Lesson Table of Contents Abraham the Beginging

Attention Activity

The lesson this week selectively covers some of the good material on kings. We've had a lot of lessons that show how bad
the kings can be, and their shortcomings. Now, we have the other side of the coin and the lesson focuses on some good examples.

Stepping out of the history and into the prophetic, we should note the time period we will be covering for King Hezekiah
is coincident with Isaiah's ministry. The history we will cover in today's lesson greatly affected Isaiah's ministry and
ultimately his writings. Isaiah was present for Ahaz's debauchery and lived to see Hezekiah's turn around of Judah,
which must have made him positively ecstatic. Isaiah comments extensively on the events he sees around him, most prominently the hypocricy of Judah and more specifically her priests, and the Assyrian invasion and king. We can see from the history covered in these chapters why that was such an issue for him. It therefore sets the context of his writings. Close attention in class to these details will pay off in a few weeks when Isaiah is
covered.

As the Old Testament tells the history, Hezekiah was the 13th king after David

1. Historical Background:
◦ After the death of solomon, dissension developed in the kingdom of Israel. In about 975 B.C. the kingdom was divided.
▪ The northern kingdom, or Kingdom of Israel, was led by the descendants of Ephraim and consisted of most of the tribes of Israel.
▪ The southern kingdom, or Kingdom of Judah, was ruled by the descendants of Judah and consisted primarily of members from the tribe of Judah and Benjamin. Many descendants from the tribe of Levi and a few others from all of the tribes were part of this kingdom.
◦ After this division, the wicked king Rehoboam continued to reign in Judah.


READ 2 CHRONICLES 29:3-5. Hezekiah opens the doors of the temple.

3 ¶ He [HEZEKIAH] in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them. [What had previously happened the Temple and its doors that made them need repair and to be opened? In about 740 B.C. Ahaz became king in Judah when his righteous father, Jotham, died. Ahaz did evil in the sight of the Lord and worshipped Baal. "And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem." (2 Chronicles 28:24) When Ahaz died, his son Hezekiah became king of Judah, "And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD" (2 Chronicles 29:2).]

4 And he brought in the priests and the Levites, [ What were the responsibilities of the Levites? those who are responsible for Temple service - all being from the tribe of Levi. Who are the priests and what are their responsibilities? The firstborn sons after the lineage of Aaron the priests are a subset of the tribe of Levi. The priests primary responsibility is dedicated to the offering of sacrifices - tradition held that the Priests were the only ones who could prepare the offerrings as well, but the Law was that all Levite men could prepare the sacrifices.. All being holders of the priesthood have assigned Temple related activities] and gathered them together into the east street,

5 And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, [ Why did the Levites need to santify themselves? When the temple started to be used for improper purposes and was closed then the Levites would have had to earn a living doing something else. Many of the priests especially could have found work practicing priestly work for hire outside of the Temple. Sacrifice for hire and not for worship. They could have been making a better living at that than they were before - as a result would have been tempted to perform other so called priestly work for hire. We also know from 2 Kings 16:15-16 that at least some of the priests apparently maintained their roles as sacrificers and administrators of religion when Judah went from the Lord to idolatry. so, at least some of the priests maintained the same profession throughout the time when the gods changed.The Levites who were not priests would have been left to find other jobs - as a result might have become more worldy as well. Here King Hezekiah asks the Levites to return to their former duties.] and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place. [ Where does Hezekiah start with the temple cleaning? The levites need to santify themselves before they begin the job. What signifigance does it have that Hezekiah calls upon the Levites to santify themselves before they start to santify the temple? Is there any symbolism for us today before we do temple work? What does it even mean to santify? ]


READ 2 CHRONICLES 29:6-7

6 For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, [ How had their Fathers trespassed in the eyes of the Lord? referring to Ahaz and his rule where the Temple was shut down and the Lords rule was abandoned] and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs. [ Are we ever guilty of that today - if so how do we turn away our faces from the habitation of the Lord today? Like ancient Judah, we do that if we fail to keep the commandments and ignore temple covenants and obligations.]
7 Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place unto the God of Israel. [ The temple was shut down - it served no purpose to the people - they did not get the blessings from it. Do we ever shut up the doors of the temple? If so how - When? when we don't attend.]


READ 2 CHRONICLES 29:8-9 Consequences of Judah's disregard for the temple.
ARE THERE CONSEQUENCES IN TURNING AWAY FROM THE TEMPLE?
▪ Ancient Judah suffered destruction and captivity. In a similar sense we face eternal destruction and captivity if we are not faithful to covenants made in the temple.
▪ We are denying ourselves great blessings if we fail to attend the temple .

8 Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, [ the warth was that the Lord with held his hand - or the blessings that were given them when they kept their temple covenants and used the temple for the proper purpose were removed.] and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, [everyone witnessed the miracles performed in their behalf] and to hissing, as ye see with your eyes.
9 For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this. [ With those blessing removed, the men have lost when at war - and have be made captives because they gave not kept the covenants made. ]


READ 2 CHRONICLES 29:10. Hezekiah desires to covenant with the Lord.
WHAT DID HEZEKIAH HOPE TO ACHIEVE BY CLEANSING THE TEMPLE AND PREPARING IT FOR WORSHIP AGAIN?
▪ He wanted to once again gain the favor of the Lord for Judah by making covenanats with God.

10 Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, [ What is the signifigance of the covenant process? Why is it important to the Lord? To us? Have you really thought about the covenant process? What did Hezekiah see that made the coveant process so important to him? Sides are chosen (to cut) and ownership is given through the process. An owner pf property provide special provisions that the owner can protect his property under the law. This protection is not provide to those whom he does not own. ] that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.

GREG READ 2 CHRONICLES 29:11

Picture yourself in the crowd as King Hezekiah makes the plea to the Levite men:

11 My sons, [Bill Hoellen, Ryan Jenkins, Scott Nelson, Don Mudgett, speaking specifically to the Levite men] be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense. [ How do we feel when we are called out - or on the carpet? you have a mission from the Lord to serve him in priesthood ordinances - specifically Temple ministry in this case]

What are we assigned or chosen to do in our day with regards to the temple?

 

 

Speaking of the temple and its ordinances; and being clean let's take note of those blessing that await us when we are. Let's read for the view point of being sancitified/clean ehen we attenfd the temple. Read D&C 131:6-8

6 It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance. [ See D&C 132:4 Just because we did not know that we needed to make a covenant in the new and everlasting covenant does not excuse us from it. It is required in order to obtain the highest degree of the celestial kingdom. Alll will have the chance to accept that work done for them, and all will have to make the choice to accept or not - there is no middle ground - no ignorance.]
7 There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, [so a spirit has form, substance, and mass.] but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes; [ those eyes that have received the more sure word of prophecy? ]
8 We cannot see it; [ unless we have been purified ] but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter. [and when our bodies have been purified we will be able to see this matter (or the spirits who's make up is of the fine or pure material). When we have received the more sure word of prophecy we will be able to see them, with pur natural eyes. While we are in the process of becoming able to do so we can feel them, know that they are there, see them through dreams - but to look at them we must become changed to the point that are bodies are pure. Remember our spirit is often more pure than our body - the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. It is when our body has become pure.]

Ponder Those verses and read them again, I will let the spirit teach you for a few moments about the importance of having a clean Temple about being clean to enter the temple and the blessings that await us when we do.

 

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO KEEP UNCLEAN THINGS OUT OF THE TEMPLE?
▪ Elder Bruce R. McConkie:  "A temple is a house of the Lord; it has been given to him as a place where he may lay his head, as it were; it is his earthly abode. What is more natural, when he visits an area of the earth, than to come to his house in that area?" (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p497)

READ D&C 97:16-19

16 Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God.
17 But if it be defiled I will not come into it, and my glory shall not be there; for I will not come into unholy temples.
18 And, now, behold, if Zion do these things she shall prosper, and spread herself and become very glorious, very great, and very terrible.
19 And the nations of the earth shall honor her, and shall say: Surely Zion is the city of our God, and surely Zion cannot fall, neither be moved out of her place, for God is there, and the hand of the Lord is there;


▪ "The physical structure as such is not the source of its holiness. Rather, the character of those who enter and the sacred ordinances and instructions received there nurture the spiritual atmosphere found in the temple. When members enter this holy house and center their thoughts on serving others, their own understandings are clarified and solutions to personal problems are received." (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, p1455)

WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREPARE TO ENTER THE TEMPLE?

1. Pray
2. Fast
3. Study Scriptures
4. Sing or Listen to Hymns
5. Read Your Patriarchal Blessing
6. Think and Say Only Positive Things
7. Count Your Blessings
8. Share Your Testimony
9. Review Your Covenants & Research Your Family History
10. Wear Sunday Attire


WHAT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN ENSURING THAT NO UNCLEAN THING ENTERS THE TEMPLE?
▪ "And that no unclean thing shall be permitted to come into thy house to pollute it; And when thy people transgress, any of them, they may speedily repent and return unto thee, and find favor in thy sight, and be restored to the blessings which thou hast ordained to be poured out upon those who shall reverence thee in thy house." (D&C 109:20-21).
▪ Our primary responsibility is to make sure that we are prepared to enter the temple. If we have transgressed, we need to repent and rectify the sin. If we do not, we cannot expect to enjoy the blessings of the temple.

Well the priests and the Levites accepted the challenge. The Priests went into the inner parts of the Temple and carried out the garbage to the outer courts where the remaining Levites disposed of the garbage in the brook Kidron. At the end they nnounced to the King that the temple was again prepared and sanctified for proper temple worship.

READ 2 Chronicles 29:20-21

20 ¶ Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD. [Notice were Hezekiah begins - with the leaders. Why is it important to get the leaders involved at the very start - before he calls all of Israel to tthe temple? Hezekiah gets the leaders fully involved by having them sacrifice as well, and they do with apparently no dissension among the ranks. This requirement was a good test as the leaders would have to give of their substance to sacrifice, as opposed to just paying Hezekiah lip service. The result is there are a lot of sacrifices. see verse 29-33 ]
21 And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Judah.[ the law required see Lev. iv. 13, one calf or ox for the sins of the people, and one he-goat for the sins of the prince; What reasons might Hezekiah have for offer so much more in the way of sacrifice? Hezekiah here offers many more. And the reason appears sufficiently evident: the law speaks only of sins of ignorance; but here were sins of every kind and every die-idolatry, apostasy from the Divine worship, profanation of the temple. The sin-offerings, we are informed, were offered, first for the KINGDOM-for the transgressions of the king and his family; secondly, for the SANCTUARY, which had been defiled and polluted, and for the priests who had been profane, negligent, and unholy; and, finally, for JUDAH-for the whole mass of the people, who had been led away into every kind of abomination by the above examples. ] And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of the LORD.


After the offering was made, they bowed in worship to the Lord, sang praises, and made additional sacrifices and offerings (2 Chronicles 29:29-31).
◦ This was a day of rejoicing, for once again the temple was purified.

Hezekiah and the leaders of Judah have just had a great experience. What is one of the first things that we want to do we we have a great experience? We want to share it.

so what does Hezekiah do?

Hezekiah sent letters of invitation to all Israel and Judah, inviting them to come to Jerusalem and the temple for Passover (2 Chronicles 30:1).

What did he promise the rest of Israel if the would return to temple worship?

READ 2 Chronicles 30:5-6

5 so they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, [prepared a document much like the proclaimation on families and made sure that it was well circulated, It too included promises. What did it promise if Israel returned? - see verse 6: If they would return they would be spared capitivity from the Kings of Assyria.] from Beer-sheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.

6 so the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria. [ How can a little thing like returning to the Temple keep Israel out of the hands of the Kings of Assyria? How can the promises of teh temple bless our life both as a people and as individuals? covenant blessings provided through the temple are to all generations and for all eternity, 2) the protection available to each of us in and through temple ordinances and covenants stands as a great obstacle to the evil designs of Lucifer. 3) The temple is … a place of personal inspiration and revelation

If I asked you how is your life different as a result of going to the temple - how would you respond?]

Hezekiah pleaded, "Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria" (2 Chronicles 30:6).
◦ "so the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them. Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem" (2 Chronicles 30:10-11).

Well what happened? The Israelites rejected the message they had been promised that if they would come up to the temple, their Israelite brethren who had been taken captive by Assyria, would be released. Because of the wickedness of the Israelites, these ten tribes were eventually all taken captive by the Assyrians.
▪ It certainly pays to heed the counsel of the Lord's servants. Instead of enjoying the fruits and blessings of righteousness, the Israelites were taken captive by their enemies.

The Assyrians Invade The Kingdom of Judah
1. The kingdom of Israel was taken into captivity by the Assyrians. A few years later (about 701 B.C.) the Assyrians began to attack Judah (2 Chronicles 32:1).


◦ Hezekiah counseled with his "princes and mighty men" to make preparations for war with the Assyrians (2 Chronicles 32:2-5).

READ 2 CHRONICLES 32:6-8. The Lord to help Judah fight their battle.
◦ AFTER MAKING PREPARATIONS FOR WAR, WHAT DID HEZEKIAH TELL THE PEOPLE ABOUT THE IMPENDING ATTACK?

6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, [ How and why can he be so comfortable, just before they are to be attacked? They know that the Lord is with them. How can we find comfort in our lives when we know the Lord is with us? ] saying,
7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: [ how often has this been spoken? ]
8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. [The people gained comfort that the Lord was with them]


WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM HEZEKIAH ABOUT THE PROPER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRUSTING IN OUR OWN EFFORTS AND TRUSTING IN THE LORD?
▪ We need to live by that old saying that says to pray as if everything depended upon God and work as if everything depended upon us. We must do all that we can to prepare for a situation and then we must exercise faith and depend on the Lord.
▪ Elder Neal A. Maxwell:  "With regard to trusting in the arm of flesh, the Old Testament contains a warning about trusting the arm of flesh instead of trusting in the Lord. (2 Chronicles 32:8.) Later in the Old Testament, Jeremiah complained of a circumstance in which some 'trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm.' (Jeremiah 17:5.) Paul warns against walking after the flesh instead of after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1.) Nephi says, 'I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh.' (2 Nephi 4:34.) Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, we are warned about not trusting in the arm of flesh. (D&C 1:19.) How constant that concept is. Regardless of the hemisphere or the time in which the prophet lived, this warning, too, stays the same." (Things As They Really Are, p92)

READ 2 Chronicles 32:9 - 14

9 ¶ After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem, (but he himself laid siege against Lachish, and all his power with him,) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying,
10 Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem?
11 Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The LORD our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria? [ so where do the Kings servants begin? Start with a little mental Hauka! What is the purpose of the psychological warfare that they begin with? Does satan and his servants ever use this with us today? ]
12 Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?
13 Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of other lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand?
14 Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand? [ The envoy makes it clear that as far as they are concerned Jerusalem's God is no different from any of the other nation's gods which have afforded no protection whatsoever. ]


3. Sennacherib sent his servants to speak to the people in Jerusalem in an attempt to convince them that they could not succeed in battle against the Assyrians (2 Chronicles 32:9).
◦ "Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem? Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The LORD our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?" (2 Chronicles 32:10-11)
◦ "Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?" (2 Chronicles 32:15)
◦ The Assyrians were practicing psychological warfare. They were attempting to sow the seeds of doubt amongst the people of Judah.

IN WHAT WAYS DOES SATAN TRY TO CONVINCE US THAT GOD CANNOT OR WILL NOT HELP US? How does satan make us feel today that all is lost?
▪ Satan attempts to sow the seeds of doubt in our hearts. A good example is the principle of tithing. In the July 1998 Ensign, President Hinckley was quoted as saying, "Tithing is not a matter of money so much as it is a matter of faith. We take the Lord at His word, and it is my testimony that He keeps His word" (Ensign, Jul 1998, p4). Satan attempts to convince us that we cannot afford to pay tithing. He would lead us to believe that if we give 10% to the Lord we cannot make ends meet. However, as President Hinckley says, the Lord keeps His word.
▪ A young member of the Church said, "The strongest temptations in my life have been boys and sex. Satan is so strong! He finds a way to make it look like it's not that bad" (Brigham Young Magazine, Summer 1998, p44). Satan is using psychological warfare against the youth of the Church. By making immorality look like it is OK, he is subtly teaching the youth that the Lord will not support them in their moral behavior.


HOW DID HEZEKIAH REACT TO THE WORDS OF SENNACHERIB'S SERVANTS?
◦ "And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven" (2 Chronicles 32:20).

HOW DID THE LORD ANSWER HEZEKIAH'S AND ISAIAH'S PRAYERS?
◦ The Lord caused the soldiers of Assyria to die. Sennacherib returned to his home where he was killed by his own sons (2 Chronicles 32:21-22).
6. Hezekiah and the people of Judah received the protection of the Lord because of their righteousness. Their righteousness was demonstrated by their worship at the temple, in contrast to the other tribes of Israel that refused to come up to the temple.


HOW CAN TEMPLE ATTENDANCE BE A PROTECTION FOR US?
▪ When the Assyrians came down and attempted to persuade Judah that they could not succeed against such a mighty nation, Judah was protected because of the faith of Hezekiah, Isaiah, and the people of Judah. In like manner, Satan attempts to convince us that we cannot succeed in such a wicked world and tries to lure us into sin and immorality. The temple strengthens us against the Adversary. We renew and are reminded of our covenants. As we leave that sacred edifice into the battlefield of the world, we are strengthened against the enemy of righteousness.


WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE TEMPLE WORTHINESS AND ATTENDANCE A PRIORITY IN OUR LIVES?
▪ President Howard W. Hunter: "Let us be a temple-attending people. Attend the temple as frequently as personal circumstances allow. Keep a picture of a temple in your home that your children may see it. Teach them about the purposes of the house of the Lord. Have them plan from their earliest years to go there and to remain worthy of that blessing.
▪
▪      "If proximity to a temple does not allow frequent attendance, gather in the history of your family and prepare the names for the sacred ordinances performed only in the temple. This family research is essential to the work of the temples, and blessings surely will come to those who do that work." (Ensign, Nov. 1994, p8)
◦ Is there any question in our minds how important the temple is to our eternal salvation? There should be no doubt after the April 1998 Annual Conference of the Church when President Hinckley announced the construction of thirty smaller temples around the world. This was in addition to the seventeen temples under construction at the time of the announcement. President Hinckley went on to say that "when these 30 or 32 are built, there will be more yet to come" (Ensign, May 1998, p88). The war begun in the pre-existence continues at an increased pace. The Lord has seen fit to bless as many members of the Church as possible with the privilege and opportunity of attending the temple. This is a great blessing and will help us in the great battle of the eternities.

Josiah & His People Covenant To Serve The Lord
1. Successors to the throne of Hezekiah.
◦ Manasseh:  This son of Hezekiah became king of Judah upon the death of his father. He ruled in wickedness, including the placing of idols in the temple. Eventually, he humbled himself and repented.
◦ Amon:  son of Manasseh. Ruled in wickedness and worshiped the idols of his father. He was eventually slain by his own servants.
◦
◦ Josiah:  son of Amon. He became king of Judah at the age of eight.
2. King Josiah:
◦ His reign extended 31 years, until about until 610 B.C. (2 Chronicles 34:1).
◦ Josiah "did that which was right in the sight of the LORD" (2 Chronicles 34:2).
◦ He destroyed idolatry in the kingdom of Judah (2 Chronicles 34:3-7).
◦ "Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God" (2 Chronicles 34:8).
3. In the process of renovating the temple, "Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses" (2 Chronicles 34:14).


WHAT WAS THE BOOK OF THE LAW?
▪ some have suggested that it was the book of Deuteronomy.
▪ Others believe that it was all five books of Moses from Genesis to Deuteronomy.
◦ It appears that the book may have been lost for some time and was virtually unknown..
▪ Its loss, in part, may account for the wickedness of the people.
▪ We know the necessity of having the scriptures. In the story of Nephi and the brass plates, Nephi said, "I also thought that they could not keep the commandments of the Lord according to the law of Moses, save they should have the law" (1 Nephi 4:15).
◦ "And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes" (2 Chronicles 34:19).


WHY DID KING JOSIAH REND HIS CLOTHES WHEN HE HEARD THE LAW OF MOSES READ?
▪ To rip or tear one's clothes was to signify profound sorrow and tragedy. When King Josiah heard the law read, it instantly became obvious how far Israel had strayed from what God required of them. Being a righteous man, he grieved to realize how far Israel had strayed from the law.
▪ Said Josiah:  "Great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book" (2 Chronicles 34:21).
▪ Maybe these ancient Israelites had a partial excuse for their wickedness. The law had been lost to them for a period. Orson Pratt: "For a long period previous to finding the book, the Jews had been ignorant of the Scriptures, and had fallen into the grossest idolatry." (JD, 7:23)

READ 2 CHRONICLES 34:24-25. The prophetess Huldah reveals the consequences of disobedience.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO US IF WE NEGLECT TO READ THE SCRIPTURES AND APPLY THEIR TEACHINGS?
▪ The Lord told the Jews that they would be punished because they had "forsaken" him. Even though the book of the law had been lost, they still had sufficient knowledge of the commandments to know what was right. We have the scriptures and I believe we will be subject to even greater consequences than these ancient Jews. We can also lose the great blessings that come from obedience.
▪ President Ezra Taft Benson:  "In 1829, the Lord warned the Saints that they are not to 'trifle with sacred things' (D&C 6:12). Surely the Book of Mormon is a sacred thing, and yet many trifle with it, or in other words, take it lightly, treat it as though it is of little importance.
▪
▪      "In 1832, as some early missionaries returned from their fields of labor, the Lord reproved them for treating the Book of Mormon lightly. As a result of that attitude, He said their minds had been darkened. Not only had treating this sacred book lightly brought a loss of light to themselves, it had also brought the whole Church under condemnation, even all the children of Zion. And then the Lord said, 'And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon' (D&C 84:54-57)....
▪     "If the early Saints were rebuked for treating the Book of Mormon lightly, are we under any less condemnation if we do the same." (Ensign, Nov 1986, pp4-5)
4. "And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD" (2 Chronicles 34:30).


WHY DID JOSIAH DO THIS?
▪ He must have felt that if the Jews heard the words of the Lord they would desire to repent and be obedient to the commandments of the Lord.
▪ There is power in the word of God that motivates us to live righteously. Both for the ancient Jews and for us in our day, reading, studying, and hearing the words of the Lord becomes a powerful catalyst to move us to greater degrees of righteousness.
▪ Consider President Benson's promise regarding the Book of Mormon, "I promise you that from this moment forward, if we will daily sup from its pages and abide by its precepts, God will pour out upon each child of Zion and the Church a blessing hitherto unknown." (Ensign, May 1986, p78)
5. Unlike these ancient Israelites, we have the scriptures readily available to us in many forms, the printed Standard Works, recordings, and electronic editions.


◦ HOW CAN WE SHOW THE VALUE WE PLACE ON THE SCRIPTURES?
▪ Daily scripture study.
▪ Applying the principles learned from our study.
▪ Teaching our families and others the principles taught in the scriptures.
▪ Sharing the scriptures (particularly the Book of Mormon) with our non-member friends.
◦ President Spencer W. Kimball:  "The Lord is not trifling with us when he gives us these things, for 'unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.' (Luke 12:48) Access to these things means responsibility for them. We must study the scriptures according to the Lord's commandment (see 3 Ne.23:1-5); and we must let them govern our lives." (Ensign, Sep. 1976, p5)
◦ President Benson counseled the brethren in a Church leadership meeting:  "I urge you to recommit yourselves to a study of the scriptures. Immerse yourselves in them daily so you will have the power of the Spirit to attend you in your callings. Read them in your families and teach your children to love and treasure them. Then prayerfully and in counsel with others, seek every way possible to encourage the members of the Church to follow your example." (Ensign, May 1986, pp81-82)

READ 2 CHRONICLES 34:31-33. Covenant made at the temple.
◦ Like the people of Josiah, we have gone to the temple to make sacred covenants with the Lord. By making and keeping these covenants we will receive earthly blessings and eternal exaltation.
◦ ONCE WE HAVE MADE THESE COVENANTS, WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT WE RETURN TO THE TEMPLE AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE?
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2 Ne 5:16 around 30 - 50 years after they left Jersusalem the Nephites built their first temple

16 And I, Nephi, did build a temple; and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of solomon save it were not built of so many precious things; for they were not to be found upon the land, wherefore, it could not be built like unto solomon’s temple. But the manner of the construction was like unto the temple of solomon; and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine.

READ Exodus 17: 17, 20-23 First Temple extablished

Gospel Doctrine Notebook
1. The kingdom of Judah eventually became so wicked that the Lord allowed them to be taken captive. During the reigns of Hezekiah and Josiah, these good kings sought to strengthen the people by turning their attention to the temple and the scriptures. Nothing has changed. The temple and the scriptures are vital for us today. We need to live worthy to attend the temple and renew our sacred covenants. Daily scripture study helps us to do that and reminds us of that which is most important. The ancient Jews were eventually taken captive because they did not give proper attention to these important things. Our captivity may last an eternity if we are not diligent in the turning our hearts and minds to the things of the Lord as taught in the temple and the scriptures.
2. Record your thoughts on the importance of the temple and the scriptures.

 

 

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