So, to be honest, I didn’t always like reading Isaiah. I’m one of many who either read doggedly through words that didn’t seem to say anything clearly, or skipped over Nephi’s transcription completely in order to get back to the story.

 Eventually, though, I realized that if Nephi and Mormon, who both saw our day and presumably knew that we’d  have access to Isaiah in the Bible, still felt it important enough to carve all those words in metal, I should make an effort to understand why.

It has helped to learn more about the times Isaiah lived in, with widespread evil practices and political conflict and violence that resemble our times. And it helped to try to understand just the bit that was pertinent to me on that particular day rather than trying to grasp the entire scope and depth of Isaiah’s work (which is still a distant goal!). Prayer before studying, as always, helps me. 

Now I truly love Isaiah’s poetry and teachings, and have found many answers and much comfort there. Among my favorites is the visual image in Isaiah 9, where the same amazing truth is repeated in verses 12, 17, and 21.

After graphically describing the evil choices of Israel’s descendants and their dreadful consequences, Isaiah tells us that the Lord’s wrath and anger isn’t gone, but He reaches out to us anyway, and always.

Some people become angry and turn away from us. Often, their anger and hurt is justifiable, and especially when we realize the magnitude of our sins and failings, it’s easy to understand why they would turn their backs and walk away. But our Savior never, never does. He fully recognizes the wrongs we have done, and doesn’t always shield us from the immediate consequences. But throughout our process of repentance, and especially while we suffer the effects of sorrow, His pierced hand reaches out, waiting for us to grasp it and be lifted up.