Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s."

Well, I have a lot of work to do in that department, to make my body glorify God. In fact it made me feel pretty sad. Then I reflected on how hard it is to lose weight, its not like I want to be fat. I've had this challenge all my life. Then I had a little thought that made me chuckle, that my weight just reflected the size of my spirit. Which lifted my spirit enough to look at this passage another way. I pictured myself in my white temple clothes. I may be heavy but I am worthy, and that is what matters the most. In this case what is more important to the Lord, the weight or the clothes? Yes, I can do better, but I have not disgraced or dishonored what would glorify my body, and for the spirit to reside there.

Day 3227

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 5:2, 5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 5:2, 5

"And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."

This chapter is about a man that committed fornication with his step-mother. Paul speaks of the need for him to be removed from the church. Instead of removing him the members were puffed up, being prideful, about the condition. I realized the importance of saying they needed to mourn. This is a sorry state for the man. Instead of encouraging him in his sin they needed to assist him in the repentance process. The deliver over to Satan and the destruction of the flesh is just what happens when there is a withdrawal of their membership and the gift of the Holy Ghost removed. The person doesn't need to stay in that state. They can repent and come back. This is a process where if they want they can be saved.

“In the scriptures, the Lord has given direction concerning Church disciplinary councils. (See D&C 102.) The word council brings to mind a helpful proceeding—one of love and concern, with the salvation and blessing of the transgressor being the foremost consideration.

“Members sometimes ask why Church disciplinary councils are held. The purpose is threefold: to save the soul of the transgressor, to protect the innocent, and to safeguard the Church’s purity, integrity, and good name. …

“… The miracle of the gospel is that we all can repent. Church government calls for Church disciplinary councils. But the Lord’s system also calls for restoration following repentance. Disfellowshipment or excommunication is not the end of the story, unless the member so chooses”

(President M. Russell Ballard, “A Chance to Start Over: Church Disciplinary Councils and the Restoration of Blessings,” Ensign, Sept. 1990, 15, 18).

Day 3226

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 4:5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 4:5

"Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God."

I've had occasion a couple times recently to want to relate a story I read years ago in some type of question and answer page for members. This one sister related how they heard a wonderful talk given by a young man in sacrament meeting. They felt the spirit so strong. Yet, while driving home from church they were surprised to see this same young man walking home smoking a cigarette. They were so confused as to how they could have felt the spirit as he spoke while he was obviously breaking the word of wisdom. Whomever answered explained that regardless of the messenger, the message they heard was spiritual truth and the spirit bore witness to them of it. What they needed to focus on was their own worthiness to receive the spirit. I wish I could find that article again, its probably 30 years old now.

My father years ago told me to not base my testimony on others, and that has withstood the test of time, and not shaken it by the actions of others. I can feel disappointed or sadden for them, but we will never know their full story, and it isn't ours to judge. I've had those that have left the church tell me they left because so and so did this or that, thinking that because of their calling they should have known or done better. Totally forgetting the fact we are all being tried and tested. Just because they are called a leader doesn't mean they are perfect. Even though we wish they were. I remember a wise stake president once telling me that bishops are called for two reasons. One, is they are great spiritual leaders, the other is because they have a lot to learn. My stake president then asked me to help my bishop learn. Doesn't matter what calling a person has or not, we are all here to learn. The purposes will reveal themselves in time. Nothing is hidden from the Lord.

Day 3225

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 3:18-19

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 3:18-19

"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness."

I thought about man deceiving himself. Yes, Satan can blind us, but it is we that deceive ourselves on the condition we are in. I looked at the footnote for "let him become a fool".

"And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.

But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them forever—yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints."

(2 Nephi 9:42-43)

The fool being spoke of is to consider we are nothing before God. All the power, praise, wealth, learning, etc. means nothing when we are compared against the God that created everything. We are no more than the dust of the earth.

"And now I ask, can ye say aught of yourselves? I answer you, Nay. Ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth; yet ye were created of the dust of the earth; but behold, it belongeth to him who created you."

(Mosiah 2:25)

The dust of the earth is obedient to God. We being made of all that is obedient, and yet we do not obey God we become nothing.

"O how great is the nothingness of the children of men; yea, even they are less than the dust of the earth.

For behold, the dust of the earth moveth hither and thither, to the dividing asunder, at the command of our great and everlasting God."

(Helaman 12:7-8)

Being in the depths of humility and to feel we are lower than the dust of the earth is a good place to start. It does not mean we are depressed, it means we are in reverence to the God that created us. This is where we become sanctified and made holy.

Day 3224

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 2:5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 2:5

"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

This made me ponder on the importance of prayer. How such a simple act of praying to have the spirit to be with me really does make all the difference. Before I read the scriptures I pray to have the spirit and to know what He would have me learn. Otherwise, my eye would never catch that one verse to ponder on and have the spirit guide me in understanding it better. Faith is not built by reading others stories of it. It's build by the spirit guiding and testifying to you that it's true. You cannot endure on an intellectual testimony of the gospel. The enduring in faith comes by spiritual wisdom earned over time.

Day 3223

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:2

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:2

"Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:"

Being called saints is truly what the Lord intended for his people. Christian is what the world calls the followers of Christ. This week I had a friend on Facebook post this quote of President Nelson.

"The word Christian appears in only three verses of the King James Version of the Bible. ...

In contrast, the term saint (or saints) appears in thirty-six verses of the Old Testament and in sixty-two verses of the New Testament. ...

Despite its use in ninety-eight verses of the Bible, the term saint is still not well understood. Some mistakenly think that it implies beatification or perfection. Not so! A saint is a believer in Christ and knows of His perfect love. The giving saint shares in a true spirit of that love, and the receiving saint accepts in a true spirit of gratitude. A saint serves others, knowing that the more one serves, the greater the opportunity for the Spirit to sanctify and purify."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Thus Shall My Church Be Called", April 1990 General Conference)

I posted a reply about the origin of the use of Christian vs Saints. I wanted to give a longer reply because I had researched itr, but left a simple statement instead. Seeing mention of it again I will share my longer response written earlier on when the name of Christ's followers as Christians was given. It is found in both the New Testament and Book of Mormon. It wasn't until I read these verses in the Book of Mormon that I realized something.

"For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church of God, called by those who did not belong to the church.

And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come."

(Alma 46:14-15)

"And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians."

(Alma 48:10)

The name Christian was given to the followers of Christ by their enemies. Curiously very similar to how Latter-day Saints were given the nickname "Mormons" as a derogatory, and disrespectful name by those not of the faith. It appears in both cases these nicknames were later adopted by Christ's followers, including used as a reference by apostles. In the case of the nickname "Mormon" the prophet, Russell M. Nelson, has emphasized that we need to stop using that name. We need to refer to the full name of the church and that we are latter-day saints. I realize now that to refer to myself as a Christian would be taking the name Christ's enemies gave to his followers. So interesting the name Christian is once again being used in very derogatory ways by society.

I then looked for the name "Saint" or "Christian in the Doctrine and Covenants. Christian is no where to be found. Christ refers to us multiple times as saints. It is used 100 times in the Doctrine and Covenants.

"For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

(Doctrine and Covenants 115:4)

Never, once does the Lord, Jesus Christ refer to his followers as Christians. We are His saints. If I take upon me the name of Christ then I should refer to myself as a the name he gave his followers, saint. Latter-day Saints is now used, not only because Christ gave us that name, but it shows which dispensation I am in. So as I am pondering this I realize it's totally ok for other Christians to not refer to me as a Christian. Because that is not the name Christ wanted to be used by his followers. I am a latter-day saint, a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of His Restored Church. There is a lot of power in that name.

Day 3222

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 16:17-18

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 16:17-18

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."

I like the advise to avoid those that cause division and offences. I can't tell you how many YouTube channels I have purged from my list over the years. They started out good and then just go off on some tangent and lose their way. If you stick with the scriptures, church resources, and the words of the prophet and apostles, in particular the living prophet, you can't go amiss. In Paul's day he knew there would be an apostasy. In our day we know the restored church will stand when Christ comes again. The church as a whole will not apostatize, but some members will. I work hard to not be among the apostate ranks. There is safety if you know where to look for it.

"In many other places Paul also warned us against the deceivers who would come even before his departing (Rom. 16:17-18) And they have continued to come, and they are among us today. 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."

(Spencer W. Kimball, "Be Valiant", Apr 1951 General Conference, pg. 104)

Day 3221

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 15:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 15:4

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

I reflected on the peace and comfort that fills my heart as I read the scriptures. If I was to write a prescription for anyone that is troubled it would be to read the scriptures. Sit in a quiet place and say a little prayer, that the spirit would be with you and teach you. Then just read the scriptures. You don't have to grasp everything you read. Just follow the spirit and reflect on what stood out to you. When this process is repeated daily it will develop into the highlight of your day.

Day 3220

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 14:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 14:1

"Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations."

All I can think of when I read this is "keep your mouth shut". If what you want to contribute is not edifying, helpful, or matters in the scheme of the eternities, then keep your mouth shut. If someone is trying to live the gospel but doing somethings wrong, does it really need to be you to correct them? If what you are doing causes another to contend or take offense, then leave it alone. Instead of picking your battles is it better to simply lay down your weapons of war? As President Nelson has said "be a peacemaker".

Several years ago I had to temper myself on Facebook and other social media channels. Inspired by the thirteenth Article of Faith, I took this as my mission statement.

"If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, I seek after these things."

Day 3219

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 13:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 13:11

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed."

I cannot help but at first think of the second coming of the Savior, and the need to awake and prepare for it. Next, I recalled an interesting thought that keeps running through my mind. It was a moment in the October 2022 closing session of General Conference. Instead of a talk it was a prayer I heard, given by Brother Brad Wilcox. He prayed that the Lord would come quickly. I've been pondering on that, because I haven't felt a need to pray for that night and day, yet I have a feeling that time is coming soon. Yet, I wasn't sure I had the need and purpose of such a prayer correct. Reading this verse made me go find the recording of that prayer and listen to it again.

"Dear Father in Heaven. It is good for us to be here. Thank Thee for this opportunity we've had to worship during this conference. We're grateful for the women and men who lead out in this great work. We're grateful for our prophets and their wives, and their families and we're grateful for the sacrifices that they make in our behalf. We are mindful of missionaries all over the world. Please bless our service missionaries, our teaching missionaries, our senior missionaries, our mission leaders, and all those who are moving this work forward. We're grateful for them. We pray for our youth and young adults, how we love them. Please bless them to be strong to resist temptation, to do as our prophet has asked them to do today, to overcome the world, and prepare the world for the Second Coming of Thy Son, may He come quickly we pray...

(Bradley R. Wilcox, Sunday Afternoon Session Opening Prayer, October 2022 General Conference.)

What I came to feel while listening to that prayer again wasn't so much a come save us, it was come because we love thee. As the world goes darker the desire to not be separated from the Lord grows stronger. I need thee every hour. Now, that is what I can pray for.

Day 3218

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 12:19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 12:19-20

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head."

I wondered what "give place unto wrath" and "heap coals of fire on his head" meant. God will avenge or teach a lesson to those that are our enemies. I imagine you just have to give God space to do what he feels is best, and place it in His hands. Allow God to do what He will and stay out of the way.

Yet, we are called to care for our enemies. Wanting to heaping coals of fire on his head doesn't sound very peaceful, rather revengeful. I sat for the longest time pondering on what that meant. How would my head feel to have heaps of hot coals on top of it. Very hot, very uncomfortable. Then I thought of shame and embarrassment. How red I would turn and feel like my whole face was on fire. The shame and embarrassment that comes by someone being kind when you were terrible to them would be a great teaching moment. Then I realized this is a great thing to give them. Let them be ashamed of their actions and be embarrassed. That awakens them to guilt and the opportunity to repent and mend their ways. That can turn an enemy into an understanding friend.

Day 3217

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 11:34

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 11:34

"For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?"

This is something I saw happen this week. It always amazes me how people think they can counsel the church leaders. That somehow they know better. Who do you think guides and direct this church? One good thing out of it I heard a lovely video addressing this situation where they reminded members to be peacemakers and not cause contention. I would have shared the video, but I don't care to even drag the poor person's name up that was being attacked. What I will share is President Nelson's video on his general conference talk "Peacemakers Needed".

Day 3216

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 10:9-10, 13

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 10:9-10, 13

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

I pondered on how that confession and call is not a one time event. Just like prayer isn't just once in our life time. Prayer and repentance of our sins is daily. If it's only once then there is danger of the heart going astray. We are still required to live in obedience to God's laws and commandments.

Day 3215