Old Testament 301 Day 12

Total number of missionaries serving: 85,039 (as of March 31)
Number of those who have received calls: 14,375 (as of March 31)
Number of those that are working with their stake president or bishop in the process somewhere in the process:  6,306 (as of March 31)
Number (or percentage) of Sisters and Elders:  64% Elders, 28% Sisters, 8% Seniors

Book of the Week: "The Old Testament With The Joseph Smith Translation" Julie and Steven Hite

1 Samuel- Look for the contrast between Samuel and Samson and Saul. Originally 1 and 2 Samuel were one book. They were divided at the time of the Septuagint that was adopted by the Latin Vulgate.

1. Elkanah (אֱלְקָנָה‎  "God has purchased") He was of the tribe of Levi (I Chron. 6:16-28). Peninnah means pearl or corral. Hannah means "grace" or "favored".

Shiloh was one of the main centers of Israelite worship during the pre-monarchic period, by virtue of the Tent Shrine being there, and by virtue of the Ark of the Covenant being kept there. The people made 3 annual pilgrimages there for major feasts and sacrifices.

Vs. 11 "Faithful daughters of God desire children. In the scriptures we read of Eve (see Moses 4:26), Sarah (see Genesis 17:16), Rebekah (see Genesis 24:60), and Mary (see 1 Nephi 11:13–20), who were foreordained to be mothers before children were born to them. Some women are not given the responsibility of bearing children in mortality, but just as Hannah of the Old Testament prayed fervently for her child (see 1 Samuel 1:11), the value women place on motherhood in this life and the attributes of motherhood they attain here will rise with them in the Resurrection (see D&C 130:18). Women who desire and work toward that blessing in this life are promised they will receive it for all eternity, and eternity is much, much longer than mortality. There is eternal influence and power in motherhood."(Julie Beck. CR, Oct. 2007-Mothers Who Know)

Alma 34:26-27- Pour out your whole souls

Vs. 20 - The name Samuel means, "heard of God."

2:1-10 - Hannah's song of thanksgiving is similar to Mary's (Magnificat)in Luke 1:46-55  and Zacharia's (Benedictus) in Luke 1:68-79)

Vs. 3 - 3 Nephi 27:14-15 - "I will draw all man unto me, that they may be judged according to their works."

Vs. 9 - Up to the time that “Mormonism” came to me, I did earnestly pray, if there was God (and I believed there was), “Lord God, thou who gavest the Scriptures, who spake to Abraham, and revealed thyself to Moses and the ancients, keep my feet that they may not be entangled in the snares of folly.” So far as the Spirit went, its application and enjoyment were all right with me; but with regard to doctrine, I did not then see any that altogether suited me. I said, Let me pray about this matter, the Gospel, and feel right about it before I embrace it. I could not more honestly and earnestly have prepared myself to go into eternity than I did to come into this Church; and when I had ripened everything in my mind, I drank it in, and not till then. From that day to this, it is all right with me. I am more and more encouraged, because I can see the hand of the Lord more clearly and distinctly than I did no longer than two years ago. (BYoung April 6, 1860, JD 8)

Vs. 12, 17, 22, 25, 29, 34.- Compare Eli's discipline with Alma's with Corianton in Alma 39:1-14.

Joseph Fielding Smith called those who attack the Book of Mormon, "Sons of Belial" (worthless)

3:1 - Precious = rare and valuable - " In Moses’ day, a generous God let his doctrine “drop as the rain.” (Deut. 32:2.) In Eli’s day, however, “there was no open vision.” (1 Sam. 3:1.) In Joseph Smith’s day, there was a “pouring down” of “knowledge from heaven” (D&C 121:33), a cascade of “plain and precious” truths, including the pivotal doctrine of the premortal existence of man. (See 1 Ne. 13:39–40.)" (NAMaxwell- CR. Oct. 1985) Mormon 1:13-14; JSH 1:21

Vs. 9- A great response

Vs. 13-I am inspired every time I read these courageous words from Alma: “And now the Spirit of the Lord doth say unto me: Command thy children to do good … ; therefore I command you, my son, in the fear of God, that ye refrain from your iniquities” (Alma 39:12). This early intervention by his father became a turning point for Corianton. He repented and served faithfully thereafter (see Alma 42:31; 43:1–2).

Contrast Alma’s example with that of another father from the scriptures, Eli in the Old Testament. Eli served as the high priest in Israel during the childhood of Samuel the prophet. The scriptures explain that the Lord rebuked him severely “because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not” (1 Samuel 3:13). Eli’s sons never did repent, and all of Israel suffered because of their folly. The story of Eli teaches us that parents who love their children cannot afford to be intimidated by them. (Larry Lawrence CR-Oct. 2010)

Vs. 19-  "You need have no fear that when of the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ delivers a prophecy in the name of Jesus Christ, because he is ilnspired to do that, that it will fall by the wayside. I know of more than one prophecy, which, looking at it naturally, seemed as though it would fall to the ground as year after year passed. But lo and behold, in the providences of the Lord, that prophecy was fulfilled. (HJGrant, Gospel Standards, p. 68)

4 - The ark is lost and so is Eli and his two sons.

5-6

Dagon. “The God of the Philistines (Judg. 16:23; 1 Sam. 5:2; 1 Macc. 10:84; 12:2). There were temples of Dagon at Gaza and Ashdod. … His image was in the form partly of a man and partly of a fish. Some recent writers, however, question whether Dagon was really a fish-god, and connect the name with dagan, ‘grain.’”

The severity of the disease and the fact that rodents were involved lead many scholars to conclude that what smote the Philistines was bubonic plague. Bubonic plague gets its name from the buboes, or tumorous swellings, in the lymph glands. These tumors settle particularly in the area of the groin. This fact would explain the “secret parts” mentioned in 1 Samuel 5:9. It is well known that rats and mice are the main carriers of this disease, for the fleas that transmit the disease to man live on rodents. The disease is accompanied by great suffering and pain, and the fatality rate may run as high as 70 percent in a week’s time. Small wonder that the Philistines were anxious to return the ark to Israel.

6:19-21-

 7:1-2- The ark is returned to Israel. It stayed in Kirjath-jearim for 20 years.

Samuel led Israel in a return to the Lord. The Lord fought their battles and the Philistines were no problem to Israel while Samuel was their prophet.

8-The best kind of government is a Theocracy which is a government of God through his ministers. Israel used Samuel's wayward offspring as an excuse to ask for a king so they could be like the other nations. Vs. 20. Saul told the people what to expect from the rule of a King: Taxes, Service, land loss. Mosiah 29:16-18, 21-25

9:2 What kind of man was Saul? "Saul listened to and followed the counsel of his father's servant (9:5-10. He showed trust in the prophet Samuel (9:18-25) and humility as he followed Samuel's words (9:20-21). He prophesied in the name of Jehovah (10:6-10), forgave his critics (11:13), and acknowledged the Lord's hand in the Israelite victory over the Ammonites (11:11). (Black p. 104)

Vs. 9 - A seer. See Mosiah 8:13-17 & Joseph Smith meeting Newel K. Whitney (HC 1:145-6)

"a" captain JST

10:1-Saul anointed Captain-The Lord is to be King

Vs. 9- Saul prophesies with the Prophets and is given a new heart.

Vs. 24- The people call him a king. The Lord still wants to be the King. Vs. 25 &  Dt. 17:14-20.

Vs.  26, 27

11- Saul at his finest

12-- This chapter contains Samuel’s farewell testimony of the manner in which the Lord had blessed Israel from the first. Samuel reminded the people that the Lord had always been just in His dealings with them and told them that they should likewise deal justly with one another. He then recalled the times when Israel had forgotten the Lord and experienced great calamity. He urged them to serve the Lord lest an even greater calamity overtake them.

13-"Worldly authority has a tendency to adopt an attitude that ecclesiastical authority is subordinate. This was the pitfall Saul fell into when he usurped priesthood authority in administering offerings in Samuel's absence. This act of priestcraft, combined with other acts of disobedience, caused the kingdom to be removed from him by the Lord. Saul forgot the real source of Israel's strength and who his real Master was." (Ogden p. 395) also D&C 121:39

Vs. 17 & 19- No Smith and Spoilers?

14-The introduction of Jonathon and the downward spiral of his father.

15-"A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small package" One of my favorite lessons taught in the scriptures! "

Vs. 11 - See JST

Vs. 35 - See JST

 " The people came to Samuel rejecting the former program of judges. They demanded a king like their idolatrous neighbor nations, and the Lord yielded to their persistence: "Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me" (8:7). "Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying, "Tomorrow . . . I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him" (9:15-16).  Next, the person was specified by revelation: "And when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of!" ( 9:17).  Then came the official call from the prophet: "And on whom is the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee?" (9:20). ". . . Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house" (9:25).  "Samuel also said unto Saul, The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over Israel" (15:1). He set Saul at the head of the group in the parlor in the chiefest place and gave him the special meat saved for him. As they went on their way Samuel said: ". . . stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God" (9:27).  Saul was most humble in accepting and said: ". . . Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?" (9:21). Years later when Saul had turned arrogant through years of power and might, Samuel denounced him: "When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel?" (15:17).  Now came the setting apart and blessing: "Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his [Saul's] head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the Lord hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?" (10:1). With this came a great blessing which, like all blessings, are conditional upon worthiness, a blessing which remained with Saul only so long as he remained righteous. The blessing continued: "And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shall be turned into another man. "And let it be . . . that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee" (10:6-7). "And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day. "And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the spirit of God came upon him and he prophesied among them" (10:9-11). A positive change came over Saul. The setting apart turned him into another man and gave him another heart. New powers came to him at once. Those who knew him were astounded at his increased spirituality, his newly acquired wisdom and judgment and his newly attained maturity and powers, and exclaimed in amazement: What has happened to Saul? He is not the same! "What is this that has come unto the son of Kish. Is Saul also among the prophets?" (10:11).  Who has not watched the transformation of a newly set apart person to high responsibility? Who has not seen men already great rise to new plateaus of superior attainment braced with the authority, the keys, the mantle? And conversely, who has not seen the loss in stature, influence and power after a great leader has relinquished the reigns of direction, and the mantle of authority diverted to other shoulders? It is not imaginary but very real. Now the people were given opportunity to sustain their king: "And Samuel called the people together . . . and said . . . See ye him whom the Lord hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king" (10:17-24).  This presentation to the people was an important element and like that specified in modern revelation: "The elders are to receive their licenses from other elders, by vote of the church to which they belong, or from the conferences.  "No person is to be ordained to any office in this church, where there is a regularly organized branch of the same, without the vote of that church" (D&C 20:63,65). Apparently Saul chose other strong men for his court who likely were set apart as well, for the record states: "And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched" (10:26). Now that the new leader was chosen, called, set apart, and sustained by his people with their votes expressed in their cry: "God save the king," the superior young man was ready to serve, and was promised the blessings of the Lord so long as he was worthy; but not too many years had elapsed until, through unrighteousness, he had forfeited his blessings and kingdom. The same prophet now chastised him: Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God" (13:13).  When Saul had disobeyed again and again, the prophet said: ". . . I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord; and the Lord hath rejected thee . . ." ". . . The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou." ". . . Samuel mourned for Saul: and the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel" (15:26,28,35).  (CR 1958  October  Saturday Morning  Spencer W. Kimball)

Church History by the Decade

1950's

1950	Church Membership	1,111,314
1950	Near East and	Czechoslovakian Missions closed.
1950	Korean War began
1950	Indian Student	Placement Program implemented by Church
1950	Ernest L. Wilkinson	Appointed president of BYU-Administer of CES in 1953
1950-Apr. 24	Birth of Gary L. Poll	2nd child & 1st born son of LeRoy H. and Venice Slater Poll
1950-Sept. 1	Early Morning Seminary	Began in southern California
1950	3,015 called as	Missionaries. In 1952 only 872. (Korean War) Many 70's called.
1951-Apr. 9-1970	David O. McKay Sustained as President	Ordained apostle 1906 age 32. Church grew from 1.1 to 2.9 million members. Most traveled President to this point.
1952	1st official Churchwide	Proselyting plan published
1952	Ezra Taft Benson	Becomes Secretary of Agriculture under Pres. Eisenhower
1953	Houston & Dallas Stakes	Created, the first in the Southwest
1953-Aug. 5	Pres. McKay breaks ground	Swiss Temple the first temple to be built on the European continent.
1953-Ocy. 4	Gen. conf. televised live	from SLC  to outside Intermountain West for 1st time.
1953-Oct. 8	Richard L. Evans called to the Quorum of 12 by  David O. McKay	His committee responsibilities included Church magazines, Temple Square activities, world fair exhibits & other Church information centers, Tabernacle Choir, general conference broadcasts, the Hill Cumorah pageant, Church historical sites, Church communications,  public relations, publications, translation and distribution, and temple ceremonies.
1953-Dec. 13	Elder Matthew Cowley	Of the 12 died. 56 years old. Replaced by George Q. Morris (80)
1954	Ricks college returned	To 2 year school. 4 year school since 1947
1955	Church Building	Committee created
1955	Church College of	Hawaii opened.
1955-Sept. 11	Swiss Temple	Dedicated by David O. McKay
1956-Mar. 11	Los Angeles Temple	Dedicated by David O. McKay
1956	1st student stake	Organized at BYU
1957-Apr	General Conference	Canceled due to flue epidemic.
1958-Apr. 20	New Zealand Temple	Dedicated by David O. McKay
1958	1st "overseas" stake	Organized in Auckland, New Zealand
1958-Sept. 7	London Temple	Dedicated by David O. McKay
1958	Church Colleges of	New Zealand and Hawaii dedicated by Pres. McKay
1959-Jan. 5	Mark E. Petersen & Marion G. Romney of 12	Asked by Pres. McKay to go over McConkie's "Mormon Doctrine" & make list of suggested corrections.
1959-Apr. 6	David O. McKay issued	"Every member a missionary statement.
1959	Howard W. Hunter	Ordained an apostle