Great are the words of Isaiah

When the resurrected Lord appeared to the Nephites he commanded them to search 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."

This has proven a difficult commandment for many today even though Nephi proclaims that we should understand them better than anyone except maybe the Jews he taught in person! "...for I know that they shall be of great worth unto them in the last days; for in that day shall they understand them; wherefore, for their good have I written them." (2 Nephi 25:8) If you are struggling your way through the Isaiah chapters of the Book of Mormon may I suggest you try to look for what Nephi said they would do for you?

“…now I write some of the words of Isaiah, that whoso of my people shall see these words may lift up their hearts and rejoice for all men. And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him. And I, Nephi, have written these things unto my people, that perhaps I might persuade them that they would remember the Lord their Redeemer.”

The Savior added; “For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles.”

As I have read the Isaiah chapters in 1 Nephi this time I have asked the following question: What does this teaching, prophecy or experience of Isaiah teach me about the Savior? So far I have seen the following: 

1. He knows our tendency to take credit for things. He emphasizes the eternal nature of truth and reminds us of the source for real truth...His word given through prophets.
2. He knows our hearts and intentions
3. He knows our tendency to take credit for things. He emphasizes the eternal nature of truth and reminds us of the source for real truth...His word given through prophets.
4. The Lord prepares us for His service when we are willing.
5. Christ knew us before we were born, He knows us better than we know us because the veil has taken our early memories away for a time.
6. He will prepare the way for us and care for our needs when we obey.
7. He loves His prophets and will fulfill all He commands them to reveal.
8. He is the creator and was with the Father in the beginning. All things obey His voice.
9. God will not give His glory to man. He will refine man through trial and affliction that they may learn and come to Him again.

 As Nephi finishes sharing Isaiah's words he teaches his brothers about what he has shared and repeats over and over that the righteous will be safe, have no need to fear, will be preserved and that a way will be prepared for them. He repeatedly mentions that because a prophet said it, it will happen. We need to have that same faith and trust in the words of the prophets, ancient and modern.

Our stake just had stake conference and the theme of appreciating and listening to our prophets and apostles was repeated several times. They are asking us to do some simple things: Fast and pay a generous fast offering (Elder Eyring Oct 2015), Delight in the Sabbath (Elder Nelson April 2015), stand up for the Lord's values by being examples of Christ (President Monson Oct 2015), Stay in the boat and within the safeguards of the commandments (Elder Ballard, President Monson, Elder Keetch, Sister Stephens, and many more). As we harken and obey we will be blessed in the ways Nephi promised. We will be safe with no need to fear. We will be preserved and a way will be provided for us.