Nehemiah 5 - Esther

Peter introduces himself as -

"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father..." (New Testament 1 Peter 1:2)

This verse suggests that he was "elect" or ordained to be elect before this earth life. Speaking of those that were ordained priests unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God, Alma teaches the same as Peter -

"And this is the manner after which they were ordained—being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works..." (Book of Mormon Alma 13:3)

This is evident as the Lord tells Jeremiah -

"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." (Old Testament Jeremiah 1:5)

Abraham saw -

"...the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;
23 And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born." (Pearl of Great Price Abraham 3:22 - 23)

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught -

"Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was. I suppose that I was ordained to this very office in that Grand Council." (Teachings of Joseph Smith, p. 365.)

It is in the story of Esther that the same principle of foreordination is taught, but in this case suggesting that it also applies to all God's children including women. Esther was blessed with such natural beauty that when means was provided where -

"...every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house." (Old Testament Esther 2:13)

That Esther -

"...required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her." (Old Testament Esther 2:15)

Even -

"...the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head..." (Old Testament Esther 2:17)

After being offended by Esther's cousin, Mordecai -

"...Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.
9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed..." (Old Testament Esther 3:8 - 9)

The king agrees, not knowing Esther was also a jew, and sends out a decree according to the wishes of Haman. Seeing that the destruction of all his people, Mordecai appeals to Esther -

"...Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.
14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed..." (Old Testament Esther 4:13 - 14)

And then Mordecai suggests to Esther with her great gift of beauty that she was foreordained to who present status to save the jewish people saying -

"...and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Old Testament Esther 4:14)

Being, as Abraham describes, as one of the noble and great ones tells Mordecai -

"Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish." (Old Testament Esther 4:16)

And trusting in the Lord, where others would be condemned to die -

"...Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight..." (Old Testament Esther 5:1 - 2)

This great act of faith eventually lead to the rejection of the kings decree and the hangin of Haman. Not much more is spoken of Esther but because of actions -

"...Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed." (Old Testament Esther 10:3)

Ezra 8 - Nehemiah 4

Both Ezra and Nehemiah demonstrate the great principle of trusting in the Lord. Ezra was given the charge by Artaxerxes -

"...to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,
16 And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem..." (Old Testament Ezra 7:15 - 16)

Ezra was concerned with such a great value of treasure and delivering it to Jerusalem safely so he tells us -

"...I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
22 For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him." (Old Testament Ezra 8:21 - 22)

We learn that -

“Ezra’s party of over 1700 includes priests, people and, somewhat reluctantly, Levites. With them they take gifts valuing more than £1,000,000 [about $2,225,000]. Ezra is faced with a long and dangerous journey at a time of great unrest. And having boasted his confidence in God, he can hardly now apply to the king for an escort! His prayer is heartfelt, and his faith rewarded by God’s own safe-conduct.” (Alexander and Alexander, Eerdmans’ Handbook, p. 308.)

Ezra encourages those he was with -

"...Ye are holy unto the LORD; the vessels are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering unto the LORD God of your fathers.
29 Watch ye, and keep them, until ye weigh them before the chief of the priests and the Levites, and chief of the fathers of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the LORD." (Old Testament Ezra 8:28 - 29)

Ezra later records -

"Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.
32 And we came to Jerusalem..." (Old Testament Ezra 8:31 - 32)

Nehemiah served as the cupbearer to the King because he was trustworthy. He was allowed to returne to Jerusalem to build the wall and gates. The Samarians were not thrilled with the fact that Nehemiah and his people were strengthening the walls and the gates for -

"...when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
2 And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?" (Old Testament Nehemiah 4:1 - 2)

So they planned -

"...Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall." (Old Testament Nehemiah 4:3)

And Nehemiah encouraged his people to trust in the Lord for when they -

"...conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.
9 Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them." (Old Testament Nehemiah 4:8 - 9)

I noticed that they didn't pray only but also did all they could. And in addition -

"Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses." (Old Testament Nehemiah 4:13 - 14)

It is interesting that just yesterday I had read the words of Moroni. Compare his words to that of Nehemiah understanding that the Nephites did not have the words of Nehemiah -

"And they were doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their God; for the Lord had said unto them, and also unto their fathers, that: Inasmuch as ye are not guilty of the first offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain by the hands of your enemies.
47 And again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed. Therefore for this cause were the Nephites contending with the Lamanites, to defend themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion." (Book of Mormon Alma 43:46 - 47)

Nehemiah writes that -

"...when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.
16 And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.
17 They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.
18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded..." (Old Testament Nehemiah 4:15 - 18)

They continued their diligent work, trusting in the Lord as Nehemiah encouraged -

"...our God shall fight for us." (Old Testament Nehemiah 4:20)

Regarding trusting in the Lord, Brigham Young wrote -

“The mysterious and invisible hand (so called) of Providence is manifested in all the works of God. Who of this congregation can realise for one moment, that the Lord would notice so trifling an affair as the hairs you have combed from your heads this morning? Yet it is so, not one hair has fallen to the ground without the notice of our Father in heaven. To convince the ancient Apostles of His care over them, Jesus selected the most trifling things, in their estimation, to illustrate to their minds that the least thing escaped not His notice. Said he—’Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without the knowledge of your Father. But the very hairs of your head are numbered.’

“Can we realize how this Providence governs and controls the nations of the earth, and marks out the destinies of individual man? If we have not learned these lessons they are before us, and we have them yet to learn. If we have not yet learned that poverty, sickness, pain, want, disappointment, losses, crosses, or even death, should not move us one hair’s breadth from the service of God, or separate us from the principles of eternal life, it is a lesson we have to learn. If we have not learned how to handle the things of this world in the light of salvation, we have it yet to learn. Though we have mountains of gold and silver, and stores of precious things heaped up, and could control the elements, and command the cattle on a thousand hills, if we have not learned that every iota of it should be devoted to the building up of the kingdom of God on earth, it is a lesson yet to learn.” (In Journal of Discourses, 1:336.)

Ezra 1 - 7

In just a few verses at the end of the last chapter of 2 Chronicles of Judah -

"...them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia..." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 36:20)

Then the prophecy of Jeremiah is mentioned -

until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 36:21)

And in the very next verse, the 70 years is fulfulled and -

"...in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
23 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 36:22 - 23)

Cyrus, though not of Israel, must have been of the character to receive the inspirations of the Holy Ghost even to the point that he testifies -

"Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah." (Old Testament Ezra 1:2)

In response to this charge -

"...Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem..." (Old Testament Ezra 1:5)

You can sense that Cyrus is on a mission as he challenges those that choose not to go up to Jerusalem, that is -

"...whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem." (Old Testament Ezra 1:4)

In addition -

"...Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;
8 Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth..." (Old Testament Ezra 1:7 - 8)

Many years before, Isaiah prophecied of the works of Cyrus saying -

"That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid." (Old Testament Isaiah 44:28)

And -

"THUS saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut..." (Old Testament Isaiah 45:1)

I wonder how Cyrus must have felt when probably the religious leaders of Judah showed him Isaiah's prophecies of his proclamation. Probably much like Joseph Smith as he translated the Book of Mormon regarding the prophecies of Joseph. Parley P. Pratt once described the character of the Prophet Joseph Smith with -

“the boldness, courage, temperance, perseverance and generosity of a Cyrus.” (Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt [Deseret Book Company, 1938], p. 46.)

President Wilford Woodruff said -

“Now I have thought many times that some of those ancient kings that were raised up, had in some respects more regard for the carrying out of some of these principles and laws, than even the Latter-day Saints have in our day. I will take as an ensample Cyrus. … To trace the life of Cyrus from his birth to his death, whether he knew it or not, it looked as though he lived by inspiration in all his movements. He began with that temperance and virtue which would sustain any Christian country or any Christian king. … Many of these principles followed him, and I have thought many of them were worthy, in many respects, the attention of men who have the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 22, p. 207.)

The words of Orson Whitney brings much of the life of Cyrus to light -

“Perhaps the Lord needs such men on the outside of His Church to help it along...they are among its auxiliaries, and can do more good for the cause where the Lord has placed them, than anywhere else. … Hence, some are drawn into the fold and receive a testimony of the truth; while others remain unconverted … the beauties and glories of the gospel being veiled temporarily from their view, for a wise purpose. The Lord will open their eyes in His own due time. God is using more than one people for the accomplishment of His great and marvelous work. The Latter-day Saints cannot do it all. It is too vast, too arduous for any one people. … We have no quarrel with the Gentiles. They are our partners in a certain sense.” (Conference Report, April 1928, p. 59.)

President Ezar Taft Benson said -

"God, the Father of us all, uses the men of the earth, especially good men, to accomplish his purposes. It has been true in the past, it is true today, it will be true in the future." (Ezra Taft Benson, “Civic Standards for the Faithful Saints,” Ensign, July 1972, 59)

2 Chronicles 32 - 36

"Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 36:11)

The window of the rule of Zedekiah was not very long, only eleven years. And during those years -

"...he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 36:12)

Not only did Zedekiah do wickedly but even -

"...all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 36:14)

It was during this brief period that -

"...the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place..." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 36:15)

Lehi, living during this period, prayed unto the Lord. And -

"...as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard he did quake and tremble exceedingly..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 1:6)

After such a great vision, being exhausted, he returned home and cast himself upon his bed, and -

"...being overcome with the Spirit and the things which he had seen.
8 And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God.
9 And it came to pass that he saw One descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that his luster was above that of the sun at noon-day.
10 And he also saw twelve others following him, and their brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament.
11 And they came down and went forth upon the face of the earth; and the first came and stood before my father, and gave unto him a book, and bade him that he should read.
12 And it came to pass that as he read, he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord."...(Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 1:7 - 12)

And upon reading the book, Lehi exclaims -

"...Wo, wo, unto Jerusalem, for I have seen thine abominations! Yea, and many things did my father read concerning Jerusalem—that it should be destroyed, and the inhabitants thereof; many should perish by the sword, and many should be carried away captive into Babylon." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 1:13)

And with this great knowledge, the Lord sends Lehi as a messenger and -

"...he went forth among the people, and began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 1:18)

"...But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 36:16)

Nephi also records as his father delivered his message -

"...the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them; for he truly testified of their wickedness and their abominations; and he testified that the things which he saw and heard, and also the things which he read in the book, manifested plainly of the coming of a Messiah, and also the redemption of the world.
20 And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 1:19 - 20)

Becausethe Jews would not repent, the Lord -

"...brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand.
18 And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 36:17 - 18)

But because of Lehi's willingness to be the Lord's messenger, the Lord tells him -

"...Blessed art thou Lehi, because of the things which thou hast done; and because thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold, they seek to take away thy life.
2 And it came to pass that the Lord commanded my father, even in a dream, that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 2:1 - 2)

And with that Lehi comes to realize -

"...I have obtained a land of promise, in the which things I do rejoice..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 5:5)

2 Chronicles 26 - 31

Hezekiah is a great example of what great impact a righteous leader can have on a nation and people. Moroni told Pahoran -

"...Now I would that ye should remember that God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also." (Book of Mormon Alma 60:23)

This is exactly what Hezekiah did for -

"...in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them.
4 And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the east street,
5 And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 29:3 - 5)

And to those to whom were given authority to administer in the ordinances, he tells them -

"My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him..." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 29:11)

And in obedience -

"...they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 29:15)

And after the temple was cleansed, Hezekiah went to the temple and -

"...the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 29:29)

Hezekiah followed -

"...Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the LORD...So the service of the house of the LORD was set in order.
36 And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 29:31 - 36)

Hezekiah did not end there with his people but reached out to other nations and -

"...sent to all Israel and Judah...that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 30:1)

With this challenge -

"...be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God..." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 30:8)

Of course, like today, there were those that -

"..laughed them to scorn, and mocked them." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 30:10)

But there were still those that -

"...humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 30:11)

And those that came and heard -

"...rejoiced.
26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.
27 ¶ Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 30:25 - 27)

It becomes apparent that a might change had taken place in their hearts as -

"...the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the fields; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly...they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 31:5 - 6)

"And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 31:20 - 21)

2 Chronicles 18 - 25

After the passing of King Asa -

"...Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead..." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 17:1)

"And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he...sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 17:3 - 4)

And because his heart was in following the ways fo the Lord -

"...the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 17:5)

Not only did Jehoshaphat seek the Lord, but he sent -

"...priests.
9 And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 17:9)

At one time during the reign of Jehoshaphat -

"...the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 20:1)

And when he learned of the greatness of this army -

"...Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD..." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 20:3)

Even the point that he -

"...proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah..." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 20:3)

"And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 20:13)

At the temple, Jehosaphat prayed -

"O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
7 Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?
8 And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,
9 If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 20:6 - 9)

"...for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 20:12)

It is then that -

"...upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah...came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;
15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.
16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 20:14 - 17)

Thus Believing a prophet of God -

"...Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.
19 And the Levites...stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 20:18 - 19)

So -

"...they rose early in the morning, and went forth...and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 20:20)

What a wonderful statement! Still believing -

"And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 20:21)

"And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.
24 And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 20:22 - 24)

Jehosaphat had said that if they believed in the prophets they would prosper. It is interesting that -

"...when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 20:25)

We have the words of ancient prophets in the scriptures. We hear the words of modern prophets today as we sustain the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators. The promise of Jehosaphat holds true - as we believe in the prophets, so shall we prosper.

2 Chronicles 10 - 17

After the passing of Solomon, his son, Rehoboam reigned in his stead. Then –

“… Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying,
4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.” (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 10:3 - 4)

In answer the request, Rehoboam responds –

“…Come again unto me after three days…” (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 10:5)

He then pursues –

“…counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?” (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 10:6)

These “old men” had served many years and must have acquired a great deal of wisdom how to motivate and effectively govern people. Their counsel was –

“…If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.” (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 10:7)

Sounds like great counsel. Rehoboam also counsels with “young men” in what he should do. I’m sure these “young men” were his friends or his buddies. Knowing young men, I’m sure they looked at it from the point of view - how will this affect my own prosperity and good life. It was all about taxation and what they could do with thes funds. These young men counseled –

“…Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.
11 For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.” (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 10:10 - 11)

Being young, how could Rehobaom reject the counsel of “the buds”. He chooses to follow the counsel of the “young men” which led to the seceding of Israel and the dividing of two kingdoms. I’m sure the “young men” never received what that hoped for.

Elder Merrill Bateman made some interesting comments in a recent CES Fireside –

“As one experiences the downhill portion of later life, the inevitable aches and pains serve an important purpose. They help one put off King Benjamin’s “natural man [or woman]” as we learn to yield to the “enticings of the Holy Spirit” (Mosiah 3:19). The aches and pains of later life teach humility, the meaning of long-suffering, the importance of patience, and an appreciation for the qualities of kindness and love, and they help one learn moderation in all things. It’s interesting. These are the divine attributes. For the faithful, the slow deterioration of the body serves as a refining instrument for the spirit.”
In April 2006 General Priesthood Session, President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke of the need for greater kindness and said –

“…When a man grows old he develops a softer touch, a kindlier manner. I have thought of this much of late….”

He told of the Prophet Joseph Smith –

“William W. Phelps, who was close to the Prophet Joseph, betrayed him in 1838, which led to Joseph's incarceration in Missouri. Recognizing the great evil of the thing he had done, Brother Phelps wrote to the Prophet, asking forgiveness. The Prophet replied in part as follows:
"It is true, that we have suffered much in consequence of your behavior—the cup of gall, already full enough for mortals to drink, was indeed filled to overflowing when you turned against us. . . .
"However, the cup has been drunk, the will of our Father has been done, and we are yet alive, for which we thank the Lord. . . .
"Believing your confession to be real, and your repentance genuine, I shall be happy once again to give you the right hand of fellowship, and rejoice over the returning prodigal.
"Your letter was read to the Saints last Sunday, and an expression of their feeling was taken, when it was unanimously Resolved, That W. W. Phelps should be received into fellowship.
" 'Come on, dear brother, since the war is past,
" 'For friends at first, are friends again at last' " (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 165–66).

President Hinckley finished with –

“…There is no end to the good we can do, to the influence we can have with others. Let us not dwell on the critical or the negative. Let us pray for strength; let us pray for capacity and desire to assist others. Let us radiate the light of the gospel at all times and all places, that the Spirit of the Redeemer may radiate from us….”

2 Chronicles 6 - 9

After Solomon had finished and dedicated the temple -

"...the LORD appeared to Solomon by night..." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 7:12)

and told him -

"...I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice..." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 7:12)

All of Israel now had the benefit and blessings of the Lord's house in Jerusalem. The Savior himself had visibly come to the temple The Savior, during his mortal ministry taught -

"...For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required." (New Testament Luke 12:48)

But nonetheless, the Lord has said -

"...as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me..." (Book of Mormon Mosiah 26:30)

These principles become evident in the Lord's appearance to Solomon. In that Israel was given so much The Lord suggests to Solomon -

"...If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people..." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 7:13)

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land..." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 7:14)

The people called by my name are them that -

"...under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.
9 And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ." (Book of Mormon Mosiah 5:8 - 9)

For the Lord has-

"...chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 7:16)

And if those that have taken upon them his name -

"...turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you..." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 7:19)

He tells Solomon -

"Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations.
21 And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house?
22 And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers..." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 7:20 - 22)

2 Chronicles 1 - 5

As I have studied the Old Testament, I have not found any reference to the word "baptize" or baptism. What is interesting is that as the gospels of the New Testament begin we read that -

"...John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." (New Testament Mark 1:4)

It is obvious that Jesus did not teach John about baptism nor does it appear that this practice was in the least unusual. The gospel writers seem to write that baptism is a common practice. We know that baptism was an established practice in Old Testament times for -

"...when the Lord had spoken with Adam, our father, that Adam cried unto the Lord, and he was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was brought forth out of the water.
65 And thus he was baptized, and the Spirit of God descended upon him, and thus he was born of the Spirit, and became quickened in the inner man." (Pearl of Great Price Moses 6:64 - 65)

Also -

"...Noah continued his preaching unto the people, saying: Hearken, and give heed unto my words;
24 Believe and repent of your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, even as our fathers, and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost, that ye may have all things made manifest..." (Pearl of Great Price Moses 8:23 - 24)

Even Enoch tells that he was commanded that he -

"...should baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, which is full of grace and truth, and of the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and the Son." (Pearl of Great Price Moses 7:11)

So why is there no direct reference to baptism in the Old Testament? I don't know other than I am convinced that baptism was generally practiced in Old Testament times. I would have to assume that writers and translators must have removed any reference to the word of baptism for whatever purpose.

As I read of the building of the temple of Jerusalem, I read that Solomon -

"...made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
3 And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.
4 It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 4:2 - 4)

What is interesting is Solomon -

"...made also ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them: such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in them..." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 4:6)

"...but the sea was for the priests to wash in..." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 4:6)

The whole purpose of the sea was to wash in. It was the priests as John the Baptist that were given authority to wash or to "baptize". I wonder if that verse could also be written as -

"...but the sea was for the priests to [baptize] in..." (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 4:6)

That being the case, the molten sea was nothing less than a baptismal font.

1 Chronicles 23 - 29

King David shared his feelings with Nathan the prophet -

"...I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains..." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 17:1)

David recognized the Lord had -

"...not dwelt in an house since the day that[He] brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 17:5)

He desired greatly to build a House of the Lord as he told the people -

"...I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:
3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 28:2 - 3)

And to Solomon before all his people, David says -

"...Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
10 Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 28:9 - 10)

David had been preparing for many years and making ready for the building of the temple. He even

"...gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,
12 And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things..." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 28:11 - 12)

Even to the vessels and instruments and so forth. David then testifies -

"...the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 28:19)

But what really impressed me was when David asked -

"...And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?" (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 29:5)

"Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king's work, offered willingly,
7 And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 29:6 - 7)

The true blessing of sacrifice is manifest as -

"...the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD..." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 29:9)

1 Chronicles 8 - 22

As I have been reading the Old Testament, I have also been reading the Book of Mormon. This morning, I just happened upon two somewhat related counsel of father and son in both books. David who in the past had demonstrated great faith and trust in the Lord but had seemed to fall from such trust as -

"...Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 21:1)

Where David had always relied upon the Lord in all matters, it appears now his faith was waning as he asked -

"...Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel..." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 21:2)

And because of that -

"...God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 21:7)

David Confesses to the Lord -

"...I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 21:8)

And after great pestilence amongst Israel, David repented -

"And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.
27 And the LORD commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof."
(Old Testament 1 Chronicles 21:26 - 27)

Now as David had errored at times in his life, notice the counsel to his son Solomon -

Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou...Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.
13 Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 22:11 - 13)

Alma confesses to Helaman -

"...I went about with the sons of Mosiah, seeking to destroy the church of God..." (Book of Mormon Alma 36:6)

And after a visitation of an angel and sore repentence being -

"...racked with eternal torment, for my soul was harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all my sins." (Book of Mormon Alma 36:12)

And -

"...as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.
19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.
20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!" (Book of Mormon Alma 36:18 - 20)

And after he repented, notice the words of Alma to his son Helaman in comparison to David and Solomon -

"....inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land..." (Book of Mormon Alma 36:30)

"...O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.
36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day." (Book of Mormon Alma 37:35 - 37)