Jeremiah 36

How might Eli react to reading this passage? What do you know about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that might help Eli?

Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

God is in relentless pursuit of you. He “wants all of His children to choose to return to Him,” and He employs every possible measure to bring you back. …

Everything about the Father’s plan for His beloved children is designed to bring everyone home. (“God’s Intent Is to Bring You Home,” Liahona, Apr. 2024, 87)

The scriptures are one tool Heavenly Father employs to help you turn to Jesus Christ, repent, and be forgiven. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ desire the best for us, and They speak to us through the scriptures (see 2 Nephi 32:3; Doctrine and Covenants 1:37–38). As you learn today, ponder ways the scriptures can bless your life. Consider how these ideas could influence your personal study.

Read Jeremiah 36:1–3, looking for why the Lord commanded Jeremiah to record His words for the people of Judah.

Make a note next to verse 3 with the following truth: The Lord wants to forgive.

How might Elder Kearon’s statement and the truth in verse 3 change how Eli feels about the passage he read?

Read the following scripture passages, looking for additional ways the scriptures help us turn to the Lord and be forgiven of our sins. Tag each of these passages and Jeremiah 36:3 as “purpose of scripture.”

• 2 Timothy 3:16

• Alma 37:8

• Helaman 15:7

Jeremiah did what the Lord commanded and asked a man named Baruch to write the Lord’s words on a scroll. Because Jeremiah was imprisoned, he asked Baruch to read the Lord’s words to the people of Judah, including several princes. After doing so, Baruch gave the scroll to the princes to read to Jehoiakim, the king of Judah (see Jeremiah 36:4–10, 14–15, 20–21).

Read Jeremiah 36:20–24, marking evidence that King Jehoiakim did not value the words on the scroll. In verse 23, “he” refers to King Jehoiakim. Ponder what Jeremiah may have understood about the scriptures that King Jehoiakim didn’t.

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

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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)

Make a note next to verse 23. Include what you might have shared with King Jehoiakim to help him understand how the scriptures could turn him to Jesus Christ and bless his life.

Review the following study options. Complete one or more.

Option A

How should we respond to the word of the Lord?

After King Jehoiakim burned the scroll of scripture, the Lord gave specific instructions to Jeremiah.

Read Jeremiah 36:27–28, 32. Mark how the reaction of Baruch (Jeremiah’s scribe) differed from King Jehoiakim’s reaction.

King Jehoiakim suffered consequences for rejecting the words of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah. Jehoiakim was bound and taken captive into Babylon (see Jeremiah 22:18–19). Baruch, however, was blessed for his faithfulness to the words of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah (see Jeremiah 45:5).

In your notebook, respond to the following question:

• How might King Jehoiakim’s story have ended differently if he had understood that the words of the Lord help us turn back to the Savior?

Option B

How is my scripture study helping me turn to Jesus Christ?

As you began seminary, you were invited to set a personal study goal.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared:

In the end, the central purpose of all scripture is to fill our souls with faith in God the Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ—faith that They exist; faith in the Father’s plan for our immortality and eternal life. (“The Blessing of Scripture,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 34, 35)

In your notebook, respond to the following questions:

• How might knowing that the scriptures can help you turn to the Lord and receive his forgiveness and guidance affect your personal study?

• How have the scriptures helped you turn to Jesus Christ?

If it is available, watch “President Nelson – The Scriptures Teach Us About Jesus Christ (for Youth)” (0:59).

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Review your study goal and ponder any adjustments you feel you need to make.

Lesson Purpose: To help you understand how the words of the Lord can turn you to Jesus Christ to be forgiven of sin.

Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

• How King Jehoiakim’s story might have ended differently if he had understood truths from this lesson.

• Your new goal—explain any changes you will make and how you feel they will help you come closer to the Lord.

• Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.

• Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?