1. Ezra & Nehemiah Opposition to the Lord’s Work

2. When has the Lord inspired someone who is not a member of the Church to accomplish His purposes?

3. The temple in Jerusalem was in danger of being destroyed again because the protective walls had been destroyed and not rebuilt. Merciful King Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to rebuild and protect the temple that had been destroyed by the Babylonians. Zerubbabel lead the first group of Jews back to begin the rebuilding. About 80 years later, Ezra strengthened the Jews by teaching them from the scriptures during the construction project. About 13 years later, Nehemiah assisted in rebuilding and sought to help the Jews keep their covenants.

4. ▪ You will either be assigned EZRA or NEHEMIAH for today’s workout ▪ There will be 6 ‘sets’ in our routine today ▪ Follow the prompts on the screen and then you will share what you learned with your partner. ▪ You will enjoy the workout! EZRA & NEHEMIAH: WORKOUT

5. ▪ Read Ezra 1:4, 7–8 looking for what did Cyrus did to support the Jews in their efforts to rebuild the temple. ▪ Read Ezra 3:10–13 looking for how the Jews responded when the foundation of the temple was laid. ▪ Why do you think their joy was so great? Why do you think that many of those who had seen the original temple wept? EZRANEHEMIAH What was Nehemiah’s occupation? Find out by reading Nehemiah 1:11 Read Nehemiah 1:1-4 looking for what Nehemiah did after he heard about the temple’s condition. What things break YOUR heart? What things lead you to want to act differently and change your ways? 1/6

7. ▪ What are different forms of opposition we might face in our efforts to obey the Lord? ▪ Read Ezra 4:1–5 to discover the source of opposition to the temple. Then read Ezra 5:1–2,5 ▪ What truth can we learn from Ezra 5:5? ▪ What are some ways in which God watches over and helps His people when they are faced with difficulties in their lives? Read Nehemiah 2:1–6. looking for the king’s reaction to Nehemiah’s request to go help rebuild the temple walls. Read Nehemiah 2:19-20, looking for how the powerful leaders (Sanballat, Tobiah,and Geshem) opposed Nehemiah. How did Nehemiah respond? EZRANEHEMIAH 2/6

9. On one occasion I heard the late Apostle Marriner W. Merrill, President of the Logan Temple, relate this extraordinary incident. He was sitting in his office one morning, he said, when he noticed from the window a company of people coming up the hill to the Temple. As they entered the Temple grounds, they presented rather a strange appearance, not only in dress but on their mode of travel. Some were riding on horses, others were in conveyances, and still others were afoot. He wondered who they could be as he was not looking for accompany of such size that particular morning. They dismounted from their horses, stepped down from their conveyances, put their animals under the shade and walked about complacently as if they had a perfect right to be there. Opposition to temple work

10. A person unknown to Brother Merrill entered the room. Brother Merrill said to him: “Who are you and who are these people who have come up and taken possession of the Temple unannounced?” He answered and said: “I am Satan and these are my people. ”Brother Merrill then said: “What do you want? Why have you come here?” Satan replied: “I don't like the work that is going on in this Temple and feel that it should be discontinued. Will you stop it?” Brother Merrill answered and said emphatically, “No, we will not stop it. The work must go on.” “Since you refuse to stop it, I will tell you what I propose to do,” the adversary said, “I will take these people, my followers, and will instruct them to whisper in the ears of the people, persuading them not to go to the temple and thus bring about a stop to your temple work.” Satan then withdrew. Rudger Clawson, Deseret News, Dec. 12, 1936 Opposition to temple work

11. ▪ The governors wrote a letter to King Darius informing him of what the Jews were doing. They reported that Cyrus had made a decree allowing the Jews to rebuild the temple and provided them with resources. Darius ordered the king’s records to be searched, and Cyrus’s decree was found. ▪ Read Ezra 6:7–12 What did Darius order the local governors to do? ▪ Read Ezra 6:14–16 What were the Jews able to do after King Darius’s decree was received? What principle can we learn from the example of the Jews following the prophets? Read Nehemiah 4:6–9, 14–17 and Nehemiah 6:3 and then complete this phrase in two ways: “We will accomplish the work of the Lord despite opposition if…” Mark the powerful phrase in Nehemiah 6:3 When have you seen someone overcome opposition and prosper in his or her efforts to obey the Lord by following the prophets? EZRANEHEMIAH 3/6

13. Sir Winston Churhhill said: “To every man there comes … that special moment when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a special thing unique to him and fitted to his talent. What a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for the work which would be his finest hour” (as quoted by Jeffrey R. Holland, “Sanctify Yourselves,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 40) President Uchtdorf said, “Think of the power we would have as individuals … if, in response to every temptation to lose focus or lower our standards—the standards of God, we responded, ‘I am doing a great work and cannot come down’” (“We Are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come Down,” Ensign or Liahona, May2009, 62). EZRANEHEMIAH 4/6

15. ▪ Read Ezra 7:9 What do you think it means that Ezra had the “good hand of his God upon him”? ▪ Read Ezra 7:10 Look for what Ezra did to invite God’s hand to be upon him. ▪ Read Ezra 8:21–23 looking for what Ezra asked these people to do before they began their journey. ▪ Read Ezra 8:31–32 to look for what God did for those who traveled with Ezra. Read Nehemiah 6:15–16 looking for what the Jews were able to accomplish Read Nehemiah 8:1–3 looking for what Ezra did to help the people regain their spiritual health. Read Nehemiah 8:6, 12 looking for how the people responded when they heard and understood the scriptures. Read Nehemiah 9:15, looking for blessings the Jews praised God for as they prayed. EZRANEHEMIAH 5/6

17. ▪ Ezra 9:1–3 teaches that Ezra, upon arrival, found out that many believers had married non-believers. He issued a challenge to them in Ezra 10:10-12. ▪ Cross-reference D&C 1:3 and D&C 66:10 with Ezra 10:10-12. What do these verses teach about repentance? ▪ What account from the scriptures has helped you have a greater desire to obey God? Read Nehemiah 9:38 looking for this principle: As we learn from the scriptures about God and His goodness, we have a greater desire to enter into and keep His covenants. What account from the scriptures has helped you have a greater desire to obey God? EZRANEHEMIAH 6/6

19. We Are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come Down (3:00) President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency teaches that Heavenly Father seeks those who will not allow distractions to pull them away from the work He has asked them to perform. ( time codes 13:06 to 16:06)

20. Ezra & Nehemiah Opposition to the Lord’s Work