2 Nephi 11 & 16 (10/11)
Reading Assignment for class on Thursday, Oct 12: 2 Nephi 11 & 2 Nephi 16
Chapter 11 is Nephi's introduction to the Isaiah chapters that follow. In this chapter, look for why it is so important to have multiple witnesses of Christ and why Nephi chose to quote Isaiah.
As you read the Isaiah chapters, try using this advice from President Packer:
President Boyd K.
Packer (1924–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles acknowledged that as we
study the Book of Mormon, the chapters containing Isaiah’s writings might seem
like a barrier. Then he said: “Do not stop reading! Move forward through those
difficult-to-understand chapters … even if you understand very little of it.
Move on, if all you do is skim and merely glean an impression here and there”
(“The Things of My Soul,” Ensign, May 1986, 61).
As you read 2 Nephi 16, try to identify as many symbols as you can in Isaiah's vision where he was called to be a prophet. How could this chapter help you prepare for a mission?
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2 Nephi 11:8. “And now I write some of the words of Isaiah”
The following list provides some examples of why Nephi included the writings of Isaiah in his record:1. Isaiah had seen the Savior, as Nephi and Jacob had (see 2 Nephi 11:2–3; see also 2 Nephi 16:1–5, which includes Isaiah’s description of a vision in which he saw the Savior).
2. Nephi delighted in testifying of Christ, and Isaiah also testified of Christ (see 2 Nephi 11:4, 6; see also 2 Nephi 17:14 and 19:6–7, two examples of Isaiah’s prophecies of the Savior).
3. Nephi delighted in the covenants of the Lord (see 2 Nephi 11:5). Isaiah’s prophecies were related to the covenants of the Lord. For example, he prophesied of latter-day temple work (see 2 Nephi 12:1–3).
2 Nephi 16:2–3. Do angels have wings?
The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–44) taught that “an angel of God never has wings” (in History of the Church, 3:392). Then why did Isaiah describe angels as having wings? Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained that the description is symbolic:Elder Bruce R. McConkie
“The fact that these holy beings were shown to him as having wings was simply to symbolize their ‘power, to move, to act, etc.’ as was the case also in visions others had received. (D. & C. 77:4.)” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 703).
2 Nephi 16:5. “I am undone”
When Isaiah received his call from the Lord, he expressed his feelings of inadequacy by saying that he was “undone,” or unqualified. People today, including prophets, may feel the same sense of inadequacy. President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) described the telephone call in which President J. Reuben Clark Jr. (1871–1961) of the First Presidency informed him that he had been called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:President Spencer W. Kimball
“‘Oh, Brother Clark! Not me? You don’t mean me? There must be some mistake. I surely couldn’t have heard you right.’ This as I sank past the chair to the floor. …
“‘Oh, Brother Clark! It seems so impossible. I am so weak and small and limited and incapable’” (Spencer W. Kimball, in Edward L. Kimball and Andrew E. Kimball Jr., Spencer W. Kimball: Twelfth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [1977], 189).