Isaiah 51, See also 2 Nephi 8 The audience for this chapter is defined in verse 1: Those who follow after righteous, who seek the Lord. (This picks up where the last chapter left us, that if we are trying to do what’s right and we still in darkness, then place your trust in the …
Author Archives: Brent
Trust in the Name of the Lord
Isaiah 50, see also 2 Nephi 7 Side details tell stories in themselves: the heavens are clothed with sackcloth? (See verse 3) We travel in space now. We send rovers to Mars. Yet what, if we could see it, is really being kept from our view? How do I “encompass myself about in sparks” instead …
Thou Art My Servant, Oh Israel
Isaiah 49, See also 1 Nephi 21 The first thought that impresses me in this reading is that the Lord is behind it all. It is His name’s honor that will be achieved in the end. “Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful,” (vs. 7) At …
The Lord Thy God… Teacheth Thee To Profit
Isaiah 48 Isaiah’s audience in this chapter is setup in verse one: members of the house of Israel by covenant (baptism) who swear by the name of the Lord, but not in truth, nor righteousness. How could one find themselves in such a position? Perhaps born into a community of believers but they themselves are …
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O Virgin Daughter of Babylon
Isaiah 47 An entire chapter of Isaiah is dedicated to the demise of Babylon. This is a refreshing break from the previous theme of God verses the idols, but that one full chapter would be dedicated to this theme seems significant. It’s what Babylon represents and what it has represented. Babylon thought it could avoid …
My Counsel Shall Stand
Isaiah 46 This theme of idols verses God is repeated again in this chapter. Do we not put our confidence in dead works today just as much as they did in antiquity? Our idols are now electric powered. They are capable of artificial intelligence. And yet somehow, naively, these works of our hands are to …
Welcome Message
“Welcome Message,” President Russel M. Nelson, April 2021 General Conference – Saturday Morning Session Not even having read this message yet, the only thing that I have done is prayed to understand the words of the Prophet. In reading the title, which appears mundane and unimpressive, there is a micro-sermon on inclusion. Everyone is welcome …
Look Unto Me
Isaiah 45 Isaiah starts chapter 45 with a prophecy of a future king, Cyrus, who will be raised up of the Lord, though he know it not. Or rather, this king, Cyrus “the Great” would not the Lord. That Isaiah could prophecy this future king’s reign, especially as it pertained to the overthrowing of one …
That Confirmeth the Word of His Servant
Isaiah 44 I have read through this last few chapters with clarity and ease of understanding. Why? Surely the Spirit of the Lord is upon me in these days, but I feel that I have done little, nay, nothing to merit such a blessing. So it is with the Lord. Continuing with the theme of …
Ye Are My Witnesses
Isaiah 43 This chapters starts with a statement of ownership. Israel belongs to the Lord. The Being that is both responsible for their creation and the details of that creation, He it is who also has concerned Himself with Israel’s redemption. (I am thinking of my own family formed under covenant with Him and my …