Lesson 109 – Ezekiel 1–3

1. Lesson 109 – Ezekiel 1–3 Watchmen

2. The Call of Ezekiel • Ezek. 1:1, 4-6 • 4 creatures, with 4 faces • D&C 77:2-4 • Ezek. 1:26-28 • Did he actually see the Lord? • Ezek. 2:1-5

3. Ezekiel 3:17-21 Watchman • A bit confusing… let’s break this down • Who is the watchman? • Jeremiah, or more generally the prophets. • What is their task? • To give warning to the people • v18-19 – What happens if the prophet doesn’t warn the wicked? • The wicked are still punished, but so is the watchman. • v21 – And if the people follow because of the warning? • “he shall surely live… also thou hast delivered thy soul” Warns Doesn’t Warn Repent Wicked Don’t Repent

4. Who are the watchmen today? As watchmen on the tower of Zion, it is our obligation and right as leaders to speak out against current evils—evils that strike at the very foundation of all we hold dear as the true church of Christ. . . . “As one of these watchmen, with a love for humanity, I accept humbly this obligation and challenge and gratefully strive to do my duty without fear. In times as serious as these, we must not permit fear of criticism to keep us from doing our duty,… “The Church is founded on eternal truth. We do not compromise principle. We do not surrender our standards regardless of current trends or pressures. Our allegiance to truth as a church is unwavering. Speaking out against immoral or unjust actions has been the burden of prophets and disciples of God from time immemorial. It was for this very reason that many of them were persecuted. Nevertheless, it was their God-given task, as watchmen on the tower, to warn the people.” -President Ezra Taft Benson

5. Watchman on the Tower • http://broadcast.lds.org/visual-resources/doctrine-and-covenants/2010-08-008-watchman-on-the-tower-1100k-eng.mp4 • What are the prophets warning us about today? What do they see from the watchtower?

6. President Thomas S. Monson “The world around you is not equipped to provide the help you need to make it through this often-treacherous journey. So many in our society today seem to have slipped from the moorings of safety and drifted from the harbor of peace. Permissiveness, immorality, pornography, drugs, the power of peer pressure—all these and more—cause many to be tossed about on a sea of sin and crushed on the jagged reefs of lost opportunities, forfeited blessings, and shattered dreams. Is there a way to safety? Is there an escape from threatened destruction? The answer is a resounding yes! I counsel you to look to the lighthouse of the Lord. I have said it before; I will say it again: there is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no mariner so lost but what the lighthouse of the Lord can rescue. It beckons through the storms of life. It calls, “This way to safety. This way to home.” It sends forth signals of light easily seen and never failing. If followed, those signals will guide you back to your heavenly home. …Those three signals are believe, obey, and endure.”

7. President Uchtdorf “We need to be constantly reminded of the eternal reasons behind the things we are commanded to do. The basic gospel principles need to be part of our life’s fabric, even if it means learning them over and over again. That doesn’t mean that this process should be rote or boring. Rather, when we teach the foundational principles in our homes or in church, let the flame of enthusiasm for the gospel and the fire of testimony bring light, warmth, and joy to the hearts of those we teach… There are times when we have to step into the darkness in faith, confident that God will place solid ground beneath our feet once we do. And so I accepted gladly, knowing that God would provide… If our hearts are pure—if we seek not our own glory but the glory of Almighty God, if we seek to do His will, if we desire to bless the lives of our family and fellowman—we will not be left to walk alone. As President Monson has often reminded us, “When we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help.”

8. President Eyering “It is never too late to strengthen the foundation of faith. There is always time. With faith in the Savior, you can repent and plead for forgiveness. There is someone you can forgive. There is someone you can thank. There is someone you can serve and lift. You can do it wherever you are and however alone and deserted you may feel… If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing. In all conditions, we can choose the right with the guidance of the Spirit. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ to shape and guide our lives if we choose it. And with prophets revealing to us our place in the plan of salvation, we can live with perfect hope and a feeling of peace. We never need to feel that we are alone or unloved in the Lord’s service because we never are. We can feel the love of God. The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right to bear us up.10 And He always keeps His word.”

9. The Prophets • This was all just from the last conference, and they all talked about the path we go forward with in life. How appropriate that they refer to this path, because they can see what lies ahead and help guide us along. • How grateful we may be that we are worthy as a people to have watchmen in our day, and that they are so loving and inspired and willing to serve.

10. Notebook Ideas • What recent words from the prophets and other general authorities have helped you along your path? • Describe the feelings you get when you listen to the prophet warning, teaching, and testifying.