Today's Favorite Verse: Song of Solomon 2:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Song of Solomon 2:2

"The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away."

This made me think of signs before the Saviors second coming..

"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:"

(Matthew 24:32)

The "come away" makes me think about the calls in General Conference for us to overcome the world.

"What does it mean to overcome the world? It means overcoming the temptation to care more about the things of this world than the things of God. It means trusting the doctrine of Christ more than the philosophies of men. It means delighting in truth, denouncing deception, and becoming “humble followers of Christ.” It means choosing to refrain from anything that drives the Spirit away. It means being willing to “give away” even our favorite sins".

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

Day 2832

Today's Favorite Verse: Song of Solomon 1:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Song of Solomon 1:5-6

"I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept."

The song of Solomon is poetry in song. I was struck with the mention of being black and not wanting to be looked down upon. From various sources I found during this time frame people were not being looked down for dark skin for racial reasons, it was for economic reasons. Woman that worked the fields out in the sun were of the peasant class. If you were in the aristocracy you were pale or fair skinned because you were not out in the sun. This skin was prized and a mark of beauty in women. In the chapter it seems her beauty and praise are recognized for her hard work. It made me think of Ruth and Boaz.

Day 2831

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

This is the sum of our quest in life. I am so grateful to know that fearing God, is loving Him. To keep His commandments is to have his protection. These are not hard things to live by.

"My beloved brothers and sisters, godly fear dispels mortal fears. It even subdues the haunting concern that we never can be good enough spiritually and never will measure up to the Lord’s requirements and expectations. In truth, we cannot be good enough or measure up relying solely upon our own capacity and performance. Our works and desires alone do not and cannot save us. “After all we can do” we are made whole only through the mercy and grace available through the Savior’s infinite and eternal atoning sacrifice. Certainly, “we believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel”  

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", Apr 2015 General Conference)

Day 2830

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 11:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 11:1

"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days."

We never know the effect we have on others. Plant little seeds or cast bread upon the waters, along the way it will find a home. One day it goes full circle and the influence we had in bringing others to Christ will be shown to us. If not in this life than in the next.

Day 2829

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 10:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 10:8

"He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him."

I understand the digging a pit and falling into it. I wasn't sure what breaking the hedge and a serpent bitting you meant. Then I thought about tearing down walls around you, why would you get bit? The walls must be a form of protection. When you remove protection you can get hurt. I'm thinking that if a person can dig a pit for someone else, he can be capable of taking down a wall to harm someone else, but get harmed himself. Couldn't that be like any type of vice like drugs, or breaking covenants. You remove them and you will get bit. Makes me think of people that tear down their spiritual walls of protection to take a break from the gospel. They want to go party and drink. The problem is once you are without protection that great serpent Lucifer can grasp you and never let you go.

Day 2828

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 9:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 9:2

"All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath."

What is universal among all men? That we were born and that we will all die. We will all be brought before God and judged. No man can escape these things. Even though the verdict may not be the same in all cases, the judgment will be just.

"Yea, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess before him. Yea, even at the last day, when all men shall stand to be judged of him, then shall they confess that he is God; then shall they confess, who live without God in the world, that the judgment of an everlasting punishment is just upon them; and they shall quake, and tremble, and shrink beneath the glance of his all-searching eye."

(Mosiah 27:31)

"And this shall be the sound of his trump, saying to all people, both in heaven and in earth, and that are under the earth—for every ear shall hear it, and every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess, while they hear the sound of the trump, saying: Fear God, and give glory to him who sitteth upon the throne, forever and ever; for the hour of his judgment is come."

(Doctrine and Covenants 88:104)

Day 2827

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 8:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 8:8

"There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it."

Do I really not have power to retain the spirit? I thought I could have the spirit always to be with me if I kept from sin. Then I thought of places where the spirit cannot be. I have felt the spirit leave in such cases. I have been in the presence of people that make the spirit leave from the room. I cannot say I've been left alone and to my own devices in such times. For I have been guided in what needed to be done. But, that feeling that you have when the spirit is gone is still there. Not really sure what this all entails but it seems the spirit is never forced to stay because of anything I do. It must be why this verse also connects the spirit leaving a person at death. You cannot force it to stay when it has been commanded to leave.

Day 2826

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 7:20

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 7:20

"For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."

I remember when I was 8 years old and baptized. I had it in my head that I would be perfect and do nothing wrong after it. I wanted to stay clean. The day wasn't even over and I already got in trouble. I was devastated and thought I blew it. It took time to grow and mature and realize I can never be perfect by myself. This is why the Lord Jesus Christ came to this earth and atoned for my sins. It was a infinite and eternal atonement. One that covered all sins, and helps carry my burdens. I am so grateful for the gift given by my Savior Jesus Christ. Seems such a fitting night to reflect on this.

Day 2825

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 6:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 6:3

"If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he."

If a man have everything, a long life and many children, but he be evil it profits him nothing. It is better that he was stillborn, for at least he would be at rest with God. Does that answer the question of what happens to stillborn children?

Day 2824

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 5:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 5:1

"Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil."

I have always liked to go to the temple by myself. I like having time to ponder on the words I hear and the impressions that I have. When I go with others there is more of a tendency to whisper. It can be distracting to me when people are talking to loudly or at inappropriate times. I need the silence found in the temple to feel closer to God, to recharge my batteries and receive light and instruction for my path ahead.

I was trying to find this talk that I enjoyed, it spoke about the need to be more quiet in the temple. That we talked to much. It's been a while and I just can't place it. I did however find this video "The Quiet of the Temple". I loved this comment by Sister Sharon Eubank, “I need the silence of the temple to be able to hear the voice of God.”

Day 2823

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."

I could not help but think of what happened yesterday. My son went out to the mailbox and slipped on the icy driveway. We heard his screams and looking outside I immediately thought, "I can't help him up by myself", so I told my husband to come help. But, first I got my walker, not only so I could safely walk out to the ice to help him, but also so he could use it to help pull himself up. Between the walker and my husband and I lifting him under his armpits, we were able to get him to his feet. Then with the injured knee and foot he could use the walker to support himself as he made his way back into the house. From there we could assess the damage, get him crutches to walk with and administer ice and pain meds. He was waited on the rest of the day to give the injuries time to rest. Only time would tell if he needed more attention than that. Thankfully, he is able to walk on it fully today. I am so grateful we were home to hear his cries. In this cold winter weather it would not take long for someone to freeze to death.

There is another type of death that family members can help prevent, and that is spiritual death. Our daily family scripture study not only helps us to grow spiritually, it can prevent spiritual death in each other.

Day 2822

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:5, 7

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:5, 7

"A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;"

These are my seasons. There is comfort knowing it is all in the Lord's hands and timing. Before reading my scriptures I happened upon this quote from President Kimball on prayers being answered.

"President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) similarly taught that we must put great effort into our prayers and that we must pray frequently:

Do you get answers to your prayers? If not, perhaps you did not pay the price. Do you offer a few trite words and worn-out phrases, or do you talk intimately to the Lord? Do you pray occasionally when you should be praying regularly, often, constantly? Do you offer pennies to pay heavy debts when you should give dollars to erase that obligation?

When you pray, do you just speak, or do you also listen? Your Savior said, ‘Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.’ (Rev. 3:20.)“… Should we ever fail to get an answer to our prayers, we must look into our lives for a reason”

(Book of Mormon Student Manual, Chapter 50, "Ether 1-5"); (“Prayer,” New Era, Mar. 1978, 17)

After reading this I actually sat wondering what have I been praying about recently? Was there something I was putting great effort into? Were those prayers being answered? Then I realized, yes there was. It was this whole season I am experiencing. Then immediately I realized, those prayers were being answered. I have been leaving it in the Lord's hands and just the fact I had to sit and think about what was my concern showed that those prayers were being answered. I had peace over the matter each time I left it in his hands and let him carry them.

Day 2821

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 2:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 2:11

"Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun."

I pondered on our mortal probation. All our labors would be for naught if it didn't bring us closer to God. King Solomon was rich beyond measure and had great wisdom. Yet in the end it meant nothing for he turned his back on God. The wealth and power he had on earth were vanity and fleeting. He could have had the riches of eternity.

Day 2820

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 1:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 1:10

"Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us."

As I have pondered on the frailties of man, his sins and his weaknesses I see that man is the same throughout all time. Doesn't matter what dispensation or period someone lived the natural man is the same. I have also come to see that the spirit never teaches me something new. It is only new to me. This comes into the law of witnesses and how I can understand what I have learned is truth because I will see if confirmed through other talks, scriptures or lessons. Every person that has walked on this earth has the same opportunities for sin and sorrow, pride or humility, happiness or pain. We all will be accounted for how we followed the laws of God, or the light of Christ that would guide us.

Day 2819

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 31:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 31:10

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."

When I read this verse I thought the virtuous woman must be worth even more than rubies now. She is becoming rarer and rarer. Then I read the descriptions of this virtuous woman and boy was she industrious.

"The virtuous woman described in Proverbs was a woman who was prepared. She worked willingly, stretched out her hand to the poor, saw to the physical needs of her household, sought after knowledge. She had profound reverence for the Lord. While many of her tasks may appear to be temporal in nature, her blessings were eternal ones."

(Barbara W. Winder, "Becoming a Prepared People", Oct 1988 General Conference)

This made me think of President Nelson's talk in where he listed three principles for us.

1. Create Place of Security

2. Prepare Your Mind to be Faithful to God

3. Never Stop Preparing

I am not saying that the days ahead will be easy, but I promise you that the future will be glorious for those who are prepared and who continue to prepare to be instruments in the Lord’s hands.

I promise that as we create places of security, prepare our minds to be faithful to God, and never stop preparing, God will bless us. He will “deliver us; yea, insomuch that he [will] speak peace to our souls, and [will] grant unto us great faith, and … cause us that we [can] hope for our deliverance in him.”

(Russell M. Nelson, "Embrace the Future with Faith", Oct 2020 General Conference)

I had not thought of President Nelson's talk following the description of a virtuous women but now I can see what he was asking us to become.

Day 2818

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 30:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 30:5

"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him."

I immediately thought of the difference my faith has with other ones, over receiving additional scriptures that are the word of God. Some think the Book of Revelations was the end of the word of God. I cannot imagine not having all the scriptures that I do. They not only support each other they are a shield to me. I found this quote from Brigham Young discussing additional scriptures.

“But if a man should, by the gift of the Holy Ghost, in these days prophesy and write it, would it not be adding to what is already written, and is not that strictly forbidden?” This is a very popular query, and I am disposed to notice it a few moments. In Deuteronomy it is written—“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commands of the Lord your God which I command you.” (Deut. 4:2) Again, in the Book of Proverbs it is written—“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” (Prov. 30:5-6) Again in the last chapter of Revelation it is written—“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Rev. 22:18-19) 

Where is it intimated in these passages that God would cease or had ceased to give revelation to his children? Those passages were written to guard against the mutilation of the revelations already given, which then existed in manuscript form, and very likely there existed not more than one copy when these words were written. It cannot reasonably be supposed for a moment that the Almighty has sealed his own mouth in silence by the Scriptures quoted, yet they are used in that light by modern Christians."

(Brigham Young, "Ideas Entertained Respecting God, Etc.", JD 10:318)

Day 2817