2 Nephi 26

It is amazing how prophets speak to people of future generations with such great attachment and love. "And after Christ shall have risen from the dead he shall show himself unto you, my children, and my beloved brethren; and the words which he shall speak unto you shall be the law which ye shall do (1). "And after the Messiah shall come there shall be signs given unto my people of his birth, and also of his death and resurrection; and great and terrible shall that day be unto the wicked (3),...And they shall be visited with thunderings, and lightenings, and earthquakes, and all manner of destructions (6)...O the pain, and the anguish of my soul for the loss of the slain of my people! For I Nephi, have seen it, and it well nigh consumeth me before the presence of the Lord; but I must cry unto my God: Thy ways are just" (7).
Nephi rejoices in what the righteous will experience; "But behold, the righteous that hearken unto the words of the prophets, and destroy them not, but look forward unto Christ with steadfastness for the signs which are given, notwithstanding all persecution---behold, they are they which shall not perish. But the Son of righteousness shall appear unto them; and he shall heal them, and they shall have peace with him,..." (8-9).
Nephi again speaks of the Jews, but this time includes the Gentiles (other people). "And as I spake concerning the convincing of the Jews, that Jesus is the very Christ, it must needs be that the Gentiles be convinced also that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God; And that he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith" (12-13). God teaches all people of the world of his Son. Many great prophets have been instrumental in helping to mold peoples and nations character and to prepare a world ready to receive Christ.

2 Nephi 25

According to Nephi Isaiah's words are not easy to understand. Nephi delights in plainness and prophecies that his words will be easily understood (1-4). The Jews understood Isaiah's writings. Nephi understands the ways of the Jews and he is filled with prophecy so he can understand Isaiah's writings and his soul delighteth in them (4-7).
Nephi prophecies that the Jews will be destroyed from generation to generation because of iniquity. They will never be destroyed unless they are first warned by prophets (9). When Jesus comes among them they will reject Him and crucify him. After 3 days he will "rise from the dead, with healing in his wings; and all those who shall believe on his name shall be saved in the kingdom of God" (12-13). The Jews will be scattered among all nations (15) and be persecuted "until they shall be persuaded to believe in Christ, the Son of God, and the atonement, which is infinite for all mankind---and when that day is come that they shall believe in Christ, and worship the Father in his name, with pure hearts and clean hands...he will proceed to do a marvelous work and a wonder among the children of men" (16-17).

2 Nephi 24 compare Isa. 14

The Lord will choose Israel and set them in their own land (vs. 1). "In that day the Lord shall give thee rest, from thy sorrow and...fear (vs 3). "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! Art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations (vs. 12)! Lucifer thought to rule over God (vs. 13-14). "Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit" (vs. 15). The Lord has all power; He will rise up against the wicked so those that are oppressed by them will have "his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders" (vs.21-24 and 25). This is the purpose of the earth; "and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all nations" (vs. 26). Verses 28-31 is the destruction by the Assyrians in succeeding generations (this could represent the destruction in the last days). Verse 32 brings comfort and a message "What shall then answer the messengers of the nations? That the Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it."

2 Nephi 23 compare Isa. 13

I have not wanted to post about this chapter and have put it off today because it is a description of the destruction of the wicked. My heart aches for the wicked, for those that desire to do harm rather than good. I feel like Ammon and his brethren when they were so concerned about the souls of the Lamanites because they did not want them to be lost. According to Parry (1998) verses 2-5 "comprises the Lord's command to us to gather Israel by hoisting a banner or ensign on a mountain; calling with a voice; and beckoning with the hand. When these three signals are given, the earth cannot doubt the veracity of the invitation to join the Saints in Zion.
Those who gather will come from all parts of the earth (13:5), will be sanctified in the temple (13:3), and will become part of the Lord's army to serve in the holy war against evil (13:4-5), all of which will occur in preparation for the Lord's coming when he will destroy modern Babylon as he destroyed ancient Babylon. As the Lord invites his people to gather to Zion, and the temple, Satan simultaneously entices people to become part of Babylon (14:4-20)" (p. 129). We know that we will not be left alone, to fight this battle against evil. Ultimately God will be the one to wage the war of destruction and end the conflict. Such phraseology as destroy the whole land, howl ye, hands be faint, every man's heart shall melt, afraid, pangs and sorrows, faces as flames, punish the world for evil, shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, consummate the sorrow of this time.

2 Nephi 22 compare Isaiah 12. Merry Christmas!

A better chapter for Christmas morning could not have been handpicked. I too, with Isaiah, praise and honor the Lord this joyous day. In the book "Understanding Isaiah," Parry refers to Isaiah 12 as "Israel's 'Songs of Salvation' that we will sing in the future, perhaps at Christ's coming or during the Millennium." Verse 2 introduces this work as just that, "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation." Verse 6 refers to the time we will sing this song, "Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee." When Christ will reign in our midst we will honor him and all that he has accomplished for us and this will be known in all the earth.

2 Nephi 21compare Isaiah 11

There is so much we can learn from Isaiah about our day and Christ's Millennial reign. I am grateful that the earth will be prepared and return to its Eden state. This is why the destruction of the wicked is immanent. The earth cannot be in a temple-like state without a cleansing. "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain..." (vs. 9). The term mountain has always been used when referring to temples, as introduced by Moses when he went into the mount to speak to the Lord. Verse 9 also teaches that the "earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord. Joseph Smith quoted this statement, but he added that it will be 'sacred knowledge' that will fill the earth" (Parry, Parry, & Petersen p. 120).
Verse 11 teaches that the Lord will "set his hand again the second time to recover his people."
My favorite verse is verse 8, "And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice's den. Parry (1998) makes it apparent that this does not only refer to the peacefulness between man and beast; it refers to God's children not being harmed by poisonous serpents, or the one who is referred to as the serpent. Satan will be bound during Christ's Millennial reign.

His Hand is Stretched out Still

There are several running themes in the Book of Isaiah. In chapters 19 and 20 of second Nephi His hand is stretched out still is used to depict the tender mercies of the Lord. Prior to this statement is cited the unrighteous behavior of the inhabitants of the earth. The oppressor and the oppressed are mentioned in chapter 20, which is Isaiah's chapter 10.

The oppressor makes unrighteous decrees and write grievousness which they have prescribed (vs. 1). These decrees turn away the needy and prey upon the widows and fatherless (vs. 2). They, the oppressors, will take charge of the spoil (or the wealth) and tread down the people (vs. 6). His (the oppressor's) heart is to destroy and cut off nations (vs. 7). They are proud and do make themselves altogether kings (vs. 8). He saith, "By the strength of my hand and by my wisdom I have done these things; for I am prudent; and I have moved the borders of the people and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man; and my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people; and as one gathereth eggs that are left have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped" (vs. 13 -14).

The Lord's response to the wicked oppressor, "I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks" (vs 12). The Lord asks, "Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it (vs. 15)? "Behold, the Lord, the Lord of Hosts shall lop the bough with terror; and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down; and the haughty shall be humbled" (vs. 33).

The oppressed ( saith the Lord) "without me shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain (vs. 4). " The Assyrian; he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee' (vs 24). There shall be a scourge and a slaughter (vs. 26).

The Lord's has two responses to the oppressed. The Lord will send leanness and kindle a burning of fire (vs. 17), "And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame, and shall burn and shall devour his thorns and his briers in one day" (vs. 18). He counsels "O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid...For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction" (vs. 24 and 25). The Lord needs to perform his whole work (of refining) upon Mount Zion and upon Jerusalem (vs. 12). But "his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of he anointing (footnote; Jesus Christ, Messiah)" (vs. 27).

Chapter 21 speaks more of what the Lord will do for those that have endured the refining process and chosen righteousness over wickedness, those who have not turned their backs on Jesus Christ but have allowed Him to embrace, nurture, teach and guide them. Yet to all the theme that rings clear and strong to all, both the oppressor and the oppressed is "But His hand is stretched out still" (Chap. 19:12, 17, 21; Chap 20:4). And we shall lift up the voice (vs. 30) and shout, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Might God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of government and peace there is no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth, even forever..." (2 Nephi 19:6).

2 Nephi 18 compare Isaiah 8

Isaiah is given a prophecy from the Lord. He records this prophecy with two witnesses. He is told that his wife (the prophetess) will conceive and that before the baby is old enough to call them mother and father "that Assyria will capture Damascus, Syria, Samaria, and Israel" (Parry, Parry & Peterson, 1998 p. 82). The child's name Maher-shalal-hash-baz means "destruction is imminent" (footnote 1b). Parry (1998) parallels this prophecy with the announcement of Jesus birth in Isaiah's preceding chapter. "Both were named by revelation from God, and both entered the world during times of political upheaval and warfare. Maher-shalal-hash-baz prophesies the manner in which Israel would be speedily destroyed and then plundered; likewise, Jesus Christ will come down to judge the world and speedily destroy those who are wicked. Jewish tradition holds that the prophetess belonged to a royal line. If this is indeed true, then Maher-shalal-hash-baz was of royal lineage, as was Jesus Christ" (Parry, 1998 p. 81-82).

Parry D., Parry J., Peterson T. (1998) Understanding Isaiah. Salt Lake City, UT. Deseret Book Company, Inc.

2 Nephi 17 compare Isaiah 7

Ahaz, king of Judah was concerned because two great enemies were warring against Jerusalem (vs. 1) and desire to conquer her. In verse 4 the Lord quiets Ahaz and encourages him to not be faint-hearted for "It shall not stand,neither shall it come to pass" (vs. 7). Verse 11 speaks of asking for a sign and verse 14 answers that request; "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." According to the Bible dictionary the meaning of Immanuel is "God with us. Also Emmanuel. A name-title given as a sign of God's deliverance. Identified by Matthew (1:18-25) as a prophecy of Jesus' birth into mortality. It signifies that Christ as God will be born into mortality of a virgin and will be among the people to save and redeem them. This prophecy received its fulfillment in Christ."

2 Nephi 15 compare Isaiah 5

I once had a friend tell me that first he needed to cast the stones out and prepare the soil before he could plant the seed. Verse 2 mentions gathering out the stones and planting the choicest vine. The vine brought forth wild grapes (vs. 4). Then he does something unusual he takes away the protective hedge and wall (vs. 5) and allows thorns to grow; he doesn't dig it or prune it and he withholds rain from it (vs. 6). How can this be beneficial for his choice vine? Verses 12 and 13 speak of a people who regard not the Lord (have no knowledge), they are famished and thirsty. Verse 14 describes hell as opening her mouth wide. I imagine a whirlpool and we are being sucked in. But the mighty and lofty will be humbled (vs. 15). "But the Lord of Hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness" (vs. 16).

This is also the chapter the refers to our day as when people will "call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (vs. 20). "Who justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!" (vs. 23) Yet we need not fear for the Lord "...he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth; and behold, they shall come with speed swiftly; none shall be weary or stumble among them" (vs. 26). Let us be strong in the strength of the Lord. It is when we are famished and thirsty that if we turn to the Lord he can send the blessings of the rains and the protective wall and hedge and then he can til the soil and we will bring forth good fruit, not wild fruit and we will be harvested.

2 Nephi 13 compare Isaiah 3

In Hebrew the word holy "has the root meaning of temple...The group becomes holy because of the cleansing/purging process identified by Isaiah as the 'spirit of judgment' and the spirit of burning' (4:4)" (Parry, 1998 p. 48). Much of this chapter according to Parry (p. 48-49) is about the cleansing process of the temple and how the temple in the latter-days is a place of spiritual safety and refuge. The atonement is also significant in this chapter. "The filth of the children of Israel will be washed away by the ordinance of baptism and cleansed by the blood of Jesus, a process in which the Holy Ghost plays a prominent role. Joseph Smith taught that 'as the Holy Ghost falls upon one of the literal seed of Abraham, it is calm and serene; and his whole soul and body are only exercised by the spirit of intelligence; while the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a gentile, is to purge out the old blood, and make him actually of the seed of Abraham'...Jesus blood is able to purge and cleanse our souls from iniquity because of Jesus' innocence, sinlessness, and perfection."

Parry, D., Parry, J., Peterson, T. (1998) Understanding Isaiah. Salt Lake City, UT, Deseret Book Company.

2 Nephi 12 and Zechariah 10

Verse 3 of 2 Nephi 12 is one of the places where it is written that when Christ reigns upon the earth, the word of the Lord will come from Jerusalem, and the law will come from Zion (or the American Continent). Prior to Christ's second coming the Lord will have forsaken the house of Jacob because they are replenished from the east (soothsayers) (vs. 6). Many in our great nation are no longer listening to God, they are relying on the wisdom of men and some of our leaders and citizens are being directed, or replenished by those in eastern countries. In Zechariah 10:2 we are informed that "the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams." We need to be careful that we are not listening to the wrong voices and are not "at ease in Zion" (2 Nephi 28:24-25). We are told that in the last days there will be no end to our treasures or our chariots, and we will worship what we make with our own hands. The great and the mean man will not humble himself before the Lord (vs. 7-9). But when the Day of the Lord comes the proud and the lofty will be brought low and the LORD alone shall be exalted (vs. 12, 17). God will bring again Abraham's seed out of Egypt and Assyria(Zech.10:9-12). We know that the tribe of Judah (Jews) were restored to Israel after they had been taken captive. We also know that Abraham's seed have been scattered throughout the whole earth and they will be restored in the latter-days. And Judah will be made as God's goodly horse in battle (Zech. 10: 3). "And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the Lord is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded" (10: 6). In times past, a good horse was everything in battle and often the reason for being victorious. The wicked will be smitten (2 Nephi 12:10) their gold and silver will have no value (vs. 20). They shall go into mountains, rocks and caves because of the fear of the Lord, for his glory will shake terribly the earth (vs. 12). I love verse 22, "Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for wherein is he to be accounted of." Men when they get power, in worldly circles, feel they are unconquerable; but, the truth is they are just flesh. Evil men may cause injustices, but the Lord can easily smite them. He is all powerful, he created man; He put the breath of life into man, and He can just as easily take it from him. God allows man to flounder, to test each wo/man's merit, to strengthen the weak through experience but those who trod men under their feel and defile them will have to suffer. This is the Lord's determination and judgment. We as humans are all fallen and sinful; we all need redemption which comes only through Christ, Jesus.

2 Nephi 11

The law of witnesses is established in verses two and three. Jacob, Nephi, and Isaiah testify that they have seen their Redeemer. Nephi delights in proving unto his people the truth of the coming of Christ (vs. 4). All truth comes from God. Truth is gained from many sources, but the truth that teaches of God's Son is most valuable. Verse four also mentions, "all things that have been given of God...are for the typifying of him (Christ)." God created the heavens and the earth which also typify of Christ. The earth alone with all its complexities and beauty testify there is a supreme creator. "For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ" (vs. 7). I with Nephi delight in truth. "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:5).

2 Nephi 10

I love the promises in the Book of Mormon; "And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise up unto the Gentiles." This also reflects Crystal's last post. When we see our nation struggling to remain a free the promises for the last days are reassuring; that we shall be a free nation, that the wicked will not destroy the righteous, that the church will continue to roll forward, and that Jesus Christ will return in glory.

I also love the last three verses of this chapter that focus on the principle of agency. "Therefore cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves--to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that is is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved. Wherefore, may God raise you from death by the power of the resurrection, and also from everlasting death by the power of the atonement that ye may be received into the eternal kingdom of God, that ye may praise him through grace divine. Amen" (vs. 23-25). Grace is a powerful gospel principle as well. We are free to choose, but it is only through grace after all we can do that we can be saved. In this mortal state we are all sinners and are fallen and therefore have to rely on the grace of God.

2 Nephi 9

These are my favorite verses from 2 Nephi 9. Jacob is still teaching his people. "For I know that ye have searched much, many of you, to know of things to come' wherefore I know that ye know that our flesh must waste away and die; nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see God" (vs. 4). "For as death hat passed upon all men to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord" (vs. 6). "And because of the way of deliverance of our God; the Holy One of Israel, this death, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave" (vs. 11). "O the greatness of the mercy of our God, the Holy One of Israel! For he delivereth his saints from that awful monster the devil, and death, and hell, and that lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment" (vs. 19). "For the atonement satisfieth the demands of his justice upon all those who have not the law given to them, that they are delivered from that awful monster, death and hell, and the devil, and the lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment; and they are restored to that God who gave them breath, which is the Holy One of Israel" (vs. 26). "O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard against uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken" (vs. 40). I also like verse 20, "O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it."

2 Nephi 8

Isaiah instructs the righteous to look to Abraham from whence we came (vs. 1). The Lord will comfort Zion and make her wilderness Eden- the garden of the Lord. Joy, gladness, thanksgiving and the voice of melody will be found therein (vs. 3). They way Isaiah writes is eloquent. There is none that can compare with the imagery. How could anything be more descriptive than Eden being referred to as the garden of the Lord. The next example also describes the law of the Lord and what God wants us to understand about his law. It is better than anything I have ever heard or read. "a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light for the people" (vs. 4). This brings at least two images or ideas into my mind. One is a light that shines in darkness; it is clear and bright with no illusion, no misconception. The next is how God's law lightens our burdens, so not only does it give us a clear, or bright path to follow, but the Lord doing so, lifts our challenges and make them easy to bear. This is especially true, not only when we accept his guidance, but, when we feel his constant presence. It eases all trouble, all sorrow, and all sin. It heals and replenishes. I look forward to that day when the heavens and earth shall vanish away like smoke (vs. 6). We need not fear as we put on our strength in the Lord. My people, in whose heart I have written my law fear not men, neither their reproach nor their reviling (vs. 7). When Zion is established "the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy and holiness shall be upon their heads; and they shall obtain gladness and joy; sorrow and mourning shall flee away" (vs. 11). "As the Lord created the heaven and the earth originally, so will he create a new heaven and a new earth in the millennial day" (Parry, P. 1998, p. 455).

Parry, P. and Parry, J. and Peterson, T. Understanding Isaiah. Salt Lake City, UT. Deseret Book