2 Nephi 21

I find it difficult at times to get and keep the "big picture" in my mind when it comes to the gospel. I tend to think of things in a day to day frame of mind as that seems like more than enough to handle or as much as I want to handle. But with Isaiah, we have to force our minds to see the Savior's overall plan and how everything, including Joseph Smith, was planned for and prophesied about from the beginning. Each of the prophets prophesied of Christ, and each prophesied about the restoration and now we see the fulfillment of all of their prophecies.

In this chapter, the Isaiah first prophecies about the Savior, his coming in the flesh, his judging of the righteous and the wicked and his thousand year reign. He is the rod and stem that will come out of the root of Jesse or Ephraim. He will be given great power and have all knowledge. The root of Jesse in verse 10 is a descendent of Jesse to whom will be given the priesthood power in the last days. This is referring to Joseph Smith. This prophecy is being fulfilled in our day, even though it was given thousands of years ago. Through this prophet, God will erect an ensign to the nations that will unite Israel who will gather round it and not be divided anymore. The gentiles are the ones chosen to assist in this gathering and it will be done by the power of God just like when He led Moses and Israel out of Egypt.