This gives Nephi considerable support for his view of his family’s history. Whereas, his older brothers thought the entire departure from Jerusalem was wrongheaded, Nephi had been supportive of his father’s prophetic leadership because of his own conversion to the mission. Here, Nephi uses Isaiah’s words to explain God’s foreknowledge of their own removal from Jerusalem. The “wickedness of the pastors” requires this scattering. This was what Lehi had been saying. The pastors were corrupt and Israel was being led astray. Therefore, fleeing was necessary, and Israel was “scattered abroad.” Yet, despite this, the scattered remains “are of my people, O house of Israel” because scattering does not remove God’s claim upon them. Nor does it remove His promises to them.
Similarly, the promise assures us even though we are scattered and ignorant of our ancient birthright, God remembers us. We remain part of Israel. We remain heirs of the promises. Although we may have lost all reason for believing in these ancient covenants, they remain in effect and God intends to deliver His end of the covenant. The Lord’s attitude in these things is accurately summarized in D&C 56: 11: “And though the heaven and the earth pass away, these words shall not pass away, but shall be fulfilled.”
Until the restoration, mankind had little concept the Lord still viewed the ancient covenant made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to be unfulfilled and something He intended to complete. Most Christians believe it had been completed in Christ’s atonement. But in the Book of Mormon, Christ explains: “And he said unto them: Marvel not that I said unto you that old things had passed away, and that all things had become new. Behold, I say unto you that the law is fulfilled that was given unto Moses. Behold, I am he that gave the law, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel; therefore, the law in me is fulfilled, for I have come to fulfil the law; therefore it hath an end. Behold, I do not destroy the prophets, for as many as have not been fulfilled in me, verily I say unto you, shall all be fulfilled. And because I said unto you that old things have passed away, I do not destroy that which hath been spoken concerning things which are to come. For behold, the covenant which I have made with my people is not all fulfilled; but the law which was given unto Moses hath an end in me.” (3 Ne. 15: 3–8.) Accordingly, scattered Israel, themselves lost to their true identity, remains heir to the covenant. God intends to fulfill the covenant. Nephi is using Isaiah’s words to remind us of this.