FAIR Study Aids/Gospel Doctrine/Book of Mormon/Lesson Nine

FAIR Answers—back to home page



A FAIR Analysis of:
Book of Mormon: Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual

Lesson 9: “My Soul Delighteth in the Words of Isaiah”

Lesson #9- Sunday School Manual: My Soul Delighteth in the Words of Isaiah

General Isaiah Issues

  • "Likening" the scriptures unto ourselves:


  • Authorship and Dating of Isaiah: Challenges for the Book of Mormon: Most modern scholars, including many LDS scholars, recognize that the Book of Isaiah was actually composed by more than one author, with much of the text of Isaiah being authored after the exile of Israel. Some, but not all, of the text of Isaiah found in the Book of Mormon is from those parts of Isaiah which are considered to have been authored after the exile, which took place after Lehi left Jerusalem with the brass plates. This presents an interesting challenge to the Book of Mormon if some of the quotations of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon were not actually written by "Isaiah" until after Lehi left Jerusalem. In other words, Nephi is quoting from Isaiah passages which may have not yet been written. Some LDS scholars deny that Isaiah was written by multiple authors, some after Lehi left Jerusalem. They look for evidence of the unity of Isaiah. Other LDS scholars agree that Isaiah was written by multiple scholars and have suggested reasonable solutions to the issue.

1. Nephi testifies of Isaiah’s writings and gives keys for understanding them. (2 Nephi 11: and 2 Nephi 25:1-7)

Helpful Insights

Potential Criticisms

Faith Affirmations

2. Isaiah sees the latter-day temple and the gathering of Israel. (2 Nephi 12:)

Helpful Insights

3. Isaiah prophesies that the Lord will raise an ensign and gather Israel. (2 Nephi 15: and 2 Nephi 21:12)

Helpful Insights

Potential Criticisms

4. Isaiah and Nephi testify of Jesus Christ’s redeeming power.(2 Nephi 16:, 2 Nephi 22:, and 2 Nephi 25:19-30)