“Darius Makes Daniel the First of His Presidents—Daniel Worships the Lord in Defiance of a Decree of Darius—He Is Cast into the Den of Lions—His Faith Saves Him, and Darius Decrees That All People Are to Revere the God of Daniel”
(See Daniel 6:1–28.)
President Thomas S. Monson said:
“(King) Darius . . . honored Daniel, elevating him to the highest position of prominence. There followed the envy of the crowd, the jealousy of princes, and the scheming of ambitious men.
“Through trickery and flattery, King Darius signed a proclamation providing that anyone who made a request of any god or man, except the king, should be thrown into the lions’ den. Prayer was forbidden. In such matters, Daniel took direction not from an earthly king but from the King of heaven and earth, his God. Overtaken in his daily prayers, Daniel was brought before the king. Reluctantly, the penalty was pronounced. Daniel was to be thrown into the lions’ den.
“I love the biblical account which follows:
“‘The king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.
“‘And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice . . . O Daniel, . . . is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
“‘Then said Daniel unto the king . . .
“‘My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me. . . .
“‘Then was the king exceeding glad. . . . Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God’ (Daniel 6:19–23).
“In a time of critical need, Daniel’s determination to remain true and faithful provided divine protection and a sanctuary of safety.”
(“True to the Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2006, 20–21.)
