King David (Never Given)

Brothers and sisters, there are thousands of stories in the scriptures that help us learn the nature of God and what we need in order to find the peace and love God has promises us. Some of my favorite lessons are included in the life and trials of King David.

In order to understand the full measure of his life, we need to understand why and how he was called to rule Israel. Samuel the prophet anointed his predecessor Saul, to be the King. Because of the wickedness of the Amalekites the Lord commanded Saul to destroy all that they had, and to spare none of them. Successful to a degree Saul and the Israelite army destroyed every Amalekite save the King – then they destroyed all that they thought was vile. But they saved the best of their flocks, taking the spoils of their conquest. Samuel came unto Saul, knowing from the Lord what had taken place. Saul, like many of us, justified his actions; he even blamed them on someone else. He declared that he had fulfilled his assignment and had saved the flocks in order to make a sacrifice to the Lord. But the Lord was asking for a sacrifice of obedience - not of flesh.

Samuel said – “when thou wasn’t little in thine own sight, was’t thou not made head of the tribes of Israel?” This is seemingly a common occurrence that when we are humble the Lord calls or uses us to accomplish his work – but as stated in D&C 121 “as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.” Saul’s pride overtook his judgment. He blamed others. “But the people took the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord their God.” Does the end, brother and sisters, justify the means? They claimed they would use the spoils to worship God – but in order to get the spoils they had disobeyed the counsel that was given.

Could this be similar to someone cheating others in business – claiming that they would help the poor or be better prepared to serve God because of their means? Or – to hypocritically pray for help to win the lottery so they could better serve God. Wouldn’t the Lord be able to provide such means in a way that the commandments would still be followed if such means were needed? Samuel asked; “Hath the Lord as great delight in .. offerings and sacrifice as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” The act of obedience and following the counsels of God shows a humble and willing soul and heart. Someone being little in their own sight, – indicates an understanding of their place with God, it’s an admission of our total dependency upon Him. Indeed we would be nothing without his assistance.

Saul was once obedient to the commands of God. He then questioned why they couldn’t keep some of the material belongings of the Amelikes – He started to think he knew more than God, that his commandments really weren’t that important. He justified his actions, even using religion or worshipping God as part of his excuse. He took pride in the things he was able to do - forgetting it was because of God that they were possible.

This pride and disobedience caused the Lord to reject Saul as the leader of Israel. Samuel was commanded to anoint another in his steed. He was told to go to Bethlehem and to Jesse, because the Lord had chosen one of his sons to be the new King of Israel. After seeing Jesse's sons Samuel was extremely impress because of their countenances and stature. But the Lord refused the older brothers stating: “the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” Such a statement should give all of us bald guys some hope – what we look like isn’t as important to God, but instead it’s what is in our hearts. Seven impressive young men passed by Samuel – all were rejected. Samuel asked if were any more children? There remained one more, the youngest who was watching over his father’s flocks. He was the one that had the pure heart, and with whom the Lord would call. Then Samuel anointed him to be King of Israel. This was David. The scripture state “the spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.”

Samuel learned that he shouldn’t judge or discriminate because of someone’s appearance. Do we treat other differently because of their skin – economic circumstances – or just because they think or look differently than we do. The Lord looks on the heart and the straight of their faith.

I think that most people think first of David when it comes to his encounter with Goliath. Most fail to realize that this event happened after he had been anointed King of Israel. What promises were given in that blessing are unknown. Perhaps he received the same promise given to the Sons of Mosiah – which resulted in their willingness to place themselves in harm way in order to show the power of God.

Not even a member of the army – David was delivering supplies to his brothers, on the request of his father. His military experience had no encounters with mighty worriers – but with lions and wild beast defending his father’s flocks. While at the battlefront, hearing Goliath blasphemy before God he said: “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” He questioned why no one would go against this giant of a man – he knew that the Lord would deliver him, because he had done it before. So without any armor, assistance and much confidence from those around him – he submitted his faith, courage and pure heart to the glory of God and the defense of his country.

As Goliath defiled the God of Israel and mocked David, David answered: “Thou cometh to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defiled. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hands.” His faith and strength in the power of God was stronger than that of any other man – for the spirit of the Lord was with him. We all know the rest of the story. We all have had our own Goliaths in life – trials, challenges and pains that at first glance seem overwhelming or impossible to overcome. We need to come to the same understanding that David did, that with the assistance of the Lord nothing is impossible.

What is the will of the Father in our lives? Are our hearts pure, centered on the glory of God, or are we looking for the gratification and praise of men? Speaking of those that are unable to magnify their priesthood the Lord told us the reason - "because their hearts were set so much on the things of this world and aspire to the honors of men that they do not learn this one lesson – that the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled or handled only upon the principles of righteousness." This formula –may be simple in concept, but is seemingly hard for most of us to implement. The implementation is achieved by putting the things of God first – submitting to His will for each of us. The knowing of that "will" comes by the power of revelation, manifest by the Holy Ghost.

During the coming years David led the Israelite army, become a powerful and beloved King. He remained righteous most of his day. Indeed we could look upon the events that surrounded the life of this wonderful man and see some of the greatest stories of faith and dedication in the scriptures.

Then something happened that led to his downfall. One evening he rose from his bed and was walking on his roof and from his roof he saw a woman washing herself: and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. That event in it owns right, though inappropriate wasn’t the sin. It’s how he reacted and what he did next that led to his downfall. We don’t know if this was the only time that it had happened, or if it was her intent to be seem in the first place – but he looked upon her in a way that he shouldn’t have – which led him to sin. He enquired about her, he sent massagers to bring her to him. This was a man that was highly favored of the Lord – which had been blessed with perhaps everything he wanted. But he allowed an inappropriate thought to enter his heart and mind and began to dwell on it.

Today there are many ways to look upon a man or woman that we shouldn’t. Pornography seem to be running ramped – T.V., movies and the Internet seen to have an endless supple of inappropriate behavior. Do we come upon it innocently, and then allow our curiosity to overcome us. Do we awkwardly allow it to be seen in its simplest forms until we become desensitized to its existence? Some of us know that it isn’t good for us, but we think that it is different or exciting. Do you think it couldn’t happen to you – it happened to one of the Lords most valiant servants?

Prophets of God have warned us about this erosion of our tolerances – they have said: “first we abhor sin, then we tolerate it, then we embrace it.” We have seen this trend through out the world concerning chastity, and many other commandments.

These inappropriate thoughts are not just reserved to the law of chastity. King Benjamin made that clear when he said:

“And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them.”

Brothers and sisters, I would like to ask the question why are you here today? Is it because you feel obligated? Were you excited to hear the word of God? Do you consider it a social event? Was it to partake of the sacrament and renew you covenants with God? What ever the answer to that question is – you need to also ask yourself what will I do now because I was here? Has the spirit has whispered in your hearts and minds helping you to understood what you need to do in order to come unto Christ?

Testimony -

Favorite Campfire Scriptures (Never Given)

Welcome brethren – but most of all I would like to welcome the youth men here tonight. I would like to speak to each of you. Now, what I’m going to say could also help the old guys that are with you – so please do me a favor and wake them up if they fall asleep.

The decisions that you will be making in the next few years will influence the rest of your eternity. Now if you make a mistake – you will still have time to make it right, that’s what the atonement is all about. But it’s also been shown that those of you that mostly make righteousness decisions in your youth will avoid many of the hardest hurdles that can be put in your path. (Example)If you never taste alcohol you cannot become an alcoholic. You need to make the decision NOW to not do anything that you will regret latter in your life.

Those of you that know me very well know that I’m a “sports-aholic.” When I was younger I played some sort of sport almost every day. Now you need to know that back in those days we didn’t have video games – I-pods – cell phones. We did have T.V., but there were only three stations, and I had six sisters that ruled the roost – it was better if I was outside playing ball with my friends. I remember after my mission when we got cable and ESPN became a part of my life – 24 hours of sports. I sure that is just like heaven!

Now everyday on ESPN there is a program called Sports Center - an hour-long recap of what happened in the world of sports that day. During that program there is a segment called the TOP TEN, the ten best sports plays of the day.

I’ve spent a lot of years working in the young men’s programs of the church. I have been a: scout master, advisor, your men’s counselor and a young men’s president four different times. I’ve sat around hundreds of campfires – telling jocks, eating smores – and telling stories from the scriptures. I would like to talk about my top ten favorite scripture stories as they relate to you young men and the decisions you are about to make. There are 100’s of possibilities – your list may be different than mine.

#10 – Moses leading the children of Israel out of Egypt – Here was a man that could have been one of the rulers of the greatest country or Kingdoms in the history of the world. He rejected it all to learn about the God of his fathers and help those that couldn't help themselves. With the priesthood he showed the power of God is far mightier than the power of men. He divided the Red Sea and led Gods people to freedom on dry ground. Are you willing to reject the praise of friends or the world to get to know the GOD of your fathers?

#9 – Shadrach, Meshach, and Aded-nego – Many of you won’t recognize these names. These were three young men, perhaps missionary age, that were in bondage in Babylon to King Nebuchadnezzar – they were still given great authority and responsibility because of their abilities and character. The King made a golden idol – a man made God. He then commanded everyone in the Kingdom to worship this idol or they would be cast into a fiery furnace. The King questioned them and told them their fate if they didn’t worship his Gods – they answered and said, “Our God that we serve is able to deliver us – “But if not”…. we will not serve thy Gods, nor worship the golden image which thou has set up.” When they were thrown into the furnace it was so hot that those that threw them in perished doing so. But they were protected. Are you willing to stand up for what is right no matter the consequences that could follow? Do we have the faith that God would protect us? What a great campfire story.

#8 – Nephi going to get the plates of Labon. Despite the complaining of his older brothers Nephi said – “I will go and do the things the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” We need to exercise total obedience to all of God’s commands – they may seem hard at times, but He will help us if He has commanded us to do it. The Lord has commanded all young men to prepare to serve an honorable mission – you need to start preparing today

#7 - King David - this is the same young man that killed Goliath. He had no armor or assistance from others. All he had was a sling, unwavering faith in God and a pure heart. He had shown this same kind of courage before protecting his father’s flocks from wild beast. He knew with the Lords help he was more powerful than this giant. He became a mighty King. Faithful and valiant - then he looked upon a woman that was not his wife in a way that he shouldn't have. This led to him breaking the law of Chastity and then he tried to hide his sins. One of Gods most beloved servants lost his standing with God. We should learn that no matter who we are - we need to be on guard, today there are many opportunities to look upon a woman in a way we shouldn't. Pornography can and will destroy your soul - run from it like it is a plague. Don’t touch others or ourselves in an inappropriate manner.

#6 - The Brother of Jared - What an amazing man. He wrote the sealed part of the Book of Mormon. He built barges or ships to come to the Promised Land. I envision they looked like large footballs floating in the ocean. But there were some problems - they couldn't breath inside the ships, there was no way to steer during the journey and they had no light in order to see. After asking the Lord – He gave him the solutions to the first two problems, then the Lord said about the third. "What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels?" The Lord will give you guidance and direction - but he also requires you to study it out - to make decisions and then ask him if it is right, or is in accordance with His will in our lives. The result was far beyond his expectations - He saw the finger of the Lord, he received increased revelation.

#5 - Amman’s Missionary journey - How could be a list without Amman cutting off the arms of his enemies. Serving the King of the Laminates he was excited when something went wrong - in the past this would have caused all of the servant and himself to be put to death. He saw an opportunity to show the power of God. He and his brothers gave everything they had while serving their mission. The result was thousands of Laminates coming unto Christ. When you serve your mission - you will need to have the spirit of the Lord with you and give everything you have. A mission isn't always easy - but it's worth every sacrifice we may be called to endure

#4 - Elisha - This is my favorite campfire story, sitting in the mountain valley with a group of young men. Israel was at war - the King of Syria was mad because Israel seemingly knew their moves before they made them. So they came up with a wonderful idea - lets capture the prophet. In the night this great army surrounded the city in which the prophet lived. There was a young man living with and helping him - perhaps he was a deacon, when the boy came out he saw the army surrounding the city. He went to the prophet and asked what they should do. Elisha answered - "Fear not; for those that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord 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." Brethren - those that are righteous will always be more than those that aren't and they can be protected by the powers of heaven. Are you worthy to receive heavenly assistance? I testify that the angels of God know you and will administer to your needs.

#3 - The Stripling Warriors - I don't need to spend much time on this one – all of us know the story. None of them perished in war, they fought valiantly with courage and straight, but behold, this was not all - they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted. They fulfilled their responsibilities. Their mothers taught them what was right. Brethren listen to your Mothers and Fathers - be faithful in all you are asked to do. The almost 55,000 missionaries in the field are similar to these Stripling Warrior – we need to be valiant and serve where needed.

#2 - Joseph Smiths first vision - This is the greatest event that has happened in this dispensation. It was the beginning of the restoration of the gospel on the earth. The restoration of the priesthood - the power and authority of God on the earth. If this event happened - the Book of Mormon is true - there is a living prophet on the earth - he is guiding and directing us. This should be your desire - to receive a testimony of the restoration of the gospel. That God lives and answers our prayers. The Prophet Joseph Smith was your age when he received these manifestations - you can receive a testimony of these events and the truthfulness of the gospel as well

#1 - The Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. This is the greatest event in history - it opened the door of salvation, a way to be forgiven of our sins and return to be as God. Every organization, event, meeting in the church and family should be directed to this purpose, to bring us closer to the Savior - to accept his sacrifice and repent of our sins, to become as He is. Then as eternal families to return to live with God. This is the reason we do what we do - that we have the priesthood - that we go on missions and help those in need. Our goal should not only be to receive this testimony - but too tell every living soul that Jesus is the Christ and He loves for each of us.

These are some of the greatest stories in the scriptures. We need to read them over and over - along with all the scriptures. As well do so the spirit of the Lord will be with us and give us the direction that we need.