Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
I love the example of Vashti and Esther's courage and faith. God placed them in the right place at the right time to make a difference. In our time together, we will discuss and know that God has also placed you in the right place at the right time to make a difference. Like Esther, when we are faced with fear and opposition, we can invite God to walk with us.
Lessons from Queen Vashti
Vashti = "beautiful"
Esther = "star"
Mordecai = “little man”
Haman = “magnificent”
Lessons from Esther
President Russell M. Nelson: “My beloved brothers and sisters, you were born to be true millennials. You “are a chosen generation” (1 Peter 2:9), foreordained by God to do a remarkable work—to help prepare the people of this world for the Second Coming of the Lord!” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2016/10/young-adults/stand-as-true-millennials?lang=eng)
President Russell M. Nelson: “My dear extraordinary youth, you were sent to earth at this precise time, the most crucial time in the history of the world, to help gather Israel. There is nothing happening on this earth right now that is more important than that. There is nothing of greater consequence. Absolutely nothing …
"My beloved younger brothers and sisters, you are among the best the Lord has ever sent to this world. You have the capacity to be smarter and wiser and have more impact on the world than any previous generation! … You are the hope of Israel, ‘children of the promised day’!” (“Hope of Israel,” June 2018, Worldwide Devotional for youth)
“The doctrine of foreordination applies to all members of the Church, not just to the Savior and His prophets. Before the creation of the earth, faithful women were given certain responsibilities and faithful men were foreordained to certain priesthood duties. As people prove themselves worthy, they will be given opportunities to fulfill the assignments they then received.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/foreordination?lang=eng)
“In the premortal spirit world, God appointed certain spirits to fulfill specific missions during their mortal lives. This is called foreordination. Foreordination does not guarantee that individuals will receive certain callings or responsibilities. Such opportunities come in this life as a result of the righteous exercise of agency, just as foreordination came as a result of righteousness in the premortal existence” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/foreordination?lang=eng).
President Lorenzo Snow: “It may become necessary in the future - and this is the point I wish to make – for some of the Saints to act the part of Esther, the queen, and be willing to sacrifice anything and everything that is required at their hands for the purpose of working out the deliverance of the Latter-Day Saints.” (J.D., vol. 23, page 290, October 5, 1882).
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: “The Lord gave you your responsibilities for a reason. There may be people and hearts only you can reach and touch. Perhaps no one else could do it in quite the same way.” (“Lift Where You Stand,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 56)
Teaching Thoughts:
Lessons from Queen Vashti
- Consequences of drinking on others.
- The arrogant and self-important focus on themselves and often see others as objects.
- Display courage when faced with an improper request.
- Don’t judge someone on their appearance.
- No one is the sum of their appearance.
- Do not compromise your values.
- Everyone has a part to play in God’s plan.
- Not everything works out the way you want it to at first.
- Trust that things will work out for those who love God. Especially if it does not seem like that will happen today.
Vashti = "beautiful"
Esther = "star"
Mordecai = “little man”
Haman = “magnificent”
Lessons from Esther
- God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things (Esther 1:7).
- You might not know it, but you do have someone who cares for you (Esther 1:11).
- Listen (Esther 2:15).
- God places mentors in our life to teach us wisdom (Esther 2:15).
- Life will not always be perfect (Esther 3).
- If you don’t act for God, He will get someone else (Esther 4:14).
- Like Esther, God has you in the right place at the right time to make a difference.
- Take the lead in action (Esther 4:16).
- With God’s help, we can step out in faith and fight our fears (Esther 4:15).
- Be in the presence of God before facing problems (Esther 4:15).
- Be prepared to make sacrifices (Esther 4:15).
- But never lose hope (Esther 4:15).
- God will reward you more abundantly than you can imagine (Esther 5:3).
- Remind others of God’s deliverance for you (Esther 9:20-22).
President Russell M. Nelson: “My beloved brothers and sisters, you were born to be true millennials. You “are a chosen generation” (1 Peter 2:9), foreordained by God to do a remarkable work—to help prepare the people of this world for the Second Coming of the Lord!” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2016/10/young-adults/stand-as-true-millennials?lang=eng)
President Russell M. Nelson: “My dear extraordinary youth, you were sent to earth at this precise time, the most crucial time in the history of the world, to help gather Israel. There is nothing happening on this earth right now that is more important than that. There is nothing of greater consequence. Absolutely nothing …
"My beloved younger brothers and sisters, you are among the best the Lord has ever sent to this world. You have the capacity to be smarter and wiser and have more impact on the world than any previous generation! … You are the hope of Israel, ‘children of the promised day’!” (“Hope of Israel,” June 2018, Worldwide Devotional for youth)
“The doctrine of foreordination applies to all members of the Church, not just to the Savior and His prophets. Before the creation of the earth, faithful women were given certain responsibilities and faithful men were foreordained to certain priesthood duties. As people prove themselves worthy, they will be given opportunities to fulfill the assignments they then received.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/foreordination?lang=eng)
“In the premortal spirit world, God appointed certain spirits to fulfill specific missions during their mortal lives. This is called foreordination. Foreordination does not guarantee that individuals will receive certain callings or responsibilities. Such opportunities come in this life as a result of the righteous exercise of agency, just as foreordination came as a result of righteousness in the premortal existence” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/foreordination?lang=eng).
President Lorenzo Snow: “It may become necessary in the future - and this is the point I wish to make – for some of the Saints to act the part of Esther, the queen, and be willing to sacrifice anything and everything that is required at their hands for the purpose of working out the deliverance of the Latter-Day Saints.” (J.D., vol. 23, page 290, October 5, 1882).
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: “The Lord gave you your responsibilities for a reason. There may be people and hearts only you can reach and touch. Perhaps no one else could do it in quite the same way.” (“Lift Where You Stand,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 56)
Teaching Thoughts:
- In this week's reading, we have the example of two women of courage. Consider having your family/class identify women in their lives who also have courage and faith.
- Like Esther, God has you in the right place at the right time to make a difference.
- God places mentors in our lives. Also, God invites you to mentor others.
- When facing your fears, seek God and invite Him into your daily discipleship.