PURPOSE: To encourage class members to avoid the evils of the world by standing in holy places and to help them draw strength from Isaiah’s willingness to serve.
BACKGROUND: For the background I am turning a resource that I have really enjoyed titled "The Old Testament Made Easier" by David Ridges pg. 22-23.
The Savior quoted Isaiah more often than He quoted any other prophet in the Old Testament. This fact alone testifies of the importance of the writings and teachings of Isaiah. During the Savior's ministry to the Nephites on the American continent, He quoted Isaiah and then said (3 Nephi 23:1), "And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah."
There are obviously many reasons that the teachings of Isaiah are vital to us. We will quote again from the Book of Mormon to see two major reasons to study Isaiah, according to Nephi. We will use bold to point out Nephi's reasons for quoting Isaiah to his people, including his wayward brothers Laman and Lemuel.
1 Nephi 19:23-24
23 And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.
24 Wherefore I spake unto them saying: Hear ye the words of the prophet, ye who are a remnant of the house of Israel, a branch who have been broken off; hear ye the words of the prophet, which were written unto all the house of Israel, and liken them unto yourselves, that ye may have hope as well as your brethren from who ye have been broken off; for after this manner has the prophet written.
Thus we are taught that Isaiah's teachings can greatly strengthen our testimonies of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, and provide wonderful hope and assurance in our hearts that we can be found among those who are saved. ("The Old Testament Made Easier" by David Ridges pg. 22-23)
STUDY: Isaiah 1–6.
Isaiah prophesied many things about the earthly mission of the Savior, about the destruction that would follow Israel’s wickedness, and about the mission and destiny of latter-day Israel.
• Many of Isaiah’s warnings and prophecies apply both to his time, which was a time of great wickedness, and to our time. How are the conditions described in Isaiah 1–5 evident in the world today?
• What three holy places mentioned in Isaiah 4:5–6 offer safety from evil? What expressions are used in these verses to describe how these holy places will protect us?
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