Today's Favorite Verse: Omni 1:26
"And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and prayer, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved."
I love these words and it is my desire too. The words that stand out to me is "offer your whole souls". When I ponder on what that means to me, all I can think is my complete will. To submit my will to God and give up the natural man within. I turn to Christ with complete faith and devotion. It is asking a lot, but didn't Christ do more than this? He was the sacrificial lamb on the altar for my sins. All that he sought was to do the Father's will, and I must follow his example. Now I must give up all my sins and lay them on the altar and let them be consumed and made clean. Having been given the gift of agency, my will really is the only thing totally mine that I can give back to God. Fasting and prayer helps to strengthen me. Enduring to the end is how I come to to have a personal relationship with Christ.
Today's Favorite Verse: Jarom 1:4
"And there are many among us who have many revelations, for they are not all stiffnecked. And as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men, according to their faith."
I sat here and pondered on how many stories could be told simply from the preparation and endurance of passing through this worldwide COVID-19 plague. I know I was prepared and have seen the hand of the Lord blessing us. In following with exact obedience the promptings of the spirit I remained one step ahead of others as preparations had to be made. Now I sit and wait and see the blessing of peace within the walls of our home. I'm not unique. I know there has to be countless numbers of saints that have experienced the same thing.
Today's Favorite Verse: Enos 1:2, 5
"And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I receive a remission of my sins.
"And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed."
I pondered over my own experience and truly the wrestle before God for the remission of my sins was a very needful thing. For if it had come easy I'm not sure I would have treasured it so much. Unlike Enos my wrestle took decades. How deep was my sorrow for my sins. How exquisite then was my joy, to truly know I was loved and forgiven. I learned I had been forgiven long ago, but all those years I could not forgive myself. Finally, I could because I heard His voice and believed him. The experience and the years of waiting were all worth it. The wrestle made me stronger for it. How deep is my love for my Savior and his redeeming sacrifice for me. Like Enos' example, we must never give up, for the wrestle is worth it.
Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 7:26
"And it came to pass that I, Jacob, began to be old; and the record of this people being kept on the other plates of Nephi, wherefore, I conclude this record, declaring that I have written according to the best of my knowledge, by saying that the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream, we being a lonesome and a solemn people, wanderers, cast out from Jerusalem, born in tribulation, in a wilderness, and hated of our brethren, which caused wars and contentions; wherefore, we did mourn out our days."
The part "and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream", stood out to me. I was just talking with my son about this during family scriptures. He mentioned that this whole situation the world is in, and our being sick with it and the Lord's hand in preparing how to treat us, all seems like we are in some dream. It reminded me of my near-death experience and the bishopric coming to give me a blessing. In it I was told "It would all appear as if it were a dream." How those words gave me so much comfort and peace. I wanted what I had been through to appear as if it were a dream. Now Jacob says this same thing. I told my son maybe it seems like a dream because we do not have fear as the world has fear. We have seen the hand of the Lord in so many ways. Not sure what the connection is, but there is something in having life seem like a dream. All I know is I prefer it this way.
Here is a scripture I will ponder on further.
"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:"
(Acts 2:17; also see Joel 2:28)
Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 6:12
"O be wise; what can I say more?"
In our family scripture reading today we got on the subject of intellectuals, and how great the challenge is to not show pride. As I sit and ponder on this more I cannot help but think of Jesus Christ and his example. He spoke in the language of the person so they could understand. He did not speak above their understanding. Yes, some parables are understood on a deeper level, but there is something for all. That is the pure beauty of the words of Christ. Of all people to walk this earth Jesus Christ had the greatest right to appear the wisest of us all, yet he was humble, and spoke to be understood. The most he asks is that we come to be as a little child, is not that the purest and plainest language there could be.
"For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding."
(2 Nephi 31:3)
"And then shall ye know that I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face, and that he told me in plain humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language, concerning these things."
(Ether 12:39)
"Behold, I am God and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding."
(Doctrine and Covenants 1:24)
"For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall hear the fulness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language, through those who are ordained unto this power, by the administration of the Comforter, shed forth upon them for the revelation of Jesus Christ."
(Doctrine and Covenants 90:11)
"Now when it was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because they every man heard them speak in his own language."
(Acts 2:6)
"Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved."
(3 Nephi 8:22)
Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 5:60
"And because that I have preserved the natural branches and the roots thereof, and that I have grafted in the natural branches again into their mother tree, and have preserved the roots of their mother tree, that, perhaps, the trees of my vineyard may bring forth again good fruit; and that I may have joy again in the fruit of my vineyard, and, perhaps, that I may rejoice exceedingly that I have preserved the roots and the branches of the first fruit - "
I could not help but think of the missionaries that are in the processing of being called home to their home lands. How nations have called their citizens home to shelter this storm. How families are being asked to find refuge in their homes. What will the world be like when the plague has passed? I pray we will have good fruit coming forth.
Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 4:2-4
"But whatsoever things we write upon anything save it be upon plates must perish and vanish away; but we can write a few words upon plates, which will give our children, and also our beloved brethren, a small degree of knowledge concerning us, or concerning their fathers -
Now in this thing we do rejoice; and we labor diligently to engraven these words upon plates, hoping that our beloved brethren and our children will receive them with thankful hearts, and look upon them that they may learn with joy and not with sorrow, neither with contempt, concerning their first parents.
For, for this intent have we written these things, that they may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming; and not only we ourselves had a hope of his glory, but also all the holy prophets which were before us."
It has been impressed upon me lately that I need to keep a better journal. I have been faithfully keeping a Daily To-Do list that I track what I've done throughout the day. Often I note events with longer comments. But, now I really need to record more of my thoughts, impressions and what motivated me to do certain things. Lately it seemed like one day feels like a week's worth of events have been happening around me. I could kick myself for not recording my feelings as we have been passing through pandemic events. This verse just reinforces my need to keep a better journal, not just for me but for my children. Though I have not recorded things as I wish I still need to go back and do this.
Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 3:1
"But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction."
I love the reminder that God will "console you in your afflictions". I am reminded of the past few weeks and how important prayer and faith have added to the comfort and peace that have attended me. All that I have seen and experienced now and through the years have just strengthen me. Afflictions have their purpose, for as we turn to the Lord we come to know Him.
Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 2:4
"For behold, as yet, ye have been obedient unto the word of the Lord, which I have given unto you."
This verse stood out to me because it speaks of being obedient. That has been my theme, the need to have strict obedience. I must obey the spirit when directed. I must obey the laws of the land and the counsel given by those in authority for my protection. I must be obedient to the counsel of the prophets and my church leaders. All that I am told is for my good and the spirit confirms the need to listen and obey. Blessings come from obedience.
Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 1:8
"Wherefore, we would to God that we could persuade all men not to rebel against God, to provoke him to anger, but that all men would believe in Christ, and view his death, and suffer his cross and bear the shame of the world; wherefore, I, Jacob, take it upon me to fulfil the commandment of my brother Nephi."
What stands out to me is the "provoke him to anger". I had an experience ten days ago that has made me sensitive to this thought. This is what I recorded in my journal.
"Last night I had such an unusual experience. I was reading all these memes about the virus and saving them and passing them on to my siblings. I was laughing the whole time. Everything was hitting me so funny. I had not felt so much laughter over this whole thing. Then in an instant I had this great soberness come over me and the spirit warned me not to laugh at this. That what I was doing was "loud laughter", and those that laugh will mourn. What an absolute wake-up call.
I then read my scriptures and there it talked about destruction before the second coming. My frame of mind on this virus and its meaning completely changed. The Lord's hand is in all this and obedience is important. I have a feeling of much sorrow for those that are effected by this. When we did our family scripture reading I told them my experience and the other impressions that I had. We laid some ground rules for ourselves."
This situation is not funny. There are people dying, there are health professionals that are risking their lives for us. I know people will relieve stress with humor but it can become far to easy to forget oneself. If you are stressed the best relief is to turn to the Lord, he will bring comfort and peace. We must always remember Him.
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 33:1-2
"And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.
But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught."
I've been seeing and experiencing this around me. This isn't just words spoken by the spirit of gospel truth. It can include words spoken by the spirit to physically protect or prepare others. It's like night and day on who believes something spoken by the spirit and those that do not. Who will dismiss and mock, and who will take action and believe. One thing I have felt while observing this is it appears to be part of the shifting. I can never forgot that "..the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do." (2 Nephi 32:5) That is a marvelous promise.
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 32:5
"For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do."
I love Nephi and I love this chapter. So many thoughts and impressions came to mind. This verse stood out to me today because I could write a novel on how the Holy Ghost has shown me all the ways to prepare for our family to shelter in place from this virus. It is a miraculous thing to behold. Some preparations were years in the making. I have learned that to receive revelation you have to be obedient to revelation.
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 31:15, 20
"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."
Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."
I love these last few chapters of 2 Nephi. This one I cherish for it explains the doctrine of Christ in plainness. The doctrine of Christ is faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. It is the enduring to the end that is my favorite part, for this is how I come to know my Savior through a personal relationship with him. This is where I know I cannot endure unless He is with me and by my side. Through the atonement Christ made for me he will carry me. I love the second verse I quoted because it tells me how I will feel as I endure through Christ. I will have a steadfastness in Him, a brightness of hope, and love of God and my fellow man. Feasting on the words of Christ fills me and helps me to always remember him. It made me think of President Russell M. Nelson's recent video that said these things, and how it gave hope to so many around the world.
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 30:7
"And it shall come to pass that the Jews which are scattered also shall begin to believe in Christ; and they shall begin to gather in upon the face of the land; and as many as shall believe in Christ shall also become a delightsome people."
I had this note on this verse in my scriptures.
"But the great conversion of the Jews, their return to the truth as a nation, is destined to follow the Second Coming of their Messiah. Those able to abide the day, in their extremity and mourning, will ask: 'What are these wounds in thine hands and in thy feet? Then shall they know that I am the Lord; for 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."
(Bruce R. McConkie, see Doctrine and Covenants 45:51-52; Zechariah 12:8-14; 13:6)
What it also reminded me of was a video created from a talk by President Ezra Taft Benson. Which I had been thinking about as I experienced an earthquake on top of the COVID-19 virus today. These are extraordinary times. President Russell M. Nelson has recently been telling us to "Hear Him". Today, I hear his voice in the events happening around me. To "Hear Him" is to recognize his voice of warning. Now is the time we need to turn our hearts to Him, and he will bring peace to our souls in the midst of upheaval. How grateful I am for His peace.
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 29:14
"And it shall come to pass that my people, which are of the house of Israel, shall be gathered home unto the lands of their possessions; and my word also shall be gathered in one. And I will show unto them that fight against my word and against my people, who are of the house of Israel, that I am God, and that I covenanted with Abraham that I would remember his seed forever."
All day I've been thinking about a scripture that described people being "gathered home to their nations or lands". Simply because I am witnessing people throughout the world trying to return to their countries because of COVID-19. I knew if I just gave it time I would stumble upon the scriptures that I wanted. Well here is one of them. The Lord is moving us where he wants us to be. The footnote has the reference I wanted to study "Land of inheritance"
"And it shall be as the chased roe, and as sheep that no man taketh up; and they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee everyone into his own land."
(Isaiah 13: 14 & 2 Nephi 23:14)
"Wherefore, he will bring them again out of captivity, and they shall be gathered together to the lands of their inheritance; and they shall be brought out of obscurity and out of darkness; and they shall know that the Lord is their Savior and their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel."
(1 Nephi 22:12)
The Lord is preparing a great work with all that is taking place. What we are going through right now is biblical.
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 28:12
"Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted, and their churches are lifted up; because of pride they are puffed up."
When I read this verse I thought of my favorite verse a couple days ago.
"He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion. (2 Nephi 26:29)
I had concluded that the reason people got involved or caught up in priestcrafts was because of pride. A priestcraft is a false doctrine and this verse that I read today states that it is because of pride. I love it when I get confirmation on what I had pondered on. There is always a 2nd or 3rd witness when the spirit teaches me a truth.
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 27:11
"And the day cometh that the words of the book which were sealed shall be read upon the house tops; and they shall be read by the power of Christ; and all things shall be revealed unto the children of men which ever have been among the children of men, and which ever will be even unto the end of the earth."
Nephi quotes Isaiah 29 and I have to say it is one of the clearest chapters of Isaiah for me. The sealed book are the golden plates that Joseph Smith received from the hand of Moroni, and translated into the the Book of Mormon. Two-thirds of those plates were sealed and Joseph Smith was not given permission to translate them. "..the things that are sealed shall not be delivered in the day of the wickedness and abominations of the people. Wherefore the book shall be kept from them." (2 Nephi 27:8) So right now they are kept from us, until we are righteous. I do not take that as the world being righteous, but that the saints are righteous.
How many hearts were changed this day because fathers and sons blessed the sacrament in their homes. It's almost like the pandemic had to cover the globe so this event could take place among the saints. It will not be just a one time event either. We will be given more opportunities until the lessons to be learned from this have been written on our hearts.
Over and over again in the last few General Conferences we are told we are preparing for the second coming of Jesus Christ. How I would love it if we as a people were ready to read the sealed portion of the book. Being read from the house tops sure sounds like they will arrive via electronic means to our homes. The inspiration for man to develop this technology comes from the power of Christ. At this point I'm trying to be ready for just about anything to happen.
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 26:29, 31
"He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.
But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish."
These verses are so clear on what priestcraft is, I wondered why people still get involved in this? Can't they see what they are doing? It's not just money that creates a priestcraft it's setting yourself up as a light to others for their praise. I pondered on how the prophet and apostles don't do that, because they are always pointing us to Christ. They are not pointing us to themselves and wanting people to see them somehow more spiritual then others. They truly are humble men.
What is the root cause I wonder? I think it must be pride. Pride certainly seeks the praise of others. The really sad thing is that people think they can make a living off of selling the gospel. Christ himself said it was without money and without price. The moment you think you can sell it and make a living off of the gospel is the moment you're not walking the path Christ lead anymore.
"Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price."
(2 Nephi 26:25)
Jesus Christ who was without sin had to be baptized to fulfill all righteousness. (Matthew 3:15) To do otherwise he would have sinned. For Christ to have put a price on the gospel and the blessings of His atonement he would have sinned. This is why it's offered free to all. His invitation is to every kindred, tongue and people. Interesting His followers received the gift freely, but those that commit priestcraft are putting a price on his head. They really have become like Judas and will perish.
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 25:23
"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."
I used to think that "after all we can do" meant I had to reach a certain point to be worthy of God's grace. Now I understand this verse differently. "All we can do", means simply to believe in Christ. There is no other way, it is all we can do. His grace is there when I believe in Him. He comes to me even when I'm at the lowest of lows, and vilest of sinners. With that mighty change of heart and reaching out towards Him his grace is there for me. It is by grace that I am saved after I believe in Christ. It is all I can do.
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 24:7
"The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet; they break forth into singing."
I thought this verse fitting to ponder on given all that happened today. It's like the world is shutting down and all will be quiet in a short amount of time. Today there is panic in the stores as people are preparing at the last minute to shelter in their homes. My children that have left the church ventured out today and saw the chaos first hand in the stores. What we have quietly been doing for a long time doesn't seem so foolish now to them. Home truly feels like a refuge from the storm and a place of peace. Now is the time as the saints of God rest, to be quiet and know that the Lord is King. This verse reminds me it is a good time to sing praises to Him. All of this brings peace.
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 23:8
"And they shall be afraid; pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames."
I have had a great feeling of soberness come over me tonight. I've been giggling at different memes regarding the times we are living in. All of sudden I felt I need to be careful of "loud laughter". People seriously are afraid and with that rational things are not done. I've also see how the Lord has been preparing me for months, and in the past weeks and days to do specific things that have been a great blessing to our home. This chapter just extended my soberness for it speaks of the destruction before the Second Coming. We do live in extraordinary days. Today has been extraordinary.
I made some notes earlier on my impressions on this verse.
"They won't look to the Lord, but face one another. That is why they have pains and sorrow. They will not turn to the Lord to comfort or heal them. Those that turn to the Lord and face him during the end times will live. Just like Moses and the brass serpent, the children of Israel only needed to look towards it and live, and some perished because of the simpleness of the way. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace looked to Christ and he appeared to them. The flames touched them not. Those that face each other and not the Lord will be consumed by the flames."
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 22:2
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.
Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things; this is known in all the earth."
This morning I awoke with the song of redeeming love. (Alma 5:26) It was my temple morning and it had been so long since I had woken up like that. The music is back and I rejoiced. While I had been unable to attend the temple the last couple of months the music was gone and I so missed that. What song was playing as I awoke? "I Feel My Savior's Love". I'm serving in primary now and it was so absolutely fitting, especially on this spring like morning. It was also fitting that as I sat in the temple and read my scriptures I found two verses that spoke of singing unto the Lord. I loved walking out of the temple and seeing the little purple pansies and yellow daffodils waking up from a winter sleep. Springs makes things right in the world and I do feel my Savior's love through everything I see.
I Feel My Savior's Love
I feel my Savior’s love
In all the world around me.
His Spirit warms my soul
Through ev’rything I see.
He knows I will follow him,
Give all my life to him.
I feel my Savior’s love,
The love he freely gives me.
I feel my Savior’s love;
Its gentleness enfolds me,
And when I kneel to pray,
My heart is filled with peace.
He knows I will follow him,
Give all my life to him.
I feel my Savior’s love,
The love he freely gives me.
I feel my Savior’s love
And know that he will bless me.
I offer him my heart;
My shepherd he will be.
He knows I will follow him,
Give all my life to him.
I feel my Savior’s love,
The love he freely gives me.
I’ll share my Savior’s love
By serving others freely.
In serving I am blessed.
In giving I receive.
He knows I will follow him,
Give all my life to him.
I feel my Savior’s love,
The love he freely gives me.
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 21:12
"And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth."
This made me think of Ensign Peak where the saints placed a ensign to the nations when they first entered the Salt Lake Valley. They were outcasts and yet from here the gospel would be preached to the four corners of the earth, and the saints would be gathered into its stakes and branches. It also made me think of this quote from Elder Boyd K. Packer.
"We speak of the Church as our refuge, our defense. There is safety and protection in the Church. It centers in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Latter-day Saints learn to look within themselves to see the redeeming power of the Savior of all mankind. The principles of the gospel taught in the Church and learned from the scriptures become a guide for each of us individually and for our families.
We know that the homes we establish, and those of our descendants, will be the refuge spoken of in the revelations—the “light,” the “standard,” the “ensign” for all nations, and the “refuge” against the gathering storms."
(Boyd K. Packer, "A Defense and a Refuge", Oct 2006 General Conference)
"Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations;
And 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 & Covenants 115:5-6)
I listened to the hymn "High on the Mountain Top."
High on the mountain top
A banner is unfurled.
Ye nations, now look up;
It waves to all the world.
In Deseret’s sweet, peaceful land,
On Zion’s mount behold it stand!
For God remembers still
His promise made of old
That he on Zion’s hill
Truth’s standard would unfold!
Her light should there attract the gaze
Of all the world in latter days.
His house shall there be reared,
His glory to display,
And people shall be heard
In distant lands to say:
We’ll now go up and serve the Lord,
Obey his truth and learn his word.
For there we shall be taught
The law that will go forth,
With truth and wisdom fraught,
To govern all the earth.
Forever there his ways we’ll tread,
And save ourselves with all our dead.
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 20:3
"And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?"
The part "where will ye leave your glory?" really struck me. To leave my glory would mean I have left the Lord. I no longer have His grace. He's not there because I know longer have faith in Christ. When the day that destruction and desolation is all around me He won't be there for me to turn to. Well, really he's always there, but it's me not looking for Him any more. When you've left God for so long you no longer seek refuge in his arms. Such a sad thought, that made me cry.
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 19:2
"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined."
This verse made me think of the 138th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, a vision given to President Joseph F. Smith as he pondered on 1 Peter 3:18-20 and 1 Peter 4:6. This vision speaks of Christ's visit to the spirit world and the redemption of the dead. This is my personal scripture, for after my near-death experience I was told to read it and attend the temple to understand what I had seen.
"And I wondered at the words of Peter—wherein he said that the Son of God preached unto the spirits in prison, who sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah—and how it was possible for him to preach to those spirits and perform the necessary labor among them in so short a time.
And as I wondered, my eyes were opened, and my understanding quickened, and I perceived that the Lord went not in person among the wicked and the disobedient who had rejected the truth, to teach them;
But behold, from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead."
(Doctrine and Covenants 138:28-30)
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 18:17
"And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him."
I have this quote from Elder Robert D. Hales, in my notes on this verse.
"My dear brothers and sisters, when pain, tests, and trials come in life, draw near to the Savior. 'Wait upon the Lord,...look for him. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31) Healing comes in the Lord's time and the Lord's way; be patient".
(Robert D. Hales, "Behold, We Count Them Happy Which Endure", Oct 1998, General Conference)
Tonight, during family scripture study we were going over the doctrine of Christ in my favorite part of the Book of Mormon, where is speaks of enduring to the end. To me enduring to the end is the best part of the gospel, for it is where I come to personally know my Savior. In all that I endure and pass through I learn to look to him and he will carry me.
"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a streadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."
(2 Nephi 31:20)
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 17:11-12
"Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depths, or in the heights above.
But Ahaz said: I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord."
I pondered on how even though Ahaz appears to have been invited by the Lord to ask for a sign, Ahez realizes he should not tempt the Lord. So I pondered on why he said that? What would I have done if given such an invitation by the Lord? I came up blank. If I was speaking to the Lord then there wouldn't be any sign I would want. Why would I want him to prove at that point who he was? That must be why Ahez didn't want to tempt the Lord because it would show a lack of faith on his part. Then I saw in the next verses the Lord tells him what the sign is, it is the sign of his birth. He is inviting us to know who he is.
"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign - Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
(2 Nephi 17:14)
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 16:11
"Then said I: Lord, how long? And he said: Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate;"
This sounds like a terrible verse at first, but really it is most beautiful. Isaiah is asking how long much I preach to the people. He is told until there is no one left standing. Everyone must hear the invitation to repent and turn to the Lord.
Then I looked in Isaiah 6 from which Nephi is quoting and I see this note.
"The prophet wonders how long men will be so, and the Lord answers: until mortal man is no more."
So I ponder on a new thought about the nature of man, and how the natural man is an enemy to God. He will always go astray when left to his own devices, unless he turns to the Lord and is born again.
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 15:13
"Therefore, my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge; and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst."
This was something I had noted on this verse.
No wonder our nation is headed to socialism. When you have no knowledge of the Lord bondage sounds appealing.
I think the saddest of things is seeing some latter-day saints consider the words of the prophets as a thing of not. Ezra Taft Benson warned us of this day and the very man they foolishly support was in college at that time joining the socialist party. He is what President Benson warned us about. They are fools thinking they know better, and are believing lies that the socialism of today is not the same as it was during the cold war. The man they favor has never strayed from his message or support of the evil that will destroy our nation. It tears my heart to think that some that would call themselves saints have sold themselves for a mess of pottage and seek captivity.
"Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Wo unto the wise in their own eyes and prudent in the own sight!"
(2 Nephi 15:20-21)
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 14:5
"And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory of Zion shall be a defence."
I had a note that this verse reminded me of the Come, Follow Me - home centered learning. Where we are to make our home Christ centered and a refuge from the storms. I was listening to Elder Gary E. Stevenson during Family Discover Day at RootsTech on Saturday and was really struck with the reference to fortifying our homes with the scriptures and family history, and we can carry them with us at all times. My heart was full as he left his apostolic blessing upon us.
"The fortification we build will contribute to the individual amour that they bare...The Lord's youth battalion doesn't walk around holding swords but they do hold a powerful tool...Never before has a generation of latter-day saints carried with them at home, at school, at play, almost 24/7 the holy scriptures. What a great blessing this is. What a wonderful use of technology.
Nephi and his brothers when they returned to the tent of their father with the brass plates, Lehi discovered that they not only contained the gospel but also the genealogy of his fathers.
"Wherefore, it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us, as we journeyed in the wilderness towards the land of promise."
(1 Nephi 5:22)
In the history of the world you too are the first generation of parents and children that carry not just your scriptures but also your personal family history. Your family tree, and it can be with you at all times on this small device. There seems to be great wisdom and power in this as well.
You are not alone and are entitled to help from the other side of the veil.
"Those who have passed on "are as deeply interested in our welfare today, if not with greater capacity, with far more interest behind the veil, than they were in the flesh...They see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more than every" (Joseph F. Smith, 1916)"
So please remember that you are never, and will never be alone. These ministering angels know who you are and care for you and love you. They will become a vital part of the fortification of your home. The spirit of Elijah makes this possible. The spirit of Elijah testifies of the divine nature of the family. I add my testimony to that as well.
As we do the work of salvation on the other side of the veil through temple and family history work we will be blessed in that participation. I would add a promise brothers and sisters to you. That as you participate in this divine work that it will come back to you. That it will fortify your home. That it will become a defense and refuge for you. I bare my testimony of God the Father and of Jesus Christ, and I bare my witness that Jesus Christ is our Savior and our Redeemer, the son of the Living God. I offer that testimony and witness to you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
(Elder Gary E. Stevenson, Family Discovery Day, 29 Feb 2020)
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 13:9
"The show of their countenance doth witness against them, and doth declare their sin to be even as Sodom, and they cannot hide it. Wo unto their souls, for they have rewarded evil unto themselves!"
Right before I read my scriptures I was reading the news. In it I found a picture of a crowd of people supporting a cause and I just sat their looking at all their faces. My verdict was nothing, absolutely nothing. I saw nothing in their eyes that drew me to them or a desire to learn more. Then when I read this verse I thought about the recent crowd of people I was in and how many different faces I saw. What amazes me is how I can spot a latter-day saint among them. I recall a story I read where a study was done trying to identify how people were able to spot someone who was a latter-day saint. It wasn't the eyes as we often think, it was the skin texture. There was a particular radiance or glow to it. I find that fascinating now in light of the note I made next to this verse.
"Jeremiah wrote that the people had become so sinful that they lost their ability to blush."
"Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord."
(Jeremiah 6:15)
