““Be Strong Be Strong and of a Good and of a Good

Courage”Courage”

Joshua 1 - 6; Joshua 1 - 6; 23 - 2423 - 24

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5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days 5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, of thy life: as I was with Moses, soso I will be with thee: I will not I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.fail thee, nor forsake thee.

6 Be strong and of a good 6 Be strong and of a good couragecourage: for unto this people shalt thou : for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. fathers to give them.

7 Only be thou strong and very 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous,courageous, that thou mayest that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it commanded thee: turn not from it toto the right hand or the right hand or toto the the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou 8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.success.

9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good couragecourage; ; be not afraid,be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God the LORD thy God isis with thee with thee whithersoever thou goest. whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1

Joshua 3:7–8Joshua 3:7–8

7 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I 7 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, they may know that, as I was with Moses, soso I will I will be with thee.be with thee.

8 And thou shalt command the priests that bear the 8 And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.in Jordan.

Elder Boyd K. Packer said:Elder Boyd K. Packer said:““Shortly after I was called as a General Authority, Shortly after I was called as a General Authority, I went to Elder Harold B. Lee for counsel. He I went to Elder Harold B. Lee for counsel. He listened very carefully to my problem and suggested listened very carefully to my problem and suggested that I see President David O. McKay. President that I see President David O. McKay. President McKay counseled me as to the direction I should McKay counseled me as to the direction I should go. I was very willing to be obedient but saw no way possible go. I was very willing to be obedient but saw no way possible for me to do as he counseled me to do.for me to do as he counseled me to do.

““I returned to Elder Lee and told him that I saw no way to moveI returned to Elder Lee and told him that I saw no way to movein the direction I was counseled to go. He said, ‘The trouble with in the direction I was counseled to go. He said, ‘The trouble with you is you want to see the end from the beginning.’ I replied that you is you want to see the end from the beginning.’ I replied that I would like to see at least a step or two ahead. Then came the I would like to see at least a step or two ahead. Then came the lesson of a lifetime: lesson of a lifetime: ‘‘You must learn to walk to the edge of the You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the lightlight, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the lightwill appear and show the way before youwill appear and show the way before you’ ”’ ”

(“The Edge of the Light,” (“The Edge of the Light,” BYU Today,BYU Today, Mar. 1991, 22–23). Mar. 1991, 22–23).

Joshua 3:13–17Joshua 3:13–1713 And it shall come to pass, 13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the as soon as the soles of the feet of the

priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.stand upon an heap.

14 And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to 14 And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;before the people;

15 And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of 15 And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)(for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)

16 That the 16 That the waterswaters which came down from above stood which came down from above stood andand rose up rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that isis beside Zaretan: beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, eveneven the salt the salt sea, failed, sea, failed, andand were cut off: and the people passed over right were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.against Jericho.

17 And the 17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.over Jordan.

Joshua 4:1–9Joshua 4:1–9

1 AND it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over 1 AND it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,Jordan, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,

2 Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,2 Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,

3 And command ye them, saying, 3 And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.place, where ye shall lodge this night.

4 Then 4 Then Joshua called the twelve men,Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:out of every tribe a man:

5 And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your 5 And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:children of Israel:

Joshua 4:1–9Joshua 4:1–9

6 That this may be a sign among you, 6 That this may be a sign among you, thatthat when your children ask when your children ask theirtheir fathersfathers in time to come, saying, What in time to come, saying, What meanmean ye by these stones? ye by these stones?

7 Then ye shall answer them, 7 Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for everfor a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever..

8 And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up 8 And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.lodged, and laid them down there.

99 And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place  And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.stood: and they are there unto this day.

Joshua 4:21–24Joshua 4:21–24

21 And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, 21 And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What meanmean these stones? these stones?

22 22 Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.over this Jordan on dry land.

23 For 23 For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before youbefore you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your , until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:until we were gone over:

24 24 That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it LORD, that it isis mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.God for ever.

What personal memorials or experiences remind you of What personal memorials or experiences remind you of God’s power (the hand of the Lord) and love in your life?God’s power (the hand of the Lord) and love in your life?

Did you see these 12 objects?

1. bird 2. book3. boot4. fish 5. fork6. knife7. man’s shoe8. pencil 9. salt shaker10. shovel11. spoon12. telephone

How aware are you of the hand of the Lord in your life?

What might you NOT be ‘seeing’?

1

2

4

129

8

106

11

3

5

7

The walls of Jericho crumble as the priest blows his horn in this illustration from a 14th century Icelandic manuscript.

The Taking of Jericho, by Jean Fouquet

Special VisitorSpecial Visitor…..Eyewitness to the …..Eyewitness to the battle of Jerichobattle of Jericho

Joshua 6Joshua 6

Hebrews 11:30-31Hebrews 11:30-31

By faithBy faith the walls of the walls of Jericho fell down, after Jericho fell down, after they were compassed they were compassed about seven days.about seven days.

By faithBy faith the harlot Rahab the harlot Rahab perished not with them perished not with them that believed not, when that believed not, when she had received the she had received the spies with peace.spies with peace.

Avoid Traps & SnaresAvoid Traps & SnaresToward the end of his life, Joshua reminded the Israelites what God Toward the end of his life, Joshua reminded the Israelites what God

had done for them. Joshua also counseled them about avoiding traps had done for them. Joshua also counseled them about avoiding traps

and snares and to “cleave unto the LORD your God” and snares and to “cleave unto the LORD your God”

What are some of the snares and traps of the world that we face What are some of the snares and traps of the world that we face today?today?

What are some things we must do to avoid being caught in a trap? What are some things we must do to avoid being caught in a trap?

How can we “cleave unto the Lord” rather than cleave to the world?How can we “cleave unto the Lord” rather than cleave to the world?

Joshua 23:8Joshua 23:12

“cleave” means glue

or join together

Joshua 24:14–15Joshua 24:14–15

14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in 14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will servechoose you this day whom ye will serve;; whether the gods which your fathers served that whether the gods which your fathers served that werewere on the other side of the flood, or the gods on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as but as for me and my house we will serve the LORD.for me and my house we will serve the LORD.

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, our goal is to obtain celestial glory. Let us not find ourselves as indecisive as is Alice in Lewis Carroll’s classic

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. You will remember that she comes to a

crossroads with two paths before her---each stretching onward but in opposite directions. She is confronted by the Cheshire cat, of whom Alice asks, “Which path shall I follow?” The cat answers: “That depends where you want to go. `I don't much care where--' said Alice. Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat.

Unlike Alice, we all know where we want to go, and it does matter which way we go, for the path we follow in this life surely leads to the path we will follow in the next. (Thomas S. Monson, “Your Celestial Journey,” Ensign,

May 1999, 96 )

Elder Marvin J. Ashton said: “Joshua reminds Elder Marvin J. Ashton said: “Joshua reminds us of the importance of making decisions us of the importance of making decisions promptly: ‘Choose you this day whom ye will promptly: ‘Choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.’ will serve the Lord.’ Joshua 24:15Joshua 24:15

Not tomorrow, not when we get ready, not when it is Not tomorrow, not when we get ready, not when it is convenient—but ‘this day,’ straightway, choose whom youconvenient—but ‘this day,’ straightway, choose whom youwill serve. will serve. He who invites us to follow will always be out in He who invites us to follow will always be out in front of us with His Spirit and influence setting the pace.front of us with His Spirit and influence setting the pace. He Hehas charted and marked the course, opened the gates, andhas charted and marked the course, opened the gates, andshown the way. shown the way. He has invited us to come unto HimHe has invited us to come unto Him, and , and the best time to enjoy His companionship is straightway. Wethe best time to enjoy His companionship is straightway. Wecan best can best get on the course and stay on the course byget on the course and stay on the course bydoing as Jesus did—make a total commitment to do the will doing as Jesus did—make a total commitment to do the will of His Father”of His Father” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1983, 41; or Ensign, May (in Conference Report, Apr. 1983, 41; or Ensign, May

1983, 30–31).1983, 30–31).

Joshua 23:1-6Joshua 23:1-6

Joshua’s final counsel included the same Joshua’s final counsel included the same charge that the Lord had given when charge that the Lord had given when calling him to be a prophetcalling him to be a prophet

““Be ye therefore very Be ye therefore very courageouscourageous to keep to keep and to do all that is written in the book of and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom therefrom toto the right hand or the right hand or toto the left;” the left;”

With thoughtless and With thoughtless and impatient handsimpatient hands

we tangle up the plans we tangle up the plans the Lord hath wrought.the Lord hath wrought.

And when we cry in pain And when we cry in pain He saith,He saith,

‘‘Be quiet, man, Be quiet, man, while I untie the knot.’while I untie the knot.’

(Anonymous) (cited by Boyd K. Packer, (Anonymous) (cited by Boyd K. Packer, “Prayers and Answers,” Ensign, Nov. “Prayers and Answers,” Ensign, Nov. 1979, 21)1979, 21)

Elder Ezra Taft Benson said that twoElder Ezra Taft Benson said that twoprinciples are essential for security principles are essential for security and peace: “First, trust in God; andand peace: “First, trust in God; andsecond, a determination to keep thesecond, a determination to keep thecommandments, to serve the Lord, tocommandments, to serve the Lord, todo that which is right. …do that which is right. …

The Lord has made it very clear in the revelations that The Lord has made it very clear in the revelations that even though times become perilous, even though we even though times become perilous, even though we be surrounded by temptation and sin, even though be surrounded by temptation and sin, even though there be a feeling of insecurity, even though men’s there be a feeling of insecurity, even though men’s hearts may fail them and anxiety fill their souls, hearts may fail them and anxiety fill their souls, if we if we only trust in God and keep his commandments we only trust in God and keep his commandments we need have no fearneed have no fear.”.” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1950, 146)(in Conference Report, Oct. 1950, 146)

Fear not…for I am with thee…Fear not…for I am with thee…

Be Strong Be Strong and of a and of a Good Good Courage…Courage…