Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 34:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 34:5-6

"So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.

And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day."

The footnote for sepulchre is for translated beings.

" And when Alma had done this he departed out of the land of Zarahemla, as if to go into the land of Melek. And it came to pass that he was never heard of more; as to his death or burial we know not of.

Behold, this we know, that he was a righteous man; and the saying went abroad in the church that he was taken up by the Spirit, or buried by the hand of the Lord, even as Moses. But behold, the scriptures saith the Lord took Moses unto himself; and we suppose that he has also received Alma in the spirit, unto himself; therefore, for this cause we know nothing concerning his death and burial."

(Alma 45:18-19)

Moses must have been translated, otherwise how would he have been able to appear with Elias on the mount and be transfigured with Jesus. Peter, James and John witnessed this and were charged not to speak of it until after Jesus' resurrection.

"And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him."

(Matthew 17:1-3)

He also appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland temple, April 3, 1836 along with the Savior, Elias, and Elijah.

"After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north."

(Doctrine and Covenants 110:11)

Day 2346

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 33:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 33:3

"Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words."

I pondered on how the name of the Lord's people is saints. That is why as a church we are referred to as latter-day saints. The name Christian was never used by the Lord. Christian was a name the enemies of the church gave his followers, interestingly in both the New Testament and the Book of Mormon. Just like the enemies of the restored church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, called us Mormons instead of latter-day saints. There is some type of aversion in calling someone a saint, even among Jesus' followers. I love being called a latter-day saint.

Day 2345

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 32:29

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 32:29

"O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!"

This made me think of our family's saying. "Can't see further than the end of their nose." When your thoughts are on the here and now, or fulfilling your immediate wants regardless of the end results, the vision is clouded on what consequences you face later down the road. The price we pay can be both mortal and eternal.

This made me think of President Nelson's general conference talk were he spoke of a granddaughter-in-law being myopic = near sighted. How her pondering on that changed her eternal perspective.

"After Jill’s father passed on, the word myopic kept coming to her mind. She opened her heart to understand even more deeply that myopic meant “nearsighted.” And her thinking began to shift. Jill then said, “Myopic caused me to stop, think, and heal. That word now fills me with peace. It reminds me to expand my perspective and seek the eternal. It reminds me that there is a divine plan and that my dad still lives and loves and looks out for me. Myopic has led me to God.”

(Russell M. Nelson , "Let God Prevail", Oct 2020 General Conference)

Day 2344

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 31:10-11, 13

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 31:10-11, 13

And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles,

When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.

And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it."

This made me think of king Benjamin in the Book of Mormon and how he called all his people together and spoke to them. I wonder if this was during the feast of tabernacles, and year of release? What caught my eye was the mention of children. When king Benjamin took the names of all those that entered into a covenant with God, it excluded little children.

"And now, king Benjamin thought it was expedient, after having finished speaking to the people, that he should take the names of all those who had entered into a covenant with God to keep his commandments.

And it came to pass that there was not one soul, except it were little children, but who had entered into the covenant and had taken upon them the name of Christ."

(Mosiah 6:1-2)

Every seven years Moses was told they needed to read the commandments, so even the little children that have not heard it will. It made me think of the primary children today in preparation before their 8th birthday's and being baptized. They hear the gospel but do not enter into a covenant yet. It's amazing me how the Lord makes sure all his sheep are feed.

Day 2343

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 30:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 30:11

"For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off."

hidden from thee = OR too hard for you.

I pondered on how the commandments have never been hidden from us. They are plain to read, hear and understand.

"Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;"

(Doctrine and Covenants 84:23)

"Behold, here is the agency of man, and here is the condemnation of man; because that which was from the beginning is plainly manifest unto them, and they receive not the light."

(Doctrine and Covenants 93:31)

We have greater access to the commandments than any time in the history of the world. That is because they are contained in the scriptures. Worldwide people have easy access to them. You can read them on the internet, or using an app on your phone. There is no excuse for this generation because they are not hidden. What is hard for man is the natural desire to read them. One must pay a price to learn to love them, and that is by simply doing it. As you invest the time in reading and pondering the scriptures you come to know the Lord. With that love the keeping of the commandments is not a hard thing.

Day 2342

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 29:14-15, 29

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 29:14-15, 29

"Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath;

But with him that standeth here with us this day before the LORD our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day:

The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."

This scripture is talking about us. I pondered on the eternal nature of the covenants and oaths we make with the Lord. How at the end of this earth existence we will all fairly be judged no matter which dispensation we lived in. The trials and temptations the beset me have not belonged to me alone. That every generation has had to learned to love the Lord greater than themselves.

Day 2341

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 28:61-62

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 28:61-62

" Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the LORD bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed.

And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God."

This was not cheery to read, given where we are in this pandemic. These verses are mild compared to others. Simply put if we do not obey the voice of the Lord, we will be left to stand alone, and without His blessing, and left with a curse. It would seem that as a nation, and the world, obedience to the Lord is not our strong point. The days ahead aren't going to be pretty if we stay on the current course.

"...God had decreed that all who will not obey His voice shall not escape the damnation of hell. What is the damnation of hell? To go with that society who have not obeyed His commands."

(Joseph Smith, "Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith", p.198)

Day 2340

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 27:1, 10, 14

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 27:1, 10, 14

"And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day.

Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.

And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,"

The Lord commanded Moses on what they were to do when they passed over Jordan into the promised land. They were to set up great stones and plaster them. Then to write on them all the words of the law that he had received. Afterwards the Levites were to speak in a loud voice all the words of the law, and the people were to obey all the commandments and statutes.

It was the word statutes that caught by eye. I had to look up what exactly was a statute.

Here are some things I learned.

-Typically, statutes command or prohibit something or declare policy. 

-Statutory law within the legal order can appear in three different forms: (1) written formal law, (2) law for the community and (3) non-public law.

-Statute is (legal) (common law) legislated rule of society which has been given the force of law by those it governs.

The statutes appear to be the laws of the community or society, which makes sense because what is laid out in the rest of the chapter are exactly that. For example: "Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour’s landmark." These statues are telling them more plainly how to live the commandments in consideration for their society.

Obeying statutes would also be in keeping with the 12th Article of Faith: "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law."

I pondered on how the Lord doesn't just give laws, he gives counsel to the prophet on how best to run His Church, and for his people to live together. This now has me wondering if the First Presidency letter of August 12, 2021 could be considered a statute? We were given specific things we could do to fight the war on this pandemic. It was written and sent to all the members, and then read again over the pulpits of our churches. We do not need to be commanded in all things but we are told by the Lord to obey his statutes, and that should not be dismissed.

Day 2339

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 26:17-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 26:17-19

"Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:

And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;

And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken."

Avouched = declared, testified

I thought of the covenants and blessings here. I also thought of what President Nelson has counseled, to "Hear Him". To hearken unto His voice, is to Hear Him. Walking in His ways, keeping his statutes, judgment and commandments demonstrates that I Hear Him. He promises to make us a peculiar people. Meaning a valued treasure, made or selected by God. There is a refinement that takes place there. First, I must do my part to testify that the Lord is my God and I will follow Him. How grateful I am for a prophet of God that helps me Hear Him and points the way to Jesus Christ.

Day 2338

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 25:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 25:5-6

"If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband’s brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband’s brother unto her.

And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel."

This is the levirte (husband's brother) law of marriage. The custom insured security to a widow and that the first son born to the widow would inherit the dead husband's property. The Sadducees used this law to try and trap Jesus in saying who's wife she would be in the resurrection. A rather interesting question given that the Sadducees didn't believe in a resurrection, angels or spirits. They did not believe in immortality.

"The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,

Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:

Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.

And last of all the woman died also.

Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.

Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine."

(Matthew 22:23-33)

The Savior is not tricked by the Sadducees and gets to the real root of their issue. They don't understand the scriptures and the resurrection. The levirate law of marriage was a custom for this life and not for the next. This reminded me of President Dallin H. Oaks, general conference talk where he speaks of a church leader's counsel to those more worried about the living arrangements in the next life, than if they will make it there at all.

“You are worried about the wrong things. You should be worried about whether you will get to those places. Concentrate on that. If you get there, all of it will be more wonderful than you can imagine.”

(President Dallin H. Oaks, "Trust in the Lord", Oct 2019 General Conference)

Day 2337

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 24:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 24:1

"When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house."

I'm reading this and thought that's a little cruel. Then I found what Jesus taught about this.

"And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.

And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.

But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.

And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

(Mark 10:2-12)

I also didn't realize that these laws that Moses gave were called the "law of carnal commandments".

"Which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb."

(Doctrine and Covenants 84:27)

"For the law was given through Moses, but life and truth came through Jesus Christ.

For the law was after a carnal commandment, to the administration of death; but the gospel was after the power of an endless life through Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father."

(John 1:17-18 (JST)

"But I will give unto them the law as at the first, but it shall be after the law of a carnal commandment; for I have sworn in my wrath that they shall not enter into my presence, into my rest, in the days of their pilgrimage. Therefore do as I have commanded thee; and be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto Mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount."

(Exodus 34:2 (JST)

"Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life."

(Hebrew 7:16)

Day 2336