Theological Background by Kristen
And now, the words which I shall read are they which Isaiah spake concerning all the house of Israel; wherefore, they may be likened unto you, for ye are of the house of Israel. And there are many things which have been spoken by Isaiah which may be likened unto you, because ye are of the house of Israel.
2 Nephi 6:5
Jacob, it seems, deeply internalizes his father’s vision and testimony. He teaches Israelite history, seeing himself and his family in the great chain of God’s chosen people. Jacob, and then Nephi, extensively quote Isaiah, saying:
And now, the words which I shall read are they which Isaiah spake concerning all the house of Israel; wherefore, they may be likened unto you, for ye are of the house of Israel. And there are many things which have been spoken by Isaiah which may be likened unto you, because ye are of the house of Israel. 2 Nephi 6:5
There are many ways to think about and question the Isaiah passages in the Book of Mormon, including the translation and the problems of second-Isaiah. I also think the insertions ask for our imaginative capacities. Did Nephi and Jacob find comfort in Isaiah, seeing themselves in his prophecies? What resonated with them? Are they carrying forward Lehi’s great vision of the continuing work of God’s promises to Israel?
Many contemporary scholars reject Messianic readings of Isaiah, a reading which is central to Nephi’s and Jacob’s readings (and to contemporaries of Joseph Smith). Again, I think this invites the use of our imaginative capacity. Nephi and Jacob are not privy to the happenings in Jerusalem or to the prophets working there. They interpret the text of the brass plates in their own, isolated context. They interpret from a literal wilderness, severed from the promised land of Israel but promised a new consecrated land. They are seeking connection, comfort, safety in the cocoon of the covenant which they have devoted themselves to. Isaiah, for them, is a guiding light.
Does Isaiah make sense outside of the Jerusalem / exile context? Nephi and Jacob, according to this text, interpret him without any of his context, turning to his words as though they were written for them. For them, Isaiah was a signal of hope and gathering. Whatever the “reality” or proof of the Isaiah texts, I think we need to allow the Nephites their prophet, their source of comfort and vision. I think we need to allow them their proof-texts as they constructed something new, attempting to repair a rupture, and built a people prepared for the promised land.
Ideas for Play
Contributed by Kristen
- Watch this video about the prophet Isaiah
- What are some of your favorite stories? Why? What are some of your favorite scripture stories that bring you comfort? Read them together as a family with a cozy treat.
- Write down some of your favorite Isaiah verses and read them aloud. Make collages around them, draw, or decorate
- Why do you think the Nephites resonated with Isaiah?
Poetry
Compiled by Caroline
Lamp of Our Feet
by Bernard Barton (1784–1849)
Lamp of our feet! whereby we trace
Our path, when wont to stray;
Stream from the fount of heav’nly grace!
Brook by the traveler’s way!
Bread of our souls! whereon we feed;
True manna from on high!
Our guide, and chart wherein we read
Of realms beyond the sky.
Pillar of fire—through watches dark!
Or radiant cloud by day!
When waves would break our tossing bark—
Our anchor and our stay!
Pole-star on life’s tempestuous deep!
Beacon! when doubts surround;
Compass! by which our course we keep;
Our deep sea-lead, to sound!
Riches in poverty! our aid
In every needful hour!
Unshaken rock! the pilgrim’s shade;
The soldier’s fortress tower.
Our shield and buckler in the fight!
Victory’s triumphant palm!
Comfort in grief! in weakness, might!
In sickness, Gilead’s balm.
Childhood’s preceptor! manhood’s trust!
Old age’s firm ally!
Our hope—when we go down to dust,
Of immortality.
Pure oracles of truth divine!
Unlike each fabled dream
Given forth from Delphos’ mystic shrine
Or groves of Academe!
Word of the ever-living God!
Will of His glorious Son!
Without Thee, how could earth be trod?
Or Heaven itself be won?
Yet to unfold thy hidden worth,
Thy mysteries to reveal,
That Spirit which first gave thee forth,
Thy volume must unseal!
And we, if we aright would learn
The wisdom it imparts,
Must to its heavenly teaching turn
With simple, child-like hearts!
Art
Compiled by Caroline
The British Library (Public Domain)
Music
Compiled by Caroline
The Book of Isaiah in Song, Project of Love
milk & honey mamas 
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