Isaiah 39

As Hezekiah learned the disturbing words of Isaiah that -

"...the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.
7 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 39:6 - 7)

Hezekiah responded -

"...Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 39:8)

Some may think this as selfish, but I see it more of gratitude.  Having received a vision, Nephi shared -

"...when these things have passed away a speedy destruction cometh unto my people; for, notwithstanding the pains of my soul, I have seen it; wherefore, I know that it shall come to pass; and they sell themselves for naught; for, for the reward of their pride and their foolishness they shall reap destruction; for because they yield unto the devil and choose works of darkness rather than light, therefore they must go down to hell.
11 For the Spirit of the Lord will not always strive with man. And when the Spirit ceaseth to strive with man then cometh speedy destruction, and this grieveth my soul."  (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 26:10 - 11)

Yet Nephi continued to express gratitude and praise the Lord and His justice.

Isaiah 38

After Isaiah had told Hezekiah that he would die, it appears that Hezekiah went to the temple where he prayed -

"...Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight..."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 38:3)

As I mentioned yesterday, it seems our faith and confidence increases greatly as we keep the commandments.  Modern revelation suggests as we do -

"...then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 121:45)

Thus the Lord had Isaiah return to prophecy -

"...Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.
6 And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.
7 And this shall be a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken;
8 Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 38:5 - 8)

Within this prophecy, there are two significant events.  The first being, I sure unknown at that time, that Assyria would come overtake Jerusalem and the Lord promised that He would defend the city which eventually happened during Hezekiah's remaining years.  And second, the Lord delivered a sign and time was literally turned back.

Isaiah 37

Hezekiah, having lived and ruled righteously, and after receiving a threatening letter from the king of Assyria, enters the temple and prays -

"O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.
17 Incline thine ear, O LORD, and hear; open thine eyes, O LORD, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God.
18 Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations, and their countries,
19 And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.
20 Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD, even thou only."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 37:16 - 20)

These seem to be heartfelt and powerful words.  My thoughts are, in that he had lived and ruled righteously, he could approach the Lord in confidence that his pleas would be answered.  They were as the Lord had Isaiah return to tell him not to worry.

I feel that whenever we pay our tithes and offerings, attend our meetings, and keep sacred covenants, we to can approach the Lord in faith and confidence that His will be done.

Isaiah 36

As Rabshakeh threatens the Jewish leaders and mocks the God of Israel, he -

"...cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and said, Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria.
14 Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you.
15 Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us: this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
16 Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;
17 Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 36:13 - 17)

I couldn't help but recognized these words as the words of Satan.  Rabshakeh then is symbolic of Satan and his promises (especially in the last two verses).  Alma taught of Satan -

"...and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell." (Book of Mormon | Alma 30:60)

So would the Assyrians.

Isaiah 35

As Isaiah speaks of the last days when the desert will blossom as a rose, the Lord instructs His leaders -

"Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 35:3)

How are we to do that ? -

"Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God ...will come and save you."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 35:4)

For in that day a -

"highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness..."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 35:8)

I feel that this highway, this way, "The way of holiness" is synonymous to "receiving" His saving ordinances, making and keep sacred covenants, and knowledge that it understood (as Isaiah has taught).  This way that we are endowed with power to overcome the world and be perfected in Him.

Isaiah 34

Isaiah writes that the day will com that -

"...the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll..."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 34:4)

John the Revelator, Mormon, and Joseph Smith also wrote of the heavens or the earth will be "rolled together as a scroll".  I have pondered these words on many occasions.  But to be honest, I have no idea what it means.  I have wondered if these words are related to the history of the earth and heaven where one side of the scroll is the beginning and the other, the end.  Another thought has come that a scroll has many layers or level beginning on the interior to the exterior.  I have wondered is this may be levels of the final state of man.  But again, I have no idea of its meaning.

In multiple places of scripture, we read such words as  -

"...they who are filthy are the devil and his angels; and they shall go away into everlasting fire, prepared for them; and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever and has no end."  (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:16)

Knowing that helps me better understand Isaiah's teachings -

"For it is the day of the LORD's vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.
9 And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.
10 It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever..."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 34:8 - 10)

Sounds much the same.

Isaiah 33

As Isaiah speaks of the righteous in the latter days, he says  -

 "The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness.
6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation..."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 33:5 - 6)

I believe that that is an important doctrine, that in our time  "wisdom and knowledge" will bring stability as we come to understand the plan of salvation and the doctrine of the kingdom.  But not only stability, but the very strength to receive salvation.

The more we study and are taught by the power of the Holy Ghost, the more we receive the power of the atonement.

Isaiah 32

Isaiah wrote that the day will come that their will be righteous leaders and -

"...the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.
4 The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 32:3 - 4)

Which suggests to me that the day will come that those that teach will speak plainly by the power of the Holy Ghost such that peoples hearts will understand doctrine and receive knowledge.

Down the same line, Isaiah even counseled -

"Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 32:9)

This last Sunday, I spoke at a stake Young Women meeting where I was impressed to speak on the same counsel.  For my own journal, my remarks were -

Being it is Father’s day, I would like to speak on a topic that is of greatest interest to fathers and men…the topic is “women”.

When Laman and Lemuel was asked to return to Jerusalem with Nephi and Sam to get the plates of Laban, we know they murmured all the way claiming that it was a hard thing to do.

But when Lehi asked them to return again to Jerusalem to get the daughters of Ishmael, there wasn’t a peep for some reason.  Suddenly this trip did not seem so hard after all.

Years later, as Lehi sensed that his days were numbered, he counseled Laman and Lemuel –

“…now that my soul might have joy in you, and that my heart might leave this world with gladness because of you, that I might not be brought down with grief and sorrow to the grave, arise from the dust, my sons, and be men…”  (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 1:21)

Obviously, what Lehi considered men should be is not necessarily what the world would consider men to be, such as we might find in GQ or Men’s Health magazines.  His thoughts were that men should be as the Lord would have men be…priesthood men.

As I pondered addressing you young women this morning for some reason my thoughts are much in the same line as Lehi’s, but this time with the young women.  Using much the same language as Lehi, I believe those words could easily have been said –

“…now that [our Father in Heaven] might have joy in you, and that “He” might [have] gladness because of you, arise from the dust, [oh daughters of Zion], and be [women]…”  (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 1:21)

Again, obviously, not as the world considers women should be as we might find in Cosmopolitan or Women’s Day magazines, but as what our Father in Heaven sees a true woman to be…women of Zion.

As I approached this topic this morning, I realized that I might be walking on very thin ice.  I realize that I could possibly offend…(maybe even with some of your Young Women leaders) and it makes me a little bit uneasy…especially being a man, a priesthood holder sharing my thoughts of what I think a woman should be.

So, as I pondered the idea of “arise from the dust and be women”.  My thoughts immediately went to some of the women in scripture that I thought would be great examples of true women…as the Lord would have them be.  The kind of woman our Mother in Heaven must be.

We know it all began with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.  As Adam was placed in the garden, the Gods said, (and being that Gods is plural, I believe the Gods included our Heavenly Mother) –

“…Let us make an help meet for the man, for it is not good that the man should be alone…”  (Pearl of Great Price | Abraham 5:14)

I think it is very important this morning to emphasize that the wording “help” and “meet” are written as two separate words.  Being two words would suggest that this addition would be a help, which of necessity, would have to be, at minimum, meet for man.  Some definitions of the word “meet” suggests living, working, and communicating one with another as equals, as in “meeting” or “meeting of the minds”.  The word “meet” also suggests that of highest quality and character.  In my mind, it was Eve that really completed Adam, being sufficiently meet, if not better than him.  Thus Eve would not only be of help to Adam, but she would also be “meet for him or equal to him.

And as they were placed together in the Garden, both Adam and Eve being meet for one another, were commanded –

“…Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat,

17  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee…”  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 3:16 - 17)

We know little of life in the Garden of Eden, but this morning I would like to suggest an analogy in my own life.  There are few things I enjoy more than sitting down and watching a good football game.  Under such a relaxing and enjoyable condition, I can’t help but envision someone approaching me, while I am relaxing watching a good game, interrupting me in an attempt to entice me, with say a nice big red apple. And then, in doing so tells me that I have a choice to make.   I can relax in my lounge chair watching good football games day after day or I can choose to eat this apple.  But if I choose to eat the apple, I will have to get out of my chair and go to work, which would mean –

“By the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, until thou shalt return unto the ground—for thou shalt surely die…”  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 4:25)

I think that would be a very easy decision for me…even if it was a chocolate chip cookie and bowl of ice cream instead of the apple.  Well I am sure it was an easy decision for Adam too!

But interesting enough, it doesn’t appear that the woman Eve felt the same way.  We know the Lord had already instructed Adam and Eve to –

“…Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth…”  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 2:28)

Using that same analogy, while Adam relaxed, watching football, Eve must have understandably longed for much more.  Possessing the, God given, divine nature of motherhood, those words to “be fruitful and multiply”, must have weighed heavy on her mind and heart. 

Contrary to how some may perceive life to be in the Garden, I believe both Adam and Eve well understood the conditions of the fall much more than some give them credit.  As Satan came to deceive Eve, I believe Eve was already pondering and struggling with how limiting life was in the garden and probably wondering how much more fulfilling life could really be with children, family and friends (especially with Adam sitting around watching football all day).  As Satan seemed to present many of the same thoughts that she may have already been pondering, she seemed to conclude to herself, “Is there no other way?”  

I personally don’t believe Satan deceived Eve at all in regards to the consequence of the fall.  I believe Eve understood that.  I believe where Eve was deceived was in the motives of Satan.  For we know that Satan’s sole purpose had nothing to do with helping Eve, but was entirely for personal gain, power, and glory as he –

“…sought to destroy the agency of man…”  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 4:3)

The real lie and deception was that he desired the posterity of Eve to miserable as himself.  And Satan knew this could only happen if Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden.

It was mother Eve that took the initiative to take the necessary action so the plan of salvation could move forward for all of God’s children.  Even though her choice is considered a transgression, I honor and credit Eve for that choice and the great blessing of this second estate we now enjoy.  Hoping not to sound too disrespect, again using my personal analogy, her decision got Adam off the couch.

I believe the words of Lehi could have easily been written –

“[Eve first, then] Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.”  (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:25)

Honor and praise be to the woman Eve.  Eve was a great example of what a true woman should be.  That is, willing to take the initiative in doing those things that she felt was right.

In the book of Judges we learn of the woman and prophetess, Deborah.  Of a prophet or prophetess the bible dictionary explains –

“The work of a…prophet [or prophetess is] to act as God's messenger and make known God's will.”  (Bible Dictionary | P Prophet:Entry)

Thus a prophet or prophetess is a teacher, a “forthteller not a foreteller”.  In order to be considered a prophetess, Deborah of necessity then, must have possessed the “spirit of prophecy” or in other words, a testimony of Jesus Christ for the angel declared to John the Revelator–

“…I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus…for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”  (New Testament | Revelation 19:10)

Thus as explained in the bible dictionary –

“In a general sense a prophet is anyone who has a testimony of Jesus Christ by the Holy Ghost…” (Bible Dictionary | P Prophet:Entry)

Thus Deborah was a woman that possessed a testimony of Jesus Christ. She knew that the Savior would come to redeem mankind.  She was an example what Moses desired of all women, when he declared –

 “…would God that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!”  (Old Testament | Numbers 11:29)

A true woman then possesses a testimony of Jesus Christ and understands, teaches, and testifies of His true doctrine concerning the plan of salvation and that the Savior will come again.

The story of Ruth is a great love story in many ways.  What woman does not appreciate a great love story?  Ruth was devoted and loving woman that was willing to faithfully commit to her mother-in-law, Naomi, when she said after the death of her husband –

“…Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

17  Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried…”  (Old Testament | Ruth 1:16 - 17)

Ruth honored that faithful commitment.  When times became very tough and economically difficult, she didn’t bolt or abandon her mother-in-law, but instead she was willing to go out of the home and work in the field to support her for we read –

“…she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers…”  (Old Testament | Ruth 2:3)

And this she did do, day after day where –

“…she gleaned in the field until even…”  (Old Testament | Ruth 2:17)

To make this love story short, Ruth eventually fell in love, remarried and was blessed with a family.  In doing so, she become the great grandmother of King David and a direct ancestor of the Savior.  As a woman, Ruth was true to her commitments and covenants, and was prepared to work and do whatever was necessary to preserve life and family.

I can’t leave this story of womanhood without mentioning Naomi as she took on the loving role of grandmother.  Having recently become a grandparent, I love where it is written –

“And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.

17  And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi…”  (Old Testament | Ruth 4:16 - 17)

What woman doesn’t cherish the role of being a grandmother?

I mentioned that just for your Young Women leaders!

In the days of Esther the tradition was that –

“All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live…”  (Old Testament | Esther 4:11)

At the very peril of her life, Esther accepted the counsel of Mordecai where he counseled her –

“Think not with thyself … more than all the Jews.”  (Old Testament | Esther 4:13)

In order to preserve the lives of many Jews that were about to be slain, in great faith and risk, Esther went forth and –

“…put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house…”  (Old Testament | Esther 5:1)

…which we know the law stated she should be put to death.  What great protection the Lord blessed her with as –

“...when the king saw Esther…standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand.”  (Old Testament | Esther 5:2)

Thus her life was spared.  Because Esther had such great love for her people, brothers and sisters in the gospel, she risked her life that a great Jewish posterity would be preserved.  True women are willing to go to great risk to bless family and friends, whether it be life or reputation.

There are so many more great examples I could give, but the time is limited. For example –

There was the faithful and nurturing character of Hannah.

There was Sariah, wife of Lehi, which could not be comforted until her sons returned from their missions.
There was the queen,wife of Lamoni, a Lamanite, that had greater faith than all the Nephites…  And there are so many more examples

But before I leave these great examples of womanhood, it would be a mistake not to mention Mary, the mother of Jesus, being as Nephi saw –

“…A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins.”  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 11:15)

Mary was such a virtuous woman that she was chosen to be the mother of the Son of God where –

“…the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”  (New Testament | Luke 1:28)

A true woman is a virtuous woman.

As I pondered how I might summarize the words, “arise from the dust and be women”, what came to my mind were a few words in the Young Women theme – “we will be prepared to strengthen home and family”.  My thoughts were…that’s it!  How could I summarize it better?

In my mind, the true woman strengthens home and family. 

Many times it is said that the father is the head of the home.  If that is so, then the mother has to be the neck.  It is the neck that controls the head and points the head in the direction it should go.  I want you to know that is true from experience.

As true women, you have great capacity to strengthen home and family.

As we ponder the meaning of strengthening home and family, the Young Women theme also states, “We are daughters of our Heavenly Father”.  If we are daughters of a Heavenly Father, then we are all sisters in Zion and throughout the world.  This would also suggest that we are sisters to all the boys and men.  Are we not all one big family?  The scriptures refer to this as the house of Israel or family of Israel.  When we consider the meaning of strengthening the family, it really extends far beyond our own immediate family at home.

To be a true woman, you will strengthen your spiritual brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors.  And even those that you do not presently know. You will never know the impact you may have among young men and young women you associate with as you strive to live the Young Women values. 

To this day, I still honor and praise those young women that were true to their values that reached out to me when I was your age.  If you approach any of your priesthood leaders, I’m sure they could mention a number of young women that strengthened them also by their example.  Therefore -

“…now that [our Father in Heaven] might have joy in you, and that “He” might [ have] gladness because of you, arise from the dust, [Oh  daughters of Zion], and be [women]…”  (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 1:21)

In my mind, that would suggest…those that are women who strengthen home and family.

Isaiah 31

Nephi commented  being familiar with the words of Isaiah -

"O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm."  Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 4:34)

Isaiah warned Judah -

"WOE to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!"  (Old Testament | Isaiah 31:1)

And then adds -

"Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 31:3)

I think it is always interesting when people choose to rely upon alliance and the arm of flesh instead of upon the Lord that has all power.

Isaiah 30

Recently, I am aware of members of the Church that are publically advocating policies and doctrine contrary to counsel and instruction from authorized priesthood leaders.  I think it is to these that the Lord told Isaiah -

"Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:" 9Old Testament | Isaiah 30:8)

And what was so important that the saint must hear -

"That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
11 Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 30:9 - 11)

Apostates want to hear what they want to hear, not what the Lord through his prophets and seers wants them to hear.  Much of what Isaiah warns the people is their unwillingness to trust in the Lord, doing that which is right in their own eyes -

"Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:
13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 30:12 - 13)

This should be a sound warning

Isaiah 29

Isaiah unmistakably foresaw the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, a record of those from Jerusalem saying  -

"...thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust."   (Old Testament | Isaiah 29:4)

Explaining -

"...the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.

11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 29:10 - 12)

And not only with this scriptural record -

"Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 29:13 - 14)

This astonishing work will be the restoration of the His Church, priesthood, ordinances, covenants and knowledge, for -

"...in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.
19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 29:18 - 19)

And then adding to that which I blogged on Friday and Thursday was the idea of knowledge and understanding, the Book of Mormon will be brought forth so that -

"They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 29:24)

In these last days, Isaiah also provides some important and prophetic warnings.  First -

"Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 29:5)

This would suggest, in my mind, that in the last days, Jerusalem will be surrounded by opposition militants and leaders where leaders change at a whim but still with the same motives.  But most important, this will happen suddenly.  It's amazing in our day we have seen some changes as "instant suddenly" and realize prophetic events could happen quickly. Second being something I blogged on Friday -

"Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?"  (Old Testament | Isaiah 29:15)

It seems more and more than we witness this in today's politics.

 

Isaiah 28

In follow up to my blog yesterday, Isaiah said in this revelation as Ephraim spiritual leaders were not faithful -

"Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine?..."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 28:9)

Isaiah again stresses the importance of receiving knowledge and understanding doctrine. He answers his own question with -

"them that areweaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 28:9 - 11)

Stammering or another tongue would suggest a tongue unfamiliar with them which I believe he is refering to the "tongue of angels" or the power of the Holy Ghost.

There was something else in this revelation that seemed to be describing our day.  As Ephraim continued in the "crown of pride" or great desire for power and prestige, Isaiah writes -

"Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves..."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 28:14 - 15)

It appears lies and coverup has been the norm throughout history for wicked leadership.  Eventually the promise is  -

"...your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 28:18)

Isaiah 27

As Isaiah explains how Israel will be gathered and purged in the last days, he makes an interesting statement concerning those that have no desire to learn the plan of salvation and will not repent saying of them -

"...for it is a people of no understanding..."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 27:11)

Those particular words seem to touch me this morning.  It seems that knowledge or mysteries of God and understanding are key to becoming one of the righteous.  Jacob taught -

"Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls..."  (Book of Mormon | Jacob 4:13)

President Boyd K. Packer taught -

"True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel."  (Boyd K. Packer, LDS General Conference, October 1986; Ensign, November 1986)

True doctrine understood where men come to an understanding is key to righteousness.  The Prophet Joseph Smith taught -

"It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 131:6)

Being saved then is conditional upon understanding.

Isaiah 26

As Isaiah continues his teachings of the blessings that will come to the righteous and the eventual destruction of the wicked, I was touched by the Savior's willingness support us as we experience tribulation in this life, but seems to add chastisement that  when He does, that we may not necessarily do His work, as Isaiah writes -

"Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 26:17)

Yet at times -

"We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 26:18)

Suggesting that even though we have received peace and comfort suffering tribulation, we may have been hesitant to testify or deliver the world bringing humility to the world.


In a great comparison to the passover, Isaiah also warns us in our day how the family and local stakes will be a defense and refuge from the storms of the world (See D&C 115:6) -

"Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 26:20)

Isaiah 25

My thoughts this morning may not necessarily be in line with what may be the general understanding of Biblical scholars.  First Isaiah wrote -

"O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 25:1)

In my mind, "thy counsels of old" may be concerning the plan of salvation presented in our pre-mortal existence.  And of this plan, Isaiah writes where it will be taught, writing-

"..in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 25:6)

Suggesting to me that it is in the temples or the Mountain of the Lord's House, that we receive a great feast on this doctrine.  Isaiah even adds that therein, the Lord -

"...will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 25:7)

Which also suggests to me that in His Holy House, the veil is beginning to be removed as we are taught the purpose, possibilities and blessings of eternity.  He even suggests that while those that worship in His Holy House, receiving a great endowment of knowledge and power and peace -

"For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 25:10)

And those that do not worship therein will not progress and thus will be trodden down.

Isaiah 24

Isaiah prophesizes that the day will come that -

"...the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste..."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 24:1)

And -

"The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the LORD hath spoken this word."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 24:3)

Then Isaiah explains why, for -

"The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.  (Old Testament | Isaiah 24:5)

It appears that the earth won't be totally empty explaining -

"...therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 24:6)

And because of that -

"...the earth is clean dissolved..."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 24:19)

With these words, the earth almost seems as a form of living entity.

And what will become of the wicked? -

"...they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 24:22)

Which suggests to me that missionary work amongst even those that as of yet have not repented will not cease.

Isaiah 23

As Isaiah writes, what I see as is last "burden of" of foreign nations, he prophecies concerning Tyre, one of the most prosperous seaports in Isaiah's day.  Obvious, with all their wealth, this city also was wicked of which Isaiah prophecies -

"Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth?
9 The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 23:8 - 9)

In all their arrogance, it was the Lord that would "purpose" their demise and humility.  And in their demise and humility -

" it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king..."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 23:15)

And then -

"...after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot.
16 Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.
17 ¶ And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 23:15 - 17)
I have no idea why this people would be taught humility and then return to commit all manner of wickedness.  Maybe it was so those in the latter days would see the fulfillment of one of Isaiah's prophecies.  We do know the Assyrians came in and destroyed Tyre fulfilling the prophecy.

 

Isaiah 22

Isaiah describes the "partying" type nature of the people in Jerusalem saying -

"...What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?
2 Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, a joyous city..."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 22:1 - 2)

Instead of keeping the commandments of the Lord -

"...behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 22:13)

In this wicked attitude of living it up day to day, Isaiah tells them -

"...Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 22:4)

Isaiah wanted no part of this riotous living.  We see the same attitude today in this country.  Again Isaiah warns the people of the destruction that will come for living in this manner.

What caught my attention was his prophecy concerning one Eliakim rising into power where he seems to tie this reign to the symbolic nature of the Savior saying -

"...I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:
21 And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.
22 And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
23 And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house.
24 And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 22:20 - 24)

Eliakim's posterity will experience great glory was will the Savior's.  The only difference is the day will come when Eliakim's kingdom will fail but the Savior's never will.

Isaiah 21

As Isaiah continued to receive revelations (visions) concerning the doom (burden) of many nations, I find it interesting as he confesses -

"A grievous vision is declared unto me..."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 21:2)

And as it came -

"...my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.
4 My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 21:3 - 4)

Being a prophet is obviously not easy.

Isaiah 20

Instead of repenting and trusting in the Lord as Isaiah warned, the leaders of Judah seem to prefer making an alliance with Egypt and Ethiopia.  As the Assyrians took Ashdod, Isaiah in vision sees -

"So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 20:4)

Because of their false hope in the arm of flesh, now shall Jerusalem -

"...shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape?"  (Old Testament | Isaiah 20:6)

Again, Judah did not get it!  The Lord would only rescue them if they trust in Him.  No confederacy will protect them.  How frustrated Isaiah must have felt.

Isaiah 19

Besides the prophecy of the "wasting" of the Nile River, Isaiah prophecied of what I consider to be two significant events.  The first being that -

"...the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.
2 And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 19:1 - 2)

At some point in time, Egypt will experience a great civil war and -

"...the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them..."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 19:4)

Whether these events have transpired, I don't know.  But these events would be something to watch for being a sign of the times.

The second event is another significant sign of the times for -

"In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD.
20 And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.
21 And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 19:19 - 21)

It appears that after the Lord shall smite Egypt, the day will come that He will heal Egypt (verse 22).  In the healing of Egypt, this would suggest that they would be converted, receive ordinances and keep their covenants.  In my mind, an "altar" would suggest a temple in the land of Egypt.  And not only Egypt but -

"In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians.
24 In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land:
25 Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 19:23 - 25)

Obviously, two signficant events to look forward to.