Gospel Doctrine Lesson 22 presents students with an invitation to see others in the way God sees them, by looking carefully at the human soul rather than a person’s physical appearance.  The lesson title derives from the story of the anointing of David as king over Israel, when the Lord declared unto the prophet Samuel,

“Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7).

This Old Testament passage addresses the fundamental difference between the defective judgment of man versus the perfect ruling of God.  In choosing a future leader for Israel, the Lord encouraged Samuel not to look at a candidate’s physical appearance or stature.  Indeed, these were the exact qualities identified with Saul who proved deficient as king (see 1 Sam. 9:2; 10:23). [Read more...]