Daniel Refusing the King’s Meat and Wine, by Del Parson
Daniel 1–7: Lesson 142
Daniel 1
“Daniel … Would Not Defile Himself”
Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.
When we encounter situations that test our resolve to obey the Lord’s commandments, do we give in or stand firm? As servants in King Nebuchadnezzar’s court, Daniel and his friends were instructed to break the Lord’s revealed health laws, but they stood firm. This lesson can encourage you to strengthen your commitment to obey the Lord’s Word of Wisdom.
Study the Scriptures
Mateo is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has a reputation for trying new things, so his friends often give him challenges. Once, a friend challenged him to dive into an ice-cold lake. Mateo took the challenge. Once a friend challenged him to introduce himself to a new girl at school. Mateo took the challenge. One day Mateo’s friends challenge him to drink alcohol at a party.
How do you think Mateo might respond? Why? How do you think you would respond if you were offered something more common, like coffee or tea?
As you study Daniel 1 today, listen for thoughts and feelings Heavenly Father might give you through the Holy Ghost. Look for ways to strengthen your commitment to following the Lord’s commandments.
Around 606 BC, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, attacked Jerusalem and took certain Israelites captive into Babylon. The king commanded that some of the Israelite youth be trained for service in his household. Among these youth were four young men named Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. In Babylon, their names were changed to Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, respectively (see Daniel 1:1–7).
Historical context: During this time, the children of Israel were still living the law of Moses. This included certain dietary restrictions on what they could eat (see Deuteronomy 14). This law was in place until the Savior came and fulfilled the law of Moses. A new law of health, the Word of Wisdom, was given in the early years of the restored Church (see Doctrine and Covenants 89).
Read Daniel 1:4–7, marking what the young men were asked to do.
Or you could watch the following video, “God Gave Them Knowledge,” from time code 0:52 to 4:18.
Why might this request have been challenging for Daniel and his friends? Why do you think disobeying the king’s instructions was worth the risk?
Read Daniel 1:8–15 to see what happened.
Or you could watch the video “God Gave Them Knowledge” from time code 4:18 to 5:15.
Read Daniel 1:15, 17, and 20. Mark blessings that happened because Daniel and others followed the Lord’s law of health. Make a note next to the verses that completes phrase “If I follow the Lord’s law of health, then …”
Review the following study options. Complete one or more. Then complete the “Now What?” section at the end of the lesson.
Option A
What can I learn about the Lord’s law of health today?
Imagine that you have been asked to create a poster that describes something unique about your religion. You decided to create your poster about the Word of Wisdom. Use some or all of the following sources to determine what to include:
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“Word of Wisdom” in the Guide to the Scriptures, Topics and Questions (Gospel Library), or “What about … ?” section of For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (2022)
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“The Word of Wisdom: What It Is, What It Isn’t,” New Era, Aug. 2019, 26–28
Be sure to include a statement of truth about the Word of Wisdom on your poster. This truth can be from Daniel’s experience or from other sources.
Option B
How can obeying any commandment help me trust God?
We can learn a lot about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ from the way they treat people in the scriptures. Read Daniel 1:15–20 again. Ponder what you learn about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Make a note of what you learn about Them.
Remember Mateo from the beginning of the lesson? Create another circumstance in which someone might be challenged. Write how remembering how the Lord took care of Daniel might help the person in your scenario.
Now What?
Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared the words of his mother to him as a boy:
She looked right into my eyes, and I felt her words penetrate my heart: “Promise me, Ronnie, today [she called me Ronnie], that you will always live the Word of Wisdom.” I solemnly made that promise to her, and I have held to it all these years.
That commitment served me well when I was in my youth and in later years when I was in business circles where substances flowed freely. I made a decision in advance to follow God’s laws, and I never had to revisit it. (“Standing by Our Promises and Covenants,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 54–55)
As you watch the following video, listen for blessings youth have experienced by living the Lord’s law of health.
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“A Brand New Year: Physical Health” from time code 0:53 to 4:19
7:29
In the scriptures, Daniel decided to remain faithful to the Lord’s commandment (see Daniel 1:8). This may have helped him remain true to the Lord when he faced this and other difficult circumstances. If you are willing, in your notebook, record your own commitment to living the Lord’s law of health. You could do so by completing one of the following statements:
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I want to obey the Word of Wisdom because …
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One thing I can do that will help me obey the Word of Wisdom is …
Share Your Thoughts
Lesson Purpose: To encourage you to strengthen your commitment to obey the Word of Wisdom.
Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:
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The poster you created.
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What the Word of Wisdom and other commandments teach you about trusting in God.
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Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.
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Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?