Daniel in lions' den is a story of great courage
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
One of the great stories about Daniel is found in the instance when he worshiped the Lord in the face of certain death. Darius, king of Babylon, signed a decree that anyone who should "make a petition" (or pray) for a period of 30 days, would be cast into a den of lions. (Dan. 6:7.)
Daniel, being a righteous man, had no fear. His main desire was to serve and honor God, and Daniel chose not to abide by the decree.In a 1964 address at BYU, Elder Spencer W. Kimball said the decree "would have been terrifying to any man, but the faithful Daniel did not flinch."
In his October 1986 general conference address, President Thomas S. Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency, spoke of the courage of Daniel to defy that decree:
"Life's journey is not traveled on a freeway devoid of obstacles, pitfalls, and snares. Rather, it is a pathway marked by forks and turnings. Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage is needed: the courage to say no, the courage to say yes. Decisions to determine destiny.
"The call for courage comes constantly to each of us. It has ever been so, and so shall it ever be. . . .
"The prophet Daniel demonstrated supreme courage by standing up for what he knew to be right and by demonstrating the courage to pray, though threatened by death were he to do so."
*****
(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel Doctrine course of study.
Information compiled by Gerry Avant
Sources: The Voice of Israel's Prophets, by Sidney B. Sperry; October 1985 and October 1986 general conference reports.
