Keys to Understanding Isaiah

Isaiah’s name means “Jehovah is salvation” and that central to Isaiah’s entire message is the life, mission, and glorious atonement of Jesus Christ.” (CES Manual, p38)

How the Book of Mormon helps us understand Isaiah

•        Quotes 22 of 66 Isaiah chapters with commentary made by prophets living near time of Isaiah.

•        Includes words, phrases, and explanations that appear in no other copies of Isaiah.

•        Predates the Dead Sea Scrolls by 400 years. “Isaiah scroll” dates back to 200 b.c. Isaiah in Book of Mormon dates back to ~ 600 b.c.

•        Because tone of first 33 Isaiah chapters differs from the last 33 chapters, many believe that Isaiah was written by two people. Book of Mormon quotes from first and last half of Isaiah identifies Isaiah as the author.

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.