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Lesson 101A – Isaiah 48–52

Lesson 101A – Isaiah 48–52. The Gathering. Isaiah 49.

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Lesson 101A – Isaiah 48–52

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  1. Lesson 101A – Isaiah 48–52 The Gathering

  2. Isaiah 49 “Isaiah chapter 49 is one of the most important chapters in the whole book of Isaiah, because it also clearly foretells the mission of the Latter-day Saints and the destiny of the land of America in connection with the house of Israel. Nephi interpreted the chapter as foretelling that the land of America would receive some of scattered Israel, while his brother Jacob applied it both to the Jews in Jerusalem and to the Gentiles. Chapter 49 is of such importance that it ought to be studied diligently by every member of the Church.” ( “Great Are the Words of Isaiah,” pp. 173–74.)

  3. Gathering and Saving • Isaiah 48-49 is a bridge • Continue the messages of 40-47 (The Lord is all powerful and will save His people) • Preview the message of 50-59 (Christ is the preserving/atoning power, Israel will be gathered in the last days) • The main message is that those who are in despair should have hope, the Lord has not forgotten you and will gather you up. • Directed at three different groups • The Israelites (in bondage to Babylon) • Those seeking truth in the latter days • Each of us as we struggle in the world

  4. A Proper Introduction • These are the first 2 chapters fully quoted in the Book of Mormon. • Let’s see how Nephi introduced them – 1st Nephi 19:24 • What are Nephi’s directions? • “Hear ye the words of the prophet” • “liken them unto yourselves” • “that ye may have hope” • They should liken it because it is about them, one of the scattered tribes of Israel

  5. The Servant Song • Isaiah 49:1-6 – Who is the servant? (v3) • It could be several people: • Isaiah • Jesus Christ • Israel as a whole • Joseph Smith • I think we can show that it is all of them

  6. So, who is the servant? • Ludlow: “It seems that the limited evidence suggests that the term “servant” generally applies to the house of Israel’s major representatives throughout the ages” • Isaiah – last great prophet before the scattering of Israel • Christ – fulfilling the promise to Jacob and establishing the saving paths of Israel • Joseph Smith – heralded the beginning of the gathering of Israel • We should also use these characteristics to become better servants to the Lord.

  7. Joseph Smith “I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; and the only polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something else, striking with accelerated force against religious bigotry, priestcraft, lawyer-craft, doctor-craft, lying editors, suborned judges and jurors, and the authority of perjured executives, backed by mobs, blasphemers, licentious and corrupt men and women—all hell knocking off a corner here and a corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty, who will give me dominion over all and every one of them, when their refuge of lies shall fail, and their hiding place shall be destroyed, while these smooth-polished stones with which I come in contact become marred.” ( TPJS, p. 304.)

  8. The rapid gathering • Isaiah 49:18-21 – Look for descriptions of the gathering of Israel. • “The place is to strait for me” • “Who hath begotten me these… where had they been?” Spencer W. Kimball “This day of the Lamanite brings opportunity. Millions farm the steep hillsides of Andean ranges and market their produce with llamas and horses and burros. They must have the emancipating gospel. Millions serve in menial labor, eke out bare subsistence from soil and toil. They must hear the compelling truths of the gospel. Millions are tied to reservations, deprived, untrained, and less than they could be. They must have the enlightening gospel. It will break their fetters, stir their ambition, increase their vision, and open new worlds of opportunity to them. Their captivity will be at an end—captivity from misconceptions, illiteracy, superstition, fear. . . . “The brighter day has dawned. The scattering has been accomplished; the gathering is in process. May the Lord bless us all as we become nursing fathers and mothers (see Isa. 49:23 and 1 Nephi 21:23 ) unto our Lamanite brethren and hasten the fulfillment of the great promises made to them.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1965, p. 72.)

  9. Back to Nephi • After Nephi had quoted these two chapters… • 1 Nephi 22:1-3 • These things are both temporal and spiritual • 1 Nephi 22:11-12 – right to the point • And spiritually? Isaiah 49:13-17 • Think of the imagery. This is a promise to the whole of Israel and the promise to each of us as a child of God

  10. Notebook Ideas • How are you participating in the gathering of Israel in the latter days? What can you do more to be a part of the great work? • What does it mean to you personally the Christ has “graven thee in the palms of [his] hands”?

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