The Plates of Nephi: a "Cry From The Dust"

Isaiah 29-30

S. K. Tatum's Cambridge wide margin Bible 1977 <<<<>>>>

THE PLATES OF NEPHI

" A CRY FROM THE DUST "
A Comprehensive Survey of the Prophecy of Isaiah
By S. K. Tatum

©1977 © 2006

"Now, my beloved brethren, all they which are of the House of Israel, and all ye ends of the earth, I speak unto you, as the voice of one crying from the dust:"

לכן הנני יוסף להפליא את העם הזה הפלא ופלא ואבדה חכמת חכמיו ובי

נבניו תסתתר׃

- The Record of Nephi

"Search the prophecies of Isaiah, Behold, I cannot write them. Yea, behold I say unto you, that those saints who have gone before me, who have possessed this land, shall cry, yea, even from the dust will they cry unto the Lord; and as the Lord liveth he will remember the covenant which he hath made with them".
Mormon 8:23 [i.e., 4:27 in Book of Mormon, Authorized Edition, Independence, MO]

This is not, by any means, a "new revelation", the Church has been aware of the relation of the prophecy in Isaiah to the latter day Choice Seer, "Joseph" since the beginning. However, I do feel the need to expound on the writings of Isaiah, the 8th century prophet, in the language of that prophet, in order to shed further light on this prophecy and on the "key words" in the prophecy in order to both clarify and confirm the same correlating truth contained within the Bible and the Book of Mormon.
Upon studying the passages of scripture from the Book of Isaiah chapter 29 verse 14 and also Isaiah chapter 30 and verse 8, comparing them with the original Hebrew text, it suddenly became evident what the passage in The Book of Mormon, particularly, Mormon chapter 8 verse 23 was making reference to.
As Moroni proceeded to continue with the record of his father, Mormon, he says "Search the prophesies of Isaiah. "I cannot write them", he was in brief saying "I do not have the time nor the space on these plates to cover the full explanation and interpretation of those key words within the from Isaiah which has been revealed unto us, so search the prophecies of Isaiah" .
I will attempt in this study to share the very keys within th Book of Isaiah that Moroni was directing us to. I have no doubt that there are more revelations to be found if one only has the ears to hear and the eyes to see.

When I shared this study of Isaiah 29:14 and 30:8 with the late Apostle Bruce McConkey,* (1915-1985) he so graciously responded and thanked me for sharing the interpretation of the passages of Isaiah with him and made a reference to me being a "Bible scholar" in his letter, which I felt was a great honor coming from a General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who literally wrote the book on "Mormon Doctrine" (Mormon Doctrine1974: Salt Lake City. Bookcraft, Inc.. Second Edition). He also said that I had a great spiritual responsibility as a scholar to share that knowledge with mankind. *Bruce R. McConkey served as an Apostle of the Church in Salt Lake City from 1972 to 1985.

Later, while serving as First Councilor in the Bishopric and as Ward Mission Leader (Nashville II Ward/Gallatin, Tennessee Branch) in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I presented my works on the Isaiah prophecy and The Book of Mormon to a receptive congregation in the new Gallatin, Tennessee Ward/Branch facility. It so happened on that Sunday that a General Authority from Salt Lake City, Bishop Victor L. Brown* (1914-1996), was present as I spoke that morning to the brothers and sisters from the pulpit. Soon after I delivered the message regarding the key words in the book of Isaiah and it’s reference to one called "Joseph", Bishop Brown made his way to the front and shook my hand and with a big smile said "Brother Tatum, when are you moving to Salt Lake City?"

At that particular time, I had no intentions of moving to Salt Lake City but that would change.

*Bishop Brown served as Presiding Bishop of the Church in Salt Lake City from 1972 to 1985.It is my hope and my prayer that this word study shall serve as a testament to the truth and same Spirit of both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. If any should find imperfections in this work, they are my own imperfections. If there are no imperfections to be found, may God receive the glory.

The Bible and the Book of Mormon, as one, testify of the righteous blood that cries out from the dust , even unto this day, the cries are heard. From the plains of Megiddo to the great plains of the American continent. I know that the world will know too soon the power of The Most High God, The Holy One of Israel, Creator of heaven and earth. His judgement is swift as a two edged sword and He will again return with the clouds, joined by his saints. Every eye shall behold Him and every knee shall bow before Him. The earth shall give up the dead and all who yet live shall tremble at His appearance. "Work while it is yet day, for the night cometh on when no man can work." -Gospel of John 9:4

As the Lord spoke by the mouth of the prophet Isaiah, "I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory."(Is. 46:13)

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Salvation, our Redeemer. Amen.

- S. K. Tatum

"Search the prophecies of Isaiah...."
-Mormon 8:23

(in Book of Mormon, Authorized Version, ch.4 v.27)

14 therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men will perish, and the understanding of their prudent men will be hidden." - Isaiah 29:14 (KJV) *

Note: The first word in each sequence below is the Hebrew word transliterated

(i.e., transposedfrom Hebrew to phonetic English) The last word in sequence is the translated word taken from the Authorized King James Version of the Bible. For this study, the "Hebrew literal meaning" is taken from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance. (link below)

The "key" words in prophecy: (Isaiah 29:14)

yasaph = "proceed"
(root word is same as root word for Yowceph, i.e., "Joseph")
Hebrew literal meaning: to add, to conceive again, to multiply

pala = "marvelous"
Hebrew literal meaning: "to separate, hidden, things too high"

pala = "work"
Hebrew literal meaning: "to separate, hidden, things too high"

tavek = "among"
Hebrew literal meaning: "to sever from the center or middle"

zeh = " this"
Hebrew literal meaning: this, that, he, of himself, his

am = "people"
Hebrew literal meaning: congregation, tribe, tribes

pala = "marvelous"
Hebrew literal meaning: "to separate, separate by distinguishing action, hidden, things too high"

pala = "work"
Hebrew literal meaning: "to separate, hidden, things too high"

pele = "wonder"
Hebrew literal meaning: a miracle, a marvelous new thing.

* see II Nephi 11:146,147 Authorized Version

The "key" words in the instructions to the scribe: (Isaiah 30:8)

Note: Here, Isaiah is prophesying to a people "Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not....." (Isaiah 30:10) According to the prophecy, this people would later "flee" and be as a "beacon upon the top of a mountain" and an "ensign on a hill" (Isaiah 30:17)

8 "Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come forever and ever." -Isaiah 30:8

עתה בוא כתבה על לוח אתם ועל ספר חקה ותהי ליום אחרון לעד עד עולם׃

kathab = "write"
Hebrew literal meaning: to engrave or record

eth = "before"
Hebrew literal meaning: a digging implement or engraving tool.

luwach = "table"
Hebrew literal meaning: to glisten, a polished tablet or plate.

chaqaq = "note"
Hebrew literal meaning: to engrave, to cut into metal

yowm = "time"
Hebrew literal meaning: day, age, the end

acharon = "to come"

Hebrew literal meaning: last, latter, western, literally "standing in the east looking west"

I know that once the reader takes time to study these passages of scripture and see the truths revealed in the key words of the original text, the divine principle of reason shall unlock any mystery within Moroni’s final instructions to " search the prophecies of Isaiah" and the references to the latter days and the coming forth of the plates of Nephi will be evident.

I have not greatly expounded upon each word here but rest assured there are greater truths

within them. Search the scriptures and open your heart unto the truth.

Peace & Blessings,

S. K. Tatum

Isaiah Chapter 29 Audio:

http://media.snunit.k12.il/kodeshm/mp3/t1029.mp3

Study Helps: for those who would like to continue with this word study.

To access Strong's Concordance online,

http://www.usaquality.com/bible/strongs/isaiah_29.shtml

For those who would like to reference the Book of Mormon:

http://www.hti.umich.edu/m/mormon/browse.html

http://www.centerplace.org/hs/bofm/default.htm

http://www.bookofmormononline.org/

For those who would like to reference the Bible;

http://www.blueletterbible.org/

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2029:14&version=9

(Isaiah 29:14)

Therefore behold I will proceed yacaph (yaw-saf') to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

to do a marvellous work pala' (paw-law') perhaps to separate, i.e. distinguish; by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful

among this people`am (am) a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock -- folk, men, nation, people.

even a marvellous work pala' (paw-law') perhaps to separate, i.e. distinguish; by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult,

wonderful and a wonder pele' (peh'-leh) a miracle -- marvellous thing, wonder(-ful, -fully).

for the wisdom chokmah (khok-maw')wisdom (in a good sense) -- skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit.

of their wise chakam (khaw-kawm')wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) -- cunning (man), subtil, (un-), wise(hearted), man).

men shall perish' abad (aw-bad') to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

and the understanding biynah (bee-naw')understanding -- knowledge, meaning, perfectly, understanding, wisdom.

of their prudent biyn (bene) to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand

men shall be hid cathar (saw-thar')to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively -- be absent, keep close, conceal, hide (self), (keep) secret, surely.

Hebrew:

לכן הנני יוסף להפליא את העם הזה הפלא ופלא ואבדה חכמת חכמיו ובינת נבניו תסתתר׃

Spanish:

"Por tanto, he aquí que nuevamente excitaré yo la admiración de este pueblo con un prodigio grande y espantoso; porque perecerá la sabiduría de sus sabios, y se desvanecerá la prudencia de sus prudentes".

Tagalog:

"Dahil dito narito, pasisimulan kong gawin ang isang kagilagilalas na gawa sa gitna ng bayang ito, isang kagilagilalas na gawa at kamanghamangha: at ang karunungan ng kanilang mga pantas ay mapapawi, at ang unawa ng kanilang mga mabait ay malilingid".

German:

"Darum, siehe, will ich fortan wunderbar mit diesem Volke handeln, wunderbar und wundersam; und die Weisheit seiner Weisen wird zunichte werden, und der Verstand seiner Verständigen sich verbergen".

Arabic:

لذلك هانذا اعود اصنع بهذا الشعب عجبا وعجيبا فتبيد حكمة حكمائه ويختفي فهم فهمائه.

Latin Vulgate:

"ideo ecce ego addam ut admirationem faciam populo huic miraculo grandi et stupendo peribit enim sapientia a sapientibus eius et intellectus prudentium eius abscondetur"

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