Book of Mormon Haiku - 2nd Nephi 18

Waters of Shiloah

No to confederacy

Wait upon the Lord

2 Nephi 18 - Christ shall be as a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense—Seek the Lord, not peeping wizards—Turn to the law and to the testimony for guidance—Compare Isaiah 8. About 559–545 B.C.

The unbelieving of Judah saw the present danger from Damascus and thought that a confederacy would protect them from that oppression, and they did not need the Lord's help. But a far greater threat than Damascus was beyond the horizon. Look to Him who is mighty to save!

Book of Mormon Haiku - 2 Nephi 17

A sign from Heaven

Trust in the strength of the Lord

Virgin conception

2 Nephi 17 - Ephraim and Syria wage war against Judah—Christ shall be born of a virgin—Compare Isaiah 7. About 559–545 B.C.

I love the response to King Ahaz from the prophet--How can you doubt the protection of God when in a little more than 700 years He shall send Immanuel to save all the people?!

Book of Mormon Haiku - 2nd Nephi 16

Iniquity gone

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord

One tenth shall return

2 Nephi 16 - Isaiah sees the Lord—Isaiah's sins are forgiven—He is called to prophesy—He prophesies of the rejection by the Jews of Christ's teachings—A remnant shall return—Compare Isaiah 6. About 559–545 B.C.

Isaiah saw the Lord, was called to further work in the kingdom and was redeemed from his iniquity. As we turn and hearken to the Lord and work with an eye single to His glory, our iniquity will be taken away, and in His due time we will know as Isaiah knew. Every sacrifice is worth being the Lord's tenth. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts!

Book of Mormon Haiku - 2nd Nephi 15

Vineyard overrun

Good and evil upside down

His hand stretch'd out still

2 Nephi 15 - The Lord's vineyard (Israel) shall become desolate and his people shall be scattered—Woes shall come upon them in their apostate and scattered state—The Lord shall lift an ensign and gather Israel—Compare Isaiah 5. About 559–545 B.C.

We forego the rich blessings and protection of the Lord when we blindly pursue our interests and fail to recognize His tender mercies. A blinded world is called to look to the Lord's ensign. Who will hoist it?

Book of Mormon Haiku - 2nd Nephi 14

Sanctification

Cloud by day and flame by night

Refuge from the storm

2 Nephi 14 - Zion and her daughters shall be redeemed and cleansed in the millennial day—Compare Isaiah 4. About 559–545 B.C.

In Zion, every dwelling place will be a tabernacle of refuge where the protection and comfort of the Spirit abides day and night. "Home can be a heaven on earth..."

Book of Mormon Haiku - 2nd Nephi 13

Tongues against the Lord

Destruction and dispersion

Zion desolate

2 Nephi 13 - Judah and Jerusalem shall be punished for their disobedience—The Lord pleads for and judges his people—The daughters of Zion are cursed and tormented for their worldliness—Compare Isaiah 3. About 559–545 B.C.

To Lehi's family, this chapter was not abstract or distant. The elder brothers didn't realize it, but the family really had only two choices: 1) leave fallen Jerusalem and travel under the direction of the Liahona, or 2) leave fallen Jerusalem under the whip of the oppressor.

As Brother Davis of the Brimhall ward put it, "Keeping the commandments is not always easy. But life is always easier when we keep the commandments."

Book of Mormon Haiku - 2 Nephi 12

Lord's house exalted

Spears beat into pruning hooks

The haughty made low

2 Nephi 12 - Isaiah sees the Latter-day temple, gathering of Israel, and millennial judgment and peace—The proud and wicked shall be brought low at the Second Coming—Compare Isaiah 2. About 559–545 B.C

Moses learned that "man is nothing." Each of us must come to that same realization - early or late the cedar of Lebanon will know its place. Zion's homes and temples are the best places to learn this supernal truth.