A prophetās main mission is to teach and testify of the Savior Jesus Christ. Our record of the prophet Elisha, however, doesnāt include much of his teaching or testifying. What the record does include is the miracles Elisha performed, including raising a child from the dead (see 2Ā Kings 4:18ā37), feeding a multitude with just a little food (see 2Ā Kings 4:42ā44), and healing a leper (see 2Ā Kings 5:1ā14). So while we donāt have Elishaās words about Christ, we do have Elishaās ministry and miracles, which do testify of Christ. They are powerful manifestations of the Lordās life-giving, nourishing, and healing power. Miracles happen more often in our lives than we sometimes realize. To see them, we need to seek the faith Elisha had when he prayed on behalf of his fearful young servant: āLord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may seeā (2Ā Kings 6:17).
For more information about 2Ā Kings, see āKings, books ofā in the Bible Dictionary.
Ideas for Learning at Home and at Church
2Ā Kings 2ā6 — God can work miracles in my life.
Miracles show us Godās power. They can help us overcome the difficulties of mortalityālike a barren land that needs pure water (see 2Ā Kings 2:19ā22) or a lost ax that needs to be recovered (see 2Ā Kings 6:4ā7). But most importantly, miracles can turn us to the Lord. As you read 2Ā Kings 2ā6, consider listing the miracles you find, and ponder the spiritual lessons you learn from each one.
2Ā Kings 4:8ā17 ; 7:1ā16 — The Lord will fulfill His words given through His prophets.
The Lord inspired Elisha to prophesy of things to comeāusually, things that seemed unlikely to occur. As you read 2Ā Kings 4:8ā17; 7:1ā16, think about how you respond to the word of the Lord through His prophets today. What teachings, prophecies, or promises have you heard from living prophets? What are you doing to act in faith on their words?
What do you learn from the woman of Shunem about receiving the Lordās prophet in your life? For ideas, see Andrea MuƱoz Spannaus, āProphets of Godā (Liahona), 90ā93.
2Ā KingsĀ 5 — As I am humble and obedient, Jesus Christ can heal me.
As you read 2Ā KingsĀ 5, consider comparing Naamanās leprosy with a spiritual challenge you are facing.
Is there someone like the ālittle maidā in your life, encouraging you to seek guidance about your challenge from the Lordās prophets? (see verses 2ā3,Ā 13).
What is the Lord inviting you to do that might seem too simpleālike āwash, and be cleanā? (verseĀ 13). What might be keeping you from accepting His simple invitations?
How can you show humility as Naaman did?
Note how Naamanās experience affected his faith in the God of Israel (see verseĀ 15). What can you learn from this?
Compare the scriptures to your life. Sometimes itās easier to find personal meaning in the scriptures when you compare physical things in a story with spiritual things in your life. For example, while you study 2Ā Kings 2ā7, you could compare situations in your life to things like leprosy, a borrowed ax, the Jordan River, or a large invading army. What lessons might the Lord have for you in these accounts?
2Ā Kings 6:8ā23 — āThey that be with us are more than they that be with them.ā
As you try to follow Christ, have you ever felt like Elishaās young servantāoutnumbered and fearful? Imagine you were in his place as you read 2Ā Kings 6:8ā23. How does this story change the way you think and feel about your trials, your responsibilities, or your efforts to live the gospel?
As you ponder, consider President HenryĀ B. Eyringās words: āLike that servant of Elisha, there are more with you than those you can see opposed to you. Some who are with you will be invisible to your mortal eyes. The Lord will bear you up and will at times do it by calling others to stand with youā (āOĀ Ye That Embark,ā Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008,Ā 58).
Consider making a list of āthey that be with [you]ā (verseĀ 16)āpeople God has placed in your life to support you. You might ask Him to help you identify them by opening your spiritual eyes. He has probably also placed you in othersā lives to help them. How can you draw strength and support from each other?
You might also study Sister MichelleĀ D. Craigās message āEyes to Seeā (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 15ā17). Ask yourself, āWhat does God want me to see?ā
Referring to the story in 2Ā Kings 6:8ā23, Elder RonaldĀ A. Rasband said: āWe may or may not have chariots of fire sent to dispel our fears and conquer our demons, but the lesson is clear. The Lord is with us, mindful of us and blessing us in ways only He can do. Prayer can call down the strength and the revelation that we need to center our thoughts on Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. The Lord knew that at times we would feel fear. I have been there and so have you.Ā ā¦ In this Church we may be few in number by the way the world counts influence, but when we open our spiritual eyes, āthey that be with us are more than they that be with themā [2Ā Kings 6:16]ā (āBe Not Troubled,ā Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 18,Ā 19). How would you use these words to help someone who feels anxious or afraid?
01 And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal .02 And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Beth-el . And Elisha said unto him, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Beth-el.03 And the sons of the prophets that were at Beth-el came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.04 And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho . And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.05 And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.06 And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.07 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.08 And Elijah took his mantle , and wrapped it together, and smote the waters , and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.09 Ā¶ And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.010 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.011 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.012 Ā¶ And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.013 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;014 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.015 And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.016 Ā¶ And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the Lord hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.017 And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.018 And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?019 Ā¶ And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.020 And he said, Bring me a new cruse , and put salt therein. And they brought it to him.021 And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the Lord , I have healed these waters ; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.022 So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.023 Ā¶ And he went up from thence unto Beth-el: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.024 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord . And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.025 And he went from thence to mount Carmel , and from thence he returned to Samaria.
2 Kings 4
01 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord : and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen .02 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.03 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.04 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.05 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.06 And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed .07 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.08 Ā¶ And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem , where was a great woman ; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.09 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.010 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.011 And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.012 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.013 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.014 And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.015 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.016 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.017 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.018 Ā¶ And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.019 And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother.020 And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.021 And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.022 And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.023 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.024 Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.025 So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel . And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite:026 Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.027 And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.028 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?029 Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.030 And the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.031 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked .032 And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed.033 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord .034 And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.035 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.036 And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.037 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son , and went out.038 Ā¶ And Elisha came again to Gilgal : and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.039 And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not.040 So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof.041 But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot ; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.042 Ā¶ And there came a man from Baal-shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat.043 And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the Lord , They shall eat, and shall leave thereof.044 So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the Lord .
2 Kings 5
01 Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper .02 And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naamanās wife.03 And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.04 And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.05 And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment.06 And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy.07 And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God , to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.08 Ā¶ And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.09 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.010 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean .011 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.012 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.013 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?014 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean .015 Ā¶ And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.016 But he said, As the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none . And he urged him to take it; but he refused.017 And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mulesā burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the Lord .018 In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing.019 And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.020 Ā¶ But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.021 So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?022 And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.023 And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.024 And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.025 But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.026 And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?027 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.
2 Kings 6
01 And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us.02 Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.03 And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.04 So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.05 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed .06 And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.07 Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.08 Ā¶ Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp.09 And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down.010 And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.011 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel?012 And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.013 Ā¶ And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.014 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.015 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?016 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.017 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord , I pray thee, open his eyes , that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.018 And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the Lord , and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness . And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.019 Ā¶ And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria.020 And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, Lord , open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.021 And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them?022 And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.023 And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.024 Ā¶ And it came to pass after this, that Ben-hadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria.025 And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an assās head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of doveās dung for five pieces of silver.026 And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king.027 And he said, If the Lord do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?028 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow.029 So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.030 Ā¶ And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.031 Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.032 But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his masterās feet behind him?033 And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil is of the Lord ; what should I wait for the Lord any longer?
2 Kings 7
01 Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord ; Thus saith the Lord , To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.02 Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.03 Ā¶ And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?04 If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.05 And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there.06 For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots , and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.07 Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life.08 And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it.09 Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the kingās household.010 So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they were.011 And he called the porters; and they told it to the kingās house within.012 Ā¶ And the king arose in the night, and said unto his servants, I will now shew you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we be hungry; therefore are they gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, When they come out of the city, we shall catch them alive, and get into the city.013 And one of his servants answered and said, Let some take, I pray thee, five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city, (behold, they are as all the multitude of Israel that are left in it: behold, I say, they are even as all the multitude of the Israelites that are consumed:) and let us send and see.014 They took therefore two chariot horses; and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, Go and see.015 And they went after them unto Jordan: and, lo, all the way was full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. And the messengers returned, and told the king.016 And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the Lord .017 Ā¶ And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him.018 And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria:019 And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if the Lord should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.020 And so it fell out unto him: for the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died.
President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
My dear brothers and sisters, I love you. I cherish this opportunity to speak with you today. I pray daily that you will be protected from the fierce attacks of the adversary and have the strength to push forward through whatever challenges you face.
Some trials are deeply private burdens no one else can see. Others are played out on the world stage. The armed conflict in eastern Europe is one of these. I have been to Ukraine and Russia many times. I love those lands, the people, and their languages. I weep and pray for all who are affected by this conflict. As a church weāre doing all we can to help those who are suffering and struggling to survive. We invite everyone to continue to fast and pray for all the people being hurt by this calamity. Any war is a horrifying violation of everything the Lord Jesus Christ stands for and teaches.
None of us can control nations or the actions of others or even members of our own families. But we can control ourselves. My call today, dear brothers and sisters, is to end conflicts that are raging in your heart, your home, and your life. Bury any and all inclinations to hurt othersāwhether those inclinations be a temper, a sharp tongue, or a resentment for someone who has hurt you. The Savior commanded us to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, and to pray for those who despitefully use us.
It can be painfully difficult to let go of anger that feels so justified. It can seem impossible to forgive those whose destructive actions have hurt the innocent. And yet, the Savior admonished us to āforgive all men.ā
We are followers of the Prince of Peace. Now more than ever, we need the peace only He can bring. How can we expect peace to exist in the world when we are not individually seeking peace and harmony? Brothers and sisters, I know what Iām suggesting is not easy. But followers of Jesus Christ should set the example for all the world to follow. I plead with you to do all you can to end personal conflicts that are currently raging in your hearts and in your lives.
May I underscore this call to action by discussing a concept I was reminded of recently while watching a basketball game.
In that game, the first half was a seesaw battle, back and forth. Then, during the last five seconds of the first half, a guard on one team made a beautiful three-point shot. With only one second left, his teammate stole the inbound pass and made another basket at the buzzer! So that team went into the locker room four points ahead with a palpable surge of momentum. They were able to carry that momentum into the second half and win the game.
Momentum is a powerful concept. We all have experienced it in one form or anotherāfor example, in a vehicle that picks up speed or with a disagreement that suddenly turns into an argument.
So I ask, what can ignite spiritual momentum? We have seen examples of both positive and negative momentum. We know followers of Jesus Christ who became converted and grew in their faith. But we also know of once-committed believers who fell away. Momentum can swing either way.
We have never needed positive spiritual momentum more than we do now, to counteract the speed with which evil and the darker signs of the times are intensifying. Positive spiritual momentum will keep us moving forward amid the fear and uncertainty created by pandemics, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and armed hostilities. Spiritual momentum can help us withstand the relentless, wicked attacks of the adversary and thwart his efforts to erode our personal spiritual foundation.
Many actions can ignite positive spiritual momentum. Obedience, love, humility, service, and gratitude are but a few.
Today I would like to suggest five specific actions we can take to help us maintain positive spiritual momentum.
First: Get on the covenant path and stay there.
Not long ago, I had a vivid dream in which I met a large group of people. They asked me many questions, the most frequent of which was about the covenant path and why it is so important.
In my dream, I explained that we enter the covenant path by being baptized and making our first covenant with God. Each time we partake of the sacrament, we promise again to take the name of the Savior upon us, to remember Him, and to keep His commandments. In return, God assures us that we may always have the Spirit of the Lord to be with us.
Later we make additional covenants in the temple, where we receive even greater promises. Ordinances and covenants give us access to godly power. The covenant path is the only path that leads to exaltation and eternal life.
In my dream, a woman then asked how someone who has broken his or her covenants can get back on that path. My answer to her question leads to my second suggestion:
Discover the joy of daily repentance.
How important is repentance? Alma taught that we should āpreach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord.ā Repentance is required of every accountable person who desires eternal glory. There are no exceptions. In a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord chastised early Church leaders for not teaching the gospel to their children. Repenting is the key to progress. Pure faith keeps us moving forward on the covenant path.
Please do not fear or delay repenting. Satan delights in your misery. Cut it short. Cast his influence out of your life! Start today to experience the joy of putting off the natural man. The Savior loves us always but especially when we repent. He promised that though āthe mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed ā¦ my kindness shall not depart from thee.ā
If you feel you have strayed off the covenant path too far or too long and have no way to return, that simply is not true. Please contact your bishop or branch president. He is the Lordās agent and will help you experience the joy and relief of repenting.
Now, a caution: Returning to the covenant path does not mean that life will be easy. This path is rigorous and at times will feel like a steep climb. This ascent, however, is designed to test and teach us, refine our natures, and help us to become saints. It is the only path that leads to exaltation. One prophet described the āblessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven ā¦ [and] dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.ā
Walking the covenant path, coupled with daily repentance, fuels positive spiritual momentum.
My third suggestion: Learn about God and how He works.
One of our greatest challenges today is distinguishing between the truths of God and the counterfeits of Satan. That is why the Lord warned us to āpray always, ā¦ that [we] may conquer Satan, and ā¦ escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work.ā
Moses provided an example of how to discern between God and Satan. When Satan came tempting Moses, he detected the deception because he had just had a face-to-face interaction with God. Moses quickly realized who Satan was and commanded him to depart. When Satan persisted, Moses knew how to call upon God for more help. Moses received divine strength and rebuked the evil one again, saying, āDepart from me, Satan, for this one God only will I worship.ā
We should follow that example. Cast Satanās influence out of your life! Please do not follow him down to his āgulf of misery and endless wo.ā
With frightening speed, a testimony that is not nourished daily āby the good word of Godā can crumble. Thus, the antidote to Satanās scheme is clear: we need daily experiences worshipping the Lord and studying His gospel. I plead with you to let God prevail in your life. Give Him a fair share of your time. As you do, notice what happens to your positive spiritual momentum.
Suggestion number 4: Seek and expect miracles.
Moroni assured us that āGod has not ceased to be a God of miracles.āEvery book of scripture demonstrates how willing the Lord is to intervene in the lives of those who believe in Him. He parted the Red Sea for Moses, helped Nephi retrieve the brass plates, and restored His Church through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Each of these miracles took time and may not have been exactly what those individuals originally requested from the Lord.
In the same way, the Lord will bless you with miracles if you believe in Him, ādoubting nothing.ā Do the spiritual work to seek miracles. Prayerfully ask God to help you exercise that kind of faith. I promise that you can experience for yourself that Jesus Christ āgiveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.ā Few things will accelerate your spiritual momentum more than realizing the Lord is helping you to move a mountain in your life.
Suggestion number 5: End conflict in your personal life.
I repeat my call to end the conflicts in your life. Exercise the humility, courage, and strength required both to forgive and to seek forgiveness. The Savior has promised that āif [we] forgive men their trespasses, [our] heavenly Father will also forgive [us].ā
Two weeks from today we celebrate Easter. Between now and then, I invite you to seek an end to a personal conflict that has weighed you down. Could there be a more fitting act of gratitude to Jesus Christ for His Atonement? If forgiveness presently seems impossible, plead for power through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ to help you. As you do so, I promise personal peace and a burst of spiritual momentum.
When the Savior atoned for all mankind, He opened a way that those who follow Him can have access to His healing, strengthening, and redeeming power. These spiritual privileges are available to all who seek to hear Him and follow Him.
My dear brothers and sisters, with all the pleadings of my heart, I urge you to get on the covenant path and stay there. Experience the joy of repenting daily. Learn about God and how He works. Seek and expect miracles. Strive to end conflict in your life.
As you act on these pursuits, I promise you the ability to move forward on the covenant path with increased momentum, despite whatever obstacles you face. And I promise you greater strength to resist temptation, more peace of mind, freedom from fear, and greater unity in your families.
God lives! Jesus is the Christ! He lives! He loves us and will help us. Of this I testify in the sacred name of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, amen.
As the Apostle Paul said, āIn every thing give thanksā (1Ā Thessalonians 5:18). One of the surest antidotes for despair, discouragement, and spiritual lethargy is gratitude. What are some things for which we can give thanks to God? Thank Him for the beauty of the earth, for the Restoration of the gospel, and for the countless ways He and His Son make Their power available to us here on this earth. Thank Him for the scriptures, for angels who respond to our pleas to God for help, for revelation, and for eternal families. And most of all, thank God for the gift of His Son and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which makes it possible for us to fulfill the missions for which we have been sent to earth.
To understand the covenant path, it is important to understand that a covenant involves a two-way commitment between God and one of His children. In a covenant, God sets the terms, and we agree to those terms. In exchange, God makes promises to us. Many covenants are accompanied by outward signsāor sacred ordinancesāin which we participate with witnesses present. For example, baptism is a sign to the Lord that the person being baptized has made a covenant to keep the commandments of God.
Isaiah 54:10, emphasis added; see also 3Ā Nephi 22:10. Kindness is translated from the Hebrew term hesed, a powerful word with deep meaning that encompasses kindness, mercy, covenant love, and more.
It is possible to make restitution for some sins but not others. If one person abuses or assaults another, or if one takes the life of another, full restitution cannot be made. The sinner in those cases can only do so much, and a large balance is left owing. Because of the Lordās willingness to forgive a balance due, we can come to Him regardless of how far we have strayed. When we sincerely repent, He will forgive us. Any balance owing between our sins and our ability to make full restitution can be paid only by applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ, who can make a gift of mercy. His willingness to forgive our balance due is a priceless gift.
Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency
Dear youth, what a beautiful conference session we are having! We have already heard three living Apostles of Jesus Christ. What a wonderful blessing! And we will still hear one more, Elder HenryĀ B. Eyring. The spiritual feast continues!
When I spoke last year, we learned how to face this world through Davidās experience with Goliath. Remember the five stones? Today I am sharing an Old Testament story I read at your age which left me wanting to be like its protagonist. The Bible does not tell us her name, so we will call her the woman of Shunem because this is the name of her town.
One day the prophet Elisha was passing through Shunem, and we read that there āwas a great woman; and she [invited] him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned inĀ ā¦ to eat bread.ā I imagine the prophet Elisha was so happy with the invitation to eat at her house! He had already gone several times, when one day the woman said to her husband, āNow, I perceive that this is an holy man of God.ā
The woman says, āNow, I perceive.ā It seems she invited Elisha to her house without knowing he was the prophet; she received her testimony through the Holy Ghost by listening carefully to what Elisha said and taught. (Remember, there were no pictures at that time! So it was hard to recognize the prophet just by his face.)
But the story does not end there. One day the woman said to her husband, āLet us make a little chamber,Ā ā¦ and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in.ā
This faithful woman was willing to build a room in her house so that the prophet, passing through the city, would have a place to stay!
Today we can learn a powerful lesson from this experience.
The Lord testified to the woman of Shunem that Elisha was a prophet of God, and she acted by opening her house to receive him.
We too can receive a personal testimony of Godās prophets today and open our hearts and mindsāour houseāto the message that our Heavenly Father has for us in these latter days.
Dear youth, I invite you to ask yourself this question: āDo I have a personal testimony of Godās living prophets?ā
Letās start at the beginning.
What is a prophet? A prophet is a man whom God has called to speak for Him. There are prophets on the earth today, just as there were in ancient times.
Prophets are seers and revelators. That means they can see what others cannot see, and they can prophesy of future events. They can also prepare us for calamities. Prophets receive commandments and revelations from the Lord. The ninth article of faith speaks of the continuing revelation in these last days. It says, āWe believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.ā
Elder GaryĀ E. Stevenson said, āThe Lord continues to reveal His commandments and will to His prophets today because He desires to lead us to happiness in this life and to celestial glory in the next life.ā
Prophets also proclaim the gospel and are inspired teachers and messengers of God to everyone on earth.
Each member of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is a prophet, seer, and revelator. Serving as a council under the Lordās direction, they have the authority to declare and interpret doctrine and establish policy for His Church. They carefully pray and deliberate, for the decisions of these quorums must be unanimous. In this way, the Lord assures us that His will will be done.
Prophets testify of ChristāHis existence, His ministry, and His divinity.
Let us read some testimonies from prophets in the Book of Mormon.
Abinadi proclaimed:
āGod himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people.
āAnd because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God.ā
Samuel the Lamanite also testified that Jesus Christ is āthe Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning.ā
And the prophet Moroni said, āI have seen Jesus, and ā¦ he hath talked with me face to face.ā
When Christ visited the Nephites, one of the first things He did was call twelve Apostles. And He said to the people, āBlessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen.ā
Now, let me share a few words for parents or other family members raising children. The Lord Himself taught Adam and Eve the truths of the plan of salvation. And then He said to them, āI give unto you a commandment, to teach these things freely unto your children.ā
What does it mean to teach freely? It is learning the truths of the gospel, having a personal testimony of them, and sharing that knowledge with our children. It is promoting both formal and informal teaching moments. It is living according to that knowledge and testimony.
The Book of Mormon describes the 2,060 stripling warriors as āmen of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him.ā These young men faithfully obeyed Helaman, who at that time was their military leader and also their prophet, and they recognized that their mothers had filled their hearts with truth and faith.
Parents, in this world where there are many voices and sometimes much darkness, God Himself has commanded us to raise our children in light and truth. He entrusted us with the responsibility to teach our children the saving truths of the gospel. If we fail to do so, the world will not do it.
Dear young friends, I have an invitation for you: In the coming days, I invite you to kneel, open your hearts, and pray with faith to Heavenly Father, asking Him to confirm to you that His chosen prophet and apostles are His voice on the earth today.
The woman of Shunem taught us that we can have that testimony through the Holy Ghost. I promise you that once we know they are Godās anointed ones, our lives will be easier in spite of our ongoing challenges, as we will obey their voices with trust, faith, and hope. To listen to and obey the voice of the prophet is crucial to holding on to every good thing until the Second Coming of our Savior.
The worldās wickedness is growing, but the Church of Jesus Christ and His kingdom are stronger than ever. Zion is putting on its beautiful garments, and Christās throne will not fall. The Lord expects us to be strong in our testimonies, to be full of faith, and to repent daily. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is counting on each of us to carry on His work.
Once, the Prophet Joseph Smith said, āBrethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause?ā However, since my message is mainly for you, the youth, I would like to use the word youth instead of brethren. Ready?
ā[Youth], shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, [youth]; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad.ā
I am grateful for the guidance and consecrated efforts of the living prophets. I give you my solemn testimony that they are called by God to carry forth, establish, and lead His kingdom on earth today. And it will always be so. It will always be the Lord who chooses His servants. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
The Spanish translation of this phrase conveys the meaning āinsistently invited.ā
āUnder the Lordās direction, [the President of the Church] presides over the Church and is the only person on earth authorized to exercise all priesthood keys.Ā ā¦ He has authority to receive revelation and declare the will of God for the whole Churchā (General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5.1.1.1, Gospel Library).
āEach Apostle holds all the keys of the kingdom and exercises those keys under the direction of the President of the Churchā (General Handbook, 5.1.1.1).
āThe Twelve Apostles are āspecial witnessesā of the name of Jesus Christ. ā¦ They witness to all the world of His divinity and the reality of His Resurrectionā (General Handbook, 5.1.1.1).
Speaking of the Book of Mormon, the Prophet Joseph Smith taught: āThis book also tells us that our Savior made his appearance upon this continent after his resurrection, that he planted the gospel here in all its fulness, and richness, and power, and blessings; that they had apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers and evangelists; the same order, the same priesthood, the same ordinances, gifts, powers, and blessings, as were enjoyed on the Eastern Continentā (History, 1838ā1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838ā31 July 1842], 1282, josephsmithpapers.org).
āWe should seize every opportunity to share the teachings of Jesus Christ with children. These teaching moments are precious and far fewer compared to the relentless efforts of opposing forces. For every hour spent instilling doctrine into a childās life, there are countless hours of opposition filled with messages and images that challenge or ignore those saving truths.
āSome of you may wonder whether it might be better to draw your children closer to you through having fun, or you may ask whether the child may start to feel overwhelmed by your teachings. Instead, we should consider, āWith so little time and so few opportunities, what words of doctrine can I share that will strengthen them against the inevitable challenges to their faith?ā The words you share today could be the ones they carry with them, and today will soon passā (HenryĀ B. Eyring, āSimple Is the Doctrine of Jesus Christ,ā Liahona, Nov. 2024, 97).
We also have the example of Enosās parents, who raised him āin the nurture and admonition of the Lordā (Enos 1:1) and taught him about āeternal life, and the joy of the saintsā (Enos 1:3). Enos did know the character of God (see Enos 1:6, 15, 17).
See Doctrine and Covenants 21:1ā2, 4ā6. āWhile the world insists that power, possessions, popularity, and pleasures of the flesh bring happiness, they do not! They cannot! What they do produce is nothing but a hollow substitute for āthe blessed and happy state of those [who] keep the commandments of Godā [Mosiah 2:41].
āThe truth is that it is much more exhausting to seek happiness where you can never find it! However, when you yoke yourself to Jesus Christ and do the spiritual work required to overcome the world, He, and He alone, does have the power to lift you above the pull of this world.
āNow, how does overcoming the world bless our lives? The answer is clear: entering into a covenant relationship with God binds us to Him in a way that makes everything about life easier. Please do not misunderstand me: I did not say that making covenants makes life easy. In fact, expect opposition, because the adversary does not want you to discover the power of Jesus Christ. But yoking yourself with the Savior means you have access to His strength and redeeming powerā (RussellĀ M. Nelson, āOvercome the World and Find Rest,ā Liahona, Nov. 2022, 97).
The Savior performed His first recorded miracle at a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. Mary, His mother, and His disciples were there as well. Mary apparently felt some responsibility for the success of the feast. During the celebration, a problem aroseāthe wedding hosts ran out of wine. Mary was concerned and went to Jesus. They spoke briefly; then Mary turned to the servants and said:
āWhatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
āAnd there were set there six waterpots of stone. ā¦ [These waterpots werenāt used to store drinking water but were used for ceremonial washings under the law of Moses.]
āJesus saith unto [the servants], Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
āAnd he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
ā[Then] the ruler of the feast ā¦ tasted the water that was made wineā and expressed surprise that the best wine was served so late in the feast.
We usually remember this event because transforming water to wine was a demonstration of the power of Godāit was a miracle. That is an important message, but there is another important message in Johnās account. Mary was āa precious and chosen vessel,ā called by God to give birth to, nurture, and raise the very Son of God. She knew more about Him than anyone else on earth. She knew the truth of His miraculous birth. She knew that He was sinless and that He āspake not as other men, neither could he be taught; for he needed not that any man should teach him.ā Mary knew of His extraordinary capacity to solve problems, including one as personal as providing wine for a wedding feast. She had unshakable confidence in Him and in His divine power. Her simple, straightforward instruction to the servants had no caveats, no qualifications, no limitations: āWhatsoever he saith unto you, do it.ā
Mary had been a young woman when the angel Gabriel appeared unto her. At first she had been ātroubledā by being called āhighly favouredā and āblessed ā¦ among women ā¦ and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.ā Gabriel reassured her that she had nothing to fearāthe news he brought was good. She would āconceive in [her] womb ā¦ the Son of the Highestā and ābring forth a son ā¦ [who] shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever.ā
Mary wondered aloud, āHow shall this be, seeing I know not a man?ā
The angel explained but only briefly, affirming to her that āwith God nothing [is] impossible.ā
Mary humbly responded that she would do what God asked, without demanding to know specifics and undoubtedly in spite of having countless questions about the implications for her life. She committed herself without exactly understanding why He was asking that of her or how things would work out. She accepted Godās word unconditionally and in advance, with little knowledge of what lay ahead. With simple trust in God, Mary said, āBehold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.ā
When we decide to do āwhatsoever [God] saith untoā us, we earnestly commit to align our everyday behavior with Godās will. Such simple acts of faith as studying the scriptures daily, fasting regularly, and praying with real intent deepen our well of spiritual capacity to meet the demands of mortality. Over time, simple habits of belief lead to miraculous results. They transform our faith from a seedling into a dynamic power for good in our lives. Then, when challenges come our way, our rootedness in Christ provides steadfastness for our souls. God shores up our weaknesses, increases our joys, and causes āall things [to] work together for [our] good.ā
A few years ago, I spoke with a young bishop who was spending hours each week counseling with members of his ward. He made a striking observation. The problems that members of his ward faced, he said, were those faced by Church members everywhereāissues such as how to establish a happy marriage; struggles with balancing work, family, and Church duties; challenges with the Word of Wisdom, with employment, or with pornography; or trouble gaining peace about a Church policy or historical question they didnāt understand.
His counsel to ward members very often included getting back to simple practices of faith, such as studying the Book of Mormonāas we were counseled by President ThomasĀ S. Monson to doāpaying tithing, and serving in the Church with devotion. Frequently, however, their response to him was one of skepticism: āI donāt agree with you, Bishop. We all know those are good things to do. We talk about those things all the time in the Church. But Iām not sure youāre understanding me. What does doing any of those things have to do with the issues Iām facing?ā
Itās a fair question. Over time, that young bishop and I have observed that those who are deliberate about doing the āsmall and simple thingsāāobeying in seemingly little waysāare blessed with faith and strength that go far beyond the actual acts of obedience themselves and, in fact, may seem totally unrelated to them. It may seem hard to draw a connection between the basic daily acts of obedience and solutions to the big, complicated problems we face. But they are related. In my experience, getting the little daily habits of faith right is the single best way to fortify ourselves against the troubles of life, whatever they may be. Small acts of faith, even when they seem insignificant or entirely disconnected from the specific problems that vex us, bless us in all we do.
Consider Naaman, a ācaptain of the host of ā¦ Syria, ā¦ a mighty man in valour,ā and a leper. A servant girl told of a prophet in Israel who could heal Naaman, and so he traveled with an escort of servants, soldiers, and gifts to Israel, eventually arriving at Elishaās house. Elishaās servant, not Elisha himself, informed Naaman that the Lordās command was to āgo and wash in [the river] Jordan seven times.ā A simple thing. Perhaps this simple prescription struck the mighty warrior as so illogical, simplistic, or beneath his dignity that he found the mere suggestion offensive. At the very least, Elishaās instruction didnāt make sense to Naaman, āso he turned and went away in a rage.ā
But Naamanās servants gently approached him and observed that he would have done āsome great thingā if Elisha had asked it of him. They noted that since he was asked to do only a small task, shouldnāt he do it, even if he didnāt understand why? Naaman reconsidered his reaction and perhaps skeptically, but obediently, āwent ā¦ down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordanā and was miraculously healed.
Some rewards of obedience do come quickly; others come only after we are tested. In the Pearl of Great Price, we read about Adamās tireless diligence in keeping the commandment to offer sacrifices. When the angel asked Adam why he was offering sacrifices, he answered, āI know not, save the Lord commanded me.ā The angel explained that his sacrifices were āa similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father.ā But that explanation came only after Adam had demonstrated his commitment to obeying the Lord for āmany daysā without knowing why he was supposed to offer those sacrifices.
God will always bless us for our steadfast obedience to His gospel and loyalty to His Church, but He rarely shows us His timetable for doing so in advance. He doesnāt show us the whole picture from the outset. That is where faith, hope, and trusting in the Lord come in.
God asks us to bear with Himāto trust Him and to follow Him. He pleads with us to ādispute not because ye see not.ā He cautions us that we shouldnāt expect easy answers or quick fixes from heaven. Things work out when we stand firm during the ātrial of [our] faith,ā however hard that test may be to endure or slow the answer may be in coming. I am not speaking of āblind obedienceā but of thoughtful confidence in the perfect love and the perfect timing of the Lord.
The trial of our faith will always involve staying true to simple, daily practices of faith. Then, and only then, does He promise that we will receive the divine response for which we long. Only once we have proven our willingness to do what He asks without demanding to know the whens, the whys, and the hows do we āreap the rewards of [our] faith, and [our] diligence, and patience, and long-suffering.ā Real obedience accepts Godās commandments unconditionally and in advance.
Every day, consciously or otherwise, we all choose āwhom [we] will serve.ā We demonstrate our determination to serve the Lord by faithfully engaging in daily acts of devotion. The Lord promises to direct our paths, but for Him to do that, we have to walk, trusting that He knows the way because He is āthe way.ā We must fill our own waterpots up to the brim. When we trust and follow Him, our lives, like water to wine, are transformed. We become something more and better than we ever otherwise could be. Trust in the Lord, and āwhatsoever he saith unto you, do it.ā In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
My dear brethren, tonight I wish to encourage priesthood holders who at times feel overwhelmed with their responsibilities. That is a challenge I have spoken of before. I return to it because it returns so often in the lives of those I love and serve.
Most of you have discovered that your priesthood duties will stretch you to the point that you wonder if you can stretch that far. It may have happened when you were asked to speak in a stake conference before hundreds of people. For the recent convert, it may have been being asked to pray in public or teach a class for the first time. For some, it may have been trying to learn a language in a missionary training center. If that didnāt take you to your limit, it surely did on the streets of a strange city when your mission president charged you to speak to every person you met to testify of the Savior and of the Restoration of the gospel.
You may have thought then, āOnce I finish my mission, being a faithful priesthood holder will get easier.ā But in a few years you found yourself getting even less sleep at night, while trying to support a wife and a new baby, being kind and loving, scrambling to get some education, reaching out to the members of your elders quorum, perhaps even helping them to move their furniture, and trying to find time to serve your ancestors in the temple. You may have kept a smile on your face with the thought: āWhen I get a little older, being a faithful priesthood holder will not require so much. It will get easier.ā
Those of you further down the road are smiling because you know something about priesthood service. It is this: the more faithful service you give, the more the Lord asks of you. Your smile is a happy one because you know that He increases our power to carry the heavier load.
The tough part of that reality, however, is that for Him to give you that increased power you must go in service and faith to your outer limits.
It is like building muscle strength. You must break down your muscles to build them up. You push muscles to the point of exhaustion. Then they repair themselves, and they develop greater strength. Increased spiritual strength is a gift from God which He can give when we push in His service to our limits. Through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, our natures can be changed. Then our power to carry burdens can be increased more than enough to compensate for the increased service we will be asked to give.
That helps me understand when I see someone else who makes priesthood service look easy. I know that they have either passed hard tests or that the tests lie ahead. So rather than envying them, I stand ready to help when the going gets harder for them, because it surely will.
That testing of our limits in priesthood service is made necessary by Godās plan to qualify His children to live with Him again forever. Heavenly Father loves His children. He offered us eternal life, to live with Him again in families and in glory forever. To qualify us to receive that gift, He gave us a mortal body, the opportunity to be tempted to sin, and a way to be cleansed from that sin and to rise in the First Resurrection. He gave us His Beloved Son, Jehovah, as our Savior to make that possible. The Savior was born in mortal life, was tempted but never sinned, and then in Gethsemane and on Golgotha paid the price of our sins so that we could be cleansed. The purifying can come only to those who have faith enough in Jesus Christ to repent of sin, be cleansed through the ordinance of baptism, and make and keep covenants to obey all His commandments. And there was to be a fierce enemy of our souls, Lucifer, who would with his legions relentlessly try to capture every child of God to keep him or her from having the joy of eternal life.
In His kindness and in great trust, Heavenly Father, with the Savior, allowed a selected few of His sons on earth to hold the priesthood. We have the authority and the power to act in Godās name, to offer the true gospel of Jesus Christ and its ordinances to as many of Heavenly Fatherās children as we can. So you can sense the magnitude of our trust from God. And you can sense its supreme importance and the opposition we face.
It is not surprising that we feel from time to time nearly overwhelmed. Your thought that āIām not sure I can do thisā is evidence that you are understanding what it means to hold the priesthood of God. The fact is that you canāt do it by yourself. The responsibility is too difficult and too important for your mortal powers and for mine. Recognizing that is at the foundation of great priesthood service.
When those feelings of inadequacy strike us, that is the time to remember the Savior. He assures us that we donāt do this work alone. There are scriptures to put on your mirror and to remember in the moments when you are doubting your capacity.
For instance, President ThomasĀ S. Monson remembered the promised words of the Savior as he blessed me six months ago to stand fearlessly in my calling when it seemed hard. These words of the Savior, which He gave to His tiny band of priesthood holders in this dispensation, came to the prophetās mind as he laid his hands on my head: āAnd whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.ā
The promise which President Monson remembered and quoted was fulfilled for me. Confidence replaced doubt, the Spirit came, medical helpers were inspired, my life was preserved, and I was borne up. Because of that blessing by President Monson, it will always be easy for me to remember the Savior and trust His promise that He goes before and beside us in His service.
I know that the promise of angels to bear us up is real. You might want to bring to memory the assurance of Elisha to his frightened servant. That assurance is ours when we feel close to being overwhelmed in our service. Elisha faced real and terrible opposition:
āAnd when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
āAnd he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
āAnd Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.ā
Like that servant of Elisha, there are more with you than those you can see opposed to you. Some who are with you will be invisible to your mortal eyes. The Lord will bear you up and will at times do it by calling others to stand with you. That is why we have quorums. That is why quorum leaders look at faces and into eyes in quorum meetings. That is why the bishop is more than presiding in the priests quorum. He is watching the faces of the priests. You will have such a bishop or such an elders quorum president or such a mission president. And he will come to help you and call others to stand with you. It may be to call the right companion to serve with you in your time of need.
That suggests at least two things. One is to recognize and welcome those whom the Lord sends to help us. The other is to see in every assignment the opportunity to strengthen another. A mission president once told me of a missionary he assigned to more than 12 or 13 companions. He said to me, āEvery one of those companions was about to go home early or be sent home. But we didnāt lose one of them.ā
When I mentioned that miraculous fact later to the companion who saved so many at the point of their being overwhelmed, I got a response which surprised and taught me. It was this: āI donāt think that story is true. I never had a companion who was failing.ā
I could see that a mission president had been inspired to send the right angel time after time. We can expect in our service to have help sent to us at the right time who will see strength in us and lift us up. And we can look forward to being the one sent by the Lord to encourage another.
I can tell you from experience something about how to help if you are the one sent. Shortly after I was called to the Quorum of the Twelve, I got a phone call from President Faust, counselor in the First Presidency. He asked me to come to his office. I went with some concern as to why he would take the time to visit with me.
After some pleasantries, he looked at me and said, āHas it happened yet?ā When I looked puzzled, he went on to say, āIāve been watching you in meetings. It seems to me that you have been feeling that your calling is beyond you and that you are not qualified.ā
I said that doubt had come to me, as if I had hit a wall. I expected that he was going to reassure me. I told him that I appreciated his being aware of my doubts and asked for his help. But I was surprised by his kind, firm reply. He said, āDonāt ask me. Go to Him.ā Then he pointed up to heaven. Now years later I sit in that same office. When I walk into it I look up and remember him and how he taught me by example how to help those who are feeling overwhelmed in the Lordās service. Find a way to send them with confidence to Him. If they will follow your counsel, they will gain the strength they need and to spare.
Time and again over your life, the Lord has been giving you the experiences to build strength, courage, and determination. He knew how much you would need that to serve Him. Some of it may have come, as it did for me, when you stood with other priesthood holders and said aloud the words: āTherefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.ā
When you committed to that high standard and met it, the Lord was building a trust and strength in you that would be there when you needed it, whenever you were called to serve a cause higher than self-interest. I felt it one bright spring day on a lawn. I was being commissioned to defend my country. We were not then at war, but I was heading for an unknown service that I knew would require all I had to offer, perhaps my life. I raised my right hand with the others to pledge that I would defend my country with ātrue faith and allegianceā and that āI take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God.ā
I have no doubt that the power to keep that promise, which I kept, had been forged in me from the time I was a deacon. In my early years in the priesthood, I sat a number of times in what was then called a āmissionary farewell.ā There are now so many rising to the call to serve that we let them speak only briefly in a sacrament meeting before they go. But then an entire meeting was focused on the missionary who was embarking. It always included some selected music. I can still feel what I felt as a quartet of returned missionaries would sing, āIāll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,ā and the words went on to pledge, āIāll say what you want me to say,ā and finally, āIāll be what you want me to be.ā
My heart was stirred in those days then as it is now with a conviction that the promise was true for me and for us in all our priesthood service. We will find joy in going wherever the Lord would have us serve. We will be given the revelation to speak His words to invite Heavenly Fatherās children to become changed by the Atonement and fit to go home and live with Him. And I felt then as I do now that our faithful service would allow Him to change our hearts to fit us for His companionship and to serve Him forever.
I bear you my witness that when we give our all in priesthood service, the Lord will give us all the courage we need and the assurance that He goes with us and that angels will bear us up.
I testify that we are called of God. This is His true Church, and you hold His everlasting priesthood. I am a witness that President ThomasĀ S. Monson holds all the keys of the priesthood and exercises them in the world today. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency
I love the Old Testament story of a young man who served the prophet Elisha. Early one morning the young man woke up, went outside, and found the city surrounded by a great army intent on destroying them. He ran to Elisha: āAlas, my master! how shall we do?ā
Elisha answered, āFear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.ā
Elisha knew the young man needed more than calming reassurance; he needed vision. And so āElisha prayed, ā¦ Lord, ā¦ open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.ā
There may be times when you, like the servant, find yourself struggling to see how God is working in your lifeātimes when you feel under siegeāwhen the trials of mortality bring you to your knees. Wait and trust in God and in His timing, because you can trust His heart with all of yours. But there is a second lesson here. My dear sisters and brothers, you too can pray for the Lord to open your eyes to see things you would not normally see.
Perhaps the most important things for us to see clearly are who God is and who we really areāsons and daughters of heavenly parents, with a ādivine nature and eternal destiny.ā Ask God to reveal these truths to you, along with how He feels about you. The more you understand your true identity and purpose, soul deep, the more it will influence everything in your life.
Understanding how God sees us prepares the way to help us see others as He does. Columnist David Brooks said: āMany of our societyās great problems flow from people not feeling seen and known. ā¦ [There is a] core ā¦ trait that we all have to get ā¦ better at[, and that] is the trait of seeing each other deeply and being deeply seen.ā
Jesus Christ sees people deeply. He sees individuals, their needs, and who they can become. Where others saw fishermen, sinners, or publicans, Jesus saw disciples; where others saw a man possessed by devils, Jesus looked past the outward distress, acknowledged the man, and healed him.
Even in our busy lives, we can follow the example of Jesus and see individualsātheir needs, their faith, their struggle, and who they can become.
As I pray for the Lord to open my eyes to see things I might not normally see, I often ask myself two questions and pay attention to the impressions that come: āWhat am I doing that I should stop doing?ā and āWhat am I not doing that I should start doing?ā
Months ago, during the sacrament, I asked myself these questions and was surprised by the impression that came. āStop looking at your phone when you are waiting in lines.ā Looking at my phone in lines had become almost automatic; I found it a good time to multitask, catch up on email, look at headlines, or scroll through a social media feed.
The next morning, I found myself waiting in a long line at the store. I pulled out my phone and then remembered the impression I had received. I put my phone away and looked around. I saw an elderly gentleman in line ahead of me. His cart was empty except for a few cans of cat food. I felt a little awkward but said something really clever like, āI can see you have a cat.ā He said that a storm was coming, and he did not want to be caught without cat food. We visited briefly, and then he turned to me and said, āYou know, I havenāt told anyone this, but today is my birthday.ā My heart melted. I wished him a happy birthday and offered a silent prayer of thanks that I had not been on my phone and missed an opportunity to truly see and connect with another person who needed it.
With all of my heart I do not want to be like the priest or the Levite on the road to Jerichoāone who looks and passes by. But too often I think I am.
I recently learned a valuable lesson about seeing deeply from a young woman named Rozlyn.
The story was shared with me by my friend who was devastated when her husband of 20 years moved out. With her children splitting time between parents, the prospect of attending church alone seemed daunting. She recounts:
āIn a church where the family is of paramount importance, sitting solo can be painful. That first Sunday I walked in praying no one would speak to me. I was barely holding it together, and tears were on the brink. I sat in my typical spot, hoping no one would notice how empty the bench seemed.
āA young woman in our ward turned and looked at me. I pretended to smile. She smiled back. I could see the concern in her face. I silently pleaded that she wouldnāt come to talk to meāI had nothing positive to say and knew I would cry. I looked back down at my lap and avoided eye contact.
āDuring the next hour, I noticed her looking back at me occasionally. As soon as the meeting ended, she made a beeline for me. āHi, Rozlyn,ā I whispered. She wrapped me in her arms and said, āSister Smith, I can tell today is a bad day for you. Iām so sorry. I love you.ā As predicted, the tears came as she hugged me again. But as I walked away, I thought to myself, āMaybe I can do this after all.ā
āThat sweet 16-year-old young woman, less than half my age, found me every Sunday for the rest of that year to give me a hug and ask, āHow are you?ā It made such a difference in how I felt about coming to church. The truth is I started to rely on those hugs. Someone noticed me. Someone knew I was there. Someone cared.ā
As with all gifts the Father so willingly offers, seeing deeply requires us to ask Himāand then act.Ask to see others as He doesāas His true sons and daughters with infinite and divine potential. Then act by loving, serving, and affirming their worth and potential as prompted. As this becomes the pattern of our lives, we will find ourselves becoming ātrue followers of ā¦ Jesus Christ.ā Others will be able to trust our hearts with theirs. And in this pattern we will also discover our own true identity and purpose.
My friend recalled another experience while sitting in that same empty pew, alone, wondering if 20 years of effort to live the gospel in her home was all for naught. She needed more than calming reassurance; she needed vision. She felt a question pierce her heart: āWhy did you do those things? Did you do them for the reward, the praise of others, or the desired outcome?ā She hesitated for a moment, searched her heart, and was then able to answer confidently, āI did them because I love the Savior. And I love His gospel.ā The Lord opened her eyes to help her see. This simple but powerful change of vision helped her continue to press on with faith in Christ, despite her circumstances.
I witness that Jesus Christ loves us and can give us eyes to seeāeven when itās hard, even when weāre tired, even when weāre lonely, and even when the outcomes are not as we hoped. Through His grace, He will bless us and increase our capacity. Through the power of the Holy Ghost, Christ will enable us to see ourselves and see others as He does. With His help, we can discern what is most needful. We can begin to see the hand of the Lord working in and through the ordinary details of our livesāwe will see deeply.
And then, in that great day āwhen he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hopeā is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
āIt is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest ā¦ most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship. ā¦ There are no ordinary peopleā (C.Ā S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory [2001], 45ā46).
KimĀ B. Clark, āEncircled about with Fireā (Seminaries and Institutes of Religion satellite broadcast, Aug.Ā 4, 2015), ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
I add my witness to the messages of President RussellĀ M. Nelson and Elder QuentinĀ L. Cook given moments ago of the harmony and unanimity of the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I know these revelatory announcements are the mind and the will of the Lord and will bless and strengthen individuals, families, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for generations to come.
Some years ago, one of our young married daughters and her husband asked Sister Rasband and me a very important, life-influencing question: āIs it still safe and wise to bring children into this seemingly wicked and frightening world we live in?ā
Now, that was an important question for a mom and dad to consider with their dear married children. We could hear the fear in their voices and feel the fear in their hearts. Our answer to them was a firm āYes, itās more than OK,ā as we shared fundamental gospel teachings and our own heartfelt impressions and life experiences.
Fear is not new. The disciples of Jesus Christ, out on the Sea of Galilee, feared the āwind, and the wavesā in the dark of the night. As His disciples today, we too have fears. Our single adults fear making commitments such as getting married. Young marrieds, like our children, can fear bringing children into an increasingly wicked world. Missionaries fear lots of things, especially approaching strangers. Widows fear going forward alone. Teenagers fear not being accepted; grade schoolers fear the first day of school; university students fear getting back a test. We fear failure, rejection, disappointment, and the unknown. We fear hurricanes, earthquakes, and fires that ravage the land and our lives. We fear not being chosen, and on the flip side, we fear being chosen. We fear not being good enough; we fear that the Lord has no blessings for us. We fear change, and our fears can escalate to terror. Have I included just about everyone?
Since ancient times, fear has limited the perspective of Godās children. I have always loved the account of Elisha in 2Ā Kings. The king of Syria had sent a legion that ācame by night, and compassed the city about.ā Their intent was to capture and kill the prophet Elisha. We read:
āAnd when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?ā
That was fear speaking.
āAnd [Elisha] answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.ā
But he didnāt stop there.
āElisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.ā
We may or may not have chariots of fire sent to dispel our fears and conquer our demons, but the lesson is clear. The Lord is with us, mindful of us and blessing us in ways only He can do. Prayer can call down the strength and the revelation that we need to center our thoughts on Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. The Lord knew that at times we would feel fear. I have been there and so have you, which is why the scriptures are replete with the Lordās counsel:
āBe of good cheer, and do not fear.ā
āLook unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.ā
āFear not, little flock.ā I love the tenderness of ālittle flock.ā In this Church we may be few in number by the way the world counts influence, but when we open our spiritual eyes, āthey that be with us are more than they that be with them.ā Our loving Shepherd, Jesus Christ, then continues, āLet earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.ā
How is fear dispelled? For the young lad, he was standing right next to Elisha, a prophet of God. We have that same promise. When we listen to President RussellĀ M. Nelson, when we hearken to his counsel, we are standing with a prophet of God. Remember the words of Joseph Smith: āAnd now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!ā Jesus Christ lives. Our love for Him and His gospel dispels fear.
Our desire to āalways have his Spiritā with us will push fear aside for a more eternal view of our mortal lives. President Nelson has cautioned, āIn coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.ā
The Lord said, regarding the scourges that would cover the land and would harden the hearts of many, āMy disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved.ā
And then this divine counsel: āBe not troubled, for, when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled.ā
Stand in holy placesābe not troubledāand promises shall be fulfilled. Letās look at each one of these in relation to our fears.
First, stand in holy places. When we stand in holy placesāour righteous homes, our dedicated chapels, the consecrated templesāwe feel the Spirit of the Lord with us. We find answers to questions that trouble us or the peace to simply set them aside. That is the Spirit in action. These sacred places in the kingdom of God on earth call for our reverence, our respect for others, our best selves in living the gospel, and our hopes to lay aside our fears and seek the healing power of Jesus Christ through His Atonement.
There is no room for fear in these holy places of God or in the hearts of His children. Why? Because of love. God loves usāalwaysāand we love Him. Our love of God counters all fears, and His love abounds in holy places. Think about it. When we are tentative in our commitments to the Lord, when we stray from His path leading to life eternal, when we question or doubt our significance in His divine design, when we allow fear to open the door to all its companionsādiscouragement, anger, frustration, disappointmentāthe Spirit leaves us, and we are without the Lord. If you know what that is like, you know it is not a good place to be. In contrast, when we stand in holy places, we can feel Godās love, and āperfect love casteth out all fear.ā
The next promise is āBe not troubled.ā No matter how much wickedness and chaos fill the earth, we are promised by our daily faithfulness in Jesus Christ the āpeace of God, which passeth all understanding.ā And when Christ comes in all power and glory, evil, rebellion, and injustice will end.
Long ago the Apostle Paul prophesied of our times, saying to the young Timothy:
āThis know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
āFor men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ā¦
āā¦ lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.ā
Remember, āthey that be with usā on both sides of the veil, those who love the Lord with all their heart, might, mind, and strength, āare more than they that be with them.ā If we actively trust in the Lord and His ways, if we are engaged in His work, we will not fear the trends of the world or be troubled by them. I plead with you to set aside worldly influences and pressures and seek spirituality in your daily life. Love what the Lord lovesāwhich includes His commandments, His holy houses, our sacred covenants with Him, the sacrament each Sabbath day, our communication through prayerāand you will not be troubled.
The last point: trust the Lord and His promises. I know that all His promises will be fulfilled. I know it as firmly as I stand here before you in this sacred meeting.
The Lord has revealed: āFor they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceivedāverily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.ā
This is why we should not be troubled by the turmoil of today, by those in the great and spacious building, by those who scoff at honest effort and dedicated service to the Lord Jesus Christ. Optimism, courage, even charity come from a heart not burdened by troubles or turmoil. President Nelson, who is āoptimistic about the future,ā has reminded us, āIf we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation.ā
To receive personal revelation, we must place priority on living the gospel and encouraging faithfulness and spirituality in others as well as ourselves.
Spencer W. Kimball was one of the prophets of my youth. These past few years, after being called as an Apostle, I have found peace in his first message at general conference in October 1943. He was overwhelmed by his call; I know what that feels like. Elder Kimball said: āI did a great deal of thinking and praying, and fasting and praying. There were conflicting thoughts that surged through my mindāseeming voices saying: āYou canāt do the work. You are not worthy. You have not the abilityāāand always finally came the triumphant thought: āYou must do the work assignedāyou must make yourself able, worthy and qualified.ā And the battle raged on.ā
I take heart from that purehearted testimony of this Apostle who would become the 12th President of this mighty Church. He recognized he had to put behind him his fears to ādo the work assignedā and that he had to rely on the Lord for the strength to make himself āable, worthy and qualified.ā We can too. The battles will rage on, but we will face them with the Spirit of the Lord. We will ābe not troubledā because when we stand with the Lord and stand for His principles and His eternal plan, we are standing on holy ground.
Now, what about that daughter and son-in-law who asked the very heartfelt and probing, fear-based question years ago? They seriously considered our conversation that night; they prayed and fasted and came to their own conclusions. Happily and joyfully for them and for us, the grandparents, they have now been blessed with seven beautiful children as they go forward in faith and love.
Take heart, brothers and sisters. Yes, we live in perilous times, but as we stay on the covenant path, we need not fear. I bless you that as you do so, you will not be troubled by the times in which we live or the troubles that come your way. I bless you to choose to stand in holy places and be not moved. I bless you to believe in the promises of Jesus Christ, that He lives and that He is watching over us, caring for us and standing by us. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.
1.Dearest children, God is near you, Watching oāer you day and night, And delights to own and bless you, If you strive to do whatās right. He will bless you, He will bless you, If you put your trust in him.
Verse
2.Dearest children, holy angels Watch your actions night and day, And they keep a faithful record Of the good and bad you say. Cherish virtue! Cherish virtue! God will bless the pure in heart.
Verse
3.Children, God delights to teach you By his Holy Spiritās voice. Quickly heed its holy promptings. Day by day youāll then rejoice. Oh, prove faithful, Oh, prove faithful To your God and Zionās cause.
Elijah was taken to heaven without experiencing death, and Elisha then took up Elijahās mantle of prophetic leadership. Elisha received a double portion of the spirit that had been upon Elijah, and he performed many miracles during his ministry. The kings of Israel and Judah prevailed in battle when they obeyed Elishaās counsel. The Lord blessed a widow who came to Elisha for help. Naaman the Syrian was healed of leprosy when he followed Elishaās counsel. Elisha helped Israel defend themselves against the Syrian army by revealing their war plans. The Syrian king sent an army to destroy Elisha, but the Lord protected Elisha. Elishaās servant was blessed by the Lord to see the horses and fiery chariots of the heavenly army protecting them.
Note: The citation of a source not published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not imply that it or its author is endorsed by the Church or represents the official position of the Church.
What is the book of 2Ā Kings?
The books of 1Ā and 2Ā Kings were originally one book, known as the book of Kings. They were separated into two books beginning with the Greek translation of the Bible. The book of 2Ā Kings continues the historical accounts of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. It also outlines the causes of the scattering of Israel.
Because of the peopleās wickedness in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, they were conquered by Assyria around 722Ā BC. In the Southern Kingdom of Judah, some of the kings mentioned in 2Ā Kings were faithful and obedient, but there were many who were wicked. One of these wicked kings was King Manasseh, whose disobedience caused Judah to lose its divine protection. Babylon conquered the Southern Kingdom and carried its people into captivity in 586Ā BC, fulfilling Lehiās prophecy that Jerusalem would be destroyed.
The book of 2Ā Kings describes the events that took place during the ministries of several notable prophets. Prophets in the Northern Kingdom included Elijah, Elisha, Hosea, Amos, and Jonah. In the Southern Kingdom, the prophets included Isaiah, Jeremiah, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Lehi.
The book of 2Ā Kings can be organized into the following sections:
Chapters 1ā9: The ministry of Elisha in the Northern Kingdom of Israel following Elijahās ascension into heaven.
Chapters 10ā17: The reigns of several wicked kings in both Israel and Judah. During this time, the Northern Kingdom was conquered by the Assyrians, and its people were carried away into captivity.
Chapters 18ā25: The reigns of the righteous kings Hezekiah and Josiah and the ministry of the prophet Isaiah in Judah. Babylon eventually invaded Judah and took many people captive.
What might it mean that Elisha wanted a double portion of Elijahās spirit?
Elisha regarded Elijah not only as a teacher but also as a father. In Israelite tradition, the birthright son was traditionally given a double portion of his fatherās inheritance. By requesting a double portion of Elijahās spirit, Elisha may have been referring to these birthright customs to express his willingness to become Elijahās spiritual successor. Elisha may have also been asking for an added measure of the Holy Ghost to help him in his prophetic role.
What does it mean that āElijah went up by a whirlwind into heavenā?
Elijah was taken into heaven without dying, which means he was translated. Translated beings are people whose bodies are āchanged so that they do not experience pain or death until their resurrection to immortality.ā Elijah later appeared as a translated being on the Mount of Transfiguration to help give the keys of the priesthood to Peter, James, and John. Later, Elijah also appeared as a resurrected being to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple to confer the keys of the sealing power.
Elijah Ascending into Heaven, by William Henry Margetson
What was significant about Elijahās mantle falling to Elisha?
Elijahās mantle, or robe, was a symbol of his authority. This mantle is first mentioned in 1Ā KingsĀ 19, when Elijah placed it upon Elisha to designate him as Elijahās successor. The mantle falling to Elisha as Elijah was taken into heaven symbolized Elijahās prophetic calling and authority officially being passed to Elisha. The āsons of the prophetsā recognized Elishaās prophetic authority after he parted the Jordan River just as Elijah had done. They proclaimed, āThe spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha.ā
Regarding the passing of the prophetic mantle in our day, President SpencerĀ W. Kimball taught:
āThe work goes forwardāand one prophet succeeds another.Ā ā¦ Upon Elisha fell the mantle of Elijah. And likewise, the mantle of Joseph Smith fell on Brigham Young when he seemed to be transformed before the people who seemed to hear the voice of Joseph and see the person of Joseph. This remarkable miracle was attested to by great numbers of people. The mantle of Joseph fell from Brigham to John Taylor, to Wilford Woodruff, to Lorenzo Snow, to JosephĀ F. Smith, to HeberĀ J. Grant, to George Albert Smith, and to our Prophet today.ā
As Elisha departed for Bethel, he was opposed by a group described as ālittle childrenā in the King James Version of the Bible. The Hebrew text indicates that these were not young children but older youths or even young men. It is unknown why they harassed Elisha or what their specific insults meant. But Elishaās curse upon them and the subsequent bear attack indicate that their actions were serious and deeply offensive. This event may have also been a warning to Israel that the judgments of God would come upon them if they continued to reject His prophets.
When the Moabites rebelled against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, King Jehoram asked for help from Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. Together with the king of Edom, the three united to stop the Moabite rebellion. After the three kings and their armies had traveled together for seven days, they found themselves without water for the soldiers and animals.
Jehoshaphat, who was a follower of Jehovah, brought the other kings with him to Elisha for guidance. Elisha was irritated by the presence of Jehoram, whom he thought of as an idolatrous king. Elisha mockingly advised Jehoram to seek the counsel of the false prophets of his father, Ahab. A minstrel, or harpist, was then called to soothe Elisha, and he eventually agreed to seek the Lordās direction for the kings. The Israelites followed Elishaās inspired instructions and defeated the Moabites in battle.
Why were the womanās sons going to be sold as slaves?
Anciently, when a person was unable to pay a debt, the labor of the debtorās children could be used as payment for the debt. This is likely why the womanās sons were being sold as slaves. The law of Moses required that Israelites in bondage be treated the same as hired workers and released every seven years. However, the practice of debt slavery was often abused. The custom of paying off a debt through servitude was apparently still practiced in Jesusās time, as He referred to it in one of His parables.
The King James Version of the Bible uses the Greek word Syrian to refer to the Arameans, or the people of Aram. These were descendants of Shemās son Aram. The Old Testament describes many interactions and conflicts between the Israelites and the Syrians, beginning at the time of Abraham. The ancient nation of Syria was located mostly north of Israel. It was conquered by King David and remained under Israelite control until after the death of King Solomon. The Syriansā language, Aramaic, eventually became the prevailing language in the Holy Land and was the language Jesus Christ spoke. Syria was later conquered by both the Assyrians and the Romans.
What were some of the significant details about Naamanās healing?
Naaman was a military leader who was afflicted with leprosy. The term leprosy can refer to a variety of chronic skin diseases. Naamanās specific condition and its severity are not known.
This account highlights the faith and humility required for Naaman, āa mighty man in valour,ā to be healed. For example, servants of low social status helped guide Naaman to Elisha and encouraged him to follow the prophetās counsel. Additionally, Naaman expected Elisha to heal him directly and immediately rather than sending a messenger to instruct him to wash seven times in the muddy Jordan River.
Despite his initial resistance, Naaman demonstrated humility and faith in Jehovah by following Elishaās instructions. When he was healed, Naaman declared, āNow I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel.ā The Savior later used Naamanās example to rebuke His own people for their lack of belief in Him.
Why did Naaman want to carry loads of soil from Israel to Syria?
A common belief in many ancient cultures was that a god could be worshipped properly only within his own lands. Naaman wanted to bring Israelite soil into his homeland so he could feel justified in worshipping Jehovah there. Elisha told Naaman to go in peace, evidently accepting the sincerity of his conversion.
What can we learn about heavenly help from Elishaās experience with his servant?
Referring to Elisha and his servant being surrounded by the Syrian army, President JeffreyĀ R. Holland taught:
āIf Elisha is looking for a good time to be depressed, this is it.Ā ā¦ It is one prophet and one lad against the world. And the boy is petrified. He sees the enemy everywhereādifficulty and despair and problems and burdens everywhere.Ā ā¦ With faltering faith the boy cries, āAlas, my master! how shall we do?ā [2Ā Kings 6:15].
āAnd Elishaās reply?
āāFear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with themā [2Ā Kings 6:16].Ā ā¦
āIn the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strikeāand they willāyou remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abrahamās seed.ā
Illustration of Elisha showing his servant the chariots of fire
Naaman
JamesĀ E. Faust, āSome Great Thing,ā Ensign, Nov. 2001, 46ā49
Elishaās servant
RonaldĀ A. Rasband, āBe Not Troubled,ā Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 18ā21
MichelleĀ D. Craig, āEyes to See,ā Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 15ā17
Video
Images
Elijah Smites the River Jordan, by RobertĀ T. Barrett
Elisha Raising the Son of the Shunamite, by Frederic LeightonĀ / Leighton HouseĀ / Bridgeman Images
Stand as a Witness, by Kwani Povi Winder
āHe Would Recover Him,ā by Eva Timothy. Used with artistās permission.
At Riverās Edge, by Annie Henrie Nader
Illustration of Naaman being healed of leprosy, by Paul Mann
See MichaelĀ D. Coogan and others, eds., The New Oxford Annotated Bible: New Revised Standard Version, 5thĀ ed. (2018),Ā 582, note on 2Ā Kings 17:5ā6.
See Richard Neitzel Holzapfel and others, Jehovah and the World of the Old Testament: An Illustrated Reference for Latter-day Saints (2009), 249; 1Ā Nephi 1:13,Ā 18.
See āOld Testament Overview,ā in Come Follow MeāFor Home and Church: Old Testament 2026,Ā 8.
See EllisĀ T. Rasmussen, A Latter-day Saint Commentary on the Old Testament (1993),Ā 300. See also Lynne Hilton Wilson, āThe Holy Spirit: Creating, Anointing, and Empowering throughout the Old Testament,ā in The Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament, ed. D.Ā Kelly Ogden and others (2009), 260; KennethĀ L. Barker and others, eds., NIV Study Bible: Fully Revised Edition (2020),Ā 594, note on 2Ā Kings 2:9. Elijah had previously identified Elisha as his successor by placing his mantle upon Elisha while Elisha was plowing his fields (see 1Ā Kings 19:19ā21).
See 2Ā Kings 2:23, footnoteĀ a. The same Hebrew words used to describe the youths in this account are also used to describe Solomon after he became king (see 1Ā Kings 3:7) and Hadad the Edomite (see 1Ā Kings 11:14ā20; Tremper LongmanĀ III and MarkĀ L. Strauss, The Baker Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words [2023], āYoung Person, Youth,āĀ 928).
See Longman and Strauss, The Baker Expository Dictionary, āSkin Disease,āĀ 751. See also EarlĀ D. Radmacher and others, eds., NKJV Study Bible, 3rdĀ ed. (2018),Ā 541, note on 2Ā Kings 5:1.
Naamanās misunderstanding is similar to the Zoramitesā misunderstanding in the Book of Mormon. They felt God could be worshipped only on a holy stand in their synagogue. Alma corrected this misunderstanding by teaching that God could be worshipped from any location (see Alma 33:2ā11).
1.Day by day, Godās gracious love surrounds me As a balm to soothe my troubled heart. Countless cares and worries that confound me Fade away or quietly depart, For His heart is kind beyond all measure, And He comforts us as He knows best. Evāry day, with all its pain and pleasure, Mingles tears with peace and rest.
Verse
2.Day by day, the Lord is ever near me, Granting loving mercies for each hour, And my care He gladly bears, and cheers me With His counsel pure and holy powār. Iāll not fear for what may come tomorrow, Though the path ahead I cannot see. He assures that in all joy or sorrow, āAs thy days, thy strength shall be.ā
Verse
3.Help me rest in quiet consolation. Help me trust Thy promises, O Lord. When Iām faced with daily tribulation, Help me find the strength to live Thy word. Then, dear Lord, when toil and trouble find me, Hold me steadfast in Thy powārful hand. Day by day, Thy strength will bear me kindly Till I reach the promised land.
Text:Lina Sandell-Berg, 1865;Ā English transl. Andrew L. Skoog, 1921; alt.
The servant of Naamanās wife was an Israelite girl. The girl had faith in the Lord. She said that if Naaman could visit the prophet Elisha, Naaman would be cured from his disease.
Naaman came to Elishaās home with his servants, horses, and chariots. Elisha sent his servant to give Naaman the Lordās instructions. The Lord would heal Naaman if he washed himself in the Jordan River seven times.
Naaman was angry because he wanted the Lordās prophet to come out and quickly heal him. Naaman complained that the Jordan River was not as good as the great rivers in Syria.
But Naamanās servants asked why Naaman would not do such a simple task. Even if it didnāt make sense to Naaman, the prophet of the Lord had asked him to do it.
Naaman stopped being proud and listened to his servants. He washed himself in the Jordan River seven times. Then the Lord healed Naaman, like Elisha said. Naaman knew that Elisha was a prophet and that the Lord was real.
The Syrians did not like the Israelites. The Syrian king sent his army to capture Elisha the prophet. At night, the army surrounded the city where Elisha was.
Elishaās young servant woke up and saw the Syrian army. He asked Elisha what they should do. Elisha told the young man to not be afraid. He said that the army fighting for them was much bigger than the army fighting against them.
Elisha asked the Lord to show the young man what Elisha saw. The Lord showed him a heavenly army with horses and chariots of fire to protect them. The Syrian army was blinded by the power of God. They did not fight against the Israelites anymore.
Come, Follow Me Resources for Children: Old Testament 2026
July 6ā12
You can use these additional resources for children to help teach from each week to study the Old Testament using Come, Follow Me. Choose whichever stories, activities, or videos work best for you.
After helping your children understand what a miracle is, invite them to list as many examples of miracles as they can. Pictures in the Gospel Art Book or Come, Follow Me can help. Then they could look for miracles in 2Ā Kings 4:1ā7, 14ā17, 32ā35, 38ā44. What do these miracles teach about Heavenly Father?
You and your children could talk about how God has shown His love through miracles. You could also sing together a song such as āGodās Gracious Loveā (Hymns for Home and Church, Gospel Library).
2Ā Kings 5:1ā15 — I can choose to do what God commands through His prophet.
Help your children learn the story in 2Ā Kings 5:1ā3, 9ā14. Consider using āElisha Heals Naamanā (in Old Testament Stories, 134ā37) or the picture of Naaman in this weekās outline. Why didnāt Naaman want to wash in the Jordan River, even though Elisha said that this would heal his disease? How was Naaman blessed when he followed Elishaās instructions? You might share with each other experiences when you obeyed the Lord, even when you werenāt sure you wanted to.
You might also emphasize 2Ā Kings 5:13, where Naamanās servants helped him decide to obey the prophet Elisha. Your children could then talk about ways they can help their friends or family members listen to and obey the prophet.
2Ā Kings 6:8ā17 — I am not alone.
You and your children could imagine you are surrounded by an army with swords, horses, and chariots. How would you feel? What would you do? Your children could then close their eyes while you read 2Ā Kings 6:16ā17 to them. (See also āElisha and the Lordās Army,ā in Old Testament Stories, 138ā39, or the picture at the end of this outline.) When you get to the words āopen his eyesā (verseĀ 17), ask the children to open their eyes. Talk about what the servant saw. Share with your children ways you have felt that the Lord was with you during your challenges, even when it seemed like you were alone.
For more, see this monthās issue of the Friend magazine.
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