2 Nephi 21

[pam]

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

“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 day” (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” 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