Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 3:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 3:2

"And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence."

I was always stuck on why Mordecai would not bow down to Haman. It was not like he was worshipping him as a god. I always thought of him in proud defiance. It wasn't until I read the Apocrypha and the additional chapters of Esther that I understood.

"Thou knowest all things, and thou knowest, Lord, that it was neither in contempt nor pride, nor for any desire of glory, that I did not bow down to proud Aman.

For I could have been content with good will for the salvation of Israel to kiss the soles of his feet.

But I did this, that I might not prefer the glory of man above the glory of God: neither will I worship any but thee, O God, neither will I do it in pride."

(Old Testament Apocrypha, Greek Additions to Esther, Chapter 13:12-14)

Mordecai act was not out of pride, it was out of what was in his heart. It makes me think of those that object to things. The greater question is if the stand they take is out of pride or contempt, or from what is in their heart.

Day 2588

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 2:23

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 2:23

"And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king."

Esther is chosen as the next queen. Mordecai learns of a plot and reports it to the king through Esther. When this plot is exposed and the men hanged it is written in the book of the chronicles along with Mordecai's name. This record will become very important later on. I pondered on keeping a journal. How important my daily log of events have been to me over the years. I have referred to it many times in my life. I have found things useful that I would have never thought important at the time.

Day 2587

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 1:19

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 1:19

"If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she."

This chapter sets up the story of Esther. It also shows the meaning of a king's decree. It cannot be altered. Vashit could no more come before the king, and no man could change it. This is also the same type of law that Esther would come up against. Once with Haman's deception to kill the Jews, and then to reverse the tables by allowing them to defend themselves.

"Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse."

(Esther 8:8)

Day 2586

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 13:15-16, 19, 21

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 13:15-16, 19, 21

"In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.

There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.

Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath."

Nehemiah observed the Jews were breaking the Sabbath. In an effort to control the observance of the Sabbath the gates were shut during that time frame. That kept the merchants and sellers from coming in to sell their wares. The merchants were also ordered to not lodge themselves outside the walls or they would be punished.

This made me ponder on how stores used to be closed on Sundays when I was younger. Now its nothing to see the stores open and people shopping. Restaurants are open and full. I never could understand how people would go out to eat right after attending church. Unless we were traveling we didn't eat out. I thought about how keeping the merchants out, stores closed, and even sporting events off limits really did help a community and its attention to God on the Sabbath. I really miss what used to be. Now my observance of the Sabbath truly is a sign I give to God. There is no one saying what I can and cannot do on that day. It is my choice on how I worship Him. But, with that choice and greater freedom is the right to simply fall away and worship myself on that day.

Day 2585

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 12:45-46

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 12:45-46

"And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son.

For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God."

Footnote for Ward = Or guard, watch

I pondered on how important singers were to serving in the temple. We don't have singers there today. Then I thought of the hymns played in the chapel and how peaceful it is. I also thought of the music sung during the dedications.

Day 2584

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 11:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 11:1-2

"And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.

And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem."

It doesn't sound like it was very desirable to live in Jerusalem. They had to cast lots for who was to live there, and blessing those that did it willingly. I would think as a holy city that the lots being cast would be because they all wanted to live there. There has to be some special challenges for living in Jerusalem. I pondered on what could be the issue.

Jerusalem was basically a ghost town. The walls were repaired but not necessarily the homes inside it. I could see the concern that if Jerusalem was overthrown once it could happen again. I would also think there was more freedom to use the land outside of the city walls. Maybe the concern was they didn't feel worthy to live there. It made me think of the different degrees of glory after this life. How those living a telestial law will never feel comfortable in the celestial kingdom. What they receive is what they are comfortable with. If they didn't feel they could represent and converse with others in Jerusalem then it would be a hard thing for them to live there.

Day 2583

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 10:34

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 10:34

" And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the law:"

The wood offering, until now I had never thought about needing wood for the burnt offerings. Someone had to furnish it. It would be similar to someone needing to bring the bread for the sacrament. I thought about what a small thing it may seem, but what a really important thing both are. No offering is to small when it helps to further the Lord's work.

Day 2582

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 9:3, 38

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 9:3, 38

"And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.

And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it."

As the scriptures and law are read to the people they are brought into remembrance of all God has done for them. They are brought through the creation, Abrahamic covenant, exodus from Egypt, being guided by a pillar of fire and smoke. Even when they turned their backs on God by making a molten calf, he did not leave them in the wilderness. Then they go through the giving of the law received by Moses, manna from heaven and water from a rock. It recounts the rebellious Israelites and their kings. How God has always been there for them. It is the reading of the scriptures that helps them see how God didn't leave them, it was them leaving God. This brings the Jews to making covenants again with God. When we look back at our lives we can see the same thing is true for us.

Day 2581

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 8:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 8:8

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."

I liked the footnotes in this verse. There were three of them, law, distinctly, and gave the sense.

Law leads to the topical guide for "Study of Scriptures".

Distinctly lead to Jacob 4:13-14

"Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old.

But behold, the Jews were a stiffnecked people; and they despised the words of plainness, and killed the prophets, and sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall; for God hath taken away his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they cannot understand, because they desired it. And because they desired it God"

I actually had a conversation today with someone on this. We discussed how simple the gospel really is. That when you stray from its simplicity and try to over intellectualize the scriptures and gospel that there is a risk of losing your way. The plainness of the gospel is taken away from their understanding because they have become unbalanced. You can no longer see the connections on how things fit so simply and you try to make of it hard things. There is so much to learn with faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the holy ghost and enduring to the end. That is the plainness and beauty of the gospel.

The last footnote was "gave the sense" and that has "IE gave a commentary by the power of the Holy Ghost." Mosiah 1:2-5. It is only through the Holy Ghost that you can expound scriptures to the understanding of others. There was some foundational work the king Benjamin needed to prepare his sons to understand the scriptures, like knowing the language they were written in. Then to appreciate and treasure the true purpose of them. How without them they would have suffered in ignorance and not known the mysteries of God.

Day 2580

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 7:5, 64-65

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 7:5, 64-65

"And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein,

These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.

And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim."

I pondered on how important having a register of their genealogies were to them. It meant being able to hold the priesthood or not. Those that could not find their genealogy recorded were deemed polluted and could not hold the priesthood. That it took a priest with the Urim and Thummim to be able to determine what had been lost. No different than a patriarch today declaring what tribe we are from. Genealogy is so connected to temple blessings. It will become that offering in righteousness that we present to the Lord. I am grateful that "God put into mine heart to gather together" the genealogy of my family.

"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:

And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness."

(Malachi 3:1-3)

"Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness."

(Doctrine and Covenants 13:1)

"Therefore, as I said concerning the sons of Moses—for the sons of Moses and also the sons of Aaron shall offer an acceptable offering and sacrifice in the house of the Lord, which house shall be built unto the Lord in this generation, upon the consecrated spot as I have appointed—"

(Doctrine and Covenants 84:31)

"Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; and who can abide the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation."

(Doctrine and Covenants 128:24)

"Members of the church will also participate in temple work during the Millennium. The Saints will continue to build temples and receive ordinances in behalf of their kindred dead. Guided by revelation, they will prepare records of their ancestors all the way back to Adam and Eve.

(True to the Faith, "Millennium")

Just like in the days of Nehemiah, a "priest with Urim and Thummim" will help in preparing the record worthy of all acceptation to be offered to the Lord.

Day 2579

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 6:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 6:2-3

"That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.

And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?"

The prophet knew their hearts and that they were only there to cause mischief. That is why they wanted Nehemiah to come down and join them. It is no different than us today. We cannot get distracted by the goings on in this world and leave the work of the Lord behind us. If Nehemiah had left the work of the Lord to join the enticing voices of others, not only the Lord's work could have been in jeopardy. The risk could have included mortal or spiritual dangers. It is no different or us today. When we leave the work of the Lord we no longer have His guiding protection.

Day 2578

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 5:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 5:7

"Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them."

I pondered on "I consulted with myself". How important doing that inner reflection is. How it is part of the study it out in your mind, and ask if it be right. When the spirit is our constant companion when we need to ponder and study what direction we should take, there is no doubt and you can move forward in faith and peace.

"But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right"

(Doctrine and Covenants 9:8)

Day: 2577

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 4:1, 7-8, 11

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 4:1, 7-8, 11

"But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.

But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,

And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.

And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease."

I was interested in the tactics of the adversary in stopping the Lord's work. In this case it was those trying to stop the Jews from rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem. It got so bad they had to work with a tool in one hand and weapon in another. Very similar to how the saints had to protect themselves while building the Kirtland and later the Nauvoo temple.

Earlier Sanballat and others in the surrounding area laughed the Jews to scorn and despised them for saying they were going to rebuild. Now as they witnessed it happening they were wroth and had great indignation. In comparing it to my day I would say angry and took offense. After that they wanted to stop the work from happening so they conspired together to fight against and to hinder the work. The Jews at that point would not stop their work of rebuilding, they pressed on ever watchful, but armed themselves as they worked for protection. This last general conference I think we were given tools to protect ourselves as we work. That tool was to be peacemakers. To watch and guard ourselves from contention, to hold our peace. It will work for a season, but greater persecution will come. We must prepare spiritually in order to endure.

Day 2576

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 3:1, 3

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 3:1, 3

"Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.

But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof."

I knew what a sheep gate was but when I read fish gate I paused and wondered if it also had a significance? If so I didn't know what it was. As I continued in this chapter I found there were numerous other gates that they repaired.

Different gates listed.

Sheep gate (vs. 1)

Fish gate (vs. 2)

Old gate (vs. 6)

Valley gate (vs. 13)

Dung gate (vs. 13, 14)

Fountain gate (vs.15)

Water gate (vs. 26)

Horse gate (vs. 28)

East gate (vs. 29)

Gate Miphkad (vs. 31)

From the footnotes only the sheep gate and the fish gate mention their purpose. The fish gate was access to the merchant's quarter. Out of all the gates repaired only the sheep gate appears to have been rebuilt by priests and sanctified. What was so important about the sheep gate? Here is what it has in the footnote.

"A gate probably in the northeast wall of Jerusalem near the temple, for access of sacrificial animals". This reminds me of a talk this last general conference where a sheepfold is mentioned, and having to enter through the gate.

"A fold, or sheepfold, is a large enclosure, often constructed with stone walls, where the sheep are protected at night. It has only one opening. At the end of the day, the shepherd calls the sheep. They know his voice, and through the gate they enter the safety of the fold.

The people of Alma would have known that shepherds stand at the narrow opening of the fold so that when the sheep enter, they are numbered and their wounds and ailments noted and cared for one by one. The safety and well-being of the sheep depend on their willingness to come into the fold and to stay in the fold.

Within the fold of God, we experience His watchful, nurturing care and are blessed to feel His redeeming love. He said, “I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” Our Savior has graven upon His palms our sins, pains, afflictions, and all that is unfair in life. All are welcome to receive these blessings, as they “are desirous to come” and choose to be in the fold. The gift of agency is not simply the right to choose; it is the opportunity to choose the right. And the walls of the fold are not a constraint but a source of spiritual safety.

Jesus taught that there is “one fold, and one shepherd.” He said:

“He that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. …“

And the sheep hear his voice … ,

“… and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.”

Jesus then stated, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved,”14 teaching clearly that there is only one way into the fold of God and only one way to be saved. It is by and through Jesus Christ."

(Elder Randy D. Funk, "Come into the Fold of God", Apr 2022 General Conference)

I could just imagine the Savior watching over all that enter through the sheep gate. Once inside this is how I come to know the shepherd. What a beautiful thing to ponder on this Resurrection Day.

"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

(John 10:9-11, 14)

Day 2575