Samuel, the Boy Prophet

Knock at the Door

? In the painting 

why is there no doorknob on the Savior's side of the door?

Revelation 3:20
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

--Christ stands at the door, but we must listen for his voice.

? How can you let the Savior into your life?

One way the Lord speaks to us is through his Holy

 Spirit. If we listen to the Holy Ghost, we can receive 

guidance from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Samuel, the Boy Prophet

Jesus Christ is our Savior and guide, and  as we live righteously we may hear his voice through the power of the Holy Ghost.

This lesson is about a young boy who 

heard the voice of the Lord, listened, and obeyed.

Please prepare simple drawings to use in the story of Samuel.

                                                                  

Samuel's Birth and Childhood

1 Samuel Chapter 1
9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord.
10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.
11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.


17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

28 Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.

19 Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

1 Samuel, Chapter 2
26 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men.

A man of God came to Eli and told him that because his sons were wicked, the priesthood would not be passed down through Eli's family

1 Samuel 2: 35
And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.

Read (with parts) the story of how the Lord called to the child Samuel.

• ? When the Lord has a message for the whole Church, how does he send it? 

• Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.  

• ?  Why do you think the Lord spoke to Samuel, a child? 
• (1 Samuel 3:1.) 
• 
  
• Elder Harold B. Lee explained that at this time “there was no prophet upon the earth through whom the Lord could reveal his will” (“But Arise and Stand upon Thy Feet”—And I Will Speak with Thee, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year [7 Feb. 1956], p. 2)
• 
  
• .Because there was no other prophet, the Lord prepared Samuel from the beginning of his life to be His prophet.
• 
  
• ? Which other prophets of God were called from boyhood? 

Joseph Smith

Mormon

How do we receive promptings from the Lord? -- the words of Church leaders  Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.     --  the scriptures         --  promptings through the Holy Ghost

How can we prepare ourselves to receive and understand the influence of the Holy Ghost?

Keep our thoughts and actions pure, 
keep the commandments,

Ask Heavenly Father to send the influence of the Holy Ghost,

Take time to listen for the Spirit after we pray for guidance. 



“The Still Small Voice”
(Children’s Songbook, 106)

Through a still small voice, the Spirit speaks to me

To guide me, to save me from the evil I may see.

If I try to do what’s right, he will lead me thru the night,

Direct me, protect me, and give my soul his light.

Listen, listen. The Holy Ghost will whisper.

Listen, listen to the still small voice.

____________________________

? When an impression or idea comes, how can we know it is from God?

From God Warm feeling inside You want to do good You want to love and serve God Peace in your mind

Not From God Confusion You want to do what is wrong You do not want to follow Jesus You doubt Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is our Savior and guide, and that as we live righteously we may hear his voice through the power of the Holy Ghost.