“All things that he spake have been and shall be”

In 3 Nephi, Jesus Christ teaches us of the importance of spiritual patterns in the history of the children of Israel. He even gives a commandment to study the words of Isaiah and all the prophets. “I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah. For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles. (We, the children of Ephraim, are the Gentiles. The Book of Mormon was brought forth through the Gentiles. The nations of Europe that came to America are the Gentile nations. See 1 Nephi 13-14; 1 Nephi 15:13; 2 Nephi 30:3; 3 Nephi 21:5-6; 3 Nephi 26:8). 

“And all things that he spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake. Therefore give heed to my words; write the things which I have told you; and according to the time and the will of the Father they shall go forth unto the Gentiles. And whosoever will hearken unto my words and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things“ (3 Nephi 23:1-5).

Jesus establishes to the Nephites that were spared in America, that Isaiah spoke to the house of Israel and the Gentiles. We are the Gentiles and we will benefit by understanding Isaiah because “all things that he spake have been and shall be”. Then He, Jesus, adds that many of the prophets have testified of these things that “have been and shall be.” The prophets would be those prophets that wrote after the five Books of Moses in the Old Testament. 

Once it is established deep in our minds and hearts that the Lord has given us a commandment to study the words of Isaiah and the prophets of the Old Testament, then we start to feel an urgency to understand these things that we might know what is to come. 

I think many times we let ourselves feel intimidated of Isaiah’s writings because of cultural traditions and because of what Nephi said, “Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews” (2 Nephi 25:1). Jesus revealed a great mystery and key to Isaiah when He said, “all things that he spake have been and shall be.” Once we understand that, we can take his words at face value and understand that the same things that happened to the children of Israel will happen again. This opens up the scriptures to us. Further, Nephi taught that the words of Isaiah, “are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy” (2 Nephi 25:4). 

This is another great key to making Isaiah plain and easy to our understanding. Nephi said Isaiah’s words are plain unto those filled with the spirit of prophecy. So, how do we receive the spirit of prophecy. We learn in the Book of Mormon how the sons of Mosiah were filled with the spirit of prophecy. The record states, “they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God. But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation” (Alma 17:2-3).

We live in a society of microwave dinners, instant messaging, photos sent across the globe and even transporting ourselves halfway around the world in less than 24 hours. A society that has everything at our fingertips, is a society that teaches, without even trying to teach, the philosophy of instant gratification. We get used to instant gratification. But, many times the things of God are learned little by little, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. We grow into the spirit of prophecy and revelation by giving our hearts to God and then studying, pondering, praying and even fasting. For me at least, the great spiritual truths that have been opened up for me in the scriptures by the power of the Holy Ghost have usually taken time and effort. It’s wonderful after the truth is received because it is burned deep into the heart. But, each time I am seeking more light and knowledge, I find myself wanting the answer quickly so I can move forward with the next step. 

Joseph Smith taught this, which I believe we can apply to the teachings of Isaiah, “It is not wisdom that we should have all knowledge at once presented before us; but that we should have a little at a time; then we can comprehend it” (History of the Church, 5:387; from a discourse given by Joseph Smith on May 14, 1843, in Yelrome, Illinois; reported by Wilford Woodruff).

“When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave” (History of the Church, 6:306–7; from a discourse given by Joseph Smith on Apr. 7, 1844, in Nauvoo, Illinois; reported by Wilford Woodruff, Willard Richards, Thomas Bullock, and William Clayton; see also appendix, page 562, item 3).

Though we will learn even beyond this life, the Savior taught us that Isaiah’s writings will reveal to us what will happen in the last days. There is an urgency to qualify for the spirit of prophecy and revelation, that we might grow into understanding these important truths that God is desiring to reveal to us. I don’t claim to understand all of Isaiah, but I have felt the Spirit settle upon my feelings and teach me some important truths that he reveals to us. I’m grateful for his writings and the Savior’s teachings about their importance to us in these latter days. I have come to recognize in part why the Lord commanded us to study the words of Isaiah. Nephi, Jacob, Moroni and Jesus all endorsed Isaiah (see 1 Nephi 19:23-24; Mormon 8:23; 2 Nephi 6:4; 3 Nephi 23:1-3) and I believe there is a reason they did not expound and reveal what he revealed. I believe it’s the same reason Jesus spoke in parables.