Lesson 16: “I Cannot Go Beyond the Word of the Lord”

Reading 1 – Numbers 22:1-4

Reading 2 – Numbers 22:5-13

Reading 3 – Numbers 22:15-19

Numbers 22:20

Reading 4 – Doctrine and Covenants 3:4

Jacob 4:10

Reading 5 – 2 Peter 2:13-16



Reading 6 - Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote: "I wonder how often some of us get our direction from the Church and then, Balaam-like, plead for some worldly rewards and finally receive an answer which says, in effect, If you are determined to be a millionaire or to gain this or that worldly honor, go ahead, with the understanding that you will continue to serve the Lord. Then we wonder why things don't work out for us as well as they would have done if we had put first in our lives the things of God's kingdom?" ("The Story of a Prophet's Madness," New Era, Apr. 1972, p. 7)

Numbers 22:22-23

Numbers 22:27-30

Numbers 22:38

Numbers 23:23

Reading 7 – Numbers 24:10-11

Numbers 31:7-8

Revelations 2:14

Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote that the doctrine of Balaam is "To divine for hire; to give counsel contrary to the divine will; to pervert the right way of the Lord -- all with a view to gaining wealth and the honors of men. In effect, to preach for money, or to gain personal power and influence. In the very nature of things such a course is a perversion of the right way of the Lord" (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary: Colossians-Revelation, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1973] p. 451).