and there will  come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God. (GBHinckley, Faith, the Essence of True Religion. 64)

Gary's Green Verses

Date	Chapter	Verse	Comments
May 17	Alma 43	45-46	What are the causes that inspire me?
May 18	Alma 44	4	What is the true faith of God? Trust?
May 19	Alma 45	1	Do I fast and pray when I am grateful & worship with joy?
May 20	Alma 46	12	Title of Liberty today? Proclamation on the Family, Living Christ, Athletes who won't play on Sunday or go on missions.
May 21	Alma 47	18	Satan administers his poison by degrees.
May 22	Alma 48	17	What if all men were like me?
May 23	Alma 49	30	The blessings of giving heed & diligence to our leaders include peace & prosperity.
May 24	Alma 50	22	Are we really delivered at ALL times if we are faithful?

Four main purposes for quoting Isaiah in the Book of Mormon: 1)Repentance and the judgments of God. 2) God's covenants & promises to Israel. 3) Messianic prophecies and 4) events relating to the latter days.

2 NEPHI 18 (ISAIAH 8)

In chapter 17, Isaiah spoke to King Ahaz and warned him against making alliances with anyone other than God. He now turns to the people and invites them to put their trust in the Lord rather than earthly kingdoms. He prophecies of upcoming judgments upon Syria, Israel, Assyria and also Judah. In the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon, these two chapters were one.

Vs. 1 - The name Mahesr-shalal-hash-baz is the longest word in the Bible and means, “to speed to the spoil, he hasteneth the prey.” It is making reference to the destruction by Assyria of Syria and Israel and to the speed with which that destruction will be carried out.  A man’s pen is referring to the engraving tool of a man, a common writing instrument.                                                                                                       Vs. 2 - Isaiah follows the Dt. 17:6; 19:15 injunction to have 2 or 3 witnesses for what he is to pronounce to the people. It is written down as a witness that the prophecy of the previous chapter (2 Nephi 17:14) is being fulfilled and that he has done as commanded.                                                                                      Vs. 3 - In fulfillment of 17:14. Parry says that he may have also been called Immanuel. At any rate he is a type of the Savior, not the Savior.                                                                                                                              Vs. 4 - The prophecy was fulfilled in 734-732 BC when Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, captured the Galilee region, the Jezreel Valley, and the Transjordan, and plundered their riches.                                         Vs. 5-10 represent the unwillingness of the people of Judah to accept the Savior.                                                  Vs. 5, 6 - The waters of Shiloah (Israel’s only perennial spring)  are a soft, slow rolling water located near the temple mount of Jerusalem and represent the Savior. (The word shiloh means, “He who’s right it is and shiloah may mean “sent”, see John 9:7) Rezin was king of Syria and Pekah, the son of Remaliah, was king of Israel. It appears that Isaiah had no great love for Pekah, choosing not to even use his name.             Vs. 7 - the Lord here compares the destructive might of the Euphrates with that of the Assyrian rulers.                                                                                                                                                                            Vs. 8 - Isaiah portrays the completeness of Assyria’s destruction, but reminds the people that they are his people for Immanuel, “God is with us.”                                                                                                             Vs. 9,10 - A warning to invading nations that whatever alliances they make, they will be punished for their war against God’s people.                                                                                                                               Vs. 11-15 are verses admonishing Isaiah and those others (2nd person plural used) to not be obsessed with the war, but to look to the Savior. Important verses for our day!                                                            Vs. 11 - Isaiah is told that he is not to be like the rest of his people in their sins.                                             Vs. 12 - Isaiah is told not to worry about the confederacy of Israel and Syria, like he told Ahaz not to in the previous chapter. Remember they were trying to replace Ahaz with a puppet ruler.                                 Vs. 13 - Many of us fear the terrorists when we should fear the Lord.                                                               Vs. 14 - Jesus is often referred to as a sanctuary or temple (see Ezek. 11:26; John 2:18-20; Rev. 21:22) also a stone or rock or a gin, snare or trap. The message is, “Whatever you need and deserve, he will provide and be.                                                                                                                                                           Vs. 15 - a prophecy of the results of vs. 14.                                                                                                           Vs. 16 - has reference in my life to a testimony that is sure and a determination to keep the law.                Vs. 17 - I will wait for the Lord to answer my prayers in his time even when he seems to be hiding from me, I will maintain my hope in Christ.                                                                                                                     Vs. 18 - Isaiah’s family and our families should be as signs for the Lord. Isaiah’s name means “Jehovah saves”, Shear-jashub means “a remnant shall return” and Maher-shalal-hash-baz was a reminder of the swift destruction and plundering of the Assyrians. What does your name mean to people with whom you come in contact?                                                                                                                                                   Vs. 19 - We look for all the right answers in all the wrong places. Peep=whisper or chirp like a bird. According to J.R. Dummelow it refers to the thin and feeble voices of ghosts from Sheol (Hell). Peep and Mutter refer to methods of people who use spirits and wizards to communicate with spirits.                     Vs. 20 - an admonition to look to the law (torah) and to the testimony (words of the prophets) and in other sources there is no light.                                                                                                                                 Vs. 21 - When Israel and Judah find themselves in their deplorable condition, they will blame their leaders and their God.                                                                                                                                               Vs. 22 - When lost, Israel looks for help in all the wrong places. This may represent a time when no light is to be found on earth (apostasy) or to a time when people are not looking for it.

2 Nephi 19 (Isaiah 9)

Vs. 1-2 - These two verses are hard to understand, but we get help from Matthew 4:13-16. It becomes clear that Jesus comes and provides light in a land that had experienced much darkness. Jesus not only provides the light, he is indeed the Light. The end of verse two may refer to the light given to those in Spirit Prison.                                                                                                                                                                 
Vs. 3 - Multiplying the nation has apparent reference to Covenant of Abraham and his innumerable posterity. Isaiah compares the joy of the harvest to the joy of the mission of the Savior.                               
Vs. 4-5 - These verses refer principally to the millennial reign of the Savior and his ending the war and strife.                                                                                                                                                                              Vs. 6 - It may be that this verse refers also to King Hezekiah as a type of the Savior. The Hebrew requires that Wonderful Counselor be read together. Christ is the everlasting father in at least four ways; 1) World Creator-(Mosiah 3:8; 2) Father of Resurrection- (Mosiah 15:8; 3) Father of our Spiritual Re-birth (Mosiah 5:7); and 4) Representative of Father (3 Nephi 11:36).                                                                         
Vs. 7 - Christ ruling over the throne of David is prophesied in 2 Samuel 7:12-13.

The rest of this chapter is a warning against the Northern Tribes of Israel. It should also serve as a warning to modern day Israel as it foretells the destructions accompanying the 2nd coming of the Savior.

19:8-20:4 is subdivided into 4 sections. Each section ends with the poetic refrain, “His arm is stretched out still.”

8-12 deals with pride     13-17 with evil leaders  18-21 talks about a lack of concern for others           20:1-4 is about social injustice

Vs. 9 - declares their pride. Ephraim is the leader of the north  and Samaria is the capital city.                   
Vs. 10 - They mock the prophecies of destruction, saying they will just rebuild with better stuff             
Vs. 11 - Rezin is the king of Syria, a former ally of Israel. The message is that all will turn against Israel.
Vs. 12 - Israel suffered greatly from the Syrians on the East and the Philistines on the West. (See 1 Kings 20; 22; 2 Kings 6-8)                                                                                                                                                    
Vs. 14 - head=government leaders; tail=false prophets; branch=leaders; rush or reed=followers (vs. 15)
 Vs. 17 - The Lord would have to be sad when even the poor people are wicked and not deserving of his help. But, his arm is stretched out still. Not his arm of destruction, but his arm of salvation.                    
 Vs. 18 - the wicked are here compared to worthless weeds.                                                                            
Vs. 19-20 - when a man doesn’t even spare his brother, we know that things have bottomed out. The reference to cannibalism was fulfilled anciently in Jer.  19:9 & possibly again before the 2nd coming.   
Vs. 21- Manasseh and Ephraim represent the northern tribes. It appears that they will not only unite against Judah, but will be warring against themselves.

2 NEPHI 20 (Isaiah 10)

Isaiah again addresses the destruction of the wicked and the ultimate return to God of His chosen people. The first four verses compose the fourth part of a four part poem which began in verse 8 of the previous chapter. The main focus of the chapter is the Assyrian destruction of Israel because of the wickedness of Israel. This destruction is a type of the destruction of the wicked which will accompany the second coming of the Savior. It should serve as a reminder to us that the Lord will come out victorious. He has power over our enemies today.  The entire chapter is written as a chiasmus or inverted parallelism. This chiasmus is broken down by Victor L. Ludlow:

A. The wicked will bow down (vs. 1-4)

     B. Assyria raised by the Lord (5)

                     C. The Assyrian king speaks against Jerusalem (6-11)

   D. The Lord will punish proud Assyria (12-14)

                      E. An ax is used as a tool (15)

 F. The Lord is a burning fire in the land (16-17)

     G. Only a remnant of the many remain (18-19)

          H. A remnant of Israel shall return to the Lord (20-21)

      G’. Out of the sands of the sea-only a remnant returns (22)

  F’. A divine consumption is in the land (23)

         E’. A rod is used as an instrument (24-26)

     D’. Assyria’s yoke will be lifted (27)

C’. Assyrian army approaches Jerusalem (28-32)

       B’. Assyria humbled by the Lord (33)

   A’. The haughty will be cut down (34)

(Isaiah, Prophet, Seer and Poet, Victor Ludlow, p. 161.)

Vs. 3 - A very important question for us to ask ourselves is if we turn away the needy, who will we turn to in the day of our need?                                                                                                                                        
Vs. 4 - God’s hand remains outstretched if we will turn our lives to him.                                                        
Vs. 5 - Assyria is the rod in God’s hand to chasten Israel. The purposes of the Assyrians in using this rod are different than the Lord’s. The Lord is speaking in verses 5-7.                                                                            
Vs. 6 - The hypocritical nation is Israel who claims to be God’s chosen people but do not follow him. The Lord allows this destruction. Spoil and prey refer to the prophetic name Mahershalalhashbaz. (In making speed to the spoil, he hasteneth the prey. 2 Nephi 18:1-4) The Assyrians also represent evil nations of our day.                                                                                                                                                                         
Vs. 7-11 - A telling of Assyria’s lack of awareness that they have been instruments in the Lord’s hands. They have taken the glory to themselves. The King of Assyria is speaking in verses 8-11.                             
Vs. 12- The account of Assyria’s attack upon Jerusalem is told in 2 Kings 19:32-37 and Isaiah 37:33-38. The Lord sent his destroying angel to destroy much of Sennacherib’s army. Sennacherib was soon thereafter killed by his sons.                                                                                                                                     
Vs. 13-15 - The Lord puts Assyria in their place. When we do God’s work, have we cause to boast any more than an ax can take credit for chopping down a tree?                                                                             
Vs. 16 - Assyria, who had been mighty will be reduced to leanness and the glory of Assyrian will be burned.                                                                                                                                                                         
Vs. 17-19 - The destruction of Assyrian will include the rank and file of the army (thorns and briers) and the leaders (glory of his forest). The Lord used the Babylonians and later the Persians to destroy Assyria.
Vs. 20-23 - The return of Israel to the land and the Lord.                                                                                  
Vs. 26 - The Lord compares the help he gave to Gideon as he fought Midian in Judges 7:19-25. Oreb, prince of the Midianites, was slain on a rock that bears his name.                                                                   Vs. 27 - The time will come when, because of the anointed Messiah, the burdens of earth-life will be removed.                                                                                                                                                                      Vs. 28-32 - Future conquests of Assyria are listed as she approaches Jerusalem. Shaking his hand at Jerusalem will be as close as Assyria gets.                                                                                                                     Vs. 33-34 - Assyria, both mighty and low in stature will be taken down. After Jehovah, the forester, chops down the mighty cedars of Lebanon and the great Assyrians, he will clean up the underbrush so that the tree of Jesse, or the tree of the Messiah (identified in the next chapter) can flourish.

2 NEPHI 21 (ISAIAH 11)

              This chapter was quoted to Joseph by Moroni on the night of September 21, 1823 and told that it was soon to be fulfilled. See JSH vs. 40. Help in understanding this chapter is given to us in D&C 113.   The first part of the chapter is a continuation of the discussion on trees from the preceding chapter. (20:33-4). In those verses Assyria is compared to a mighty tree which shall be cut down by the Forester Jehovah.

Vs. 1 - the rod is either Joseph Smith or another latter-day Saint prophet. The stem and the branch that shall grow out of the stem’s roots is Jesus. A better translation for rod would be shoot and for stem would be stump. (Parry and Holland)                                                                                                                    
Vs. 2-5 - all refer to the Savior.                                                                                                                                   
 Vs. 6-9 - a reference to Millennial conditions.                                                                                                      
Vs. 10 - The root of Jesse. See D&C 113:5-6. A probable reference to Joseph Smith or possible some other latter day prophet. See D&C 45:9 which explains that the Ensign is the everlasting gospel.            
Vs. 11-16 deal with us and are being fulfilled.                                                                                                       Vs. 11- the 2nd time is now. The first time was when Moses led the Children of Israel out of bondage. Isaiah lists many nations surrounding Israel which represent all the nations of the world.                               
Vs. 13 - This verse calls for an end to the hostilities between the North (Ephraim) and the South (Judah) which had been going on since the days of Rehoboam and Jeroboam after the death of Solomon in about 900 BC.                                                                                                                                                                 
Vs. 14 - “Seven hundred years before the birth of the Savior, the Prophet Isaiah, looking down the vista of time, saw the Latter-day gathering of the scattered House of Israel, and said concerning them: ‘They shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the West.’ We recognize the fulfillment of that prophecy in the founding of this Church by Joseph Smith, a lineal descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who thus lifted the Ensign for the gathering of the nations. But a part of the fulfillment rests with the Gentiles. Their steamships, their railroads, their means of rapid transit and communication-these are ‘the shoulders of the Philistines,’ upon which the children of Ephraim have been and are being brought to the West, to the land of Zion, where the New Jerusalem is to rise, where the pure in heart will assemble, and the necessary preparation be made for the coming of the Lord in his glory. God works outside as well as inside his Church, and uses big things and little things for the accomplishment of his purposes” (Orson F. Whitney, CR, Oct. 1919, p. 69 and BMSM p. 34).                                                            
Vs. 15-16 have several different possible meanings, but all indicate that the Lord will provide the means for the gathering of his people in the last days.

2 NEPHI 22 (ISAIAH 12)

This is a nice little chapter consisting of two psalms that we will apparently sing in the Millennium. The first is verses 1-3 and the second, 4-6.                                                                                               
Vs. 1-One of the great things about the millennium is that all of us who have sinned can have the anger of the Lord turned away because of our repentance.                                                                                              
Vs. 2 - Jehovah is the premortal name of the Savior. The usual rendering of this name in the Old Testament is LORD. Read “Adonai” in Hebrew. There are only four times in the Old Testament where the KJV scholars used the word Jehovah. (Isaiah 12:2; 26:4; Exodus 6:3 and Psalm 83:18) “Salvation” appears twice in this verse. The Lectures of Faith definition of salvation is, “Salvation consists in gaining the glory, authority, majesty, power and dominion which Jehovah possesses and in nothing else; and no being can possess it but himself or one like him.” (Lectures of Faith, 76.)                                                                              
Vs. 3 - An invitation to accept the gospel of the “Living Water.” “In part, the expression “wells of salvation” refers to the great privilege the righteous have to partake of the blessings connected with the First and Second Comforters (John 7:38-39; 14:16-26; D&C 88:3-4), but more fully the expression pertains to those who will receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom and will drink eternally from the wells of salvation. (Parry, p. 128)                                                                                                                             
Vs. 5 - Singing is an important part of worship in all dispensations.                                                                            
Vs. 6 - The terms “cry out,” “shout,” “inhabitant” and “thee” are feminine forms in the Hebrew and represent Christ’s bride, the Church. Having the “Holy One of Israel” in our midst will be the high-light of the millennium.

2 NEPHI 23 (Isaiah 13)

A chapter foretelling the destruction of ancient Babylon and of a modern day spiritual Babylon. Scholars say that Isaiah could not have written this because the destruction of Babylon took place so many years after his death.

Vs. 1 -A burden is a prophecy of doom against a people.  Babylon was the capital of ancient Babylonia, a society that was so wicked that its name became synonymous with wickedness. The ancient city had walls said to be 56 miles in circumference, 335 feet high, and 85 feet wide.
Verses 2-5 tell of the Lord gathering together his host of gatherers of Israel.                               
Vs. 2 - The banner is the ensign or standard or battle flag which shows Israel where to gather. The high mountain is a symbol for the temple.  “Shake the hand” means to wave the hand with invitation. Entering the gates of the nobles may refer to the status the Lord gives to those who live in Zion rather than Babylon. Those who enter Zion become the nobility of the Lord. The gates of a city are a symbol of the city itself.                                                                                        
Vs. 3 - Sanctified ones and mighty ones are the temple worthy gatherers. The Book of Mormon verse is more clear than the KJV.                                                                                                                
Vs. 4 - The gatherers appear to be numerous. The noise of the great multitude in the mountains is an obvious reference to the fireworks at the Olympics closing ceremonies.                                 
Vs. 5 - The gatherers appear to come from both side of the veil and from every nation.                  Verses 6-9 tell of destruction of the wicked before Christ comes again.                                                  Vs. 6 - The “Day of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:12; Amos 5:18) is elsewhere referred to as the “Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord” (Malachi 4:5-6), the “Day of visitation and of judgment, and of indignation” (D&C 56:16). It will be great for the righteous and dreadful for the wicked. This does not mean that the righteous will escape all of the dreadful.                                                            
Vs. 7 - The melting hearts may have reference to failing hearts or to despairing hearts.                         Vs. 8 - “Pangs” refers to short, sharp emotional or physical pain. Sorrow is the same only lasting longer.  Their faces as flames could refer to major embarrassment for sin and getting caught.                                                                                                                                                              
Vs. 10 - Similar to the prophecy of Samuel the Lamanite in Helaman 14:20. The prophecy of Isaiah will be fulfilled world-wide as opposed to only in America. See also Joel 2:10 and Matthew 24:29.                                                                                                                                            
Vs. 11 - Bad things happening to bad people.                                                                                        
Vs. 12 - Seems to indicate a population depletion. Ophir was probably a port of South Arabia noted for its high quality of gold.                                                                                                            
Vs. 13 - The earth removing out of her place could refer to the reuniting of the continents or anything preparatory to the earth returning to it Garden of Eden - Terrestrial state or to any of the upheavals associated with the 2^nd coming.                                                                                   
Verses 14-18 are commentary on the destruction of ancient Babylon. A foreshadowing of modern Babylon.                                                                                                                                           
Vs. 14 - roe=deer, “ sheep that no man taketh” seems to refer to Babylon not having anyone to rescue them like a shepherd would his sheep.                                                                                         
Vs. 17 - The “Medes”, under the leadership of Darius the Mede, joined with the Persians, led by Cyrus, came from Persia and destroyed Babylon in 538-9 BC. Historians say they dammed the Euphrates River, marching through its riverbed, going under the city walls, and subsequently captured Babylon. Isaiah says that they will not take bribes, their motivation was killing and power.                                                                                                                                                          
Vs. 18 - Fruit of the womb is a common Biblical phrase for children. Not to be confused with Fruit of the Loom.                                                                                                                                                                       
Verses 19-22 foretell the future of Babylon. It was not only to be totally destroyed, but never rebuilt.                                                                                                                                                            
Vs. 19 - Chaldean is often used as a synonym for Babylonian. The Chaldeans were a group of tribes in the lower delta of the twin rivers below the most southerly Babylonian cities who had gained a leading position within Babylonia by the time of Isaiah; Merodachbaladan and Nebuchadrezzar were both Chaldeans. It was under Nebuchadrezzar (605-562 BC) that Babylon reached its zenith of power, pomp and splendor, but his empire fell only a generation after his death. (Parry p. 138)

2 NEPHI 24 (ISAIAH 14)

Verses 1-12 talk about Millennial rest                                                                                                                   
Vs. 1 - Strangers are converts to the gospel (see Gal. 3:29 and 2 Nephi 30)                                                    Vs. 2 - The people taking them and bringing them to their place may refer to rulers of foreign nations assisting in the Jewish return to Israel. It may also refer to heads of state opening doors to latter-day missionaries. This verse also talks about a role reversal. Israel who had been servants to Babylon will now be leaders.                                                                                                                                                                    Vs. 3 - Millennium for Israel                                                                                                                                        
Vs.4-21 is a proverb or song telling of the powerless position of their former rulers (Babylon). It is called a taunt song. Great pleasure is expressed for this reversal of fortune.                                                            
Vs. 7 - the earth being at rest is in great contrast to the earthquakes and upheaval before the millennium.                                                                                                                                                                  
Vs. 8 - The Assyrians had not only conquered the people, but also destroyed natural resources ( trees).            
Vs. 9 - Could this verse refer to the previous occupants of Hell being stirred up at the arrival of Babylonian kings?                                                                                                                                                       
Vs. 10-11- The grave is the great equalizer. You can’t take it with you.                                                                
Verses 12-17 These verse talk about the King of Babylon being compared to Lucifer.                                    V
s. 12 - In Hebrew means morning star or son of dawn. It refers to Satan’s pre-mortal stature.               
Vs. 13 - among Babylonians and other ancient people the north was the location of the home of deity.
Vs. 15 - The sides of the pit is a reference to the most remote part of hell. Does hell have a Ghetto?     
Vs. 16 - There will come a time when people will look upon Satan and those he has used as generals on earth and wonder why we feared them.                                                                                                               
Vs. 17 - Neal A. Maxwell said, “Satan is permissive on most things, but not on granting passports for citizens to leave his realm.” (Deposition of a Disciple, p. 12)                                                                      
 Verses 18-32 talk about the triumph over Babylon.                                                                                                 
Vs. 18 - Speaking of the glorious burial places for kings.                                                                                       
Vs. 19 - Where will Satan be buried? This verse describes the great curse of not having a burial.             
Vs. 20 - The honor of a glorious burial will be denied the King of Babylon and Lucifer.                                
Vs. 21 - It appears that the King of Babylon will not have seed. How about Satan?                                      
Vs. 23 - besom = broom                                                                                                                                      Verses 24-27 are about the Assyrians                                                                                                                        
Vs. 25 - Appears to have reference to the destruction of the Assyrian army led by Sennacherib as shown in Isaiah 36-37 and also to the army of nations lead by God in the last days.                                                     
Vs. 26 - All of the wicked on the earth will be destroyed. God is the God of the whole earth.                             
Vs. 28 - about 720 BC                                                                                                                                                 
Vs. 29 - The country of Philistia consisted of 5 city-states, each with their own ruler. It was the home of the Philistines, enemies of the Israelites. They were conquered by Assyria in 734 BC. Palestine is the name for the whole Holy Land. The message is a warning just when Philistia is rejoicing over the death of one of their oppressors, another will take his place with greater problems for their people. Possible persons referred to could be Sargon (Assyrian king from 722-705 BC) and Sennacherib (705-681).         
Vs. 30 - A promise that eventually the poor spiritually and physically will have the gospel blessings, but the nation of Philistia will perish.                                                                                                                             
Vs. 31 - Look out Philistia- An army is coming from the north and there will be none missing in its formation.                                                                                                                                                                    Vs. 32 - When messengers from nations report on what has happened, what will they say? The Lord has taken care of His people.

2 NEPHI 26 AND 27 (ISAIAH 29)

The additional material provided by Nephi in 2 Nephi 26-27 makes the Book of Mormon rendition of Isaiah 29 significantly longer than the biblical text. While Isaiah 29 contains only 24 verses in the KJV, Nephi’s version contains 54 (2 Nephi 26:15-27:35). This may be explained with two possibilities; 1) The original Isaiah may have been longer and there may have been some lost passages and 2) Nephi may have elaborated upon Isaiah’s words.

              Phrases from 2 Nephi 27 are some of our favorites in all of scriptures. How often have you used the phrases like, “A Marvelous Work and a Wonder”? (vs. 26) or a book that is sealed? (vs. 7), or three witnesses shall behold it? (vs. 12). Members of our church are more likely to quote this chapter of Isaiah than any other. Nephi uses Isaiah 29 to show that Isaiah knew of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. There are more changes in this chapter than in any other chapters from Isaiah in the Book of Mormon. Some have said that 2 Nephi is not Nephi quoting Isaiah 29 at all, but using the principle of likening the scriptures unto him.

               Look at 2 Nephi 25:9-20. In these verses Nephi give his own prophecies concerning the future of Jerusalem. In 2 Nephi 26 and 27 he uses Isaiah to substantiate his prophecies.      Nephi quotes Isaiah 29 to show that Isaiah knew of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

              "In chapter 27 of Second Nephi, he drops all pretense of quoting Isaiah as analogy. Instead, he rewrites Isaiah's material to make it fit his own vision of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon...He takes the liberty of showing us how Isaiah's material can be made directly applicable to concrete latter-day events. Nephi no longer expects us to merely liken the Isaiah material to future events instead he takes the effort to reframe the material into an exact fit of his vision. Nephi does the "likening" of the content himself. " (Denver C. Snuffer, Jr. Nephi's Isaiah p. 266)

26:15 – Nephi applies to words of Isaiah 29:3 which foretell the destruction of Jerusalem to apply to the destruction of his own people.

26:16 – Imagery indicating that the written record of the Nephites will speak to later generations as one speaking from the grave.
26:18 – Chaff left after winnowing of a harvest passes away quickly and completely, either by burning in a fire or by a gust of wind.
27:1 – The day of the Gentiles refers to the day of the Gentile nations. This would be the European nations and their offspring, like the USA. Drunkenness refers to excessiveness.
27:3 – The last days will produce a people who eat and drink-educationally and spiritually- but not be filled. Mount Zion refers to the gathering places of saints.
27:4 – refers to lost spiritual senses.
27:5 – A prophet needs a congregation to listen.
27:6 – slumbered is used as a metaphor indicating the writers of the record have died.
27:7 – see Ether 3:21-27
27:9 – a man=Joseph Smith. Another=Martin Harris
27:10 – The sealed portion contains the history of the world parts 1-7.
27:11 – See D&C 101:32-34
27:12-13 – The 11 witnesses and Mary Musselman Whitmer. What is the difference between these different witnesses?
27:15  - The learned consists of Charles Anthon – Professor of classics, Greek and Latin at Columbia University in NYC and Samuel Mitchill a noted historian, linguist, ichthyologist (fish), botanist, geologist, editor, chemist, physician, and legislator from NYC and  Luther Brandish, a diplomat, world traveler, and student of languages from Albany, New York.
27:20 – Why did the Lord not use a learned person from verse 15?
27:21 – Student at BYU
27:26 – A Marvelous Work and a Wonder is translated from the Hebrew word “Pela” . This word is used 3 times in the verse and could be translated, “A miraculous miracle and a miracle”. The NIV says “Astound people with wonder upon wonder”. The NEB says, “I will yet again shock this people, adding shock to shock”.
27:27 – The word “counsel” is translated from the Hebrew “sod” and can also be translated, “secrets”. Those who attempt to hide the their counsel from the Lord are compared to clay and the Lord to a potter. The metaphor shows the foolishness of mortals who pretend to be mightier than their Creator. (See D&C 105-34) Turning things upside down is a reference to those who think that we ought to teach what everybody else teaches.
27:28 – The forests of Lebanon (a type for the pride and worldliness of people will be replaced by fruitful fields (a type for productive covenant people)
27:30 – Describes who missionaries are looking for.
27:31 – Satan is the terrible one. The scorner is one who makes light of the sacred. All that watch for iniquity = those looking for a chance to sin.
27:32 – Lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate refers to those who seek to undermine those who carry out justice. The area near the gate of a city was used anciently to conduct judgment and other types of business. (See Deut. 21:19; Ruth 4)
27:33 – Israel will be glad, not embarrassed.
27:34 – This can only happen when we know who and how He is.
27:35 – If we understand we won’t murmur. (See 1 Nephi 2:12)
MOSIAH 14 (ISAIAH 53)

             Surely the most sublime, the lengthiest and most lyrical declaration of the life, death and atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ is that found in the 53^rd chapter of Isaiah quoted in its entirety in the Book of Mormon by Abinadi as he stood in chains before King Noah. Abinadi was, of course, a prefiguration, a type and shadow of the Savior, a fact that makes his moving tribute to Christ even more powerful…than when Isaiah wrote it.
              (Jeffrey R. Holland, Christ and the New Covenant, p. 89-94)

              Abinadi quoted this chapter in defense of his statement that “God himself shall come down among the children of men and redeem His people and that all past prophets had predicted his coming. See Mosiah 15:1 and 13:33-35.               Note the detail that Abinadi and Isaiah reveal about the Savior’s mission so many years before his birth.

Vs. 1 – Abinadi’s point is that very few had believed the prophecies concerning the coming of the Savior. The fact that the priest’s of King Noah did not believe the report put them on the same level as the Jews of Jesus’ day. See John 12:37-38. In 15:31, Abinadi makes it clear that the unbelief problem will be rectified.
Vs. 2 –  The tender plan refers to the Savior’s humble beginnings. The root is Jesus Christ (see 2 Nephi 21:1 and D&C 113). The dry ground is apostate Judah.  Remember that Jesus grew up to become the tree of life. The tree of life as a symbol includes the tree on which Jesus would be slain for the sins of the world. The reference to his physical appearance is probably not indicating that he wasn’t handsome, but that the bigger-than-life-save-us-from-the –Romans person the Jews looked for was not who Jesus was.
Vs. 3 – How Judah would treat Jesus. See John 7:5; Luke 4:16-30; John 1:11; Matthew 26:56; Matthew 27:22-23 and 1 Nephi 19:7-9.
Vs. 4 – See Alma 7:11-12; Hebrews 2:18.
Vs. 5 – Gethsemane and Golgotha is where Jesus suffered to heal and redeem us.
Vs. 6 – All is a pretty high percentage
Vs. 7 – See Mark 15:3 and John 19:9 for his interview with the chief priests and Pilate. See Luke 23:9 for his interview before Herod Antipas.
Vs. 8 – Who shall declare his generation? His roots, origin. His atonement was dependent upon his Divine Origin.
Vs. 8 – Who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living.  In the Old Testament the value of one’s life was often measured by his posterity, who would perpetuate his name, works, and merits. Inasmuch as Christ would be killed, “cut off out of the land of the living.” Who would be his posterity to carry on his work and glory? Who would declare the life and atoning mission of Jesus the Messiah? Abinadi seemed to be thinking in these terms when, in answer to the question, “Who shall declare his generation?” he testified “that when Christ’s soul has been made an offering for sin he shall see his seed” or posterity (Mosiah 15:10) Abinadi then taught that Christ’s seed are those who believe in Christ and are redeemed through him-the prophets and those that believe on their words. (Mosiah 15:10-12) They become his children, to perpetuate his name, works, and merits. (BMRC p. 394-5)
Vs. 9 – a reference to his death between 2 thieves and his grave in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.
Vs. 10 – D&C 138:12-14
Vs. 11 – Jesus crown of thorns came before his crown of glory.
Vs. 12 – The strong or faithful will become joint-heirs with the Savior.
3 NEPHI 22 (ISAIAH 54)

              It would seem that an exclamation mark should be placed next to the only recorded entire Isaiah chapter quoted by the Savior during his ministry in America. This chapter tells of the Latter-day gathering of Israel. It speaks of a time when the Gentile nations shall take the gospel to the descendents of Book of Mormon people as well as to other scattered Israelites. All of the prophecies in this poetic chapter are to be fulfilled in our dispensation. Israel is likened unto a woman who has long been barren because of her separation from her husband, a separation brought about by her unfaithfulness.

22:1 – And then shall that which is written come to pass. This is an indication that Isaiah saw the things of which the “Savior had been speaking in 3 Nephi 21. The preaching of the gospel in the latter days is to be done from an unexpected source, apparently the Gentile nations. Of course the Gentile nations have scattered Israel living among them. Barren- Israel in her scattered, spiritually unproductive state. Children of the married/desolate wife. – The married wife (or bride of Christ) appears to be both the church and the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2, 9; D&C 109:73-74). The children of the married wife may be the members of the church, or those who inhabit New Jerusalem. The children of the desolate may be the Israelites who are scattered around the earth. When Jesus was teaching the Nephites, he put this verse in the context of the New Jerusalem (3 Nephi 21:22-29; 22:1) thus the children of the married wife appear to be those who first build up New Jerusalem, and the children of the desolate are those who are gathered later (Is. 62:4) It seems clear that the children of the desolate are greater in number.                        Latter-day Saint scripture scholar Victor Ludlow has a different view: “The desolate woman and her relationship to the wife can be understood in two ways: 1) The desolate woman represents the gentiles, and the wife Israel; thus the gentiles will bring forth greater spiritual fruits than Israel has delivered; 2) the desolate woman is Israel in her scattered condition, while the wife is those people remaining in the Holy Land. Thus Israel will bring forth more children (both physically and spiritually) outside the land of her original inheritance than in it. (See Gal. 4:22-31; Rev. 12:1-6) In either case, Isaiah uses these images to symbolize the relationship of the Lord to Israel; those who join with covenant Israel are the children of that relationship.” (Parry p. 480-1)
22:2 – the tent is made larger to make room for those being gathered. President Benson said, “To members, the term stake is a symbolic expression. Picture in your mind a great tent held up by cords extended to many stakes that are firmly secured in the ground. The prophets likened latter-day Zion to a great tent encompassing the earth. That tent was supported by cords fastened to stakes. Those stakes, of course, are various geographical organizations spread out over the earth. Presently Israel is being gathered to the various stakes of Zion.” (Come unto Christ, 101) 
                                                                     22:3 – Israel will occupy desolate Gentile cities and convert (inherit) the inhabitants.                             
22:4 – Gathered Israel will not remember anymore the pains of her apostasy.                                          
22:5 – Ancient peoples thought that each country or local had its own God. It is made clear by Isaiah that Israel’s God will be recognized as God of the whole earth.        
                                                           22:6-8 – The Lord makes it clear that he will accept and forgive his people.                                             
22:9-10 – The Lord reminds us that he is a covenant keeper. As he kept the promise of Gen. 9:11-13 to never destroy the earth again by flood, so will be accept repentant Israel home.                                           
22:11-12 – This verse describes Jerusalem as a symbol of the Lord’s covenant people. The precious stones that form the city’s architecture symbolize the love and care the Lord will lavish on his people.
22:13 – May refer to millennial times, but this verse has been used by the Primary as their general theme. Other translations of this verse in Isaiah indicate that the children will be taught by the Savior.                                                                                                                                                 
22:14 – It sounds like unemployment for al-Qaeda.                                                                                       22:15 – It looks like victory for the good guys with divine help.                                                                          
22:16 – The Lord has created both those who make things (the blacksmith) and those who destroy (the waster). This imagery assures us that God can keep his promises.                                                                   
22:17 –a beautiful promise. Similar verses from the D&C= (D&C 71:9; 109:25; 122:4-7).