In your desperate moment of need who do you turn to? And what has worked? Today’s discussion talks about the desperate moments during the time of kings in the Old Testament books of Chronicles. We’ll find some remarkable stories about what works and some unexpected ways the people received help from the Lord.
Segment 1
Scriptures:
2 Chronicles 20:15 (We are in God’s battle)
Moses 1:39 (God’s work)
2 Chronicles 14:11-15 (No man can prevail)
Segment 2
Scriptures:
2 Chronicles 36:22-23 (Cliffhanger ending)
Books of Chronicles Recap:
1 Chronicles 1-9 (Genealogies)
1 Chronicles 10-29 (After Saul dies/stories of David)
2 Chronicles 1-9 (King Solomon)
2 Chronicles 10-35 (Kings and the 10 Tribes)
2 Chronicles 36 (King Nebuchadnezzar)
Words of the General Authorities:
The Lord will return to the land that He made holy by His mission there in mortality. In triumph, He will come again to Jerusalem. In royal robes of red to symbolize His blood, which oozed from every pore, He shall return to the Holy City (see Doctrine and Covenants 133:46–48). There and elsewhere, “the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5; see also Doctrine and Covenants 101:23). His “name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). (Russell M. Nelson, “The Future of the Church: Preparing the World for the Savior’s Second Coming”, April 2020 Ensign)
Segment 3
Scriptures:
2 Chronicles 15:15 (Whole desire)
2 Chronicles 15:4 (God was found)
2 Chronicles 26:5 (As long as we seek the Lord)
Matthew 6:33 (Seek first the kingdom of God)
CR: 3 Nephi 13:33
Words of the General Authorities:
The scriptures offer us so many doctrinal diamonds. And when the light of the Spirit plays upon their several facets, they sparkle with celestial sense and illuminate the path we are to follow.
Our desires profoundly affect the use of our moral agency…Desire denotes a real longing or craving. Hence righteous desires are much more than passive preferences or fleeting feelings. (Neal A. Maxwell, “According to the Desire of [Our] Hearts”, October 1996 General Conference)
Contrary to the doubts of some, there really is such a thing as right and wrong. There really is absolute truth—eternal truth. (Russell M. Nelson, “Pure Truth, Pure Doctrine, and Pure Revelation”, October 2021 General Conference)
Study Helps:
Let us here observe, that three things are necessary, in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation. First, The idea that he actually exists. Secondly, A correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes. Thirdly, An actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing, is according to his will. (Lectures on Faith, Section 3, as printed in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants, josephsmithpapers.org)
Segment 4
Scriptures:
1 Chronicles 18:6-7 (Is there a prophet)
1 Chronicles 18:21-22 (Disaster for Ahab)
2 Nephi 2:11-14 (Opposition to choose from)
Words of the General Authorities:
You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that ‘the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory.’ (D&C 21:6) (Harold B. Lee, Conference Report, October 1970 General Conference)
Much of the world does not believe this, but public opinion is not the arbiter of truth. (Russell M. Nelson, “Think Celestial!”, October 2023 General Conference)
I was halfway up the graveled walk when there came to my eyesight a striking motto, carved in stone: “Whate’er thou art, act well thy part.” I repeated it to Elder Johnston as we walked into town to find a place for our lodgings before we began our work. We walked quietly, but I said to myself, or the Spirit within me whispered, “You are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. More than that, you are a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. You accepted the responsibility as a representative of the Church.” (David O. McKay, “Pres. McKay Speaks to Pioneer Stake Youth,” Church News, 21 September 1957, as relayed by Sharon G. Samuelson, “Act Well Thy Part”, BYU Speeches delivered on January 5, 2010)
Segment 5
Scriptures:
2 Chronicles 20:3-4 (Fasting for the Lord’s help)
2 Chronicles 20:6-12 (Jehoshaphat’s prayer)
2 Chronicles 20:13 (All of Judah, including children)
2 Chronicles 20:15-17 (The Lord is with us)
Segment 6
Scriptures:
2 Chronicles 20:20-22 (Jehoshaphat’s prayer)
2 Chronicles 15:14 (With a loud voice and trumpets)
D&C 25:12 (Song of the heart)
Gird up your loins; fresh courage take.
Our God will never us forsake;
(“Come, Come, Ye Saints”, Hymns #30)
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come.
His grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
(“Amazing Grace”, Hymns for Home and Church #1010)
It is well, it is well with my soul.
(“It Is Well with My Soul”, Hymns for Home and Church #1003)
Read the transcript here.