The Book of Isaiah

As I study Isaiah I find things that I don't understand all of the time. Sometimes I'm confused and what the prophet said goes way over my head. While reading in the institute manual about the Book of Isaiah I've found a few helpful things to keep in mind while I read. First, I need to remember this, "Those who desire to understand Isaiah should learn of Christ and seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost." Sometimes when I read I forget to say a prayer to invite the spirit to teach to me and reveal some knowledge. If I want to understand what it is that Isaiah prophesied by the spirit I need to have the spirit with me as I study his words. Next, having the spirit with us in studying is a circular thing. If I want the spirit as I study, I need to study more. The more I know of the Lord's words and his life, the more I can have the spirit with me at all times. Studying takes the spirit to understand and the spirit comes through study! Lastly, In 3 Nephi 25:1 it says that Isaiah is hard to understand because Isaiah prophesies in the manner of the Jews. The institute manual gave great insight into what this meant. Isaiah preaches to his people using the Law of Moses as a reference. His goal is to get them to remember the covenants they made with the Lord according to that law. At the beginning of the Book of Isaiah he quotes the song of Moses. This so was instantly recognized by the people he was teaching at that time. We have to study the Law of Moses in order to better comprehend what it is that Isaiah is trying to teach us. It is so hard to put everything together when studying but if we ask for the spirit to guide us we can be led in the right directions and knowledge will flow through our minds. I know that the Lord allows us the spirit so that He can reveal His truths unto us. We have to be ready and willing to learn of our Heavenly Father and his teaching. 

The Book of Isaiah goes through several different important themes. These themes are highlighted in the Book of Mormon as well as the Book of Isaiah. Isaiah stesses the importance of being righteous. The Lord can accept no unclean thing. We need to be perfected through our Savior. Because of Israel wickedness, they were scatted but Isaiah emphasizes that Israel will be reunited. Isaiah also focuses on the importance of having faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. Christ is going to be the one who leads us to eternal life. When we know more of Him we are able to believe in His words and His ministry. The power of the Lord is astounding. We are able to see that His coming was prophesied and that He is just and merciful. The Lord lived and still lives. Isaiah also emphasizes that prophesies are made to be fulfilled. Every word spoken by the Lord will come to pass just as the prophets have said. Isaiah can be difficult but if we diligently study we can find the themes and central ideas of the book and apply them to our lives. I'm so grateful to know that I can be taught by the spirit when I invite the spirit into my heart.