Quote 1

Evan Stephens, once the conductor of the Tabernacle Choir, had just finished leading the choir in a session of general conference. He quietly took his seat and then leaned a bit forward, anxiously awaiting the message President Joseph F. Smith was about to deliver. He was thrilled with the prophet's sermon that was on the subject of the youth, the worldly pressures they encounter, and the importance of their being true to the teachings of the gospel. At the close of the service, Professor Stephens strolled alone up City Creek Canyon, pondering the inspired words of the President. He sat "upon a rock which was standing firm under the [intense] pressure of the rushing water." The rock seemed to him symbolic of what he had heard that morning. Suddenly the words and music came to him for what would become one of the youth's favorite hymns. While sitting upon that rock, he penciled the words and composed the music to "True to the Faith." He, like the prophet, loved the youth and said this song "was his spiritual advice to them." (Adapted from J. Spencer Cornwall, Stories of Our Mormon Hymns [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1963], pp. 173-74.)

Quote 2

"Daniel was brought into a strange land as a youth-a land with strange customs, a strange tongue, strange environment, and a strange [religion]. ... His first test ... came when the king ordered that [those who had been brought to Babylon were to] drink of his wine and eat of his rich food. Daniel understood from the commandments that he had been taught by his parents, the commandments of the Lord, that these things were not good for his body. ... Daniel and his friends [had been] taught to keep the commandments of God. ... Daniel begged that he and his friends be allowed to follow the health rules that had been given to them." He suggested a ten-day test to see which kind of diet would be better. (Commentary adapted from L. Tom Perry, "In the World," Speeches of the Year, 1981 [Provo: Brigham Young University Press, 1981], pp. 2-7.)

Quote 3

Daniel yet had a third test. "He made his way to a position of prominence under three kings [and] was appointed the head of all the princes. The ... princes were jealous of Daniel. ... They tried to find something that was wrong, that they could take and present before the king. When they found nothing, they had to [devise] another plot. The wicked princes presented a new law to the king which stated that for thirty days no one in the kingdom would be allowed to pray [but must] praise only the king. The king seemed to think that was a good idea ... , so he put a penalty on [those who defied] the law. ... When Daniel heard the new law, he was greatly troubled, [for] prayer [and] communication with his God [were extremely important to him]." (See Perry, "In the World," p. 6.)

Quote 4

"Those who wanted to have Daniel out of the way spied on him in his house, and, when they saw him praying, [they told the king]. The king loved Daniel, and he realized what a terrible trick had been played on him by the wicked princes. He tried to change the law to save Daniel from the lions, but the princes reminded him that no law that the king had made could be changed" (Perry, "In the World," p. 6).

Quote 5

"Daniel had set such a great example before the king that [the king] trusted [Daniel's] God [to] deliver Daniel from the den of the lions. The king spent all night fasting for Daniel. In the morning he rushed to the den of lions and cried out [to him]" (Perry, "In the World," p. 6).

Quote 6

"He is a loving Father who wants us to have the happiness that results not from mere innocence but from proven righteousness. Therefore, he will, at times, not deflect the harsh learning experiences that may come to each of us-even though he will help us in coping with them" (Neal A. Maxwell, "Talk of the Month," New Era, May 1971, p. 30; italics added).

Quote 7

Elder James E. Faust said: "Since virtue and faith too often do not readily trade in the marketplace, some may feel that they can live by whatever standards their whim or fancy suggest. In a value-free society-free of morals, free of standards-many also live free of feelings of self-worth, self-respect, and dignity. Far too many young people, and older ones, too, fail to realize, as the motto of the city of Nottingham, England, affirms: Vivet post funera virtus ('virtue lives on after death')" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1981, p. 9; or Ensign, May 1981, p. 9).

Story:

The following is a story of a young woman who refused to lower her dating standards:

"She was the only member of the Church in her class in school. She was a popular young lady with the boys, and had many opportunities to go out on dates. The boys in her class did not live by the standards she had been taught in our Church. She made the decision to tell every boy who asked her for a date what standards she lived by. If she were to date them, they would be expected to conduct themselves in accordance with her standards. She would get such a commitment from them before she accepted a date. One day the big campus football hero came up to her before the most special dance of the year and said, 'You know, I would ask you to go to the dance with me if you would lower your standards just a little.' There was no hesitation in her voice as she replied, ['I'm sorry, but if it means lowering my standards to go out with you, I can't go with you. I've made a commitment to live by them no matter who is doing the asking for a date']" (L. Tom Perry, in Conference Report, Oct. 1979, p. 51; or Ensign, Nov. 1979, p. 36).

Handout:

Righteous Living amid Pressures

1. What were the results of Daniel's diet compared to the king's meat?

Dan. 1:15 15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.

2. How did God bless Daniel and his friends for being faithful and obeying his law of health?

Dan. 1:17 17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Daniel's second challenge came when King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and wanted it interpreted. None of the magicians or astrologers in the kingdom could tell the king what his dream was or what it meant. This made the king so angry that he commanded that all of the wise men of Babylon be killed, including Daniel

3. What did Daniel do when he heard what the king was planning to do?

Dan. 2:16 16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.

4. How did Daniel receive the answers he needed concerning the king's dream?

Dan. 2:18-20

18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his

5. After Daniel gave the interpretation of the dream to the king, what were the king's reaction and Daniel's reward?

Dan. 2:47-48

47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret. 48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.

[Quote 3] Daniel yet had a third test. "He made his way to a position of prominence under three kings [and] was appointed the head of all the princes. The ... princes were jealous of Daniel. ... They tried to find something that was wrong, that they could take and present before the king. When they found nothing, they had to [devise] another plot. The wicked princes presented a new law to the king which stated that for thirty days no one in the kingdom would be allowed to pray [but must] praise only the king. The king seemed to think that was a good idea ... , so he put a penalty on [those who defied] the law. ... When Daniel heard the new law, he was greatly troubled, [for] prayer [and] communication with his God [were extremely important to him]." (See Perry, "In the World," p. 6.)

6. What was the penalty for disobeying this law?

Dan. 6:7 7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

7. What did Daniel do, even though he knew of the decree and its penalty?

Dan. 6:10 10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

[Quote 4] "Those who wanted to have Daniel out of the way spied on him in his house, and, when they saw him praying, [they told the king]. The king loved Daniel, and he realized what a terrible trick had been played on him by the wicked princes. He tried to change the law to save Daniel from the lions, but the princes reminded him that no law that the king had made could be changed" (Perry, "In the World," p. 6).

8. What did the king say to Daniel as they threw him into the lions' den?

(Dan. 6:16) 16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

[Quote 5] "Daniel had set such a great example before the king that [the king] trusted [Daniel's] God [to] deliver Daniel from the den of the lions. The king spent all night fasting for Daniel. In the morning he rushed to the den of lions and cried out [to him]" (Perry, "In the World," p. 6).

9.-A. What did the king ask Daniel?

Dan. 6:20 20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

9-B What was Daniel's response?

Dan. 6:22 22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

10. After witnessing this miracle and Daniel's loyalty to his God, what decree did the king now make?

Dan. 6:26-27

26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

Righteous Living amid Pressures

1. What were the results of Daniel's diet compared to the king's meat? (Daniel 1:15)

2. How did God bless Daniel and his friends for being faithful and obeying his law of health? (Daniel 1:17)

3. What did Daniel do when he heard what the king was planning to do? (Daniel 2:16)

4. How did Daniel receive the answers he needed concerning the king's dream? (Daniel 2:18-20)

5. After Daniel gave the interpretation of the dream to the king, what were the king's reaction and Daniel's reward? (Daniel 2:47-48)

6. What was the penalty for disobeying this law? (Daniel 6:7)

7. What did Daniel do, even though he knew of the decree and its penalty? (Daniel 6:10)

8. What did the king say to Daniel as they threw him into the lions' den? (Daniel 6:16)

9. What did the king ask Daniel? (Daniel 6:20) What was Daniel's response? (Daniel 6:22)

10. After witnessing this miracle and Daniel's loyalty to his God, what decree did the king now make? (Daniel 6:26-27)

Optional handout: