The Savior taught that the breadth of Isaiah’s prophecies covered “all things concerning my people” (3 Nephi 23:2)—a remarkable magnitude of God’s dealings. The Savior endorsed Isaiah’s prophecies by declaring, “Great are the words of Isaiah” (3 Nephi 23:1). Chapter 22 of 3 Nephi is the last of over 20 Isaiah chapters quoted in the Book of Mormon. Notice that the Savior particularly directed His listeners to search the writings of the prophet Isaiah (see 3 Nephi 23:1). It is not surprising that Isaiah is quoted heavily in the Book of Mormon and in other scripture.
President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, emphasized the unique and important role of the prophecies of Isaiah and why the Lord preserved his words:
“Isaiah is the most quoted prophet in the New Testament. The Lord Himself quoted Isaiah seven times, the Apostles forty times more. In addition there are ninety partial quotes or paraphrases of Isaiah’s words.
“Isaiah is the most quoted prophet in the Doctrine and Covenants. Sixty-six quotations from thirty-one chapters of Isaiah attest to the singular importance of this great prophet.
“All of this confirms that the Lord had a purpose in preserving Isaiah’s words” (Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled [1991], 280).
Note: For additional background on Isaiah and suggestions on how to study and understand his writings, see commentary for 1 Nephi 20–21 (page 43) and for 2 Nephi 12–16 (page 73).