Scriptural References to Isaiah

Yesterday I wrote how the Book of Mormon emphasizes the importance of the words of Isaiah.  We also see a similar pattern in our other scriptures—Isaiah is referenced in many places, showing the prominence of the prophet and his writings.  In the Doctrine and Covenants, a whole section is devoted to understanding passages of Isaiah.  Section 113 outlines questions along with answers from the Lord about who Isaiah referred to when he spoke of the stem of Jesse, the rod of Jesse, and the root of Jesse is Isaiah 11.  The Lord also answered questions about Isaiah 52:1-2 in that section.  Also, in Doctrine and Covenants 138:42 Isaiah was referred to by President Joseph F. Smith as the prophet “who declared by prophecy that the Redeemer was anointed to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that were bound.”  In this vision Isaiah was referred to as a “great and mighty one” who was “assembled in this vast congregation of the righteous” in the Spirit World.  In the Pearl of Great Price, the prophet Moroni quoted the 11^th chapter of Isaiah to Joseph Smith and suggested that “it was about to be fulfilled” (JSH 1:40).  That means that the Book of Mormon quotes the 11^th chapter of Isaiah, the Doctrine and Covenants explains it, and Pearl of Great Price promises its fulfillment. 

            The New Testament similarly emphasizes the writings of Isaiah.  For example, John the Baptist used Isaiah 40:3 to describe himself: “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias” (John 1:23).  Jesus also used Isaiah to described His own ministry when He read a passage from Isaiah 61:1-2 in the synagogue in Nazareth: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18).  When Philip found the Ethiopian “sitting in his chariot” reading from Isaiah 53, and Philip “began at that same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus” (Acts 8:28-35).  Paul quoted Isaiah 64:4 when he told the Corinthians, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).  He also referenced Isaiah 25:8 when he wrote, “Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55).  All of these references show how valued the words of Isaiah were to prophets, both ancient and modern.  Clearly his words are of great importance for us today too.