Today's Favorite Verse: John 9:39

Today's Favorite Verse: John 9:39

" And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind."

I could understand those that "see not might see" because Jesus came to open the eyes of those that did not know him. But why would someone that sees be made blind? Then I read this.

"After the Savior healed the man born blind, some Pharisees asked Jesus whether they were “blind also.” In reply, the Savior used a metaphor, teaching that individuals who were “blind”—those who did not know who He was—“should have no sin” (John 9:41). On the other hand, individuals who could “see”—those who had received enough witnesses concerning the Savior and His divine mission that they should have known who He was—would be accountable for their actions. The Pharisees were among those who could “see,” and thus their “sin remaineth.” Spiritually speaking, they chose to be blind because they refused to recognize Jesus as the Son of God, despite the many witnesses they had received."

(New Testament Student Manual, Chapter 24: John 8-10, "Those Who Have Spiritual Sight Are Accountable for Their Sins"

I think its saying that after receiving knowledge of who Christ is, if you decide to reject Him, you are willfully blind.

Day 3165

Today's Favorite Verse: John 8:23

Today's Favorite Verse: John 8:23

"And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world."

I realized Jesus was just referring to those that were against him. They were inspired from beneath, Satan. They were of this world. Those that follow Christ are like him, and not of this world. He is telling us where we should stand.

"I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."

(John 17:14-16)

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

(1 John 2:15)

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

(Colossians 3:2)

"And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better."

(Doctrine and Covenants 25:10)

Day 3164

Today's Favorite Verse: John 7:16-18

Today's Favorite Verse: John 7:16-18

"Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him."

This made me reflect on how some have thought to pressure church leaders to change doctrine. That simply is not possible. It's not up to church leaders or even the prophet to change doctrine. Commandments are commandments. Even the Savior, Jesus Christ cannot change doctrine. He can only do the express will of the Father. The Savior may have sounded like he was changing doctrine, with somethings that he taught, but actually he was fulfilling what had already been taught for generations. The law of Moses all pointed to Him. In some cases he was clarifying what they should have already understood. This is where He was giving them a higher law. This is why its so important for us to understand the doctrine of Christ. First, to make sure no one deceives us by teaching false doctrine. But, mainly so we can "know of the doctrine" for ourselves, and receive the blessings from it, and bless others.

“True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the [doctrine] of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior.”

(President Boyd K. Packer, "Little Children", Oct 1986 General Conference)

I remember the first time I was asked what the Doctrine of Christ was and I felt such panic. I was unsure of what the answer was. Then I found it laid out so beautifully in 2 Nephi 31. Here are the highlights.

Doctrine of Christ

(1) faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

(2) repentance through the Atonement of Christ

(3) baptism by immersion in Christ’s name

(4) the gift of the Holy Ghost

(5) enduring to the end

Sometimes we make things so complicated we miss the whole point. Just like the Jews couldn't recognize the Messiah when he came because they had gone beyond the mark. All these very simple things point to Christ, and have us come to know Him. Enduring to the end is my favorite part, its where I develop a personal relationship with the Savior and know Him.

Day 3163

Today's Favorite Verse: John 6:15

Today's Favorite Verse: John 6:15

"When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone."

I pondered on how not only the scribes and Pharisees had plans for Jesus, it was also the Jews that followed him. They planned to take him by force and make him king. They didn't understand the true role of the Messiah. They expected Him to remove the yoke the Romans had over them. They wanted to be physically rescued not spiritually. This made me ponder on how we can also run the risk of trying to create our own Jesus, and the role we want him to play. That's part of the warning of false Christs. They can be of our own making. That is being deceived by false teachers and false doctrine.

"Therefore, let us beware of false prophets and false teachers, both men and women, who are self-appointed declarers of the doctrines of the Church and who seek to spread their false gospel and attract followers by sponsoring symposia, books, and journals whose contents challenge fundamental doctrines of the Church. Beware of those who speak and publish in opposition to God’s true prophets and who actively proselyte others with reckless disregard for the eternal well-being of those whom they seduce. Like Nehor and Korihor in the Book of Mormon, they rely on sophistry to deceive and entice others to their views. They “set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion” (2 Ne. 26:29)."

(M. Russell Ballard, "Beware of False Prophets and False Teachers", Oct 1999 General Conference)

Day 3162

Today's Favorite Verse: John 5:14

Today's Favorite Verse: John 5:14

"Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee."

Sin did not make the man which Jesus healed an invalid. Neither was Jesus telling him to sin no more because a worse physical aliment would come upon him. What he was saying is the worst that can come is the death of the spirit, that does come by sin.

Jesus was asked the question about sinning and physical disabilities later.

"And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."

(John 9:1-3)

Day 3161

Today's Favorite Verse: John 4:2

Today's Favorite Verse: John 4:2

"(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)"

I pondered on why Jesus never baptized anyone? After reading in 1st Corinthians I could see the wisdom of Him not doing it so others would not contend thinking it made a difference on who baptized them. Those being baptized by Jesus may have thought themselves superior to those who had not been.

"For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name."

(1 Corinthians 1:11-15)

The next thing I found was Jesus had a different role. He was to baptize by the Holy Ghost and fire.

"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"

(Matthew 3:11)

I think one of the main reasons is because baptism represents Christ's death, burial and resurrection. These things had not been fulfilled. What he did do is give power and authority to his apostles to baptize others. That was their role and calling. His role was to fulfill what it represented.

Day 3160

Today's Favorite Verse: John 3:3, 5

Today's Favorite Verse: John 3:3, 5

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

Seeing and entering the kingdom of God are two separate things Jesus mentions. I wanted clarification on that.

"The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–44) taught about the Savior’s words in verses 3 and 5, which speak of “seeing” and “entering” the kingdom of God: “It is one thing to see the kingdom of God, and another thing to enter into it. We must have a change of heart to see the kingdom of God, and subscribe the articles of adoption to enter therein” (in History of the Church, 6:58). When a person “sees” the kingdom of God, the Holy Ghost has caused the person to have a mighty “change of heart” (see Alma 5:14). Then the person must participate in the ordinances of the gospel in order to “enter” the kingdom of God."

(New Testament Student Manual, Chapter 22: John 2-4)

It's not enough to only have a change a heart. Entering into ordinances and covenants are what admit us into His presence. Ordinances alone won't save us either, if the heart is not changed. We need both. Then we must live up to our privileges until the end.

Day 3159

Today's Favorite Verse: John 2:19, 22

Today's Favorite Verse: John 2:19, 22

"Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said."

This is a really good reminder that prophecies fulfillment is not always what we imagine or think it will look like. At the time they thought he spoke of Herod's temple, but the temple he spoke of was his body. It was until after the resurrection that the disciples remembered what he had said.

Day 3158

Today's Favorite Verse: John 1:32, 33

Today's Favorite Verse: John 1:32, 33

"And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost."

I had a question as I read this, "It this the first time the Spirit was actually seen and just not felt?" I don't believe John actually saw a dove. He saw the sign of a dove descending from heaven. That made me try to find out more.

Bible Dictionary: Dove, sign of

"A prearranged means by which John the Baptist would recognize the Messiah at Jesus’ baptism (John 1:32–34). “The sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world, a witness for the Holy Ghost, and the devil cannot come in the sign of a dove. … The sign of a dove was given to John to signify the truth of the deed, as the dove is an emblem or token of truth and innocence” (Joseph Smith, HC 5:261). See 1 Ne. 11:27; 2 Ne. 31:8; D&C 93:15; Abr., fac. 2, fig. 7. Though we usually associate the sign of the dove with John the Baptist, from the latter reference we learn that it was manifested to Abraham also. We suppose that it has been similarly made known to other prophets on occasion since the time of Adam."

"And I looked and beheld the Redeemer of the world, of whom my father had spoken; and I also beheld the prophet who should prepare the way before him. And the Lamb of God went forth and was baptized of him; and after he was baptized, I beheld the heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abide upon him in the form of a dove."

(1 Nephi 11:27)

"Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove."

(2 Nephi 31:8)

"And I, John, bear record, and lo, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove, and sat upon him, and there came a voice out of heaven saying: This is my beloved Son."

(Doctrine and Covenants 93:15)

"Fig. 7. Represents God sitting upon his throne, revealing through the heavens the grand Key-words of the Priesthood; as, also, the sign of the Holy Ghost unto Abraham, in the form of a dove."

(Abraham, Facsimile 2, figure 7)

Well, I got the answer to my question. This was not the first time the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove? Abraham was shown this too. Which brings me to my next question "Did it really take the form of a dove?"

"Whoever led the Son of God into the waters of baptism, and had the privilege of beholding the Holy Ghost descend in the form of a dove, or rather in the sign of the dove, in witness of that administration? The sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world, a witness for the Holy Ghost, and the devil cannot come in the sign of a dove. The Holy Ghost is a personage, and is in the form of a personage. It does not confine itself to the form of the dove, but in sign of the dove. The Holy Ghost cannot be transformed into a dove; but the sign of a dove was given to John to signify the truth of the deed, as the dove is an emblem or token of truth and innocence."

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p 275-276)

"What was the result of obedience to the ordinance of baptism in the case of the Savior? The Holy Ghost, in the form of a dove, it is said, rested upon him. This is not exactly the fact, though a natural dove descended and rested on the head of the Lord Jesus, in witness that God had accepted the offering of his Son. But the dove was not the Holy Ghost, but the sign that the Holy Ghost was given to him. And after that, Jesus went forth and was tempted, Matt. 4:1 as you read."

(Brigham Young, "The One-Man Power, etc.", JD 14:91)

My reasoning is then if it's called the sign of a dove, and takes the form of a dove, that's an emblem or token, then it may have really been a dove they saw come down, especially if it sat upon him. It was representing the Spirit. So I guess they didn't actually see the Spirit, but only something that represented it was there. I will look at those pictures that show an actual dove appearing a little differently now.

Day 3157

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 24:49, 53

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 24:49, 53

"And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen."

I hadn't noticed this before. Where did the apostles go til they received power from on high? It was the temple. They were continually there, praising and blessing God. It's interesting that this is also where we are told to be right now.

"Spending more time in the temple builds faith. And your service and worship in the temple will help you to think celestial. The temple is a place of revelation. There you are shown how to progress toward a celestial life. There you are drawn closer to the Savior and given greater access to His power. There you are guided in solving the problems in your life, even your most perplexing problems."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Think Celestial!", Oct 2023 General Conference)

Day 3156