Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 21:19

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 21:19
"And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away."

I thought about the fig tree this time, instead of the fruit or Jesus telling the apostles, if they had faith and doubted not they could do which is done to the fig tree, and more.

I could be that figure tree. I never know when the Lord will come by. Will he find me with fruit, working and nourishing others at his coming?  Or will he find me dressed, but deceptively baring no fruit? If it is the later, I will be destroyed at his coming. I will be damned, which means progress has stopped, and no eternal increase. It would be as if I withered away. I can't be found so wanting.

Day 1525

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 20:20

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 20:20
"Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him."

What did she want?  For her sons to sit on the right and left hand of the Lord in his kingdom. The Lord answered and said "Ye know not what ye ask."  He asked if they were able to "drink of the cup that I shall drink of." and they said "We are able." Then the Lord explains "but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my father."

Did the mother of Zebedee's children desire a good thing?  Yes, to a point. Did she understand what she was really asking? No, she didn't. Was she humble about it? No, not really, because saying "We are able" is showing pride and not humility. She needed to be taught of the Lord to humble herself to the Father's will. I can desire righteous things but be out of harmony with the Father's will. It is better to seek the Father's will and then I will know righteous things to desire. Desiring something, even good things, out of the bounds the Lord has set, and against the Father's will can lead to pride.

Day 1524

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 19:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 19:4-5
"And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?"

I saw somewhere the other day a post that said something along the lines, "If you were to ask Jesus something what would it be?" Honestly, I had nothing I would ask. Let me just fall down and worship Him.

After I read these verses and seeing it differently this time, I wondered how many people would ask Christ's opinion on the issue of our day, transgender and same-sex marriage. I think he would say "Have ye not read... I already answered that."

Day 1523

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 18:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 18:3
"And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

Today, seems to be the day I must focus on conversion. I can't tell you how many conversations I have had on it today. In this verse I noticed the word "converted" straight away.

I've always focused on the little child part. That I needed to become one. Now I realize what I actually need to be is converted. Then by my fruits you see me as a little child. The footnote takes me to this scripture.

"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."
(Mosiah 3:19)

What beautiful characteristics, and none of them are possible unless you overcome the natural man tendencies and become truly converted.

This is what the Bible Dictionary says on Conversion:
"Denotes changing one’s views, in a conscious acceptance of the will of God (Acts 3:19). If followed by continued faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism in water for the remission of sins, and the reception of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, conversion will become complete and will change a natural man into a sanctified, born again, purified person—a new creature in Christ Jesus (see 2 Cor. 5:17). Complete conversion comes after many trials and much testing (see Luke 22:32; D&C 112:12–13). To labor for the conversion of one’s self and others is a noble task, as in Ps. 51:13; Dan. 12:3; James 5:19–20; Alma 26; D&C 18:15–16.

I'm beginning to have new eyes on the natural man, conversion, and purpose in trials. I am working towards putting the oil of conversion into my vessel, to feed my lamp of testimony, like five of the ten virgins did. Elder David A. Bednar referred to this in his Oct 2012 General Conference talk "Converted unto the Lord".

Day 1522

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 17:27

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 17:27
"Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee."

I think I was drawn to this story because yesterday I went to a Stake Fireside, "An Evening with the Holdmans". The original art studio was started up the street from me. His studio has now produced stained glass for 90 temples around the world. It was amazing to hear his stories. One slide showed how some stained glass in the Rome Italy Temple Visitor Center has other elements in it. Like an actual coin from the time period that would have been found inside the fish's mouth in Christ's day.

What I reflected on is how Christ paid his taxes. How even today he commands us to do the same. I learned the 12th Article of Faith as a little child. "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the laws."

For someone that actually created the whole world Jesus did not need to pay taxes to anyone. You could say he had the ultimate sovereignty. Yet, he did. Even the conditions around his birth involved Joseph needing to pay his taxes.

There is a message here. First, we must obey the law and not bring offense. Peter had to use skills from his occupation to obtain this miraculous money. After faithfully doing his part of fishing the Lord provided the miracle. It is reminding me of self-reliance and how we will be blessed as we work and serve the Lord and are wise stewards of what has been given us.

So, what would be the penalty for not paying taxes? I would imagine there is no protection for us. We are left to ourselves and could land in jail. This would be the adversary's way of frustrating the Lord's work. I wouldn't want to be found guilty of that.

Day 1521

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 16:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 16:3
"And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the time?"

I cannot tell you how many times yesterday and today I have had a discussion or heard one on discernment and deception. Even the article on President Nelson's talk in the Samoan Islands speaks of it. This is obviously the sign of our times we are living in.

“There are difficult days ahead,” he said. “Please protect your children. Help them to know the Lord and love Him and keep His commandments and be free from the shackles of addiction and bondage.”
“This Church, when restored in its fullness, will prepare the world for the coming of the Lord,” but not before Christ’s followers are persecuted, he said.
“Church members in the Samoan Islands will not be immune from being persecuted,” he said, warning them to “prepare to be persecuted, even every day,” and telling them they have a solemn duty to prepare for it.
“Please protect your families from the deception you will see in your future,” he said. “That’s why we are all busily engaged in this work. We have to fortify our people against attacks of the adversary.”
He told them not to become discouraged. He said God will provide them with revelation, strength and the ability to judge right from wrong."

The danger of these days is not wars, earthquakes, floods or famines, the greatest thing they can do is kill the body. The greatest risk in these latter-days is being deceived. That is the risk to both body and soul. That is my greatest concern. I pray and read and ponder the scriptures in my heart so I will know true doctrine and recognize when the doctrine is false. I have established rules for myself, and strive to keep the spirit always to be with me. There just isn't any other way to get through this.


Day 1520

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 15:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 15:8
"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me."

Sometimes you wake up and realized your heart is far from God. The beautiful thing about that is, when you realize it, you're ready to come back.

Last night and into the morning, I had a long talk with myself and with God to find out what the problem is. Why do I feel so distant? Yesterday, was the first day in forever that my pain started to subside. Inspiration had came Wednesday night on what I needed to do and I obeyed. I see the miracle and have found relief. Now my eyes have been opened up about what I have done through my pain. Deep, deep down I sought comfort in food and not completely in the Lord. Oh, I did mercifully continue to pray, study and worship Him. I turned to Him in my darkest hours and he comforted me. Then when I divorced the spiritual from the physical I ate to comfort myself. I see now I can't do that. I cannot serve two masters.

What the natural man desires causes more pain, not healing.

"The natural man is an enemy to God." (Mosiah 3:19) That is what I turned to.

The Guide to the Scriptures describes the Natural Man as:
"A person who chooses to be influenced by the passions, desires, appetites, and senses of the flesh rather than by the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Such a person can comprehend physical things but not spiritual things. All people are carnal, or mortal, because of the Fall of Adam and Eve. Each person must be born again through the Atonement of Jesus Christ to cease being a natural man."

What I learned is it doesn't matter where I am on the path to eternal life. The natural man can turn my heart from God if I let it control me. The longer and further I let that happen the darker things become. Soon I would no longer seek or desire God. I am so grateful my eyes have been opened, right now where I stand. I am grateful God judges me on my heart and lets me change it.

Day 1519

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 14:32

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 14:32
"And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased."

I was reading the story of Jesus walking on the wind tossed sea. Peter calls to him and is told to Come. Peter begins to walk on water but takes his eyes off of Jesus and becomes afraid. Then he sinks and cries out for the Lord to save him. Jesus stretched out his hand and catches him. When they make it back into the ship the wind ceased. It is the wind ceasing that caught my eye this time.

All along the Lord could have calmed the sea. He didn't need to walk on the water while it was stormed tossed. But why did He? I think its an example of the trials we pass through in life. The Lord is there and experiences the elements with us. He knows exactly what we are going through. He calls to us and catches us. What I need to do is call and reach for Him. In Him I will find peace and rest from the storms. The Lord uses the storms for me to learn as the disciples said "Of a truth thou art the Son of God." If there had been no storm but calm waters Peter would have never taken his eyes off Jesus as he walked to him. The wind tossed water is an important element in coming to know who Christ is.


Day 1518

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 13:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 13:17
"For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."

In family scripture study we were actually discussing this same type of concept after reading Matthew 23:30,  "And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets."

People can always look back and wish they lived in another time. Saying, they never would have killed the prophets or not listened to them. My family decided though to think about what the people in past times would say about living in our day. What warning or caution would they give us. Just like the previous prophets waiting for Christ's coming, now we are waiting for the second coming. How many would have loved to live in these days? Most if not all.

Some of the things we thought about them saying.

"Go to the temple, it's so close and the blessings and protection from being there are vital for your day. Do you know how amazing it is that you can even go to the temple?"

"Read you scriptures every day. Do you realize how blessed you are to be able to carry them around with you all the time. Being able to read and study anytime, anywhere. We didn't even have our own personal copies of the scriptures."

"Gather as a family and search and study the scriptures together. How can you say you don't have time to do this with all the labor saving devices that you have. Turn off the television, get off social media and function as a righteous family."

There were so many things we though about them telling us. I am blessed to live at the time that I do. I need to take advantage of every blessing prepared for me to live through these days. It is in preparation of the coming of the Lord.

Day 1517

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 12:36-37

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 12:36-37
"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."

In verse 34 it also says: "...out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."

Not only are the good words I speak, testifying of Christ, recorded in heaven. So are my idle ones. I will need to account for every word if I do not repent of them and change my ways. It really hurts me when I hear swearing, and it's becoming so common place now. The pain is real when they take the Lord's name in vain. Why do they do that? The way people speak would never have been acceptable in decent society 20-30 years ago. It is a reflection of what is in their hearts. They are wearing their hearts on their sleeves in plain sight for everyone.

I have often reflected that if devils can be cast out in Jesus' name, then what does in mean when you take his name in vain? I think it is calling them to you. That is a rather horrifying realization. That I have found no scriptural bases on yet, but feel it in my heart. I don't want to be next to a person taking God's name in vain. For, I truly feel he is summoning Satan, and as this scripture says his own condemnation.

Day 1516

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 11:30

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 11:30
"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

I sat and pondered on my life. Is it easy to live the gospel? At different periods of my life I would have given different answers. So what makes living the gospel easy? I realized then it's only hard when I tried to straddle the fence and serve two masters. There is no peace when you do that. To take on the yoke with Christ you need to give your whole heart to it. Then you see the full blessings. The answer is in verse 28.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Come unto Christ is the only way.

Day 1515

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 10:32-33

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 10:32-33
"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."

The confessing part I have no problem with. It's the repeatedly being told by someone that "There is no God, that religion is all man made", even when we are not even talking about religion, that is getting rather old. In fact last night when they said it to me again, I felt like I needed to respond, but wasn't sure just what to say. I said something like, "You know you really don't need to keep saying that. We understand you feel that way. Just make sure to respect that others feel differently and do believe in God."

They weren't upset, maybe they were a little shocked I had said something to them. But, all evening and most of the night my mind kept coming back to this interaction. My brain has been trying to form the perfect response if they said those words again, which typically never does happen. My conclusion so far has been sadly to recognize they are denying Christ, after having known Him. That's really serious and it makes me sad for them. I think maybe they keep saying there is no God to me, even when we are not talking about religion, is because they are trying to convince themselves.

Another verse in this chapter says "...take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak." (Matthew 10:19).  As messy as my words came out, maybe they were what they already needed to hear.

Day 1514

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 9:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 9:5-6
"For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house."

I guess I never pieced these two things together. The reason Jesus went about performing miracles and healing people was not just to show compassion and mercy on them. It was to demonstrate that he had the power to forgive their sins. He was showing them he had an even greater ability to heal them. Not just physically and mentally, but spiritually too.


Day 1513

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 8:8, 10, 13

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 8:8, 10, 13
"The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour."

Last night as I was sleeping I was dreaming of stories of Jesus. The thought came to me, "What do all these people that were healed have in common?" The answer was, they all had a personal relationship or interaction with the Savior. He had to touch them to heal or speak, commanding an evil spirit to leave them. Then the story of the centurion's servant being healed came to me. I marvel this morning, having altered the time I am reading the New Testament, that I find this very story here. It is something I needed to pondered on.

I woke with this question, "Why was the Centurion's servant healed when he had no personal interaction with the Savior?" As I pondered these verses the answer came as I read the words of the centurion, on how he knew his servant could be healed.

"For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it." 

Then I saw the application, that if the one with authority has a personal relationship with the Savior he can heal those under his stewardship as directed. Is there such a thing on the earth today?  Yes there is. It is the restored priesthood of God on the earth today. Peter, James and John came to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and restored those priesthood keys. The line of authority continues to this day. I have had such blessings and been healed. How miraculous it is to think that is showing the faith of a centurion. 

I am reminded of Thomas, that would not believe the resurrected Lord appeared to the other apostles until he saw Him with his own eyes. When the Lord appeared to him he believed and said "My Lord and my God." Then " Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." (John 20:28-29)

The Lord is asking us to be centurions and not doubting Thomas' until he once again returns to this earth. He has not left us comfortless. I am injured and have had blessings and not been healed. Why is that?  So the works of God can be made manifest. So I can learn and apply scripture verses to me while I wait in faith. So, I can show I still believe even when I have not seen.

Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood, by Walter Rane

Day 1512

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 7:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 7:15
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

There is so much in the Sermon on the Mount that I have marked, noted and crossed referenced. I asked myself again what is my deepest concern right now? It has to be this verse on false prophets. I know who the prophet of God is, it's Russell M. Nelson. I know there are apostles on the earth again. They are the messengers from the Father to keep me on the right path. I know this by their fruits and through the spirit.

What is a concern to me is everyone else. I have witnessed those I admired fall away, and lead others away. I have lost the desire to put people on a peddle stool. I no longer think because you were right before that you can still be right. I have replaced it with watching my sources and where I am reading things. I love the scriptures they are foremost where I ponder and learn. Next are the conference addresses by the prophets and apostles. Then when I read anything else I try to find a scripture that supports it, and really listen to the spirit if something seems off. Even Anti-Christs can quote scripture.

It is by finding what is off that I learn so much. That does not mean I look for or try to dispute false doctrine. I'm like Joseph in the grasp of Potiphar's wife. I flee when I come across it. It is from the fleeing that I am brought then into the light. So that questioning of sources is really good. I cannot tell you how many Facebook groups or websites I have followed and then left because it just goes off course. I hold sacred the spirit of God within me, and guard it so it does not leave. Without it I know I can be deceived.

Day 1511

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 6:33

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 6:33
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

This chapter has so many favorite verses in it. I felt like a mother trying to pick her favorite child. So many things have meant so much to me over the years. the one beautiful thing about using the Gospel Library app on my phone is I can highlight and make notes on verses. So much is highlighted and reading the comments I have made on how a particular verse touched my heart, touched my heart again as I read them.

I asked myself which verse means the most to me today and it was this one. As I seek the kingdom of God I have witnessed understanding and blessings added upon me. I am not the same person that read this chapter the last time through. So much has been taught and learned and spiritual experiences and blessing have been given. If there is one thing to do it is to seek the kingdom of God. The journey is the best one you will ever take. It lasts a lifetime and beyond. I'm not even at the end of my book and I can tell you it has all been worth it.

Day 1510

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 5:25

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 5:25
"Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison."

One thing I have found is that I have been accused at times of not listening. Actually what I have found is the person believes this simply because after my having heard their position I don't agree with them. Their definitions is to have heard them means I must agree. Society as a whole is getting into this nonsense too. I have found it simpler to just agree that is their position. Never stating mine for it honestly doesn't matter to them. They want no honest dialog, only that you agree with them. It is getting so perverse now that I see the merit in agreeing as a means of self preservation. Never would I have imagined that people can be arrested or lose their job over things that by God's laws are untruths. Letting a person hold his false beliefs, and agreeing that is how they see it, allows me to maintain my peace and not be of contention, nor lose the spirit. As Jesus was often pressed by the Pharisees and Sadducees I marvel at his wisdom in escaping the trap that had been set for him. As those that press for more than my agreeing on what their position is, I have learned to let the spirit guide in the matter on what peacefully needs to be said or suggested to divert them.

Day 1509

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 4:23

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 4:23
"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people."

Feeling rather sorry for myself today. I'm tired after seven months of pain and acceptance. The answer seems to be not to be healed but have more pain instead. I have had to rely greatly on the Lord for comfort. As I read these verses of the sick being healed how I wished I was there. But as I reflected on them I thought of those that may have been healed physically, but never recognizes the Lord for who he was, or thanked him.

I pondered on a question that came into my mind. Which would I rather have, to have been there to be healed or to have heard Jesus preach? My answer? I I would have much rathered heard Him preach. I would be willing to sit outside of His touch, but within His sight and voice to hear Him speak. What fills the soul is more than can hurt the body. Then I heard, there's your answer. How grateful I am for the moments of rest I find in the Lord. He does comfort me and know me. Periods of sorrow makes me appreciate the Lord's atonement all the more.



Wish I had the ability to combine both these videos. 

Day 1508

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 3:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 3:17
"And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

In this chapter Jesus comes to be baptized of John. If one being perfect has need of baptism how much more so than the rest of humankind. No one accountable can enter into the kingdom of heaven without baptism. If Jesus without sin had not been baptized then he would have not been obedient to this commandment, and become imperfect.

In this chapter the three members of the Godhead make their presence know. Jesus Christ, the son of God; the Holy Ghost, in the form of a dove; and God the Father voice. It made me look up all the scriptures I could recall when God the Father testifies of His Son.

Jesus transfigured on the mount.
"And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him." (Luke 9:35) (see Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; 2 Peter 1:17)

Nephi testifying of revelation received.
"And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.
And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved." (2 Nephi 31:11, 15)

Right before Jesus appears in the Americas after His resurrection.
"Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him." (3 Nephi 11:7)

To the young boy, Joseph Smith in the sacred grove, ushering in the last dispensation of time.
"It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" (Joseph Smith-History 1:17)

Day 1507

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 2:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 2:16
"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men."

I am always sadden when I hear of the innocent children being slain. Satan was out to destroy the Christ child and Herod was just a willing tool. I pondered how Satan continues his quest to destroy the innocent and young. Heavenly Father trusted the care of his only begotten son to Mary and Joseph. He gave dreams of warning to Jesus' earthly parents to keep him safe. It is the same for us as parents. We will receive inspiration and knowledge to protect our children if we just listen. It is our stewardship and right.

Day 1506

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 1:21

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 1:21
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins."

I pondered on how one of the reasons the Jews did not recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah is they thought he would save them from the bondage of Roman rule. Here the angel of the Lord makes it very clear to Joseph that Jesus will save his people from their sins. That was a very important distinction that had to be made. It enabled his parents to understand how to raise him. He wouldn't be raised to command armies. He was raised with compassion.

The other thing I reflected on are the careful words, "he shall save his people from their sins", it doesn't say "in" their sins. You cannot confess the Lord and be saved in sin. Repentance is needed, and sins must be forsaken to be taken from you.

"And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins.
And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls."
(Helaman 5:10-11)

Day 1505

Today's Favorite Verse: Malachi 4:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Malachi 4:5-6
"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."

Today, I finish the Old Testament. A project that has taken me over two and a half years to complete. The last time I read it from cover to cover I was a teenager. I have read parts of the Old Testament many times. In fact these last two verses I have them memorized. They are my heart, and why I love family history and the temple so much. These verses on the importance of the coming of Elijah are found in every set of scriptures my faith has. It was quoted to Joseph Smith by the angel Moroni, before he was told where the gold plates where hidden and were to be translated. They are found in the Book of Mormon as Christ himself gave the words of Malachi to them. These verses have a lot of meaning.

What I pondered on is how miraculous it is to know that Elijah has already come, and the world at large does not even know it. April 3, 1836 while the saints were gathered that Easter Sunday in the Kirtland Temple the Jews were in their homes celebrating the Passover, having set an empty plate at their table to welcome Elijah's return. Elijah came not to the house of a Jew, but to the House of the Lord. Doctrine and Covenants 110 tells of the amazing events. The heavens are opened and the saints are being gathered on both sides of the veil. I am involved in this work. There is still so much work to be done. As this world is growing darker I see the need for hearts to be turned to the fathers and the children taking on even greater significance. It has the ability to heal and not curse this earth.

My reading of the Old Testament each day maybe done, but I cannot wait to return. I know having read the Old Testament I will find greater understanding and meaning in the other scriptures as I ponder them.

Day 1504

Today's Favorite Verse: Malachi 3:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Malachi 3:16
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name."

I usually think upon family history and record keeping with this verse. Instead it made me think about daily family scripture study. How as a family we pray before and after our study together. Inviting the spirit to be here and to teach us. How after reading a chapter or a number of verses we share what stood out to us and what it means. We are speaking one to another and giving it thought on what we read. I realized that this daily practice is being recorded in the book of remembrance. Our names are in that book.

Day 1503

Today's Favorite Verse: Malachi 2:7-8, 17

Today's Favorite Verse: Malachi 2:7-8, 17
"For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts.
Ye have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?"

This made me reflect on some discussions I have read from other faiths. They gathered together to discuss changing their ways to support the times. The problem is calling what was once evil now good. God's laws do not change.

Day 1502

Today's Favorite Verse: Malachi 1:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Malachi 1:13
"Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sic; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the Lord."

I pondered on all the many things I do as an offering to the Lord, and if they were my best. I recalled  a time when Bill was out of work and a family came to our home and dropped off a box of food to us. We were so grateful. In the box was a package of Rice-a-Roni. I knew the box looked old, but didn't check the date on it. I figured there was no harm in using it. It was rice and seasonings, not like canned food. I cooked up a precious pound of ground hamburger and poured in the contents of the box. Then to my horror I saw the bugs. Hundreds of tiny bugs in that box of Rice-a-Roni. It was inedible. What was even worse is that my precious hamburger, that I could have made another dinner with, was gone now too. Seriously I cried. As I searched the box of food I realized all of the items were basically their rejects. Things you would find cleaning out your kitchen cabinet and dump. How could someone do that to us, and proudly stand at our door offering the box to us in their arms? That gift was good for nothing, in fact it caused harm. I can understand how the Lord does not accept flawed offerings either. How he looks upon a person that does so. I learned a lot from that box of Rice-a-Roni.

Day 1501

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 14:6-7

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 14:6-7
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:
But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light."

I realized something new in this chapter. The sign of the Savior's second coming is just like the sign of his birth was in the America's. I was just randomly thinking about this event the other day and wondered if a living prophet would tell us these things like Samuel the Lamanite did in his day. Now I know it's already in the scriptures.

"And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day.
Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born."
(Helaman 14:3-4)

This was when it was fulfilled.

"For they knew that the prophets had testified of these things for many years, and that the sign which had been given was already at hand; and they began to fear because of their iniquity and their unbelief.
And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day. And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given.
And it had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit, according to the words of the prophets.
(3 Nephi 1:18-20


Day 1500

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 13:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 13:6
"And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends."

At the end when Jesus appears to the Jews in Jerusalem they will say these words, and cry because they will know their Lord. What a touching scene.

It reminded me of a video created with the April 14, 1981 BYU Devotional talk by Ezra Taft Benson about the last days, "Prepare Yourselves for the Great Day of the Lord". When he says this line as it reads in the Doctrine and Covenants, I cry.

President Ezra Taft Benson:
"Another appearance of the Lord will be to the Jews. To these beleaguered sons of Judah, surrounded by hostile Gentile armies, who again threaten to overrun Jerusalem, the Savior—their Messiah—will set his feet on the Mount of Olives,

and it shall cleave in twain, and the earth shall tremble, and reel to and fro, and the heavens also shall shake. [Doctrine & Covenants 45:47]

The Lord himself will then rout the Gentile armies, decimating their forces (see Ezekiel 38, 39). Judah will be spared, no longer to be persecuted and scattered. The Jews will then approach their Deliverer and ask, “What are these wounds in thine hands and in thy feet?”

I will say unto them: These wounds are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. I am he who was lifted up. I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son of God.

And then shall they weep because of their iniquities; then shall they lament because they persecuted their king. [Doctrine & Covenants 45: 52–53]

What a touching drama this will be! Jesus—Prophet, Messiah, King—will be welcomed in his own country!

Jerusalem will become an eternal city of peace!"


Day 1499

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 12:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 12:3
"And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it."

I woke up this morning unsettled. The Red Alert app on my phone kept going off. That means Israel is under attack. Each alert makes me grieve and full of sorrow for them. I will see the alerts go off and then no mention in the news that Israel was attacked. It only appears on the main stream news when Israel finally fires back. I know this because I have been watching it. I have the same alert on my phone that is real time in Israel. I know the lies being told that distort the truth and make people angry with Israel.

So I get up to read my scriptures and have peace and this is what I read. It makes me think of this end time verse too.

"For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city."
(Zechariah 14:2)

As I sit here typing the Red Alert alarm has gone of numerous times, I've lost track now. It was 150 when I started. My stomach is just so ill and I cry for them. I know the prophecy and I know where we are in the time line before the Lord comes. Many things still have to happen, but how I wish there was peace.

The Nations Gather Against Israel

Day 1498

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 11:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 11:11
"And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the Lord."

Footnote: that waited upon me = OR who watched for me.

The verses after this prophesied how the death price would be thirty pieces of silver, and a potter's field would be purchased from it. This was fulfilled when Jesus' apostle Judas betrayed him. But, what I pondered on was how Christ's disciples knew Him. The poor of the flock, the humble and meek watched and waited for Him. They knew Him when he came. It will be the same when He comes again. We will understand as prophesy is fulfilled. 

Day 1497

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 10:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 10:2
"For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd."

I don't like to get political in my scriptures but I sure could see somethings happening that I could liken this verse to. The idols speaking vanity reminded me of people holding their cell phones and listening to the news or social media. "The diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams." A dream doesn't have to be something seen while sleeping. It can be a fable or ideal that is told to support a lie. It reminded me of this false narrative that has appeared in the last few months, that the world will end in 12 years unless we do xyz. Where did they get that date?

How many people are being sheeples and listening to vain lies. All because it feeds upon pride and control. They comfort in vain, telling people you will be educated, feed, housed and clothed if you follow us. With all this I see groups of lost people very troubled because there is no truth to guide them. They will go from one fabled dream to another. All because they no longer seek the Lord, the good shepherd, or his word. If anything I have seen greater wisdom in God's commandments and doctrine as I witness the confusion that is falling upon the masses. The more they try to define their own rules the more convoluted and debased they become.

Day 1496

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 9:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 9:9
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass."

This was fulfilled in the final week of Jesus life, as he rides in triumph into Jerusalem.

"And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon."
(Matthew 21:7)

It reminded me of something I realized which watching the bible video "The Risen Lord Appears to the Apostles". I had wondered while reading the scriptures how the apostles had recorded the sayings of Jesus, and how events were in fulfillment of prophesy. Some event are so obscure and would be easy to overlook in the scriptures. Then as I saw the resurrected Lord sitting and opening up the scriptures to his disciples and I understood. He told them. What must that have been like?

"Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures."
(Luke 24:45)



Day 1495