Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 8:9, 13

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 8:9, 13
"Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.
And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong."

What stood out to me was the reference to "let your hands be strong". What did that mean? As I pondered on it I realized it was speaking of the power of the priesthood. It would be restored when the gathering and temples are built upon the earth. Priesthood power would be given to those that do the Lord's work.

Day 1494

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 7:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 7:5-6
"Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priest, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?
And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?"

This verse reminds me of an experience I had with fasting. As a Fast Sunday approached I realized I had nothing I needed or wanted to fast for. No check list of my wants or the expressed needs of others. As I pondered on it I had the impression to just fast for the joy of the gospel, in gratitude for all the Savior has done for me. It was the most memorable fast I ever had. It filled my soul. There was no fast before that, that could even compare.

I learned an important lesson. That my soul needs to show my gratitude to the Lord. Fasting is that language of devotion. It is the ultimate sign of submitting my will and to focus on Him. Fasting to me now means to fast in this way. If I need to include others in my fast it is secondary and not the primary purpose of my fast.

Day 1493

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 6:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 6:15
"And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the Lord, and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God."

The footnote references this.

"And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee."
(Isaiah 60:10)

Who will build the third temple in Jerusalem?  I have wondered on that. Will it be the latter-day saints who are temple building people, that build it for them?  Will the Jews build it? I don't have an answer but I find these verses interesting. When the day comes for the final temple to be built whomever does it, it will be known that the Lord sent them to do it. One thing is for sure as prophesy is fulfilled it is rarely the way I thought things would come about. I don't try to second guess it. I treasure up the scriptures and then when it is time for it to be fulfilled I will know it for what it is.

This made me look for a video I recently watched that spoke on a new theory of where the temple mount is. It is based on where Josephus placed the Fortress Antonia, and new excavation for the City of David. It doesn't place the temple mount where it is currently believed the Dome of the Rock sits. If that is true then the Dome of the Rock doesn't need to be removed to build the temple. Wherever it is I am sure when the Lord feels the time is right all will know that is where it is suppose to be. Like other prophesies it will be filled to the letter, but not as man thought it would happen.



Day 1492

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 5:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 5:3-4
"Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.
I will bring if forth, saith the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof."

Zechariah sees a flying roll and the angel gives him the interpretation of it. I believe the flying roll is the record kept in heaven of our deeds. Those that steal or swear will be cut off both in heaven and earth. The roll, or record of their deeds, will enter their homes and consume even the timbers and stones. I think this means that they will not prosper in this life or the next for their evil deeds. Instead even that which they have will be taken away from them.

This reminds of the curse spoke of in the Book of Mormon. Because of their iniquities the land will be cursed and their riches will become slippery. The greater their wickedness the less they can hold unto their things.

"And behold, the time cometh that he curseth your riches, that they become slippery, that ye cannot hold them; and in the days of your poverty ye cannot retain them.
Behold, we lay a tool here and on the morrow it is gone; and behold, our swords are taken from us in the day we have sought them for battle.
Yea, we have hid up our treasures and they have slipped away from us, because of the curse of the land.
O that we had repented in the day that the word of the Lord came unto us; for behold the land is cursed, and all things are become slippery, and we cannot hold them.
(Helaman 13:31, 34-36)

This curse is still upon the land, even today. It's not just tools, swords or treasures, now it's our electronic funds and identity. It amazes me how casually people will curse and swear and think nothing of it. They are also taking advantage of others, and stealing. As I was going over this I realized that swearing and stealing is considered so severe that the punishment comes not just in the next life. It will happened to them while upon the earth. I am grateful that there is a blessing and protection for the righteous living during these times.

"And it shall come to pass, saith the Lord of Hosts, yea, our great and true God, that whoso shall hide up treasures in the earth shall find them again no more, because of the great curse of the land, save he be a righteous man and shall hide it up unto the Lord.
For I will, saith the Lord, that they shall hide up their treasures unto me; and cursed be they who hide not up their treasures unto me; for none hideth up their treasures unto me save it be the righteous; and he that hideth not up his treasures unto me, cursed is he, and also the treasure, and none shall redeem it because of the curse of the land."
(Helaman 13:18-19)

Day 1491

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 4:4-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 4:4-6
"So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?
Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
The he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts."

This shows a pattern of how the spirit or messengers from the Father teaches. It comes through questions and answers. When the question is asked with a desire to learn and to know, and not as a challenge or with doubt, the answer will be given.

This reminds me of symbolism and how it was also given in Lehi's vision of the tree of life. How Nephi after inquiring is then taught by an angel the meaning.

"And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me: Nephi, what beholdest thou?
And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins.
And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of God?
And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.
And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh."
(1 Nephi 11:14-18)

The conversation that Nephi has with the angel goes on for a few chapters. I am always struck with how easy it is for him to say "I don't know", and then he is taught. It shows me that I should never hesitate to inquiry of the Lord the meaning of things I do not understand. As I am humble I am taught by the spirit what the Father would have me know. I've also found that sometimes the answers don't come until I asked the right question. It is both the questions and the answers that are inspired by the spirit.

Nephi’s vision of Mary, by James Johnson.

Day 1490

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 3:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 3:1
"And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him."

Resist = accuse

This made me think of this.

"And the great dragon was cast out, the old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night."
(Revelation 12:9-10)

Satan tactics in the pre-existence was to accuse the brethren, even Jesus Christ. The attacks were upon their characters. Leading a third of the host of heaven to believe lies that Jesus Christ couldn't live a perfect life and redeem us. That all would fall. For that they were cast out. What must they be thinking, now seeing that Jesus Christ came and did the Father's will as he said he would?

Actually, it has just made Satan and his angels angrier. That is why he does the same things now as he did before. He stands next to us and whispers lies into our ears day and night that we are unworthy of redemption. If he can not get us from within, he sends others to accuse us of the same. No wonder we see a prevalence of the airing of individual's long ago past sins in the news. They are attacks to accuse them of being unforgivable, having no chance of redemption. It's how they take their brother out, so they can gain an advantage over the situation. They are following Satan's plan to the very letter. It's only getting worse, it means Satan knows time is running out.

Day 1489

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 2:7, 10

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 2:7, 10
"Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.
Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord."

I had to smile for these verses fit the family scripture discussion we had this pass week. We have the realization that all the experiences of living in the world, but not of the world, is available in the family dynamics happening within our home. Different values and philosophies between all that live here. Yet between my husband, oldest son and I, we gather for family scriptures, attend church and the temple together. There is a peace sadly the others don't understand. While parts of the family party outside and want no part we let them be. We can live in the world and not be part of it. The spirit can be here for some and gone for others. It's sad for they do not understand the joy they could have. If it ever changes we are waiting for them to come and see.

Day 1488

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 1:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 1:9
"Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be."

Six times in this chapter it mentions speaking with an angel. There are many accounts of angels being sent as messengers from God throughout the scriptures. Just this past Sunday I was reading over the story of Jesus Christ's resurrection and how an angel rolled back the stone from the door of the sepulcher. He was the first to exclaim "He is not here: for He is risen" and other instructions to the women than came that morning to the garden tomb.

There are other accounts in the scriptures where people have been deceived by false angels of light. Pondering on all this made me turn to Doctrine and Covenants 129 and the three keys whereby messengers from beyond the veil can be identified. It all has to do with asking them to shake your hand.

"When a messenger comes saying he has a message from God,offer him your hand and request him to shake hands with you.
If he be an angel he will do so, and you will feel his hand.
If he be the spirit of a just man made perfect he will come in his glory; for that is the only way he can appear—
Ask him to shake hands with you, but he will not move, because it is contrary to the order of heaven for a just man to deceive; but he will still deliver his message.
If it be the devil as an angel of light, when you ask him to shake hands he will offer you his hand, and you will not feel anything; you may therefore detect him."

It is a comfort me to know there is a way not be deceived.


Day 1487

Today's Favorite Verse: Haggai 2:6-7, 9

Today's Favorite Verse: Haggai 2:6-7, 9
"For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.
The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts."

These verses made me think of how the house of the Lord is a place of refuge. That as trying times come that shake men's soul the temple is my peace. As I leave it, I am given a strength from a light within, that fortifies me for the times I live in. There are times I have gone to the temple by myself and not left alone. 

"But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall life up their voices and curse God and die."
(Doctrine and Covenants 45:32)

Day 1486

Today's Favorite Verse: Haggai 1:5-7

Today's Favorite Verse: Haggai 1:5-7
"Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.
Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways."

I have to share this April 1973 General Conference talk by Elder L. Tom Perry, "Consider Your Ways" that describes what I was thinking as I read this perfectly.

"I have read this great scripture and continue to be impressed with how clearly the Old Testament prophet describes the conditions of today. Almost daily we read of those who invest for little return. We eat food so refined that the nourishment is lacking. We witness the drink that can never satisfy the thirst for those who drink; the dressing for style, rather than warmth, comfort, and modesty; the high wages of the wage earner today which still do not satisfy or supply his needs.

A noted historian several years ago summarized the reasons for the fall of Rome as follows:

1. The breakdown of the family and the rapid increase of divorce.
2. The spiraling rise of taxes and extravagant spending.
3. The mounting craze for pleasure and the brutalization of sports.
4. The decay of religion into myriads of confused forms, leaving the people without a uniform guide.

Our unconquered appetites and consuming drive for material possessions appear to be leading us on a course so often repeated in history. Greed, lust, and desire historically have only led mankind to waste, destruction, and suffering."

What was the answer Haggai prophesied?  To build the temple. I find it so interesting because I found after going to the temple and reading my scriptures daily that one day I noticed the perpetual list of things that I wanted was gone. When my soul was filled I no longer needed to fill it with material things. The blessings of the temple are exactly what people need.

Mount Timpanogos Temple Spring Sunrise by Rory Wallwork

Day 1485

Today's Favorite Verse: Zephaniah 3:8-9

Today's Favorite Verse: Zephaniah 3:8-9
"Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent."

These verses reminded me of preparation. The Lord will come when his people are prepared. There is much preparation still needed to become a Zion people. I think the new home-centered gospel learning, along with the Self-Reliance initiatives are part of that preparation. Looking at this quote from President Wilford Woodruff seems to support that.

"The hand of God is in all the operations we are trying to carry out. We have to build up Zion independent of the wicked; we have got to become self-sustaining, and the Lord is inspiring His prophets to preach to us to lay the foundation for the accomplishment of this work. The day is not far distant when we shall have to take care of ourselves. Great Babylon is going to fall, judgment is coming on the wicked, the Lord is about to pour upon the nations of the earth the great calamities which He has spoken of by the mouths of His prophets; and no power can stay these things. It is wisdom that we should lay the foundation to provide for ourselves."
(Wilford Woodruff, Improvement in the South, JD 12:11)

The last verse about a pure language reminded me of the PathwayConnect program I am taking. It is the church's world-wide low-cost education program that helps people start or return to college.  It is connected to BYU-Idaho and the Learning Model is to Prepare, Teach One Another, and Ponder and Prove. Teaching and serving are important in the learning process. Learning by the spirit is emphasized. Giving you the ability to learn greater than your own.

At the end of my first semester I discovered that people attending world-wide are required to learn English. All the classes are in English. My gathering meeting had a break-out session for those learning English. Now I'm not saying that English is the pure language spoken of in verse 9, but I can see the importance of a common language among the people. When the Lord returns we will have the language of angels, the language of God the Father, and will all understand one another and will have no need for the gift of tongues. The ability for us to learn and to serve will increase.

Day 1484

Today's Favorite Verse: Zephaniah 2:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Zephaniah 2:3
"Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger."

What a beautiful promise. As I repent and humble myself I am seeking the Lord in meekness. When the day comes when the nations will face the Lord's anger I will be hid from it. He will protect his sheep. Now I don't suspect I would escape all that will happen, I will witness it raging around me. But, the spiritual distress that comes upon the wicked will pass over me. There will be a peace in the midst of the storm. He will be my shelter and refuge from the storms.

"For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall."
(Isaiah 25:4)

"And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain."
(Isaiah 4:6)

"And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth."
(Doctrine and Covenants 115:6)

Day 1483

Today's Favorite Verse: Zephaniah 1:14-15

Today's Favorite Verse: Zephaniah 1:14-15
"The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness."

I like to look for the hope in the scriptures but today I felt to look at the worst part. This whole chapter is the worst. It speaks of the second coming. Yes, horrible things will happen at the end. But, it's the spiritual mourning and destitution that overcome the unrepentant that is the worst to go through. It reminded me of two messages from General Conference - repentance, and time is running out.

"As we speak of our temples old and new, may each of us signify by our actions that we are true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. May we renovate our lives through our faith and trust in Him. May we access the power of His Atonement by our repentance each day. And may we dedicate and rededicate our lives to serving God and His children—on both sides of the veil."
(President Russell M. Nelson, "Closing Remarks", April 2019 General Conference)

"Now, as President of His Church, I plead with you who have distanced yourselves from the Church and with you who have not yet really sought to know that the Savior’s Church has been restored. Do the spiritual work to find out for yourselves, and please do it now. Time is running out."
(President Russell M. Nelson, "Come, Follow Me", April 2019 General Conference)

I do not like days on end that are rainy and gloomy. It's depressing and I long for the sunshine. I cannot imagine the despair the comes to those when time has run out for repentance. I could not spend an eternity is such conditions. I must look to the Lord and repent daily so time never runs out.

Day 1482                                                                                                                                                   

Today's Favorite Verse: Habakkuk 3:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Habakkuk 3:4
"And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand; and there was the hiding of his power."

The footnote for "he" is "OR rays of light are at His side".  I did wonder what horns coming out of his hands meant. I figured it had to be a symbol of the temple ordinances used in the law of Moses. I found a great explanation by Erastus Snow.

"For through the laying on of hands the sick are healed. Through the laying on of hands the Holy Ghost is given. Through the laying on of hands the Priesthood is conferred upon those who are counted worthy to receive it. Herein is the hiding of the Lord's power. It is this that the Prophet Habakkuk refers to when he speaks of the Lord coming in glory, and says: “He had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.”

Horns we know in the Scriptures are often used as figures to represent power. Horns in the Apocalypse and in the prophecies of Daniel represent kingdoms and dynasties, and when one horn fell, another came up in its place, thus representing the fall of one dynasty and the rising of another. And so on. And the same may be said of the Priesthood: the ruling power that God bestows for the salvation of the human family, is that which is given by the laying on of hands.

But does this apply to the wicked, to the disobedient, or to the unbelieving? No, not at all; nor does remission of sins come to the wicked and unbelieving by merely being baptized. We have an example of this kind in the New Testament when Philip baptized the people of Samaria, and Simon the sorcerer, was baptized also; but he was a hypocrite and a corrupt man, and he only sought to gain power whereby he might hoodwink and deceive the people and filch money from them. And when Peter and John came down and prayed with the people, and laid their hands upon them, they received the Holy Ghost. When Simon saw this, he offered them money saying, “Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.” This he sought, as I have said, that he might obtain power to carry on his craft and to make money; but Peter answered him saying, “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.”

There are other similar instances. But remission of sins cometh by baptism to those who believe and repent of their sins with all their hearts; the Holy Ghost is received by the laying on of the hands of the Elders; and the powers of the Priesthood are conferred in the same manner. Simple as the ordinances are, simple to look upon and to think upon, there is power in them, power accompanies them, power is made manifest among the people. The people are gathered together; the people are made one; the differences that existed among us depart. The traditions of the fathers are cast away. We are united in receiving the light and truth from above. Our hearts are made as one, no matter where we were born, or what race of people we have sprung from. This spirit working among the people, and going abroad in the earth is accomplishing what the Lord and His servants have predicted. It is preparing a people for the coming of the Savior."

(JD 25:194, "How Judgment Should Be Formed, Etc." Discourse by Apostle Erastus Snow, delivered in the Stake Meetinghouse, Ephraim, Saturday Afternoon (Quarterly Conference), May 31, 1884)

It is the priesthood. When I think of the power in those hands, laid upon my head for the gift of the Holy Ghost and for healing, I stand amazed and what it has done for me. Now this verse makes sense.

Day 1481

Today's Favorite Verse: Habakkuk 2:3-4, 14

Today's Favorite Verse: Habakkuk 2:3-4, 14
"For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

At first I focused on the earth being filled with the knowledge and glory of the Lord, but I wondered why at the same time this chapter speaks of the prideful and disobedient? Realizing this vision is for the end times I looked at it as happening right now. So I asked myself "Are there some with knowledge of the glory of the Lord and others that don't see it?" Of course! Some are preparing for the second coming of the Lord, and others are lifted up in their pride and have no need for Him. Even with the internet anyone that wants to know of the Lord can find information on Him. It is a beautiful tool to preach the gospel to the earth. Knowledge is not hiding if you are seeking. The difference is what they are looking for.

Day 1480

Today's Favorite Verse: Habakkuk 1:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Habakkuk 1:4
"Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth."

This made me ponder on how laws are being enacted that go against the laws of God. You cannot legalize sin and make it change God's opinion of it. It is only when the voice of the people choose iniquity that destruction will come. I think we are ripe for this to happen. At least the warnings are being given.

"The effect of God’s commandments and laws is not changed to accommodate popular behavior or desires." 
(President Dallin H. Oaks, "Love and Law", GC Oct 2009)

"Remember: sin, even if legalized by man, is still sin in the eyes of God!"
(President Russell M. Nelson, "Decisions for Eternity", GC Oct 2013)

"The laws of man often move outside the boundaries set by the laws of God."
(Elder Neil L. Andersen, "The Eye of Faith", GC April 2019)

"Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law - to do your business by the voice of the people.
And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land."
(Mosiah 29:26-27)

Day 1479

Today's Favorite Verse: Nahum 3:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Nahum 3:7
"And it shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste: who will bemoan her? whence shall I seek comforters for thee?"

This chapter is speaking of the downfall of Nineveh. It also reminded me of what I am seeing today. The sins of people are being shouted from the housetops. How quickly we see their fall. Sins and past errors displayed for others to judge and offer group condemnation on. Friends once by their sides quickly vanish, not wanting to be associated with them. I guess what sickens me is the society has no forgiveness. You make a mistake, there is no redemption, you're counted as nothing. That is not what the Savior teaches. He atoned for our sins. He is the friend that never leaves you, if you come unto Him. 

Day 1478

Today's Favorite Verse: Nahum 2:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Nahum 2:3-4
"The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with the flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken.
That chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like lighnings."

These verses are describing when the preparation for the second coming of the Lord will be. It's not hard to visualize Nahum attempting to describe a modern day automobile in the last verse. I can picture him standing at a street corning watching cars line up at a traffic light. I can also see him standing on a bridge at night overlooking a modern day highway. But this can even go a little further back in time in the industrial age. Prior to the automobile there were trains, that could also run at incredible speeds.

Nahum prophecy was written between 660-606 BC. The first steam locomotive was built in 1804. It wasn't until 1830 that the first public railway was open in the United States. Those dates are rather interesting to look at. Lehi and his family left Jerusalem in 600 BC so Nahum could have been a contemporary. Joseph Smith was born 1805 and the restoration of the gospel and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon happened in 1830. It was this modern age and coming forward that Nahum prophesied of. This is the time when the gospel was restored in preparation of the Lord's second coming. Even 100 years prior to the restoration of the gospel the imagery in Nahum prophesy would not be understood.

Day 1477

Today's Favorite Verse: Nahum 1:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Nahum 1:7
"The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."

This chapter is speaking of the second coming, but this verse is true every day. For no matter the trouble I can always turn to the Lord and find comfort and peace. Though the earth may melt and burn away at His coming it worries me not. For he will gather his sheep and hold them.

Day 1476

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 7:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 7:2
"The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net."

As I was reading the news this morning I thought about the privacy of the people in the stories. Some I was down right sad to see the sport over their situations. When I read this part of the verse, "they hunt every man his brother with a net" it made me think of the people being chased in order to sell sensational news stories. Mercy and forgiveness are foreign concepts now.

Then I reflected on my childhood and my attempts to catch little white butterflies with a net. The butterflies fluttered all over in an attempt to avoid being caught in my net. It was exhausting and I was often frustrated in my attempts. When one was finally caught it was placed in a jar with air holes poked into the top. Then I would sit quietly and watch the butterfly. The butterflies never lasted long once confined in that jar. I was always trying to find new ways to make the butterfly last. In my attempts I added all types of twigs and leaves for it to feed on. Basically dead food. But I never found something to make them last. Sadly those butterflies were my experiments, for nothing equaled them living free as they should have.

What is the net? It is a device used to take away the freedom or agency of another. They can be used against those that have given away their agency by their actions, or the innocent that are captured for the pleasure or gain of another. What it all boils down to is wanting to take away the agency of man. There are many means by which man has devised to capture his brother in a net. 

Day 1475

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 6:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 6:14
"Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee; and thou shalt take hold, but shalt not deliver; and that which thou deliverest will I give up to the sword."

I had an interesting experience the other night and this verse reminded me of it. Someone that left my faith brought up religion to me. They gave me an earful's of all the "false doctrine" and scriptures I understand wrong. I think they unloaded on me because they thought this was their opportunity to do so. They raged and told me exactly where my faith was wrong for not believing what other Christians do. Now I know I can't talk religion to them because all they want to do is contend, and I won't participate in that. Loosing the spirit by contention is of more concern to me than winning any battle over scriptures. Even if I wanted to, this person would have never allowed me to rebut them anyways, so why start. I'm ok letting others believe whatever they want, just give me the same right to be left alone.

As they raged I just looked at them, because they left my faith to find another Christian religion. Now they think all religions are man made and stem from paganism. So, they proudly have no faith at all. They wanted me to believe something they didn't believe and were angry about it? Then as if reading my mind they said as they left the room. "Of course I don't believe any of that because religion is man made and I have no religion." How can they be angry with me over something they don't even believe and they know it?

Basically, they wanted me to eat of something that wouldn't fill me. They had nothing to deliver me. Yet they were angry when I wouldn't accept what they didn't believe was true. They were willing to pick up the sword to contend over something that didn't even fill them. Their only aim was to destroy my faith and leave me with nothing. I am just grateful I didn't pick up that sword and let them destroy my peace.

Day 1474

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 5:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 5:2
"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel."

The prophesy of where Jesus would be born, even down to Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem to be there. How must they have felt when they realized they needed to travel to Bethlehem due to being taxed? That this was according to prophecy. I pondered on how governments and nations can put things in place that fulfill prophesy without even realizing it. Sadly, even to fulfill end time prophecy. I should not fear any of it for God's hand it over it all. No one can frustrate his work. Door will open as they need to. 

Day 1473

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 4:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 4:1
"But in the last days it shall came to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it."

This is prophecy fulfilled. Temples around the world and people are flowing into them. I pondered on all the temples I have seen exalted about the hills. I remember as a young teenager when our family traveled to the Washington D.C. to attend the temple dedication. It was stunning to travel on the Beltway and watch as the temple appeared to rise up from the ground in front of us. They had to reduce the speed limit in the area, because of accidents caused from people slowing down to look at it. I'm not there to get the effect again so I turned to YouTube to see if someone had recorded it.

As stunning and beautiful as our temples are from the outside, it doesn't even begin to compare with the spirit I find inside it. It is what's contained inside that caused people to flow inside it, for they are the House of the Lord. 



Day 1472

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 3:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 3:8
"But truly I am full of the power by the spirit of the Lord, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin."

I just spend this weekend witnessing this. I was asked to repent and change my heart by a prophet of God.  President Russell M. Nelson said this in the Saturday night Priesthood Session.

"Recently I have found myself draw to the Lord's instruction given through the prophet Joseph Smith. "Say nothing but repentance unto this generation."

Too many people consider repentance as punishment, something to be avoided, except in the most serious circumstances. But, this feeling of being penalized in engendered by Satan. He tries to block us from looking to Jesus Christ who stands with open arms hoping and willing to heal, forgive, cleanse, strengthen, purity and sanctify us.

When Jesus asks you and me to repent he inviting us to change our minds, our knowledge, our spirit even the way we breath. He's asking us to change the way we love, think, server, spend our time, treat our wives, teach our children, and even care for our bodies."

Repentance is a daily focused effort needed for my spiritual progression. I want to do it.

Day 1471

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 2:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 2:9
"The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away my glory for ever."

This reminded me of a talk by President Ezra Taft Benson in 1987 speaking "To the Mothers in Zion" in a fireside for parents. At the time I was a young mother at home raising two small children.  It was the most shocking thing I ever experienced. He dared to tell mothers to come home to their children and not work outside of the home. Here are some of the quotes.

"The Lord clearly defined the roles of mothers and fathers in providing for and rearing a righteous posterity. In the beginning, Adam--not Eve--was instructed to earn the bread by the sweat of his brow. Contrary to conventional wisdom, a mother's calling is in the home, not in the market place.

Again, in the Doctrine and Covenants, we read: "Women have claim on their husbands for their maintenance, until their husbands are taken" (D&C 83:2). This is the divine right of a wife and mother. She cares for and nourishes her children at home. Her husband earns the living for the family, which makes this nourishing possible. With that claim on their husbands for their financial support, the counsel of the Church has always been for mothers to spend their full time in the home in rearing and caring for their children.

We realize also that some of our choice sisters are widowed and divorced and that others find themselves in unusual circumstances where, out of necessity, they are required to work for a period of time. But these instances are the exception, not the rule.

He quoted President Kimball and said: "Too many mothers work away from home to furnish sweaters and music lessons and trips and fun for their children. Too many women spend their time in socializing, in politicking, in public services when they should be home to teach and train and receive and love their children into security" (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 319)."

Now the reason this talk was so shocking to me was not at all what he said. I agreed with him. It was instead the reaction of the mothers in attendance. They were angry at the words coming from the prophet. I remember the women in our meeting later saying how the prophet didn't understand the reality of life. That they needed to work to help develop their children's talents and such things. I sat there as a young mother looking at these older sisters and wanted to cry. To me these were words of apostasy. I left that meeting trembling and have thought of it often over the years.

I have witnessed what became of my generation not heeding the prophet's counsel and warning. With two parents working we raised the standard of living and with that the cost of housing, etc increased. Now instead of two parents working providing luxuries in the home, it has become a sad fact of life that the majority must work. We are in bondage now, and the mother's in Zion that were in opposition to the prophet did it. This is the legacy from my generation and it still makes me upset.


Day 1470

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 1:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 1:3-4
"For, behold, the Lord cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.
And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place."

Really interesting thought came to me while I was reading this. I was not even scared of what will happen to the earth. I was just so focused on the mention of the Savior's coming in the verse before. It actually gave me pause that I felt no fear, when years ago the thought would have given me great anxiety. Then I realized why I felt no fear. It was because my eyes were still focused on the Savior. That is how it should be.

Day 1469

Today's Favorite Verse: Jonah 4:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Jonah 4:11
"And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left; and also much cattle?"

In James 1:8 it says:
"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."

So for the Lord to say Nineveh could not discern between their right or left, the perspective of their repenting would mean they were not stable and could swing the other way. I was curious about what happened to Ninevah later and read in Nahum 3 "the miserable downfall of Nineveh is foretold". The prophecy against Nineveh is also in Zephaniah 2. Nineveh fell in 607 B.C.

So what does that teach me? That when the Lord promises destruction, he may rescind the time frame it will happen if you repent. But, if you turn from him the same condemnation is upon your head. You can never escape God's warning. The timing is the Lord's.

"And behold, I. the Lord, declare unto you, and my words are sure and shall not fail, that they shall obtain it.
But all things must come to pass in their time."
(Doctrine and Covenants 64:31-32)

Day 1468

Today's Favorite Verse: Jonah 3:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Jonah 3:10
"And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not."

It is beautiful that the city of Nineveh listened to Jonah and repented. That is exactly what a prophet's voice of warning is for, for us to repent and change our way. The wording of this verse threw me a little so I turned to the Joseph Smith Translation (JST Jonah 3:10) for clarification.

"And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way and repented; and God turned away from the evil that he had said that he would upon them."

This felt right for it to be worded this way.

This reminded me of the 8th Article of Faith
"We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God."

Day 1467

Today's Favorite Verse: Jonah 2:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Jonah 2:3-4
"For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.
Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple."

This was me today. The vicissitudes of life overwhelmed me and it was a rough day trying to keep my head above water. Or maybe its that I've been trying to hold my breath to long that's been hurting. This is just part of what life is, at times. This is why I need my Savior. Thankfully there is the temple and I could come and find clarity, direction, and allowed to rest. I know when I do what the Lord told me to do, all this will work for my good.

Day 1466

Today's Favorite Verse: Jonah 1:2-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Jonah 1:2-5
Arise, go to Ninevah, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
But Jonah rose to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.
Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep."

This is a familiar primary story of Jonah and the whale. Jonah is called by God to cry repentance to the city of Ninevah. Instead Jonah is afraid and flees. What I had forgotten about this story was that while the great tempest was brewing, and the others were afraid the ship would be broken up, Jonah lay fast asleep. If that shipmaster did not come and wake him the ship would have gone down into the depths of the sea and they would all have perished. Jonah would not have known what hit him.

This all made me think of deafness and blindness that comes to the disobedient. How if we do not follow God's commandments we can perish and never know what hit us. Jonah did not sleep in the belly of the ship with a clear conscious like Jesus did as the storm raged. Jonah slept in ignorance but was not innocent. Jesus was able to rebuke the winds and calm the sea because of his righteousness. Jonah had to personally suffer.

So maybe when Jesus said in Matthew 16:4
"A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed."

He wasn't just talking about the 3 days Jonah was in the belly of whale, as a a similitude of his death and resurrection. He was talking about those that are seeking a sign, and through apathy are totally asleep and can spiritually perish. Like the shipmaster awoke Jonah to danger, the prophets and apostles are there to wake us up.

Day 1465