El Libro de Isaias

This week in my institute class we started studying the Book of Isaiah. Now the Book of Isaiah is widely known along with the Book of Revelations as hard books to understand. Isaiah however is regarded by many as one of the greatest prophets. Christ himself quoted Isaiah numerous times during his earthly ministry, in the Book of Mormon the first author Nephi tells us that "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." (2 Nephi 11:2). So why is it that Christ and Nephi talk so well of Isaiah and it is hard for us to full understand what he is talking about most of the time? I may have some reasons as to why this is so as I have been reading from Isaiah and learning from his writings this week.

One reason could be that both Nephi and Christ were born Jews and brought up in the teachings of Judaism and therefore could possibly understand Isaiah's teachings and wordage better than us. Our Heavenly Father is someone who never changes, as the scriptures say "God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing" (Mormon 9:9). The world, unlike our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, does change, that is why modern prophets like President Thomas S. Monson are needed today to lead and guide us on this earth under the direction of Jesus Christ. Every 6 months we get to hear a prophet's voice speak to us on important warnings and topics we need to hear about today. The scriptures are an excellent guide and they are the word of God but both the scriptures and the word of modern prophets and apostles go hand in hand testifying of Jesus Christ.

Another sure reason that both Christ and Nephi mentioned Isaiah is because he prophesied of the birth, ministry, atonement, and eventual death of Christ. In Isaiah 7:14 he writes "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." and in 53:4-5 he says "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

Isaiah Writes of Christ’s Birth (The Prophet Isaiah Foretells Christ’s Birth)

I believe that as we prayerfully, and slowly read Isaiah we too will be able to come to understand a little more of why Isaiah was such a great prophet. I know I have and I have only covered 4 of the 66 chapters. Reading from his book has inspired me to write about him this week and I hope that anyone reading this will at least think about reading from the book and learn from him.