Lesson 118

Proverbs 31; Ecclesiastes; Song of Solomon

Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to learn. Remember that studying the gospel prayerfully with a desire to learn will help you to be taught and edified by the Holy Ghost.

Begin your study with prayer.

How does your understanding of the plan of salvation help you make the right choices in your life?

Listen to Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explain how having an eternal perspective helps us make the right choices during our mortal lives. You can read the text for this video here: “The Time to Prepare,” Ensign, May 1998, 14, 16–17.

A Description of Virtue

Virtue is one of the values included in the Young Women theme. Why do you think virtue is an important value?

Consider the following statement by Sister Elaine S. Dalton, former Young Women General President, about the importance of being virtuous. You can read the text for this video here: “A Return to Virtue,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 79, 80.

Consider the following statement by Sister Elaine S. Dalton, former Young Women General President, about the importance of being virtuous.

“Virtue ‘is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards’ [Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service (2004), 118]. It encompasses chastity and moral purity. Virtue begins in the heart and in the mind. It is nurtured in the home. It is the accumulation of thousands of small decisions and actions. Virtue is a word we don’t hear often in today’s society, but the Latin root word virtus means strength. Virtuous women and men possess a quiet dignity and inner strength. They are confident because they are worthy to receive and be guided by the Holy Ghost. …

“I truly believe that one virtuous young woman or young man, led by the Spirit, can change the world, but in order to do so, we must return to virtue. …

“I testify that a return to virtue is possible because of the Savior’s example and the ‘infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice’ [“The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, inside front cover]. I testify that we will be enabled and strengthened not only to do hard things but to do all things. Now is the time for each of us to arise and unfurl a banner to the world calling for a return to virtue” (Elaine S. Dalton, “A Return to Virtue,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 79, 80).

The Value of Being Virtuous

This picture shows rubies, which are rare and valuable stones that are sometimes used to make expensive jewelry.

Read Proverbs 31:10. What does this verse teach is more valuable than rubies?

A principle we can identify from Proverbs 31:10 is that virtue is more valuable than worldly wealth.

Read the following statement from Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service, looking for why virtue is so valuable:

“Virtue originates in your innermost thoughts and desires. It is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. Since the Holy Ghost does not dwell in unclean tabernacles, virtue is prerequisite to receiving the Spirit’s guidance. What you choose to think and do when you are alone and you believe no one is watching is a strong measure of your virtue” (Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service [2004], 118).

Qualities of a Virtuous Person

Proverbs 31 also includes a description of the author’s ideal wife (see Bible Dictionary, “Proverbs, book of”).

Read Proverbs 31:11–31, looking for the qualities of a virtuous woman and who can be blessed by her. Though these verses speak specifically of a woman, being virtuous is equally important for both men and women.

What are some things we can do that will help us be virtuous in our thoughts and actions?

Greater Virtue

Increasing our personal virtue requires consistent effort. As you read the following quote, think carefully about how controlling your thoughts will help you resist temptation:

“Your mind is like a stage in a theater; in the theater of your mind, however, only one actor can be on stage at a time. If the stage is left bare, thoughts of darkness and sin often enter the stage to tempt. But these thoughts have no power if the stage of your mind is occupied by wholesome thoughts, such as a memorized hymn or verse of scripture that you can call upon in a moment of temptation. By controlling the stage of your mind, you can successfully resist persistent urges to yield to temptation and indulge in sin. You can become pure and virtuous” (Preach My Gospel [2004], 119).

1. Answer two of the following questions:

• What are some things you can do to be more virtuous?

• How can your being virtuous bless those around you?

• When have you been blessed because another person was living virtuously?

Message to the Youth

The book of Ecclesiastes was written by an individual who called himself “the Preacher” (Ecclesiastes 1:1). The Preacher taught that the conditions of our mortal life are temporary and implied that God will judge our every action.

Read Ecclesiastes 11:9, looking for what the writer wanted young people to understand about our choices in life.

Ecclesiastes

How do you think your attitude about life and your choices might be different if you did not understand the plan of salvation?

As you study Ecclesiastes, look for truths that can deepen your understanding of Heavenly Father’s plan and the purpose of your life on earth.

Read Ecclesiastes 1:1–3, looking for what the Preacher taught about life.

The Importance of an Eternal Perspective

In Ecclesiastes 1:2, vanity refers to something that is “empty, fleeting, [or] unsubstantial” (verse 2, footnote b). In Ecclesiastes 1:3 the phrase “under the sun” is another way of saying “from a limited perspective” or, as noted in the Bible Dictionary, “from a worldly point of view” (Bible Dictionary, “Ecclesiastes”) or without an understanding of the plan of salvation.

The writer of Ecclesiastes helps us recognize that people who lack an eternal perspective can struggle to find the true meaning in life.

Ecclesiastes 2:1–10 records the Preacher’s description of several ways he sought to find purpose in life.

Read Ecclesiastes 2:11, looking for what the Preacher discovered about his labors.

“Vexation of Spirit”

In Ecclesiastes 2:11 the phrase “vexation of spirit” means the Preacher was discouraged with the results of his labors and realized that they would bring no real profit.

However, Ecclesiastes 2 also includes a hopeful statement in verse 26: “For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy.”

As recorded in Ecclesiastes 3–10, the Preacher shared that even though good and bad things happen to all of us and even though one day we will all die, we can do many things to make our mortal life better before it ends. For example, we can choose to not set our hearts on riches (see Ecclesiastes 5:10–11), to not be quick to anger (see Ecclesiastes 7:9), and to not be idle (see Ecclesiastes 10:18).

The Preacher’s Conclusion

We read in Ecclesiastes 12:1–7 that the writer taught that everyone will experience physical death but that their spirits will continue to live and will return to God.

Read Ecclesiastes 12:13–14, looking for the Preacher’s main conclusion.

A Focus on God

We can identify the following principle from Ecclesiastes: As we choose to focus on God and keeping His commandments rather than on worldly pursuits, we will fulfill the purpose of mortality and be prepared for the Final Judgment of God.

2. Answer two of the following questions:

• How does focusing on God and keeping the commandments help us find meaning in life?

• How does focusing on God and keeping the commandments prepare us for the Final Judgment?

• When was a time that you found meaning in life by focusing more on God and His commandments?

The Song of Solomon

The Song of Solomon is a collection of poetry and songs of love and affection. Read the following description of the Song of Solomon from the Bible Dictionary:

“[The Song of Solomon is] sometimes called Canticles (as in Latin) or Song of Songs (as in Hebrew). Whether Solomon is actually the author is doubtful. The composition has many beautiful phrases and lyrical prose, often quoted in nonreligious literature. The JST states that ‘the Songs of Solomon are not inspired writings.’ Both Jews and Christians have at times been reluctant to accept it into the canon of scripture because of its romantic content but have permitted it on the basis of its being an allegory of God’s love for Israel and of the Church” (Bible Dictionary, “Song of Solomon”).

A Better Life

Because mortality is temporary, we must take great care with how we choose to use our time and energy. By focusing our time and efforts on the Lord and His work, we will find the greatest amount of purpose and joy in this life and be prepared for life after death.

Reflecting on your own life, what changes could you make to better live the principles you identified today?