“All the City. . . Doth Know That Thou Art a Virtuous Woman”

1. “All the City. . . Doth Know That Thou Art a Virtuous Woman” Ruth 1-4; 1 Samuel 1

2. If your character were to be described in just a few words, what would you want those words to be? What is one thing you can do this week to come closer to matching that description?

3. Examples to Watch -- what Brother Dyer said in Sunday School.

4. Canaan in Old Testament Times

5. Naomi and Ruth Why did Naomi and her family go to Moab to live? Ruth 1:1 Naomi’s husband dies. Her sons marry women of Moab -- Ruth and Orpah. Ten more years pass. Why did Naomi decide to return to Bethlehem after the deaths of her husbands and sons?

6. Naomi and Ruth (and Orpah) What did Naomi tell her daughters-in-law? Ruth 1:8-9 How does Orpah respond? How does Ruth respond?

9. Naomi and Ruth Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return form following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go: and and where thou lodgest, I will lodge:

10. Naomi and Ruth Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.

12. Naomi and Ruth Naomi: unselfish, faithful, a good example, wise

13. Naomi and Ruth Ruth: Loving, loyal, willing to sacrifice for family and for the gospel, humble, converted

16. Ruth A hard worker, Willing to sacrifice Gleaning Sharing her food

19. Levirate Marriage Husband dies Brother’s responsibility first son carried on the name of the dead brother inheritance If no brother, other close male relatives

20. Ruth Proposes Marriage Takes council from Naomi. Under the law -- widow’s initiative Goes to the threshing floor She lies at Boaz’s feet. “spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid” (See Ezekiel 16:8) Boaz’s reply: Ruth 3:10-11

21. Boaz Boaz respected Proverbs 31:23 “respected at the city gate” Wise in business dealings (removal of sandals in business exchanges) Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer -- to redeem the lands and property. (rescuer) Boaz had the right of redemption.

26. President Thomas S. Monson called Ruth a heroine, an example of fidelity and loyalty.

27. Ruth Ruth confidently met hardships not uncommon in our time—the death of a loved one, loneliness in a new place, and the need to work hard for her bread.

28. Ruth Her small efforts, linked significantly to a later great event, tell me that each of us can take seriously the importance of our daily lives and decisions as we choose to follow God.Aileen H. Clyde, Confidence through Conversion, Ensign, Nov 1992, 88

29. Hannah 1 Samuel 1 Wife of Elkanah Childless Traveled to the temple each year

30. Hannah 1 Samuel 1 Faithful Righteous Patient Willing to Sacrifice

31. Hannah Judging -- Brother Bradford’s talk

32. Hannah and Eli President Hugh B. Brown said, “If I make errors [in judging people,] I want them to be on the side of mercy. . .” (in Eugene E. Campbell and Richard D. Poll, Hugh B. Brown: His Life and Thought [1975], 225).

33. Prayer 1 Samuel 1:15 How can we make our personal prayers more sincere and meaningful?

34. Elder John A. Widtsoe said: “I believe that the busy person who has his worries and troubles, can solve his problems better and more quickly in the house of the Lord than anywhere else.

35. If he will [do] the temple work for himself and for his dead, he will confer a mighty blessing upon those who have gone before, and a blessing will come to him,

36. for at the most unexpected moments, in or out of the temple will come to him, as a revelation, the solution of the problems that vex his life. That is the gift that comes to those who enter the temple properly. . .”

38. Hannah’s Example Giving Willingly What are we asked to give to the Lord? Gratitude Making Offerings and Singing Praises 1 Samuel 1:24-25, 28: 2:1-2

40. When does the world say we should receive the things we want? What does the Lord say?