Aug. 29th-Sept. 4 -- 2 Nephi 24- Jacob 1

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Understanding Isaiah’s Writings

The writings of Isaiah are difficult to understand because:

1.       They are written in poetic form. Poetry is difficult to translate to other languages while maintaining both the literary style and meaning.

2.       They deal with unfamiliar places, people, names and events

3.       They were intentionally made difficult to understand. The people did not want to hear the simple word of the Lord, so Isaiah carefully wrote with symbolism, poetry, and complex terminology.      

Five Keys to Understanding Isaiah Given in 2 Nephi 25

1.  Understand the “manner of prophesying among the Jews” 25:1

2.  Do not do “works of darkness” or “doings of abominations”25:2

3.  Be filled with the spirit of prophecy 25:4

4.  Be familiar with regions around Jerusalem 25:6

5.  Live during the days that the prophecies of Isaiah are fulfilled 25:7

Historical Circumstances of Isaiah’s Writings

Judah – The southern half of the divided tribes. The capital was Jerusalem. The king of Judah was Ahaz, the son of Jotham, of of Uzziah.

Israel – The northern half of the divided tribes. The capital was Samaria. The king of Israel was Pekah, son of Remaliah.

Syria – The neighboring country to the East of Israel. The capital was Damascus. The King of Syria was Rezin.

Assyria – The strong and fierce country to the East of Syria (modern day Iraq)

Approximately 800 BC, Assyria was conquering all neighboring countries. Israel and Syria formed an alliance against Assyria. Even though Israel and Syria were traditional enemies of Judah, they asked Judah to join their alliance out of a greater fear of Assyria. Judah feared both th alliance of Syria and Israel and Assyria. Isaiah told King Ahaz (King of Judah) not to fear the alliance of Israel an Syria, nor Assyria, but to trust in the Lord. King Ahaz rejected Isaiah’s counsel and made a treaty with Assyria, becoming a vassel state to Assyria. Later, in 722 BC, Assyria destroyed Israel (carrying off the “Lost” ten tribes) and Syria. In 701 BC, Assyria attacked and was on the verge of destroying Judah when the Lord destroyed the attacking Assyrian Army (2 Kings 19:35). The remnant of Judah was later conquered by Babylonia (after Lehi and his family fled in 600 BC).

Isaiah in The Book of Mormon

The Lord Commanded us to “search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah…” 3 Nephi 23:1-3

Isaiah was a prophet in Jerusalem for 40 years from 740 -701 BC roughly 100 years prior to Lehi’s family leaving that city. 

Isaiah’s message centered on Christ, Righteousness, and the House of Israel.

Among the major themes touched on by Isaiah are:

1.       The first and second coming of Jesus Christ.

Of the 433 separate verses of Isaiah quoted in the Book of Mormon, 391 say something about the attributes or mission of Christ. Nephi included Isaiah in his writings as a testimony of Jesus Christ (1 Nephi 19:23, 2 Nephi 11:2)

2.       We must trust in and obey God.

3.       Pride and the love of wealth are evil.

4.       The house of Israel will be scattered and restored.

The writings of Isaiah deal with events of his day as well as events beyond his time, some of which have already come to pass and others are yet to be.  The bulk of Isaiah’s prophecies deal with the coming of the Redeemer, both in his first appearance (‘for unto us a child is born,’ 9:6) and as the Great King at the last day, as the God of Israel.  A major theme is that God requires righteousness of his people, and until they obey him they will be smitten and scattered by their enemies. But, in the end, Israel will be restored; the barren land will be made fruitful and able to support a large population; and the Lord, the Holy one of Israel, will dwell in the midst of His people, who will be called Zion. LDS Bible Dictionary

Isaiah and the Book of Mormon

About 30% of the Old Testament writings of Isaiah are found in the Book of Mormon (433 verses). About 200 verses are the same wording as in the Bible (King James Version, KJV). The differences in the other verses including changes in text, punctuation, spelling, and word order.

The Book of Mormon text of Isaiah is the oldest known copy of Isaiah (600 BC), the next oldest being the Dead Sea Scrolls at 100 AD.  The KJV  was taken from the Hebrew text of Isaiah. The Greek version of Isaiah was unavailable to Joseph Smith in 1829. 

For Example 2 Nephi 12:16                           KJV                         Greek                   BofM

Upon all the ships of the sea                                                          X                            X

Upon all the ships of Tarshish                        X                                                            X

Upon all the pleasant pictures                       X                               X                            X

The Vision of the Tree of Life

Lehi’s Vision 1 Nephi 8:2-35

Nephi’s Vision 1 Nephi 11-14

Symbol                                               Interpretation                                   Examples Given

Large & Spacious Field                      The World

Tree                                                    Love of God                                  The Coming of Christ

Fruit of the Tree                                 Eternal Life                                        

River of Water                                    Hell & Wickedness                      War & Evil

Rod of Iron                                         The Word of God                          The Ministry of Christ

Path                                                    Gospel of Jesus Christ   

Mist of Darkness                               Temptations of the World            Wickedness, Apostasy, War

Gulf                                                    The Justice of God

Great & Spacious Building                Pride, Wisdom of the World        Persecution of Christs Followers

There are 4 Categories of Individuals of people found in the dream:

1.       Never find the path (8:21,31)

2.       Start, but get lost (8:23)

3.       Find the tree, but leave ashamed (8:25,28)

4.       Find the Tree, and Remain (8:12, 33)

Lessons Learned:

1.       The Greatest Source of Joy is Jesus Christ (11:22-23)

2.       Temptations of the World must be ignored (8:33-34)

3.       The Key to Achieving Eternal Life is the Rod of Iron (2 Nephi 31:20)

Week 1 -- Intro-1 Nephi 11

Introduction to the Book of Mormon, including the Testimony of the Witness' including Joseph Smith's Story. 
Lehi preaches repentance to the Jews in Jerusalem. He is persecuted and the Lord commands him in a dream to depart into the wilderness.  Lehi and his family leave the city and depart into the wilderness. Laman and Lemuel murmur against their father, Nephi is obedient.  The sons of Lehi return to Jerusalem to seek the Brass Plates. Nephi is constrained by the spirit and slays Laban to obtain the records and they return to their parents in the wilderness. Lehi and Sariah rejoice in the safe return of their sons. Lehi's sons return to Jerusalem to enlist Ishmael and his family in their cause. Laman and others rebel and bind Nephi who is freed by the power of faith. Lehi sees a vision of the tree of life. Lehi prophecies.  Nephi desires to see what his father saw and is also shown in vision the tree of life.