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There are countless stories in scripture that contain spectacular phrases of courage and valor by some of mankind’s greatest to have ever lived on planet earth.

Today at Untoalltheworld.blog, I will share three such phrases: two from the Old Testament and one from the Apocrypha.

Our Bible Dictionary teaches that the Apocrypha means “those sacred books of the Jewish people…[that] are valuable as forming a link connecting the Old and New Testament and are regarded in the Church as useful reading.” (Bible Dictionary, page 610, “Apocrypha”)

Moreover, section 91 in the Doctrine and Covenants was revelation sought and received about the Apocrypha, those olden writings, by Joseph Smith as he was translating the Old Testament. It states that “there are many things contained therein [meaning the Apocrypha] that are true, and it is mostly translated correctly. There are many things contained therein that are not true, which are interpolations by the hands of men…it is not needful that the Apocrypha should be translated…” (Doctrine and Covenants 91:1,2,3)

Knowing that the Holy Ghost testifies of all truth, we can – as prompted – read from the Apocrypha and be “enlightened by the Spirit” and “benefit[ed] therefrom” as gems of truth are uncovered (Doctrine and Covenants 91:5)

There’s a really precious gem found in the Apocryphal story of Susanna.

1There dwelt a man in Babylon, called Joacim:

2And he took a wife, whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Chelcias, a very fair woman, and one that feared the Lord.

3Her parents also were righteous, and taught their daughter according to the law of Moses.

4Now Joacim was a great rich man, and had a fair garden joining unto his house: and to him resorted the Jews; because he was more honourable than all others.

5The same year were appointed two of the ancients of the people to be judges, such as the Lord spake of, that wickedness came from Babylon from ancient judges, who seemed to govern the people.

6These kept much at Joacim’s house: and all that had any suits in law came unto them.

7Now when the people departed away at noon, Susanna went into her husband’s garden to walk.

8And the two elders saw her going in every day, and walking; so that their lust was inflamed toward her.

9And they perverted their own mind, and turned away their eyes, that they might not look unto heaven, nor remember just judgments.

10And albeit they both were wounded with her love, yet durst not one shew another his grief.

11For they were ashamed to declare their lust, that they desired to have to do with her.

12Yet they watched diligently from day to day to see her.

13And the one said to the other, Let us now go home: for it is dinner time.

14So when they were gone out, they parted the one from the other, and turning back again they came to the same place; and after that they had asked one another the cause, they acknowledged their lust: then appointed they a time both together, when they might find her alone.

15And it fell out, as they watched a fit time, she went in as before with two maids only, and she was desirous to wash herself in the garden: for it was hot.

16And there was no body there save the two elders, that had hid themselves, and watched her.

17Then she said to her maids, Bring me oil and washing balls, and shut the garden doors, that I may wash me.

18And they did as she bade them, and shut the garden doors, and went out themselves at privy doors to fetch the things that she had commanded them: but they saw not the elders, because they were hid.

19Now when the maids were gone forth, the two elders rose up, and ran unto her, saying,

20Behold, the garden doors are shut, that no man can see us, and we are in love with thee; therefore consent unto us, and lie with us.

21If thou wilt not, we will bear witness against thee, that a young man was with thee: and therefore thou didst send away thy maids from thee.

22Then Susanna sighed, and said, I am straitened on every side: for if I do this thing, it is death unto me: and if I do it not I cannot escape your hands.

23It is better for me to fall into your hands, and not do it, than to sin in the sight of the Lord.

24With that Susanna cried with a loud voice: and the two elders cried out against her.

25Then ran the one, and opened the garden door.

26So when the servants of the house heard the cry in the garden, they rushed in at the privy door, to see what was done unto her.

27But when the elders had declared their matter, the servants were greatly ashamed: for there was never such a report made of Susanna.

28And it came to pass the next day, when the people were assembled to her husband Joacim, the two elders came also full of mischievous imagination against Susanna to put her to death;

29And said before the people, Send for Susanna, the daughter of Chelcias, Joacim’s wife. And so they sent.

30So she came with her father and mother, her children, and all her kindred.

31Now Susanna was a very delicate woman, and beauteous to behold.

32And these wicked men commanded to uncover her face, (for she was covered) that they might be filled with her beauty.

33Therefore her friends and all that saw her wept.

34Then the two elders stood up in the midst of the people, and laid their hands upon her head.

35And she weeping looked up toward heaven: for her heart trusted in the Lord.

36And the elders said, As we walked in the garden alone, this woman came in with two maids, and shut the garden doors, and sent the maids away.

37Then a young man, who there was hid, came unto her, and lay with her.

38Then we that stood in a corner of the garden, seeing this wickedness, ran unto them.

39And when we saw them together, the man we could not hold: for he was stronger than we, and opened the door, and leaped out.

40But having taken this woman, we asked who the young man was, but she would not tell us: these things do we testify.

41Then the assembly believed them as those that were the elders and judges of the people: so they condemned her to death.

42Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, O everlasting God, that knowest the secrets, and knowest all things before they be:

43Thou knowest that they have borne false witness against me, and, behold, I must die; whereas I never did such things as these men have maliciously invented against me.

44And the Lord heard her voice.

45Therefore when she was led to be put to death, the Lord raised up the holy spirit of a young youth whose name was Daniel:

46Who cried with a loud voice, I am clear from the blood of this woman.

47Then all the people turned them toward him, and said, What mean these words that thou hast spoken?

48So he standing in the midst of them said, Are ye such fools, ye sons of Israel, that without examination or knowledge of the truth ye have condemned a daughter of Israel?

49Return again to the place of judgment: for they have borne false witness against her.

50Wherefore all the people turned again in haste, and the elders said unto him, Come, sit down among us, and shew it us, seeing God hath given thee the honour of an elder.

51Then said Daniel unto them, Put these two aside one far from another, and I will examine them.

52So when they were put asunder one from another, he called one of them, and said unto him, O thou that art waxen old in wickedness, now thy sins which thou hast committed aforetime are come to light.

53For thou hast pronounced false judgment and hast condemned the innocent and hast let the guilty go free; albeit the Lord saith, The innocent and righteous shalt thou not slay.

54Now then, if thou hast seen her, tell me, Under what tree sawest thou them companying together? Who answered, Under a mastick tree.

55And Daniel said, Very well; thou hast lied against thine own head; for even now the angel of God hath received the sentence of God to cut thee in two.

56So he put him aside, and commanded to bring the other, and said unto him, O thou seed of Chanaan, and not of Juda, beauty hath deceived thee, and lust hath perverted thine heart.

57Thus have ye dealt with the daughters of Israel, and they for fear companied with you: but the daughter of Juda would not abide your wickedness.

58Now therefore tell me, Under what tree didst thou take them companying together? Who answered, Under an holm tree.

59Then said Daniel unto him, Well; thou hast also lied against thine own head: for the angel of God waiteth with the sword to cut thee in two, that he may destroy you.

60With that all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and praised God, who saveth them that trust in him.

61And they arose against the two elders, for Daniel had convicted them of false witness by their own mouth:

62And according to the law of Moses they did unto them in such sort as they maliciously intended to do to their neighbour: and they put them to death. Thus the innocent blood was saved the same day.

63Therefore Chelcias and his wife praised God for their daughter Susanna, with Joacim her husband, and all the kindred, because there was no dishonesty found in her.

64From that day forth was Daniel had in great reputation in the sight of the people.

(https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Susanna-Chapter-1/)

The story of Susanna – whether true or not – has a really courageous phrase in it that I love to remember: “It is better,” she said to two men who purposedly laid a trap to ensnare her, “for me to fall into your hands…than to sin in the sight of the Lord.” Those are such courageous words!

Susanna, choosing right with God over popularity and safety of self, displayed such valor. In the end, her life was spared, but even if it hadn’t been, she vowed she would not “sin in the sight of the Lord.” “There was no dishonesty found in her.”

Wow. Even when she was condemned to death.

When Daniel and his Old Testament companions refused to worship the golden image and were thrown in the “burning fiery furnace” (Daniel 3:20) by order of King Nebuchadnezzar, the king saw in the furnace “four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they [had] no hurt and the form of the fourth [was] like the Son of God…” (Daniel 3:25). Making it known to the king that they would not worship any untrue image and before they “fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace” (Daniel 3:23), Daniel and his friends had declared to the king: “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us…and he will deliver us…but if not, be it known unto thee…that we will not serve thy gods…” (Daniel 3: 17,18).

“But if not!” Wow. Even when they were cast into a burning furnace.

And Esther – she who saved her Jewish nation – said: “…and so will I go into unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16)

“If I perish, I perish.” Wow. Possibly her life for that of her people.

On opposite sides, think of Pilate. Concerning Jesus Christ, he said, “…Ye have brought this man unto me…I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man…” (Luke 23:14) I once listened to a podcast that suggested that Pilate was more concerned about being popular than being right with God – even despite the fact that his wife admonished him: “Have thou nothing to do with that just man…for I have suffered many things this day because of him…” (Matthew 27:19).

It is better to be right with God. Better than being popular with man. Even better than surviving whatever man can do to one’s human flesh.

Unto all the world: May we have courage like unto Susanna, Daniel, and Esther and unlike Pilate, may we choose being right with God over anything the world has to offer us.