Whither Thou Goest, by Sandy Freckleton Gagon

June 6–12

Ruth; 1 Samuel 1–3

“My Heart Rejoiceth in the Lord”

As you study the lives of Ruth, Naomi, Hannah, and others this week, listen closely to the Spirit and record any impressions you receive. What are you inspired to do?

Record Your Impressions

Sometimes we imagine that our lives should follow a clear path from beginning to end. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, after all. And yet life is often full of delays and detours that take us in unexpected directions. We may find that our lives are quite different from what we thought they should be.

Ruth and Hannah surely understood this. Ruth was not an Israelite, but she married one, and when her husband died, she had a choice to make. Would she return to her family and her old, familiar life, or would she embrace the Israelite faith and a new home with her mother-in-law? (see Ruth 1:4–18). Hannah’s plan for her life was to bear children, and her inability to do so left her “in bitterness of soul” (see 1 Samuel 1:1–10). As you read about Ruth and Hannah, consider the faith they must have had to put their lives in the Lord’s hands and travel their unexpected paths. Then you might think about your own journey. It will look different from Ruth’s and Hannah’s—and anyone else’s. But throughout the trials and surprises between here and your eternal destination, you can learn to say with Hannah, “My heart rejoiceth in the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:1).

For an overview of the books of Ruth and 1 Samuel, see “Ruth” and “Samuel, books of” in the Bible Dictionary.

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Ruth

Christ can turn tragedy into triumph.

When Ruth’s husband died, the tragedy had consequences for her that were even more severe than a widow today might face. In Israelite culture at that time, a woman without a husband or sons had no right to property and practically no way to earn a living. As you read Ruth’s story, notice how the Lord turned tragedy into great blessings. What do you notice about Ruth that might have helped her? What was Boaz’s role in redeeming Ruth from her desperate situation? (see Ruth 4:4–7). What Christlike characteristics do you see in both Ruth and Boaz?

Ruth; 1 Samuel 1

I can trust that God will guide and help me regardless of my situation.

Can you see yourself in the stories of Ruth, Naomi, and Hannah? Perhaps you have suffered a great loss, as Ruth and Naomi did (see Ruth 1:1–5). Or maybe, like Hannah, you long for blessings you have not yet received (see 1 Samuel 1:1–10). Ponder what messages you can learn from the examples of these faithful women. How did Ruth and Hannah show faith in God? What blessings did they receive? How can you follow their examples? Consider how you have “come to trust” the Lord (Ruth 2:12) even when life feels difficult.

See also Reyna I. Aburto, “Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me!” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 57–60.

For This Child I Prayed, by Elspeth Young

1 Samuel 2:1–10

My heart can rejoice in the Lord.

After Hannah took young Samuel to the temple, she spoke beautiful words of praise to the Lord, recorded in 1 Samuel 2:1–10. These words are even more moving when you consider that a short time earlier, “she was in bitterness of soul, … and wept sore” (1 Samuel 1:10). As you study these verses, what messages do you find that increase your feelings of praise and gratitude to the Lord? Perhaps Hannah’s song will inspire you to find a creative way to express your gratitude to the Lord—a song, a painting, an act of service, or anything that communicates your feelings toward Him.

Of course, not all fervent prayers are answered the way that Hannah’s was. What do you find in President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s message “Grateful in Any Circumstances” that can help you when your prayers aren’t answered in the way you hope? (Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 70–77).

1 Samuel 3

I can hear and obey the voice of the Lord.

Like all of us, Samuel had to learn how to recognize the voice of the Lord. As you study 1 Samuel 3, what do you learn from this young boy about hearing and obeying the Lord’s voice? What experiences have you had with hearing His voice? What opportunities do you have, like Eli, to help others recognize when the Lord is speaking to them? (see 1 Samuel 3:7).

See also John 14:14–21; David P. Homer, “Hearing His Voice,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 41–43.

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Home Evening

Ruth 1:16–18; 2:5–8, 11–12.Your family could look for examples of kindness and loyalty in these verses. How do we show kindness to our family and others and loyalty to Jesus Christ? The chapter “Ruth and Naomi” (in Old Testament Stories) could help your family learn from Ruth’s example.

1 Samuel 1:15.Maybe you could pour something out of a container to help family members visualize what Hannah meant when she said, “I … have poured out my soul before the Lord.” Why is this a good way to describe what our prayers should be like? How can we improve our personal and family prayers?

1 Samuel 2:1–10.Hannah’s poem of praise to the Lord may lead you to think of songs that you use to praise the Lord. You could sing some together. Your family members might also think of other ways to express their feelings for Jesus Christ. For example, they could draw pictures that show why they love the Savior.

1 Samuel 3:1–11.It might be fun to act out the story of the Lord calling to Samuel, or your family could watch the video “Samuel and Eli” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Family members could talk about times when they have felt the Lord speaking to them and how they acted on His words.

For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.

Suggested song: “There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today,” Hymns, no. 227.

Improving Personal Study

Let the Spirit guide your study. Pray that the Holy Ghost will guide you to the things you need to learn. Be sensitive to His whisperings, even if this leads you to read about a topic you weren’t expecting or to study in a different way.

Illustration of Samuel hearing the Lord, by Sam Lawlor