All things bear record · Isaiah

Isaiah 51

3 witnesses of Christ here, and 4 further echoes from the reading.

Zion Made like Eden

For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. Isaiah 51:3

The LORD will turn Zion's desert into a garden like Eden. The Articles of Faith teach that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory when Christ reigns.

A readingEchoAn echo of Him
  • a parallel account in 2 Nephi 8:3 — The same verse in Jacob's record.
  • alluded to by Articles of Faith 1:10 — "The earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory."

Law, Light, and Judgment from the LORD

Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. Isaiah 51:4–6

The LORD promises a law and a light for the people, judgment by his arm, and a salvation that will outlast heaven and earth. Christ gave the higher law, is the Light, will judge the world, and his salvation never ends.

AttestedProphecy or typeHe speaks in the first person

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • a parallel account in 2 Nephi 8:4-6 — The same passage in Jacob's record.
  • the same title in Isaiah 42:4 — "The isles shall wait for his law."
  • fulfilled by John 5:22 — "The Father ... hath committed all judgment unto the Son."

The Arm of the LORD

Arm of the LORD — God's power to save, revealed in His Son

Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? Isaiah 51:9–10

Israel calls on the arm of the LORD, the power that opened the sea so the ransomed could pass through. Isaiah later asks "to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?" about the suffering Servant, and John applies that to Jesus. The ransomed crossing the sea is a picture of redemption.

A readingProphecy or typeA title of Christ
  • a parallel account in 2 Nephi 8:9-10 — The same passage in Jacob's record.
  • the same title in Isaiah 53:1 — "To whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?"
  • interprets John 12:37-38 — John applies "the arm of the Lord" to Jesus, whom the people would not believe.
  • alludes to Exodus 14:21-22 — The LORD divides the Red Sea.

The Redeemed of the LORD

Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. Isaiah 51:11

Those the LORD has redeemed will come home to Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Christ's redemption ends in a joyful gathering.

A readingProphecy or typeA prophecy of Him
  • a parallel account in 2 Nephi 8:11 — The same verse in Jacob's record.
  • the same title in Isaiah 35:10 — The same words: "the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs."
  • alluded to by D&C 45:71 — The righteous gather to Zion "singing with songs of everlasting joy."

The Comforter and Maker

I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; Isaiah 51:12–13

The LORD asks why his people fear mortal men when he, their Maker, is the one who comforts them. The Creator who comforts is the premortal Christ.

AttestedJehovah — the LORDHe speaks in the first person

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

  • a parallel account in 2 Nephi 8:12-13 — The same passage in Jacob's record.
  • the same title in Isaiah 40:1 — "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people."

LORD of Hosts

LORD of hosts — Jehovah, commander of heaven's armies

But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name. Isaiah 51:15

The God who divided the sea names himself the LORD of hosts. That name belongs to the premortal Christ.

AttestedJehovah — the LORDA divine name

How we know: the verse itself names Him

  • a parallel account in 2 Nephi 8:15 — The same verse in Jacob's record.

The Cup Taken Away

Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again: Isaiah 51:22

The LORD, who pleads his people's cause, takes the cup of judgment out of their hands so they never have to drink it again. Latter-day Saints see an echo of Christ, who drank the bitter cup himself so that we would not have to.

A readingEchoAn echo of Him
  • a parallel account in 2 Nephi 8:22 — The same verse in Jacob's record.
  • alluded to by 3 Nephi 11:11 — "I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me."
  • alluded to by D&C 19:16-18 — Christ suffered so that those who repent need not suffer; he would that he might not drink the bitter cup.