There is an old joke that once went the rounds of the Latter-day Saint community many years ago.  It is the story of a missionary who was out tracting when he was shot in the chest.  Fortunately, the missionary did not die.  His life was saved by the Book of Mormon in his upper left-hand shirt pocket, which stopped the bullet.  When asked about the experience later, the missionary said, “I’ve always known it.  No one can get through 2 Nephi!”

Welcome to the last week of February and the first week of March for Come, Follow Me.  More than half of the Isaiah chapters in the Book of Mormon are found here.  Some members either skip the Isaiah chapters or try to breeze through them.  Trust me: Isaiah is not a snack.  You will need to feast upon the words of Isaiah to gain any understanding of the prophet's message.

Nephi gives his people some hints regarding Isaiah:

1. He invites them to liken these scriptures unto themselves
2. Look for symbols representing Jesus Christ. Ask: what is this symbol teaching me about the Savior?
3. Seek the Spirit of Prophecy

For I will fulfil my promises which I have made unto the children of men …  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 it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved (2 Nephi 10: 17, 24)

 

Reconcile Yourselves to the Will of God

Jacob concluded his sermon with this reminder: his people were among the Children of Israel.  They were thus entitled to the blessings of the covenant God made with Israel. After talking about the ways their ancestors went astray through sin and followed the enticements of the devil and of the flesh, he reminds them that they must lay that aside and follow the will of the Lord. His use of the word reconcile is informative, for it means to restore friendly relationships between two or more parties who have become estranged. That explains the situation in which all of God’s children can find themselves if they follow the call of the flesh and not the call of the Lord. 

 

President Jefferey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints put it succinctly; he said: You cannot live in Zion and have a summer cottage in Babylon![1] Some others think that Latter-day Saints do not believe in the concept of grace. As you can see by these verses, we certainly do.  It is only through the atonement of Jesus Christ that we can enter into the gate. However, unlike some who think grace will allow for a profusion of sinning,[2] we who are members of Christ’s Church know that grace is sacred, not a get-out-of-jail free card. We must align our wills to the will of God and follow the walk of a disciple of Christ along the covenant path.  If we find ourselves, like Lot’s wife, looking longingly of at the values of the world, we need to repent and recommit to the Lord.

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[1] Jefferey R. Holland, The Best is Yet to Be, Ensign, Jan 2010

[2] See Romans 3: 4 on this topic

And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delights in his words … for he truly saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him. And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him... Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word…

Behold, my soul delights in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ…for this purpose, the Law of Moses [was] given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him. (2 Nephi 12: 2-4)

 

Types and Shadows

Whenever I teach a class on the Old Testament, my main objective is to show Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. Whether He is referred to as Messiah, Anointed One,[1] Lamb of God, or by any other such name, He can be found throughout ancient Israel. The very Law of Moses itself points directly to Christ as coming to sacrifice Himself to redeem the world from sin and death. From the study helps in the scriptures, we read that the scriptures are rich in symbolism and figurative expression. Ceremonies and ordinances are symbolic in their performance, and all bear record of Jesus Christ…sacrifice… sacrament…baptism… and the tabernacle ceremony…  The entire law of Moses contains types and shadows of Christ.[2]

 

In this chapter, Nephi testified that he has seen his Redeemer in vision.  He further testified that his brother Jacob and the prophet Isaiah have so seen Him. As you study the scriptures, look for testimonies of Jesus Christ, symbols, and ordinances that all point to Christ.  You will find them in abundance. All true prophets testify of Christ.  The Lord has stated that in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall everything be established.[3] I haven’t personally seen Jesus, but I have faith that Isaiah, Nephi, Jacob, and other prophets have.

In the mouths of 2 or 3 witnesses shall all true things be established.  I have not seen Jesus, but Isaiah did and Nephi did and Jacob did.

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[1] Both Messiah [Hebrew] and Christ [Greek] mean the Anointed One.

[2] Symbolism (churchofjesuschrist.org)

[3] See Deuteronomy 17: 6