38

Isaiah 1–12

Scripture Content Outline	Supplementary Study Sources
Isaiah 1; 2:6–22; 3:1–4:1; 5:1–25; 6:9–13. The Warning Voice Was Given to Sinful and Apostate Judah Judgments and scattering were prophesied for Judah because of apostasy (see Isaiah 1; 3:1–15; 5:1–25; 6:9–13). Before the Lord’s second coming, judgments will come against the wicked (see Isaiah 2:6–22). Worldliness and vain fashions were condemned (see Isaiah 3:16–24). Isaiah prophesied that the numbers of Israel’s men would be diminished through war (see Isaiah 3:25–26; 4:1).	Religion 302 student manual, 13-1 through 13-9; 13-13 through 13-23; 13-27 through 13-28; 13-37 through 13-38. E-1 through E-12 and F-1 through F-3 could be used profitably throughout your study of the book of Isaiah. Because so many verses in Isaiah were changed in Joseph Smith’s translation of the Bible, it is not practical to list them with the content outline. Instead, Joseph Smith Translation references for the book of Isaiah are listed with the supplementary study sources. JST, Isaiah 1:16; 2:6, 9–16, 19–21; 3:1, 4, 6–15, 18, 24, 26; 4:1–3, 5; 5:1, 4–5, 8–9, 11, 21–22; 6:9–13. Joseph Smith corrected these passages. 2 Nephi 25:9–10. Why have destructions come upon the Jews? 2 Nephi 28:16. When are the Lord’s judgments visited upon a people?
Isaiah 2:1–5; 4:2–6; 5:26–30; 11–12. Isaiah Prophesied That the Zion of the Latter Days Would Be Established Before the Millennial Day The gathering of Israel was described (see Isaiah 5:26–30; 11:11–16). Chosen vessels would carry forth the cause of Zion (see Isaiah 11:1–5, 10). The New Jerusalem and Jerusalem were foretold to be the centers of the latter-day work of Zion (see Isaiah 2:1–3). The preparing and the building of Zion were revealed (see Isaiah 4:2–6; 12:1–6). The Millennium was described in part (see Isaiah 2:4–5; 11:6–9).	Religion 302 student manual, 13-10 through 13-12; 13-24 through 13-26; 13-29 through 13-30; 13-57 through 13-66. JST, Isaiah 2:2, 5; 4:1–3, 5; 5:28–30. Joseph Smith corrected these passages. 2 Nephi 25:15–18. When will the Jews be restored “from their lost and fallen state”? (v. 18). JS—H 1:40. What did Moroni tell Joseph Smith about the fulfillment of Isaiah 11? D&C 113:1–6. Who are the stem, root, and rod of Jesse? D&C 115:5–6. What is to be an ensign or standard to the nations in this dispensation? DS, 3:66–72. The two world capitals Isaiah saw are discussed. LeGrand Richards, in CR, Apr. 1977, p. 91. How is Isaiah’s prophecy realized in the world headquarters of the Church in Salt Lake City?
Isaiah 6:1–9. The Vision and Call of the Prophet Isaiah Were Recorded Isaiah saw the Lord in glory (see Isaiah 6:1). Isaiah saw a vision of seraphim and received a forgiveness of his sins, which was symbolized by the seraphim’s ministration to him (see Isaiah 6:2–7). The prophet Isaiah accepted the call to minister to his people (see Isaiah 6:8–9).	Religion 302 student manual, 13-31 through 13-36. JST, Isaiah 6:9. Joseph Smith corrected this passage. D&C 110:1–10. Note the similarities between this visionary experience and Isaiah’s. 2 Nephi 11:2–3; 25:1–9. Why did Nephi quote Isaiah?
Isaiah 7–9. Foreign Nations Threatened Judah and Syria A prophetic warning was given against the nations of Israel and Syria (see Isaiah 7:1–9; 8:9–17, 19–22; 9:8–21). The promise of the Messiah through the lineage of Judah was a sign of the protection promised to Judah (see Isaiah 7:10–16; 9:1–7). Isaiah and his sons were witnesses against Judah and the wicked (see Isaiah 8:1–4, 18). Warning was given of the impending Assyrian invasion of Syria and Judah and of the accompanying judgments (see Isaiah 7:17–25; 8:5–9).	Religion 302 student manual, 13-39 through 13-55. JST, Isaiah 7:6, 14–15, 23; 8:1, 4, 19, 20; 9:1, 3, 7, 8, 17. Joseph Smith corrected these passages.
Isaiah 10. The Destruction of Assyria (a Type of the Wicked) Was Prophesied, and the Preservation of a Remnant of Israel Was Promised	Religion 302 student manual, 13-56. JST, Isaiah 10:7, 10–11, 13, 21. Joseph Smith corrected these passages.

Some Suggestions for Presentation

You are not expected to teach everything in the scripture content outline. Select those concepts that you feel will be the most helpful to your students.

The instructor’s guide follows the chronological approach to the book of Isaiah used in the student manual. Since this organization sometimes separates related material, you may wish to draw from all parts of Isaiah to teach subjects that are found throughout his work. Therefore, before you begin teaching the book of Isaiah, review the scripture content outlines of lessons 38 through 43. Combine concepts from these lessons if you feel that will enable you to teach the book of Isaiah more effectively.

Understanding the Writings of Isaiah (Sections A–E)

Use the Religion 302 student manual, Enrichment E, to assist the students to prepare to study the writings of Isaiah. Outline, discuss, and give examples of each of the principles suggested for discussion.

The Voice of Warning (Section A)

Ask the students to compare Isaiah 1 with Doctrine and Covenants 1. Outline the similarities between their messages.

Historical Background for the Writings of Isaiah (Sections A–E)

Enrichment F in the Religion 302 student manual overviews the historical setting and the conditions that faced Isaiah in his day. Review this material with the students to help them understand Isaiah’s writings.

Prophecies of Isaiah (Sections A–E)

There are three significant themes in this portion of Isaiah’s writings.

Zion to be redeemed (see Isaiah 1:27; 2:1–25). Discuss with the students Isaiah’s knowing that Israel and Judah would be scattered and the Lord’s promise that they would be gathered and redeemed (see 2 Nephi 25:1–18).

Read Isaiah 2:1–5. Ask the students whether this prophecy has been fulfilled in our day. It will not be completely fulfilled until after the redemption of Israel and the establishment of Zion in Missouri.

Two great messianic prophecies (see Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7). Indicate to the students that these two prophecies were given at the time of the Syro-Ephraimite War, about 734 B.C. (see Religion 302 student manual, 13-39).

Judah was told not to trust in foreign alliances but to trust in the Lord, for alliances would come to naught (see Isaiah 8:9–12). Judah’s fear was to be of the Lord (see Isaiah 8:13–14). King Ahaz was given a sign that Judah would be preserved: Immanuel (“God with us”) would be born in Judah after the kings of Israel and Syria had been deposed.

The first Assyrian invasion was in 734 B.C., in northern Israel, or Galilee, the land of Zebulun and Naphtali (see Isaiah 9:1–2; Religion 302 student manual, 13-52). To this land was to come the Messiah, who would inherit the throne of David (see Isaiah 9:6–7). The Messiah would bring “great light” to the people of Galilee who walked in darkness (Isaiah 9:2). Point out that most of Jesus’ three-year ministry was in Galilee.

Before the Messiah appeared in mortality, the nations of Babylon and Assyria, whom the Lord used as the “rod of [his] anger” (Isaiah 10:5), would be destroyed. A remnant of Israel would be spared and returned to the land (see Isaiah 10).

Restoration of Israel through the calling of Joseph Smith. Point out that Isaiah 11 is a very significant chapter of the Old Testament. Moroni quoted it to Joseph Smith before the Prophet received the plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated (see JS—H, 1:40). Review the interpretation of this chapter contained in the Religion 302 student manual, 13-57 through 13-64.