In Helaman 8:20 we find a list of prophets who testified of Christ in their time, among them “Zenock, and also Ezias, and also Isaiah and Jeremiah.” The writings of all these prophets were apparently found on the plates of brass. Of more specific interest here, however, is that while the LDS edition of the Book of Mormon has the name “Ezias,” the Printers Manuscript has the name “Ezaias.” [Zarahemla Research Foundation, A Comparison of the Manuscripts and Editions of the Book of Mormon, p. 205]
One might wonder who this Ezaias might be. There is no “Ezaias” listed in the Bible. Joseph McConkie and Robert Millet have this to say about the problem:
This is the lone Book of Mormon reference to Ezias [Ezaias]. We are left to wonder whether perhaps this man is the same as the one called Esaias, a contemporary of Abraham, one who is twice mentioned in the revelations given to Joseph Smith (see D&C 76:100; 84:12-13). [Joseph F. McConkie and Robert L. Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 3, p. 377]
For the benefit of the reader I will quote these scriptures:
… according to the Holy Priesthood which he [Moses] received under the hand of his father-in-law, Jethro; And Jethro received it under the hand of Caleb; And Caleb received it under the hand of Elihu; And Elihu under the hand of Jeremy; And Jeremy under the hand of Gad; And Gad under the hand of Esaias; And Esaias received it under the hand of God. Esaias also lived in the days of Abraham, and was blessed of him--which Abraham received the priesthood from Melchizedek, who received it through the lineage of the fathers, even till Noah. (D&C 84:6-14)
These are they [of the terrestrial and telestial kingdoms] who say they are some of one and some of another--some of Christ and some of John and some of Moses, and some of Elias, and some of Esaias, and some of Isaiah, and some of Enoch; But received not the gospel, neither the testimony of Jesus, neither the prophets, neither the everlasting covenant. (D&C 76:100-101)
Note* If Jethro’s (and Moses’) priesthood came through Ezaias, then Ezaias apparently had an important calling and following at or near the time of Abraham. According to Cleon Skousen (The First 2000 Years) Abraham was also contemporary with Eber and Shem so Ezaias might have taken direction from them also. As noted before, Jethro was a Kenite who lived in the ancient land of Midian, the proposed location for the valley of Lemuel where Lehi sought refuge and instruction from the Lord (see the commentaries on 1 Nephi 2-15). Apparently some of the Kenites (and a branch of the Kenites called Rechabites) had claim on the covenant priesthood of Abraham. (See the commentary on 1 Nephi 2:2) [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]