Lesson 35: Naaman Is Healed, Primary 6: Old Testament, (1996),154.

““Lesson 35: Naaman Is Healed,” Lesson 35: Naaman Is Healed,” Primary 6: Old Primary 6: Old Testament, Testament, (1996),154(1996),154

Erase or cross out every other Erase or cross out every other letter of the message starting letter of the message starting with the first letter of each word. with the first letter of each word.

Don’t tell what it says until Don’t tell what it says until everyone else is done!everyone else is done!

Did obedience to the Did obedience to the instructions lead you to a instructions lead you to a pleasant surprise?pleasant surprise?

In this lesson In this lesson we will learn we will learn about an about an important important military leader military leader who followed who followed the instructions the instructions of a prophet of a prophet and was healed and was healed from a terrible from a terrible disease.disease.

He was very He was very sick. He had sick. He had sores on his sores on his body. His skin body. His skin was falling off. was falling off.

As captain of the king’s army, As captain of the king’s army, Naaman was an important man Naaman was an important man in the country of Syria. He was a in the country of Syria. He was a good and valiant man, but he good and valiant man, but he was a leper.was a leper.

The maid told The maid told Naaman’s wife Naaman’s wife that if Naaman that if Naaman were with the were with the prophet, the prophet, the prophet would prophet would heal him. heal him.

Naaman’s wife had a little Naaman’s wife had a little maid from the land of Israel. maid from the land of Israel.

When the king of Syria heard this, When the king of Syria heard this, he sent Naaman to the king of Israel he sent Naaman to the king of Israel with gifts of silver and gold and a with gifts of silver and gold and a letter asking the king of Israel to letter asking the king of Israel to heal Naaman of his leprosy.heal Naaman of his leprosy.

The king of Israel could not cure The king of Israel could not cure Naaman. Naaman.

He was frightened that Syria He was frightened that Syria would start a war with Israel if would start a war with Israel if Naaman was not healed. Naaman was not healed.

The King was so unhappy that he The King was so unhappy that he tore his clothes.tore his clothes.

Elisha was then the prophet. He Elisha was then the prophet. He told the king to send Naaman to told the king to send Naaman to him. him.

So Naaman went with his So Naaman went with his horses and his chariot horses and his chariot and stood at the door of and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. Elisha’s house.

Elisha sent his servant to Elisha sent his servant to talk to Naaman. He told talk to Naaman. He told Naaman to wash seven Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan River. times in the Jordan River. Then Naaman would be Then Naaman would be healed. healed.

Naaman was angry because Naaman was angry because Elisha did not come out to heal Elisha did not come out to heal him. him.

He said that He said that there were better there were better rivers in Syria. rivers in Syria. Why couldn’t he Why couldn’t he just wash in one just wash in one of those rivers? of those rivers? Naaman decided not to do Naaman decided not to do what the prophet counseled.what the prophet counseled.

Naaman did not Naaman did not want to do what want to do what Elisha said. He Elisha said. He started for home. started for home.

His servants asked him if he His servants asked him if he would have done something would have done something difficult to be healed. difficult to be healed.

They asked him why he wouldn’t They asked him why he wouldn’t do something easy to be healed do something easy to be healed if he was willing to do something if he was willing to do something difficult. difficult.

Naaman thought it over, Naaman thought it over, then went to the Jordan River then went to the Jordan River and washed himself seven and washed himself seven times as the prophet Elisha times as the prophet Elisha had instructed him. had instructed him.

When he came When he came out of the river, out of the river, he was he was completely completely healed.healed.

Naaman tried Naaman tried repeatedly to repeatedly to give Elisha gifts give Elisha gifts because he because he was so grateful. was so grateful.

Naaman returned to Elisha’s Naaman returned to Elisha’s house, happy and thankful.house, happy and thankful.

Each time, Elisha refused the Each time, Elisha refused the gifts. gifts.

Naaman told Elisha that he knew that Naaman told Elisha that he knew that he had been healed by the power of he had been healed by the power of God, and he promised that from then God, and he promised that from then on he would worship only God.on he would worship only God.

After he left, After he left, Naaman Naaman noticed noticed Gehazi, Gehazi, Elisha’s Elisha’s servant, servant, running after running after him. him.

Gehazi lied and told Naaman that Gehazi lied and told Naaman that Elisha had changed his mind about Elisha had changed his mind about the gifts. the gifts.

Naaman gave the Naaman gave the gold and silver gold and silver and clothing to and clothing to Gehazi and Gehazi and continued on his continued on his journey home. journey home. Gehazi hid the gifts in his own Gehazi hid the gifts in his own home and returned to Elisha.home and returned to Elisha.

When Elisha asked where he When Elisha asked where he had been Gehazi lied and said had been Gehazi lied and said he hadn’t gone anywhere.he hadn’t gone anywhere.

Elisha told Elisha told Gehazi he knew Gehazi he knew what he had what he had done. Because done. Because of his lies and of his lies and wicked acts, he wicked acts, he was cursed was cursed with leprosy.with leprosy.

What kind of a man was Naaman? What kind of a man was Naaman? Let’s read 2 Kings 5:1Let’s read 2 Kings 5:1

What disease was he afflicted What disease was he afflicted with? with?

Leprosy is a skin disease. Leprosy is a skin disease. Because people feared catching Because people feared catching it, lepers were often cast out of it, lepers were often cast out of cities and had to live in cities and had to live in designated areas with other designated areas with other lepers.lepers.

Let’s read 2 Let’s read 2 Kings 5:2–3Kings 5:2–3

What does this tell What does this tell us about this faithful us about this faithful Israelite girl? Israelite girl?

How can our faith How can our faith help others?help others?

Who told Naaman’s wife that Who told Naaman’s wife that there was a prophet of God in there was a prophet of God in Samaria who could heal Samaria who could heal Naaman of leprosy? Naaman of leprosy?

Why was the king of Israel upset Why was the king of Israel upset when he received the letter from the when he received the letter from the king of Syria asking him to heal king of Syria asking him to heal Naaman? Naaman?

Let’s read 2 Kings 5:7Let’s read 2 Kings 5:7 The power a king has is different The power a king has is different

from the power of the priesthood from the power of the priesthood that Elisha had. that Elisha had.

The king did not have the power to The king did not have the power to heal. He feared there would be a war heal. He feared there would be a war with Syria if Naaman was not healed.with Syria if Naaman was not healed.

Elisha sent a Elisha sent a servant instead of servant instead of coming himself, coming himself, and the answer and the answer was so simple. was so simple.

When might we disregard When might we disregard simple messages from simple messages from Heavenly Father because Heavenly Father because we want answers that are we want answers that are more spectacular? more spectacular?

Why do we Why do we do this? do this?

““Expecting the Expecting the spectacular, one spectacular, one may not be fully may not be fully alerted to the alerted to the constant flow of constant flow of revealed revealed communication” communication” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1977, (in Conference Report, Apr. 1977, p. 115; or p. 115; or Ensign,Ensign, May 1977, p. May 1977, p. 78). 78).

The following quotation is by The following quotation is by President Spencer W. Kimball: President Spencer W. Kimball:

Enrichment Activity #2

When Joseph When Joseph Smith was a Smith was a boy reading boy reading the scriptures, the scriptures, inspiration inspiration came to him to came to him to go into the go into the woods and woods and pray about pray about which church which church to join. to join.

Enrichment Activity #2

Do you have Do you have an an experience of experience of your own your own when you when you were inspired were inspired through through simple simple means?means?

Enrichment Activity #2

How might answers come in How might answers come in situations such as the following?:situations such as the following?:

Someone is praying to know if Someone is praying to know if the Church is true.the Church is true.

Someone is praying for help with Someone is praying for help with a difficult class in school.a difficult class in school.

Someone is praying to get along Someone is praying to get along better with friends or family better with friends or family members.members.

Enrichment Activity #2

How did Naaman’s How did Naaman’s servants convince him servants convince him to do what the to do what the prophet Elisha told prophet Elisha told him to do? him to do?

Let’s read 2 Kings Let’s read 2 Kings 5:135:13

What should we do if What should we do if we don’t want to we don’t want to follow the teachings of follow the teachings of the prophet? the prophet?

What happened when What happened when Naaman obeyed Naaman obeyed Elisha’s instructions? Elisha’s instructions?

Let’s read 2 Let’s read 2 Kings 5:14Kings 5:14

What happens What happens when we obey when we obey the prophet? the prophet?

Each time you tell the truth, are Each time you tell the truth, are helpful and kind to your friends, helpful and kind to your friends, or live the gospel standards, you or live the gospel standards, you are sharing the gospel. are sharing the gospel.

Enrichment Activity #3

Reaching out to others Reaching out to others is one way you can is one way you can share the gospel every share the gospel every day.day.

When you do these When you do these things, you are planting things, you are planting tiny seeds of the gospel in tiny seeds of the gospel in people’s hearts. people’s hearts.

Some of those seeds may Some of those seeds may someday grow into someday grow into beautiful, strong beautiful, strong testimonies of the gospel.testimonies of the gospel.

Enrichment Activity #3

Listening to what Listening to what the prophet is the prophet is teaching us to do teaching us to do and obeying what and obeying what he asks us to do will he asks us to do will bless our lives. bless our lives.

Enrichment Activity #3

What should we What should we do if we want to do if we want to receive a special receive a special blessing, such as blessing, such as to be healed?to be healed?

President David O. President David O. McKay was in Berlin, McKay was in Berlin, Germany, in 1952 whenGermany, in 1952 when he received a message he received a message from one of the members from one of the members of the Church in that of the Church in that mission—a sister whose mission—a sister whose husband and eldest son husband and eldest son had both been killed. had both been killed.

Enrichment Activity #4

She had been driven from her She had been driven from her home. home.

Because of exposure and Because of exposure and lack of nutrition she lack of nutrition she finally became paralyzed finally became paralyzed and had been confined and had been confined to her bed for five years. to her bed for five years.

Enrichment Activity #4

She expressed the desire that She expressed the desire that her two little children—a boy and her two little children—a boy and a girl about ten and twelve years a girl about ten and twelve years of age—be sent over to meet the of age—be sent over to meet the President of the Church. President of the Church.

Enrichment Activity #4

This good sister said, “I This good sister said, “I know if I send my know if I send my children to shake children to shake hands with President hands with President McKay, and then they McKay, and then they come home and take come home and take my hand—if I can hold my hand—if I can hold their little hands in their little hands in mine I know that I shall mine I know that I shall get better.”get better.”

Arrangements were Arrangements were made for them to take made for them to take the trip. President McKay the trip. President McKay said, “When that little girl said, “When that little girl and boy came along, I and boy came along, I went to them and shook went to them and shook their hands, and said, their hands, and said, ‘Will you take this ‘Will you take this handkerchief to your handkerchief to your mother with my mother with my blessing?’ blessing?’

Enrichment Activity #4

““I later learned that after I later learned that after I had shaken hands with I had shaken hands with them, they would not them, they would not shake hands with anyone shake hands with anyone else, for they did not else, for they did not want to touch anyone want to touch anyone with their hands until with their hands until they got back to their they got back to their mother.”mother.”

Enrichment Activity #4

The mission president’s The mission president’s wife later reported, wife later reported, “Immediately after the “Immediately after the children came home, children came home, her feet and toes began her feet and toes began to get feeling in them, to get feeling in them, and this feeling slowly and this feeling slowly moved up into her moved up into her legs…legs…

Enrichment Activity #4

““And now she gets out of And now she gets out of bed alone and seats bed alone and seats herself on a chair, and herself on a chair, and then with her feet and the then with her feet and the chair, works all the way chair, works all the way around to the kitchen sink. around to the kitchen sink.

Enrichment Activity #4

““She has the children bring her She has the children bring her the dishes to wash, and other the dishes to wash, and other things, and is very thankful that things, and is very thankful that she is able to help now.” she is able to help now.” (Adapted from (Adapted from

Cherished Experiences from the Writings of President David O. McKay,Cherished Experiences from the Writings of President David O. McKay, comp. comp. Clare Middlemiss, rev. ed. [1976], pp. 142–44.)Clare Middlemiss, rev. ed. [1976], pp. 142–44.)

People may be healed:People may be healed:

Enrichment Activity #4

According to According to their faith in their faith in Jesus Christ.Jesus Christ.

If they are If they are worthy and worthy and have done have done their part.their part.

If it is the will If it is the will of the Lord.of the Lord.

When Naaman offered Elisha money When Naaman offered Elisha money and clothes, why did Elisha refuse? and clothes, why did Elisha refuse?

Naaman was Naaman was healed by healed by Heavenly Father Heavenly Father through the power through the power of the priesthood. of the priesthood.

Priesthood holders Priesthood holders cannot use the cannot use the priesthood to gain priesthood to gain recognition or recognition or wealth. wealth.

What should we What should we do to express do to express our gratitude for our gratitude for the help we the help we receive and to receive and to repay those repay those people who help people who help us?us?

What lie did Gehazi tell Naaman? What lie did Gehazi tell Naaman? Let’s read 2 Kings 5:21–22Let’s read 2 Kings 5:21–22

After putting the After putting the money and money and clothes in his clothes in his house, how did house, how did Gehazi answer Gehazi answer Elisha’s question Elisha’s question of where he had of where he had been? been?

Let’s read 2 Let’s read 2 Kings 5:25Kings 5:25

What can What can happen if we happen if we tell lies? tell lies?

Who is Who is harmed most harmed most when we tell when we tell a lie?a lie?

What did Elisha say would happen What did Elisha say would happen to Gehazi for what he had done? to Gehazi for what he had done?

Let’s read 2 Kings 5:27Let’s read 2 Kings 5:27 How did Gehazi look when he left How did Gehazi look when he left

Elisha’s presence?Elisha’s presence?

Gehazi’s Gehazi’s appearance, being appearance, being “as white as “as white as snow,” was a snow,” was a symptom of symptom of leprosy.leprosy.

Let’s role-play Let’s role-play Naaman’s Naaman’s wife, the wife, the Israelite Israelite servant girl, servant girl, Naaman, Naaman, Elisha, Elisha’s Elisha, Elisha’s messenger, messenger, Naaman’s Naaman’s servant, and servant, and Gehazi. Gehazi. Enrichment Activity #1

Enrichment Activity #5

1. Adam was a prophet, first one that we know.1. Adam was a prophet, first one that we know.In a place called Eden, he helped things to grow.In a place called Eden, he helped things to grow.Adam served the Lord by following his ways.Adam served the Lord by following his ways.We are his descendants in the latter days.We are his descendants in the latter days.

2. Enoch was a prophet; he taught what was good.2. Enoch was a prophet; he taught what was good.People in his city did just what they should.People in his city did just what they should.When they were so righteous that there was no When they were so righteous that there was no sin,sin,Heav’nly Father took them up to live with him.Heav’nly Father took them up to live with him.

3. Noah was a prophet called to preach the word,3. Noah was a prophet called to preach the word,Tried to cry repentance, but nobody heard.Tried to cry repentance, but nobody heard.They were busy sinning—Noah preached in vain.They were busy sinning—Noah preached in vain.They wished they had listened when they saw the They wished they had listened when they saw the rain.rain.

4. Abraham the prophet prayed to have a son,4. Abraham the prophet prayed to have a son,So the Lord sent Isaac as the chosen one.So the Lord sent Isaac as the chosen one.Isaac begat Jacob, known as Israel;Isaac begat Jacob, known as Israel;Jacob’s sons were twelve tribes, so the Bible tells.Jacob’s sons were twelve tribes, so the Bible tells.

5. Moses was a prophet sent to Israel.5. Moses was a prophet sent to Israel.He would lead them to the promised land to dwell.He would lead them to the promised land to dwell.They were slow to follow, or so it appears.They were slow to follow, or so it appears.They were in the wilderness for forty years.They were in the wilderness for forty years.

6. Samuel was a prophet chosen as a boy.6. Samuel was a prophet chosen as a boy.Hannah promised God her son would serve with joy.Hannah promised God her son would serve with joy.In the tabernacle, Samuel heard his name;In the tabernacle, Samuel heard his name;He was called by God and answered, “Here I am!”He was called by God and answered, “Here I am!”

7. Jonah was a prophet, tried to run away,7. Jonah was a prophet, tried to run away,But he later learned to listen and obey.But he later learned to listen and obey.When we really try, the Lord won’t let us fail:When we really try, the Lord won’t let us fail:That’s what Jonah learned deep down inside the That’s what Jonah learned deep down inside the whale.whale.

8. Daniel was a prophet. He refused to sin;8. Daniel was a prophet. He refused to sin;So the king threw Daniel in the lion’s den.So the king threw Daniel in the lion’s den.Angels calmed the lions, and the king soon sawAngels calmed the lions, and the king soon sawDaniel’s pow’r was great, for he obeyed God’s law.Daniel’s pow’r was great, for he obeyed God’s law.

9. Now we have a world where people are confused.9. Now we have a world where people are confused.If you don’t believe it, go and watch the news.If you don’t believe it, go and watch the news.We can get direction all along our way,We can get direction all along our way,If we heed the prophets—follow what they say.If we heed the prophets—follow what they say.

ChorusChorusFollow the prophet, follow the prophet,Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,Follow the prophet; don’t go astray.Follow the prophet; don’t go astray.Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,Follow the prophet; he knows the way.Follow the prophet; he knows the way.

Words and music:Words and music: Duane E. Hiatt, b. 1937. © 1989 IRI Duane E. Hiatt, b. 1937. © 1989 IRI

I bear my I bear my testimony of testimony of the importance the importance of following the of following the counsel of counsel of righteous righteous leaders and the leaders and the blessings that blessings that come to our come to our lives through lives through this obedience.this obedience.

Images and clipart are from lds.org, sugardoodle.net, Images and clipart are from lds.org, sugardoodle.net, Microsoft Office, and other websites indicating the images Microsoft Office, and other websites indicating the images were in the public domain. The hymns, scripture story and were in the public domain. The hymns, scripture story and lesson are primarily from www.lds.org. Portions of articles lesson are primarily from www.lds.org. Portions of articles were combined with the scripture story from the following were combined with the scripture story from the following articles:articles: Beverly Webecke Ahlstrom, “Elisha and Naaman,” Beverly Webecke Ahlstrom, “Elisha and Naaman,” FriendFriend, Jul 1990, 39, Jul 1990, 39 Sandra Stallings, “Naaman the Syrian,” Sandra Stallings, “Naaman the Syrian,” FriendFriend, Feb 1987, 48, Feb 1987, 48 Ralph W. Hardy Jr., “Naaman and Gehazi: A Contrast in Obedience,” Ralph W. Hardy Jr., “Naaman and Gehazi: A Contrast in Obedience,”

EnsignEnsign, Aug 2002, 27, Aug 2002, 27

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