Happy Sunday, friend!

Your Weekly Scripture Study Starter is here. This week we're in 2 Samuel 11-12; 1 Kings 3; 6-9; 11.

Oh friend, how I wish the story of David ended with Goliath. But it doesn't, so get ready to be depressed.

If you've ever struggled with how David lost his chance at exaltation, the FAQ this week won't make you feel any better (I don't either), but it might make things a lot clearer.

​Watch this week's video here!​

5 Key Events David commits adultery with Bathsheba, finds out she’s pregnant, and arranges her husband’s death (2 Samuel 11) David repents of his sins after he is confronted by the prophet Nathan (2 Samuel 12). David is replaced as king by his son Solomon, who is given great wisdom by God (1 Kings 3). Solomon builds and dedicates the temple that God did not allow David to build (1 Kings 6–9) Solomon marries multiple women outside the covenant, and he begins to worship their false gods; he dies, and his son Rehoboam takes over (1 Kings 11)

3 Key Scriptures ​2 Samuel 11:1-4​ ​1 Kings 3:9​ ​1 Kings 8:56, 61​ Dive into one or more of these verses all week long with my Verse Mapping Study Guide!

Questions your kids (or church class) might ask: Did David really lose his exaltation?

In a revelation on plural marriage, Joseph Smith included this sad tidbit: “David. . . hath fallen from his exaltation. . .” (D&C 132:39).

In other words, David won’t inherit a celestial glory where he has his family with him. But why is that? If David didn’t commit the unpardonable sin of denying the Holy Ghost, can’t he be forgiven?

Let’s look at what we know:

1. Alma taught his son Corianton that there are 3 sins considered the most abominable (Alma 39:5):
   1. Denying the Holy Ghost
   2. Shedding innocent blood (“the deliberate and unjustified taking of human life”)
   3. Committing sexual sin
2. All sins will be paid for either by Christ’s atonement OR by personal suffering of the sinner (D&C 19:15-17)
3. The only sin that can’t be paid for by Christ’s atonement OR by personal suffering is denying the Holy Ghost (Alma 39:6)
4. In the latter days, the Lord taught the law of the Church, including that shedding innocent blood is unforgivable (D&C 42:18)

Regarding murder being “unforgivable,” here is what Joseph Smith taught: “David sought repentance at the hand of God carefully with tears, for the murder of Uriah; but he could only get it through hell: he got a promise that his soul should not be left in hell” (TPJS 339).

This seems to mean that, for the murder of Uriah, David had to pay the price himself in hell, rather than using the atoning power of Jesus Christ.

So to summarize what all this may mean about David’s exaltation:

1. It likely has something to do with the amount of light and knowledge David had
2. The premeditated and calculated nature of Uriah’s murder would have been taken into account
3. Uriah’s murder was not unpardonable (no chance of any type of redemption), but was likely unforgiveable in that David had to pay the price himself in hell and lost his opportunity at exaltation

THIS WEEK'S CONVERSATION STARTER

This week ask your teenager: "David saw Bathsheba when he should have been with his army in battle. What lesson do you think God wants you to learn from that?" Remember, you don't have to know all the answers, just start the conversation!

Want to go deeper in your personal study this week? My Verse Mapping for Beginners PDF walks you through exactly how. Get it here!​

You are awesome!