(Isa. 48:1–6; 42:1–4; 50:4–9; 52:13–53; Jer. 23:1–2; refer in this text to 2 Ne. 7:4–9.)
Jewish theology maintains that this prophecy of the “suffering servant” depicts the Jewish nation, but, taken together, the words Isaiah uses to describe this helper of Israel in the latter days apply only to two beings: the Messiah and the Prophet Joseph Smith. Nephi and Lehi seem to know not only that Isaiah intended to prophesy of Jesus and Joseph Smith (see 2 Ne. 3), but also that the latter-day restoration of the gospel would help bring about the final redemption of Israel.
That these characteristics refer primarily to the Savior is probably obvious to many Christians, but Joseph Smith also fits many of the qualifications of that special servant. After all, every true prophet is a type, a foreshadowing, or a symbol of the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Andrew C. Skinner, Isaiah in the Book of Mormon, ed. Donald W. Parry and John W. Welch [Provo, Utah: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1998], 107.)