Lesson 41
“I Have Made Thee This Day … an Iron Pillar” (Jer 1–2;15;20;26;36–38)
Contents
Church Cirriculum
The official church guide can be seen at the Official LDS Church site for Gospel Doctrine
We encourage you to make sure you are familiar with the official church curriculum as the first step in your lesson preparation, as this is the material recommended by the General Authorities of the church.
Supplementary material here is not intended to substitute for lesson preparation, but hopefully it will enhance your preparations for Sunday School.
Lesson Ideas
In the book of Jeremiah 1:5-6 is a very important missionary scripture, as it states that the Lord knew Jeremiah before Jeremiah was born. This is an important Biblical reference to the pre-mortal existence.
Jeremiah lived in the last days of King Josiah. Josiah was instrumental in reforming the Kingdom of Judah. Josiah was killed in battle with the Egyptians, and his son was put in his stead. According to Jewish tradition, Jeremiah wrote a famous Lamentation over the death of Josiah, which might be Lamentations 4.
Jeremiah was directed by the Lord to write down his prophecies, and did so with the help of Baruch. Other comtemporaries include the prophet Joel, and the prophet Lehi.
After the death of Josiah, his first son lasted only 3 months on the throne, and he too was killed in battle. Jehoiakim, another of Josiah's son's took over the kingdom. Jehoiakim was no friend of the Lord, and threw Jeremiah in prison several times. Jeremiah prophecied that Jehoiakim would be "thrown out of Jerusalem." In response, Jehoiakim confiscated the book of Jeremiah, and tore it too pieces--one of the earliest known episodes of document shredding.
The video mentioned below goes into some good detail on the life of Jeremiah. One interesting fact is that Jeremiah was commanded never to marry. He also walked around with a yolk to represent the captivity of Judah. Jeremiah died in Egypt in captivity. There is also a link below where mormon historian Don Bradley talks about a lost book found in the days of Josiah.
For additional background, be sure to look at Josiah, Jeremiah, and Jehoiakim.
Other interesting scriptures to look at include Jer. 20:14-18 where Jeremiah wishes he was never born. Also in Jer. 15:1, Jeremiah tells them that even if Moses or Samuel plead for the people, God wouldn't help them.
Additional Teaching Materials
- Prophets. A&E Home video. Chapter 4. 1994. ISBN 0-7670-8501-9.
- Old Testament Institute Manual
- The Old Testament Made Easier Part 3. David J Ridges, 2006. ISBN 1-55517-957-6
File:Biblical-Josiah-By-Don-Bradley.mp3 (This is an mp3 file, not an image, so make sure your speakers are on. It takes a short time to load before playing.)
External Links
- Full interview of Don Bradley’s article on “The Grand Fundamental Principles of Mormonism: Joseph Smith’s Unfinished Revelation”
