Daniel 3

Neal A. Maxwell, A Wonderful Flood of Light , p.113

The correct manner and motivation for reproof are indicated in Doctrine and Covenants 121:43. In practice, however, when we undertake to reprove we frequently are prompted not by the Holy Ghost but by ego. Moreover, we often fail to reprove "betimes," meaning speedily and early on. Time can harden feelings as surely as the sun bakes wet clay. Jesus was willing to provide tutorials in one-on-one audiences with some of His followers. Such personalized help can be especially nourishing in the tenderest and most needful moments. For instance, Christ stood by imprisoned Paul in the night to cheer the Apostle and also to call him to Rome (see Acts 23:11). One cannot help but wonder, when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were in the fiery furnace, if it might not have been the Lord Himself who was the fourth figure in that fiery furnace (see Daniel 3:25).

John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, 20:319

It is an historic fact, written in letters as of living fire, that neither nations, peoples, emperors, kings, or presidents, nor the combined powers of the earth, are able to regulate the conscience or change the faith of man. Noah maintained his faith alone, as against that of a world. Abraham could not be swerved by the most unnatural and forbidding circumstances. Moses, at the behest of God, alone withstood the power of Egypt's king and nation. Daniel unflinchingly bowed his knee to Israel's God, in the face of a prohibitory regal decree, passed by the intrigues of the combined powers of the kingdom of Babylon, who were his enemies (Dan. 6:1-28). Job, when tried, maintained his integrity, even as against God, and said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him;” (Job 13:15) and he further said, “I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he will stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God” (Job 19:25-26). The three Hebrew children could not be made to bow to the image set up by the King of Babylon; but rather than deny their faith chose the penalty of the fiery furnace, in which they walked accompanied by the Son of God (Dan. 3:1-30). Jesus came to do the will of his Father (John 6:38), and though in doing it he sweat great drops of blood (Luke 22:44), and begged of his Father to let the cup pass if possible (Matt. 26:39), yet “not my will,” he said, “but thine, be done;” (Luke 22:42) and when groaning in mortal agony he cried, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Ps. 22:1; Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34). And though he could have commanded twelve legions of angels, who would have obeyed him (Matt. 26:53), yet in obedience to the mandate of his Father, he quietly said, “It is finished,” and gave up the ghost (John 19:30).