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 17:1-9 with chapter headnote and footnotes to Isaiah 7:2a, 3a,b,c, 4a, 6a, 9a, and the Bible Dictionary entry for Ahaz. In a nutshell, what was Ahaz's political problem? What did the Lord tell him to do, and why? (Note: Damascus was the capital of Syria, Rezin was her king; Samaria was the capital of Ephraim (the Northern Kingdom of Israel), and the king of Israel was Pekah, the son of Remaliah. Both Syria and Israel were often enemies of Judah.) What did Isaiah say would happen to Ahaz (and Judah) if he did not trust in the word of the Lord through His prophet?

 

BONUS: What is the meaning of Isaiah's son's name?

 

2. Read 2 Nephi 17:10-16, with footnotes to Isaiah 7:12a, 14e, 15a, 16a. How did Ahaz react to the Lord's offer of a sign to convince him that Isaiah's message was from the Lord? What was the sign the Lord chose to give?

 

 

3. Read 2 Nephi 17:17-25, with footnotes to Isaiah 7:17a, 18a,b, 20a, 21a, 22a, 23a, 25a,b. Isaiah uses metaphors in describing the Assyrian army - which will be a much more serious threat than the Syrians or the Israelites. How would Assyria be like a swarm of flies and like a razor? 

 

 

4. Read 2 Nephi 18:1-10, with footnotes to Isaiah 8:1c,d, 7a, 8a,c, 9a, 10b, and the Bible Dictionary entry (2) for Shiloh. What is the meaning of the name of Isaiah's second son? In what way would the people of Judah refuse the waters of Shiloah? What would be the consequence of that decision?

 

 

5. Read 2 Nephi 18:11-22, with footnotes to Isaiah 8:11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, 16c, 18a, 19b,c, 20b, 21a, 22b. Look for phrases from 2 Nephi 18:11-22 that give good counsel for saints today. To whom did Ahaz and his people turn for revelation? How was that going to work for them?

 

 

6. Read 2 Nephi 19:1-12, with footnote 4a and footnotes to Isaiah 9:1b, 2a, 3c, 5a,b, 8a, 12a,b,d. In these verses, the Lord, through Isaiah, tries to teach Judah where to look for her hope and salvation. What is the great light the Lord promised? How can we achieve peace, even in dark times of war?

 

 

7. Read 2 Nephi 19:13-21, with footnote to Isaiah 9:15a. What will happen to Judah, specifically? Why? What phrase is repeated in 2 Nephi 19:12 and 21? What does it mean to you?