Isaiah

(See Bible Dictionary—Isaiah; Isa. 2–3, Isa. 9, Isa. 29, Isa. 53–54; 2 Ne. 12–13, 2 Ne. 19, 2 Ne. 27; Mosiah 14; 3 Ne. 22.)

Great are the words of Isaiah (3 Ne. 23:1).

Isaiah, son of Amoz, was a great prophet who spoke for the Lord. He preached gospel truths and prophesied of many things that would happen in his day and in the future.

He lived in the eighth century B.C. among the Israelites in the promised land. But the people had forgotten the Lord and had turned to worshipping idols. Isaiah told, them that if they did not repent, they would be punished: “Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him.” He warned them that they would be captured and then scattered among many nations. However, he added, the Lord would not forget them, and one day they would be gathered again to establish a great kingdom.

This Old Testament prophet also prophesied about Jesus. He said that the Savior would come to live on the earth: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah spoke of Christ’s suffering for our sins: “But he was wounded for our transgressions (sins), … and with his stripes we are healed,” Because of our sins, Jesus suffered, but through His suffering, we can become clean again. And one day, Isaiah promised, the Savior would return to reign in righteousness over his people. “And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.”

The Lord revealed to Isaiah what would happen in our time. He knew that the gospel, which would be lost because of the wickedness of the people after the deaths of Jesus and His Apostles, would be restored to the earth in the latter days through another prophet. We know today that that prophet was Joseph Smith.

Isaiah foretold the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and called it a “marvelous work and a wonder.” He saw in vision that the Lord’s house, the temple, would be built in the tops of the mountains and that many people would want to go there to worship and to learn. He saw that Zion would be established and that many people would accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and build up His kingdom on earth.

This great prophet of Old Testament times told his people many things. He tells these things to us through the scriptures. He knew that his teachings would bring people peace if they listened to and obeyed the Lord. Isaiah felt peace because he did what the Lord wanted him to do—teach the gospel.

Illustrated by Mike Eagle