Interestingly, Jesus positions his teachings to the Nephites as parallel to Isaiah. He developed the argument as follows:
• (v. 2) Isaiah spoke of Israel, and his words will go to the Gentiles.
• (v. 3) Isaiah’s words (which were written) will come true.
• (v. 4) Therefore (!) the Nephites should write what Jesus says so that it, too, will “go forth unto the Gentiles.”
It is hard to imagine that the Nephites would not eagerly and promptly record this experience with their Messiah; therefore, Jesus must mean this record’s future use, not just the act of writing them down. The Savior encourages them to write for a future purpose, just as Isaiah’s writings also served a future purpose.