Talking Scripture

→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes → Tours with Mike (00:00) These chapters reflect tension between two different groups of Jews returning from the Exile.(08:32) “And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcasses of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh” (Isa. 66.24).(15:00) Isaiah pleads with those returning from Babylon to keep the Law of the Fast and the Sabbath. Developing celestial character includes having the right motives.(24:09) Chapter 59 is a lament concerning the separation of man and God. The crooked path is described and we see ways that sin can come into our lives. The redemption of the Messiah straightens that path and provides a way back through repentance.(35:43) The covenant between God and Israel remains in force. God remembers us and our posterity.(39:53) Israel will rise again as a mighty nation. Zion will be established and the gates shall be open continually.(43:53) “Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob” (Isa. 60.16).(47:15) Isaiah speaks about the coming Messiah and a future day when the Messiah will proclaim liberty to the captives. Jesus reads Isaiah 61.1-2 in a synagogue in Nazareth and announces, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”(51:40) Temple and wedding imagery in Isaiah 61-62.(57:14) Jesus Christ comes wearing dyed garments “red in thine apparel.” The Lord gives revelation to his servants after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding.(1:02:23) Isaiah’s intercessory prayer for Israel (Isa. 63.7-64.12).(1:07:40) The righteous works of men are described as rags that fade as a leaf in Isaiah 64.6. Lehi reminds us that we are saved through Christ and his righteousness.(1:09:47) The great and dreadful day of the Lord. The Savior will bring a new heaven and a new earth where the sting of death is removed and “the former troubles are forgotten.”(1:17:19) The travail and deliverance of Zion. Isaiah 66 is a precursor to the Christian message of gathering Israel. As a mother comforts, so will God comfort us. The image of the Tree of Life in Nephi’s vision is related to Isaiah 66.11-12. → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 393 | Isaiah 58-66, Come Follow Me 2026 (Oct 12-18) appeared first on Talking Scripture.

→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes → Tours with Mike (00:00) In these chapters the Lord comforts and gives hope to Israel. He promises that he will never abandon us.(03:15) King Hezekiah seeks the Lord’s advice through the prophet Isaiah as Assyria approaches Jerusalem.(11:12) In whom do you place your trust? King Benjamin invites us to remember the greatness of God.(15:13) Isaiah 40 can be read as a temple text. Isaiah sees the council of divine beings in heaven.(24:00) The Lord gives encouragement to Israel, and reminds them that he has always been there through their trials.(35:34) The four Servant Songs contained in Isaiah.(40:04) Different interpretations of “Who is blind, but my servant?” The Joseph Smith Translation opens up other ways to read this servant song.(44:40) The Lord proclaims his loyalty to Israel, saying “I will do a new thing.”(50:07) Isaiah warns of idolatry and contrasts Jehovah with the Babylonian god Marduk. He emphasizes that the God of Israel carries us, but the Babylonian god must be carried.(53:29) Isaiah prophesies of Cyrus, the king of Persia. Cyrus is portrayed as a deliverer because he allowed the Jews to go home to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple.(56:58) How the Cyrus prophecy is understood in scholarship. A middle path for approaching “Second Isaiah.”(1:00:19) Isaiah foretells the destruction of Babylon. Babylon leaves the throne and Zion takes her place.(1:06:27) The prophecy of the House of Israel in the last days. Isaiah shapes his argument in “the covenant treaty formula.”(1:08:20) The Lord tells Israel, “I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.”(1:12:07) The House of Jacob has come out of the waters of Judah.(1:17:01) The Book of Mormon adds the significant phrase “the feet of those who are in the east shall be established” in 1 Nephi 21.13. Some see this as evidence of Isaiah being edited.(1:20:30) Israel has lost her children, but her children will be gathered again. → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 391 | Isaiah 40-49, Come Follow Me 2026 (Sept 28-Oct 4) appeared first on Talking Scripture.

→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes (00:00) Isaiah lived in the 8th century, a time that began in relative peace but later led to great destruction under the conquest of the Assyrian empire, which destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel. Isaiah was an advisor to several kings and lived about 100 years before Nephi. Micah, Amos, and Hosea are contemporaries of Isaiah.(10:52) Jesus quoted Isaiah and encouraged the Nephites to study his words. Isaiah was the most quoted prophet among the New Testament authors, and his works were important to the Qumran community.(13:02) Ways to enhance your study of Isaiah.(20:28) A brief overview of the entire book of Isaiah.(23:13) A brief overview of chapters 1-12.(25:31) The Israelites are described as apostate and rebellious. The Lord asks that they “reason together,” saying that “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”(31:53) Isaiah uses metals as a metaphor for people. When he describes the silver as dross, this could carry different meanings. Isaiah stresses that “a remnant will return.” Isaiah 1 reflects the destruction enacted by the Assyrians.(40:07) Isaiah sees the future latter-day temple in the tops of the mountains. The temple established in Jerusalem represents the millennial hope of peace. He prophesies that the idols people worship will be cast into caves, to the moles and the bats.(45:39) The daughters of Zion are cursed and tormented for their worldliness. Isaiah discusses three missing objects: the staff, clothing, and the bread. These items can be associated with the temple in Isaiah’s day.(54:33) The parable of the vineyard portrays several ways the Lord will bless us when we follow him.(1:09:15) Isaiah sees the Lord and is called as a prophet.(1:15:13) Isaiah is commanded to “Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.”(1:21:32) Political intrigue and foreign policy issues facilitate Isaiah’s prophecy of three special children.(1:33:40) The Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. The King of Assyria is going to be destroyed, just as he destroyed other nations.(1:36:49) The procession of Assyria’s forces approaching Jerusalem is illustrated. The remnant of Jacob will return in the last days.(1:39:50) Isaiah sees a tree cut down, leaving only a stump. Though this tree seems dead, Isaiah sees that it will come back to life and a new tree will grow out of the stump. The prophet Joseph Smith has a prominent role in the rebuilding of the tree.(1:42:54) Isaiah sees that peace and order will be restored in the millennial day and that broken things will be healed. → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 389 | Isaiah 1-12, Come Follow Me 2026 (Sept 14-20) appeared first on Talking Scripture.