Unto the Convincing of the World that Jesus is the Christ

 

Now I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I have written, which have been spoken by the mouth of Isaiah. For behold, Isaiah spoke many things which were hard for many of my people to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews. [My people,] give ear unto my words; for because the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless, they are plain to all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy. (2 Nephi 25: 1, 4)

 

Reading Isaiah with a Spirit of Prophecy

Nephi clarified much of Isaiah’s writings for his people because he knew they were often difficult to understand. Nephi had lived near Jerusalem and, thus, he did have an understanding of ancient Jewish language, writing, and prophecy. Like many prophecies of great report, an understanding of Isaiah cannot be achieved through intellectual means. However, Approaching Isaiah with a spirit of prophecy does not require one to be a prophet; it requires prayerfully reading to understand through the spirit of the Holy Ghost. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf stated in General Conference that a testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy. [1] If we have such a testimony, the scriptures will be much clearer to us as the Holy Spirit testifies to the spirit within each of us. It is a spiritual gift worth seeking.

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[1] Testimony of Jesus Is the Spirit of Prophecy (churchofjesuschrist.org)

Who would you say is the main figure in the Book of Mormon? While some might suggest Nephi, Alma, or Mormon, the real main figure is Jesus Christ. Nephi wrote:

“We labor diligently to write, to persuade our children … to believe in Christ. …

“And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ” (2 Nephi 25:23, 26).

In 1978, Susan Ward Easton published a landmark article, numerically demonstrating that Jesus Christ is the main figure in the Book of Mormon. She identified the different titles of Jesus Christ and showed that He was mentioned by name or title 3,925 times in the Book of Mormon, which averages out to be once every 1.7 verses.¹

1]See Susan Ward Easton, “Names of Christ in the Book of Mormon,” Ensign, July 1978, 60–61.