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Daniel 1–6 (Come, Follow Me)

Here is a collection of reliable resources to supplement your study of Daniel 1–6. FAIR Resources link to relevant questions which have been answered on the FAIR website. Other Resources link to resources outside of FAIR that are trustworthy and helpful. Under Church Resources you’ll find links to the different Come, Follow Me manuals, as well as other helpful links as applicable. Also on the page are the lesson summary and a guest scholar’s article. This week’s article is by Maddie Barzee and is titled Keep the Commandments of God Regardless of the Consequences.

Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream,
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Lesson Summary

Most likely no one will ever threaten to throw you into a fiery furnace or a den of lions because of your faith in Jesus Christ. But none of us get through this life without a trial of faith. We can all benefit from the example of people like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who were taken captive as young men by the mighty Babylonian Empire (see 2 Kings 24:10–16). These young people were surrounded by an unfamiliar culture with different values, and they faced great temptations to abandon their beliefs and righteous traditions. Yet they remained true to their covenants. Like Joseph in Egypt and Esther in Persia, Daniel and his friends in Babylon kept their faith in God, and God worked miracles that still inspire believers to this day.

 

How did they find the strength to remain so faithful? They did those small and simple things that God has asked all of us to do—praying, fasting, choosing good friends, trusting in God, and being a light to others. As we are strengthened by doing these same small and simple things, we can face the lions and fiery furnaces in our own lives with faith.

For an overview of the book of Daniel, see “Daniel, book of” in the Bible Dictionary.

 

 

Keep the Commandments of God Regardless of the Consequences

Keep on the covenant path

“Keep on the covenant path” was President Russell M. Nelson’s first message to the Church after he was sustained as the prophet, and it has been his continued anthem ever since.1 In the short term, it may feel difficult to fully obey the commandments and keep our covenants, but in the long run we will be blessed both spiritually and physically by obeying the word of God. This principle of obedience is prevalent in the Book of Daniel.

In Chapter 1 we read the story of Daniel staying on the covenant path in King Nebuchadnezzar’s court by refusing to partake of food that was against the law of Moses. Because of Daniel’s obedience, “God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.”2

Later, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego refused to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden idol and were cast into a fiery furnace. Because they obeyed the commandments, Heavenly Father protected and delivered them. They walked out of the furnace completely unharmed.

Chapter 6 tells the famous story of Daniel in the lion’s den. At the time, praying to anyone but the king was punishable by death—but Daniel continued to pray to God. When he was caught, he was thrown into a den of lions. But, because he kept the commandments, we learn from Daniel, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lion’s mouths, that they have not hurt me.”3

Obedience Brings Blessings

The common theme in these three chapters of Daniel is that obedience to the Lord’s commandments brings both temporal and spiritual blessings. Even though it was difficult for Daniel and his companions to go against the demands of their leaders, they did so because they knew what was right, and they were blessed with safety, strength, and gifts of the spirit. While we may not have to go against our earthly leaders, there will be times when we will be put to the test. But despite these challenges, the Lord promises that as we keep His commandments and honor the covenants we have made, we will be blessed more than we could ever imagine.

Just like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, Wilford Woodruff was an incredible example of obedience and integrity despite his many trials. One of his greatest hopes was “that we may maintain our integrity until death, that we may overcome as Jesus has overcome.”4 We can learn much from his insights and experiences. Once on the covenant path he did not waver or turn away, unlike so many who faced intense persecution in the early days of the Church. We can and should follow his example and make it our business to keep the commandments of God no matter what the world threatens or promises.

Courtesy of Wilford Woodruff Papers – to learn more about the Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation and how you can support this historic project, please visit wilfordwoodruffpapers.org.

More Come, Follow Me resources here.

  1. Russell M. Nelson, “As We Go Forward Together,” Ensign, April 2018, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
  2. Daniel 1:17.
  3. Daniel 6:22.
  4. Wilford Woodruff’s Journal, July 9, 1844, p. 285, wilfordwoodruffpapers.org/journal/1844-07-09.O
Maddie Barziee

Maddie Barzee is a Public Relations Assistant with the Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation. She is studying public relations at BYU, with a minor in global studies. She will graduate in December of 2023. In her free time she likes to cook, travel, and read. She also loves to learn about Church history and is excited to be a part of the Wilford Woodruff Papers Project to move that work forward.