Lesson 9 - My Soul Delighteth in the Words of Isaiah

Purpose:
To inspire class members to read the prophecies of Isaiah and to help them understand how these prophecies apply in their lives.

Reading Assignment:

• 2 Nephi 11-25

Additional Reading:

• D&C 133:7–14
• D&C 20:29–31
• 2 Nephi 10:24–25
• Moroni 7:12–17
   
• How can I understand Isaiah? - Ryan S. Gardner
  (This article was intended for seminary students but I found it really helpful. If you are an Isaiah expert, you can skip this one. If you are a novice like me, give it a read.)
   
• The Gift of Grace - Dieter F. Uchtdorf
   
• Shipshape and Bristol Fashion: Be Temple Worthy - in Good Times and Bad Times - Elder Quentin L. Cook

Questions to Ponder:

• What are the keys to understanding Isaiah, as taught by Nephi?
  • 1 Nephi 19:23
  • 2 Nephi 11:2, 8
  • 2 Nephi 15:26
  • 2 Nephi 25:1
  • 2 Nephi 12:1–3
  • 2 Nephi 25:3
  • 2 Nephi 25:6
  • 2 Nephi 20:28–34
  • 2 Nephi 25:4
  • Revelation 19:10
• What can we learn from Isaiah's writings about the latter-day temple and gathering of Israel?
  • 2 Nephi 12:1–12
  • 2 Nephi 14:6
  • 2 Nephi 12:3–5
  • D&C 133:7–14
• Isaiah exhorted the house of Jacob to “walk in the light of the Lord” instead of “all [going] astray, every one to his wicked ways” (2 Nephi 12:5).
  • What are some of the specific sins mentioned in (2 Nephi 12:7–12)?
    • How are these sins still prevalent today?
    • How can we avoid these pitfalls and “walk in the light”?
• What can we learn from Isaiah's prophesies about "lifting up an ensign to the nations"?
  • 2 Nephi 15:26–29; 21:12
• What do we learn from the testimonies of Isaiah and Nephi about Jesus Christ's redeeming power? (2 Nephi 16; 22;25:19–30)
  • Nephi teaches "it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." What does this statement teach about the relationship between the grace of Jesus Christ and our works? (2 Nephi 25:23)
• What might you do in your life to comply more fully with the exhortation to worship the Lord "with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul"?
  • 2 Nephi 25:29
• I what ways might we, like ancient Israel, make the mistake of calling "evil good, and good evil"? (2 Nephi 15:20)
  • How can we be sure that we recognize good and evil for what they really are?
    • Moroni 7:12–17