Lesson 45 “If I Perish, I Perish” (using Daniel 1 ; Daniel 3 ; Daniel 6 ; Esther 3-5 ; Esther 7-8 )

Preparation

1. Prayerfully Study the following scriptures:
   1. Daniel and his friends refuse to defile themselves by eating King Nebuchadnezzar’s food ( Daniel 1:1-16 ; note that pulse was a food made of grains and edible seeds). The Lord blesses Daniel and his friends with good health and wisdom ( Daniel 1:17-21 ).
   2. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s idol ( Daniel 3:1-12 ). King Nebuchadnezzar casts them into a fiery furnace, and the Lord saves them from death ( Daniel 3:13-30 ).
   3. King Darius’s men persuade the king to sign a decree that for 30 days all petitions must be directed to him rather than to any other man or to God ( Daniel 6:1-9 ). In spite of the king’s decree, Daniel prays to God ( Daniel 6:10-13 ). As punishment for disobeying the decree, Daniel is thrown into a den of lions ( Daniel 6:14-17 ). The Lord sends an angel to protect Daniel ( Daniel 6:18-23 ).
   4. Mordecai refuses to bow to Haman ( Esther 3:1-4 ). Haman persuades King Ahasuerus to prepare a decree calling for the death of all Jews in the kingdom ( Esther 3:5-14 ). Esther learns of Haman’s plan to kill her people and risks her life by going to the king for help ( Esther 4:1-17 ). The king receives Esther and grants her request to come with Haman to a banquet ( Esther 5:1-8 ). At the banquet Esther reveals Haman’s plot to kill the Jews ( Esther 7:1-6 ). The king hangs Haman ( Esther 7:7-10 ). The king honors Mordecai and grants Esther’s request to reverse Haman’s decree ( Esther 8:1-17 ).
2. Additional reading: Daniel 5 ; Esther 1-2 ; Esther 6 ; Esther 9-10.

Lesson Development

After we have pondered this experience, understand that this lesson is about six people in the Old Testament who showed great courage in obeying the Lord.

Scripture Discussion and Application

1. Daniel and his friends refuse to eat King Nebuchadnezzar’s food; they are blessed with good health and wisdom.
   Elder Boyd K. Packer taught: “I have come to know … that a fundamental purpose of the Word of Wisdom has to do with revelation. From the time you are very little we teach you to avoid tea, coffee, liquor, tobacco, narcotics, and anything else that disturbs your health. … If someone ‘under the influence’ can hardly listen to plain talk, how can they respond to spiritual promptings that touch their most delicate feelings? As valuable as the Word of Wisdom is as a law of health, it may be much more valuable to you spiritually than it is physically” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1979, 28-29; or Ensign, Nov. 1979, 20 ).
2. The Lord saves Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from death in the fiery furnace.
3. Daniel prays in spite of the king’s decree and is thrown into a den of lions. The Lord sends an angel to protect Daniel.
4. Esther risks her life to save her people.