Laie Hawaii Temple

December 5–11

Haggai; Zechariah 1–3; 7–14

“Holiness unto the Lord”

Reading the scriptures invites revelation. Be open to messages that the Holy Ghost reveals to you as you read Haggai and Zechariah.

Record Your Impressions

After decades of captivity, a group of Israelites, probably including the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, were allowed to return to Jerusalem. Some in this group remembered what Jerusalem looked like before it was destroyed. Imagine their feelings as they saw the rubble that had once been their homes, their places of worship, and their temple. To those who wondered whether the temple would ever again resemble the Lord’s “house in her first glory” (Haggai 2:3), the prophet Haggai spoke the Lord’s words of encouragement: “Be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you, … fear ye not.” “I will fill this house with glory, … and in this place will I give peace.” (Haggai 2:4–5, 7, 9.)

But it wasn’t just the holy temple that needed rebuilding. In many ways, God’s people were spiritually in ruins. And rebuilding a holy people takes more than hewing stones and aligning them to build a temple wall. Today, temples bear the inscription “Holiness to the Lord,” and those words apply not just to a building but to a way of life. Engraving these words on “the bells of the horses” and “every pot in Jerusalem” (Zechariah 14:20–21) is helpful only if they are also engraved on every heart. True holiness requires that the Lord’s words and laws “take hold” (Zechariah 1:6) in us, allowing His power to change our natures so that we become holy like Him (see Leviticus 19:2).

For an overview of the books of Haggai and Zechariah, see “Haggai” and “Zechariah” in the Bible Dictionary.

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Haggai 1; 2:1–9

“Consider your ways.”

There were many important things to do to rebuild Jerusalem. But after roughly 15 years had passed since the Israelites’ return, the Lord was displeased that the rebuilding of the temple had not been given higher priority (see Haggai 1:2–5; see also Ezra 4:24). As you read Haggai 1; 2:1–9, consider questions like these: What consequences did the Israelites face because they had not finished the temple? What blessings did the Lord promise them if they finished building His house? You might take this opportunity to “consider your ways”—to think about your priorities and how you could align them with the Lord’s.

See also Doctrine and Covenants 95; Terence M. Vinson, “True Disciples of the Savior,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 9–11.

Zechariah 1–3; 7–8; 14

The Lord can make me holy.

Sister Carol F. McConkie taught: “Holiness is making the choices that will keep the Holy Ghost as our guide. Holiness is setting aside our natural tendencies and becoming ‘a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord’ [Mosiah 3:19]. … Our hope for holiness is centered in Christ, in His mercy and His grace” (“The Beauty of Holiness,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 9–10). Keep these teachings in mind as you read the Lord’s words, given through the prophet Zechariah, urging Israel to become more holy: Zechariah 1:1–6; 3:1–7; 7:8–10; 8:16–17. Note the things the Lord asked Israel to do so He could make them holy. How is He helping you become more holy?

Zechariah 2:10–11; 8:1–8; 14:9–11, 20–21 describe what life will be like in a future day when we all dwell with the Lord in a state of holiness. What might these descriptions have meant to those rebuilding Jerusalem in Zechariah’s time? What do they mean to you?

“Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass” (Zechariah 9:9). Triumphal Entry, by Harry Anderson

Zechariah 9:9–11; 11:12–13; 12:10; 13:6–7; 14:1–9

Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah.

Several of Zechariah’s writings point to the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ and also His eventual Second Coming. Compare the following prophecies from Zechariah with related passages from other books of scripture:

• Zechariah 9:9–11 (see Matthew 21:1–11; 1 Peter 3:18–19)

• Zechariah 11:12–13 (see Matthew 26:14–16; 27:1–7)

• Zechariah 12:10 (see John 19:37; Revelation 1:7)

• Zechariah 13:6–7; 14:1–9 (see Matthew 26:31; Doctrine and Covenants 45:47–53)

What did you learn about the Savior as you studied these passages? Why is it important to you to understand these passages?

See also Guide to the Scriptures, “Messiah” (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Home Evening

Haggai 1:2–7.These verses may prompt your family to “consider your ways.” Maybe family members could act out the phrases in verse 6. What does this verse teach about valuing the things of the world over the things of God? You might counsel together about your family’s priorities. Singing a song like “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 78–79) could help your family evaluate what you are doing well and areas in which you can improve.

Haggai 2:1–9.To introduce these verses, you could share the story of the Provo City Center Temple, which was rebuilt from a beloved tabernacle that had burned down (see the video “Provo City Center Temple Completed,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org). As your family reads Haggai 2:1–9, you might ask family members to think of something in our lives that might be like the work of rebuilding the temple that had been destroyed. How does the Lord rebuild us after tragedy or adversity?

Zechariah 3:1–7.As you read these verses, you could show your family some dirty clothes. How might Joshua have felt when he stood before the angel in dirty clothes? How is sin like dirty clothes? What does Zechariah 3:1–7 teach us about forgiveness? You could then clean the clothes together and talk about the cleansing power of the Savior’s Atonement.

Zechariah 8:1–8.What impresses us about Zechariah’s vision of the future of Jerusalem? What do we find there that we would like to see in our community? How can we invite the Savior to “dwell in [our] midst”? (see Gary E. Stevenson, “Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2009, 101–3).

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

Suggested song: “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus,” Children’s Songbook, 78–79.

Improving Personal Study

Take opportunities for self-evaluation. As you study the scriptures, you will often be inspired to ponder your own commitment to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Act on the impressions you receive.