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Adversity

David and Moroni

Afflictions can either embitter us or humble us, depending on how we choose to respond to them. David and Moroni are both examples of military leaders who maintained their faith in God in spite of the complex impact of war on their souls.

Friendship

David and Jonathan

Jonathan and David shared a special bond. Jonathan felt no animosity toward the man who would replace his father on the throne. David was faithful to the covenant they made with each other. Like Alma and the sons of Mosiah, their friendship was anchored in humility and faithfulness to God.

Faith

David and Ammon

Both David and Ammon trusted God’s promise to fight their battles. Both of them faced formidable enemies, and in both cases, the king they served was impressed with their victory. But Saul reacted with jealousy while Lamoni humbled himself, leading to a miraculous conversion. Miracles follow faith, and with humility, conversion can follow miracles.

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  • The Battle Is the Lord’s

    King David Enthroned, by Jerry Harston

    From a humble shepherd, David grew to become the most honored king in Israel’s history. Hundreds of years later, the kingdom of Judah was still ruled by “the house of David” (Isaiah 7:2; 2 Nephi 17:2).

    How did he accomplish this? As the record continually reminds us, he didn’t do it. The Lord did. Long before becoming king, David understood this, as he courageously testified to Goliath, “The Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47). Many years later, after becoming king of Israel, David needed to be reminded of this fact. “I took thee from the sheepcote,” the Lord told him, “from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel” (2 Samuel 7:8). Then, He added, “Thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever” (2 Samuel 7:16).

    David’s kingdom eventually fell to the Babylonian empire in about 587 BC. But as Isaiah had previously prophesied, that was not the end. His dynasty would continue in an unexpected way:

    For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
    Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.

    Isaiah 9:6-7; compare 2 Nephi 19:6-7

    This prophecy was fulfilled centuries later, when an angel visited a young woman in Nazareth who was engaged to “a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David” (Luke 1:27). The Savior’s eternal victory over death and sin is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise that David’s house would endure forever.

    Perhaps that’s why the version of Isaiah’s prophecy recorded in the Book of Mormon uses present instead of future tense: “Of the increase of government and peace there is no end” (2 Nephi 19:7; italics added).

    This week, as we study David’s rise to power, let’s consider how God was building his leadership and legacy through both his triumphs and his trials.

FEATURED POSTS

  • A Hundredth Part: Mormon’s Editorial Decisions

    A Hundredth Part: Mormon’s Editorial Decisions

    Book of Mormon authors made it clear how much they were leaving out as they wrote this “abridgment” of their history. Here’s a diagram showing how many words are dedicated to each of the 103 decades in the book.

  • Jesus Christ’s Sermon at the Temple in Bountiful – 3 Nephi 12-16, 20-22

    Jesus Christ’s Sermon at the Temple in Bountiful – 3 Nephi 12-16, 20-22

    Following His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ visited a group of people in the Americas. He taught them principles to help them deepen their discipleship, and He expanded their perspective by teaching them about God’s global, multigenerational work.

  • Names and Titles of Jesus Christ

    Names and Titles of Jesus Christ

    In March, 2019, I studied 20 different names or titles of Jesus Christ which appear in the Book of Mormon. I was particularly interested in the way each name was used, both in the Book of Mormon and in the Bible.