Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 14:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 14:2

" For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth."

I found a wonderful explanation of what the word peculiar means by President Nelson. I didn't recall reading this General Conference talk before.

"Peter used uplifting terms in a prophecy regarding our day. He identified members of the Church as “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.”  The adjectives chosen, royal, and holy we recognize as elevating. But what about peculiar? A modern dictionary defines peculiar as “unusual,” “eccentric,” or “strange.”  What kind of compliment is that?

But the term peculiar as used in the scriptures is quite different. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term from which peculiar was translated is segullah, which means “valued property,” or “treasure.” In the New Testament, the Greek term from which peculiar was translated is peripoiesis, which means “possession,” or “an obtaining.” 

Thus, we see that the scriptural term peculiar signifies “valued treasure,” “made” or “selected by God.”  For us to be identified by servants of the Lord as his peculiar people is a compliment of the highest order."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Children of the Covenant", Apr 1995 General Conference)

It really is uplifting to think of myself as a valued treasure, made or selected by God. There is much to try and live up to.

Day 2326