I really like the work of Avraham Gileadi and I think it is very important to helping understand and search the words of Isaiah as Jesus commanded (3 Nephi 23:1, 3 Nephi 20:11).
One of the keys to understanding Isaiah is understanding the manner of prophesying among the Jews (2 Nephi 25:1) and this is where Gileadi comes in as a literary analyst and one who has learned about the manner of prophesying among the Jews through his time spent in a rabbinical school in Jerusalem. He has expanded his research and as Truman Madsen said:
“Avraham Gileadi takes one by the hand to explain nuances of language, setting, and Jewish modes of thought. Suddenly Isaiah, a book foreign and opaque, becomes a book of light. Its prophetic intimacy is tied to the world around us and within us, and is full of meanings for the head and the heart.”
Hugh Nibley said of Gileadi:
“Dr. Gileadi is so thoroughly familiar with the book of Isaiah that he can set before us in straightforward, uncomplicated form a clear exposition of what it is all about. He gives the reader a sense of intimacy with Isaiah which is unique. …The work inspires reflection rather than contention. Above all it leads the reader into a spiritual state of mind that brings Isaiah to life.”
For what it’s worth, I’ll add my endorsement of his work. The tools and insights I have gained from Gileadi’s research have enabled me to approach Isaiah with confidence, on my own, to begin to understand why the Savior was so adamant that we search Isaiah’s words. I’m looking forward to attending these seminars to explore the wonderful words of Isaiah even more.
For full disclosure, these are not free seminars and are not sponsored by or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I don’t receive any compensation for advertising these lectures on oneClimbs.com. I made the personal decision to post this information here.
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The book Visions of Glory by John Pontius is an interesting read. I’ve read about 3/4 of it myself last summer and I found some of it very intriguing and other parts somewhat difficult to swallow, but I’m an open-minded guy. I enjoyed it more as I began to read it as a fictional account, because how can you prove what the guy did or didn’t see? What’s more, how can you be sure what parts were literal or what parts were figurative? From my own experience, it can be difficult to tell.
I was just talking with some one about a kind of near death experience last night and what he saw was very similar to an experience that I had. The prophet Joel said in the last days many would see dreams and visions because he would pour out his spirit (Joel 2:28), so I’m not so quick to discount them, but then again, I’m not so quick to just accept them at face value.
Instead of trying to apply a label of “true” or “false” to everything I encounter, I just try to draw from everything whatever the Spirit suggests is useful to me personally. I have found this to be an effective way for exploring all subjects and mining for truth amid the dross.
So this seminar seems to be Gileadi’s attempt to introduce people to Isaiah through what is currently a popular book among Latter-day Saints. I plan on checking out this Seminar to see for myself, it should be interesting.
This seminar is a 8 hour dive in to some really great stuff. I attended the second half of a similar seminar in St. George, UT last summer and really enjoyed it. I wish I could have been there for the whole thing. That was the first time I had met Gileadi face to face and found him to be a soft-spoken, humble man.
I love being around people who are passionate about their interests, especially when I am interested in the same things. I appreciate Gileadi’s scholarly approach that is careful to respect the text and understand what is being communicated. I’m excited to attend this Seminar as well, I think it will be really fun. It is a rare opportunity to attend something like this and I hope that others out there will be interested as well.
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I’m sure you saw this, but the Church has recently released an updated version of its Old Testament Study guide. If you go to lds.org, click on the link that says, “Don’t Understand the Old Testament? Use the Improved Study Guide”.
I strongly agree with what you said in a recent post, that it is our job as families to prepare our children for their experience in the temple. But I am also excited to see the Church pressing forward with improved teaching aids to assist members in understanding much of what is in the Old Testament. I think this is a trend that we will continue to see as we get closer to the millennium. Old Testament prophets and prophesies will start looming larger and larger in the minds and hearts of the saints. As a natural consequence, a greater understanding of Old Testament symbolism will come about, especially Isaiah.
So, speaking about the Church as a collective body, I think the key to a greater understanding of symbolism and the temple will come as the members start to embrace these things fully. The Old Testament is perhaps one of the greatest keys to understanding the temple, and it looks like the Church is stepping up its game on the Old Testament.
As I said, I think we will see more and more of this in the Ensign, General Conference, Stake Conference, Leadership Meetings, etc… As the last days come closer, we will go full circle, and the Old Testament will become perhaps one if not our greatest resource for spiritual understanding.
So how was the conference!?
It was really awesome. You know, six hours of studying Isaiah might not be for everyone but I really enjoyed it! I don’t know if he is going to be doing any more of these. Seems like he’s going to focus on writing books which I really welcome because his books are fantastic.
It’s harder to go back and study 6 hours of audio from a lecture! But it’s fun to meet together and ask questions and what not.
I really wish I could have made the journey. Six hours of Isaiah sounds amazing. Glad you had a good time.
It is through the discovery of your site that I learned of Avraham Gileadi and his works. THANK YOU!
I immediately ordered 4 of his books. I told a friend about my discovery. She politely warned me about brother Gileadi and to use discernment and not be misled. I know she cares but it’s also obvious she hasn’t taken the time to give heed to Albert Einstein who said, “Condemnation without investigation is the height of ignorance.”
After studying Brother Gileadi’s writings for a mere half hour, I came to one conclusion and emailed my friend to tell her this. “Brother Gileadi’s teachings taste sweet to my spirit. He speaks/writes in such a manner that truth cannot be denied by the wicked and will be consumed with joy by the righteous.” His intelligence is stellar and his ability to convey his thoughts astounding! Not one word out of place it seems.
In fact, when I read the Isaiah parts in the Book of Mormon, it’s difficult for me to convert back to the writing/speaking style of the Nephite prophets because Isaiah’s words seem to be more natural to me or at least to my spirit as I read. Call me weird….I know!
Brother Gileadi’s works and efforts are nothing short of a gift to those who are inclined to feel after Isaiah’s teachings. I, for one, cannot thank him enough for sharing his exhaustive research/life experiences in books.
He has opened up a whole new experience for me in the study of Isaiah and I will never read it the same again.
Knowing that Isaiah was sawed in half for his obedience and testimony and that the Lord has commanded us to search “for great are the words of Isaiah” is sobering.
Thank you again so much for setting up a most excellent fruit stand!
Does anyone know how to get a recording of these events? I really want to hear about them because I feel deep down that there are so many connections to Isaiah when I read either VOG or Isaiah. Please help!
Try this: http://www.isaiahinstitute.com/2016/09/coming-soon.html