Joshua 1–8; 23–24: Lesson 61

Joshua 1

The Lord Will Not Fail Us or Forsake Us

As the Lord’s chosen prophet, Joshua was ordained by Moses to lead Israel into the promised land. Although this task may have seemed daunting, the Savior commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous, with a promise that He would not fail or forsake His prophet (see Joshua 1:5–6). This lesson can help increase students’ confidence that the Lord can help them be strong and courageous when they face challenges.

Student preparation: Invite students to think of situations when a youth might need to demonstrate courage. Students could ask a family member or friend for experiences they have had that required courage.

Possible Learning Activities

Courage when facing challenges

To begin class, consider writing the word Courage on the board. As students respond to the following questions, invite them to write their responses on the board.

• How was Jesus Christ an example of courage?

• What are some situations a teenager may face that would require courage?

In your study journal, write down some of the challenges you are facing now or may face in the future that require courage.

Self–assessment can help students evaluate their current situation and provide an opportunity for the Holy Ghost to meet their individual needs throughout the lesson. One way to do this could be to invite students to respond to the following prompts in their study journals.

• When I am asked to do something that seems challenging, I often feel .

• On a scale of 1 (low) to 5 (high), how confident do I feel that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will help me face my challenges with courage? Why?

As you study today, pay attention to impressions from the Holy Ghost that can help you be courageous and increase your confidence that the Lord is with you.

Joshua is ordained to lead the children of Israel

Consider displaying an image of Moses ordaining Joshua, like the image from the beginning of this lesson (see Deuteronomy 34:9).

Although Moses had been with the children of Israel since their deliverance from Egypt, the Lord called Joshua to lead them into the promised land.

• What are some of the challenges Joshua could have faced as the Lord’s prophet and military leader of Israel?

Help students understand that Joshua would have the responsibility of the spiritual leadership of Israel. Joshua was also the military commander and would lead Israel to conquer the land from the Canaanites who were ripe in iniquity (see 1 Nephi 17:31–40). The Lord had promised this land to Abraham and his righteous posterity (see Joshua 1:1–4).

Read Joshua 1:5–9, marking repeated promises and instructions from the Lord that could have helped Joshua focus on Him when facing challenges.

• What do you find significant from these verses?

• How would you summarize a truth to help someone going through challenges?

As students share truths they have identified, help them recognize that when we know the Lord is with us, we can be strong and courageous. You might use some or all of the following questions to help students understand this truth. Students might work with a partner or small group and then share what they discussed with the class.

Think about the challenging situations listed on the board and in your journal.

• What might it look like to be strong and have courage when facing these challenges?

• What do you know about the Lord that could help someone be strong and have courage? How do you know this?

Read Doctrine and Covenants 84:88, looking for ways the Lord is with us.

Ways to invite the Lord’s help

The following activities can help students recognize ways to invite the Lord’s help when they need to be strong and courageous. Invite students to choose one of the activities. After an appropriate amount of time, students could share what they learned with those who chose the other activity.

You might provide one of the statements available in Additional Resources for students to study with each activity.

Activity A: Obedience to God’s law

Read Joshua 1:7 and one or more of the following scriptures: John 15:10; 1 Nephi 3:7; Mosiah 2:41; Doctrine and Covenants 93:20.

• What connections do you see between obeying God’s commandments and being strong and courageous?

• What are some ways Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ could bless us because of our obedience?

Activity B: Meditating on God’s word

Read Joshua 1:8 and one or more of the following scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:15–17; 2 Nephi 31:20; 32:3.

• What helps you meditate on scriptures?

• How do you think meditating on God’s words can help you feel close to Him?

Reviewing goals can help students recognize the progress they have made and make any needed adjustments to their goal. Encourage students to review the scripture study goal they may have set. Then invite them to evaluate their progress and make any adjustments to their goal. (For additional training on reminding students of their scripture study goals, see “Encourage learners to come to know the Savior by studying the gospel daily—study goal” in Teacher Development Skills [2022], 31.)

Remembering the Lord is with us

• What are some ways you have felt the Lord with you during your challenges?

Provide an opportunity for students to reflect on what they have learned and felt today. They could invite the Spirit to help them see how their efforts have increased their confidence that the Lord will be with them.

In your study journal, think about the challenges you face now or may face in the future.

• What have you learned or felt about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that can help you be strong and courageous when facing challenges?

• From what you learned or felt about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, what do you want to remember the next time you feel uncertain about your ability to handle a difficult situation?

Consider sharing your witness that the Lord will keep His promise to be with us always, never failing or forsaking us, just as He promised Joshua.

Additional Resources

What do we understand about the death of Moses? (Deuteronomy 34:5–7; Joshua 1:1–2)

Although several Old Testament verses refer to the death of Moses, we know from restoration scripture that Moses did not taste of death (see Alma 45:19) but was instead translated. Persons who are translated do not experience pain or death during their remaining mortal existence. Then they are instantly resurrected to immortality (see 3 Nephi 28:8). Translated beings perform specific assignments that require a physical body. Moses appeared at the Mount of Transfiguration before the Resurrection of Jesus (Mark 9:2–4). Had Moses been a spirit only, he could not have given the priesthood keys to the mortal Peter, James, and John on the mount (see “Moses” in Bible Dictionary).

How is Joshua a type of Christ?

As the temporal and spiritual leader of the Israelites, Joshua is also a type and shadow of Jesus Christ. The name Jesus is “the Greek form of the name Joshua or Jeshua, ‘God is help’ or ‘Savior’” (Bible Dictionary, “Jesus”). Joshua/Jeshua/Jesus would be the one to lead Israel to the promised land.

How can obedience increase our confidence in the Lord?

Brother M. Joseph Brough of the Young Men General Presidency explained:

In our family, we have a saying that became an important part of our mission. President Russell M. Nelson has been teaching the concept for a while. He said it this way: “Obedience brings success; exact obedience brings miracles.” (R. Scott Lloyd, “Elder Nelson Delivers Spiritual Thanksgiving Feast to MTCs,” newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

I do not completely understand what exact obedience means, but here is what I have come to understand. It does not mean that we are perfectly obedient right now in all things, although we can be perfect in obeying many of the Lord’s commandments. Hence, repentance must be a key part of exact obedience. Exact obedience requires a commitment to all the warnings and promptings and commandments Heavenly Father gives us. (“A Still, Small Voice among Big Decisions,” Ensign or Liahona, Dec. 2018, 44)

How can scripture study increase our confidence in the Lord?

President Russell M. Nelson said:

When I think of the Book of Mormon, I think of the word power. The truths of the Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, console, and cheer our souls. …

I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day. (“The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 62–63)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Practice “meditating” upon the words of Christ

If students would benefit from an opportunity to practice meditating or pondering a scripture, you could share the following statement from Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

When I say “study,” I mean something more than reading. It is a good thing sometimes to read a book of scripture within a set period of time to get an overall sense of its message, but for conversion, you should care more about the amount of time you spend in the scriptures than about the amount you read in that time. I see you sometimes reading a few verses, stopping to ponder them, carefully reading the verses again, and as you think about what they mean, praying for understanding, asking questions in your mind, waiting for spiritual impressions, and writing down the impressions and insights that come so you can remember and learn more. Studying in this way, you may not read a lot of chapters or verses in a half hour, but you will be giving place in your heart for the word of God, and He will be speaking to you. (“When Thou Art Converted,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 11)

Invite students to select a scripture passage to practice meditating upon. Prepare the room, eliminating as many distractions as possible.

Students could create a list of things they could do based on Elder Christofferson’s quote. If they need additional assistance, you could provide some of the following:

• Read and reread the passage you selected with the desire to learn from it rather than just to finish.

• Reflect upon what you are reading, the meaning of the words, and how they apply to you. Think deeply about it again and again.

• Try to engage your mind in an active process, mentally searching and thinking about the scripture, words and phrases, and how the message of the verse can help you.

• Write down any thoughts or feelings that come as you practice.

After a set amount of time, sincerely thank students for their willingness to participate in the activity. You could remind them that how and when the Lord blesses us for our efforts to meditate upon His word is up to Him. Invite them to continue to look for opportunities to practice this skill as part of their regular gospel study.

Examples of courage and confidence in the Lord

If students would benefit from an example of the Lord increasing our courage and confidence, you could show the video “Dare to Stand Alone” (4:20). This video depicts the story of President Monson, who found confidence in the Lord as he felt he stood alone.

The video “Your Great Adventure: Overcoming Life’s Obstacles” from time code 5:48 to 8:19 could be used to illustrate how the Lord increased a young man’s courage and confidence to face life’s challenges.