2 Nephi 11-31 Why did Nephi quote Isaiah?

Isaiah: The Lord is salvation.

Son of Amoz, a prophet in Jerusalem during 40 years, 740-701 B.C. He had great religious and political influence during the reign of Hezekiah, whose chief advisor he was. Tradition states that he was “sawn asunder” during the reign of Manasseh; for that reason he is often represented in art holding a saw.

Isaiah is the most quoted of all the prophets, being more frequently quoted by Jesus, Paul, Peter, and John (in his Revelation) than any other O.T. prophet. Likewise the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants quote from Isaiah more than from any other prophet. The Lord told the Nephites that “great are the words of Isaiah,” and that all things Isaiah spoke of the house of Israel and of the gentiles would be fulfilled (3 Ne. 23: 1-3).

The writings of Isaiah deal with events of his day as well as events beyond his time, some of which have already come to pass and others are yet to be. The bulk of Isaiah’s prophecies deal with the coming of the Redeemer, both in his first appearance (“For unto us a child is born,” Isa. 9: 6) and as the Great King at the last day, as the God of Israel. A major theme is that God requires righteousness of his people, and until they obey him they will be smitten and scattered by their enemies. But in the end, Israel will be restored; the barren land will be made fruitful and able to support a large population; and the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, will dwell in the midst of his people, who will be called Zion.

A major difficulty in understanding the book of Isaiah is his extensive use of symbolism, as well as his prophetic foresight and literary style; these take many local themes (which begin in his own day) and extend them to a latter-day fulfillment or application. Consequently, some prophecies are probably fulfilled more than one time and/or have more than one application.

1 Nephi 19:23

To “more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord”

2 Nephi 11:2–4

To provide another witness of Jesus Christ

2 Nephi 11:5–6, 8

To help us (his readers) rejoice

2 Nephi 25:3

To reveal God’s judgments

Nephi delighted in “proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ” (2 Nephi 11:4).

Nephi delighted in the words of Isaiah (see 2 Nephi 11:2)

Tthe words of Isaiah prove the truthfulness of the coming of Christ (see vv. 4, 6)

Nephi felt that readers “may lift up their hearts and rejoice” (v. 8) because of Isaiah’s words.