2:1
The beginning of a new prophecy. Footnote 1b indicates that Isaiah received his message through a vision from the Lord.

2:2
Isaiah sees the latter-day temple and the gathering of Israel. The “mountain of the Lord” in the last dispensation refers to the restoration of the Church. President Harold B. Lee said: “The coming forth of his church in these days was the beginning of the fulfillment of the ancient prophecy when ‘the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains’” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1973, p. 5). On another occasion President Lee observed that “with the coming of the pioneers to establish the Church in the tops of the mountains, our early leaders declared this to be the beginning of the fulfillment of that prophecy” (“The Way to Eternal Life,” Ensign, Nov. 1971, p. 15). (Old Testament Institute Manual)

2:3
The establishment of the Church headquarters in Salt Lake City is only a beginning of the fulfillment of that inspired declaration. Obviously, the effect of the Church center in Utah has been great. Elder LeGrand Richards said: “How literally [Isaiah 2:3] has been fulfilled, in my way of thinking, in this very house of the God of Jacob right here on this block! This temple [Salt Lake], more than any other building of which we have any record, has brought people from every land to learn of his ways and walk in his paths.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1971, p. 143.)

But this scriptural statement extends far beyond Salt Lake City. Verse 3 suggests that eventually other world centers will be included. Then this prophetic statement will reach its fulfillment. (Old Testament Institute Manual)

“We are informed in the revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, that the city of Zion and the New Jerusalem is one and the same. [D&C 28:9; 42:9; 45:66–67; 57:2; 58:7.] …

“Jerusalem of old, after the Jews have been cleansed and sanctified from all their sin, shall become a holy city where the Lord shall dwell and from whence he shall send forth his word unto all people. Likewise, on this continent, the city of Zion, New Jerusalem, shall be built, and from it the law of God shall also go forth. There will be no conflict, for each city shall be headquarters for the Redeemer of the world, and from each he shall send forth his proclamations as occasion may require. Jerusalem shall be the gathering place of Judah and his fellows of the house of Israel, and Zion shall be the gathering place of Ephraim and his fellows, upon whose heads shall be conferred ‘the richer blessings.’ …

“These two cities, one in the land of Zion and one in Palestine, are to become capitals for the kingdom of God during the millennium.

“In the meantime, while the work of preparation is going on and Israel is being gathered, many people are coming to the land of Zion saying: ‘Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob.’ The Latter-day Saints are fulfilling this prediction, since they are being gathered from all parts of the earth and are coming to the house of the Lord in these valleys of the mountains. Here they are being taught in the ways of the Lord through the restoration of the gospel and by receiving blessings in the temples now erected. Moreover, before many years have passed away, the Lord will command the building of the City Zion, and Jerusalem in Palestine will in due time be cleansed and become a holy city and the habitation of the Jews after they are cleansed and are willing to accept Jesus Christ as their Redeemer.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 3:69–71.)

‘In the ever-increasing number of temples dotting the earth, we learn of Jesus Christ and His role in the Father’s plan as the Creator of this world, as our Savior and Redeemer, and as the source of our peace.’ Bishop W Christopher Waddell, General Conference, April 2016.

2:4
Isaiah sees the Millennial judgement and peace. They shall change the arts of war to those of peace; they shall abandon the pursuit of war for the useful arts of farming.

Isaiah now switches from the future back to his own time.

2:5
The house of Jacob = the house of Israel.

An invitation for the house of Israel to obey the commandments of God.

“Sometimes the spirit of revelation will operate immediately and intensely, other times subtly and gradually, and often so delicately you may not even consciously recognize it. But regardless of the pattern whereby this blessing is received, the light it provides will illuminate and enlarge your soul, enlighten your understanding (see  Alma 5:7  32:28 and direct and protect you and your family.”[David A. Bednar, “The Spirit of Revelation,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2011, 90.]

Isaiah now goes on to explain why the blessings of the Lord are not coming upon the Israelites of his day.

2:6
They were “replenished from the east,” or in other words, they looked to the religious philosophies and the gods of the Assyrians and other heathen countries for power and sustenance. Today people look to many other religions and philosophies of men for wisdom and guidance instead of to the gospel.

They “hearken unto soothsayers” (2 Nephi 12:6), those false prophets who claimed to be able to foretell the future. Today, true prophets are largely ignored, and all kinds of false religionists and counselors are looked to for guidance.

“They please themselves in the children of strangers” or, as C. F. Keil and F. Delitzsch translated the phrase, “and with the children of foreigners they go hand in hand” (Commentary on the Old Testament, 7:1:118). In short, ancient Israel was joining the heathen nations in all their wickedness, and modern society is joining with the influences of the world rather than looking to the Lord. (Institute Old Testament Manual)

Please = strike hand with or make covenants with.

2:7
The land was “full of silver and gold,” that is, the people were wealthy and materialistic. Their hearts were set on the things of the world. Again in the last days, materialism runs rampant.

The land was “full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots.” The horse was a symbol of warfare, as was the chariot. Today is an age characterized by “wars and rumors of war” (see JS—M 1:28.) (Institute Old Testament Manual)

2:8
The land was filled with idolatry then, and people still turn to false gods today, though not necessarily to idols made of wood or stone. (Institute Old Testament Manual)

2:9
The “mean man boweth not down, and the great man humbleth himself not” (2 Nephi 12:9; emphasis added). The differences in the Book of Mormon account of Isaiah’s writings, noted by the italics, show that Isaiah was not making further reference to idolatry but was referring to the fact that men would not worship the true God. In the preface to the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord indicated this failure would be a major concern of the last days. (see D&C 1:16.)

Because of her sins, ancient Israel brought upon herself the judgments of God, and because of the same problems the people of the last days will likewise bring sorrow and problems upon themselves. (Institute Old Testament Manual)

Mean man = ordinary man

Verses 10-22 – Christ’s Second Coming

2:10
The prophet warns them to flee from danger. The people will not be able to stand the brightness of the Lord’s glory at the Second Coming.

2:11

The proud and the wicked shall be brought low at the Second Coming. Because they proudly trust in their own achievements, God will bring them low.

2:12
The Lord will inflict severe punishment upon every one that is lofty ie proud and arrogant.

2:13
What Were the “Cedars of Lebanon” and the “Oaks of Bashan”? They were the loftiest and most impressive trees in the ancient Middle East. They therefore symbolized not only the great beauty of the land that would be destroyed but also the proud and lofty people of the earth (see Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, 7:1:122–23). (Old Testament Institute Manual).

The cedars can also represent the groves of trees in which idol worshippers participated in sexual immorality with temple prostitutes as part of their idolatrous wordhip.

2:14
High mountains and hills are not only objects of beauty or grandeur, but also places of defence and protection. It would be easy for the people to find refuge in such places when the land was invaded. However, the day of God’s vengeance will be upon the places of refuge and strength.

2:15
All their places of protection will be overturned.

2:16
Trade with other nations would cease. Such trade had been established and had prospered during the reign of kings Uzziah and Jotham. (Old Testament Institute Manual)

2:17
Their arrogant self confidence will not save them.

2:18
Their idols shall not save them.

2:19
They shall hide in caves and holes in the rock.

2:20
People will see the worthlessness of the things in which they have trusted, and will flee in a last desperate effort for safety when the day of God’s judgment comes.

2:21
Reiterates verse 19.

2:22
Don’t trust in man.  He is of little power compared to God.