The words of Isaiah teach us of the mission and divinity of Jesus Christ (see Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7; 53:1–2), the destiny of the house of Israel (see Isaiah 2:1–5; 27:12–13; 43:1–7; 49:5–17), and the things we need to do to be worthy of the blessings of God (see Isaiah 58:1–14; 5:8–24).
Isaiah is quoted extensively in the New Testament. As already mentioned, some twenty complete chapters (and parts of one additional chapter) from Isaiah are found in the Book of Mormon. Familiar phrases of Isaiah are also found in the Doctrine and Covenants. This should not be surprising. All scriptures are the words of Christ. They resonate with one another. The doctrine is His. He is the one who gave the words.
To understand the words of Isaiah and the manner of prophesying among the Jews (see 2 Nephi 25:1), we can tune our ear to the following kinds of constructions:
• Dualism: Language and words with dual meanings can be best understood in terms of the cultural and religious background of the people of that day.
• Historical Setting: Understanding cultural and historical patterns, including details of the Mosaic Law, can often bring clarity to the reading of the ancient prophets and enable us to liken their words more readily to our own circumstances.
• Geographical Setting: Knowing the location of cities and surrounding areas brings more meaning to certain passages (see Isaiah 10:28–32, for example).
• Figurative Language: Certain figures of speech common in that day were used with regularity, sometimes making it difficult for us to understand specific passages unless we become familiar with the patterns used. Isaiah used graphic imagery to portray meanings so that the depth of understanding would increase. For example, using Sodom and Gomorrah as an example portrays not just wickedness, but gross wickedness worthy of destruction.
• Spirit of Prophecy: Nephi was to give us this counsel at a future time: “Wherefore, hearken, O my people, which are of the house of Israel, and give ear unto my words; for because the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy. But I give unto you a prophecy, according to the spirit which is in me; wherefore I shall prophesy according to the plainness which hath been with me from the time that I came out from Jerusalem with my father; for behold, my soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn” (2 Nephi 25:4). Nephi makes clear to us that to understand Isaiah we need the spirit of prophecy. The spirit of prophecy is a gift of the Spirit (see D&C 46:22). Knowing that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world comes by the spirit of prophecy. This is the gift that the sons of Mosiah possessed (see Alma 17:3). This gift requires great effort on our part to be worthy. One cannot simply ask without putting forth effort as the example of Oliver Cowdery has demonstrated (see D&C 9:7–8). (Ed J. Pinegar and Richard J. Allen)