July 27-August 2: Ezra 1; 3-7; Nehemiah 2; 4-6; 8

Written By Center for Latter-day Saint Arts

"I Am Doing a Great Work"

Brendon Clary (American, born 1985)

Search, Ponder, and Pray (2007)

Graphite, 10 x 8 inches

Collection of the artist

Used with permission of the artist

The Persian king, Cyrus the Great, issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple of God. The returning people rebuild the altar and lay the foundation of the temple. Although the project faces opposition from surrounding groups. Ezra, a teacher of God’s Law, travels to Jerusalem with authority from the Persian king to help restore proper worship and obedience to God’s commands. Nehemiah receives permission from the king to rebuild Jerusalem’s broken walls and organizes the people for the work despite strong opposition and threats. Even with enemies trying to stop them, the people continue building with determination, and Ezra reads the Law publicly so the people understand God’s Word and renew their commitment to follow it.

A major theme in these chapters is restoration. God helps His people rebuild their city, their temple, and their spiritual lives after exile. They persevere in the face of opposition, as the people continue their work despite criticism, threats, and discouragement. The role of faithful leadership is emphasized through the strong figures Ezra and Nehemiah who guide the people with their wisdom, courage, and faith. Finally, the rediscovery and teaching of God’s Word highlights the importance of understanding and living according to spiritual truth.

Search, Ponder, and Pray is a drawing by Brendon Clary depicting faithful scripture study. Scripture study is an essential part of building knowledge and faith. Taking care to be intentional and thoughtful within that process is itself a kind of worship. The leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah shows how important it is to combine practical action with spiritual guidance. Their example encourages people today to build and rebuild broken areas of life with faith.

Gospel Questions

1. What role does community play in living your faith? How could you improve upon it?

2. What gospel principles do you use as foundations to build or rebuild your faith?

3. We see the strength of communal faith highlighted in these chapters. Who are the people within your community that have strengthened your faith?

For Children and Youth

God helped His people go back to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple and city walls even when others tried to stop them. They also listened carefully to God’s Word so they could learn how to live the right way.

1. The Lord was happy that his people rebuilt the temple. What is something you could build in your life that would make the Lord happy?

More from the Art Companion

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July 27-August 2: Ezra 1; 3-7; Nehemiah 2; 4-6; 8
July 27-August 2: Ezra 1; 3-7; Nehemiah 2; 4-6; 8

The Persian king, Cyrus the Great, issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple of God. The returning people rebuild the altar and lay the foundation of the temple. Although the project faces opposition from surrounding groups. Ezra, a teacher of God’s Law, travels to Jerusalem with authority from the Persian king to help restore proper worship and obedience to God’s commands.

July 20-26: 2 Chronicles 14-20; 26- 30
July 20-26: 2 Chronicles 14-20; 26- 30

The chapters in this week's study describe several kings of Judah and their spiritual leadership, highlighting both faithfulness and failure. Asa seeks God and leads Judah in reform, and God gives him victory over a vast Ethiopian army. Later, Jehoshaphat encourages the nation to trust God, and when a large coalition attacks Judah, the people pray and God miraculously defeats the enemy.

July 13-19: 2 Kings 16-25
July 13-19: 2 Kings 16-25

Both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah decline and fall. King Ahaz of Judah adopts pagan practices and seeks help from Assyria instead of trusting God. Israel is conquered by the Assyrians and its people are exiled because of persistent idolatry. Later, King Hezekiah brings spiritual reform and trusts God during the Assyrian threat, but his son Manasseh reverses these reforms with wickedness, deepening Judah’s guilt.

July 6-12: 2 Kings 2-7
July 6-12: 2 Kings 2-7

The prophet Elijah is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, and his mantle falls to Elisha, confirming him as Elijah’s successor through miraculous signs like parting the Jordan River. Elisha performs several miracles, including purifying poisoned water, multiplying a widow’s oil to pay her debts, and raising a Shunammite woman’s son from the dead. Naaman is healed of leprosy after humbling himself to wash in the Jordan River, while Elisha’s servant Gehazi is struck with leprosy for his greed. Elisha also causes an iron axe head to float and repeatedly warns the king of Israel about enemy movements, demonstrating God’s power over both nature and nations.

Center for Latter-day Saint Arts
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July 20-26: 2 Chronicles 14-20; 26- 30