Prepare your mind and heart to be taught by the Holy Ghost. You will be ready to learn when your mind is alert and when your attention is focused on the learning experience. Do your best to show a willingness to be taught by the Spirit.
Begin your study with prayer.
We need to be careful with the decisions we make, because a moment’s careless decision can result in serious consequences.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles provides counsel about what to do when we face temptations. How might our response to temptations affect the rest of our lives?
Do you know what a railroad switch point is? A switch point is a piece of railroad track that can move, allowing train cars to be diverted onto another track.
President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) used a switch point as a symbol. What could the switch point represent in our lives?
President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) used a switch point as a symbol. What could the switch point represent in our lives?
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Gordon B. Hinckley
“Many years ago I worked for a railroad in the central offices in Denver. I was in charge of what is called head-end traffic. That was in the days when nearly everyone rode passenger trains. One morning I received a call from my counterpart in Newark, New Jersey. He said, ‘Train number such-and-such has arrived, but it has no baggage car. Somewhere, 300 passengers have lost their baggage, and they are mad.’
“I went immediately to work to find out where it may have gone. I found it had been properly loaded and properly trained in Oakland, California. It had been moved to our railroad in Salt Lake City, been carried to Denver, down to Pueblo, put on another line, and moved to St. Louis. There it was to be handled by another railroad which would take it to Newark, New Jersey. But some thoughtless switchman in the St. Louis yards moved a small piece of steel just three inches, a switch point, then pulled the lever to uncouple the car. We discovered that a baggage car that belonged in Newark, New Jersey, was in fact in New Orleans, Louisiana—1,500 miles from its destination. Just the three-inch movement of the switch in the St. Louis yard by a careless employee had started it on the wrong track, and the distance from its true destination increased dramatically. That is the way it is with our lives. Instead of following a steady course, we are pulled by some mistaken idea in another direction. The movement away from our original destination may be ever so small, but, if continued, that very small movement becomes a great gap and we find ourselves far from where we intended to go” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Words of the Prophet: Seek Learning,” New Era, Sept. 2007, 2).
As you study 2 Samuel 11–12, look for principles that can help you make wise decisions. Some decisions we make may appear small or insignificant, but the consequences of these decisions could greatly affect the course of our lives.
Read 2 Samuel 11:1–5, looking for decisions King David made that led him in the wrong direction. What principles can we learn from David’s choices?
Quiz 1
According to 2 Samuel 11:1, what did King David do during “the time when kings go forth to battle”?
He led his armies to battle against Israel’s enemies.
He decided to seek peace among neighboring countries.
He stayed home at Jerusalem.
Place the following decisions David made in the order that they occurred by numbering them 1–4:
David brought Bathsheba to his house even though she was married.
Because David was not with his soldiers in battle where he should have been, he was at home and was in a position to be tempted when he saw Bathsheba. From 2 Samuel 11:1–5 we can learn that if we are not where we should be, we can become more susceptible to temptation.
When David first saw Bathsheba bathing, he could have easily looked away and removed himself from the temptation by leaving his rooftop, but he chose not to.
Are you always where you should be? What are some of those places?
David could have corrected his course at any point. However, because David continued to give in to his lustful desires, he ultimately committed adultery with Bathsheba. From this account, we can learn that if we choose to entertain lustful desires, we become susceptible to serious sins.
1. What are some ways that someone your age can control unrighteous thoughts or desires?
A Warning about Pornography
One way some people choose to entertain lustful desires is by using pornography. “Pornography is any depiction, in pictures or writing, that is intended to inappropriately arouse sexual feelings. … It may be found in written material (including romance novels), photographs, movies, electronic images, video games, social media posts, phone apps, erotic telephone conversations, music, or any other medium” (“Pornography,” Gospel Topics, topics.lds.org). Read the following statement, looking for why pornography is so dangerous:
“Pornography in all forms is especially dangerous and addictive. What may begin as an unexpected exposure or a curious exploration can become a destructive habit. Use of pornography is a serious sin and can lead to other sexual transgression. Avoid pornography at all costs. … It causes you to lose the guidance of the Spirit and can damage your ability to have a normal relationship with others, especially your future spouse. It limits your ability to feel true love. If you encounter pornography, turn away from it immediately.
“If you are involved in pornography, cease now. Seek the help you need. Your parents and bishop can help you take the steps necessary to repent and rid yourself of this destructive habit” (For the Strength of Youth [booklet, 2011], 12).
A Message of Hope
Watch the video entitled “David and Bathsheba: To Look Upon” (4:15), located on LDS.org and on the LDS Media Library app. President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency uses the account of David and Bathsheba to illustrate the damaging effects of pornography. What does President Oaks say that can provide hope to those who struggle with pornography?
Watch the video entitled “David and Bathsheba: To Look Upon” (4:15), located on LDS.org and on the LDS Media Library app. President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency uses the account of David and Bathsheba to illustrate the damaging effects of pornography. What does President Oaks say that can provide hope to those who struggle with pornography?
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Dallin H. Oaks
“Consider the tragic example of King David. Though a spiritual giant in Israel, he allowed himself to look upon something he should not have viewed (see 2 Sam. 11). Tempted by what he saw, he violated two of the Ten Commandments, beginning with ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery’ (Ex. 20:14). In this way a prophet-king fell from his exaltation (see D&C 132:39).
“But the good news is that no one needs to follow the evil, downward descent to torment. Everyone caught on that terrible escalator has the key to reverse his course. He can escape. Through repentance he can be clean. …
“Do all that you can to avoid pornography. If you ever find yourself in its presence—which can happen to anyone in the world in which we live—follow the example of Joseph of Egypt. When temptation caught him in her grip, he left temptation and ‘got him out’ (Gen. 39:12)” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Pornography,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2005, 90).
The Need to Seek the Lord’s Help
The For the Strength of Youth booklet provides this counsel on how to avoid unwanted thoughts and lustful behaviors:
“Avoid situations that invite increased temptations, such as late-night or overnight activities away from home or activities where there is a lack of adult supervision. Do not participate in discussions or any media that arouse sexual feelings. Do not participate in any type of pornography. The Spirit can help you know when you are at risk and give you the strength to remove yourself from the situation” (For the Strength of Youth [booklet, 2011], 36).
Determine now to refuse to entertain lustful desires so you can avoid temptation and sin. Happiness can result from learning to control our thoughts and desires. The Lord wants to help us succeed in doing so. Seek His help. If you continue to struggle with lustful thoughts, desires, and behaviors, also seek the Lord’s help by counseling with your bishop. The Lord’s promise of forgiveness is available to all who sincerely repent. Because of Jesus Christ we can become clean from sin (see Isaiah 1:18).
List in your study journal or your Notes on LDS.org two or three things that you will do to redirect your thoughts or repent for lustful thoughts, desires, or actions.
David could have confessed his sin and begun the process of repentance. Instead he tried to hide his sin. As recorded in 2 Samuel 11:6–13, David ordered that Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, return home from the battlefront. When Uriah arrived, David asked Uriah to return home and be with his wife. Bathsheba was pregnant with David’s child. David hoped that by having Uriah spend the night with Bathsheba, it would appear that Uriah was responsible for his wife’s pregnancy.
David’s plan did not work, however, because Uriah nobly refused to enjoy the comforts of his home and the companionship of his wife when the rest of the army still remained at the battlefront. Uriah’s self-control was in stark contrast to David’s selfish and unrestrained actions.
Read 2 Samuel 11:14–17, looking for what David ultimately did to hide his sin of adultery.
What can we learn from David’s attempt to hide his sin?
From David’s actions in 2 Samuel 11:14–17, we can learn that seeking to hide our sins can lead to additional and more serious sins.
We read in 2 Samuel 11:18–25 that when a messenger reported the death of several of David’s soldiers, including Uriah, David replied with indifference, saying, “The sword devoureth one as well as another” (verse 25), and encouraged his army to continue in battle.
Read 2 Samuel 11:26–27, looking for what David did after Uriah was dead.
What do we learn from verse 27 that shows that no one can successfully sin in secret?
David thought that no one had found out about his sins and that he had successfully hidden them. Because of David’s actions, the Lord sent the prophet Nathan to David. Nathan told him a parable—a story with a symbolic meaning.
Read 2 Samuel 12:1–6, looking for what Nathan helped David to understand with this parable.
What did David feel should happen to the rich man in the parable, and why?
David was angry at the unjust behavior of the rich man, and he did not see the similarities between his own behavior and that of the man in the parable.
From 2 Samuel 11:27; 12:7–9, we can learn that we cannot hide our sins from God.
2. Using what you have learned from this account of King David, what counsel would you provide to a friend who is sinning and trying to hide those sins from others and the Lord? Include in your response how your friend can rely on the Savior and His Atonement to be forgiven of his or her sins.
The following truths were identified in this lesson:
If we are not where we should be, we can become more susceptible to temptation.
If we choose to entertain lustful desires, we become susceptible to serious sins.
Seeking to hide our sins can lead to additional and more serious sins.
We cannot hide our sins from God.
Carefully consider where your decisions—even those that seem small—are leading you. Remember that small decisions can lead to larger consequences. If you have made mistakes, repent of your sins quickly and do not try to hide them.
