The last of Isaiah’s writings quoted by Nephi (Isaiah 29) reveals that many important prophecies of the Restoration of the gospel in the latter days are missing from the biblical record. A careful comparison of Isaiah 29 and the same chapter from the brass plates (2 Nephi 27) shows that some of the “plain and most precious” parts that have been “taken away” (1 Nephi 13:26–27) include:
- Latter-day context of the prophecy (see 2 Nephi 27:1).
- A “book” that Isaiah prophesied would come forth in the last days (verse 6).
- The book would be “sealed” (verses 7–8).
- Roles of Moroni and Joseph Smith in bringing forth the Book of Mormon (see verses 9–10).
- “Three witnesses” who would behold the “book” and testify “to the truth of the … things therein” (verses 12–13).
It is not hard to imagine that by removing these prophecies of the coming Restoration, the adversary schemed to “pervert the right ways of the Lord that [he] might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men” (1 Nephi 13:27).
- Latter-day context of the prophecy (see 2 Nephi 27:1).
- A “book” that Isaiah prophesied would come forth in the last days (verse 6).
- The book would be “sealed” (verses 7–8).
- Roles of Moroni and Joseph Smith in bringing forth the Book of Mormon (see verses 9–10).
- “Three witnesses” who would behold the “book” and testify “to the truth of the … things therein” (verses 12–13).
