Lesson 109

Esther

Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to learn. Take time to ponder the truths you identify. As you pray and think deeply about spiritual lessons, the Holy Ghost can teach you how to become more like Jesus Christ.

Begin your study with prayer.

President Russell M. Nelson said to the women of the Church, “Your virtue, light, love, knowledge, courage, character, faith, and righteous lives will draw good women of the world, along with their families, to the Church in unprecedented numbers!” (“A Plea to My Sisters,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 96).

How does the world view women’s roles and abilities?

Consider what Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about the divine qualities of righteous women. You can read the text for this video here: “The Moral Force of Women,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 31.

Esther

Have you ever wondered why the Lord has sent you to the earth at this time and placed you in your particular circumstances?

Esther was born while the Jews were in captivity and were exiled from the promised land. In Esther’s day, the Persian Empire controlled a large portion of the Middle East. Esther lived in Shushan, which was the capital of the Persian Empire.

Watch the video “For Such a Time as This,” which can be found on LDS.org. If the video is not available, read Esther 2:5–11, 16–17, 21–23; 3:1–2, 5–6, 8–13; 4:1–3, 8–11.

Watch the video “For Such a Time as This,” which can be found on LDS.org. If the video is not available, read Esther 2:5–11, 16–17, 21–23; 3:1–2, 5–6, 8–13; 4:1–3, 8–11.

Why was Esther concerned when her cousin Mordecai suggested she go to the king?

Mordecai

During Esther’s time, kings were frequently in danger of assassination, so they surrounded themselves with guards and harshly punished or killed anyone who approached them uninvited. Esther knew she would be risking her life if she went to the king without having been called. Her life would be spared only if he held out his “golden sceptre,” or staff, to her (see Esther 4:11).

When Mordecai received Esther’s response describing this concern, he sent her another message.

Read Esther 4:13–14, looking for what Mordecai said about Esther’s position as queen.

What principle can we identify from Mordecai’s words recorded in Esther 4:14?

Our Ability to Help

From Esther 4:14 we can identify the following principle: The Lord can place us in particular circumstances so we can help others.

Like Esther, we have a responsibility to help others in the various circumstances and situations we are in, even when we feel hesitant to do so.

In what ways might we sometimes feel hesitant to help others?

Our Responsibility to Help Others

Read the following statement by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, who formerly served in the First Presidency, and think about what each of us can do to help others.

“The Lord gave you your responsibilities for a reason. There may be people and hearts only you can reach and touch. Perhaps no one else could do it in quite the same way” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Lift Where You Stand,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 56).

1. Answer the following questions:

• When have you seen someone use his or her position or circumstances to bless the lives of others? If you can’t think of someone, consider a person from the scriptures.

• How can you bless the lives of others in your particular circumstances?

Esther’s Decision

Have you ever worried that you might not be strong enough to do something that God wants you to do?

Esther demonstrated courage by deciding to risk her life in order to do what was right.

Read Esther 4:15–17, looking for what she decided to do and the instructions she gave to the Jews.

What principle can we identify from Esther’s willingness to do difficult things?

Fasting and Prayer

We can identify the following principle from Esther 4:16: If we fast and pray for the Lord’s help, He can bless us with spiritual strength to do difficult things.

What difficult things are you facing that you might want to fast and pray about? Consider asking loved ones to join you in your fasting and prayers.

Esther’s Plan

We read in Esther 5 that “Esther put on her royal apparel” and went to the king’s “inner court” (verse 1). When the king saw her he held his scepter out to her, and Esther approached him (see verse 2). Esther asked the king if he and Haman would come to a banquet that she had prepared for them. During this banquet, Esther invited the king and Haman to attend a second banquet, which would be held the following day (see verses 4–8).

Read Esther 5:9, 12–14, looking for how Haman reacted when he saw Mordecai and what he planned to do with Mordecai.

During the Banquet

Esther 6 records that the night before the banquet, the king could not sleep, and he ordered his servants to read the official record book to him. From this record the king learned that Mordecai had previously saved the king’s life by preventing an attempted murder (see verses 1–3). The king wanted to reward Mordecai, so he asked Haman what reward he should give. Haman, thinking the king was speaking about him, responded, and the king then ordered Haman to give to Mordecai the honors Haman had suggested. Haman did so, and then Haman was summoned to the banquet Esther had prepared (see verses 6–14).

Read Esther 7:1–6, 9–10, looking for what Esther revealed to the king during this banquet and what the king decided to do.

Esther’s Courage

We read in Esther 8 that after Haman’s death, King Ahasuerus made a second decree that allowed the Jews to destroy their enemies within the kingdom (see verses 9–12). Mordecai was promoted to second-in-command in the kingdom (see verses 1–2, 15). According to Esther 9, the Feast of Purim, an annual Jewish celebration, was then introduced to help the Jews remember their deliverance from Haman (see verses 17–32; see also Bible Dictionary, “Feasts”).

What principle can we identify from Queen Esther’s courageous example?

The Courage to Do What Is Right

One principle we can identify from Queen Esther’s example is that if we act courageously to do what is right, then our efforts can bless the lives of many people.

Watch this video entitled “Courage,” which depicts Esther and three modern-day women who showed faith in God and demonstrated courage. This video is available on LDS.org.

Watch this video entitled “Courage,” which depicts Esther and three modern-day women who showed faith in God and demonstrated courage. This video is available on LDS.org.

2. Answer one of the following questions:

• When have you or someone you know acted courageously to do the right thing? How were others blessed because of this courage?

• Think of some other people in the scriptures who acted courageously to do the right thing. How were others blessed because of their courage?

Esther’s Example

Reflect on what you have learned from Esther’s example.

In what ways could you be more courageous in choosing the right? What specific action will you take?

Consider writing this action in your journal or in your Notes on LDS.org. You might also discuss your goal with someone you trust so that he or she can help you follow through.