Post by Sam –
I guess writing a post about Nephi’s zest for Isaiah was a little premature because Nephi continued explaining what Isaiah’s preaching was all about.
One of the things Isaiah said that really stood out to me was the promise from the Lord that all those that war against the house of Israel will be turned against each other and the pit they dig to ensnare the people of the Lord will be the pit they fall in themselves. That is pretty sweet. He continued saying that all those that fight against Zion will be destroyed and those that perverted the right ways of the Lord will tumble to the dust.
All who are proud and do wickedly will be burned as stubble and Satan will loose all the power he has over the hearts of the children of men. The wrath of God will be poured out upon the children of men, He will not allow the wicked to destroy the righteous.
Isaiah makes God out to be a fearsome God. Yet, he says that God will preserve the righteous by His power even if His full wrath leads to the destruction of the wicked by fire. Since He will preserve the righteous, Isaiah says the righteous should not need to fear.
It does get somewhat frightening however, when the prophets say this will shortly come to pass and the face of the earth will be covered by blood, fire and vapor of smoke if men harden their hearts against the Holy One of Israel. It seems that each time such harsh promises are made, they are followed with words of comfort. Isaiah continues saying that the righteous will not perish but those that fight against Zion will be cut off and He will prepare a way for His people. He says God will raise up a prophet to fulfill the words of Moses.
Nephi says this prophet that Moses talked about would be the Holy One of Israel and He will execute judgment in righteousness. That is why the righteous have no need to fear. Only the wicked and those of the churches of the world which have been set up for gain and to get power and who’s goal is to be popular in the eyes of the world and who seek the lusts of the flesh and worldly things, these are they that do all manner of iniquity.
These are the ones that belong to the kingdom of the devil, they need to fear and tremble and quake because they will be brought down to the dust and will be consumed as stubble.
I suppose Nephi likes Isaiah so much because he talks so much about the Savior, our Messiah and the promises to the righteous. Listen to these promises he gives to the righteous. The Holy One of Israel will reign in dominion, might, power and great glory. He will gather His children from all over the earth, He knows each and everyone of them and they know Him. Isaiah compares this to a loving shepherd gathering his sheep into one fold where they will be fed personally by the shepherd.
When this all takes place, Satan looses all power and the people will dwell in righteousness and the Holy One of Israel will reign. This is a promise to all who will repent. I mean everyone, from every nation.
This concludes what Nephi took from the writings of Isaiah in the plates of brass. It is clear enough that we must be obedient to the commandments of God if we want the great blessings. Nephi and my father Lehi both testify the writings on the plates of brass are true. With these writings backing up everything testified by Nephi and Lehi it is also clear that many prophets have made these prophesies. Nephi says that he won’t speak more of these things but we know Nephi enough to know we will hear more. But let me sum up. If we will be obedient to the commandments, and endure to the end, we will be saved at the last day. And that is what it is all about.
(Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 22:1 – 31)
