Answers to certain questions on the writings of Isaiah, given by Joseph Smith the Prophet, at or near Far West, Missouri, March 1838.

1–6, The Stem of Jesse, the rod coming therefrom, and the root of Jesse are identified; 7–10, The scattered remnants of Zion have a right to the priesthood and are called to return to the Lord.

1 Who is the Stem of Jesse spoken of in the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, and 5th verses of the 11th chapter of Isaiah? 2 Verily thus saith the Lord: It is Christ. 3 What is the rod spoken of in the first verse of the 11th chapter of Isaiah, that should come of the Stem of Jesse?
Note: It talks about King David the son of Jesse.
“And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’” Acts 13:22

4 Behold, thus saith the Lord: It is a servant in the hands of Christ, who is partly a descendant of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the house of Joseph, on whom there is laid much power.
Note: Jesus Christ had nothing to do with the house of Joseph.
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Matthew 1:1

5 What is the root of Jesse spoken of in the 10th verse of the 11th chapter? 6 Behold, thus saith the Lord, it is a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of my people in the last days.
Note: It is a prophecy of Jesus Christ not of Joseph Smith.
Therefore, receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: “For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles and sing to Your name.” And again, he says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!” And again: “Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!” And again, Isaiah says: “There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles shall hope.” Romans 15:7-12

7 Questions by Elias Higbee: What is meant by the command in Isaiah, 52d chapter, 1st verse, which saith: Put on thy strength, O Zion—and what people had Isaiah reference to?
Note: Elias Higbee could not think for himself and lost his life for Joseph Smith.
He and his family joined the gathering of Latter Day Saints in Kirtland, Ohio, later that year. In 1833 the Higbees and other Latter-Day Saints attempted to settle in Jackson County, Missouri, but were forced to return to Kirtland in 1835. They again tried to settle in Missouri in 1836, this time in Clay County. While in Missouri, Higbee was a Caldwell County judge and a leading officer of the county militia. He also served missions in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Eventually, the events of the 1838 Mormon War again forced the Higbees to leave Missouri and by 1839 they had settled with the majority of Latter-Day Saints in Commerce, Illinois, which would later be renamed Nauvoo.  Higbee unexpectedly died of cholera on June 8, 1843, in Nauvoo.

8 He had reference to those whom God should call in the last days, who should hold the power of priesthood to bring again Zion, and the redemption of Israel; and to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood, which she, Zion, has a right to by lineage; also to return to that power which she had lost.
Note: Joseph Smith did not know what he was talking about.
Isaiah 52:1 is a prophetic call for Jerusalem (Zion) to awake from spiritual and physical defeat, cast off its shame, and re-embrace its holy identity as God prepares to redeem His people.

9 What are we to understand by Zion loosing herself from the bands of her neck; 2d verse?
Note: Joseph Smith did not know what he was talking about.
Historical & Spiritual Context: Historically, this addressed the Jewish exiles in Babylon, announcing that their punishment had ended and they would be restored to their homeland without a violent ransom (Isaiah 52:3). Spiritually, it is often interpreted as a call for believers to wake up from spiritual death, leave sin behind, and step into the freedom and righteousness provided by God.

10 We are to understand that the scattered remnants are exhorted to return to the Lord from whence they have fallen; which if they do, the promise of the Lord is that he will speak to them, or give them revelation. See the 6th, 7th, and 8th verses. The bands of her neck are the curses of God upon her, or the remnants of Israel in their scattered condition among the Gentiles.
Note: Joseph Smith did not know what he was talking about.
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Isaiah 52:7) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “LORD, who has believed our report?” (Isaiah 53:1) So, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:14-17
Note: Faith comes by the word of God not the false prophet Joseph Smith.