Lesson 118

Proverbs 31; Ecclesiastes; Song of Solomon

Introduction

The book of Proverbs concludes with a poem focusing on the characteristics of a virtuous woman, whose value “is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10). 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 that God will bring all our works into judgment. The Song of Solomon is poetry that celebrates the love between a man and a woman. The Joseph Smith Translation manuscript contains the note that “the Songs of Solomon are not inspired writings” (Bible Dictionary, “Song of Solomon”).

Suggestions for Teaching

Proverbs 31

The characteristics of a virtuous woman are praised

Display a small amount of money. You may want to remind students of the proverb they studied that teaches that wisdom is more valuable than gold (see Proverbs 16:16).

• In addition to wisdom, what else would you say is more valuable than riches?

Invite a student to read Proverbs 31:10 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for who is more valuable than riches.

• Who is more valuable than riches? (You may need to explain that rubies are very valuable stones that are sometimes used in making expensive jewelry.)

• What principle can we learn from verse 10 about the value of virtue? (Students may suggest a variety of principles, but be sure they identify that virtue is more valuable than worldly wealth. Using students’ words, write this principle on the board.)

• How would you explain what virtue is?

As part of your discussion on virtue, you may want to invite a student to read aloud the following statement:

“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 [2004], 118).

• Why do you think virtue is so valuable?

Explain that Proverbs 31 includes a description of the author’s ideal wife (see Bible Dictionary, “Proverbs, book of”). Invite students to take turns reading aloud from Proverbs 31:11–31. Ask the class to follow along and look for qualities of a virtuous person and blessings we can receive for developing these qualities. (Point out that these qualities and blessings also apply to men.) As students identify qualities and blessings, you may want to ask follow-up questions such as:

• What do you think that phrase means?

• Why would these same qualities be valuable for men to cultivate? Why do you think that is an important quality to have?

• What is an example of how developing that quality can lead to the blessing you identified?

Divide the class into small groups. Ask students to discuss the following question in their groups:

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

After students have had sufficient time to discuss this question, ask each group to choose someone to report their ideas to the class. You may also want to ask a student to read aloud the following statement:

“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).

Invite students to ponder how they would like to develop greater virtue in their lives. Give them a few minutes to write in their study journals what they can do to practice developing virtue so that they can bless the lives of others.

Ecclesiastes 1–10

The Preacher teaches that the conditions of our mortal life are temporary

Write the following phrase on the board: The purpose of life is …

Ask students how they think people without an understanding of the plan of salvation might finish this statement.

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

Invite students to look for truths in their study of Ecclesiastes that can deepen their understanding of Heavenly Father’s plan and the purpose of their life on earth.

Explain that Ecclesiastes means preacher, which is the self-proclaimed title of the person who wrote this book. Invite a student to read Ecclesiastes 1:1–3 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what the Preacher taught about life.

• What are some things the Preacher taught about life? (“All is vanity.” There is no profit to labor under the sun.)

Write the following on the board: “All is vanity” and “under the sun” = …

• What do you think the phrase “all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2) means? (You may want to explain that in Ecclesiastes, vanity refers to something that is “empty, fleeting, [or] unsubstantial” [verse 2, footnote b].)

Define difficult words and phrases

As students study the scriptures, they may encounter words or phrases that they are unfamiliar with or that they may have difficulty understanding. You can assist students in defining difficult words or phrases by teaching them that dictionaries, student manuals, footnotes, and scripture study helps can often help them understand these challenging words or phrases and thus can assist them in better understanding the content of the scriptures.

Explain that the phrase “under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:3) is another way of saying “from a worldly point of view” (Bible Dictionary, “Ecclesiastes”), or from a limited perspective or without an understanding of the plan of salvation. Then complete the phrase on the board to read, “All is vanity” and “under the sun” = everything is empty, fleeting, or unsubstantial from a worldly point of view, without an understanding of the plan of salvation.

Explain that the writings of Ecclesiastes help us recognize that people who lack an eternal perspective can struggle to find the true meaning in life.

Explain that in Ecclesiastes 2, the Preacher describes several different ways he sought to find purpose in life. Invite a student to read Ecclesiastes 2:1–3 aloud. Ask the class to follow along and look for how the Preacher sought purpose in life. You may need to explain that mirth means amusement.

• According to these verses, how did the Preacher seek purpose? (He pursued amusement, pleasure, and laughter. Write students’ answers on the board.)

Divide the class in half. Invite half of the class to read Ecclesiastes 2:4–7 and the other half to read Ecclesiastes 2:8–10. Ask them to look for what other things the Preacher did to seek purpose in life.

• What were some other things the Preacher did to seek purpose in life? (Add their answers to the list on the board.)

Invite a student to read Ecclesiastes 2:11 aloud. Ask the class to look for what the Preacher discovered about his labors.

• What did the author say about all of the works of his hands? (You may want to explain that the phrase “vexation of spirit” means the Preacher was discouraged with the results of his labors, realizing that they would bring no real profit.)

Summarize Ecclesiastes 3–10 by explaining that the Preacher wrote 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).

Ecclesiastes 11–12

The Preacher teaches that we should prepare now for the Final Judgment

The tone of the final chapters of Ecclesiastes is influenced by an eternal perspective.

Invite a student to read Ecclesiastes 11:9 aloud. Ask the class to follow along and look for what the writer wanted young people to understand about life.

• What did the Preacher want young people to understand about their choices in life?

Summarize Ecclesiastes 12:1–7 by explaining that the writer reiterated that everyone will experience physical death, but their spirits will continue to live and will return to God.

Invite a student to read Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 aloud. Ask the class to follow along and look for the Preacher’s main conclusion.

• What principle can we learn from our study of Ecclesiastes? (Students may use different words, but make sure they identify the following principle: 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. Write this principle on the board.)

Divide students into pairs. Ask one student from each pair to select one of the following questions and to share the answer with his or her partner.

• 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?

Testify that 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.

Invite students to ponder and reflect on their own lives and consider what changes they could make to better live the principle on the board. Encourage them to act on the promptings they receive.

The Song of Solomon

Solomon rejoices in the love of a man and a woman

Summarize the Song of Solomon by explaining that this book is a collection of poetry and songs of love and affection. The Joseph Smith Translation manuscript contains the note that “the Songs of Solomon are not inspired writings” (Bible Dictionary, “Song of Solomon”; see also the note found above Song of Solomon 1:1, footnote a).

Commentary and Background Information

Proverbs 31:10–31. Virtue

Elder Robert D. Hales (1932–2017) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the following about virtue:

“Virtue is also power. As we faithfully live the gospel, we will have power to be virtuous in every thought, feeling, and action. Our minds become more receptive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and the Light of Christ [see 1 Corinthians 2:16]. We embody Christ not only in what we say and do but also in who we are” (Robert D. Hales, “Becoming a Disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 47).

Sister Julie B. Beck, former Relief Society General President, spoke of the qualities a righteous woman should seek after:

“What is a mother heart and how is one acquired? We learn about some of those qualities in the scriptures. To paraphrase Proverbs: ‘Who can find a … woman [with a mother heart]? for her price is far above rubies. … She … worketh willingly with her hands. … With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. … She stretcheth out her hand to the poor. … Strength and honour are her clothing. … She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness’ (Proverbs 31:10, 13, 16, 20, 25–27). A woman with a mother heart has a testimony of the restored gospel, and she teaches the principles of the gospel without equivocation. She is keeping sacred covenants made in holy temples. Her talents and skills are shared unselfishly. She gains as much education as her circumstances will allow, improving her mind and spirit with the desire to teach what she learns to the generations who follow her” (Julie B. Beck, “A ‘Mother Heart,’” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 75).

Proverbs 31:28. Husbands should praise and cherish their wives

President James E. Faust (1920–2007) of the First Presidency taught how priesthood holders can apply Proverbs 31:28:

“How should those who bear the priesthood treat their wives and the other women in their family? Our wives need to be cherished. They need to hear their husbands call them blessed, and the children need to hear their fathers generously praise their mothers (see Prov. 31:28). The Lord values his daughters just as much as he does his sons. In marriage, neither is superior; each has a different primary and divine responsibility. Chief among these different responsibilities for wives is the calling of motherhood. I firmly believe that our dear faithful sisters enjoy a special spiritual enrichment which is inherent in their natures.

“President Spencer W. Kimball stated: ‘To be a righteous woman during the winding up scenes on this earth, before the second coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. … Other institutions in society may falter and even fail, but the righteous woman can help to save the home, which may be the last and only sanctuary some mortals know in the midst of storm and strife’ ([“Privileges and Responsibilities of Sisters,”] Ensign, Nov. 1978, p. 103)” (James E. Faust, “Keeping Covenants and Honoring the Priesthood,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 38–39).

Ecclesiastes 9:5–6, 10. “There is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave”

It is important to remember that the author of Ecclesiastes, the Preacher, wrote as if there were no life after death. These statements are made with that thought in mind and fail to account for truths about life after death taught elsewhere in the scriptures (see Alma 34:34; D&C 138:30). Therefore, the writer of Ecclesiastes was not making a doctrinal declaration that nobody thinks, feels, or works after they die; he was simply illustrating the perspective on life after death for someone living “under the sun” with no understanding of life beyond mortality.

Ecclesiastes 12:7. After death, “the spirit shall return unto God who gave it”

The Preacher was not necessarily saying that we will immediately return to God’s presence. Alma similarly declared that after death, “the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life” (Alma 40:11). President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) clarified Alma’s statement. His explanation is equally applicable to this verse in Ecclesiastes. According to President Smith, this phrase, or others like it, “simply means that their mortal existence has come to an end, and they have returned to the world of spirits, where they are assigned to a place according to their works with the just or with the unjust, there to await the resurrection. ‘Back to God’ is a phrase which finds an equivalent in many other well known conditions” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith Jr. [1958], 2:85).

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14. Preparing for the Judgment

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained that having an eternal perspective will help us make the right choices during our mortal lives:

“We understand that we will live a postmortal life of infinite duration and that we determine the kind of life it will be by our thoughts and actions in mortality. Mortality is very brief but immeasurably important. …

“That understanding helps us to make wise decisions in the many choices of our daily lives. Seeing life from an eternal perspective helps us focus our limited mortal energies on the things that matter most. …

“… By virtue of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice, we all will be resurrected. Each of us will stand before the judgment bar of the great Jehovah and be rewarded according to our deeds in mortality.

“If we make every earthly decision with this judgment in mind, we will have used our mortal probation wisely and its days will give us peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come” (Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Time to Prepare,” Ensign, May 1998, 14, 16–17).

Supplemental Teaching Idea

Proverbs 31:10–31. Attributes of righteous parents

Provide students with copies of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” Ask students to ponder and discuss how the qualities described in Proverbs 31:10–31 are also found in the family proclamation. You might want to ask students the following questions:

• How can mothers and fathers look “well to the ways of [their] household” and help their children “[eat] not the bread of idleness” (verse 27)?

• How have you seen your parents and others doing the things named in Proverbs 31:10–31 for their families?