Understanding the Scriptures
Isaiah 29
| Ariel (vv. 1, 3, 7) | Jerusalem | |
| Distress (vv. 2, 7) | Trouble | |
| Heaviness (v. 2) | Sadness | |
| Camp against thee (v. 3) | Set up an army against you | |
| Lay siege against (v. 3) | Attack | |
| One that hath a familiar spirit (v. 4) | Someone who invokes the dead to speak | |
| Terrible (vv. 5, 20) | Those who are mighty, powerful, and wicked | |
| Chaff (v. 5) | Light outer coating of a kernel of grain | |
| Munition (v. 7) | Forts, strongholds | |
| Appetite (v. 8) | Hunger | |
| Stay (v. 9) | Wait or delay | |
| Stagger (v. 9) | Stumble while you walk | |
| Covered (v. 10) | Blocked the sight | |
| Forasmuch as (v. 13) | Since | |
| Precept (v. 13) | Rules | |
| Perish (v. 14) | Be destroyed | |
| Prudent (v. 14) | Wise and intelligent | |
| Counsel (v. 15) | Plans, decisions | |
| Esteemed (vv. 16–17) | Considered | |
| Potter’s (v. 16) | Belonging to a person who makes objects out of clay | |
| Obscurity (v. 18) | Darkness | |
| Meek (v. 19) | Humble and obedient | |
| Brought to nought (v. 20) | Becomes nothing | |
| Scorner (v. 20) | One who mocks | |
| Consumed (v. 20) | Destroyed | |
| Lay a snare (v. 21) | Set a trap | |
| Reproveth (v. 21) | Corrects | |
| Nought (v. 21) | Nothing | |
| Wax pale (v. 22) | Lose its color | |
| Erred (v. 24) | Made mistakes |
Isaiah 29:11–12, 18–24—What Is “the Book” Referred to in This Chapter?
Those familiar with the restored gospel will probably see that Isaiah 29 refers to the Book of Mormon and the role it plays in the Restoration of the gospel in the latter days. Elder Bruce R. McConkie said:
“Few men on earth, either in or out of the Church, have caught the vision of what the Book of Mormon is all about. Few are they among men who know the part it has played and will yet play in preparing the way for the coming of Him of whom it is a new witness. …
“… The Book of Mormon shall so affect men that the whole earth and all its peoples will have been influenced and governed by it. …
“… There is no greater issue ever to confront mankind in modern times than this: Is the Book of Mormon the mind and will and voice of God to all men?” (The Millennial Messiah [1982], 159, 170, 179).
Studying the Scriptures
Do activities A and B as you study Isaiah 29.
Prophecy Fulfilled
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1.
Isaiah 29:1–6 tells about a group of people who “speak out of the ground” after the destruction of Jerusalem. Isaiah said they would be “visited … with earthquakes, and great noise, with storm, and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire” (Isaiah 29:6). Read 2 Nephi 26:15–17; 33:13; 3 Nephi 8:2–19; and Mormon 8:23, 26, 34–35, and write about ways the Book of Mormon fulfills the prophecy in Isaiah 29:1–6.
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2.
Read Joseph Smith—History 1:61–65 and tell how the event recorded was a fulfillment of Isaiah 29:11–12. You may also want to read 2 Nephi 26:9–22 and see how these verses explain more about this prophecy.
Scripture Mastery—Isaiah 29:13–14
Apostasy means “a falling away,” and we refer to “the Apostasy” as the time when the fulness of the gospel and the priesthood authority to administer the ordinances of the gospel was taken from among men on the earth. “The Restoration” refers to the fulness of the gospel and priesthood authority being brought back to the earth.
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1.
Read the following verses in Isaiah 29 and tell whether they are about the Apostasy or the Restoration, then explain what the verses teach about the Apostasy or the Restoration: vv. 9–10, 13–14, 15, 18–21, 24.
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2.
Compare Isaiah 29:13–14 to Joseph Smith—History 1:18–19. What do you think the “marvellous work and a wonder” is? (see also vv. 33–34).
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3.
Isaiah 29:11–12, 18–24 tell about a book that will play an important role in the “marvellous work and a wonder.” List the truths those verses say this book will do, and then tell what book you think it refers to.
