Family Home Evening Lesson #62: DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN

1. Opening Prayer

2. Sing "Press Forward Saints" Hymns pg. 81

3. Read Daniel 6:10  Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

4. Read and discuss "Daniel in the Lion's Den" from The Gospel Art Picture Kit:

King Darius of Babylon chose 120 princes to rule his kingdom. He also chose three presidents over these princes. Daniel, a righteous man, was the first of the three presidents “because an excellent spirit was in him” (Daniel 6:3).

The other presidents and princes were jealous of Daniel. They tried to find a reason to complain to the king about him, but they could not. (See Daniel 6:4.)

Finally, the other rulers decided on a plan to get Daniel in trouble. They knew that Daniel prayed every day. So they asked King Darius to sign a decree that for the next 30 days no one could ask a favor of any God or man, except of the king. Anyone who disobeyed the decree would be thrown into a den of lions. King Darius signed the decree. (See Daniel 6:5–9.)

Though Daniel heard about the decree, he continued to pray three times a day in his home, as he had done before (see Daniel 6:10). The jealous rulers saw Daniel praying (see Daniel 6:11). They went to King Darius and reminded him, “Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered, “The thing is true” (Daniel 6:12). They then informed the king that Daniel had been praying to his God (see Daniel 6:13).

The king loved Daniel and did not want him to be killed. He tried to find a way to save Daniel, but he could not change the decree. (See Daniel 6:14–15.) So Daniel was thrown into the den of lions. The sorrowful king told Daniel, “Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee” (Daniel 6:16). A large rock was placed over the opening to the lions’ den (see Daniel 6:17).

King Darius spent the night fasting. He could not sleep. Early in the morning he hurried to the den of lions. (See Daniel 6:18–19.) The anguished king cried out, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?” (Daniel 6:20).

From within the den came Daniel’s voice: “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me” (Daniel 6:22).

The king was joyful. He commanded that Daniel be taken out of the den. Because of Daniel’s faith, God had protected him. (See Daniel 6:23.)

The men who had accused Daniel were thrown into the den and were killed by the lions (see Daniel 6:24). King Darius signed another decree that everyone in his kingdom should fear and tremble before Daniel’s God (see Daniel 6:25–27).

5. Closing Prayer

Additional Resources: Daniel and the Lions (Friend, Feb. 1983)
True to the Faith (Ensign, May 2006)