Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 20:5-6, 19, 26

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 20:5-6, 19, 26

"And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?

But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace."

I pondered on this pattern of the chief priests and scribes that tried so hard to trap Jesus in his words. Yet, they feared the people and what they would do to them. The fear was inspired of the adversary, it was also what stopped them in their cause. They had no power over Jesus until Jesus' time had come. It made me think of a talk by President Kimball.

"We can also tell that we are making progress by the attention we get from the adversary. Do not falter nor be distressed when others misrepresent us, sometimes deliberately and sometimes in ignorance. This has been the lot of the Lord’s people from the beginning, and it will be no different in our time.

Brothers and sisters, pray for the critics of the Church; love your enemies. Keep the faith and stay on the straight and narrow path. Use wisdom and judgment in what you say and do, so that we do not give cause to others to hold the Church or its people in disrepute. Do not be surprised or dismayed if trials and challenges come upon us. This work, which Satan seeks in vain to tear down, is that which God has placed on earth to lift mankind up!"

(Spencer W. Kimball, "No Unhallowed Hand Can Stop the Work", April 1980 General Conference)

"The standard of truth has been erected. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done."

(Joseph Smith, "History of the Church", 4:540, 1842)

"For behold, the Lord hath said: I will not succor my people in the day of their transgression; but I will hedge up their ways that they prosper not; and their doings shall be as a stumbling block before them."

(Mosiah 7:29)

Day 3152