Jonah

Jonah 1-3

My Summary: Jonah receives a call from God to go to Nineveh to tell the people to repent. "Jonah was torn between his loyalty to God and the whip of his emotions." (Sperry, Voice of Israel's Prophet, pp. 328-29.) Rebellion arose in Jonah's heart and he fled. (Perhaps he thought God would just send someone else to Nineveh and all would be forgiven and forgotten.) But God had many more lessons for Jonah to learn (and by extension, for us to learn.) So he boards a ship for Tarshish, a storm arises, the sailors fear for their lives, Jonah tells them he has disobeyed God and that they should throw him over, they resist until they see that they are about to die, they toss Jonah overboard, a large fish swallows Jonah, Jonah is in the fish for three days where upon Jonah repents and prays for forgiveness and help, the fish vomits him out on the shore, Jonah continues to Nineveh, he calls the people to repentance, they repent, Jonah is pouty that the Lord doesn't punish them, God teaches Jonah a few more lessons by making living conditions for Jonah very uncomfortable, one of the lessons is that every soul is worth saving.

My Word: Kids love this story! I see the same weaknesses in my own character as Jonah had. Some things I would rather not be asked to do. Let's not even think about how small I can be when it comes to what I think other people have brought on themselves. (I try to change these thoughts quickly when I become aware of where I allow them to stray!)

ASSINGMENT: Acknowledge your responsibilities, don't avoid them or run from them. Remember Jonah when you feel the urge to 'run/avoid'. Pray for strength. Read Mark 9:14-29 especially verses 23 and 24. I "know" some things but at times I still doubt....that's when I ask..."help thou mine unbelief". (FYI... see the little symbol after verses 2, 11, 14, etc. - that is the symbol of a "thought change". Pay attention to those instead of reading a chapter as one long event and the scriptures will make more sense.) If you keep getting the same experiences in life, you are not learning the correct lesson....ask Heavenly Father what you are suppose to learn and then make adjustments.

While you are clicking around the scriptures see if you can find out why Jonah was reluctant to go to Nineveh. HINT: Assyria

Elijah Contends against the Priests of Baal

1 Kings 18:17-40

This picture is found in the Gospel Art Book (in this book are a few more pictures than in the Gospel Art Kit....but no stories are printed on the pictures.)

Click on the scripture reference above or look it up in your own scriptures (pg. 497) It's a great story!

WOW! I just clicked on the reference above and then continued to "click around".... there are NO excuses for not "knowing"!

MY WORD: Elijah must have been "highly favored" by God. I know of one other Prophet that used the Priesthood power to stop the rain from falling, that was Nephi (the son of Helaman). Read about Nephi and learn what he did to be given such power. Do you suppose that Elijah was the same type of man? What was the point of Elijah's challenge to the priests of Baal? How important is it to KNOW that the Prophet is called of God? If you KNOW this to be true, how does it change your heart, mind, choices? FYI: The reason Elijah had the alter and sacrifice soaked with water was because some alters of Baal were 'rigged' with firestarters under the sacrifice. Not only was Elijah's sacrifice wet but the fire came down to consume the offering, and everything around it!

ASSIGNMENT: Read 1 Kings 18:21....what choices are you struggling with? "Develop discipline of self so that, more and more, you do not have to decide and redecide what you will do when you are confronted with the same temptation time and time again. You only need to decide some things just once!" President Spencer W. Kimball (the Prophet when I was a teenager!) What changes will you make in your life to be more like Elijah and Nephi as far as "seeking the Lord's will and not thine own life"? (Believe it or not that is a big challenge for me!) In what ways is President Thomas S. Monson like Elijah and Nephi?

Temple Used Anciently

Exodus 25:8; 1 Kings 6:1213; Psalm 24:34; D&C 124:2644
And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. Exodus 25:8

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, like those in ancient times, are holy buildings dedicated to the Lord. A temple, also called the house of the Lord, is a place where worthy Church members receive sacred ordinances and make solemn covenants with God. In these holy temples, families are sealed together forever. Although design and location vary, the work accomplished in each of the Lord's temples is the same.

Heavenly Father established a plan so that the blessings of the temple could be offered to all His children. Those people who have received their own ordinances are encouraged to return to the temple often to act as proxies for those who have died without having the opportunity of going to the temple for themselves.

When the Lord has a people on the earth ready to live His higher laws, they are commanded to build temples and are given the opportunity to receive eternal ordinances (see D&C 124:2644). Ancient temples, in both the old and new world, were considered places for the pure in heart (see Psalm 24:34) to draw closer to God and receive revelations and blessings from Him.

These sacred places were literally the house of the Lord, where He could dwell or where He could send His messengers (see Exodus 25:8; 1 Kings 6:1213).

Summary

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are holy buildings dedicated to the Lord. A temple is also called the house of the Lord. It is a place where worthy Church members receive saving ordinances and make sacred covenants with God. In temples families can be sealed together forever. Ancient temples were considered places where people could come to draw closer to God and receive revelations and blessings from Him.

© 1992, 1997 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

My Word: David eventually becomes the King of Israel and desires to build a permanent temple for the Lord. The Lord responds to David through Nathan, the prophet in 1 Chronicles 17 (pg. 571.) Although David is not permitted to build the temple he gathers supplies so that when his son, Solomon, becomes King all he has to do is basically build it. (Perhaps not that simply!)

David's story is bitter-sweet. Talk about the whole gambit of human experience...David does it all. One of the ideas that I had never thought about until this morning concerning David is this. Although he knew he had sinned grieviously, he repented and accepted the consequences of his sins. His consequences where awful and there wasn't just one but a series of events had been started when he sinned with Bathsheba. David acknowledges his role in the events, repents, lives with regret but never blames Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ for his circumstances. I admire him for this response.

Assignment: The Ten Commandments were the lesser law the people were asked to live by. To enter the Temple we are expected to live by a higher law (you receive that law in the temple.) How then do we prepare to enter the Temple? How are you doing with the 10 Commandments? Remember, we don't have to be perfect but we have to be at the very least trying! Every member of the Church over the age of 12 and if male holding the Priesthood, has work to do in the temple. Prepare yourself to do this work....HINT: visit with your Bishop!

David Slays Goliath

1 Samuel 17
Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 1 Samuel 17:45

The Philistines and the Israelites were at war with each other. The Philistines gathered their armies on one mountain, while King Saul and the men of Israel gathered across the valley on the opposite mountain (see 1 Samuel 17:23).

Goliath was a giant Philistine soldier who was over nine feet tall. He wore heavy armor and a brass helmet and carried a large spear. (See 1 Samuel 17:47.)

Goliath shouted to the Israelite army to send a man to fight him. He said that if the Israelite killed him, the Philistines would be servants to the Israelites. But if Goliath killed the Israelite, then the Israelites would be servants to the Philistines. (See 1 Samuel 17:810.) King Saul and his army were afraid of Goliath (see 1 Samuel 17:11).

Goliath repeated his challenge each night and day for 40 days, but no one was brave enough to fight him (see 1 Samuel 17:16).

A man named Jesse had three sons who were part of Saul's army. But David, Jesse's youngest son, still lived in Bethlehem with his father. Jesse asked David to take some food to his three brothers and find out how they were doing. (See 1 Samuel 17:13, 1 Samuel 17:1718.)

While David was with his brothers, Goliath again shouted his challenge. The Israelites fled when they saw Goliath. (See 1 Samuel 17:2324.) David asked the soldiers, "Who is this ... Philistine, that he should defy [challenge] the armies of the living God?" (1 Samuel 17:26).

When Saul was told what David had said, he sent for him. David told Saul that he would fight Goliath. (See 1 Samuel 17:3132.) But Saul said to David, "Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth" (1 Samuel 17:33).

David told Saul that the Lord had helped him kill a lion and a bear while he tended his father's sheep. He said the Lord would help him as he fought Goliath. (See 1 Samuel 17:3437.) Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with thee" (1 Samuel 17:37).

Then Saul gave David his armor, a helmet, and a sword, but they were too big and heavy for David. He removed the armor and took only his staff, five smooth stones, and a sling as he went to face the mighty Goliath. (See 1 Samuel 17:3840.)

When Goliath saw the young boy without armor, he made fun of him and cursed him (see 1 Samuel 17:4244). David said, "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel" (1 Samuel 17:45). David told Goliath that with the Lord's help, he would kill him (see 1 Samuel 17:46).

As Goliath came near, David put a stone in his sling, swung the sling around his head, and let the stone go. The stone sank into Goliath's forehead, and Goliath fell to the ground. David then used Goliath's sword to kill the giant and cut off his head. When the Philistine army saw that Goliath was dead, they fled, but the men of Israel chased them and defeated them in battle. (See 1 Samuel 17:4853.)

Summary

Goliath, a giant Philistine soldier, challenged the Israelite army to send out a man to fight him. No Israelites were brave enough to stand against Goliath except David, a young shepherd. Armed with his faith in the Lord and with his sling, David went to fight the giant. Goliath made fun of the boy when he saw him, but David was not afraid. He trusted in the Lord's help. David put a stone in his sling, swung it, and let go. The stone sank into Goliath's forehead and he fell to the ground. David ran forward, picked up Goliath's sword, and cut off his head.

Artist, Ted Henninger

© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

My Word: David is the Great-grandson of Ruth. He developed a strong testimony of the God of Israel (Jehovah, Jesus Christ.) When did he develop this testimony? Perhaps first at his father's knee and later in the solitude of keeping watch over the sheep. Now just think of a teenage boy, alone hours on end, becoming proficient with a sling seems perfectly logical. I like the way this artwork shows "motion." Remember, David ran toward Goliath! Do you cower at your "giants" or can you conquer them with faith and enthusiasm? Attitude is everything!

Assignment: Read 1 Samuel 17! Everyone should know this story...it's every Primary aged child's favorite! Identify some of your "Goliath's." Use the feeling you get when reading David's response to Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45-46) and slay your giants! Do you think that a little "solitude" is necessary in developing a testimony? Set aside a few minutes each day to ponder what you have learned about the scriptures. (This is why I don't mind doing the dishes too much...it's the time that no one interferes....they are afraid they'll be put to work.) What have you learned about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? Do you see Them involved in the lives of the people we are reading about? Look for Them, They are there!

Boy Samuel Called by the Lord

1 Samuel 3
The Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. 1 Samuel 3:10

When Samuel was a young boy, he served in the temple at Shiloh with Eli, the elderly priest (see 1 Samuel 3:12).

One night after Samuel had gone to bed, the Lord called, "Samuel." Samuel answered, "Here am I" (1 Samuel 3:4), then ran to Eli because he thought Eli had called him. But Eli said he had not called and sent him back to bed. (See 1 Samuel 3:5.)

Again the Lord called, "Samuel," and once more Samuel answered, "Here am I" (1 Samuel 3:6). The boy ran to Eli, who answered, "I called not, my son," and sent him back as before (see 1 Samuel 3:6).

The third time this happened, Eli knew that the Lord had been calling Samuel (see 1 Samuel 3:8). He told the boy to go back to bed and, if the voice called again, to say, "Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth" (1 Samuel 3:9).

When the Lord called, "Samuel, Samuel" again, the boy answered as Eli had told him (see 1 Samuel 3:10). Then the Lord talked to Samuel, "and Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him. ... And all Israel ... knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord" (1 Samuel 3:1920).

Summary

The child Samuel served in the temple with Eli, the high priest. One night while Samuel was sleeping, the Lord called to him by name. Samuel answered, "Here am I," and ran to Eli, believing he had called. Eli told Samuel he had not called him and to go lie down again. The Lord called Samuel two more times, and each time Samuel went to Eli. Eli now realized that the Lord must be calling Samuel and told the boy to answer. When the Lord called a fourth time, Samuel answered and then listened to His words. The Lord was with Samuel as he grew, and all the people knew he was a prophet.

Artist, Harry Anderson

© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

My Word: There are so many wonderful stories that we have past by (I mean come on, thousands of years of history in a few pages.) I have to remind myself this is just a very shallow overview! You are learning about people who lived righteously and served the Lord throughout their lives....but, there are also other characters with great potential who just don't live up to their birthright. We can learn a lot from them also. Take for instance Samson, Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas, even Samuel's sons Joel and Abiah, Achan...he gives us quite a lesson, Naaman's payment to Gehazi (can you figure out what Gehazi did wrong?), these are just a few that come to the front of my mind. (If you look up the bold names in the BD you will find the references for these stories...it's amazing what a few verses will teach us.)

Alright, we see that the Lord calls youth to the ministry. Is it so impossible for the Lord to call a teenager in 1820 to restore His gospel to the earth? Joseph Smith began to become spiritually minded a few years before the "First Vision." Have you ever felt compelled to learn more about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? Don't stifle those feelings, let them grow and respond to the urgings.

I want to tell you about Hannah, Samuel's mother. She is another woman I want to visit with. She was a faithful daughter of God but that didn't keep her from having trials. Hannah was barren (childless) and her husband's other wife threw her fertility and children in Hannah's face continuously. Hannah prays and begs for a child and promises to raise him to serve the Lord all of his days. Her request is granted. At the age of three or so she takes Samuel to the Tabernacle and leaves him with the Prophet Eli. How did she do that? She also took an ephah of flour (about 20 quarts ... I may be wrong it possibly could be more.) I wondered why this particular detail would be mentioned. Have you ever tried to grind wheat? It is extremely difficult! I like to think that with every stroke of the grinding rock she was praying and thinking about her covenant with God. What might she have been taught in her moments of meditation?

ASSIGNMENT: Read at least the first couple of chapters of 1st Samuel. Look up the bold names above in the BD and write down the lessons we learn from those people. In your repetitive work (that doesn't take a lot of thought) focus your thoughts on spiritual things. Ask questions (silently in your mind), practice a hymn or primary song, pretend you are going to teach a lesson about a gospel principle (I have given many a talk in my mind while I do the dishes...I've learned a lot doing that!) Do you see a pattern concerning the women we have learned about so far? What is the pattern? Write down the steps to having your requests granted.

Ruth Gleaning in the Fields

Ruth 14
And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter. And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers. Ruth 2:23

During the time the judges governed ancient Israel, there was a famine in the land. Elimelech, a man who lived in Bethlehem, decided to take his wife, Naomi, and his two sons to the land of Moab, where they would have enough food to eat. (See Ruth 1:12.)

After Elimelech died, Naomi stayed in Moab with her two sons, who married two Moabite women named Orpah and Ruth. After 10 years Naomi's sons died. Because the famine was over in Israel, Naomi decided to return to her people in Bethlehem. (See Ruth 1:36.)

Naomi's daughters-in-law started on the journey with her, but Naomi told them to go back to their own families (see Ruth 1:78). Both of the younger women wanted to go with Naomi, but she finally convinced Orpah to return to Moab. Ruth, however, would not leave. She pleaded with Naomi to let her go with her to Bethlehem: "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God" (Ruth 1:16). Naomi returned to Bethlehem with Ruth at her side.

It was harvesttime when the women arrived in Bethlehem. During the harvest men gathered the grain into small bunches. As they worked, some stalks fell to the ground. Poor people were allowed to gather, or glean, the stalks left behind. Because they had no food, Ruth offered to glean the fields to get grain for Naomi and herself (see Ruth 2:2).

Ruth worked in the fields of a righteous relative of Elimelech named Boaz. Boaz was impressed with Ruth's kindness to Naomi and said, "The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel" (Ruth 2:12). Boaz was kind to Ruth and told her she could always glean from his fields. He even instructed his harvesters to leave grain behind for her to gather. (See Ruth 2:816.)

Naomi wanted Ruth to marry and have children. So she taught Ruth about the customs of the Israelites and told her to go to Boaz and ask to be his wife. Ruth did what Naomi said to do, and Boaz, knowing that Ruth was a virtuous and kind woman, married her. (See Ruth 3:14:12.)

After they married, Ruth and Boaz had a son, whom they named Obed. Obed grew up and had a son named Jesse, who later became the father of David. (See Ruth 4:1317.) David became the king of Israel, and it was through this line that Jesus Christ was born.

Summary

When the judges governed Israel there was a famine in the land. Naomi, who lived in Bethlehem, went with her husband and their two sons to the land Moab so they would have food to eat. While in Moab Naomi's husband died, and later her sons married two Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. When her sons died, Naomi returned to Bethlehem. Orpah stayed in Moab, but Ruth went to Bethlehem with Naomi. Ruth cared for her mother-in-law by gathering leftover grain during the harvest. Boaz, who owned the fields, told Ruth that God would bless her for being kind to Naomi. Boaz married Ruth, and they had a son named Obed, the grandfather of King David. Many years later Jesus Christ was born into the royal family of King David.

Artist, Judith Mehr

© 1997 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

My Word: The story of Ruth (if you read all of it...it's only a few chapters) may seem confusing and a bit risque'. But in fact, she makes a proper proposal of marriage to Boaz, following the laws and customs. Ruth has truly been converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ (I wonder what the church was called then) and is determined to stay with her mother-in-law, to look after her and also move to the center of religious worship. (Ruth 1:16 pg. 377) Ruth (daughter-in-law) and Naomi (mother-in-law) is very heartwarming....two women who look after each other and love each other. Read Ruth 4:13-16....I would love to have this relationship with each of my daughters! Assignment: Ponder ways in which you can increase in love towards a family member. Make a list. Then do something! Be prepared to be amazed.

Moses Calls Aaron to the Ministry

Exodus 4:10, Exodus 4:1416, Exodus 4:27; Exodus 5:1; Exodus 7:9; Exodus 8:617; Exodus 16:12; Exodus 24:910; Exodus 28:1; Exodus 40:1216
Thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. Exodus 40:13

When the Lord called Moses to go to Egypt to free the Israelites, Moses did not feel he could do it. He said he was slow of speech and was afraid to talk to Pharaoh (see Exodus 4:10). The Lord was angry with Moses. He told Moses he could take his brother, Aaron, with him to be his spokesman. (See Exodus 4:1416.) The Lord then spoke to Aaron: "Go into the wilderness to meet Moses" (Exodus 4:27). Aaron and Moses were happy to be together again.

The two brothers traveled to Egypt and went before Pharaoh. Aaron spoke for Moses, trying to get Pharaoh to let the children of Israel go (see Exodus 5:1). Through the power of the Lord, Moses and Aaron performed miracles (see Exodus 7:9) and brought plagues upon the Egyptians (see Exodus 8:617).

Aaron was with Moses when he led the Israelites out of Egypt and into the wilderness (see Exodus 16:12). He was also with Moses and 72 other priesthood bearers when the Lord appeared to them (see Exodus 24:910).

Once when Moses was on Mount Sinai, the Lord told him to anoint Aaron and Aaron's sons to serve as priests in the tabernacle (see Exodus 28:1). When the tabernacle was completed, Moses anointed Aaron and his sons to this calling. He gave them the priesthood of God and the authority to perform sacred ordinances. (See Exodus 40:1216.)

Summary

When Moses went before Pharaoh to free the Israelites, his brother, Aaron, went with him to speak for him. Aaron helped Moses to accomplish what the Lord had commanded. After the Israelites were led out of Egypt, the Lord instructed Moses to anoint Aaron and Aaron's sons to serve as priests in the tabernacle. When the tabernacle was finished, Moses did as the Lord directed and gave Aaron and his sons the priesthood of God.

Artist, Harry Anderson

© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

MY WORD: I love this picture! The artist, Harry Anderson gives us so much information (that is if we are aware of what we are looking at!) ASSIGNMENT: Read about the Tabernacle in your Bible Dictionary (pg. 778) Look at the picture as you read to help you understand what you're reading. Also read about the Aaronic Priesthood (pg. 599.) What is another name for this Priesthood and why? What I really get excited about is the clothing worn by Aaron! Read about this clothing in Exodus 28 be sure to use your footnotes for better understanding. I use to think this was such a boring section of scriptures... really, I did! So much of the history of the Old Testament is centered around the Tabernacle and it's artifacts. It's a must read now and that's what I'm going to do today!