Wait Upon the Lord

Thank you to all who attended and participated in class on Sunday. I hope these notes are helpful as you strive to deepen your gospel learning.

Keys to Understanding Isaiah

Although understanding Isaiah may seem daunting, prophets from the New Testament to the Book of Mormon to the latter day have consistently stressed the importance of diligently studying the words of Isaiah. During His visit to the Americas, the Lord Himself invited all – by way of commandment – to ponder the words of Isaiah:

And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah.
3 Nephi 23:1

To aid in our study of Isaiah, Elder Bruce R. McConkie offered Ten Keys to Understanding Isaiah:

Gain an Over-All Knowledge of the Plan of Salvation and of God’s Dealings with His Earthly Children.
Learn the Position and Destiny of the House of Israel in the Lord’s Eternal Scheme of Things.
Know the Chief Doctrines about Which Isaiah Chose to Write.
Use the Book of Mormon.
Use Latter-Day Revelation.
Learn How the New Testament Interprets Isaiah.
Study Isaiah in Its Old Testament Context.
Learn the Manner of Prophesying Used among the Jews in Isaiah’s Day.
Have the Spirit of Prophecy.
Devote Yourself to Hard, Conscientious Study.

As you study the words of Isaiah contained in the Book of Mormon, remember that Isaiah often used dual meanings to simultaneously describe events during his day, Christ’s day, and our day. Thus, deepening your understanding of the political, geographical, and historical events during Isaiah’s time will deepen your understanding of Christ’s life and our current state.

The book of Isaiah contains numerous prophecies that seem to have multiple fulfillments. One seems to involve the people of Isaiah’s day or the circumstances of the next generation. Another meaning, often symbolic, seems to refer to events in the meridian of time, when Jerusalem was destroyed and her people scattered after the crucifixion of the Son of God. Still another meaning or fulfillment of the same prophecy seems to relate to the events attending the Second Coming of the Savior. The fact that many of these prophecies can have multiple meanings underscores the importance of our seeking revelation from the Holy Ghost to help us interpret them.
President Dallin H. Oaks, Scripture Reading and Revelation, Ensign January 1995

As you ponder the words of Isaiah as quoted in 2 Nephi as well as the Additional Resources at the bottom of this post, remember to seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Above all, remember that no study of the scriptures is complete unless it induces a change of heart:

Scriptural understanding and great insight relative to the doctrines of salvation are valuable only insofar as they change and perfect the lives of men, only insofar as they live in the hearts of those who know them.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Ten Keys to Understanding Isaiah, Ensign October 1973

How have you been changed as a result of your study in Isaiah?

All Things Are Typifying of Christ

Before quoting Isaiah, Nephi reminds us that “all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of [Christ]” (2 Nephi 11:4). Understanding the powerful symbols of Christ found in Isaiah can help us turn our hearts to Him during tribulation.

Isaiah was called during a turbulent time in the history of his home nation of Judah. Two neighboring kingdoms, Israel and Syria, allied together against Judah and threatened to attack. Isaiah was sent Ahaz – Judah’s king – to encourage reliance on the Lord’s strength instead of temporary alliances. Concerned by the apparent strength of Israel and Syria, Ahaz ignored the warnings and formed an alliance with Assyria. Over time, this relationship would prove to be the downfall of much of Judah.

Interestingly, among the signs given to Ahaz is this cherished Messianic prophecy:

Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign—Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
2 Nephi 17:14

While the importance of this prophecy is apparent to us in the latter days, Ahaz may have been confused to receive this as a sign. However, the Hebrew meaning of Immanuel (God with us) was meant to encourage and comfort the worried king. Of this exchange, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland wrote:

There are plural or parallel elements to this prophecy, as with so much of Isaiah’s writing. The most immediate meaning was probably focused on Isaiah’s wife, a pure and good woman who brought forth a son about this time, the child becoming a type and shadow of the greater, later fulfillment of the prophecy that would be realized in the birth of Jesus Christ.
Here again is a type, a prefiguration of the greater Immanuel, Jesus Christ, the ultimate son of David, the royal King who would be born of a literal virgin. Indeed, his title Immanuel would be carried forward to the latter days, being applied to the Savior.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Christ and the New Covenant

While Ahaz may have not found comfort in a reminder of the Savior, you can obtain peace by focusing on Him instead of your trials.

How can a knowledge of the Savior bring peace as you face difficulties in daily life?