“2 Nephi 16: ‘Holy, Holy, Holy, Is the Lord,’” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)
“2 Nephi 16,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual
2 Nephi 16
“Holy, Holy, Holy, Is the Lord”
Have you ever had an experience that was hard to put into words? That may have been true for Isaiah when he wrote about seeing the Lord in all His glory. To help communicate this experience, Isaiah used symbolic language to describe the Lord’s power and holiness and Isaiah’s personal feelings of inadequacy. The Lord cleansed him of his sins and called him to be a prophet. This lesson can help you recognize the Lord’s ability to forgive and cleanse you.
Helping students understand difficult scriptural passages. Teaching students the historical or cultural context along with dictionaries, student manuals, and other scripture-study helps can unlock greater understanding of scriptural language and symbols. Encourage students to be patient and to request help from the Lord as they seek to understand His word.
Student preparation. Invite students to ponder the following question: What does a loving God want us to understand when we feel we are not good enough?
Possible Learning Activities
The power and glory of Jesus Christ
Some prophets and others have had the privilege of seeing Jesus Christ in all His magnificent glory.
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What are some reasons the Lord has visited different people throughout the history of the world?
Consider inviting students to list several examples of times when the Lord appeared to people. Display some images that could help students remember. You may also want to ask students to consider which experiences they most would have liked to be at.
The Transfiguration, by Carl Bloch
Christ in the Land Bountiful, by Simon Dewey
First Vision, by Walter Rane
Jesus Christ Appears to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, by Walter Rane
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What thoughts or feelings might you experience in the Lord’s presence?
Isaiah saw the Lord in all His glory when he was called as a prophet. He recorded this experience and Nephi included it with his writings. (See Isaiah 6 and 2 Nephi 16.)
Although the lesson is written with the scriptures being read in smaller parts, another option is to invite students to read 2 Nephi 16:1–8 to take in more of the vision at once.
Read 2 Nephi 16:1–4, looking for how Isaiah described what he saw. Because Isaiah used symbolic language to describe his experience, the following explanations might be helpful:
The following information could be displayed or explained to the class.
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Train: The lower part of the Lord’s robe, which could symbolize His righteousness, power, and purity. It is significant that Isaiah saw that it “filled the temple” (2 Nephi 16:1).
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Seraphim: Angelic beings that minister in the courts of God (see Bible Dictionary, “Seraphim”). The wings of the seraphim are symbolic of their power to move or to act (see Doctrine and Covenants 77:4).
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Smoke or Cloud: Often a symbol of God’s presence (see Exodus 19:18; Revelation 15:8).
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What words or phrases from these verses help you understand the glory of the Lord?
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How do you think you might have reacted if you saw this?
Read 2 Nephi 16:5 to find out Isaiah’s reaction to seeing the Lord.
Invite students to share what they found. If helpful, consider asking the following questions:
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Which words or phrases help you understand that Isaiah was aware of his sins and weaknesses?
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What are some reasons people today might feel unclean or unworthy before God?
An object lesson could help students think about how we might view ourselves as we come to God. Consider comparing a bright white cloth with one that has yellowed over time, or even a more obviously dirty cloth. You could also compare a dim light and a very bright light. Help students realize that the contrast becomes clear when two objects are brought together and one is obviously cleaner or brighter than the other.
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In what ways can it be good for us to recognize our faults as we come closer to the Lord?
The Lord willingly takes away our sins
Read 2 Nephi 16:6–7, looking for what happened next to Isaiah. It may be helpful to remember that altars were used anciently in temple worship.
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How would you summarize what happened?
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What do you think this might symbolize?
Think about Isaiah’s experience at the altar and how it can teach about forgiveness of sins and becoming clean through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
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How do you think Isaiah was affected by the Lord taking away his sins?
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What truths do these verses help you understand about the Lord?
One truth we can learn is that the Lord has power to make us clean.
At times, we may not remember and feel the importance of this truth. Brother Bradley R. Wilcox of the Young Men General Presidency shared the words of a young man he called Damon. This young man shared the thoughts and feelings he had about his sins.
Damon wrote: … “I always felt so ashamed that I could not get things right. … I decided I just deserved to feel terrible all the time. I figured God probably hated me because I wasn’t willing to work harder and get on top of this once and for all. I would go a week and sometimes even a month, but then I would relapse and think, ‘I’ll never be good enough, so what’s the use of even trying?’” (Bradley R. Wilcox, “Worthiness Is Not Flawlessness,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 62)
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Why might a young man like Damon have these thoughts?
Imagine that you had the opportunity to help someone like Damon. Think about Isaiah’s experience. Also, think about what you personally know about the Savior that you could share. Write down what could help. You may also look up any scriptures or statements from Church leaders that you could use in your explanation. The following examples could be helpful:
Invite students to share what advice they would give, or provide opportunities for students to role-play. Help students testify of the true nature of the Lord and His ability to forgive and bless us.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
God does not need people who are flawless. He seeks those who will offer their “heart and a willing mind” [Doctrine and Covenants 64:34], and He will make them “perfect in Christ” [Moroni 10:32–33]. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Five Messages That All of God’s Children Need to Hear” [Brigham Young University devotional, Aug. 17, 2021], 3, speeches.byu.edu)
A new perspective
Read 2 Nephi 16:8 to see what Isaiah did after being cleansed by the Lord.
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How do you think Isaiah’s experience being cleansed may have influenced his response in verse 8?
After this vision, Isaiah willingly served the Lord. Over the next several decades, he helped guide the people of Judah. Isaiah’s teachings and writings have inspired countless people, and he was quoted by the Savior more than any other prophet.
Damon also changed. With a Church leader’s help, Damon realized that the Lord did not look down upon him in angry judgment but in mercy, wanting to help him to improve. Read Damon’s words when he had a new perspective about God:
Damon said: … “These days I spend a lot less time hating myself for what I have done and a lot more time loving Jesus for what He has done.” (Bradley R. Wilcox, “Worthiness Is Not Flawlessness,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 62)
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How has experiencing the Savior’s Atonement, love, and forgiveness influenced your life?
Ponder the following question as you conclude your study of this chapter:
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What do you think you could do to more deeply experience the Savior’s love and forgiveness in your life?