Isaiah 11 and Moroni

The reader will recall, that after Mormon died, his son Moroni, became the custodian of the golden plates. It was his mission to deliver them to Joseph Smith. Moroni, during his first “interview” with Joseph on September 21, 1823, quoted the “eleventh chapter of Isaiha, saying that it was about to be fulfilled.” (JS—H 1:40) Later, in August of 1830, Joseph received a revelation from the Lord regarding his angelic tutor, “Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to reveal the Book of Mormon, containing the fulness of my everlasting gospel, to whom I have committed the keys of the record of the stick of Ephraim.” (D&C 27:5) The passages Moroni quoted to the prophet that September evening spoke of a “root of Jesse.” (See Isaiah 11:1, 10-12) This root of Jesse would stand as an ensign to the people in order to recover Israel a “second time.” The Book of Mormon was the sign of the Lord’s attempt to gather Israel a second time in the last days. (See 3 Nephi 21:1-2)

In 1838, Joseph Smith interpreted the root of Jesse as a “descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, (See 2 Nephi 3:7-15) unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign and for the gathering of my people in the last days.” (D&C 113:6) Joseph Smith received the priesthood through the lineage of his fathers as the Lord stated:

. . . your life [Joseph Smith] and the priesthood have remained, and must needs remain through you and your lineage until the restoration of all things spoken by the mouths of all the holy prophets since the world began.

Therefore, blessed are ye if ye continue in my goodness, a light unto the Gentiles, and throughout this priesthood, a savior unto my people Israel. (D&C 86:10-11)

Joseph Smith received the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, in order to bring forth the Book of Mormon to the Gentiles in our day. He and the Lord’s saving message was a light to the Gentiles. The coming forth of the Book of Mormon represented the Lord’s attempt to gather Israel a second time from their long spiritual, as well as temporal, scattering among the nations. In addition, if they—the Gentiles—receive the Book of Mormon they will also receive salvation. (See D&C 20:8-14) These verses in Isaiah 11, quoted by Moroni to the boy Joseph stand fulfilled.