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2 Nephi 11

2 Nephi 11:2 For he [Isaiah] verily saw my Redeemer, even as I [Nephi] have seen him: Isaiah Writes of Christ’s Birth. [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gospel Art, #113]

2 Nephi 11:4 All Things . . . Are the Typifying of Him [Jesus Christ]:

According to Thomas Valletta, the Book of Mormon certifies that “all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him [Jesus Christ]” (2 Nephi 11:4; see also Mosiah 3:15; 13:10, 31; Alma 13:16; 25:15; 33:19; 37:45).

A type can be defined as “a person, event, or ritual with likeness to another person, event, or ritual of greater importance which is to follow. . . . True types will have noticeable points of resemblance, show evidence of divine appointment, and be prophetic of future events” (Tate, 1981). 1

2 Nephi 11:4 All Things Which have Been Given of God from the Beginning of the World, unto Man, Are the Typifying of [Christ]:

According to David Bokovoy, one Book of Mormon passage seems to suggest that ancient prophets recognized the connection between Isaiah’s prophetic commission and the premortal council. Perhaps it is significant that Nephi specifically prefaces his citation of Isaiah chapter six with his testimonial that “all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of [Christ]” (2 Nephi 11:4). A brief survey of 2 Nephi 11-19 indicates that at least one ancient prophet viewed these opening chapters of Isaiah, including his call narrative, as typology for the Messiah.

Indeed, as the Lord himself declared, the words of the prophet Isaiah are truly great. This pre-Exilic servant of God received a sacred commission to testify of Jesus Christ. Yet not only did Isaiah fulfill this assignment through his spoken words, he also bore witness of the Savior with the unique events that happened in his life. When Isaiah describe the details of his call narrative, he did so in a manner that reflected various literary motifs well established in antiquity. Isaiah’s prophetic commission, as presented in the sixth chapter of his book, demonstrates the importance of his mission in the latter-day restoration of doctrinal truths taught by the prophets of old. With the additional insights provided by modern revelation and recent textual discoveries, Latter-day Saints can easily recognize the connection between Isaiah’s call and the election of Jehovah in the premortal council. 2

  1. Thomas R. Valletta, "The True Bread of Life," in The Ensign, March 1999, p. 7
  2. David E. Bokovoy, "The Calling of Isaiah," in Covenants Prophecies and Hymns of the Old Testament, pp. 136-137