Elijah Contends against the Priests of Baal, by Jerry Harston
The house of Israel was in disarray. The kingdom had divided, with ten tribes forming the Northern Kingdom of Israel and two tribes forming the Southern Kingdom of Judah. But worse than their separation from each other was both kingdoms' separation from their covenants. Wicked kings led the people away from the Lord, and many people wavered in their faith.
In this setting, the Lord called Elijah to be a prophet. His life shows that a person can have great faith in the Lord even in bad circumstances. Sometimes the Lord responds to such faith with impressive, public miracles, like fire falling from heaven. But He also works quiet, private miracles, like feeding a faithful widow and her son. And most often the Lord's miracles are so individual that they are known only to one person—for example, when the Lord reveals Himself to you through “a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12).
1 Kings 19:1212 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
For more about Elijah, see “Elijah” in the Bible Dictionary.
Ideas for Learning at Home and at Church
1 Kings 12:1–20 — Christlike leaders serve the people they lead.
How would you describe the mistake King Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, made in 1 Kings 12:1–14? What Christlike attributes could have helped Rehoboam save his kingdom? (see verse 7; Matthew 20:25–28; Mosiah 2:10–21). How can you use these attributes as a leader—whether in a Church calling or as a leader of your own life?1 Kings 12:77 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.Matthew 20:25–2825 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.Mosiah 2:10–21 (selected)17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.18 Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another?19 And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent his days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to thank your heavenly King!
1 Kings 17:8–16; 19:19–21 — An invitation to sacrifice is an opportunity to exercise my faith in Jesus Christ.
The prophet Elijah asked a widow to give him food and water before feeding herself and her starving son. Why would he do that? Elijah’s request could be seen as a blessing for this small family. They needed the Lord’s blessings, and sacrifice brings blessings—including the blessing of stronger faith.As you read 1 Kings 17:8–16, imagine you were this widow. What impresses you about her? You could also make a list of choices that require faith in Jesus Christ (for examples, see For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices [2026]). What do you learn from this widow about exercising faith?How are Elisha’s actions in 1 Kings 19:19–21 similar to the widow’s actions?Think about sacrifices you’ve made to follow the Savior. What does 1 Kings 17:8–16; 19:19–21 teach you about these sacrifices? How does your knowledge of the Savior help you when He asks you to make sacrifices? How has He blessed you?See also Matthew 4:18–22; 6:25–33; Luke 4:24–26; “Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath” (video), Gospel Library; “When Faith Endures,” Hymns, no. 128.1 Kings 17:13–1613 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.14 For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.1 Kings 19:19–2119 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.20 And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?21 And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.
Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath (10:12)
Illustration of Elijah and the healing of the widow’s son, by Charles Edmund BrockWidow of Zarephath, by Rose Datoc Dall
1 Kings 18 — “If the Lord be God, follow him.”
The Israelites might have felt they had good reasons to worship Baal, who was known as the god of storms and rain. After three years of drought, they desperately needed rain. And worshipping Baal was socially accepted and promoted by the king and queen. As you read 1 Kings 18, think about why someone in our day might be indecisive about following the Lord. In this chapter, what do you think the Lord was trying to teach about Himself? What experiences have helped you commit to following the Savior?See also D. Todd Christofferson, “Choice and Commitment” (worldwide devotional for young adults, Jan. 12, 2020), Gospel Library.1 Kings 18:2121 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
Elijah and the Priests of Baal (2:16)
Illustration of Elijah, by Wilson Ong
1 Kings 19:1–18 — The Lord often speaks in quiet, simple ways.
Sadly, the miracle on Mount Carmel didn’t make Elijah’s mission any easier. In fact, his life was in danger, and he had to hide in a cave in the wilderness. There, struggling with loneliness and discouragement, he had an experience with the Lord that was very different from the experience on Mount Carmel. What does Elijah’s experience in 1 Kings 19:1–18 teach you about how the Lord communicates with you in your times of need?Ponder times when you feel the Lord has spoken to you. How would you describe the way He communicates with you? Why are the words “still” and “small” good ways to describe the voice of the Spirit? What other words do you find in Helaman 5:30; Doctrine and Covenants 6:22–23; 11:12–14? What do you need to do to receive the Lord’s guidance more often?See also Psalm 46:10.
Use multiple senses to enhance learning. We all learn about the world through our five senses. Using those senses can also enhance gospel learning. For example, think of images or sounds you could use to illustrate the words “still” and “small” as you learn or teach about the Lord’s voice in 1 Kings 19.
1 Kings 19:11–1211 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.Helaman 5:3030 And it came to pass when they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul—Doctrine and Covenants 6:22–2322 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.23 Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?Doctrine and Covenants 11:12–1412 And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit.13 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy;14 And then shall ye know, or by this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive.
The Lord Speaks to Elijah (1:48)
1 Kings 12 · The Kingdom Divided
Rehoboam becomes king and rejects wise counsel; ten tribes revolt and follow Jeroboam. Jeroboam sets up golden calves at Bethel and Dan.
1And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.2And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;)3That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying,4Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.5And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed.6And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?7And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.8But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:9And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?10And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.11And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.12So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day.13And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him;14And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.15Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the Lord, that he might perform his saying, which the Lord spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.16So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.17But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.18Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.19So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.20And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.21And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.22But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,23Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying,24Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the Lord, and returned to depart, according to the word of the Lord.25Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel.26And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David:27If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.28Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.29And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan.30And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.31And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.32And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.33So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.
1 Kings 17 · Elijah the Tishbite
Elijah seals the heavens from rain; ravens feed him at Cherith. He goes to Zarephath, where a widow's meal and oil are miraculously sustained. Elijah raises the widow's son from the dead.
1And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.2And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying,3Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.4And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.5So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.6And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.7And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.8And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying,9Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.10So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.11And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.12And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.13And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.14For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.15And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.16And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.17And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him.18And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?19And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.20And he cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?21And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again.22And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.23And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.24And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.
Elijah and the widow's son, by Charles Edmund BrockWidow of Zarephath, by Rose Datoc Dall
1 Kings 18 · Elijah and the Priests of Baal
After three years Elijah meets Ahab. On Mount Carmel, fire falls from heaven to consume Elijah's sacrifice; the priests of Baal are slain. Rain returns to the land.
1And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.2And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.3And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly:4For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)5And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.6So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.7And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?8And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.9And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?10As the Lord thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.11And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.12And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the Lord shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the Lord from my youth.13Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the Lord, how I hid an hundred men of the Lord's prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?14And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me.15And Elijah said, As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day.16So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah.17And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?18And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.19Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.20So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.21And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.22Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.23Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:24And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.25And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.26And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.27And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.28And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.29And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.30And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down.31And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:32And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.33And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.34And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.35And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.36And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.37Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.38Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.39And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.40And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.41And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.42So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,43And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.44And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.45And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.46And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
Elijah the Prophet (1:58)
Elijah and the Priests of Baal (2:16)
1 Kings 19 · The Still Small Voice
Jezebel threatens Elijah; he flees to Horeb and is fed by an angel. The Lord speaks to him not in wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a still small voice. Elisha is called.
1And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.2Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.3And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.4But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.5And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.6And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head: and he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.7And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.8And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.9And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?10And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.11And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:12And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.13And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?14And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.15And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:16And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.17And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.18Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.19So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.20And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?21And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.
Two hundred years ago, on a beautiful spring morning in 1820, a fourteen-year-old boy went into a grove of trees to pray. He had questions and he needed answers. In response to that earnest prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to young Joseph Smith.That day marked the onset of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness. That day also demonstrated for all time that God answers prayers. Now, two centuries later, I again proclaim that God speaks to man. He speaks to His prophet. And God will speak to each of us as we seek to hear Him.Our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son are beings of glory and perfection. Because They love us, They want us to be comfortable in approaching Them. They have condescended—meaning they have voluntarily descended to a lower level to communicate with us—so that we can feel at ease in approaching Them.The heavens are not sealed. God continues to speak to His children. He speaks through prophets and apostles. And He will speak individually to each of us as we seek to hear Him. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of revelation, and you can receive personal revelation in your life.During the Savior's mortal ministry, His disciples repeatedly struggled to understand His teachings. After the Transfiguration, God the Father commanded, "Hear him."
Luke 9:3535 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
We cannot fully understand that instruction unless we know who Jesus Christ is. He is the Firstborn Son of God. He is Jehovah of the Old Testament. He is the creator of this and other worlds.The Savior has made an astonishing promise to each of us. Through the Holy Ghost, He will personally convey His feelings to us. But we must be worthy of that gift. We must strive to become more like Him. We must fast and pray regularly, study the scriptures, keep the commandments, and seek to know His will.We live in a world that is complex and increasingly noisy. It will take sustained effort, but you can and must learn to hear Him. Remember that immersing yourself in the scriptures is one of the best ways to hear the Lord. As you search and ponder the scriptures, the Lord can speak to your mind through the Holy Ghost. That is personal revelation.I also invite you to be still and know He is God—to feel His love, to sense His guidance, to recognize His blessings in your life. As you do so, I promise that you will more clearly hear Him speak.1 Kings 19:1212 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.Doctrine and Covenants 8:22 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.
I will not doubt, I will not fear; God's love and strength are always near. His promised gift helps me to find An inner strength and peace of mind. I give the Father willingly My trust, my prayers, humility. His Spirit guides; his love assures That fear departs when faith endures.
1 Kings 17 — The Lord blesses me as I have faith in Him.
To help your children learn the stories of faith in 1 Kings 17, you could show them pictures or objects to illustrate the stories, such as birds, bread, or a boy. As you tell your children these stories, invite them to find the picture or object that goes with each story. “Elijah the Prophet” (in Old Testament Stories, 121–24) can help you tell these stories. What does each story teach us about showing faith in Jesus Christ?
Elijah the Prophet (1:58)
Help your children think of ways they can show their faith in Jesus Christ. Sing with them a song about faith, such as “I Have Faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ” (Gospel Library), and share with each other what you learn about faith from the song.
1 Kings 17:8–16 — When the Lord asks me to sacrifice, I can obey in faith.
Perhaps your children could draw a picture of what the Lord asked the widow to give Elijah (see 1 Kings 17:12–13) and what the widow received in return (see 1 Kings 17:15–16). They could also look for pictures of other people who gave up something they wanted for something better. What does the Lord ask us to sacrifice? How does He bless us?1 Kings 17:12–1612 And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.14 For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.
1 Kings 18:17–39 — I can choose to follow Jesus Christ.
As you read 1 Kings 18:17–39 together, your children could pick a verse and draw a picture of what it describes. They could use their pictures to tell the story in their own words. (See also “Elijah and the Priests of Baal,” in Old Testament Stories, 125–28.)
Elijah and the Priests of Baal (2:16)
Help your children think of situations when they might need to decide whether or not to follow Jesus Christ. Maybe they could draw pictures of themselves making the right choice. Share with each other why you choose to follow Jesus.
1 Kings 19:9–12 — The Lord speaks to me through the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost.
As you summarize 1 Kings 19:9–12, invite your children to do actions to represent the strong wind, the earthquake, and the fire. Then invite them to sit still as you say together, in a quiet voice, “after the fire a still small voice” (verse 12). (See also “The Lord Speaks to Elijah,” in Old Testament Stories, 129–31.) Tell your children about times when you have experienced the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost.
The Lord Speaks to Elijah (1:48)
Quietly sing a song about the Spirit, such as “The Still Small Voice” (Children’s Songbook, 106–7) or “Elijah and the Still, Small Voice” (Hymns for Home and Church, Gospel Library). What can distract us from recognizing the Spirit? What can help us hear Him?
Through a still small voice, the Spirit speaks to me To guide me, to save me from the evil I may see. If I try to do what's right, he will lead me thru the night, Direct me, protect me, and give my soul his light.
Chorus
Listen, listen. The Holy Ghost will whisper. Listen, listen to the still small voice.