Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 104:24

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 104:24

"O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches."

This chapter speaks of God's creations and works. I pondered on how I take much of these things, like the rising of the sun, for granted. It is good to be reminded that the creation itself testifies of the creator.

"I testify that the earth and all life upon it are of divine origin. The Creation did not happen by chance. It did not come ex nihilo (out of nothing). And human minds and hands able to build buildings or create computers are not accidental. It is God who made us and not we ourselves. We are His people!  The Creation itself testifies of a Creator. We cannot disregard the divine in the Creation. Without our grateful awareness of God’s hand in the Creation, we would be just as oblivious to our provider as are goldfish swimming in a bowl. With deep gratitude, we echo the words of the Psalmist, who said, “O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches."

(Russell M. Nelson, "The Creation", Apr 2000, General Conference)

Day 2741

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 103:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 103:8

"The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy."

I thought about how grateful I am these are attributes of God. The slow to anger truly does show how gracious and merciful He is. He has given me time to realize my mistakes and repent of them.

Day 2740

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 102:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 102:16

"When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory."

This made me ponder on this upcoming General Conference. I wonder what will we hear that will help us build up Zion? To become the people ready to receive the Lord at his Second Coming.

Day 2739

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 101:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 101:7

"He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight."

Well, this is totally for my benefit. We just had to make this decision as a family. It's like the Lord just spoke to me in confirmation. If the Lord can say this about His house, I can say it about mine.

Day 2738

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 100:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 100:3

"Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture."

I pondered on why its important that we acknowledge God made us and we didn't make ourselves. God is in the fabric of all that happens in our lives. It's important to acknowledge his hand in all things. The more I acknowledge all good things comes from God the more I see His hand in my life.

Day 2737

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 99:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 99:1

"The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved."

This made me think of all the earthquakes happening lately. They have been very strong and in divers places. Though this verse probably has nothing to do with what I pondered on. It just made me think of the voice of warning that is His.

"For after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes, that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand.

And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds.

And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men's hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people."

(Doctrine and Covenants 88:89-91)

"How oft have I called upon you by the mouth of my servants, and by the ministering of angels, and by mine own voice, and by the voice of thunderings, and by the voice of lightnings, and by the voice of tempests, and by the voice of earthquakes, and great hailstorms, and by the voice of famines and pestilences of every kind, and by the great sound of a trump, and by the voice of judgment, and by the voice of mercy all the day long, and by the voice of glory and honor and the riches of eternal life, and would have saved you with an everlasting salvation, but ye would not!"

(Doctrine and Covenants 43:25)

Day 2736

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 98:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 98:9

"Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity."

Equity = being just, impartial and fair.

I reflected on equity and fairness and treating all men as the children of God that they are. Some do not know it yet, and God even takes that into consideration.

"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. "

(Acts 10:34-35)

Day 2735

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 97:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 97:1

"The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof."

I pondered on the Millennium. How it will be a time for the whole earth to rejoice when the Lord is King and reigns over the whole earth. How only those that are good will remain, those that can abide a celestial and terrestrial glory. They will come from all walks of life, and all faiths. Peace will reign because those that are wicked, or only able to abide a telestial glory, will be consumed at the Lord's coming.

Then I read a little section in Gospel Topics on the Millennium and something struck me.

"During the Millennium, all people on the earth will be good and just, but many will not have received the fulness of the gospel. Consequently, members of the Church will participate in missionary work.

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."

(Gospel Topics, "Millennium")

The two activities that will be of importance are missionary work and temple work. Interestingly, these are the very same activities being stressed so strongly to us today in preparing for the Lord's Second Coming. That should give any member pause that isn't involved in either activity today.

The other thought I had was about temples. We will be building temples during the Millennium! I don't really know why I thought announcing a temple and the years it took to complete it, meant it was at least x number of years before the second coming? That isn't the case. It's amazing to think that temples potentially announced in the upcoming General Conference, may not be finished before the Millennium begins.

Day 2734

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 96:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 96:4

"For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.'

I pondered on how being made afraid and feeling fear is how the adversary works. Yet having a fear of God is not the same fear. I love how Elder Bednar explain this "godly fear" or "fear of the Lord".

"The righteous fear I am attempting to describe encompasses a deep feeling of reverence, respect, and awe for the Lord Jesus Christ, obedience to His commandments and anticipation of the Final Judgment and justice at His hand. Thus, godly fear grows out of a correct understanding of the divine nature and mission of the Lord Jesus Christ, a willingness to submit our will to His will, and a knowledge that every man and woman will be accountable for his or her own sins in the Day of Judgment

As the scriptures certify, godly fear “is the beginning of knowledge”  “the instruction of wisdom” a “strong confidence” and “a fountain of life...

Godly fear is loving and trusting in Him. As we fear God more completely, we love Him more perfectly. And “perfect love casteth out all fear”. I promise the bright light of godly fear will chase away the dark shadows of mortal fears as we look to the Savior, build upon Him as our foundation, and press forward on His covenant path with consecrated commitment.” 

(David A. Bednar, "Therefore They Hushed Their Fears", April 2015, General Conference)

Day 2733

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 95:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 95:7

"For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,"

This just sounds so peaceful. I can picture the sheep just grazing in a lush green pasture. They know the master's voice when He calls them. As I thought about sheep I started looking at pictures of them. I thought about their bowed heads as they ate. How many different types of sheep there are. Some pastures had a lot of sheep and some just a few. The pastures were not all the same either. I thought of being a world-wide church and how the Lord loves everyone one of His sheep. The shepherd would give his life to protect his sheep, and the Savior already has.

Day 2732

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 94:19

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 94:19

"In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul."

In Sunday School class our teacher said something that stayed with me. He said that when he read a couple of chapters in Isaiah that week the voices in his head quieted. He struggles with those inner voices and all their noise. The chatter was gone after reading the scriptures. I knew what he was talking about. I have turned to the scriptures when I am under a great deal of stress and just need peace. The scriptures will bring comfort to my soul.

"But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge."

(Psalms 94:22)

Day 2731

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 93:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 93:5

"Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever."

This made me think of the words above all the temples "Holiness to the Lord". It's one of my favorite things to look at as I enter the temple. This thought made me look for when and where we were told to add that on our temples.

"And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD."

(Exodus 28:36)

"And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD."

(Exodus 39:30)

It's mentioned in Exodus but that was part of the mitre, which appears to be Aaron's headband, cap or turban. There was also blue lace attached to it. This just left me with more questions. Why would the priest wear "Holiness to the Lord" on his head? Then I read this.

"That thy glory may rest down upon thy people, and upon this thy house, which we now dedicate to thee, that it may be sanctified and consecrated to be holy, and that thy holy presence may be continually in this house;

And that all people who shall enter upon the threshold of the Lord’s house may feel thy power, and feel constrained to acknowledge that thou hast sanctified it, and that it is thy house, a place of thy holiness."

(Doctrine and Covenants 109:12-13)

I think it was symbolic of the glory that would rest upon the people that entered the House of the Lord. Just like it rested upon Aaron's forehead. Now all that enter the House of the Lord can feel of His presence.

The Kirtland Temple has "House of the Lord" but not "Holiness to the Lord" on it, even though it's mentioned in the dedicatory prayer. The Nauvoo temple was the first to bare "Holiness to the Lord" upon it. All other temples after that have bore that inscription.

Day 2730

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 92:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 92:13

"Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God."

I pondered on how its not just loving to be in the Lord's house, it's being planted in what is found there that makes the difference. You can't just go through the temple, it has to go through you.

Day 2729

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 91:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 91:11-12

"For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone."

This verse was actually quoted by the devil when he tempt the Lord at the beginning of his ministry.

"And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone."

(Matthew 4:6)

Which was followed by the Lord saying

" Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."

(Matthew 4:7)

I pondered on how even Satan can quote scriptures. That we are to be ever watchful and not deceived. When on the Lord's errand angels truly will have charge over us. Then I pondered on the angel sent to the Savior in Gethsemane to strengthen him.

"And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him."

(Luke 22:43)

Day 2728

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 90:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 90:12

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

After all is said and done, will I look back at my mortal existence and find I spent my days wisely? I know the older I get the wiser I get about wasting time. The days are just flying by. All I seem to be able to accomplish is what's most important because I haven't any other time left.

"We have the priceless privilege of applying our hearts to wisdom, and of learning the things of God while the wisdom of the wise men of the world perishes and the understanding of their prudent is hid."

(Brigham Young, "Domestic Economy, Etc.", JD 10:208)

Day 2727