“It was Jeremiah’s privilege (or burden) to predict and then live through the fall of Judah to Babylon. One of the first things the Lord told Jeremiah was, 'I will hasten my word to perform it' ( Jeremiah 1:12 ). Jeremiah, like Mormon, was called to labor among a people for whom there was no hope because they refused to repent, and 'the day of grace was passed with them, both temporally and spiritually' ( Mormon 2:15 ). Mormon, after witnessing the destruction of the Nephite nation, cried out for his people (see Mormon 6:17–19 ). Here was a righteous man, one of the best, lamenting over his people who were so blind, so foolish, so spiritually dead. Jeremiah, too, mourned his people’s wickedness. You may think of Jeremiah as a harsh man as you read his scorching denunciations of the Jewish people and the lives they were living, but he was not. His motivation, like Mormon’s, was love.
“A prophet does not select where and when he serves. God chooses when and to whom a prophet is sent. One may be an Enoch and build Zion, or a David O. McKay and preside over the Church in times of peace and prosperity. Another may be a Mormon or a Jeremiah and try in vain to save a rebellious and backsliding people. Each has his calling. Each has his time. Each has his lesson for you to learn. Look for Jeremiah’s lesson as you study this great prophet.”
This is the introduction to the notes and commentary on Jeremiah chapters 1-19 in the church educational system's institute course on the Old Testament. If you wish to read this, please click on this link.
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“Jesus said, 'Great are the words of Isaiah' (3 Nephi 23:1). That statement is true not only of Isaiah’s powers of expression but also of his ability to see into the future, to reveal things of future generations. Of particular interest are his revelations pertaining to our own time—the last days—and the great Millennium that will follow. Truly, as Jesus said, 'great are the words of Isaiah, for surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel' (3 Nephi 23:1–2).”
This is the introduction to the notes and commentary on Isaiah chapters 55-66 in the church educational system's institute course on the Old Testament. If you wish to read this, please click on this link.
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