When Nephi said of the writings of Isaiah, “… my soul delighted in his words” (2 Nephi 11:2), he really meant it. He wasn’t just saying that to impress people. Now, why did Nephi love and quote Isaiah? What did he find there? Well, I think a partial answer lies here.

Before Nephi ever came to the Promised Land, his father Lehi shared his vision of the Tree of Life. This inspired Nephi to inquire of the Lord for himself. In answer, Nephi was caught away in a Heavenly vision. He saw the Savior, His birth and ministry. Then he was given the privilege of witnessing the future of his own family. He saw his posterity and those of his brethren on the land of promise, and that moment when the resurrected Lord appeared and ministered to them. Then as the vision continued, to his horror he beheld “the seed of my [his] brethren did overpower the people of my [his] seed.” (1 Nephi 12:19) In other words, he witnessed the entire destruction of his people - his grandchildren, as it were.

“And it came to pass,” Nephi said, “that I was overcome because of my afflictions, for I considered that mine [my] afflictions were great above all, because of the destruction of my people, for I had beheld their fall.” (1 Nephi 15:5)

Suddenly for me, Nephi is not just a prophet, he’s a concerned grandfather and patriarch anxious for his family who wants them to choose Christ and be with him in Heaven. Now, I may not understand Isaiah, but I can certainly understand that.

Now, it is after that point that Nephi begins to quote Isaiah – “for the learning and profit of my [his] children.” (2 Nephi 4:15) He wants his posterity to have hope, and thus he quotes the plenteous promises of Isaiah, asking his children to liken those promises unto themselves – promises such as this one:

“… for my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain from thee that I cut thee not off.” For behold I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. … I will not give my glory unto [to] another.” (1 Nephi 20:9-11)

What joy and comfort this must have brought Nephi, to learn that his family as part of Israel would not be lost forever.

“… can a woman forget her sucking child,” he read, “that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; …” (1 Nephi 21:15-16)

Nephi had seen those hands. He knew the Savior, as did Isaiah, and he quoted Isaiah to prove unto his people that save Christ should come all men must perish.

“… great are the words of Isaiah.” (3 Nephi 23:1) because he wrote the word of the Lord, and his words brought joy and conversion. What father does not want his children to be prepared for the future and empowered to choose wisely? Thus Nephi quoted Isaiah because Isaiah “… spake as touching all things concerning … the House of Israel. And all things that he spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake.” (3 Nephi 23:2-3)

Nephi loved and quoted Isaiah to save his family. Having seen what he saw and knowing what he knew about his family, if there was something else he could have done to save them, he would have done it - and he quoted Isaiah.

What does that tell us? Isaiah was to Nephi what the Book of Mormon is to us.