Where Can I Turn For Peace?

After pondering over 1 Nephi 19-21 for quite some time, I have come to the conclusion that these chapters and their placement are no accident. From a quick-read point of view, they may seem out of place. Nephi is giving a narrative of his life and he pauses to talk about scriptures and especially Isaiah. He then throws out two random chapters of Isaiah and then moves on with his narrative. Obviously, there is more to it than this. It is true that at this point he is able to take time to make plates of ore and is commanded to do so by the Lord. However, I think there is more to it.

Nephi has been through one of the toughest trials of his life. He has endured months on the open sea. He has borne endless hours of pain and deprivation. He spent many days in mental and physical anguish tied before his brothers as they mocked him. He endured the anguish of his soul as they disrespected the very being who led them to a new land. He endured horrific storms and winds that brought them to the very brink of death. It brought sheer terror and hopelessness to the point of humbling his brothers who were completely passed feeling.

He made it! He made it to the promised land to safety. What is the first thing he does? He turns to Isaiah for comfort and hope. He was not done with trials and afflictions as his further narrative will show, but he has shown me where I can turn for peace when life gets dark and stormy. Isaiah's words when read by the Holy Ghost can bring incredible peace and comfort.

"Hear ye the words of the prophet, which were written unto all the house of Israel, and liken them unto yourselves, that ye may have hope as well as your brethren from whom ye have been broken off; for after this manner has the prophet written." (1 Nephi 19:24)

Why? I believe because Isaiah's words testify of this life and the difficulties faced here in mortality. His words are symbolic of man's eternal nature, his glorious potential and his ultimate destination. And, Isaiah's primary focus is always on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His loving mission of mercy. This is what brings the most hope to me by reading Isaiah. My mind may have a hard time wrapping around his words but my spirit instinctively feels the peace and hope that comes from his words.

Why did Nephi quote Isaiah 48 and 49 here? These two chapters are a great introduction to Isaiah especially when paired with the Book of Mormon and its divine purpose. The title page explains it by saying that the Book of Mormon was "written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile." These two chapters embody this statement completely. Chapter 48 focuses on Judah and 49 focuses on scattered Israel and the Gentiles.

In addition, I can see how Nephi is preparing me to navigate through the difficulty of Isaiah's words with some early victories and helpful commentary as he strives to keep the scriptures plain and precious.