“Thou Art Come … for Such a Time as This”

Day 1 · A Queen Is Chosen

1. Which queen was removed for refusing to appear at King Ahasuerus's banquet?
2. What was Esther's Hebrew name?
3. Who raised Esther and continued to counsel her?
4. What did Esther keep secret, at Mordecai's charge?
5. What did Mordecai uncover and report, saving the king's life?

Day 2 · Haman's Plot

1. Who was promoted above all the princes, expecting everyone to bow to him?
2. Why did Haman become full of wrath?
3. What did Haman plot to do?
4. What is the “pur” Haman cast — which gives the feast of Purim its name?
5. How did Haman gain the king's approval for his decree?

Day 3 · For Such a Time as This

1. How did Mordecai show his grief when he learned of the decree?
2. What did Mordecai ask Esther to do?
3. Mordecai told Esther: “who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as ____?”
4. What did Esther ask the Jews to do before she approached the king?
5. What was Esther's resolve as she prepared to go in unbidden?

Day 4 · The Tables Turn

1. What was the danger of approaching the king in his inner court uninvited?
2. What did Haman build, intending it for Mordecai?
3. What was read to the sleepless king that night?
4. Whom was Haman forced to lead through the city in honor, to his own humiliation?
5. What finally became of Haman?

Day 5 · Deliverance and Purim

1. After Haman's fall, what were the Jews granted the right to do?
2. How did the day intended for the Jews' destruction turn out?
3. What feast still celebrates this deliverance?
4. How are the days of Purim kept?
5. The book of Esther never once mentions God by name. What does the whole story quietly teach about Him?

Day 6 · For Such a Time as This

1. Esther risked her life to approach the king uninvited, believing she had come to her position “for such a time as this.” What does her example teach about recognizing our own opportunities to act with courage?
2. Mordecai told Esther she may have come to the kingdom “for such a time as this.” What does this suggest about our own lives?
3. Before risking her life to approach the king, Esther called on her people to fast with her, saying, “if I perish, I perish.” What can we apply?

Day 7 · “By Divine Design”

1. Elder Ronald A. Rasband taught that by “divine design,” the Lord is involved in what parts of our lives?
2. Elder Rasband taught that the Lord is “in the small details of your life as well as the major milestones.” What phrase did he use for this?
3. Quoting Elder Maxwell, Elder Rasband taught that “coincidence” is not the right word for how God works. Why?