Sacred Grove, by Brent Borup

September 12–18

Isaiah 13–14; 24–30; 35

“A Marvellous Work and a Wonder”

President Bonnie H. Cordon taught, “Scriptures enlighten our minds, nourish our spirits, answer our questions, increase our trust in the Lord, and help us center our lives on Him” (“Trust in the Lord and Lean Not,” Liahona, May 2017, 7).

Record Your Impressions

One of the things the Lord asks prophets to do is to warn about the consequences of sin. In the case of Old Testament prophets, this often meant telling the powerful rulers of mighty kingdoms that they must repent or be destroyed. It was a dangerous task, but Isaiah was fearless, and his warnings to the kingdoms of his day—including Israel, Judah, and surrounding nations—were bold (see Isaiah 13–23).

However, Isaiah also had a message of hope. Even though the prophesied destructions eventually did come upon these kingdoms, Isaiah foresaw a chance for restoration and renewal. The Lord would invite His people to return to Him. He would make “the parched ground … become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water” (Isaiah 35:7). He would perform “a marvellous work and a wonder” (Isaiah 29:14), restoring to Israel the blessings He had promised them. Neither Isaiah nor anyone else alive at that time lived to see this marvelous work. But we are seeing its ultimate fulfillment today. In fact, we are part of it!

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Isaiah 13:1–11, 19–22; 14:1–20

The wicked kingdoms of the world and their rulers will fall.

Isaiah 13–14 is called “the burden of” (a prophetic message about) Babylon (Isaiah 13:1). Once a mighty kingdom with a powerful ruler, Babylon is now considered ancient history. So why is the message to Babylon important to us today? In the scriptures, Babylon symbolizes pride, worldliness, and sin, and today we are surrounded by all of these. Think about this symbolism as you read Isaiah 13:1–11, 19–22; 14:1–20. You might also consider questions like these:

• How are Isaiah’s warnings to Babylon similar to prophecies about the world prior to the Savior’s Second Coming? (see Isaiah 13:1–11; Doctrine and Covenants 45:26–42).

• What similarities do you see between the pride of the Babylonian king and the pride of Satan? (see Isaiah 14:4–20; Moses 4:1–4). What warnings do you find for yourself in these verses?

• How does the Savior provide “rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear”? (Isaiah 14:3).

He Comes Again to Rule and Reign, by Mary R. Sauer

Isaiah 24:21–23; 25:6–8; 26:19; 28:16

The writings of Isaiah point me to Jesus Christ.

The teachings of Isaiah often refer to the Savior’s mission, including His atoning sacrifice, Resurrection, and Second Coming. What aspects of His mission come to mind as you read the following verses: Isaiah 24:21–23; 25:6–8; 26:19; 28:16? What other passages do you find that remind you of the Savior?

See also Isaiah 22:22–25.

Isaiah 24:1–12; 28:7–8; 29:7–10; 30:8–14

Apostasy means turning away from the Lord and His prophets.

To warn about the consequences of turning away from the Lord and rejecting His prophets, Isaiah used a variety of metaphors. These include an empty earth (Isaiah 24:1–12), drunkenness (Isaiah 28:7–8), hunger and thirst (Isaiah 29:7–10), and a broken wall or vessel (Isaiah 30:8–14). Based on what you read in these verses, why is it important to keep our covenants? Consider what you are doing to stay true to the Lord and His servants.

See also M. Russell Ballard, “Stay in the Boat and Hold On!” Liahona, Nov. 2014, 89–92; Gospel Topics, “Apostasy,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Isaiah 29; 30:18–26; 35

The Lord can restore things that are lost or broken.

When people or societies turn away from the Lord, Satan wants us to think that the consequences are irreversible. However, Isaiah described some of the marvelous things the Lord will do when people repent and turn to Him. What do you learn from Isaiah 29:13–24; 30:18–26; 35 about the Lord, His love, and His power?

One way the Lord has manifested His power in our day is through the Restoration of His gospel. Isaiah 29 contains several passages that have parallels to events of that Restoration. For example:

• Compare Isaiah 29:11–12 with 2 Nephi 27:6–26 and Joseph Smith—History 1:63–65.

• Compare Isaiah 29:13–14 with Doctrine and Covenants 4 and Joseph Smith—History 1:17–19.

• Compare Isaiah 29:18–24 with the title page of the Book of Mormon.

What thoughts or impressions do you have about the Restoration of the gospel as you read these passages?

See also “The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Home Evening

Isaiah 25:4–9.Has your family ever experienced the blessing of a safe shelter during a storm or of shade on a hot summer day? (see verse 4). Talk about this as you read these verses and other descriptions of the Lord found in Isaiah 25:4–9. How is the Lord like these things?

Isaiah 25:8–9; 26:19.Showing pictures of the Savior in Gethsemane, on the cross, and after His Resurrection can help your family see connections between these verses and Jesus Christ (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 56, 57, 58, 59). Invite your family to share why they “rejoice in his salvation” (Isaiah 25:9).

Isaiah 29:11–18.These verses can help your family discuss the “marvellous work and a wonder” (verse 14) of the Restoration of the gospel and coming forth of the Book of Mormon. Why are these things marvelous and wonderful to us? Invite family members to find objects in your home that represent the marvelous blessings of the Restoration.

Isaiah 35.Your family might enjoy drawing pictures of the images in this chapter that help us understand how Jesus Christ is building up Zion in our day. What do we learn from these images? What can we do to help build up Zion?

For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.

Suggested song: “On a Golden Springtime,” Children’s Songbook, 88.

Improving Our Teaching

Let children express their creativity. When children create something related to a gospel principle, it helps them better understand the principle. Allow them to build, draw, color, write, and create. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 25.)

“Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us” (Isaiah 25:9). James Tissot (French, 1836–1902). Woman, Behold Thy Son (Stabat Mater), 1886–1894. Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, Image: 11 11/16 x 6 in. (29.7 x 15.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by public subscription, 00.159.300