Primary 94 - Daniel and the Lions

The Lord continues to teach us in times of peace to prepare us for trials to come. Like an Olympian who works to prepare, the Lord tells us to prepare and if we do, we shall have no fear (D&C38:30). He also says He will show us the way to prepare. Alma 13:3 says we were prepared before we came to earth. Herein earth is the tempting, the molding into the people we will become. 

When Daniel was a prophet he was among the children of Israel taken to Babylon. The King wanted people not to just bow but to worship him, the king. To worship him because he was a provider and he chose life and death for some was terrifying. The Israelites would not bow initially but faith changed to fear over time. The prophet warned them over and over, like President Nielsen, that times would get harder and harder. Eventually, the King went for the Prophet. He wanted to make an example to all of the church that the King was greater than any Israel God. Taking the Prophet and casting them into prison, didn't work. He then took the man and was going to make an example of him by casting him before the lions. The lions were supposed to devour him and tear him to pieces.

After a time he called into the den and found Daniel playing with the large cats. It impressed the king so much, he called him out and restored the oppressed. 

Some years later, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Shadrach Meshach Abednego) went through Babylon's successor to do the same, being forced to worship man and man's creations. The brethren were cast into the fire for their faith but spared because of God's infinite mercy.

The book of Daniel shows examples of extreme cases of faith for the prophet and his brethren, but their example was Abraham, their forefather. He was almost killed, when three maidens died before him, because of their faith. We want you to know that our end is not important. When we face our lions and fires, when all hell is wanting us to die or bend to wickedness, we need to show our faith all the more. All our training and faith will bring us through. Heavenly Father did not send us to fail. Fear not, doubt not.

Thomas A. London once said
"If you ever have doubts—and of course, you will—just remember this quotation from Shakespeare’s play Measure for Measure: “Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt” (act 1, scene 4, line 78)."

You have the makings of greatness because of your faith in Christ.

Remember we pray for you.

Challenges 
1) Read Hosea 1-6; 10-14; Joel
2) Take some time to pray and think about how you will act when faced with temptation. What will you do if a bad thought pops into your mind? Having a plan is key. Write down your plan and record your experiences throughout this week.

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