Isaiah 40–49: Lesson 121
Isaiah 49
“I Have Graven Thee upon the Palms of My Hands”
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Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know you personally and perfectly. Yet sometimes we see the challenges of mortality and cry, “The Lord has forsaken me” (see Isaiah 49:14). Isaiah’s words can reassure us during difficult times. This lesson can help you feel that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you and will not forget you.
Study the Scriptures
These beautiful flowers have a very interesting name: forget-me-nots. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, spoke of these flowers. He said:
As a child, when I would look at the little forget-me-nots, I sometimes felt a little like that flower—small and insignificant. I wondered if I would be forgotten by my family or by my Heavenly Father. (“Forget Me Not,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 122)
What are some reasons a teenager might feel forgotten by others or by Heavenly Father?
Years later I can look back on that young boy with tenderness and compassion. And I do know now—I was never forgotten. And I know something else: as an Apostle of our Master, Jesus Christ, I proclaim with all the certainty and conviction of my heart—neither are you! You are not forgotten. (“Forget Me Not,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 122)
Ponder your own experiences with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. How confident do you feel that They know and remember you? What experiences have you or someone you know had that help you better understand how perfectly They know and remember you?
As you study Isaiah 49 today, seek impressions from the Holy Ghost testifying that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will never forget you.
The Lord will not forget Zion
Layered Writing: Isaiah often wrote in layers. His words could be to or about a variety of people at once, including the Savior, ancient covenant Israel, modern-day covenant Israel, or even Isaiah himself.
Read Isaiah 49:4–5 and mark words or phrases that describe how Isaiah felt about his mission.
Next to one of the marks you made, record in a note how Isaiah’s feelings could relate to God’s covenant people today.
Read Isaiah 49:13–16. Mark phrases that help you understand that the Lord loves us and will never forget or forsake us.
Review the following study options. Complete one or more.
Option A
How do the Savior’s scars represent His love for me?
Cross-reference or link Isaiah 49:16 with John 19:15–19 and 3 Nephi 11:10–15. Slowly read these passages, marking words and phrases that help you feel the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for you. Look for teachings that help you feel Their love for you.
If available, watch the following videos to help you visualize what you read.
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“Jesus Is Scourged and Crucified” from time code 2:31 to 3:11
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“Jesus Christ Appears at the Temple | 3 Nephi 11:1–17” from time code 2:23 to 4:57
5:38
Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
In the New World, our resurrected Savior invited those present to come, one by one, to thrust their hands into His side and to feel the prints of the nails in His hands and in His feet. … [P]lease consider how it is that our Savior’s perfect, resurrected body still bears the wounds in His side and the nail prints in His hands and feet. At times in history, mortal men have been executed by crucifixion. But only our Savior, Jesus Christ, embraces us still carrying the marks of His pure love. Only He fulfills the prophecy of being lifted up upon the cross that He might draw each of us, by name, to Him. (“Always Remember Him,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 110)
Make a note next to Isaiah 49:16 explaining what the phrase “I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands” means to you.
Option B
Will Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ ever forget me?
Study three or more of the following scriptures and each statement, looking for insights that can help you know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will never forget you. You may want to link these passages.
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:
As unlikely as it is that a loving mother would forget her infant child, Jehovah declared that His devotion was even more steadfast. … Because Jesus Christ endured the infinite atoning sacrifice, He empathizes perfectly with us. He is always aware of us and our circumstances. (“Infuriating Unfairness,” Liahona, May 2021, 43)
President Jeffrey R. Holland stated:
Everyone, including (and perhaps especially) the righteous, will be called upon to face trying times. When that happens we can sometimes fear God has abandoned us, and we might be left, at least for a time, to wonder when our troubles will ever end. …
… Whenever these moments of our extremity come, we must not succumb to the fear that God has abandoned us or that He does not hear our prayers. He does hear us. He does see us. He does love us. … He is right there with us—where He has always been! (“Lessons from Liberty Jail” [Brigham Young University devotional, Sept. 7, 2008], 5, speeches.byu.edu)
Write a note next to Isaiah 49:15, explaining what it means to you that Christ will “not forget thee.”
Share Your Thoughts
Lesson Purpose: To help you feel that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you and will not forget you.
Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:
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The note you wrote from option A.
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The note you wrote from option B.
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Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.
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Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?