Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
All of us make small choices that slightly alter the trajectory of our lives. This week we will study ‘Switch Points’ for three kings of Israel and look to see what we can learn from them. We will also look at how we can help others who may be tempted to 'steady' the ark of God.
“The ark was the symbol of God’s presence, His glory and majesty. When first given to Israel, the ark was placed in the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle, and not even the priest was allowed to approach it. Only the high priest, a type of Christ, could approach it, and then only after going through an elaborate ritual of personal cleansing and propitiation [regaining God’s favor by repenting] for his sins.” (Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, 2nd ed. (Church Educational System manual, 2001), 188)
Elder Neal A. Maxwell: “Some may reason that [Uzzah] was only trying—though mistakenly—to help out. But given the numerous times the Lord had saved and spared Israel, including the high dramas of the Red Sea and of the manna from heaven, surely He [the Lord] knew how to keep the ark in balance!” (Meek and Lowly (1987), 15)
President David O. McKay: “It is a little dangerous for us to go out of our own sphere and try unauthoritatively to direct the efforts of a brother. You remember the case of Uzzah who stretched forth his hand to steady the ark. He seemed justified when the oxen stumbled in putting forth his hand to steady that symbol of the covenant. (Conference Report, Apr. 1936, 60)
“We today think his punishment was very severe. Be that as it may, the incident conveys a lesson of life. Let us look around us and see how quickly men who attempt unauthoritatively to steady the ark die spiritually. Their souls become embittered, their minds distorted, their judgment faulty, and their spirit depressed.
“Such is the pitiable condition of men who, neglecting their own responsibilities, spend their time in finding fault with others.” (Conference Report, Apr. 1936, 60)
Thought questions…
“Girded with a linen ephod.” David had taken off his royal robes and put on a plain robe. In so doing he was showing Israel that even though he he was king of Israel; he was also the servant of the Lord. This was not the ephod worn by the high-priest (which was made of shesh – see Exodus 28:6, 8)
“When the ark came (i.e. was carried) into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and there she saw king David leaping and dancing before Jehovah, and despised him in her heart. … Michal is intentionally designated the daughter of Saul here, instead of the wife of David, because on this occasion she manifested her father's disposition rather than her husband's. In Saul's time people did not trouble themselves about the ark of the covenant (see 1 Chronicles 13:3) public worship was neglected, and the soul for vital religion had died out in the family of the king … in David [Michal] only loved the brave hero and exalted king: she therefore took offence at the humility with which the king, in his pious enthusiasm, placed himself on an equality with all the rest of the nation before the Lord.
“…The proud daughter of Saul was offended at the fact, that the king had let himself down on this occasion to the level of the people. She availed herself of the shortness of the priests' shoulder dress, to make a contemptuous remark concerning David's dancing, as an impropriety that was unbecoming in a king. … With the words 'who chose me before thy father and all his house,' David humbles the pride of the king's daughter. His playing and dancing referred to the Lord, who had chosen him, and had rejected Saul on account of his pride." (Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, 2:2:336-38.)
President Gordon B. Hinckley gave an example of the importance of little decisions when he told about an experience he had working for a railroad company. He said he received a call from New Jersey that a passenger train arrived without the baggage car.
"We discovered that the train had been properly made up in Oakland, California, and properly delivered to St Louis. … But in the St. Louis yards, a thoughtless switchman had moved a piece of steel just three inches.
"That piece of steel was a switch point, and the car that should have been in Newark, New Jersey, was in New Orleans, Louisiana, thirteen hundred miles away" (Conference Report, Oct. 1972, 106; or Ensign, Jan. 1973, 91).
“So it is with our lives—a cigarette smoked, a can of beer drunk at a party, a shot of Speed taken on a dare, a careless giving in to an impulse on a date. Each has thrown a switch in the life of a boy that put him on a track that carried him far away from what might have been a great and foreordained calling. And as Nephi said, “… thus the devil cheateth their souls and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.” (2 Ne. 28:21.) (in Conference Report, Oct. 1972, 106; or Ensign, Jan. 1973, 91).
Key words in the downfall of David.
President Ezra Taft Benson: “When it comes to the law of chastity, it is better to prepare and prevent than it is to repair and repent.” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson , p.284)
Did David fall in a Moment?
President Spencer W. Kimball: “Likewise adultery is not the result of a single thought. There first is a deterioration of thinking. Many sinful chain thoughts have been coursing through the offender's mind before the physical sin is committed.” (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 114)
“The devil knows how to destroy our young girls and boys. He may not be able to tempt a person to murder or to commit adultery immediately, but he knows that if he can get a boy and a girl to sit in the car late enough after the dance, or to park long enough in the dark at the end of the lane, the best boy and the best girl will finally succumb and fall. He knows that all have a limit to their resistance.” (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 66)
Elder Neal A. Maxwell: “When we see each other in the morning, our sleep has often not been the same, even though we usually each say the same "Good morning." Uriah apparently slept very well when, as a loyal lieutenant of King David, he slept with the servants on the floor at King David's door. Uriah was loyal to his men "in the open fields," to his king, and to his wife, Bathsheba. By contrast, one cannot help but wonder how well the conspiring and adulterous David slept that same night! The later lamentations of David suggest that many sleepless nights followed his sending of the uncompromised Uriah to his death—in the "forefront of the hottest battle," where the "valiant men were." Uriah fell, but David plummeted from the privileged place reserved for him in the next world. (See 2 Samuel 11.)
Thus, there are certain mortal moments and minutes that matter—certain hinge points in the history of each human. Some seconds are so decisive that they shrink the soul, while other seconds are spent so as to stretch the soul!” (Deposition of a Disciple, 77.)
Elder Richard G. Scott: “Do not take comfort in the fact that your transgressions are not known by others. That is like an ostrich with his head buried in the sand. He sees only darkness and feels comfortably hidden. In reality he is ridiculously conspicuous. Likewise our every act is seen by our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son. They know everything about us.” (General Conference Apr 1995)
Consequences for David
Prophecies of Nathan
President Boyd K. Packer: “Forgiveness will come eventually to all repentant souls who have not committed the unpardonable sin (see Matt. 12:31). Forgiveness does not, however, necessarily assure exaltation, as is the case with David (see D&C 132:38–39)” (“The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 21, note 15).
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: As to the fact that the sealing power cannot seal a man up unto eternal life if he thereafter commits murder and thereby sheds innocent blood, the Prophet says: “A murderer, for instance, one that sheds innocent blood, cannot have forgiveness.” David sought repentance at the hand of God carefully with tears, for the murder of Uriah; but he could only get it through hell; he got a promise that his soul should not be left in hell. Thus, even though a man’s calling and election has been made sure, if he then commits murder, all of the promises are of no effect, and he goes to a telestial kingdom.” (DNTC 3:347)
“The materials for the permanent house of the Lord, known as Solomon’s Temple, were accumulated mostly by David. (2 Sam. 7; 1 Chr. 28:11; 1 Chr. 29:9.) It is estimated that he gathered a total of 108,000 talents of gold, 10,000 darics of gold, and 1,017,000 talents of silver for the prospective structure and its furnishings. With these metals and other materials for which Solomon made arrangements, the king built a most lavish temple to the Lord. It was completed in seven and one-half years.” (Sidney B. Sperry, Ancient Temples and Their Functions, Ensign , Jan. 1972, p.69)
A Few Promises that come from Temples…
Teaching Thoughts:
“The ark was the symbol of God’s presence, His glory and majesty. When first given to Israel, the ark was placed in the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle, and not even the priest was allowed to approach it. Only the high priest, a type of Christ, could approach it, and then only after going through an elaborate ritual of personal cleansing and propitiation [regaining God’s favor by repenting] for his sins.” (Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, 2nd ed. (Church Educational System manual, 2001), 188)
Elder Neal A. Maxwell: “Some may reason that [Uzzah] was only trying—though mistakenly—to help out. But given the numerous times the Lord had saved and spared Israel, including the high dramas of the Red Sea and of the manna from heaven, surely He [the Lord] knew how to keep the ark in balance!” (Meek and Lowly (1987), 15)
President David O. McKay: “It is a little dangerous for us to go out of our own sphere and try unauthoritatively to direct the efforts of a brother. You remember the case of Uzzah who stretched forth his hand to steady the ark. He seemed justified when the oxen stumbled in putting forth his hand to steady that symbol of the covenant. (Conference Report, Apr. 1936, 60)
“We today think his punishment was very severe. Be that as it may, the incident conveys a lesson of life. Let us look around us and see how quickly men who attempt unauthoritatively to steady the ark die spiritually. Their souls become embittered, their minds distorted, their judgment faulty, and their spirit depressed.
“Such is the pitiable condition of men who, neglecting their own responsibilities, spend their time in finding fault with others.” (Conference Report, Apr. 1936, 60)
Thought questions…
- What are the consequences of seeking to “steady the ark,” or trying to direct or correct Church leaders?
- What principle(s) can we learn from the account of Uzzah?
- How are people today trying to correct or direct God’s work even though they lack the authority to do so?
- How do you respond when someone justifies their past ‘steading of the ark?’
“Girded with a linen ephod.” David had taken off his royal robes and put on a plain robe. In so doing he was showing Israel that even though he he was king of Israel; he was also the servant of the Lord. This was not the ephod worn by the high-priest (which was made of shesh – see Exodus 28:6, 8)
“When the ark came (i.e. was carried) into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and there she saw king David leaping and dancing before Jehovah, and despised him in her heart. … Michal is intentionally designated the daughter of Saul here, instead of the wife of David, because on this occasion she manifested her father's disposition rather than her husband's. In Saul's time people did not trouble themselves about the ark of the covenant (see 1 Chronicles 13:3) public worship was neglected, and the soul for vital religion had died out in the family of the king … in David [Michal] only loved the brave hero and exalted king: she therefore took offence at the humility with which the king, in his pious enthusiasm, placed himself on an equality with all the rest of the nation before the Lord.
“…The proud daughter of Saul was offended at the fact, that the king had let himself down on this occasion to the level of the people. She availed herself of the shortness of the priests' shoulder dress, to make a contemptuous remark concerning David's dancing, as an impropriety that was unbecoming in a king. … With the words 'who chose me before thy father and all his house,' David humbles the pride of the king's daughter. His playing and dancing referred to the Lord, who had chosen him, and had rejected Saul on account of his pride." (Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, 2:2:336-38.)
President Gordon B. Hinckley gave an example of the importance of little decisions when he told about an experience he had working for a railroad company. He said he received a call from New Jersey that a passenger train arrived without the baggage car.
"We discovered that the train had been properly made up in Oakland, California, and properly delivered to St Louis. … But in the St. Louis yards, a thoughtless switchman had moved a piece of steel just three inches.
"That piece of steel was a switch point, and the car that should have been in Newark, New Jersey, was in New Orleans, Louisiana, thirteen hundred miles away" (Conference Report, Oct. 1972, 106; or Ensign, Jan. 1973, 91).
“So it is with our lives—a cigarette smoked, a can of beer drunk at a party, a shot of Speed taken on a dare, a careless giving in to an impulse on a date. Each has thrown a switch in the life of a boy that put him on a track that carried him far away from what might have been a great and foreordained calling. And as Nephi said, “… thus the devil cheateth their souls and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.” (2 Ne. 28:21.) (in Conference Report, Oct. 1972, 106; or Ensign, Jan. 1973, 91).
Key words in the downfall of David.
- He saw (vs.2)
- He looked (vs 2)
- He enquired (vs 3)
- He took (vs 4)
- He lay (vs 4)
President Ezra Taft Benson: “When it comes to the law of chastity, it is better to prepare and prevent than it is to repair and repent.” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson , p.284)
Did David fall in a Moment?
President Spencer W. Kimball: “Likewise adultery is not the result of a single thought. There first is a deterioration of thinking. Many sinful chain thoughts have been coursing through the offender's mind before the physical sin is committed.” (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 114)
“The devil knows how to destroy our young girls and boys. He may not be able to tempt a person to murder or to commit adultery immediately, but he knows that if he can get a boy and a girl to sit in the car late enough after the dance, or to park long enough in the dark at the end of the lane, the best boy and the best girl will finally succumb and fall. He knows that all have a limit to their resistance.” (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 66)
Elder Neal A. Maxwell: “When we see each other in the morning, our sleep has often not been the same, even though we usually each say the same "Good morning." Uriah apparently slept very well when, as a loyal lieutenant of King David, he slept with the servants on the floor at King David's door. Uriah was loyal to his men "in the open fields," to his king, and to his wife, Bathsheba. By contrast, one cannot help but wonder how well the conspiring and adulterous David slept that same night! The later lamentations of David suggest that many sleepless nights followed his sending of the uncompromised Uriah to his death—in the "forefront of the hottest battle," where the "valiant men were." Uriah fell, but David plummeted from the privileged place reserved for him in the next world. (See 2 Samuel 11.)
Thus, there are certain mortal moments and minutes that matter—certain hinge points in the history of each human. Some seconds are so decisive that they shrink the soul, while other seconds are spent so as to stretch the soul!” (Deposition of a Disciple, 77.)
Elder Richard G. Scott: “Do not take comfort in the fact that your transgressions are not known by others. That is like an ostrich with his head buried in the sand. He sees only darkness and feels comfortably hidden. In reality he is ridiculously conspicuous. Likewise our every act is seen by our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son. They know everything about us.” (General Conference Apr 1995)
Consequences for David
Prophecies of Nathan
- The sword would not depart from David's house. (2 Sam. 12:10)
- Evil would rise up against David out of his own family. (2 Sam. 12:11)
- Even though David's sins were done privately, the Lord's punishment would be made known to all of Israel. (2 Sam. 12:12)
- The child born of the adulterous relationship with Bathsheba would die. (2 Sam. 12:14)
- David's wives would be defiled before the people. (2 Sam. 12:11-12)
President Boyd K. Packer: “Forgiveness will come eventually to all repentant souls who have not committed the unpardonable sin (see Matt. 12:31). Forgiveness does not, however, necessarily assure exaltation, as is the case with David (see D&C 132:38–39)” (“The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 21, note 15).
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: As to the fact that the sealing power cannot seal a man up unto eternal life if he thereafter commits murder and thereby sheds innocent blood, the Prophet says: “A murderer, for instance, one that sheds innocent blood, cannot have forgiveness.” David sought repentance at the hand of God carefully with tears, for the murder of Uriah; but he could only get it through hell; he got a promise that his soul should not be left in hell. Thus, even though a man’s calling and election has been made sure, if he then commits murder, all of the promises are of no effect, and he goes to a telestial kingdom.” (DNTC 3:347)
“The materials for the permanent house of the Lord, known as Solomon’s Temple, were accumulated mostly by David. (2 Sam. 7; 1 Chr. 28:11; 1 Chr. 29:9.) It is estimated that he gathered a total of 108,000 talents of gold, 10,000 darics of gold, and 1,017,000 talents of silver for the prospective structure and its furnishings. With these metals and other materials for which Solomon made arrangements, the king built a most lavish temple to the Lord. It was completed in seven and one-half years.” (Sidney B. Sperry, Ancient Temples and Their Functions, Ensign , Jan. 1972, p.69)
A Few Promises that come from Temples…
- “I design to endow those whom I have chosen with power from on high; (D&C 95:8)
- “That they may be perfected in the understanding of their ministry, in theory, in principle, in doctrine (D&C 97:14)
- “Yea, and my Presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God. But if it be defiled I will not come into it...” (D&C 97: 16-17)
Teaching Thoughts:
- Helping those who want to steady the ark.
- All of us have ‘Switch Points’ in life. Small decisions that change the direction of our lives. Look for these switch points in our lives this week.
- Christ was tempted with life’s greatest temptation. He can help us this week overcome our temptations.