Circle Squared
A Textual Analysis of the Book of Mormon
Chapter 7: "Strength of Mouth"
Chapter Summary:
Jacob continues reading from Isaiah: Isaiah speaks messianically--The Messiah will have the tongue of the learned--He will give His back to the smiters--He will not be confounded--Compare Isaiah 50. About 559–545 B.C.
Picking up where Nephi left off, Jacob cites Isaiah 50, which is yet another chapter bible scholars say would have been written after Nephi left Jerusalem with the brass plates, and therefore, should not be in the Book of Mormon. Frankly, I am tired of making the same argument. But I know this is not the last time I will point out this problem. In fact, sixteen of the thirty three chapters of 2 Nephi are pulled directly from Isaiah. Adding to that a few verses here and there interspersed in the other chapters, about half of 2 Nephi is Jacob quoting Isaiah. Why?
Perhaps some Mormons hold hope that one day ancient records similar to the Dead Sea Scrolls will be found which corroborate the small differences between the Book of Mormon's citations of Isaiah with what we have in the KJV. I am certain such people exist. Too bad this hasn't happened. If the Dead Sea Scrolls are any indication of what might be found in other ancient documents, my guess is they will disappointed.
The text itself starts with Isaiah speaking on behalf of god, as you do, basically saying it is man's own fault that they are separated from god's presence. Never mind the fact that god intentionally created us to fail and he even knew all of our sins before he created us. It seems silly to me that we mortals could leave the presence of an all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present being, such as the Christian god. But what do I know? I don't even believe such a being exists!
"The Lord" continues by flexing his perfect proverbial muscles and informs us imperfectly assembled mortals that he is the cause of bad things, at least when he is upset with us for doing exactly what he created us to do. He causes seas and rivers to dry up and fish to die and blackness to cover the heavens, among other things which often frightened ignorant primitive men. Isaiah explains his own strength through god and how he willingly endured mockery and shaming and smitings and spittings and pulled hairs from his cheeks (seriously?), all of which fit nicely with the persecution complex Mormons share with mainstream Christians.
Amid all of the mutual bolstering and back-patting between god and Isaiah, Isaiah delivers one of the funniest lines I have read in scripture: "Who is mine adversary? Let him come near me, and I will smite him with the strength of my mouth."
Tickle me timbers! It kills me every time!
All levity aside, Isaiah proceeds to explain the terrible symbolic things that will happen to those who fight against god. Terrible, awful things like growing old like a garment and being eaten by moths; you know how moths like eating old garments. Unspeakably horrid things like living your life by your own terms, lighting your own light by your own spark and being shunned from god's ever-present presence.