Come, Follow Me
Esther
Lessons from Esther
How can the Old Testament help you with your modern-day problems?
Illustrations by Andrea Rivola
You might think you don’t have much in common with people in the Old Testament.
And in some ways, you’re right. The problems you’re facing might not look very much like the problems they faced.
Or do they?
Have you ever had to stand up for your beliefs? Have you ever done something nice for someone who didn’t thank you? Have you ever been angry at someone? If your answer is “yes” to any of those questions, you have more in common than you might think with the Old Testament story of Esther.
The Story
Long after Israel was destroyed and the Israelites were scattered, King Ahasuerus of Persia was searching for a new queen. One of the young women brought before him was Esther, a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin, Mordecai. Ahasuerus was impressed by Esther and chose her as his queen. Things seemed to be looking up for Esther. (See Esther 2.)
But one day, the king’s adviser, Haman, became angry when Mordecai refused to bow to him. He convinced Ahasuerus to make a decree that not just Mordecai but all the Jews in the kingdom should be killed. When Mordecai found out, he asked Esther to convince the king to reverse the decree. (See Esther 3–4.)
At first, Esther was afraid—visiting the king without an invitation was potentially punishable by death, even for the queen. But she asked all the Jews to fast for her and went to Ahasuerus anyway. Fortunately, he welcomed her in. Esther revealed to him that she was Jewish and that Haman’s plot would destroy her too. Ahasuerus became angry at Haman’s deceit and had him killed, and the Jews were spared. The Jews were joyful, and many people became Jews. (See Esther 4–8.)
You’ll probably never go through a situation quite like this. But you can still learn a lot by looking at how the people react to their trials.
Choose Faith
As an Israelite in a foreign land, Esther’s religion was not popular. Mordecai even encouraged her to hide her heritage when she became queen (see Esther 2:10). Still, when her people were in danger, Esther didn’t abandon her faith. She chose to follow God no matter what.
President Russell M. Nelson (1924–2025) once taught, “No identifier should displace, replace, or take priority over these three enduring designations: ‘child of God,’ ‘child of the covenant,’ and ‘disciple of Jesus Christ.’” Esther exemplified this idea perfectly. Even though following God wasn’t the easiest or most popular choice, she chose to be a faithful disciple and put her trust in Him.
Choose Kindness
Early in the story, Mordecai saved King Ahasuerus’s life by uncovering a plot to betray him. But he didn’t get any recognition for this good deed. Instead, he was “repaid” with Haman’s hatred and a death sentence against his people.
It would have been easy for Mordecai to feel betrayed or abandoned by God. But he continued to trust Him. And in God’s timing, the king learned what Mordecai had done (see Esther 6:1–3). Mordecai eventually received great honor, and his people were saved.
Sometimes, the good deeds you do won’t be recognized. That doesn’t mean they’re worthless. Choosing to serve others and be Christlike will always bring blessings, even if you don’t see them immediately. So when you have an opportunity to be kind, take it—whether anyone notices or not.
Choose Forgiveness
On the other hand, one person demonstrates what not to do.
Haman’s life seemed pretty good at the beginning of the story. He had a highly respected job, great wealth, and a successful family. Still, he chose to obsess over what he didn’t have. He was consumed by anger over Mordecai’s refusal to bow to him. Haman’s plot for revenge led to his own downfall.
Jesus Christ taught, “He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me” (3 Nephi 11:29). He also commanded us, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you” (Matthew 5:44). When you feel angry toward someone, try not to act with anger. Instead, pray for Heavenly Father’s help to forgive others and act with love.
What About You?
The next time you face a difficult situation, you can find strength and guidance as you “liken all scriptures” (1 Nephi 19:23) unto yourself. As you search for similarities between their story and your story, you’ll discover that these passages from so long ago might just have the answers you need today.