Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream, by Robert T. Barrett
Daniel 1–7: Lesson 143
Daniel 2
“A Kingdom, Which Shall Never Be Destroyed”
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The Lord revealed to Daniel a vision of the latter days, highlighting the establishment of His kingdom on earth. This kingdom, known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will fill the world and endure forever. This lesson is designed to strengthen your testimony of the divine Restoration of the Church.
Study the Scriptures
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was officially restored on April 6, 1830. Only three temples were dedicated in the first 50 years. But by 1980, there were 19. Fast-forward to the end of 2023, and there were, incredibly, 335 temples announced, being built, or already up and running. The Restoration isn’t slowing down.
In the concluding session of the 189th Semiannual General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson read an updated list of questions Church members will be asked when receiving a temple recommend (see “Church Updates Temple Recommend Interview Questions,” Newsroom, Jan. 2020).
Think about how you would respond to the following temple recommend question:
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Do you have a testimony of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a dream that troubled him. None of his wise men could tell him what the dream was or how to interpret it. As a result, the king commanded that all his wise men, including Daniel, be killed. Before that could happen, God revealed the dream and its interpretation to Daniel (see Daniel 2:1–26). Watch the following video, “God Gave Them Knowledge,” from time code 6:17 to 13:00. It details King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
Before sharing what God had revealed about the dream, Daniel taught the king that God was the source of the interpretation. Daniel also revealed that the dream was about “what shall be in the latter days” (Daniel 2:28).
Read Daniel 2:31–35 to learn about the king’s dream.
In Daniel 2:36–45, Daniel explained the interpretation of the dream. He explained that the head of gold was symbolic of Nebuchadnezzar. The other parts of the statue were symbolic of other nations. (These may have been nations such as Persia or Rome.) As the kingdom of God rolls forth, it grows to fill the whole earth.
Read Daniel 2:44–45. Mark words and phrases that describe the stone.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained what the stone represents:
The Church [of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] is that prophesied latter-day kingdom, not created by man but set up by the God of heaven and rolling forth as a stone “cut out of the mountain without hands” to fill the earth (Daniel 2:45; see also verse 35). (“Why the Church,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 111)
Daniel explained that the stone would never be destroyed (see verse 44). This means that in the last days, God’s Church will not be destroyed. Look at the other things you learned about the stone. What might it mean for God’s Church? Make a note next to verses 44–45 in your scriptures.
Daniel 2:44–45 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider tagging doctrinal mastery passages with the topic they teach, so you can find them easily later. Memorize the reference and key scripture phrase, “God shall ‘set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed.’” Make a flash card with the key scripture phrase on one side and the reference on the other. Use flash cards to help you memorize the phrase.
Review the following study options. Complete one or more.
Option A
Why is the Restoration of the Church so important?
President Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
Yes, our message is most certainly the Atonement of Jesus Christ and all that it stands for, but we have no way to make that unspeakable gift accessible or redemptive or effective in the lives of people unless we declare the latter-day Restoration of divine truth and heavenly priesthood. Take away Joseph Smith and the First Vision, take away the events which followed, take away a direct restoration from heaven, and what do we have? We don’t have much—at least not enough to distinguish us from a thousand other good groups of people. (“Testify of the Restoration,” New Era, April 2017, 3–4)
Create a note next to “God of heaven set up a kingdom” from Daniel 2:44. Describe in your note how your life has been impacted because of the Restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Add to your note any covenants you have made or experiences you have had with the Spirit.
Option B
How can I gain or strengthen my testimony of the Savior’s restored Church?
After interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel shared his testimony that it was “certain, and the interpretation thereof sure” (Daniel 2:45). As we develop our personal testimonies, the truths of the Savior’s restored Church can become certain and sure to us through the power of the Holy Ghost.
President Russell M. Nelson shared what we need to do to develop sure testimonies for ourselves:
Now, as President of His Church, I plead with you. … Do the spiritual work to find out for yourselves [that the Savior’s Church has been restored], and please do it now. Time is running out. (“Come, Follow Me,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 91)
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What practical spiritual work can you do to strengthen your testimony of the Restoration of the Savior’s Church?
Share Your Thoughts
Lesson Purpose: To strengthen your testimony of the divine Restoration of the Church.
Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:
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How the Restoration has affected your life.
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What spiritual work you can do to strengthen your testimony.
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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?