Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 135:15-17

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 135:15-17

"The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.

They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;

They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths."

This made me think of how we are told to #HearHim. This is why this scripture about dumb idols that can neither see, hear or speak is so important. For it is only the Lord that can see, hear or through the spirit speak to us. When we are turned to the Lord we will have eyes that see, ears that hear and we will know and understand the will of the Lord.

Day 2772

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 134:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 134:1-2

"Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD."

This reminded me of the two times that I am aware of the temples being opened day and night, so saints could receive their endowments. The first was prior to the saints leaving Nauvoo, and the second before the temples closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Elder Bednar's spoke at a BYU Devotional of the miracles of temples being open day and night to accommodate the saints before they needed to close. The full talk is even better than these quotes from the article.

"Elder Bednar pointed to miracles experienced by Latter-day Saints in the second week of November 2020 in several temples in North America. On November 10, government officials in a large jurisdiction announced a new wave of pandemic-induced restrictions that would be implemented three days later and would suspend religious gatherings for a minimum of three weeks.

Wanting to give as many people as possible the opportunity to worship in temples before they closed, these temple leaders prayerfully decided to keep their temples operating — doors open, lights on, night and day, nonstop — until they would close on Friday, November 13, at midnight. Making this around-the-clock operation a reality would require meticulous planning and ample volunteers from local Latter-day Saints.

Elder Bednar shared comments from eight Church members that give insight into what they viewed as the miraculous nature of that 72-hour period inside these temples.

Some described miracles in making appointments for so many people in so little time. “When I started calling patrons … I completely expected to leave messages,” one person said. “Almost everyone answered their phone. To me, [this was] a miracle. Almost all available time slots were filled in less than a day and a half.”

“There was miracle after miracle,” another said, “miracles in scheduling, miracles in obtaining necessary paperwork to have ordinances [rites and ceremonies] completed, miracles in having one available appointment time precisely at the only time a patron was able to come.”

Others spoke of the look reflected on the faces of those who, instead of being weary from serving all night and morning, were miraculously full of joy and light.“

As I arrived at the temple on Thursday morning around 5:00 a.m., I saw ordinance workers who had served all night long still smiling as they served,” one person said. “One brother stayed at the temple day and night, not going home for three days. His service was invaluable and needed in so many ways.”

(David A. Bednar, "Elder Bednar Tells of Temple Miracles During Covid-19", Church Newsroom, 19 Jan 2021)

Day 2771

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 133:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 133:1

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

As I was pondering on this I thought how this will never happen until the Lord returns and reigns over the earth. Then I realized I was wrong. Just like the city of Enoch where a Zion people dwelt, there will be another Zion, a New Jerusalem for His people. We will be there waiting for Him living in unity and peace. Trying to live in unity with others is exactly what we need to work at now. As with anything we learn we need to practice at it, even if others don't want to live in unity. It's good to exercise those none contentious and peace loving muscles, even if you feel very alone. I think the biggest thing I am working on right now is holding my peace and not saying what I really want to say. It's amazing what insight I'm given as I practice this.

Day 2770

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 132:7-9

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 132:7-9

"We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.

Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.

Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy."

I love these verses that speak of the temple. It is only being there that you understand the scriptures better. It also made me think of something Sister Nelson mentioned in a recent devotional.

"After conference two friends who have served as leaders of a Missionary Training Center, and who are now serving as senior missionaries in Malta wrote:

"This conference was the very best. President Nelson we feel you have asked us to get on the ark!" "No matter what happens, we know we will be prepared-as-we follow your lead."

(Wendy W. Nelson, Lethbridge Alberta Member Devotional, 16 Oct 2022)

I am studying this past general conference and will make sure I follow all the guidance and instructions given so I get on the ark! Worship in God's temple, and shout for joy.

Day 2769

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 131:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 131:2

"Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child."

I thought about being a child and having to quiet yourself. It takes a lot of will power and self-discipline because its against your nature. Everything in you wants to run free and make noise. There is a lot of struggle until you mature and grow, and can sit quiet and behave. The rewards are great when you can accomplish this. It really is part of overcoming the natural man. Then I thought about how its really about overcoming the world. President Nelson spoke about that this general conference.

"Now, overcoming the world certainly does not mean becoming perfect in this life, nor does it mean that your problems will magically evaporate—because they won’t. And it does not mean that you won’t still make mistakes. But overcoming the world does mean that your resistance to sin will increase. Your heart will soften as your faith in Jesus Christ increases. Overcoming the world means growing to love God and His Beloved Son more than you love anyone or anything else.

How, then, do we overcome the world? King Benjamin taught us how. He said that “the natural man is an enemy to God” and remains so forever “unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord.” Each time you seek for and follow the promptings of the Spirit, each time you do anything good—things that “the natural man” would not do—you are overcoming the world...

As we strive to live the higher laws of Jesus Christ, our hearts and our very natures begin to change. The Savior lifts us above the pull of this fallen world by blessing us with greater charity, humility, generosity, kindness, self-discipline, peace, and rest. "

(Russell M. Nelson, "Overcome the World and Find Rest", Oct 2022 General Conference)

Day 2768

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 130:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 130:6

"My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning."

The phrase "watch for the morning" made me think of the morning of the first resurrection, when Christ appears. Many focus on the Lord's Second Coming, yet what is needed more are those that "waiteth for the Lord". Those that wait to hear His words and follow Him. I could know every minutia regarding the second coming, and it would serve me no purpose, if my soul is not right with God when he comes.

Day 2767

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 129:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 129:5

"Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion."

I thought about how the Lord has kept us one step ahead of those that wish to confound His work. They will not prosper.

"Wherefore, confound your enemies; call upon them to meet you both in public and in private; and inasmuch as ye are faithful their shame shall be made manifest.

Wherefore, let them bring forth their strong reasons against the Lord.

Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you—there is no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper;

And if any man lift his voice against you he shall be confounded in mine own due time."

(Doctrine and Covenants 71:7-10)

"Wherefore, the remnant of the house of Joseph shall be built upon this land; and it shall be a land of their inheritance; and they shall build up a holy city unto the Lord, like unto the Jerusalem of old; and they shall no more be confounded, until the end come when the earth shall pass away."

(Ether 13:8)

Day 2766

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 128:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 128:1

"Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways."

This made me think of how "God is no respecter of persons". All have an opportunity to "come unto Him".

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

(Acts 10:34)

"For I am no respecter of persons, and will that all men shall know that the day speedily cometh; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion."

(Doctrine and Covenants 1:35)

"And for your salvation I give unto you a commandment, for I have heard your prayers, and the poor have complained before me, and the rich have I made, and all flesh is mine, and I am no respecter of persons."

(Doctrine and Covenants 38:16)

Day 2765

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 127:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 127:1

"Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."

This made me think of our housing shortage. Not enough affordable home for everyone. Yet, the real shortage is not the homes itself. The real shortage is the love of God to fill them. You can build the house of your dreams and it means nothing in the scheme of the eternities.

Our Sunday School teacher asked a question a few weeks ago that has just stayed with me. He asked how many were still doing "Come, Follow Me" at home? As I listened to the comments I got really sad inside. It was the first I realized that people had stopped spending time every day to study the gospel as a family. I was grateful that it wasn't a problem in my home. It is actually the best time of the day for us. We love reading scriptures and discussing them today, along with how they fit in what we are seeing happening around us. I realized how inspired our teacher was to ask that question, but the answers broke my heart. Here is a story of a lost child. What's even sadder is children in their own homes can also be lost.

"Recently my friend Richard came home from work to find a very small girl sitting on the curb in front of his house, crying. He asked if he could help. Through her sobs she explained that she was lost. He told her that this was his house and his wife was inside. He told her he knew she shouldn’t go with strangers, but if she felt comfortable going inside, he and his wife would try to find her home. They went into his house, and his wife, Linda, began to console the little girl. “I’m sure you must be very frightened,” she said.

“I was frightened,” the girl responded, “until I saw the picture of Jesus hanging on your wall. Then I knew I would be safe.

”Throughout the world, many of God’s children are lost. We who know the truth can help them. We can show them a pattern of strong homes and righteous family members. We can help them if we have the Savior in our homes—not just His picture on the wall but also His teachings, His Spirit, and His love. Despite the instincts we have been blessed with, this kind of home doesn’t happen automatically. We need spiritual strength and practical skills to build a home where the Spirit of the Lord is present."

(Virginia U. Jensen, "Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment", Oct 1999 General Relief Society Meeting)

Day 2764

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 126:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 126:3

"The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad."

I thought about how great things can also be very small and simple things. It's all in the eye of the beholder.

"And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things."

(1 Nephi 16:29)

"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise."

(Alma 37:6)

Day 2763

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 125:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 125:1

"They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever."

I pondered on how as long as you retain your trust in God you will not faultier. It is only when you no longer trust Him that you can.

Day 2762

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 124:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 124:2-3

"If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:

Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:"

This made me think of men not rising up to do battle, but to deceive and lead followers of Christ away. I thought of false doctrine and how quickly even the very elect could be persuaded to fall away. We must always make sure we are following the Lord and his prophet. I was impressed to go back and listen to Elder Renlund's conference talk on personal revelation.

"When we ask for revelation about something for which God has already given clear direction, we open ourselves up to misinterpreting our feelings and hearing what we want to hear... The Prophet Joseph Smith warned, “Nothing is a greater injury to the children of men than to be under the influence of a false spirit, when they think they have the Spirit of God.

"Joseph learned, as the Book of Mormon prophet Jacob taught: “Seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For … he counseleth in wisdom.” Jacob cautioned that unfortunate things happen when we ask for things we should not. He foretold that the people in Jerusalem would seek “for things that they could not understand,” look “beyond the mark,” and completely overlook the Savior of the world. They stumbled because they asked for things they would not and could not understand."

(Dale G. Renlund, "A Framework for Personal Revelation", Oct 2022 General Conference)

Day 2761

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 123:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 123:2

"Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us."

I pondered on what it means to "wait upon the Lord". To me it means to have patience for His timing. To move when the spirit says its the right time to do so. To stand near by waiting for that call. It's always waiting to #HearHim.

While we are waiting we are not twiddling our thumbs. As a good servant we are always watching and doing that which needs to be done without being told. We continue to learn and growth, ponder and prepare so we are ready to proceed when mercy comes and we seek to do according to His will.

While I pondered and reasoned what I thought it meant, I decided to follow up and see what others have said about it. I liked this talk given by Elder Hales.

"What, then, does it mean to wait upon the Lord? In the scriptures, the word wait means to hope, to anticipate, and to trust. To hope and trust in the Lord requires faith, patience, humility, meekness, long-suffering, keeping the commandments, and enduring to the end.

To wait upon the Lord means planting the seed of faith and nourishing it “with great diligence, and … patience.”

It means praying as the Savior did—to God, our Heavenly Father—saying: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done.” It is a prayer we offer with our whole souls in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Waiting upon the Lord means pondering in our hearts and “receiv[ing] the Holy Ghost” so that we can know “all things what [we] should do.” As we follow the promptings of the Spirit, we discover that “tribulation worketh patience” and we learn to “continue in patience until [we] are perfected.”

Waiting upon the Lord means to “stand fast” and “press forward” in faith, “having a perfect brightness of hope.”

It means “relying alone upon the merits of Christ” and “with [His] grace assisting [us, saying]: Thy will be done, O Lord, and not ours.”

As we wait upon the Lord, we are “immovable in keeping the commandments,” knowing that we will “one day rest from all [our] afflictions.”

And we “cast not away … [our] confidence” that “all things wherewith [we] have been afflicted shall work together for [our] good.”

(Robert D. Hales, "Waiting upon the Lord: Thy Will Be Done", Oct 1971 General Conference)

Day 2760