2 Nephi, Chapter 23

(Isaiah 13)

Why did Isaiah teach about Babylon?

“The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see (v. 1).”  Isaiah had a vision of Babylon.  Babylon can be found in the Bible Dictionary, “The capital of Babylonia. . . . During the Assyrian supremacy it became part of that empire, and was destroyed by Sennacherib. After the downfall of Assyria, Babylon became Nebuchadnezzar’s capital. He built an enormous city of which the ruins still remain. The city was square, and the Euphrates ran through the middle of it. According to Herodotus the walls were 56 miles in circumference, 335 ft. high, and 85 ft. wide. A large part of the city consisted of beautiful parks and gardens. The chief building was the famous temple of Bel. Inscriptions that have been recently deciphered show that the Babylonians had accounts of the Creation and the Deluge in many ways similar to those given in the book of Genesis. Other inscriptions contain accounts of events referred to in the Bible histories of the kingdoms of Israel and Judaea, and also give valuable information as to the chronology of these periods. . . . In D&C 1: 16, Babylon means the world.”  Babylon is the high places of the world, not of the Lord.

In the chapter heading we read, “Destruction of Babylon is a type of destruction at Second Coming…”.  Isaiah said that Babylon would fall forever.   We learn in the scriptures of other places that fall.  In 1 Nephi 11:36 we learn of Nephi’s vision of the Tree of Life, “And it came to pass that I saw and bear record, that the great and spacious building was the pride of the world; and it fell, and the fall thereof was exceedingly great. And the angel of the Lord spake unto me again, saying: Thus shall be the destruction of all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, that shall fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”  In 2 Nephi 12:12 we read, “For the day of the Lord of Hosts soon cometh upon all nations, yea, upon every one; yea, upon the proud and lofty, and upon every one who is lifted up, and he shall be brought low.”  Also, in Proverbs 16:18 we read, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”  We learn from these scriptures that sin and pride precede destruction.

Even in our day, the prophets have foretold of the destruction of Babylon, “They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall (D&C 1:16).”  How do we avoid being part of Babylon today?  We can avoid being part of the wicked who will fall if we live the gospel fully, avoid sin by following the commandments, and be an example to others rather than enabling them to sin and become full of pride.

The great and dreadful day of the Lord

“Howl ye, for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty (v. 6).  Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it (v. 9).”  The day of the second coming of the Lord is at hand.

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5):”  The second coming will be both “great” and “dreadful”.  The study guide shows us an example of something being both great and dreadful.  In a movie theatre you can see many different movies.  I can choose to go watch a love story, while at the same time, my husband could choose to watch a comedy.  I can experience my love story without being effected by the comedy playing in the room next door.  I don’t know much about what my husband would be experiencing during his movie.  Just like we can all attend the same movie theatre, the Savior will come to us all. The experience that those who choose to live righteously will have, will be different from that of the wicked.  ”And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces; and her time is near to come, and her day shall not be prolonged. For I will destroy her speedily; yea, for I will be merciful unto my people, but the wicked shall perish (v. 22).”  For one, the experience will be great and for the other it will be dreadful.

These are the things that the righteous will experience:

• “for mine anger is not upon them that rejoice in my highness” (v. 3)
•  ”shall all hands be faint, every man’s heart shall melt” (v. 7)
• “For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light; the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.” (v. 10)
• “I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.” (v. 12)
• “I will be merciful unto my people” (v. 22)

These are the things that the wicked will experience:

• The noise of the multitude in the mountains like as of a great people, a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together, the Lord of Hosts mustereth the hosts of the battle (v. 4).  They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, yea, the Lord, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land (v. 5).
•   Shall all hands be faint, every man’s heart shall melt (v. 7)
•  And they shall be afraid (v. 8 )
• Pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them (v. 8 )
• Lay the land desolate (v. 9)
•  He shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it (v. 9)
• For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light; the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. (v. 10)
• And I will punish the world for evil, and the wicked for their iniquity (v. 11)
• The arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay down the haughtiness of the terrible. (v. 11)
•  I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. (v. 12)
• Shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of Hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. (v. 13)
•  Shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land. (v. 14)
• Every one that is proud shall be thrust through (v. 15)
• every one that is joined to the wicked shall fall by the sword. (v. 15)
• Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes (v. 16)
• Their houses shall be spoiled and their wives ravished. (v. 16)
• Their bows shall also dash the young men to pieces (v. 18 )
• No pity on the fruit of the womb (v. 18 )
• Shall not spare children. (v. 18 )
• The wicked shall perish. (v. 22)

Their is a lot to fear if we are wicked.  I pray that those I love will try their best to live righteously.  I am excited for the second coming of the Lord.  I think that it will be a wonderful time of happiness and peace.

2 Nephi, Chapter 22

(Isaiah 12)

Praise the Lord

 ”And in that day thou shalt say: O Lord, I will praise thee; though thou wast angry with me thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedest me (v. 1).  Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation (v.2).  Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation (v. 3).  And in that day shall ye say: Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted (v. 4).  Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things; this is known in all the earth (v. 5).  Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee (v. 6).”

What a beautiful chapter of the Book of Mormon.  How can we praise the Lord?  We can praise the Lord with prayer, tell others about Him, and sing praises to Him.  I love to sing praises unto the Lord.  When I sing of Him, I hope that others can feel my testimony through my song.  

In John 14:15 we read, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”  By doing what we have been asked to do, we can praise the Lord.  It is true that actions speak louder than words.   And the Lord has given us everything, so He truly deserves our praises.  I will try harder to show my love and appreciation for my Savior, by having a stronger resolve to keep all the commandments that we have been given.  Then, perhaps others will see His light through me and find their way home.

2 Nephi, Chapter 21

(Isaiah 11)

Is the thought of being judged by Jesus Christ a frightening idea or a comforting one?

“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots (v. 1).  And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord (v. 2); And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears (v. 3).  But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked (v. 4).  And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins (v. 5).”   We have an explanation for these scriptures found in D&C 113:1-2, “WHO is the Stem of Jesse spoken of in the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, and 5th verses of the 11th chapter of Isaiah?  Verily thus saith the Lord: It is Christ.”  We learn also from Jeremiah 23:5-6, that the branch is also the Lord, Jesus Christ.  ”Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.  In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

The wicked are the only ones who need to fear the judgement of the Lord.  In D&C 45:3-5 we read, “Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified; Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.”  The righteous will be spared and have everlasting life.  Being included with the righteous is such an awesome goal.  If I can remember that every good choice that I make has eternal glories as the reward, I will not have a problem choosing them over the temptations that will come my way.

Who is the “rod” and the “root”?

In D&C 113:3-6 we read, “What is the rod spoken of in the first verse of the 11th chapter of Isaiah, that should come of the Stem of Jesse?  Behold, thus saith the Lord: It is a servant in the hands of Christ, who is partly a descendant of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the house of Joseph, on whom there is laid much power.  What is the root of Jesse spoken of in the 10th verse of the 11th chapter?  Behold, thus saith the Lord, it is a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of my people in the last days.”

When I read this, I think of the prophet Joseph Smith.  We know his lineage from earlier scripture.  He was the Lord’s servant, who restored the keys of the priesthood to the earth and started the gathering of Israel in these latter-days.  D&C 110:11-16 reads, “After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north (v. 11).  After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed (v. 12).  After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said (v. 13):  Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come (v. 14)—To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse (v. 15)—Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors (v. 16).”

The prophet Joseph Smith was talked about throughout the Earth’s history.  His purpose was great and he did all that the prophets foretold of him.  Now because the priesthood has been restored, we know that the Second Coming is near and those who are righteous need not fear the judgement that will come with it.

What will the Millennium be like?

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and fatling together; and a little child shall lead them (v. 6).  And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox (v. 7).  And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’s den (v. 8 ).  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea (v. 9).”

During the Millennium, animals which we see as dangerous and wild in the world today, will be gentle.  No animal will kill another because every thing will know the Lord.  The world will be as it was in the Garden of Eden for Adam and Eve.  The difference is that man will know all that was learned from life before the Millennium, where Adam and Eve did not have knowledge until partaking of the fruit.  I look forward to the day when I will not fear the death of my family from animals or other people.  What a glorious time that will be.

The gathering of Israel

“And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek; and his crest shall be glorious (v. 10).”  We have learned in earlier scripture that the church and gospel will be an ensign to the world in these latter days.  ”And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea (v. 11).  And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth (v. 12).”  The ensign is the Lord’s way of gathering the children of Israel.  

“The envy of Ephraim also shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim (v. 13).  But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines towards the west; they shall spoil them of the east together; they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them (v. 14).  And the Lord shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind he shall shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dry shod (v. 15).  And there shall be a highway for the remnant of his people which shall be left, from Assyria, like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt (v. 16).”

In the world today, there is much fighting over lands because of a birthright given in ancient times.  When the tribes are gathered, they will no longer fight with one another.  Instead they will hurry to gather together as the children of God.  They will even cross over dry land where water was, just like those who crossed the Red Sea when Moses led them out of Egypt.  The second coming will be a time of wonderful miracles.  We have been told to help in the gathering of the Israel.  We can do this by remembering that we are all missionaries.  We need to live as an example of Christ and tell our friends, families, and neighbors about the gospel.  It is our job to do work in the temple for those who have died without a knowledge of the gospel, so that those who have passed on, will also be able to gather together as followers of Christ.

2 Nephi, Chapter 20

(Isaiah 10)

What is our responsibility to the poor and the needy?

“Wo unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed (v. 1); To turn away the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless (v. 2)!”  The Lord says we should not mistreat the poor, widows or the fatherless.  In D&C 104:15-18 we read, “And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine (v. 15).  But it must needs be done in mine own way; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low (v. 16).  For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves (v. 17).  Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment (v. 18).”  When we give money to the fast offerings and other church funds such as the perpetual education fund, we are able to help those who are in need.  If we give of what we have, we will be blessed by the Lord.  We need to pay attention to others and needs that they have.  If we do so, with the spirit, we will be prompted of ways that we can serve others.

Look who’s working for the Lord!

“O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is their indignation (v. 5).  I will send him against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets (v. 6).”  What did the Lord mean by “O Assyrian the rod of mine anger”?  Assyria would be an instrument in the Lord’s hand.  The Lord would use Assyria to teach the wicked.  Who is the “hypocritical nation”?  We see in footnote 6a that this is in reference to Israel.  The Assyrians would take Israel.

“Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but in his heart it is to destroy and cut off nations not a few (v. 7).  For he saith: Are not my princes altogether kings (v. 8 )?  Is not Calno as Carchemish? Is not Hamath as Arpad? Is not Samaria as Damascus (v. 9)?  As my hand hath founded the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria (v. 10); Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and to her idols (v. 11)?”  The Assyrians were not aware that they were going to do the work of the Lord.  They were taking over Isreal the same as they would have taken over any other land.

“Wherefore it shall come to pass that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon Mount Zion and upon Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks (v. 12).  For he saith: By the strength of my hand and by my wisdom I have done these things; for I am prudent; and I have moved the borders of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man (v. 13); And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people; and as one gathereth eggs that are left have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped (v. 14).”  The Assyrians felt that their strength and wisdom has caused Israel to fall at their hands.  The Lord would punish the king for his pride and boasting.  ”Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? As if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were no wood (v. 15)!  Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of Hosts, send among his fat ones, leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire (v. 16).  And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame, and shall burn and shall devour his thorns and his briers in one day (v. 17); And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body; and they shall be as when a standard-bearer fainteth (v. 18).  And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them (v. 19).”  Assyria would be burned by the fire of the Lord and all their glory would be lost because they boasted in their own strength.

Assyria was not being blessed for righteousness.  They were used by the Lord to teach the children of God that they had to repent of their sins.  Assyria would also be punished for their sins.  The wicked are used as instruments by God, just as we learn in Mormon 4:5, “But, behold, the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed.”  Does this happen today?  I think so.  We need to remember to always turn to the Lord and never allow ourselves to think that our successes are due solely to our work.  The Lord’s hand is in our lives and we owe all that we have to God.

The destruction of Assyria–a twice-fulfilled prophecy

My husband and I love to read books together.  It’s often fun to notice the use of foreshadowing as we read.  In Chapter 20, the Lord uses the destruction of Assyria as a way to foreshadow what will come in the future.  We learn from the chapter heading that the destruction of Assyria is like what will occur at the Savior’s second coming.  The wicked will be burned by the fire of the Lord leaving only a few and the house of Israel will be gathered together.  

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them, but shall stay upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth (v. 20).  The remnant shall return, yea, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God (v. 21).  For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return; the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness (v.22).”    The remnant that is left, will turn away from wickedness and overflow with righteousness.

Their is wickedness in the world today.  Their are many who pervert the Lord’s ways.  I’ve noticed more people here in the US want to make what is good out to be evil and what is plainly evil out to be good.  But their is hope in the words of Isaiah.  ”Therefore, thus saith the Lord God of Hosts: O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian; he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt (v. 24).  For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction (v. 25).  And the Lord of Hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb; and as his rod was upon the sea so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt (v. 26).  And it shall come to pass in that day that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing (v. 27).”  The wickedness will cease and the wicked will be destroyed.  (The oppressors of Midian were slain, such as prince Oreb of the Midianites whose head was cut off on the rock of Oreb.)  The righteous who dwell in Zion will be saved from the wicked.  The oppression will be for just a little while, but the power of the Lord, who is “the anointed one,” will save them.

The Savior gives us the power to overcome any challenges we face, as long as we remain faithful to Him.  We are in the last days and the prophecy of Isaiah will be fulfilled in this dispensation.  The wicked will oppress us, but we will be saved.  I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost and that it helps me to know what is right and wrong.  I am grateful for a testimony of my Savior and his saving power.

2 Nephi, Chapter 19

(Isaiah 9)

Isaiah prophesies of the birth of the Savior

In Isaiah 9:2 we read, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”  Then in Isaiah 9:6 we read, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”  Handel’s “Messiah” uses many verses from Isaiah in the text.  ”The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined…For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”  These verses can also be found in 2 Nephi 19:2 and 19:6.

“Nevertheless, the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun, and the land of Naphtali, and afterwards did more grievously afflict by the way of the Red Sea beyond Jordan in Galilee of the nations (v. 1).  The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined (v. 2).”

  

(Tribes of Zebulun and Naptali/Palestine in New Testament times)

The place where the tribes of Zebulan and Naphtali settled was called Galilee in the New Testament times.  The “great light” to shine in Galilee would be Jesus Christ.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (v. 6).  Of the increase of government and peace there is no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this (v. 7).”

We know from the names that Isaiah had written, that the Savior would be a ruler and counselor to all people.  We know that he would be sent from heaven and bring peace to all people with judgment and justice.  This was such an awesome prophesy he gave around 550 years before the Savior came to the Earth.

What does the Lord do when He gets angry?

When people today get angry with one another, they fight.  Some fight physically and others fight with words, through non-verbal gestures, and even a “cold shoulder” of silence.  I think it becomes hard to forgive at times, because we are a proud people.  We often take little things and make them into greater issues than they really are.  We misunderstand each other and assume that others do things with the intention of hurting us.  Plus, in the heat of the moment, it is easy to firmly believe that we have done nothing wrong and that we deserve an apology.

“The Syrians before and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still (v. 12).  For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of Hosts (v. 13).  Therefore will the Lord cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush in one day (v.14).  The ancient, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail (v. 15).  For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed (v. 16).  Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows; for every one of them is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still (v. 17).  For wickedness burneth as the fire; it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forests, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke (v. 18).  Through the wrath of the Lord of Hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire; no man shall spare his brother (v. 19).  And he shall snatch on the right hand and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand and they shall not be satisfied; they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm (v. 20) — Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still (v. 21).”

The people would fight one another and not look to God for guidance.  They would be led by false prophets and sinners.  They would become liars and wicked people. For all these reasons, the Lord would be angry with Israel, “but his hand stretched out still.”  No matter how much we have done to offend the Lord and do wrong, he will be there for us.  We need to remember that anger towards our brothers and sisters, is often the way that Satan chooses to lure us.  If we could remember to forgive as the Savior forgives us for all that we do wrong, we will be a happier people.  It is important to note that even though the Savior is forgiving, we must still live with the consequences of our actions, just as the children of Israel lived and died because of their actions.  I am so grateful that I can reflect upon my mistakes and repent of them through His atonement.  I am also so grateful that in every time of need, I can turn to my Savior and he will be there to help and comfort me.

2 Nephi, Chapter 18

(Isaiah 8  )

What’s in a Name?

My middle name was given to me because it is my Mother’s name, my Grandmother’s name on her birth certificate (she legally changed it when she was older), and my Great-Grandmother’s favorite name.  I have passed it on to my oldest daughter as well.  It holds a special place in my heart, because my Great-Grandmother passed away the same date and time that I was born (according to the birth/death records).  I always say that we gave each other a high five and I said “Way to go!” as she said “Good Luck!”.

“And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived and bare a son. Then said the Lord to me: Call his name, Maher-shalal-hash-baz (v. 3).  For behold, the child shall not have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, before the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria (v. 4).”  The Lord told Isaiah to name one of his sons Maher-shalal-hash-baz,which means “destructions is imminent”.  ”Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of Hosts, which dwelleth in Mount Zion (v. 18).”  He was named this because he was a sign to the people, that before he would be able to say “daddy” or “mommy”, the king of Assyria would take Damascus and Samaria captive.

What are the “Waters of Shiloah”?

This is the area that Isaiah prophesied about in Isaiah 7-8.

Isaiah says, “The Lord spake also unto me again, saying (v. 5):  Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly,”  meaning the waters that were in Jerusalem that came from the spring.  ”…and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah’s son (v. 6); Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria and all his glory; and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks (v. 7).  And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel (v. 8 ).”  The strong and numerous river water are the Euphrates and they symbolize the king of Assyria who would take over the land.  The people who rejoice in the lifestyles of Syria and Israel’s leaders, would be taken over by the strong and numerous Assyrians.

“Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear all ye of far countries; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces (v. 9).  Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught; speak the word, and it shall not stand; for God is with us (v. 10).  For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying (v. 11):  Say ye not, A confederacy, to all to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid (v. 12).  Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread (v. 13).  And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem (v. 14).  And many among them shall stumble and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken (v. 15).  Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples (v. 16).  And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him (v. 17).”

Isaiah repeats what he has told the people before.  They shall be destroyed.  If they band together in their sin, to discuss how to save themselves, it will not work, because God will protect the righteous.  Isaiah has been told not to follow the ways of Israel and Syria, by the Lord.  If he stands against them, he will not need to fear.  The Savior will be a sanctuary, a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offense as long as they sanctify Him.  

Even after being spared while Assyria took over, Ahaz did not continue to sanctify the Lord and Judah was invaded.  Hezekiah, the next king of Judah, was a more righteous man and the Lord saved Jerusalem from Assyria.  Eventually, Jerusalem was destroyed and scattered just as Isaiah knew they would be when he named his child and told his people that  ”destructions [was] imminent”.

2 Nephi, Chapter 17

(Isaiah 7)

Ephraim and Syria conspire against Judah

(I think this map works for this discussion)

“And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin, king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it (v. 1).  And it was told the house of David, saying: Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind (v. 2).”  In these verses, “Ephraim” refers to the “Kingdom of Israel” and “House of David” is another term for “Kingdom of Judah”.  Therefore verse 2 may also read, “And it was told the [Kingdom of Judah], saying: Syria is confederate with [Kingdom of Israel]. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.”

In other words, Ahaz (Judah), Rezin (Syria) and Pekah (Israel) went to war with Jerusalem, but couldn’t win. Then Judah was told  that Syria was banded together with Israel and “his heart was moved”.

“Then said the Lord unto Isaiah: Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller’s field (v. 3); And say unto him: Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be faint-hearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah (v. 4).  Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying (v. 5):  Let us go up against Judah and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, yea, the son of Tabeal (v. 6).  Thus saith the Lord God: It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass (v. 7).  For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus, Rezin; and within three score and five years shall Ephraim be broken that it be not a people (v. 8).  And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If ye will not believe surely ye shall not be established (v.9).”

My understanding of this is that Isaiah and his son Shearjashub were told, by the Lord, to meet with Ahaz (Judah) and tell him not to fear, but be strong because they are angry with Judah.  Isaiah said Rezin (Syria) and Pekah (Israel) had conspired against Judah, that they planned to take over Judah, and place the son of Tabeal there as king.  But the Lord told Isaiah this wouldn’t happen.  He said Syria is led by Damascus and Damascas is led by Syria.  Then in 3 score and 5 years (65 years), the kingdom of Israel will be broken and led by Samaria which is led by Pekah (Israel).

Why should Ahaz listen to Isaiah?  Because Isaiah spoke with the power of God.  If Ahaz refused to have faith, he would not be established.  I’m not exactly sure what is meant by “established, however, I do have faith in the Lord’s promises in my own life.  For example, I have been promised that if I pay my tithing, I will be blessed.  As a newly married couple, my husband and I have struggled with money quite frequently.  But, we have not wavered in our payment of a full tithe and whenever, it looks as though we would not be able to make ends meet, something has happened to give us the exact amount of money we need to get by.  I believe that the Lord has blessed us for our faithfulness.

One prophecy–two fulfillments!  A sign to Ahaz and to Us

“Moreover, the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying(v. 10):  Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depths, or in the heights above (v. 11).”  The Lord tells Ahaz to ask for a sign.

“But Ahaz said: I will not ask, neither will I atempt the Lord (v. 12).  And he said: Hear ye now, O house of David; is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also (v. 13)?  Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign—Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (v.14).  Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil and to choose the good (v. 15).  For before the child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings (v. 16).  The Lord shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father’s house, days that have not come from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah, the king of Assyria (v. 17).”  Ahaz (Judah) says he would not ask to test the Lord.  The Lord says, the sign would be that the kingdom of Israel and Syria would be defeated by Assyria and Jesus would be born and be the savior.

In 2 Kings 15 we learn that Pekah (Israel) killed Pekahiah who reigned over Israel in Samaria.  He reigned for 20 years and sinned as the rulers had before him.  During his reign, Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, took over many lands.  Meanwhile, those who ruled in Judah, were righteous.  Syria and Israel fought Judah, when Ahaz reigned in Judah.  Also, Hoshea killed Pekah and reigned over Israel afterwards. 

2 Kings 16 we learn that Ahaz (Judah) did not lead his people righteously.  Then, Syria and Israel fought Judah, but did not overtake it.  Then Ahaz asked Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, to save them from Syria and Israel.  Ahaz paid him, and Assyria killed Rezin and took Syria captive.  Ahaz died and Hezekiah took over Judah.

2 Kings 17 we learn that when Ahaz reigned, Hoshea reigned in Samaria and sinned also.  Hoshea became a servant to the King of Assyria.  But he did not pay him tribute, so Hoshea was put in prison and the King of Assyria took over Samaria and carried Israel away in captivity to Assyria.

And so the earlier part of Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled.  In 2 Kings 17 we read, “For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods (v. 7), And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made (v. 8 ).  And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the Lord their God (v. 9) … and wrought wicked things to provoke the Lord to anger (v. 11):  For they served idols, whereof the Lord had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing (v. 12).  Yet the Lord testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets (v. 13).  Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the Lord their God (v. 14).  And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them (v. 15) … And they left all the commandments of the Lord their God (v. 16) … And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger (v. 17).  Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only (v. 18).”

The rest of this particular prophecy given by Isaiah was, “Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign—Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (v.14).”  In Matthew 1:20-25 we read, “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost (v. 20).  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (v. 21).  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying (v.22), Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us (v. 23).  Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife (v. 24):  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS (v. 25).”  And so the later portion of Isaiah’s prophecy was also fulfilled.

In Isaiah’s time this prophecy may have been difficult to believe, but now we can see how it was fulfilled many years later.  It’s important to listen to the prophets.  Our modern-day prophets speak with the power of God, just as Isaiah had in the times of Ahaz.  I had heard early  in 2008, that the reason why emergency storage (food/financial) had not been mentioned for a while, was because President Hinckley said he had warned us for a long time and now the Lord would teach us.  I think that now, many are struggling because of the economy (worldwide) and those of us who have been working on our storage, should have no need to fear.  We will be blessed as we listen to the prophets.

2 Nephi, Chapter 16

(Isaiah 6)

What is a “train” and what are “seraphim”?

When I think of what a “train” is I think of the train of a wedding dress, which is pulled behind the dress.  I also think of an actual train which is a line of cars pulled behind the engine.  In the dictionary “train” is “that which is drawn along, like the part of a gown which trails behind the wearer.”  When I think of “seraphim”, I think of angels.  In the Bible Dictionary “seraphim” is defined as fiery angels in Jehovah’s court.

 ”In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple (v. 1).  Above it stood the seraphim; each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly (v. 2).  And one cried unto another, and said: Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory (v. 3).”  Then in 1 Nephi 1:8, it describes part of Lehi’s vision, “And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God.” Both of these righteous men had visions of God on a throne, surrounded by angels who were praising God.

Why is the temple full of smoke?

“And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke (v. 4).”  In Exodus 30:1, 7-8 we learn that the children of Israel were commanded to burn incense in the temple.  ”And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it (v. 1).  And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it (v. 7).  And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations (v. 8 ).  In Revelations 8:3-4 we learn that the smoke ascended up before God, with the prayers of the saints .  Our prayers ascend to God as smoke ascend into the sky.

Isaiah’s mission call

Going to the temple before serving a mission, prepares missionaries by bringing them as close to God as they can be.  People must be worthy to enter the temple, because it is the Lord’s house.  The temple is a place where the Lord can enter and no unclean thing can dwell with God.  We must sustain our leaders, have a testimony of the Savior, pay our tithing, be an honest person, and more, in order to be found worthy to enter the temple.  If one is found worthy enough to be in the house of the Lord then they should be capable of doing the Lord’s work in the mission field.

“Then said I: Wo is unto me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips; and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts (v. 5).”  Why did Isaiah feel “undone” when he saw the Lord?  Isaiah felt unworthy before the Lord just as we all would because we are not perfect and the Lord is.  In the footnote to Isaiah 6 it explains it as, “he was overwhelmed by his consciousness of the sins of himself and his people.”

How do we change the feeling of unworthiness in the Lord’s presence?  ”Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar (v. 6); And he laid it upon my mouth, and said: Lo, this has touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged (v. 7).”  We will feel worthy, if we repent of our sins.  The Lord has provided the atonement, so that our sins can be purged as Isaiah’s were.  The Lord cleansed Isaiah of his sins. (The footnote in Isaiah notes that the coal represents cleansing.)

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said: Here am I; send me (v. 8 ).”  Now that Isaiah was cleansed, he said “Here am I, send me” when the Lord asked who to send.  These are the exact words that the savior said in the pre-existence.  ”And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me (Abraham 3:27).” 

I hope I can live worthy and truly learn how to use the atonement in my life.

2 Nephi, Chapter 15

(Isaiah 5)

What does the parable of the vineyard mean?

In the Bible Dictionary it says, “in parables divine truth is presented by comparison with material things.”  In Chapter 15, Isaiah uses a parable of the vineyard.  He uses the following representations:  Vineyard (of the Lord) – House of Israel (v. 7), the choicest vine (pleasant plant) – men of Judah (v. 7), grapes – righteousness, wild grapes – unrighteousness, and the hedge/wall – protection.

In this parable, God put up a fence, gathered stones, gathered the choicest vine, built a tower, and made a winepress to make sure the vineyard would flourish and produce good grapes.

“And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard—I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and I will break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down (v. 5); And I will lay it waste; it shall not be pruned nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it (v. 6).” God would take away the protection of the Children of Israel and let them go without tending because of their unrighteousness.  Isaiah is using this parable to teach the people that there would be a falling away because their actions would be (were) unrighteous.  I think people choose wickedness over righteousness because it is easier.  It is a daily challenge to choose the right, it would be much easier to give into to temptations.

What sins in ancient Israel are found with us today?

Isaiah mentions many sins such as drinking and partying all day, ignoring the Lord’s work, meanness, vanity, thinking they make themselves wise, and justifying wickedness.  These sins still continue today.

The study guide quotes Understanding Isaiah by saying that “joining one house to another refers to building up great landed estates by oppressive means.”  Many people today “join house to house” by oppressing those they feel are beneath them, to get gain.  As a note, in the Bible dictionary it tells us that “bath” and “homer” are weights and measures.  An “ephah” is equal to 1 bath or about 8 gallons of dry substance or about 8 1/4 gallons of liquid.  A homer was about 10 ephahs (8 baths or 80 gallons of dry substance or 82 1/2 gallons of liquid).  Therefore, because of their sins,10 acres of land and the seed meant to produce 80 gallons would give only 8 gallons of substance.

“Wo unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink, that continue until night, and wine inflame them (v. 11)!  And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine are in their feasts; but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands (v. 12).”  There are many today who are more interested in parties, then in the Lord’s work.  As I find friends online through networking sites, I realize that many have posted pictures of drinking and partying all the time.  It’s very common to link socializing with drinking and parties.  These same people are those who have mocked me for standing up for what I believe.  Saying they still love me, but the think that believing in God and communicating with Him is foolish.  If only they would listen and see the larger picture, so that they might understand that life is not meant for partying and ignoring God.

Verse 13 reads, ”Therefore, my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge…”  It is our responsibility as members of the true gospel, to tell others what is right.  Also, our future generations learn from us and when we teach them the wrong things they are kept in captivity because they have no knowledge of the right.

“Wo unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope (v. 8 );”  Donkeys draw carts forward with ropes tied between them and the carts.  Many people are tied to their sins because of pride.  We all have the spirit as a conscience even if we have not received the gift of the Holy Ghost.  We naturally know when we are not making the right choices, but we must be willing to listen to those feelings.  Many would not be willing to admit fault.

“That say: Let him make speed, hasten his work, that we may see it; and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it (v. 19).”  There are those who insist that truth must be based on facts and things that can be seen.  They choose not to believe based on faith.  This life is a test of our faith.  If we choose not to believe based on faith, we choose not to prove ourselves worthy to return to our Heavenly Father’s presence.

Verse 20 reads, “Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”  The words of the media are a great example of glorifying sin and making worth things out to be bad.  For example, exploring relationships outside of marriage between a man and wife is portrayed as brave and “honest”, while prayer and God in schools and other public areas are “bad”.

“Wo unto the wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight (v. 21)!  Wo unto the mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink (v. 22);  Who justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him (v. 23)!”  Those who are poor are often treated unfairly because they are poor, but there are also others treated unfairly because of their “classes” (other than poor) in society.  Many celebrities are treated differently because they have money and social standing. They get away with a lot more than the average person.  In an ideal world there wouldn’t be class separations and unfair treatments based on wealth.  We must remember, that to have wealth is not a bad thing, but to use it for our own gain and not to help those who are less fortunate, or to go without recognizing God’s hand in our success is the sin.

“Therefore, as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, their root shall be rottenness, and their blossoms shall go up as dust; because they have cast away the law of the Lord of Hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel (v. 24).  Therefore, is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them; and the hills did tremble, and their carcasses were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still (v. 25).”  The Jews would be burned as stubble and destroyed because of their sins.  They were smitten and scattered just as Isaiah prophesied.  I believe those who commit these sins today, will also be destroyed, either in this life (as we draw nearer to the second coming) or in spirit prison.  Isaiah’s words are for our benefit and we must remember to avoid these sins, so that we can be saved.

What does it mean to “hiss” to the nations?

When I would play outside as a kid, my Dad would whistle if it was time for dinner or some other occasion.  We whistle to each other to get one another’s attention.  The footnote to Isaiah 5:26 (compare to 2 Nephi 15:26) says that “hiss” means whistle. “And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth; and behold, they shall come with speed swiftly; none shall be weary nor stumble among them (v. 26).”  The Lord will whistle to the nations and they will come with speed swiftly.  The “ensign” he raises is the church of Christ and the true gospel.  It has been raised to the nations and many are coming to the fold of his church.

Is it possible Isaiah say trains and planes?

The word “ensign” means a standard, flag or banner.  The Lord has raised the standard of his gospel to the nations.  We can be ensigns to those around us by standing for God, truths and righteousness and by being an example of Christ and helping others to hear the gospel.

Isaiah was referring to trains and planes bringing the people with speed swiftly. “Whose arrows shall be sharp, and all their bows bent, and their horses’ hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind, their roaring like a lion (v. 28).  They shall roar like young lions; yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry away safe, and none shall deliver (v. 29).”  It’s awesome to know that Isaiah saw these things in his time.

2 Nephi, Chapter 14

(Isaiah 4)

Who will escape the Lord’s coming?

“When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning (v. 4).”

We know from the last chapter that some of the daughters of Zion will sin greatly in the latter-days.  At the Savior’s second coming these sins will be washed away from Zion.  In the footnote, it refers to Malachi 4:1 where we learn that the earth will be cleansed by fire and all the proud and wicked will be as stubble with no part left behind.  Also, in 1 Nephi 22:15 we learn that the wicked must be burned.  And then in D&C 38:12 we learn that angels will burn the tares, who are the side of the enemy, Satan.  The “spirit of burning” will wash away filth and purge the blood, by the wicked being destroyed in the refiner’s fire.

“In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious; the fruit of the earth excellent and comely to them that are escaped of Israel (v. 2).  And it shall come to pass, they that are left in Zion and remain in Jerusalem shall be called holy, every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem— (v. 3)”

After the Lord comes again “the branch of the Lord”, His righteous children, will be beautiful and glorious.  The earth will be holy once the wicked are destroyed.  The people that are left, will be holy.

I think it would be so awesome to live among the holy, knowing that all alive are righteous people and to live when Jesus comes again.  When someone I hold dear says that I am beautiful, I feel great.  To know that the Lord thinks I am beautiful and glorious would be the best.  I hope, if it should be in my lifetime, that I will be righteous enough to be with the beautiful, glorious, and holy children of Israel.  I will be able to live with them, if I can put away those things that the daughters of Zion will be punished for (see chapter 13) and become a humble daughter of God.

How can we survive life’s storms?

A tree may give nice shade from the heat and be a nice comfort on a sunny day, but if it started to rain, I’d rather be inside.  Inside my home, I have protection from the heat of a sunny day as well as protection from the rain.

“And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory of Zion shall be a defence (v. 5).”  A pillar of fire defends against enemies.  Moses and the children of Israel experienced this while escaping from Egypt.  In Exodus 13:19-21; 14:19-20, we see that a cloud led the way by day and a pillar of fire gave light at night to help the Israelites and stop the Egyptians.

“And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and a covert from storm and from rain (v. 6).”  A tabernacle will provide safety from heat, storm, and rain.  We need protection from the storms of life.  These storms may be spiritual, physical or mental.  They may be trials or temptations.

If you live righteously with the righteous, the temptations of life will be gone and there would be support from others for the other trials that come in life. In D&C 115:5-6 it says, ”Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations (v. 5);  And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth (v. 6).”  My home and the church will be the tabernacle in my life, to protect me from the temptations, and help me through the trials of life.