(Isa. 11:1, 10; D&C 113:1–6; JS–H 1:40; Book of Mormon Compendium, Sperry, 223, 226–227)
Isaiah testifies of Christ as both the “stem of Jesse” (mortal Messiah) and the righteous judge (millennial Messiah). He further testifies of a rod and root of Jesse (Joseph Smith), “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,” a man “unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of [the Lord’s] people in the last days” (D&C 113:1–2, 4–6; cf. JS–H 1:40).
(Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 4 vols. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1987–1992], 1:281.)
As to the identity of the Stem of Jesse, the revealed word says: “Verily thus saith the Lord: It is Christ” (D&C 133:1–2)… . The King who shall reign personally upon the earth during the Millennium shall be the Branch who grew out of the house of David. He shall execute judgment and justice in all the earth because he is the Lord Jehovah, even him whom we call Christ.
Through Zechariah the Lord spoke similarly: “Thus saith the Lord of hosts: … I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH … I will remove the iniquity of the land in one day [meaning that the wicked shall be destroyed and the millennial era of peace and righteousness commence]. In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree” (Zech. 3:7–10). Of that glorious millennial day the Lord says also: “Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord: Even he shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne” (Zech. 6:12–13).
That the Branch of David is Christ is perfectly clear. We shall now see that he is also called David, that he is a new David, an Eternal David, who shall reign forever on the throne of his ancient ancestor… .
David’s temporal throne fell long centuries before our Lord was born, and that portion of Israel which had not been scattered to the ends of the earth was in bondage to the iron yoke of Rome. But the promises remain. The eternal throne shall be restored in due course with a new David sitting thereon, and he shall reign forever and ever… .
How glorious shall be the coming day when the second David, who is Christ, reigns on the throne of the first David; when all men shall dwell safely; when the earth shall be dotted with temples; and when the gospel covenant shall have full force and validity in all the earth!
(Bruce R. McConkie, The Promised Messiah [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1978], 192–95.)
“Root of Jesse.” The Doctrine and Covenants identifies this individual as “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” (D&C 113:5–6). The apostle Paul mistakenly identified the “root” as Christ (Rom. 15:12). Dr. Sidney B. Sperry explained the reason for this mistake:
“Examination of Romans 15:12 demonstrates that Paul was closely following the Septuagint LXX, Greek translation) text of Isaiah 11:10 rather than the Hebrew. As a matter of fact, the LXX version is only a paraphrase of the original Hebrew. We notice that the Greek version of Isaiah 11:1 translates the Hebrew text, ‘stem of Jesse,’ as the ‘root of Jesse’ and uses the same phrase in Isaiah 11:10. Of interest is the fact that the Greek word riza (root) is used in both verses to translate different Hebrew words. Paul would be quick to discern that the ‘root of Jesse’ of the LXX text of Isaiah 11:1–5 was the Christ. And when he observed that the phrase ‘root of Jesse’ was used again in verse 10, he would naturally assume that it, too, had reference to the Christ. Hence the reason for his quotation in Romans 15:12.”
Who, then, is the “root of Jesse”? It appears that the Prophet Joseph Smith is both the “rod” and the “root” that will come from Jesse …
However, Victor Ludlow suggested that “Joseph Smith might not be the only ‘root of Jesse’ in these last days. Many presidents of the Church have been related to him by blood, and all have held the priesthood and the keys of the kingdom that he held … The ‘root of Jesse’ could also be that particular prophet who will hold the keys when Christ returns to preside personally over his kingdom. The term could even represent the office of the president of the Church. In any case, the ‘root of Jesse’ designates a great leader in the Church of Jesus Christ in this dispensation.”
(Hoyt W. Brewster, Jr., Isaiah Plain and Simple [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1995], 112–13.)
The discussion of the tree, its rod, stem, branch, and roots in Isaiah 11:1 is a continuation of the prophecy regarding the cutting down of the forest from the previous chapter. The Lord will “lop the bough,” hew down the “high ones,” and “cut down the thickets of the forest” (Isa. 10:33–34). The Lord, or forester, will trim the boughs and cut down the trees to clean out the forest and prepare the way for the stem of Jesse to flourish. This trimming and cutting symbolizes the Lord’s severing the power and glory of unrighteous leaders and their nations.
The stem of Jesse is Christ. The Doctrine and Covenants is explicit: “Who is the Stem of Jesse spoken of in the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, and 5th verses of the 11th chapter of Isaiah? Verily thus saith the Lord: It is Christ” (D&C 113:1–2). The Davidic royal family, then, is compared to the stump or “stem” of an olive tree. Just as an olive tree is able to send forth a shoot or “rod,” so would the family of David send forth a leader who would have wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, and knowledge (Isa. 11:2). That leader is Jesus Christ.
(Donald W. Parry, Visualizing Isaiah [Provo, Utah: The Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 2001], 80.)