Nephi’s supports his assertion that his people will be intimately connected with the spread of the gospel to the gentiles by referencing Isaiah. In this case, he does not cite the text, but rather paraphrases it. Nephi is referencing Isaiah 29:4:
Isa. 29:4
4 And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.
The context of this verse in Isaiah is very different from Nephi’s usage of the language. Victor Ludlow explains the contextual meaning of the verse:
“Verses 3 and 4 further describe how the Lord will come against Zion until the Israelites are brought low in humility, so that their fallen nation speaks ”out of the ground“ and ”out of the dust.“ Israel speaking to the world from ”low out of the dust“ can be understood figuratively to mean that she will deliver her message from the depths of her humiliation. The remnants of Israel in their scattered condition have often been taught by the Lord how disobedience to divine law brings punishments, while obedience brings blessings. Because of this, the sad experiences of the Jews and the Lamanites serve as a witness to the world of what will happen to everyone who turns away from God.” (Ludlow, 1982, p. 271).
Ludlow proceeds to explain the connection to the Book of Mormon:
“Israel’s words speaking ”out of the ground“ can also be interpreted more literally to mean that her written prophetic records would be preserved in the earth for a time before coming forth as a witness to the world. Of course, the Book of Mormon fulfills such a role. (See 2 Ne. 26:15-17; compare LeGrand Richards, CR, Apr. 1963, p. 118.) Also, the Dead Sea Scrolls provide an ancient record of the importance given to Old Testament texts; they reveal a Jewish religious community that maintained many teachings, ordinances, and practices that were not followed by orthodox Jews and Catholics. Yet other records that are now hidden in the earth will undoubtedly come forth from Israel to bear witness of the Lord’s gospel. (See 2 Ne. 29:7-14.) They also will be speaking forth ”out of the dust." (Ludlow, 1982, p. 271).
What Ludlow does not state is that this particular interpretation hinges on the specifics of Nephi’s usage of the language. The contextual image from Isaiah has a defeated nation speaking humbly. While the Nephites might fit that category, Nephi’s context is yet different. For Nephi, the critical connection is made in verse 15: