The Book of Mormon: Another Witness

In your reading, try to identify doctrines of Christ by looking for the main message of the writer. In other words, what basic principle(s) of the gospel might the writer want you to recognize and apply in your own life? What is his purpose in writing?

 

1.  Read 2 Nephi 14:1-6, with chapter heading,  and footnotes to Isaiah 4:1a,d, 2c, 3d, 4a. NOTE: The Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible places the first verse of Isaiah 4 (2 Nephi 14) at the end of Isaiah 3 (2 Nephi 13). Also, verses 5-6 of Isaiah 4 were quoted to Joseph Smith by the angel Moroni, in reference to the last days. What has to happen before the Lord "will create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion... a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night"? What do the cloud and fire represent? (Extra Credit: Look up the word "Shechinah" in the Bible Dictionary.)

 

 

2. Read 2 Nephi 15:1-7, with chapter heading, and footnotes to Isaiah 5:1b,d, 4a, 7b,c. As you read the poetic parable of the vineyard, what is your overall impression of the Lord's care for His vineyard? List symbols in this parable and what they mean. What more could have been done for the vineyard?

 

 

3. Read 2 Nephi 15:8-17, with footnotes to Isaiah 5:8c, 12a,b, 14a, 15a. Using the footnotes in Isaiah, restate the sins listed in these verses, and the results of those sins. Name some modern parallels. NOTE: The "ten-acre vineyard" should read "ten yoke," or in other words, the land plowed by ten yoke of oxen in one day. A "bath" is a relatively small amount of liquid measure, around 6-8 gallons. A "homer" is a large amount of seed, around 6 bushels; an "ephah" = 1/10 of a homer.

 

 

4. Read 2 Nephi 15:18-23, with footnotes to Isaiah 5:8c, 19d, 23c. Rewrite each "woe" in your own words. Is there an underlying sin in each of these woes?

 

 

5. Read 2 Nephi 15:24-30, with footnote to Isaiah 5:26b. From 2 Nephi 15:24, why will stubble, chaff,  roots and blossoms be destroyed? What  might this represent? From 2 Nephi 15:26-30, what did Isaiah see regarding the gathering of Israel in the latter days?

 

 

6. Read 2 Nephi 16:1-5, with chapter heading and footnotes to Isaiah 6:1e, 4a, 5a. This chapter records Isaiah's mission call. What did Isaiah see in vision? How did he feel about himself after he had this vision?

 

 

7. Read 2 Nephi 16:6-13, with footnotes to Isaiah 6:6a, 10a,b, 11a, 13b. Where did the seraph get the live coal he used to purify Isaiah's lips? What was Isaiah's attitude toward his calling after he had been cleansed? How long was Isaiah's  mission call?