Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 143:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 143:8
"Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee."

I pondered on ways I hear the Lord first thing in the morning. First of all is prayer. I receive my strength for the day, and it sets my path ahead of me. Then I thought about my early morning time in the temple. How that is such a strength for me. I seem to hear the word of the Lord much better in the mornings, being less tired and ready to listen.

Day 3950

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 140:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 140:11-12
"Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor."

Before I read in the Old Testament I was reading in the Book of Mormon. I was on the part where Alma and Amulek are speaking to the people in Ammonihah. Alma was sent to tell them to repent of their wickedness or that great city would be destroyed. They rejected the prophet and in one day the city was totally destroyed by the Lamanites. They fell upon the people so quickly that the Nephites could not come and defend them. I reflected on how we never know how God is going to fulfill His words, but he does. How long are evil men allowed to reign? We don't know, but eventually the sword of justice does fall on them. They cannot escape it, even in death.

As wicked as a people of Ammonihah became I found it interesting that is was the plot to destroy the liberty of the people that brought them under condemnation. This was before they even murdered the people of God.

"And behold, I am sent to command thee that thou return to the city of Ammonihah, and preach again unto the people of the city; yea, preach unto them. Yea, say unto them, except they repent the Lord God will destroy them.
For behold, they do study at this time that they may destroy the liberty of thy people, (for thus saith the Lord) which is contrary to the statutes, and judgments, and commandments which he has given unto his people."
(Alma 8:16-17)

Day 3949

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 138:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 138:2
"I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name."

For a moment I thought about trying to pray facing towards the temple. Then I remembered its not referring to that. My actions and desires, the prayers of my heart should be leading me there, not away from it. I could pray all day long in front of the temple and it would do my soul no good, if that is not where my heart is.

Day 3948

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 133:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 133:1
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

At first I thought about how divided our nation is, that made me sad. I wondered if unity will only be when the Lord comes again? Then I thought about His Church. How unity should be found there, even when all the world is in commotion. We have a sacred charge as we prepare for the Lord's Second Coming. Then I thought of "if ye are not one ye are not mine."

"Behold, this I have given unto you as a parable, and it is even as I am. I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.
And again, I say unto you that the enemy in the secret chambers seeketh your lives.
Ye hear of wars in far countries, and you say that there will soon be great wars in far countries, but ye know not the hearts of men in your own land.
I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.
And that ye might escape the power of the enemy, and be gathered unto me a righteous people, without spot and blameless"
(Doctrine and Covenants 38:27-31)

"And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them."
(Moses 7:18)

Day 3947