“As Nephi commented on Isaiah 49 in 1 Nephi 22, he quoted or paraphrased three verses from ‘the prophet,’ obviously Isaiah. We do not have these verses in the present Bible text, but they fit very well into the context of Isaiah 49 and 50.
“We can illustrate this by placing [1 Nephi 22:15–17] between the last verse of chapter 49 and the first verse of chapter 50.”
1 Nephi 22
15 xxx
…the time cometh speedily that Satan shall have no more power over the hearts of the children of men; for the day soon cometh that all the proud and they who do wickedly shall be as astubble; and the day cometh that they must be bburned.
16 xxx
For the time soon cometh that the fulness of the awrathof God shall be poured out upon all the children of men; for he will not suffer that the wicked shall destroy the righteous.
17 xxx
Wherefore, he will apreserve the brighteous by his power, even if it so be that the fulness of his wrath must come, and the righteous be preserved, even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire.
David Ridges thoughts on lost verses
In the Book of Mormon Made Easier, David J. Ridges, wrote, “One of the greatest blessings of having the book of Mormon is that Nephi explains many chapters of Isaiah for us. This gives us a great advantage over all other people on earth as far as understanding Isaiah is concerned. In this case, Nephi will explain what Isaiah said in 1 Nephi, chapters 20-21 Nephi. Having Nephi as our teacher will greatly increase our ability to understand other chapters of Isaiah.
“By the way, since the Brass Plates were likely produced approximately 100 years (or less) after Isaiah lived, the writings of Isaiah on the plates would be a much more original source of the earliest manuscripts of the Bible. In fact, the Brass Plates even had three verses appear as 1 Nephi 22:15–17. Nephi quotes them as he explains this segment of Isaiah.”
Hey Daryl! Great article!