Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 16:18-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 16:18-19

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

I pondered on how Jesus called his twelve apostles, with Peter chief among them, to build His church. The rock it is built upon is Jesus Christ. The keys and authority were given, what was bound on earth was bound in heaven. After the death of the apostles there was an great apostasy. Now, in the latter-days Christ's church has once again been restored upon the earth. It is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Lord's prophets have held that authority and keys ever since. The gates of hell will not prevail against it. Christ's church will stand until He comes again. I pray that I remain faithful, and stand with it. We can never take our testimony for granted.

Day 3104

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 15:13-14

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 15:13-14

"But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."

I saw this tonight in action. False prophets, lies and conspiracies that are blinding men. They blindly follow each other, even to the point they reject and throw stones at prophets. Yet they claim to be cleansing the church. Who are they to cleanse the Lord's church? He will cleanse the church himself and them with it. It is so sad to witness these days. There is great wisdom to leave them alone. First, because you do not want to be corrupted, and have them destroy your peace. Second, because those that are blind are also deaf.

The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “I will give you a key that will never rust, if you will stay with the majority of the Twelve Apostles, and the records of the Church, you will never be led astray."

(President Joseph Smith as quoted by President James E. Faust, "The Keys That Never Rust", Oct 1994 General Conference)

Heber C. Kimball, while serving as a counselor to President Brigham Young, reported: “I will give you a key which Brother Joseph Smith used to give in Nauvoo. He said that the very step of apostasy commenced with losing confidence in the leaders of this church and kingdom, and that whenever you discerned that spirit you might know that it would lead the possessor of it on the road to apostasy.

(Heber C. Kimball, Deseret News, Apr. 2, 1856, p. 26; spelling and capitalization modernized.)

(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith: Beware the Bitter Fruits of Apostasy)

“The authorities which the Lord has placed in his Church constitute for the people of the Church a harbor, a place of refuge, a hitching post, as it were. No one in this Church will ever go far astray who ties himself securely to the Church Authorities whom the Lord has placed in his Church. This Church will never go astray; the Quorum of the Twelve will never lead you into bypaths: it never has and never will. There could be individuals who would falter; there will never be a majority of the Council of the Twelve on the wrong side at any time The Lord has chosen them; he has given them specific responsibilities. And those people who stand close to them will be safe. And conversely, whenever one begins to go his own way in opposition to authority, he is in grave danger. I would not say that those leaders whom the Lord chooses are necessarily the most brilliant, nor the most highly trained, but they are the chosen, and when chosen of the Lord they are his recognized authority, and the people who stay close to them have safety.”

(President Spencer W. Kimball, Conference Report, Apr. 1951, Page 104)

(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, "Chapter 23: Shepherds of the Flock", p. 256)

Day 3103

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 14:24-25

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 14:24-25

"But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea."

Jesus is trying to find time alone after the death of John the Baptist. When he sees the multiple coming he has compassion on them. He performs the feeding of the five thousand with five loaves and two fishes. After this he sends the apostles by ship and the multiples away. Now he goes up into a high mountain to pray. Evening comes and he is all alone. All this time the apostles are being tossed by the winds and the waves in a ship. Jesus doesn't come to them until the fourth watch, which is between three and six in the morning. It could have been twelve hours or more that the apostles fought the sea. This is a long tiring day for them all.

I pondered on the miracle of the walking on water by both Jesus and Peter afterwards. Sometimes we need to be left alone to gain strength from the Father. Sometimes God waits before he rescues us. But what comes from all these experiences is a spiritual strength that is born from faith and for our good.

Day 3102

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 13:30

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 13:30

"Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."

The parable of the wheat and the tares applies to the apostasy, restoration and the end of the world. It is later then many think. The harvest is now taking place, the wheat are gathering to the stakes of Zion, and the tares are binding themselves in bundles to make ready to be burned.

“God has held the angels of destruction for many years, lest they should reap down the wheat with the tares. But I want to tell you now, that those angels have left the portals of heaven... and they stand over this people and this nation now, and are hovering over the earth waiting to pour out the judgments. And from this very day they shall be poured out. Calamities and troubles are increasing in the earth, and there is a meaning to these things. Remember this, and reflect upon these matters. If you do your duty, and I do my duty, we’ll have protection, and shall pass through the afflictions in peace and in safety.”

(Wilford Woodruff, “The Temple Workers’ Excursion,” Young Woman’s Journal, Aug. 1894, 512–513.)

“Now I want to make some comments in regard to the statement by President Woodruff and this parable [the parable of the wheat and tares in D&C 86].

“The Lord said that the sending forth of these angels was to be at the end of the harvest, and the harvest is the end of the world. Now, that ought to cause us some very serious reflections. And the angels have been pleading, as I have read it to you, before the Lord to be sent on their mission. Until 1893 the Lord said to them no, and then He set them loose. According to the revelation of President Woodruff, the Lord sent them out on that mission.

“What do we gather out of that? That we are at the time of the end. This is the time of the harvest. This is the time spoken of which is called the end of the world.”

(Joseph Fielding Smith, Signs of the Times (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1974), 11-21.)

Day 3101

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 12:36-37

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 12:36-37

"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."

This reminded me of an experience I had in the early days of Covid. One Sunday morning I happened to start reading jokes that were Covid related. For whatever reason they started to make me laugh. It was rather out of character for me to laugh at such things, but this day I found them really funny, and I was just cracking up. Then all of a sudden I heard very distinctly, "Those that laugh, will mourn". Boy did I sober up and do an about face on the matter. I remember even asking my siblings to not share jokes about this, especially on a Sunday. Well, that didn't go over well at all. But, I learned for myself that it does not please the Lord to laugh and make light of such things, especially when people were suffering and dying. Idle words includes loud laugher, making light of things that are inappropriate.

"Another principle is to be cautious with humor. Loud, inappropriate laughter will offend the Spirit. A good sense of humor helps revelation; loud laughter does not. A sense of humor is an escape valve for the pressures of life."

(Richard G. Scott, "How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life", Apr 2012 General Conference)

Day 3100

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 11:28-30

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 11:28-30

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

The more I come to know Christ the more I know these words are true.

"The Savior’s healing and redeeming power applies to accidental mistakes, poor decisions, challenges, and trials of every kind—as well as to our sins. As I turned to Him, my feelings of guilt and remorse were gradually replaced with peace and rest."

(Elder Peter F. Meurs, "He Could Heal Me!", April 2023 General Conference)

Day 3099

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 10:6, 27

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 10:6, 27

"But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops."

After calling the twelve apostles Jesus sent them to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He proceeds to tell them how some will reject them. The very people that should have been waiting for Him. It made me ponder on the prophet and apostles today, and how they are preparing right now to speak to the members of the church in general conference. They will speak as they have been inspired. Sadly, there are some that also reject them. It is easier to accept the spectacular then the quiet things of Christ.

Day 3098

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 9:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 9:12-13

"But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

It made me ponder on how unrealistic some are about people going to church being so righteous. Church is for the sinner, and we all sin. It's not shocking that members will have faults and make mistakes. We are all learning. The only difference I suppose is that we know we are sick and need the physician. We can't do it alone.

Day 3097

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 8:34

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 8:34

"And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts."

It's rather shocking to think that after all these wonderful miracles performed by Jesus the whole city came out and asked him to leave. How could they do that? I sat in a stupor thinking upon such a thing. Then I thought of people that have witnessed miracles in their lives, yet still loose their faith and leave the church. They give up on God, and reject him. It's so sad to think of all those people in that city, and the people today, and what they missed by rejecting Christ. It wasn't just a temporal moment, it was an eternal moment.

Day 3096

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 7:21-23

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 7:21-23

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

I think the Joseph Smith Translation has a very important clarification on that last verse. It wasn't that Christ did not know them, it was that they didn't know Christ.

"And then will I say, Ye never knew me; depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

(JST Matthew 7:33)

Why did they not know him, even though they prophesied in his name, cast out devils and did other works? Because it was all done by their own will and not according to the Father's. They are hypocrites, furthering their own works and desires, and not the Father's. It is through seeking to do the Father's will and keeping his commandments that we come to know Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. When you follow your own will you're listening to the wrong source and lead astray.

Day 3095

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 6:34

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 6:34

"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

This made me ponder on something that happened over 30 years ago. My husband and I had a situation that if the worse case scenario happened it would have been absolutely devastating to us. This worse case scenario weighed on my mind and caused such extreme anxiety. I literally would tremble and shake at the thought of it. I could find no relief, because there was nothing to prevent the worse case scenario from happening. All we could do is our best, which we had done. I finally turned to the Lord for relief and was told to not worry about the matter, unless I needed to worry about it. If that day came then I would deal with it. I then left it in His hands, and the fear and anxiety left me. When about 10 years had past I realized the worse case scenario never did happen. That chances of it ever happening then were practically non-existent. Having done our best in the matter, and leaving the rest in God's hand had protected us. I had lived in peace all those years because I took no thought on the matter as I had been advised. I have lived that advise all those years since.

Day 3094

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 5:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 5:16

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Good works made me think of "by their fruits ye shall know them".

(3 Nephi 14:20)

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

(Matthew 7:15-18, 20)

If our works are good the light we hold up is Jesus Christ, not ourselves.

"Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed."

(3 Nephi 18:24)

Day 3093

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 4:2-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 4:2-4 "And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. " I pondered on how the adversary will come to us while in our weakest moments. When we may think there is no other choice but to follow him. Questioning our eternal worth. Yet in our darkest or weakest moments if we do what Jesus did and remember the Father and who's children we are it will help us overcome. The way Jesus remembered his Father was to quote scripture "It is written." There is a protection in studying, pondering and storing up the words of God in our mind for they will give us strength in our hour of need.

Day 3092

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 3:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 3:17

"And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins."

I think the word confession stood out to me because President M. Russell Ballard spoke of it twice today in his Facebook post.

"Perfection is a lifelong journey, not a single event. However, you might find it difficult maintaining motivation to progress when you repeat the same mistakes over and over again. How can you turn this overwhelming guilt into change?

The Savior offered this clear and simple answer:

“Behold he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more. By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins - behold, he will confess and forsake them.”

Great joy results when we experience true repentance by confessing and forsaking. That will bring the peace we seek.

The Savior is more interested in our personal growth than our mistakes. Repentance helps us become true and faithful sons and daughters of God. We are only eventually made perfect only through Jesus Christ and His perfect atonement.

(Elder M. Russell Ballard, Facebook post 17 Sep 2023)

A mighty change cannot happen unless we confess and repent of our sins and become new in Christ.

"Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles similarly taught about the essential role of confession in repentance:

“True repentance also includes confession: ‘Now therefore make confession unto the Lord God of your fathers.’ (Ezra 10:11.) One with a broken heart will not hold back. As confession lets the sickening sin empty out, then the Spirit which withdrew returns to renew. …“All sins are to be confessed to the Lord, some to a Church official, some to others, and some to all of these. A few may require public confession. Confessing aids forsaking” (“Repentance,” Ensign, Nov. 1991, 31).

(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 2: Matthew 1-4")

Day 3091