Feast for 7 March through 11 March 2016

* Isaiah 17-23 We are going to see Isaiah's prophecy of the scattering of the Israel, the Ensign (which is the gospel) being raised up in the beginning of he last. Dispensation, the church's role in gathering Israel. Isaiah 17 We see a message of doom for Damascus, which is the capital of Syria) and for the Northern Kingdom of Israel. These two nations will be conquered by the Assyrian army, ad the Lord will rebuke the Assyrians and others who oppress Israel. Isaiah 18:1-3 V. 1 Where is the land Isaiah's talking about? > beyond Ethiopia in Cush. (The word Woe here may be a greeting). President Joseph Fielding Smith said a possible interpretation of "the land shadowing with wings" is a reference to the Americas. Here's how Isaiah's imagery relates to the restored Church? > land-the Americas where the restoration began > Ambassadors and messengers-can refer to apostles and missionaries who travel all over the world to spread the gospel. > ensign-a flag or banner armies gather around for barrel > trumpet-the latter day call to gather to the restored Church of Jesus Christ Isaiah 18:4-8 The lord used imagery to describe the destruction of the wicked and gathering of the righteous. Isaiah 18:7 What are the people to bring gate Lord? > a gift Background for 18:7 "The Saints are so determined to offer to the Lord a worthy gift of gathered Israel that, as the Prophet Joseph smith said, they 'have labored without pay, to instruct the United States [and now the world] that the gathering had commenced in the western boundaries of Missouri, to build a holy city, where, as may be seen in the eighteenth chapter of Isaiah, the present should "be brought unto the Lord of Hosts."' Mount Zion is identified i modern revelation as the New Jerusalem. Thus,once the Church s restored and Ephraim begins the work of gathering Israel fro their scattered and peeled condition . . . ., they can present a restored house of Jacob to the Lord as a gift that will delight Him. "The Jerusalem bible renders the phrase i Isaiah 18, 'a people terrible from their beginning,' as 'the nation always feared'; and it renders the phrase 'whose land the rivers have spoiled' as 'the country criss-crossed with rivers.' These passages seem to refer to America, where the Restoration was to take place" What would be most meaningful to the Lord? Isaiah 19 Summary- Isaiah prophesied of Egypt being smitten because of their idol worship and evil practices but they would eventually recognize their need for the Lord and turbot Him. GEM - TRUSTING IN OUR OWN STRENGTH INSTEAD OF TRUSTING IN GOD CAN LEAD US INTO SIN AND ULTIMATELY TO DESTRUCTION Isaiah 20-21 Summary- Other wicked nations would be destroyed. 2 Kings 19:32-35 Here we see that they will not be spared by the Babylonian army more than a century later. Isaiah 22:1-7 V.1 What did the people think they could depend on for protection from the Babylonian army? > weapons, fortifications that the city wall and Hezekiah's tunnel (conduit for water being diverted into the city from outside the city) > they forgot God. V.2 What did the Lord want the people to do? > repent Isaiah 22:8-14 V.13 How did the people respond? > they procrastinated their repentance (2 Nephi 28:8 - They believe they can do whatever they want.) ***Why do you think Satan is successful in promoting this idea that people are entitled to seek pleasure and commit sin without being concerned about the consequences of their actions? Background on 22:22-25 "Isaiah made a symbol of Shebna's replacement, Eliakim. His name means God shall cause to arise.' anticipating the Savior, who holds the 'key of the house of David' but was fastened 'as a nail in a sure place' until the burden of the Atonement was complete. Upon Him rests 'all the glory of his father's ouse.' Isaiah recommended depending on Him for everlasting security. "The 'nail in a sure place' is messianic and symbolizes the terrible reality of the cross, though only a part of the total suffering of the lord that caused Him to 'tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit'. Just as the nail of the cross that was driven in the sure place, for He has given them power so that none need be lost. As Christ brings the redeemed to the father, the glory becomes His own, and he redeemed to the father, the glory becomes part of the family of heaven under the throne of Christ." Isaiah 23 Summary Isaiah prophesied that the coastal city of tre, located in modern-day Lebanon, would slap be destroyed. GEM - WE CAN BE SAVED ONL IF WE ABANDON THE THINGS OF THE WORLD AND FOLLOW THE SAVIOR. GEM - JESUS CHRIST HOLD THE KEY OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID AND THE KEYS OF SALVATION FOR ALL MANKID * Isaiah 24-28 Has the Lord ever asked us to wait for something? Finish High School, finish College, opportunities, answers, marriage, children Isaiah 24 We see the destruction of the wicked at the 2nd Coming. Isaiah 25:1-5 We see the celebrating of righteousness. What has the Lord been to the people? > I will praise thy name > strong people glorify thee > strength in the storm > shadow from the heap > strength to the poor Isaiah 6-8 We see what the Lord does: > feast of fat things > feast of wines on lees > swallow up death with comfort Isaiah 25:9 People will say in the millennium > this is the Lord - I've been waiting GEM - IF WE WAIT FOR THE LORD, THEN WE CAN RECEIVE HIS SALVATIOIN AND REJOICE Elder Robert D. Hales said: "In the the scriptures, the word wait means to hope, to anticipate, and to trust. To hope and trust in the Lord requires faith, patience, humility, meekness, long-suffereing, keeping the commandments, and enduring to the end." Isaiah 26-27 Isaiah testifies that we can trust in the Lord forever Isaiah 28:10-13 Talks of apostasy Joseph Smith: "We should have wisdom a little at a time." (Like going up a ladder one rung at a time) Isaish 28:15-16 Chidlren of Israel didn't think they needed God. Build on a stone: > a tried stone > precious corner stone > a sure foundation * Isaiah 29 Prophecy of the Book of Mormon The Great Apostacy is referred to in Isaiah 29:9-10 as when the Lord withdrew the authority and keys of His priesthood from the earth. He said it would occur after the death of the Savior and His Apostles and over time people would change many gospel principles and ordinances, and alter the organization of the Savior's Church. Why are there so many different Christina churches if they all believe in the Bible? > they all interpret the Bible and Christ's doctrine differently How can we know the Lord's true doctrine when there are so many ways io interpret the Bible? > Isaiah 29 prophecies and supports the Book of Mormon. GEM - DURING A PERIOD GREAT APOSTASY, PEOPLE WERE WITHOUT DIVINE DIECTION FROM LIVING PROPHETS AND APOSTLES Isaiah 29:1-14 The Lord said He would deliver the truth to the unlearned to overcome the effects of the Apostasy. The unlearned he spoke of was Joseph Smith. The Marvelous work and wonder Isaiah prophesied about is the Book of Mormon President Russell M. Nelson said: "Isaiah foresaw that do would do 'a marvellous work and a wonder' in the latter days . . . . That marvelous work would include the coming forth of the Book of Mormon nod the Restoration of the gospel." GEM - THE RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL, INCLUDING THE COMING FORTH OF THE BOOK OF MORMON, IS A MARVELOUS WORK THAT CORRECTS FALSE TEACHINGS AND COUNTERS THE WISDOM OF THE WORLD Isaiah 29;15-17 The Book of Mormon would come forth when people seek to hide their works from God, and don't acknowledge His hand in their lives. Isaiah 29:22-24 V.22 Jacob's posterity in the latter days (the"house of Jacob" is the lord's covenant people - us) V.23 "fear the God of Israel" means to ave reverence and respect for God and HIs covenants, not be scared to death of Him. GEM - IF WE STUDY THE BOOK OF MORMON, IT CAN HELP UP TO HAVE JOYM REVERE GOD, AND UNDERSTAND TRUE DOCTRINE * Isaiah 30-35 Following "For the Strength of Youth" will help you be and stay worthy of entering the Temple. 30:1-3,7 Tells how the people rebelled: - they trust in Pharoah more than God Melany was reminded of Lot's wife turning to salt. 30:9-11 The parents are teaching children, but not righteous things. Elder Holland Quote: "Unfortunately, messengers of divinely mandated commandments are often no more popular today than they were in anciently. . . . "Sadly enough, . . . It is a characteristic of our age that if people want any gods at all, they want them to be gods who do not demand much, comfortable gods, smooth gods who not only don't rock the boat but don't even row it, gods who pat us on the head, make us giggle, then tell us to run along and pick marigolds" 30:12-14 If we continue to reject God we get punished. Melany: "If you're not following the prophet then you aren't really following anything." 30:15 Repentance brings safety - repentance will save us. 32-33 Something to think about . . . If you were to stand in front of God would you feel worthy? 32 - Prophecy of millenial reign of Jesus Christ 33:10-13 Prophecies of wicked people 33:14 Estuardo said: "People will "freak out" at the Second Coming" 33:15-16 Melany said it reminds her of the 3 monkeys: "see no evil, speak no evil, and hear no evil" President Uchtdorf said he keeps a pocket-sized copy of For the Strength of Youth right next to his Temple Recommend. This way he knows that if he is following it to his best abilities he is worthy of entering the Temple. * Isaiah 36-41 Learning how to build trust in the Lord. 36-39 Isaiah told the people of Judah they would be saved form the Assyrian army if they trusted the Lord. They followed the counsel and were spared, but then Isaiah prophesied the Babylonians would eventually capture and plunder Jerusalem. 40:1-2 Isaiah's purpose was to comfort the people by prophesying of the coming of Christ. 40:3-5 We were taught that we need to prepare for the Second Coming, remembering who prepared and taught the people about Jesus original coming prior to Jesus' baptism. > John the baptist. Isaiah used imagery to represent the Lord and man in the following scriptures. 40:6-8 the grass > the people; flower > leading to Christ 40:10-11 the Lord will the lead the people as a shepherd 40:12-15 balance us in His hands and the people are as a drop in a bucket 40:22-25 the people weren't rooted until the knew Christ.