Isaiah, not to be confused with the Old Testament prophet of the same name, was one of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus Christ during His ministry among the Nephites shortly after His resurrection. Jesus called twelve men to lead and teach His people in the Promised Land, and Isaiah was among those honored with this sacred appointment (3 Nephi 19:4). This selection process reflected the Savior’s establishment of His church, mirroring the organization He had previously set up in the Old World among the inhabitants of the land of Israel.
The scriptures provide little beyond Isaiah’s calling as one of the twelve. His inclusion in this select group suggests that he was a man of great faith and righteousness, trusted by the Savior to minister to and serve the Nephites following His departure. Alongside other disciples such as Nephi, Timothy, and Jonas, Isaiah would have been endowed with priesthood authority to baptize, teach, and administer the sacraments to the people. As one of the representatives of Christ’s church, Isaiah dedicated his life to upholding the teachings of the Savior and aiding in the spiritual governance of the Nephite society. Although individual details of his contributions are not recorded in the text, Isaiah’s role as a disciple of Christ would have been pivotal in spreading the Gospel and serving the members of the newly established church among the Nephites.