Introduction
Write the following “headlines” on the board:
- Utah Jazz face Dallas Maveriks at home Monday
- Democratic Primaries on Tuesday May Prove Decisive
- World Wheat Supplies Reach Critical Low – Prices Continue to Climb
Of these events that all impact the future, one could be classified as interesting, one as important, and one as critical. While we may debate the order of that ranking, God has always been anxious to tell us those things that are critical.
Read Mosiah 8:17-18. Note that in addition to telling things that are not now known, seers reveal things that otherwise could not be known. We can know the outcome of the three items listed above simply by living long enough. Some critical items can only be known by revelation through a seer.
Isaiah was such a seer. Nephi understood and loved Isaiah’s writings. Today’s lesson touches on some of Isaiah’s prophesies, as well as ways we can understand them.
Why Nephi quoted Isaiah
1 Nephi 19:23 - To “more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord”
2 Nephi 11:2–4 - To provide another witness of Jesus Christ
2 Nephi 11:5–6, 8 - To help us (his readers) rejoice
2 Nephi 25:3 - To reveal God’s judgments
Why are these reasons important to us today? How can understanding Isaiah help us rejoice?
Keys to understand Isaiah
2 Nephi 25:1 – Know … concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews. Investing time to understand Isaiah’s style, imagery, and symbolism will pay big dividends in understanding what he’s talking about.
2 Nephi 25:6 – Know concerning the regions round about [Jerusalem]. Understanding the physical and historical context of Isaiah’s writing helps us understand.
2 Nephi 25:3 – Know the judgments of God. Isaiah foresaw the judgments that eventually came on Israel and Judah because of their wickedness. Because God fulfilled his promises to the wicked, we can also have confidence that he will keep his promises to the righteous. This can strengthen us in our efforts to live righteously.
1 Nephi 19:23 – Liken all scriptures unto us. This is why the scriptures are written. While they are interesting historically, they are valuable to us personally as we learn from and apply these teachings in our lives. How have you been blessed as you have applied the scriptures in your life?
2 Nephi 25:4 – What is the spirit of prophesy? (See Revelation 9:10 – It’s the testimony of Jesus.) Having a testimony of the Savior helps us understand prophesies about him. How can we develop this spirit in our lives?
Isaiah sees the temple
Read 2 Nephi 12:2–3 – The Salt Lake Temple fulfills a portion of this prophesy. Now 136 temples are in operation continuing this work.
Read 2 Nephi 14:6
- It is interesting that physically, the current wheat shortage is being blamed on excessive heat in some areas, and excessive rain in others.
- What are some spiritual storms we face? How can the temple provide a refuge against those storms?
Blessings come through the temple. Read 2 Nephi 12:3–5. What can we do to help further this?
Warnings against wickedness that is rampant today is found in 2 Nephi 12:7–9. How can we liken this scripture unto ourselves?
An ensign to the nations
Read 2 Nephi 21:10
- We learn in D&C 113:5-6 that this “stem of Jesse” refers to a descendant of Jesse and of Joseph who will hold the keys of the priesthood. At least in part, this seems to refer to the restored Church of Jesus Christ.
- An “ensign” is a standard or flag that identifies a ship or group of people. For example, it may be used in battle to signal where the troops are to follow.
- The Restored Church is God’s ensign today, showing where God’s people are to gather and whom they are to follow. What does this ensign do?
D&C 105:39 – Proclaims peace
D&C 115:4-6 – Set an example of righteousness; gather the righteous; provide safety and protection.
D&C 64:41-43 – Ultimately be an irresistible force for good. The wicked will tremble because of the power of the Church to bring about God’s will.
Isaiah and Nephi testify of Jesus Christ
In 2 Nephi 16 Isaiah described a vision in which he saw the Savior in His glory. When Jesus called for a messenger to teach on earth, Isaiah responded, “Here am I; send me.” What are some situations when we might have an opportunity to respond that way?
In 2 Nephi 22 Isaiah describes the praise we will give Jesus during the millennium. What “excellent things” as referred to in verse 5 has Jesus done for you?
Nephi bears his testimony of Jesus Christ in 2 Nephi 25. Some of my favorite verses are 2 Nephi 25: 20, 23, 26, 29
20 And now, my brethren, I have spoken plainly that ye cannot err. And as the Lord God liveth that abrought Israel up out of the land of Egypt, and gave unto Moses power that he should bheal the nations after they had been bitten by the poisonous serpents, if they would cast their eyes unto the cserpent which he did raise up before them, and also gave him power that he should smite the drock and the water should come forth; yea, behold I say unto you, that as these things are etrue, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other fname given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved.
Notice that Nephi reminds readers about God’s ability to bring an entire nation out of captivity to a superior force, feed them for 40 years in the desert, and heal them from poisonous serpents. This should have been impossible. Likewise, he can save us spiritually – a feat that is also “impossible” – through faith on Jesus Christ.
23 For we labor diligently to write, to apersuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by bgrace that we are saved, after all we can cdo.
After all we can do – We must do everything we can to follow the example of Jesus Christ. Half-hearted efforts are not acceptable to God. And yet, even with our best efforts, we never earn our way to heaven. Jesus’ mercy comes only by grace – that divine manifestation of love and compassion that comes in spite of our sins.
26 And we atalk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we bprophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our cchildren may know to what source they may look for a dremission of their sins.
29 And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and aworship him with all your bmight, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out.
What can you do this week to “worship him with … your whole soul”?
Conclusion
As we search the words of Isaiah, we can strengthen our testimonies of Jesus and become more valiant in following his example and command. These teachings are true and will help us be happy today and eternally.
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