Isaiah applies to ME

    In Book of Mormon, we are studying the word of Isaiah in 2 Nephi. Yes...those dreaded, hard to understand sections. Today, in class, when my professor talked about the fact that we would be reading these scriptures...my mind kinda shut off. I think I've been conditioned to respond like that. My AP Pysch mind goes right back to when we studied Pavlov's dogs.

Unconditioned Stimulus: Isaiah
Unconditioned Response: Reading with little understanding
Conditioned Stimulus: Isaiah paired with groans and expressions of frustration
Conditioned Response: Mind shuts down

    Okay, so that's obviously not what really happens, but it's how I feel. I've always been hopelessly lost with Isaiah. But, today I decided to read these chapters with a goal to understand. No matter how much research and time it takes. What made me decide this was Nephi. "And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him." (2 Nephi 11:2) The part that really sticks out to me in this passage is that Nephi will liken Isaiah's words unto his people and unto himself. So, that's probably where I'm struggling. There has to be ways that Isaiah applies to my own life. For example:

2 Nephi 12:2-3 "...when the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it."
In the scriptures, the mountains are representative of the temple. With the recent dedication of the Brigham City Temple, this scripture is completely applicable to my life, as well as the life of many others. Another temple of the Lord was built, and people from all nations will flow unto it to receive the the blessings of the temple. I haven't been to the temple for a few months. I really miss it. I miss the peace and joy I feel from it. Whenever I was upset back at home, I would hop in my car and drive to the Bountiful temple. I can't describe the peace that I received from looking at the white spires and the golden angel Moroni. Being close to the house of the Lord  brings me the peace I need.

So guess what. I found something in Isaiah that applies to me.