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A Word in Season: Isaiah's Reception in the Book of Mormon
A groundbreaking look at the relationship between two sacred texts The Book of Mormon’s narrative privileges Isaiah over other sources, provocatively interpreting and at times inventively reworking the biblical text. Joseph M. Spencer sees within the Book of Mormon a programmatic investigation regarding the meaning and relevance of the Book of Isaiah in a world increasingly removed from the context of the times that produced it. Working from the crossroads of reception studies and Mormon studies, Spencer investigates and clarifies the Book of Mormon’s questions about the vitality of Isaiah’s prophetic project. Spencer’s analysis focuses on the Book of Mormon’s three interactions with the the character of Abinadi; the resurrected Jesus Christ; and the nation-founding figure of Nephi. Working from the Book of Mormon as it was dictated, Spencer details its vital and overlooked place in Isaiah’s reception while recognizing the interpretation of Isaiah as an organizing force behind the Book of Mormon.
- GenresOld Testament
297 pages, Paperback
Published November 21, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 22, 2024
Incredible. A must-read for anyone seeking to understand on a deeper level how Isaiah is interpreted by prophets (and Christ himself) in the Book of Mormon.
Note that this is a scholarly work written to an academic audience. I wouldn't blind recommend this to everyone. If you haven't yet explored much Book of Mormon scholarship I would recommend starting with the Brief Theological Introduction series or Spencer's A Vision of All, which are written toward more of a lay-member audience.
Note that this is a scholarly work written to an academic audience. I wouldn't blind recommend this to everyone. If you haven't yet explored much Book of Mormon scholarship I would recommend starting with the Brief Theological Introduction series or Spencer's A Vision of All, which are written toward more of a lay-member audience.
February 9, 2024
Extraordinary. More formal review forthcoming...stay tuned.
March 3, 2024
Well thought out and written. Helps illustrate the narratives that are shaped by the author's/compilers use. A far more digestible book than some of his past books on the subject.
November 14, 2024
First, congratulations to the author for getting University of Illinois Press to publish a book about the Book of Mormon. Spencer has written a couple of other articles about the Book of Mormon in mainstream Biblical interpretation journals. More BYU religion professors ought to do similarly.
Spencer explores how the BOM interprets Isaiah in the context of other interpretations of Isaiah in Joseph Smith's time and elsewhere. He goes through three sets of exegetes: Abinadi/Noah's priests, Jesus in 3 Nephi, and Nephi.
King Noah's priests interpreted Isaiah 52:7-10 as a prophesy of their colonization project. Amazingly, they also did their city planning based on another verse in Isaiah. Kinda cool! Those priests were essentially Isaiah scholars. I would add that the clause, "how beautiful are the feet of them that publisheth peace" refers to "peace prophesies." A "peace prophet" (shulmu in Akkadian) is a prophet who predicts positive things for the king and his regime. They're using that verse to incriminate Avi for prophesying that the Lamanites would throw Noah into the fire like a garment in a hot furnace.
Avi, in contrast, interprets those four verses christologically, first quoting Isaiah 53 for context. He interprets "seed" in 53:10, as well as those who "publisheth peace" and "salvation," in 52:8, to mean pre-Christian prophets and their followers. This differs from the interpretation found in Joseph Smith’s times, which held the "seed" to be the gift of resurrection for Christ, his apostles, and followers. Avi's interpretation exemplifies one of the BOM's themes, and that is that the ancients had access to Christianity. Calling Christ's followers "seed" also comports with the other major episode in Mosiah, where King Benjamin calls those who follow Christ his children.
Spencer noted that Avi's interpretation isn't how Bible scholars would interpret Isaiah. I think he's cleverly saying that the hermeneutic of Noah's priests is ("hint hint: whoever wrote the Book of Mormon knew enough to be a Bible scholar"), to secular reviewers who don't accept the BOM's antiquity.
Avi was also "filled with the spirit of prophecy," and accused Noah's priests of "pretending to...understand the spirit of prophesying" (Mosiah 12:25) and Spencer pointed out the significance of this is fact. Because we know from Revelations 19:10 that "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy," that's why Avi gave Isaiah a christological reading and the priests missed it. Brilliant!
The other part of the book that must be discussed is Spencer's analysis of Nephi's interpretation. When we ask ourselves why Nephi included so much of Isaiah, my understanding prior to reading the book is that "Messiah" and "gathering" are main BOM themes. However, Spencer gets more specific. The first part of Isaiah speaks of Israel's suffering at the hands of gentile powers (Assyria and Babylonia). The second part speaks of a "remnant" of Israel that will return after it experiences such suffering, and will experience peace and a glorious return.
This offers further insight on why Nephi included Isaiah--he did it for the Lamanites, who suffered ethnic cleansing, disease, and arguably genocide by white European "gentiles," but a "remnant" will be preserved and they will get their land back and enter a glorious future.
In sum, this book added substantial insight to my understanding of the Book of Mormon.
The language could've been tighter though. Spencer is a philosopher, and it reads like a philosopher's stream of consciousness.
Spencer explores how the BOM interprets Isaiah in the context of other interpretations of Isaiah in Joseph Smith's time and elsewhere. He goes through three sets of exegetes: Abinadi/Noah's priests, Jesus in 3 Nephi, and Nephi.
King Noah's priests interpreted Isaiah 52:7-10 as a prophesy of their colonization project. Amazingly, they also did their city planning based on another verse in Isaiah. Kinda cool! Those priests were essentially Isaiah scholars. I would add that the clause, "how beautiful are the feet of them that publisheth peace" refers to "peace prophesies." A "peace prophet" (shulmu in Akkadian) is a prophet who predicts positive things for the king and his regime. They're using that verse to incriminate Avi for prophesying that the Lamanites would throw Noah into the fire like a garment in a hot furnace.
Avi, in contrast, interprets those four verses christologically, first quoting Isaiah 53 for context. He interprets "seed" in 53:10, as well as those who "publisheth peace" and "salvation," in 52:8, to mean pre-Christian prophets and their followers. This differs from the interpretation found in Joseph Smith’s times, which held the "seed" to be the gift of resurrection for Christ, his apostles, and followers. Avi's interpretation exemplifies one of the BOM's themes, and that is that the ancients had access to Christianity. Calling Christ's followers "seed" also comports with the other major episode in Mosiah, where King Benjamin calls those who follow Christ his children.
Spencer noted that Avi's interpretation isn't how Bible scholars would interpret Isaiah. I think he's cleverly saying that the hermeneutic of Noah's priests is ("hint hint: whoever wrote the Book of Mormon knew enough to be a Bible scholar"), to secular reviewers who don't accept the BOM's antiquity.
Avi was also "filled with the spirit of prophecy," and accused Noah's priests of "pretending to...understand the spirit of prophesying" (Mosiah 12:25) and Spencer pointed out the significance of this is fact. Because we know from Revelations 19:10 that "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy," that's why Avi gave Isaiah a christological reading and the priests missed it. Brilliant!
The other part of the book that must be discussed is Spencer's analysis of Nephi's interpretation. When we ask ourselves why Nephi included so much of Isaiah, my understanding prior to reading the book is that "Messiah" and "gathering" are main BOM themes. However, Spencer gets more specific. The first part of Isaiah speaks of Israel's suffering at the hands of gentile powers (Assyria and Babylonia). The second part speaks of a "remnant" of Israel that will return after it experiences such suffering, and will experience peace and a glorious return.
This offers further insight on why Nephi included Isaiah--he did it for the Lamanites, who suffered ethnic cleansing, disease, and arguably genocide by white European "gentiles," but a "remnant" will be preserved and they will get their land back and enter a glorious future.
In sum, this book added substantial insight to my understanding of the Book of Mormon.
The language could've been tighter though. Spencer is a philosopher, and it reads like a philosopher's stream of consciousness.
February 4, 2024
A Word in Season: Isaiah’s Reception in the Book of Mormon by Joseph M. Spencer (University of Illinois Press, 11/21/2023) is a scholarly exploration into the interplay between the biblical prophet Isaiah and the narrative fabric of the Book of Mormon.
At the heart of Spencer’s work lies a meticulous analysis of the Book of Mormon’s engagement with Isaiah. Drawing upon his expertise in both biblical studies and Mormon theology, Spencer skillfully traces the ways in which key passages from Isaiah are woven into the fabric of the narrative (specifically through the stories of Abinadi, the resurrected Lord, and Nephi), shedding light on their significance within the broader theological framework of the Book of Mormon. Moreover, Spencer’s work offers valuable insights into the interpretive strategies employed by the authors of the Book of Mormon as they engage with Isaiah’s text. He demonstrates how these individuals (whether seen as ancient writers or characters in an 1830 production) creatively recontextualize Isaiah’s prophecies, infusing them with new layers of meaning that speak directly to their concerns and their own prophecies.
I worried that A Word in Season: Isaiah’s Reception in the Book of Mormon might have too much overlap with Dr. Spencer’s previous work on Isaiah in the Book of Mormon—The Vision of All: Twenty-five Lectures on Isaiah in Nephi’s Record. The two books, however, offer distinct yet interrelated perspectives on the prophet Isaiah and his influence within the Book of Mormon. A Word in Season examines Isaiah’s reception across the entirety of the Book of Mormon, highlighting the intricate connections and reinterpretations of Isaiah’s prophecies by the three main individuals who cite the ancient prophet. It also works to put those interpretations in dialogue with other interpretations of Isaiah, particularly in the time period around 1830. What is also unique about the approach used in A Word in Season is that it addresses the authors of the Book of Mormon in the order that the current text was dictated—putting Nephi at the end rather than the beginning—which brings out insights about the overall Book of Mormon in a different light.
In contrast, The Vision of All delves into a deeper exploration of how Nephi uses Isaiah in his writings, offering insights not only on Isaiah but also on the larger themes and theological implications found within Nephi’s record. Thus, while both works engage with Isaiah’s prophetic message, A Word in Season covers Isaiah in the entire Book of Mormon and is addressed to a scholarly audience while The Vision of All is more focused more deeply on Nephi’s records and addressed more to a Latter-day Saint audience.
In conclusion, A Word in Season: Isaiah’s Reception in the Book of Mormon is a notable work that offers fresh insights into the rich tapestry of biblical interpretation found within the Book of Mormon. Throughout the book, Spencer’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in his thorough analysis of the text, as well as his careful consideration of alternative interpretations and scholarly debates. It will be useful to both scholars interested in Isaiah’s reception history and Latter-day Saints looking to engage more deeply with the Book of Mormon.
At the heart of Spencer’s work lies a meticulous analysis of the Book of Mormon’s engagement with Isaiah. Drawing upon his expertise in both biblical studies and Mormon theology, Spencer skillfully traces the ways in which key passages from Isaiah are woven into the fabric of the narrative (specifically through the stories of Abinadi, the resurrected Lord, and Nephi), shedding light on their significance within the broader theological framework of the Book of Mormon. Moreover, Spencer’s work offers valuable insights into the interpretive strategies employed by the authors of the Book of Mormon as they engage with Isaiah’s text. He demonstrates how these individuals (whether seen as ancient writers or characters in an 1830 production) creatively recontextualize Isaiah’s prophecies, infusing them with new layers of meaning that speak directly to their concerns and their own prophecies.
I worried that A Word in Season: Isaiah’s Reception in the Book of Mormon might have too much overlap with Dr. Spencer’s previous work on Isaiah in the Book of Mormon—The Vision of All: Twenty-five Lectures on Isaiah in Nephi’s Record. The two books, however, offer distinct yet interrelated perspectives on the prophet Isaiah and his influence within the Book of Mormon. A Word in Season examines Isaiah’s reception across the entirety of the Book of Mormon, highlighting the intricate connections and reinterpretations of Isaiah’s prophecies by the three main individuals who cite the ancient prophet. It also works to put those interpretations in dialogue with other interpretations of Isaiah, particularly in the time period around 1830. What is also unique about the approach used in A Word in Season is that it addresses the authors of the Book of Mormon in the order that the current text was dictated—putting Nephi at the end rather than the beginning—which brings out insights about the overall Book of Mormon in a different light.
In contrast, The Vision of All delves into a deeper exploration of how Nephi uses Isaiah in his writings, offering insights not only on Isaiah but also on the larger themes and theological implications found within Nephi’s record. Thus, while both works engage with Isaiah’s prophetic message, A Word in Season covers Isaiah in the entire Book of Mormon and is addressed to a scholarly audience while The Vision of All is more focused more deeply on Nephi’s records and addressed more to a Latter-day Saint audience.
In conclusion, A Word in Season: Isaiah’s Reception in the Book of Mormon is a notable work that offers fresh insights into the rich tapestry of biblical interpretation found within the Book of Mormon. Throughout the book, Spencer’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in his thorough analysis of the text, as well as his careful consideration of alternative interpretations and scholarly debates. It will be useful to both scholars interested in Isaiah’s reception history and Latter-day Saints looking to engage more deeply with the Book of Mormon.
July 8, 2025
Tried to read this in January but it was a bit difficult to give sufficient attention to while attending classes.
Joseph Spencer is an absolute sicko about Isaiah. It's freaking awesome.
My absolute favorite part of the book was the discussion found on pages 207-214, where it discusses the "voice" crying from the dust "as of one that hath a familiar spirit", it's possible connection to necromancy, and the idea that there are two distinct figures represented- the familiar spirit, and the messenger of that familiar spirit (the medium), which then is represented as Joseph Smith. THIS PART OF THE BOOK WAS SO COOL!!!!! Indeed the entire last chapter was particularly insightful, I loved the discussion near the end on what Nephi's Isaian interpretations tell us about how the Book of Mormon wants its readers to treat itself. The idea that the question of historicity is important- but only in the last instance. All of the theological questions and ideas that Spencer brings up as a result of his analysis of how the BoM uses Isaiah are really interesting.
Sections of this book are a bit academic (I don't know if technical is the correct term, but several portions are difficult to follow and a bit complex, at times it feels like if you aren't quite as obsessed over the details of Isaiah as Spencer is it can be difficult to follow) but it is extremely well written and conveys its larger points well, while providing enough depth and complexity that will reward returning to its pages for further study. But admittedly this was not an "easy" read for me.
Big fan of this, I anticipate needing to reread much of it to get the details down in my brain. I think Spencer's argument that “Isaiah is a key—perhaps the key—to the Book of Mormon’s meaning, and certainly to how the volume understands its own significance" is true. This book is great!
Joseph Spencer is an absolute sicko about Isaiah. It's freaking awesome.
My absolute favorite part of the book was the discussion found on pages 207-214, where it discusses the "voice" crying from the dust "as of one that hath a familiar spirit", it's possible connection to necromancy, and the idea that there are two distinct figures represented- the familiar spirit, and the messenger of that familiar spirit (the medium), which then is represented as Joseph Smith. THIS PART OF THE BOOK WAS SO COOL!!!!! Indeed the entire last chapter was particularly insightful, I loved the discussion near the end on what Nephi's Isaian interpretations tell us about how the Book of Mormon wants its readers to treat itself. The idea that the question of historicity is important- but only in the last instance. All of the theological questions and ideas that Spencer brings up as a result of his analysis of how the BoM uses Isaiah are really interesting.
Sections of this book are a bit academic (I don't know if technical is the correct term, but several portions are difficult to follow and a bit complex, at times it feels like if you aren't quite as obsessed over the details of Isaiah as Spencer is it can be difficult to follow) but it is extremely well written and conveys its larger points well, while providing enough depth and complexity that will reward returning to its pages for further study. But admittedly this was not an "easy" read for me.
Big fan of this, I anticipate needing to reread much of it to get the details down in my brain. I think Spencer's argument that “Isaiah is a key—perhaps the key—to the Book of Mormon’s meaning, and certainly to how the volume understands its own significance" is true. This book is great!
December 31, 2023
This is a fantastic, albeit sometimes difficult book on the use of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon. Joe Spencer has other writings on the subject, but none are nearly as comprehensive and ambitious as this one. If you want to understand exactly how the writings of Isaiah are used in the Book of Mormon, down to the nitty gritty details of how the interpretations of his writings differ from biblical interpreters through the ages and how Abinidai, Nephi, and Jacob differ in their views, this book covers that ground and more. I highly recommend this book!
October 16, 2025
6 ⭐️ An excellent book for everyone who has read The Book of Mormon seriously. This study is for everyone who has skipped, glossed over, or fallen asleep during the Book’s interactions with Isaiah. Beware though, when you read Spencer’s book, fasten your seatbelt!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews