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I Have Made Thee This Day an Iron PillarJeremiah 12; 15; 20; 26; 3638

Lesson 41: I Have Made Thee This Day an Iron Pillar, Old Testament Gospel Doctrine Teachers Manual,194

I Have Made Thee This Day an Iron Pillar Lesson 41: I Have Made Thee This Day an Iron Pillar, Old Testament Gospel Doctrine Teachers Manual,194

Jeremiah 12; 15; 20; 26; 3638

Beginning: Called to Servehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAqKrqzrbzw

Purpose To remain faithful in times of opposition and adversity. This lesson focuses on the courage and commitment of Jeremiah as he faced opposition from everyone around him.

Jeremiah 1:1719.Jeremiah foreordained to be a prophet unto the nationsHe is called, as a mortal, to declare the word of the Lord. 17 Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. 18 For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. 19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee.

What phrases does the Lord use in verse 18 to describe Jeremiah?

What do these phrases suggest about the kind of person Jeremiah was?

How would you feel if these words were used to describe you as you set out to fulfill a calling or assignment from the Lord?

Kings, princes, priests, and all the people of the land opposed Jeremiah in his mission, but he valiantly did as the Lord commanded. Refer to the metal bar and explain that Jeremiah was an iron pillar who had great strength in times of adversity and did not bend or break.

http://rjnorman.blogspot.com/2010/10/jeremiah.htmlThe meaning of his name is uncertain. It may mean, The Lord exalts or the Lord throws down. The essence of his name may be found in Jeremiah 1:10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull-down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

His ministry began 626 B.C. and ended 586 B.C.

He was preceded by the Prophet Zephaniah and concurrent with Lehi, Habakkuk, Ezekiel, Daniel, Urijah, and possibly Obediah, and Hulda (Prophetess).

He was told that he was called and ordained in pre-earth life (Jeremiah 1:4-5).

His best friend was his scribe Baruch who would also publicly deliver/read Jeremiah's prophecies.

Commanded not to marry in this place (Jeremiah 16:1-4)

Known as the weeping Prophet (Jeremiah 4:19, 9:1, 10:19-20, 23:9, and Lamentations).

Put in stocks (Jeremiah 20:2-3; imprisoned and thrown in a miry pit (Jeremiah 37-38). He may have spent the entire time of Zedekiah's reign in prison which was eleven years.

He was a Priest from the town of Anathoth and of the household of Hilkiah.

He struggled with his calling and role in life. He seemed to be timid. He wrote six confessions of how he felt: Jeremiah 11:18-23, 12:1-4, 15:10-21, 17:12-18, 18:18-23, 20:7-18.

The following are dramatizations that typified his message: 1. The ruined sash Jeremiah 13:1-122. Smashed clay jar Jeremiah 19:1-123. Yoke and crossbar Jeremiah 274. Large stones in brick pavement before Pharaoh's home 5. He was not allowed to participate in funeral meals or feasting Jeremiah 16:5-96. The potters clay Jeremiah 18:1-107. The two baskets of figs Jeremiah 248. Told not to marry in this place Jeremiah 16:1-4

Six discourses were given in Jeremiah chapters 2-20:Jeremiah 2:1-3:5Jeremiah 3:6-6:30Jeremiah chapters 7-10Jeremiah chapters 11-13Jeremiah chapters 14-17Jeremiah chapter 18-20

Moroni quoted several verses from Jeremiah to the Prophet Joseph Smith:

Jeremiah 30:18-21; 31:6, 8, 9, 27-28, 31-33

Important covenant imagery is found in Jeremiah 34:8-22 which finds a latter-day reference in D&C 6:2; 11:2; 12:2; and 14:2.

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Jeremiahs life was full of sorrow, but his response to trial can teach and inspire us.

Jeremiah ministered during the reigns of five kings, from Josiah to Zedekiah (626 to 586 b.c.). With Josiah, he tried to turn the people from idolatry and immorality. But the kings after Josiah ruled in wickedness, and the people were in total apostasy. Jeremiahs mission was to raise a voice of warning to these people, and his denunciations of their wickedness are among the strongest in all scripture. His was one of the last voices of warning before Judah was conquered by the Babylonians.

Jeremiahs life was full of sorrow, but his response to trial can teach and inspire us. He was beaten and imprisoned for prophesying against the kingdom of Judah. His life was constantly threatened. But through all the adversity and opposition, Jeremiah was like an iron pillar (Jeremiah 1:18). The book of Jeremiah provides a personal, faith-promoting record of the prophets response to his lifes sorrow and frustration. 2

The Prophet Joseph Smith said, Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was (History of the Church, 6:364).

1. Jeremiah is called of God to be a prophet. Review the account of Jeremiahs call to be a prophet as recorded in Jeremiah 1:410. What does Jeremiahs call teach us about the doctrine of foreordination? (See Jeremiah 1:5.) 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

How do you think it helped Jeremiah to know that in the premortal existence he had been foreordained to be a prophet?

The Prophet Joseph Smith said, Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was (History of the Church, 6:364).

What did the Lord do when Jeremiah felt inadequate to fulfill his calling? (See Jeremiah 1:610.) 6 Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 7 But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. 9 Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

How have you been reassured by the Lord when you have felt inadequate? 3

We can become better clay in the hands of the Lord.

Clay in the potters hand (Jeremiah 18:6) Jeremiahs visit to the potter, recorded in Jeremiah 18:14. Israel is as potters clay in the hands of the LordIf nations repent, the Lord withholds the evil decreed against themThe Jews shall be scattered. 1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, 2 Arise, and go down to the potters house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. 3 Then I went down to the potters house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. 4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

What did the Lord teach his people through Jeremiahs experience? (See Jeremiah 18:510. 5 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potters hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel. 7 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; 8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. 9 And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; 10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

The Lord showed them that if they would repent, he would mold them into something better, just as the potter had reshaped the marred vessel. He also reminded them that he had the power to destroy them if they did not repent.)

How does this comparison apply to us today?

How can we become better clay in the Lords hands? (By being humbleby obeying, repenting, trusting the Lord, and seeking his will. Invite class members to share experiences that show how the Lord has shaped and prepared people to fulfill his purposes.)

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Pres. Heber C. Kimball provided the following insights into the the comparison in Jeremiah 18:110:

All [who] are pliable in the hands of God and are obedient to His commands, are vessels of honor, and God will receive them

There are many vessels that are destroyed after they have been moulded and shaped. Why? Because they are not contented with the shape the potter has given them, but straightaway put themselves into a shape to please themselves; therefore they are beyond understanding what God designs, and they destroy themselves by the power of their own agency. [These people] have to go through a great many modellings and shapes, then have to be glazed and burned; and even in the burning, some vessels crack

What happens when we resist being molded by the Lord?

President Heber C. Kimball (On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball;Stanley B. Kimball, editor "I wish to be in the hands of God," he explained to his wife Vilate, "as the clay in the hands of the potter.. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, pp. 298-301 ) provided the following insights into the comparison in Jeremiah 18:110: All [who] are pliable in the hands of God and are obedient to His commands, are vessels of honor, and God will receive them (History of the Church, 4:478). There are many vessels that are destroyed after they have been moulded and shaped. Why? Because they are not contented with the shape the potter has given them, but straightaway put themselves into a shape to please themselves; therefore they are beyond understanding what God designs, and they destroy themselves by the power of their own agency. [These people] have to go through a great many modellings and shapes, then have to be glazed and burned; and even in the burning, some vessels crack (in Stanley B. Kimball, Heber C. Kimball: Mormon Patriarch and Pioneer [1981], 270).

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I wish to be in the Hands of God, as the clay in the Hands of the Potter. Pres. Heber C. Kimball

[p.x]No other LDS leader since has exceeded Kimball's devotion to Mormonism. "I wish to be in the hands of God," he explained to his wife Vilate, "as the clay in the hands of the potter."2

On the Potter's Wheel:The Diaries of Heber C. KimballStanley B. Kimballeditor

Signature Booksin association withSmith Research AssociatesSalt Lake City1987

2. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, pp. 298-301.

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Baruch writes the prophecies of Jeremiah and reads them in the house of the Lord; Jehoiakim the king burns the book and judgment comes upon him; Jeremiah dictates the prophecies again and adds many more.

2. Many people oppose Jeremiah and try to prevent him from fulfilling his mission.

Jeremiah faced opposition as he fulfilled the mission given to him by the Lord: Jeremiah 20:16. Jeremiah is smitten and put in the stocksHe prophesies that all Judah shall be taken captive by Babylon.1 Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the Lord, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things. 2 Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the Lord. 3 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, The Lord hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magor-missabib. 4 For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it: and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive into Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword. 5 Moreover I will deliver all the strength of this city, and all the labours thereof, and all the precious things thereof, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies, which shall spoil them, and take them, and carry them to Babylon. 6 And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies. Displeased with Jeremiahs prophecies, Pashur, the chief governor of the temple, had Jeremiah beaten and put in the stocks. Jeremiah prophesied that Pashur, his family, and his friends would be taken captive by the Babylonians and would die in Babylon.

b. Jeremiah 26:715. Jeremiah prophesies the destruction of the peopleFor this he is arraigned and tried and then acquitted. 7 So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord. 8 Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die. 9 Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the Lord. 10 When the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the kings house unto the house of the Lord, and sat down in the entry of the new gate of the Lords house. 11 Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears. 12 Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard. 13 Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God; and the Lord will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you. 14 As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you. 15 But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the Lord hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.

Most of the people in the land, including the priests, opposed Jeremiah and his message (26:711). However, Jeremiah courageously delivered the message the Lord had commanded him to give (26:1215).

Jeremiah was even opposed and hated by his neighbors and relatives (11:1921; The Jews are cursed for breaking the covenant of obedienceThe Lord will not hear their prayers19 But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered. 20 But, O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause. 21 Therefore thus saith the Lord of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the Lord, that thou die not by our hand:

12:6; Jeremiah complains of the prosperity of the wickedIf other nations learn the ways of Israel, they shall be numbered with them. 6 For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.

note that Jeremiah was from the city of Anathoth).

c. Jeremiah 36:16, 2032. Baruch writes the prophecies of Jeremiah and reads them in the house of the LordJehoiakim the king burns the book, and judgment comes upon himJeremiah dictates the prophecies again and adds many more. 1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, 2 Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day. 3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin. 4 Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the Lord, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book. 5 And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, I am shut up; I cannot go into the house of the Lord: 6 Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the Lord in the ears of the people in the Lords house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.

The words of Jeremiahs prophecies were written down and read to the people (36:16). The king burned these words, and the Lord commanded Jeremiah to record them again (36:2032). 20 And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king. 21 So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll: and he took it out of Elishama the scribes chamber. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king. 22 Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him. 23 And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. 24 Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words. 25 Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them. 26 But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the Lord hid them. 27 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying, 28 Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned. 29 And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the Lord; Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast? 30 Therefore thus saith the Lord of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost. 31 And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they hearkened not. 32 Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words. 7

Jeremiah was accused unjustly and put into prison.

d. Jeremiah 37:1215; 38:413.

Jeremiah was accused unjustly and put into prison (37:1215). Jeremiah prophesies that Egypt shall not save Judah from BabylonHe is cast into a dungeonZedekiah transfers him to the court of the prison. 12 Then Jeremiah went forth out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin, to separate himself thence in the midst of the people. 13 And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans. 14 Then said Jeremiah, It is false; I fall not away to the Chaldeans. But he hearkened not to him: so Irijah took Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes. 15 Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison.

He was later cast into a dungeon, where he sank into the mire (38:46). 4 Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt. 5 Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you. 6 Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire. 8

Jeremiah is cast into a dungeon; Zedekiah transfers him to the court of the prison. Jeremiah is cast into a miry dungeon; freed by an Ethiopian and put in the prison court .

Jeremiah is cast into a dungeon; Zedekiah transfers him to the court of the prison. Jeremiah is cast into a miry dungeon; freed by an Ethiopian and put in the prison court .By order of King Zedekiah, Jeremiah was released from the dungeon and put back in prison (38:713). 7 Now when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the kings house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin; 8 Ebed-melech went forth out of the kings house, and spake to the king, saying, 9 My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city. 10 Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die. 11 So Ebed-melech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah. 12 And Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so. 13 So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.

What does Jeremiah 20:1418 reveal about how Jeremiah felt as he endured such overwhelming opposition? Jeremiah is smitten and put in the stocksHe prophesies that all Judah shall be taken captive by Babylon. 14 Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed. 15 Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad. 16 And let that man be as the cities which the Lord overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide; 17 Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me. 18 Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame? 9

Jeremiah continued to obey the Lord and fulfill his calling even when he was persecuted and discouraged.

What can we learn from Jeremiah to help us when we experience adversity?

(Answers: Jeremiah continued to obey the Lord and fulfill his calling even when he was persecuted and discouraged; see Jeremiah 26:1215.) Jeremiah prophesies the destruction of the peopleFor this he is arraigned and tried and then acquitted. 12 Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard. 13 Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God; and the Lord will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you. 14 As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you. 15 But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the Lord hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.

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Moroni also taught Joseph Smith passages from Jeremiah about

Praising the Lord for the latter-day Restoration;

Temple building;

Missionary work;

Gods promise to gather Israel.

Moroni quoted several verses from Jeremiah to the Prophet Joseph Smith:

Praising the Lord for the latter-day RestorationJeremiah 30:1821; In the last days, Judah and Israel shall be gathered to their own landsDavid their king (Christ) shall reign over them. 18 Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacobs tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof. 19 And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small. 20 Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them.

Missionary work; 21 And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the Lord.

Gods promise to gather Israel.Jeremiah 31:6, 8, 9, 27-28,31-33 In the last days, Israel shall be gatheredEphraim has the birthright as the firstbornThe Lord will make a new covenant with them, to be inscribed in the heartThen shall they all know the Lord.

Temple building;6 For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the Lord our God. 8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither. 9 They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. 27 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast. 28 And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the Lord.

Temple building;31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

http://www.vibrationdata.com/Joseph_Smith_RodW. Jeffrey Marsh is an associate professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University .

Other Old Testament PassagesIn an 1835 letter to members of the Church, Oliver Cowdery noted that Moroni also taught Joseph Smith passages from Jeremiah 16, 3031; Isaiah 12; Psalms 91:6; 100; 107; 144; and 146:10; and other biblical passages. 13 These particular scriptures point to similar themes: praising the Lord for the latter-day Restoration, temple building, the worldwide missionary effort, and Gods promise to gather Israel .Jeremiah was living in Jerusalem at the time of its destruction by the Babylonian army (see 1 Ne. 7:14; Hel. 8:20). Moroni quoted Jeremiahs prophecy that in the latter days a new covenant would be established by the Lord with the house of Israel , and with the house of Judah (Jer. 31:31).I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord (Jer. 31:3334; see also Jer. 32:3839; Jer. 24:7).The Lord told Jeremiah that he would call for many fishers and hunters to gather the righteous together (Jer. 16:16). Fishers use nets to gather great numbers at one time. Hunters gather their prey one at a time. Some of our modern missionaries are serving in hunter nations and some are called to serve in fisher nations.In this chapter that Moroni discussed with Joseph, Jeremiah said that the miracles attending the latter-day gathering would be so great and so astonishing that we would exclaim, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from all the lands whither he had driven them (see Jer. 16:1415; see also Jer. 23:78). The miracles attending missionary work in our day are truly astounding. In 1980 President Ezra Taft Benson said: With all my soul I testify that this work will go forward till every land and people have had opportunity to accept our message. Barriers will come down for us to accomplish this mission, and some of us will see this done. Our Heavenly Father will cause conditions in the world to change so that His gospel can penetrate every border. 14Jeremiah also prophesied of the Latter-day Saints westward trek to their new home in the tops of the mountains (see Jer. 31:612). Similarly, Isaiah saw the house of the Lord established in the top of the mountains (see Isa. 2:23; cf. Micah 4:12). From its headquarters in Salt Lake City , Utah , the Church is now sending ambassadors across the globe to the far corners of the earth, inviting all to learn about the restored gospel (see Isa. 2:35; Isa. 18:13).After discussing these and other prophecies in the 1835 letter, Oliver Cowdery wrote, I have now given you a rehearsal of what was communicated to our brother. You will understand that while those glorious things were being rehearsed, the vision was also opened, so that our brother was permitted to see and understand much more full and perfect than I am able to communicate in writing.

13. See Messenger and Advocate, letter no. 6, Apr. 1835, 10812.http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=6e50605ff590c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1W. Jeffrey Marsh, Training from the Old Testament: Moronis Lessons for a Prophet, Ensign, Aug 1998, 10

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Elder Marion D. Hanks said: Material objectives consume too much of our attention. The struggle for what we need or for more than we need exhausts our time and energy. We pursue pleasure or entertainment, or become overinvolved in associations or civic matters. Of course, people need recreation, need to beachieving, need to contribute; but if these come at the cost of friendship with Christ, the price is much too high.

For my people have committed two evils, said the Lord to Israel; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (Jer. 2:13.)

The substitutions we fashion to take the place of God in our lives truly hold no water. To the measure we thus refuse the living water, we miss the joy we could have.(Conf. Report, Apr. 1972, 127;).

In Jeremiah 2:13, The Jews forsook the Lord, the fountain of living watersThey changed their gods, worshipped idols, and rejected the prophets. 13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

what two evils did the Lord say his people had committed? (They had forsaken him, the fountain of living waters. And they had made for themselves broken cisterns that could not hold the Lords living water, meaning they had sought fulfillment and security in worldly things.)

Why would people with these characteristics have difficulty accepting the words of Jeremiah?

Why would they be unable to respond to adversity as Jeremiah did?

How do we sometimes create broken cisterns that cannot hold the Saviors living water?

Elder Marion D. Hanks said: Material objectives consume too much of our attention. The struggle for what we need or for more than we need exhausts our time and energy. We pursue pleasure or entertainment, or become overinvolved in associations or civic matters. Of course, people need recreation, need to be achieving, need to contribute; but if these come at the cost of friendship with Christ, the price is much too high. For my people have committed two evils, said the Lord to Israel; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (Jer. 2:13.) The substitutions we fashion to take the place of God in our lives truly hold no water. To the measure we thus refuse the living water, we miss the joy we could have (in Conference Report, Apr. 1972, 127; or Ensign, July 1972, 105).

Jeremiahs prophecies that the Babylonians would destroy Jerusalem were fulfilled, as recorded in Jeremiah 3940. Jeremiah had been in prison during the siege, but afterward the Babylonians freed him and allowed him and a remnant of the Jews to remain in the land of Judah. Johanan, the leader of those who remained, asked Jeremiah to seek the Lords will for them and promised to obey it (Jeremiah 42:16). Through Jeremiah the Lord told the people to stay in the land of Judah and promised to bless them if they would do so (Jeremiah 42:922). But Johanan led the people into Egypt, where most of them continued in their wickedness (Jeremiah 4344). 12

One way to receive living water is to go to the temple, the house of the Lord, where we may be endowed with power and understanding, be instructed by the Lord, and feel peace and joy. 13

Jeremiah is strengthened in adversity byhis love for the word of God.

3. Jeremiah is strengthened in adversity by his love for the word of God. The word of God helped Jeremiah remain strong in times of adversity.

As recorded in Jeremiah 1:9, what did the Lord put in Jeremiahs mouth? 9 Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

As recorded in Jeremiah 15:16, what did Jeremiah do with the words of the Lord? 16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. (He ate them, which is poetic language meaning that the word of God became part of him.)

How did Jeremiah feel about the words of the Lord? 14

Feast Upon the Words of Christ

How can we eat the words of the Lord as Jeremiah did? (By studying the scriptures and the counsel of latter-day prophets.) The Book of Mormon prophet Nephi said to feast upon the words of Christ (2 Nephi 32:3). 3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

How can feasting on the words of the Lord strengthen us?

In Jeremiah 20:9, how did Jeremiah describe the word of the Lord inside him? 9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

What do you think it means to have the word of the Lord be a burning fire in your bones?

Why do you think Jeremiah could not hold back from teaching the word of the Lord? 15

Search and ponder the words of the Lord until these words become fire in your bones, strengthening you as you do the Lords work.

Conclusion Express your feelings about the example of Jeremiah and the need to be faithful in times of adversity.

Search and ponder the words of the Lord until these words become fire in your bones, strengthening you as you do the Lords work.

Become, like Jeremiah, an iron pillar for the Lord. 16

Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;Forward, pressing forward, as a triumph song we sing.God our strength will be; press forward ever,Called to serve our King!

Beginning: Called to Servehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAqKrqzrbzw

End: Special Video: Called to Servehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc2NfsocZXk&feature=youtube_gdata

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