Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 25:7

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 25:7
"So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight."

This reminded me of something I read the other day on the creation of the musical scale. It wasn't until the 11th century when Guido of Arezzo, an Italian monk, developed the solfège system (ut-re-mi-fa-sol-la). It was using the syllables from a Latin hymn, which made it easier to learn and teach music. (Now we use Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti) He also introduced the four-line staff, which made pitches clearer and more standardized. Before that it took a lifetime to learn to play and sing hymns. In David's time they truly needed to be cunning and instructed to play the songs of the Lord. What a difference it is to open up a hymnbook and learn a new hymn now.

Day 3865

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 22:5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 22:5
And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death."

David wanted to build the house of the Lord but was told he could not. The Lord said it was because he had shed blood abundantly. It would be his son call Solomon that would be given peace and quietness to build the temple. I reflected on how even though David was denied this privilege he prepared and made everything ready for his son. I pondered on how those that have gone before us have prepared things for us that they would never see. It took 40 years to build the Salt Lake Temple. Brigham Young and John Taylor were two prophets that never saw its completion. President Nelson undertook the renovation of the Salt Lake Temple and he has already passed before its completion. Anyway that we can be part of the work matters to the Lord.

Day 3864

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 21:11-13

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 21:11-13
" So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Choose thee
Either three years’ famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.
And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the LORD; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man."

David sinned by counting Israel. I'm not really sure why that was a sin, other than the Lord told them not to. I ponder on which punishment I would have agreed to, 3 years of famine, 3 months of enemies overtaking me, or 3 days of the sword of the Lord in pestilence. David chose the 3 days of pestilence, because it would be at the hand of a merciful Lord and not of man. I wondered how famine would have been considered at the hand of man. Then I thought of how the wealthy or strong could take what remaining food there is and let others suffer for lack of it. With pestilence all were in the hands of the Lord. I think another consideration would be the length of the suffering. The pestilence would only last 3 days and be over.

Day 3863

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 16:11

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 16:11
"Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually."

I pondered on how you could not go wrong if in all that you do, you sought the Lord. That you were humble and knew he was the source of your strength. You looked to the Lord, and seek after righteousness. It's when we forget the Lord that we stumble and fall.

Day 3862

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 13:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 13:3-4
"And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we inquired not at it in the days of Saul.
And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people."

What really stood out to me was the moving of the ark was done as seemed right in the eyes of all the people. It doesn't say it done right in the eyes of the Lord.

"Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.
And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it.
For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order."
(1 Chronicles 15:2, 12-13)

So the movement of the ark the first time was not done correctly. When the oxen stumbled and Uzza reached out to steady the ark the Lord smote him. I wonder if Uzza was not a Levite? This is what it says in the Bible Dictionary.

"Uzzah: Strength. Slain for touching the Ark (2 Sam. 6:6); called Uzza (1 Chr. 13:9). The penalty may appear to us severe, but it must be remembered that the Ark was a sacred repository, and the people had been clearly warned that only designated persons could touch the Ark, and warned also of the consequences of disobedience."

This reminds me of a recent conversation I had with a distraught friend, that just needed an ear. One of their children's marriage was falling apart which appeared to be due to one spouse committing adultery. They said they were going to encourage them to go to the temple together as a couple to help them work things out. That thought rather shocked me. To that point I had just been letting them vent. I wasn't looking to give them any advise or opinions but when I heard that I said "Don't do that, especially if one of them is committing adultery. That is the House of the Lord and they need to work with their bishop before they go there. Adultery is far to serious an issue. They do not want to go to the temple and put greater commendations on their heads." After that conversation I wondered how anyone could think going to the temple when you are unworthy to be there would bring blessings?

Day 3861

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 12:22-23

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 12:22-23
"For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God.
And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD."

I thought about how David had opportunity to kill Saul, but he would not. He would not kill God's anointed, no matter how much Saul had sought David's life. I pondered on how it was a blessing that David was able to surround himself with valiant men that would defend him. They knew that David was the next king and would follow him. When it mentions this great army like the host of God I thought of the missionaries. How their numbers are increasing day by day. How they are preparing for the Lord's second coming. When Jesus Christ will rule as King of Kings.

Day 3860

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 9:1

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 9:1
"So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression."

These genealogies were so important. When the Jews were carried away into Babylon some of these genealogies were lost. Without their genealogies they were denied the priesthood when they returned from Babylon.

"These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim."
(Ezra 2:62-63)

"These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim."
(Nehemiah 7:64-65)

It was only through the Urim and Thummim that priesthood lines that were lost could be restored. Did they still have the ephod with the Urim and Thummin? I pondered on how today it is through a patriarch that we are told what tribe of Israel we are from. The gathering of our genealogies will play an important role in our lives also.

"And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers—that they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect."
(Doctrine and Covenants 128:15)

"God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect."
(Hebrew 11:40)

"And again, in connection with this quotation I will give you a quotation from one of the prophets, who had his eye fixed on the restoration of the priesthood, the glories to be revealed in the last days, and in an especial manner this most glorious of all subjects belonging to the everlasting gospel, namely, the baptism for the dead; for Malachi says, last chapter, verses 5th and 6th: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
I might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times."
(Doctrine and Covenants 128:17-18)

Day 3859

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 6:10

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 6:10
"And Johanan begat Azariah, (he it is that executed the priest’s office in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem:)"

Azariah the priest was of the tribe of Levi. I wondered how many generations there were from Israel to the time of Solomon. Looks like there were 19 generations.
Azariah, Johanan, Azariah, Ahimaaz, Zadok, Ahitub, Amariah, Meraioth, Zerahiah, Uzzi, Bukki, Abishua, Phinehas, Eleazar, Aaron brother of Moses, sons of Amram, Kohath, Levi, son of Jacob (Israel).

There was only 13 generations from Solomon to Jacob (Israel)
Solomon, David, Jesse, Obed, Boaz, Salmon, Nahshon, Amminadab, Ram, Hetzron, Peretz, Judah, Jacob (Israel)

It made me chuckle to see 6 generation gap between these genealogies. Isn't that so like doing genealogy. There can be lots of variables in the ages of when children were born. There can also be recording errors if those generations were written down from an oral tradition. I was interested in the difference and read a few things on the genealogies in the bible. Some suggested genealogies had been lengthened. With the opinion that only the line of David would be accurate.

Day 3858

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 2:11-15

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 2:11-15
"And Nahshon begat Salma, and Salma begat Boaz,
And Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse,
And Jesse begat his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimma the third,
Nethaneel the fourth, Raddai the fifth,
Ozem the sixth, David the seventh:"

These three chapters were the genealogies from Adam to David's descendants. There were many names I did not recognize. It was fun when I spotted names I could recall reading about. I am getting better at it this time through the Old Testament. This little section is covered in the book of Ruth.

Day 3857

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 22:13

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 22:13
"Go ye, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.Go ye, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us."

I was so happy to read that Josiah "did that which was right in the sight of the Lord" when he was king. He was only 8 years old when he became king of Judah, and reigned for 31 years. He turned not to the right or the left, he was true and stayed on a straight course. During that time frame he repaired the house of the Lord. That is when the book of the law was found in the temple. At first they didn't know if it was true or not. That means they had no written scriptures to go by. King Josiah had them inquire of the Lord. They went to Huldah the prophetess and were told the Lord would bring evil upon this place and the inhabitants because they have forsaken him. But, to the king of Judah because he had humbled himself he would be gathered to the grave in peace. His eyes would not see the evil that will come upon Judah.

As I read to the end of the book of Kings I saw how Josiah's son was wicked and those after him. It was so sad. I had so much hope with they found the book of the laws. They had the first Passover since before the reign of the kings and most of the judges. There was so much promise. Then I remembered the prophesy given to Josiah, he was basically their last righteous king before destruction would come. I pondered on the importance of scriptures. How having the law lost for generations found a people that were lost. No wonder they were so quick to fall into pagan worship. I also pondered on how the very law was needed and had to be read to the people. They were then accountable for breaking the law with full knowledge. That was their warning.

Day 3856

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 21:1-3

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 21:1-3
"Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hephzi-bah.
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them."

I found these verse incredibly sad to the point I wept. I had just finish reading the previous two chapters with king Hezekiah. He was a good man and how could he have a son just turn it all away. Hezekiah got rid of the high places and groves and once he was dead his son brings them all back. I know what Isaiah had prophesied to king Hezekiah about his posterity, but it just happened so quickly. It's just so sad.

Day 3855

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 16:15

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 16:15
"And Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus: so Urijah the priest made it against king Ahaz came from Damascus.
And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered thereon.
And he burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, upon the altar.'

If you didn't read the chapter header you may think Ahaz is doing something good, he's making sacrifices.

"Ahaz reigns in wickedness in Judah—He offers his son in heathen sacrifice—He makes a new altar, destroys the brazen sea, and changes the method for sacrificing in the temple."

Ahaz saw an altar in Damascus that he sent to Urijah the priest to make for him. This type of altar was used to worship false gods. With it Ahaz and Urijah set aside the altar of God. They replaced it, and not by the will of God. I can see that being offensive to Him. They are basically turning the God of Israel aside and rejecting Him. Ahaz then makes sacrifice on this replacement altar. After that more changes are made. They alter and destroy the brazen sea, and change the sacrifices. At that point they turned God aside and are worshiping in their own image. The sins and offenses of Israel becomes so great that it leads to no heavenly protection. They are besieged and carried away into Assyria. Only Judah was left. As I reflected on this it made me ponder apostasy. It can be slippery at first. Thinking this improvement or that change needs to be made. Until you've designed yourself a different God. We are not at liberty to alter the ordinances of God. A king had no authority to change the ordinances. Urijah was appeasing a king instead of doing God's work. At that point you've lost your way.

Day 3854

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 15:3-4, 28

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 15:3-4, 28
"And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done;
Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin."

In this history of the kings it's a constant back and forth, they either did right in the sight of the Lord, or did evil by not departing from the sins of Jeroboam. His sins were idolatry, worshipping a golden calve, changing God's ordained worship practices. His other sins included building high places for worship, appointing priests from outside the tribe of Levi, and altering the timing of religious festivals to align with his own political will. At this point I've lost count of how many generations and kings since Jerobaom I am at. This one wicked king is the standard all others are based after him. One thing I wondered is why when the king that does right in the sight of the Lord, doesn't take the opportunity to remove the high places so they can no longer practice idolatry? Then I thought about how just removing items of worship from among them doesn't remove them from their hearts. I wonder if when it says the high places were not removed it means the king could not change the heart of the people?

Day 3853

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 10:28-29

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 10:28-29
Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.
Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Beth-el, and that were in Dan."

Why did Jehu by subtilty kill the priests and worshipers of Baal, but himself turn around and worship a golden calf? As I looked over how he killed Ahab's descendants, saying he was motivated by his desirer to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah, I don't think he did it with the right heart. Jehu may have used doing the Lord's will to his advantage to secure his kingdom.

Day 3852

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 7:6-7

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 7:6-7
"For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.
Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life."

This made me think of fake news. Even though this was a fulfillment of prophesy by Elisha. He had told the king that tomorrow fine flour or two measures of barley would sell for a shekel in the gate of Samaria. The king did not believe him, in fact he said if the heavens could open this could not happen. Then the Lord caused the Syrians that surrounded them to hear the noise of an army coming upon them in the night. They fled for their lives, leaving all their belongings behind them. Hearing those sounds were in a way fake news. There was no army upon them but they believed it. It made me think there could be a purpose for fake news. Even if its for the wicked to believe their own lies, or flee. The Lord will fight out battles. The care is to not believe the lies, but believe the prophet.

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD."
(Isaiah 54:17)

Day 3851

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 6:15-17

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 6:15-17
"And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."

These three chapters had so many glorious stories of Elisha. I thought how I would have loved to experience my eyes being opened and seeing all those horses and chariots of fire surrounding them. Then as I reflected on it I thought of my near death experience, and how long it took to recover from what I saw. Even praying was such an overpowering experience because of how close God was. I began to appreciate the veil, and living by faith. I think I would prefer not to see such things during my life time but to review them in the next life.

Day 3850

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 2:14-15

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 2:14-15
"And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him."

The mantle of a prophet. When Elijah was taken up, Elisha received that mantle. It made me think about how yesterday the mantle of the prophet again fell upon a new prophet. President Eyring spoke of it when he said he saw the power of God come upon President Dallin H. Oaks. Then President Holland spoke on how it was a very, very moving experience to see that mantle come fully and completely on President Oaks. I have thought all day about their words, and how my heart wants so much to listen to the words of President Oaks. It's not that I've forgotten President Nelson already. It's just time to listen to the living prophet now.

President Henry B. Eyring:
I am equally surprised, as was President Christofferson, at the wonderful opportunity to serve in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love Him, and I've always felt that He was urging me to be better and that I was never quite doing it. And so the feeling of being asked, I believe under inspiration, to come and serve again in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I cannot express the gratitude that I feel for the trust, the trust from the Lord and the trust that President Oaks has shown to me. I love him and know him and can testify that I know that he is the head of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by inspiration. I have seen the power of God come upon him, and it's been a reassuring thing to me to know that, just as in the days of old when Peter and others would lead the Church, that the people would be able to recognize that that was the Lord's servant to lead His Church. I've had that blessing and that assurance come to me, and I'm so grateful for that, and grateful for the trust and for the people whose faith I know will sustain us in this great work of the Restoration and the final preparation of the Lord's Church for His coming. I bear you my testimony that preparation is occurring and that President Oaks is the perfect one to do the things that I know the Lord will want done. I am grateful to be at his side. I testify Jesus is the Christ, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

President Jeffrey R. Holland:
I am thrilled to speak for the Quorum of the Twelve, for the Seven Presidents of the Seventy, the Presiding Bishopric, organizational heads, all of whom support and sustain unequivocally President Dallin Oaks as the president, prophet, seer, and revelator leading this Church for its next moment in time. We love him, we have known him, we've watched him be prepared, and have had the confirmation that that is the Lord's will this day. That has been a unanimous and a very, very moving experience to see that mantle come fully and completely on President Oaks. We stand ready to serve him out to the newest convert and the most recently called missionary. I know, beyond anything else I know, that this is God's Church. This is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Father and the Son and the gifts of the Holy Ghost will come upon President Oaks in full measure, and I know that that line of gift and promise is true and that has been reaffirmed as well today. I love the work that we're in, bear testimony of it, and say that in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
(Special Announcement: The New First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, YouTube 14 Oct 2025)

Day 3849

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 19:13-18

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 19:13-18
"And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him."

This chapter made me cry for Elijah. He sounds very depressed. Twice he mentioned he is the only prophet left and they seek his life. Before this he had requested to die, that the Lord take away his life. Instead Elijah was strengthened twice by an angel with a baked cake and water. The strength lasted him forty days and nights. Now he is back at a cave as others seek his life. Elijah is done. What I love is how the Lord helps him is by calling him with tasks to perform. He is shown how all is not lost. There will be new kings, prophets and seven thousand that are not bowing the knee to Baal. The Lord needs Elijah and there is work to do. Elijah goes and does as the Lord asks.

Whenever I think of Elijah I think of the keys sealing power that he held. The work being performed in the House of the Lord for my kindred death. As the world grows darker the light we receive in the temples, as we are about our Father's business, is very healing to a tired soul.

Day 3848

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 17:9

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 17:9
"Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee."

This is the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. There was drought and famine in the land. Elijah had hid by the brook Cherith and the ravens had feed him. When the brook dried up this verse is the word of the Lord that came to him. What I noticed is the Lord said He commanded the widow woman to sustain Elijah. Yet, when Elijah speaks to the widow to bring him a little water and a morsel of bread she says she was gathering stick to feed her and her son and then they would die. That does not sound like a women that had been waiting for a prophet of the Lord to come and she would feed him. It's very different than the story of Alma and Amulek. Amulek had been prepared to feed a prophet when he met him.

"And as he entered the city he was an hungered, and he said to a man: Will ye give to an humble servant of God something to eat?
And the man said unto him: I am a Nephite, and I know that thou art a holy prophet of God, for thou art the man whom an angel said in a vision: Thou shalt receive. Therefore, go with me into my house and I will impart unto thee of my food; and I know that thou wilt be a blessing unto me and my house.
And it came to pass that the man received him into his house; and the man was called Amulek; and he brought forth bread and meat and set before Alma."
(Alma 8:19-21)

Why is the widow of Zarephath so different? As I was pondering on this I wondered if the word "command" could have a different meaning? I found it could also mean ordained, chosen or appointed. Any of those words would make sense. The Lord hadn't told the widow of His will to feed Elijah, but being a faithful women she came to know His will when the request was made. She had been chose of the Lord and prepared to act in faith.

Day 3847

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 13:18-22

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 13:18-22
"He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.
So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water.
And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back:
And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee,
But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the LORD did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers."

This is rather confusing. Was the prophet that brought the other prophet back really a prophet? Why would he lie to him? Then why would the prophet that lied receive word from the Lord and cry to the other prophet that he had disobeyed the Lord?

"Do Prophets Ever Lie or Disobey the Lord?
True prophets obey the word of God; false prophets do not. In this story are two prophets, one pictured as lying and the other pictured as disobeying God’s instructions. Ellis T. Rasmussen wrote: “There are some problems in this story of the man of God who came from Judah to warn the king of northern Israel and lost his life in the mission. Some help is available in the [Joseph Smith Translation] of verse 18, which indicates that the old prophet said, ‘Bring him back … that I may prove him; and he lied not unto him.’ Also there is a change in verse 26, in which the last part reads: ‘… therefore the Lord hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake unto me.’ These make the account more understandable and more acceptable. The young prophet should have obeyed God.” (An Introduction to the Old Testament and Its Teachings, 2:4; emphasis added.)
(Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi, "1 Kings 12-16: A Kingdom Divided against itself"

"He said unto him, I am a prophet also, even as thou. And an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water, that I may prove him; and he lied not unto him."
(JST 1Kings 13:18)

Day 3846

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 11:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 11:4-5
"For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites."

Solomon was wise, but not wise in what he studied. I think Solomon's downfall is a great story to learn from. He allowed his love of his wives to take him down a path of destruction. I'm sure in an attempt to understand them, and the people around him, he studied their gods. Then in that study he build high places for them to worship their God, until he began to worship them too. It was a slow process that left him when old on the wrong side of the Lord. In all his wisdom he was foolish. The Lord had strict rules on who the children of Israel could marry and he broke that with his wives and concubines from other nations. Then he allowed his heart to follow after their gods until he was lost to the God of Israel. I keep this lesson with me as I discern what I will read and watch.

Day 3845

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 8:46-48

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 8:46-48
"If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;
Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;
And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:"

Solomon is dedicating the house of the Lord. In the dedicatory prayer is both a warning and blessing. That if Israel sins against the Lord they will be carried away captive. Which happened about 417 years later when they were carried away into Babylon. I love to read over temple dedication prayers. It is always interesting to see what protection and promises are given to particular temples. One thing I learned from my temple's dedicatory prayer is I have to be mindful of winds and storms in my area. I felt great peace when we removed very large and dangerous trees from around my home.

"May its beauty never be marred by evil hands. May it stand strong against the winds and storms that will beat upon it. May it be a beacon of peace and a refuge to the troubled. May it be an holy sanctuary to those whose burdens are heavy and who seek Thy consoling comfort."
(Dedicatory Prayer, Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple, October 13, 1996)

My temple has been a place of peace and refuge. I have had my burdens lifted and found words of comfort as I have served in the house of the Lord. Various older temples and some younger than mine have been renovated and rededicated. I have wondered if the dedicatory prayers have changed. If mine is redone I hope it will still say "We thank Thee for this favored season in the history of Thy work."

Day 3844

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 6:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 6:12-13
"Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:
And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel."

I pondered how that same promise is made with ever House of the Lord.

"And in a manner that we may be found worthy, in thy sight, to secure a fulfilment of the promises which thou hast made unto us, thy people, in the revelations given unto us;
That thy glory may rest down upon thy people, and upon this thy house, which we now dedicate to thee, that it may be sanctified and consecrated to be holy, and that thy holy presence may be continually in this house;
And that all people who shall enter upon the threshold of the Lord’s house may feel thy power, and feel constrained to acknowledge that thou hast sanctified it, and that it is thy house, a place of thy holiness."
(Doctrine and Covenants 109:11-13

"The temple is literally the house of the Lord. I promise you as you come worthily and prayerfully to His holy house, you will be armed with His power, His name will be upon you, His angels will have charge over you, and you will grow up in the blessing of the Holy Ghost.
The Lord promised, “Every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am.” There are many different ways to see the face of Christ, and there is no better place than in His holy house.
In this day of confusion and commotion, I testify that the temple is His holy house and will help preserve us, protect us, and prepare us for the glorious day when, with all His holy angels, our Savior returns in majesty, power, and great glory. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
(Elder Neil L. Andersen, "Temples, Houses of the Lord Dotting the Earth", Apr 2024 General Conference)

Day 3843

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 2:17

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 2:17
"And he said, Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king, (for he will not say thee nay,) that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife."

David made Solomon king while his elder son Adonijah tried to claim it for himself. Adonijah then fears Solomon and they seem to have some sort of agreement. At first I couldn't under why Adonijah asking to take Abishag for wife was worthy of death. I had to go back and remind myself who Abishag was. She was the young virgin given to warm David in his old age. She cared for him, but he knew her not. She still would have been considered the former king's wife or concubine. Which could only be taken by a king's successor. Which was basically Adonijah plotting treason to ask to marry Abishag.

Day 3842

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 24:15-16

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 24:15-16
"So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beer-sheba seventy thousand men.
And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite."

The Lord does not need to repent, and whenever I see that phrase in the bible I know there is a Joseph Smith translation of it. I was not disappointed. It was the people that repented.

"And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD said unto him, Stay now thine hand; it is enough;, for the people repented. And the LORD stayed the hand of the angel, that he destroyed not the people. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingfloor of Araunah, the Jebusite."
(JST 2 Samuel 24:16)

Day 3841

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 21:1, 3

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 21:1, 3
"Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.
Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?

As I read this I wondered if the sins of Saul would really fall on David and his people? Why was the famine not in Saul's time. Why would David have to atone for something Saul did? As I pondered this I read this in the Old Testament Student Manual.

"Did God Require the Sacrifice of Saul’s Sons to Alleviate the Famine in the Land?
“This terrible episode must have been done in [the] days of David’s spiritual deterioration. The law would have not permitted sons to be put to death for the guilt of a father or a forefather. It cannot have been a revelation from the Lord that either required or approved this deed done ‘to avenge the Gibeonites’—some of whom Saul had slain in spite of the ancient promise of Joshua that they might live in Israel.
“It is a pathetic picture to envision the innocent mother of innocent sons guarding their bodies from the birds and beasts; and it is repulsive to read that after all this was done ‘God was entreated for the land.’ This is apostate theology, comparable to that of the Canaanite-Baal religions.
“The text is somewhat corrupted too, and the name Michal must be a mistake for Merab, for it was Merab who married Adriel. If it is indeed Michal, David’s wife and Saul’s daughter, who is meant, this is a very bitter ending to their relationships as man and wife.” (Rasmussen, Introduction to the Old Testament, 2:40.)
(Old Testament Student Manual, "2 Samuel 13-24: The Price of Sin: Tragedy in the House of David")

"The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin."
(Deuteronomy 24:16)

"So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it."
(Numbers 35:33)

Day 3840

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 18:32-33

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 18:32-33
"And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.
And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!"

David loved his son Absalom, even after he rebelled, sought his kingdom and his life. He asked his men to deal gently with Absalom for his sake. He didn't want to be cause of Absalom's death. Absalom rode under a great oak and his hair was caught up. The mule went out from under him and he hung there. In that vulnerable position he was killed. When I look on David's grief over his son it reminded me of forgiveness. David had a heart that could forgive. If there was no forgiveness he wouldn't have been able to mourn.

Day 3839

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 13:22-23

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 13:22-23
"And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons."

The story of Absalom, Amnon, Tamar and David is such a sad one. I wondered how did this lead Absalom to go after his father to take over the kingdom? I came back to these verses. It was hatred that festered unchecked for two years. Even it was understandable at first, this dislike of his brother after what was done to his sister, it was carried to far. After two years he plotted to have his brother killed. I pondered on how anger and hatred are never good. It will absolutely lead to a loss of the spirit and doing even worse things. It would have been far better for Absalom to speak to David about justice for his sister to settle the matter. Then to exercise forgiveness so it didn't poison his soul. Instead this part leads to destruction.

Day 3838

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 11:1

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 11:1
"And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem."

This was the beginning of David's downfall. It was the time when kings go to battle, and David didn't go. Instead he sent someone else and remained at home. David was unable to rest, he could not sleep, and walked upon his roof. That is when he watched Bathsheba washing herself. If David had gone to battle, and been where he was suppose to be, he would have been to busy to get into trouble.

Day 3837

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 7:16

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 7:16
"And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever."

In the end David sins and loses his exaltation. But, these promises of the Lord remained. David's throne would be established forever, through a descendant Jesus Christ.

"This verse is an example of a dualistic prophecy, that is, a prophecy with a double meaning. It promised that David’s lineage would continue on the throne, and unlike Saul’s lineage, would not be overthrown after his death. But it is clearly a Messianic prophecy as well. Jesus, the Messiah, was called David, He would hold the key of David, and He would sit upon the throne of David. Clearly, only one person can sit upon the throne of David (that is, rule over the house of Israel) forever and ever, and that one is Christ. He came into mortality as a descendant of David and as an heir to his throne both physically and spiritually. Elder James E. Talmage explained the significance of the genealogies of Jesus given by Matthew and Luke as establishing Jesus’ right to the throne.
“At the time of the Savior’s birth, Israel was ruled by alien monarchs. The rights of the royal Davidic family were unrecognized; and the ruler of the Jews was an appointee of Rome. Had Judah been a free and independent nation, ruled by her rightful sovereign, Joseph the carpenter would have been her crowned king; and his lawful successor to the throne would have been Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” (Jesus the Christ, p. 87.)"
(Old Testament Student Manual, "2 Samuel 1-12: The Fall of King David")

Day 3836

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 6:3, 6-7

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 6:3, 6-7
" And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God."

Its hard to understand at first why steading the ark so it wouldn't fall was worthy of death. Then I thought of Adam and Eve being told to not eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Who would think eating something was worthy of being banished from the garden, and have to one day face mortal death. There are strict commands that God has given man, and with them consequences. Adam and Eve were warned about what would happen if they ate the fruit. This made me go back to find when God warned about touching the ark.

"And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation."
(Numbers 4:15)

God doesn't lie. He commandments are clear. There are times we need to just stand aside and let God do His work and not get in the way. The Lord or His angels could have come to steady the ark.

Day 3835