Feb 25, 2024

Isaiah Writes of Christ’s Birth by Harry Anderson 

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.” These powerful words adorning the front covers of this book are a declaration of what we will find within its pages and a profound testimony that Jesus is indeed the Christ, all before we even open the book. Within a short span of reading we find the unimpeachable testimony of Nephi, a prophet of God. He invoked the ancient law of witnesses laid down by Moses and then by Christ Himself, wherein God has declared that “in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1; see also Deuteronomy 17:6 and 2 Nephi 11:3). By the witness of a sacred three, Nephi bore a powerful testimony of Jesus Christ: “For [Isaiah] verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him. And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him” (2 Nephi 11:2–3).

As we study the Book of Mormon this year we will be confronted, again, with the writings of Isaiah. Knowing that he is “the most quoted of all prophets,” and perhaps the most difficult to understand, what will we think as we read these words of Nephi? “The words of Isaiah . . . are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy” (2 Nephi 25:4).

If your head hangs a little lower as you read those words, just remember these words from Wilford Woodruff: “The object of Christ’s mission to the earth was to offer himself as a sacrifice to redeem mankind from eternal death.” He later affirmed, “There is no being that has power to save the souls of men and give them eternal life, except the Lord Jesus Christ, under the command of His Father.” In perfect and simple language, Wilford captured the essence of the writings of Isaiah and Nephi. Jesus is the Christ! He alone can save us. He is the God Isaiah knew and the God we know. He has come to claim His rightful place among men as the King of Kings. 

Read Isaiah’s words as recorded by Nephi: “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (2 Nephi 19:6). Rarely have more profound words ever been written. Ponder carefully the language Isaiah used. It is unto us, for us, that a child, even the Eternal Father’s own child, was given! His names testify of His character. He is wonderful! He is mighty! He is indeed the Prince of Peace! 

Let us study this additional testament of Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon, with a renewed determination to learn and spiritually grow as never before. Let us not hang our heads low because of the difficulties of understanding Isaiah. While we may not grasp all that he wrote, we can grasp what is most needed—Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. He brings peace that can be found nowhere else (see John 14:27). What a wondrous gift!

Craig Lindquist is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, happily married to his wife, Dianna, for the past 46 years. By trade he is a cabinetmaker, actor, and writer. He lives in Henderson, Nevada, except when he travels to film or to work on the construction of temples.