(Isa. 53:1)
The opening lines of this chapter pose two questions: Who will believe what will be recounted here? And To whom is the “arm of the Lord” revealed? The sense of the first question can be taken in several different ways. Most obviously it appears to be a rhetorical question—expecting a negative answer—that no one has or will believe this incredible report of God coming to earth as a mortal. On the other hand, it may be an invitation to all who hear the report to consider it and to accept and believe it.
(David Rolph Seely, The Book of Mormon: The Foundation of Our Faith, The 28th Annual Sidney B. Sperry Symposium [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1999], 206.)
When John’s disciples questioned whether he was or was not the One to come, he asked them simply to follow him around. And then he said: Tell John what things ye have seen and heard (Luke 7:23). On another occasion, he said: I told you [that is, gave you the report] and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me [that is, reveal the Father]. But ye believe not (John 10:25–26; see also 10:5–7; Matt. 12:24). Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word (John 8:43). When they refused to see God revealed by his words and works, Jesus called them blind and deaf. Thus John could say: Though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias [Isaiah] the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?” (John 12:37–38).
(Keith H. Meservy, A Witness of Jesus Christ: The 1989 Sperry Symposium on the Old Testament, ed. Richard D. Draper, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1990], 157.)
That is, To whom has God revealed his priesthood, his gospel, those things wherein is found the power of God unto salvation?
(Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 4 vols. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1987–1992], 2:221.)
Now, as Isaiah expressed it, “Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” (Isa. 53:1).
If you believe the words of Joseph Smith, you would have believed what Jesus and the ancients said.
If you reject Joseph Smith and his message, you would have rejected Peter and Paul and their message… . We invite all … to ponder… . Do I have the moral courage to learn whether Joseph Smith was called of God? … Am I willing to pay the price of investigation and gain a personal revelation that tells me what I must do to gain peace in this world and be an inheritor of eternal life in the world to come?
(Bruce R. McConkie, Ensign, Nov. 1981, [Salt Lake City: Published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1981], 48.)
“Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” (Mosiah 14:1). Surely he was delivering a report. This query might be a common cry from every prophet who ever revealed to his people the coming of the Messiah. In this instance it is both Isaiah’s and Abinadi’s cries that may echo Christ’s own lament when he used Isaiah’s words to describe the people’s rejection of him even though he had done so many miracles in their sight (see John 12:37–38).
(Ann Madsen, “What Meaneth the Words That Are Written?”, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, vol. 10, no. 1:9.)