Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 10:19, 28

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 10:19, 28

"And it came to pass that Lib also did that which was good in the sight of the Lord. And in the days of Lib the poisonous serpents were destroyed. Wherefore they did go into the land southward, to hunt food for the people of the land, for the land was covered with animals of the forest. And Lib also himself became a great hunter.

And never could be a people more blessed than were they, and more prospered by the hand of the Lord. And they were in a land that was choice above all lands, for the Lord had spoken it."

In this chapter there is 14 more generation of Ether's ancestors and their history. It's brief for each generation, but the point is made that when their king was righteous the people prospered. When the king was wicked the people suffered. Its part of the covenant of this land, this land I live in the United States of America. This nation and people will be blessed if we are righteous. And more importantly if our leaders are righteous. How I grieved yesterday for our nation when it decided it did not want a righteous man for president. Today I know all will work out, for the Lord is in control, and I have found comfort and peace. Miracles can still happen, regardless the righteous will be preserved. His judgments will not come upon us if we do not settle for evil, even though others totally accept it.

Day 403 Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 9:1-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 9:1-3

"And now I, Moroni, proceed with my record. Therefore, behold, it came to pass that because of the secret combinations of Akish and his friends, behold, they did overthrow the kingdom of Omer.

Neverthless, the Lord was merciful unto Omer, and also to his sons and to his daughters who did not seek his destruction.

And the Lord warned Omer in a dream that he should depart out of the land; wherefore Omer departed out of the land with his family, and traveled many days, and came over and passed by the hill Shim, and came over by the place where the Nephites were destroyed, and from thence eastward, and came to a place which was called Ablom, by the seashore, and there he pitched his tent, and also his sons and his daughters, and all his household, save it were Jared and his family."

What struck me is how the Lord took the righteous out of the area where Jared and Akish and their secret combinations could have no effect on them. Omer lost his kingdom and all he had, but he had his life and family. Later after Jared, Akish and his sons are destroyed from within, the kingdom is restored to Omer. I pondered on how there will always be trials and hardships in life. The key is to be on the Lord's side. He can and will preserve us through those trials. It may be hard for the moment as he moves us to safety. Then if we are faithful his blessings come. I know that is true because my trials have turned out in the end to be my greatest blessings. It's important to trust the Lord, and that he has a plan. It does all work out for my good in the end. I have been so incredible blessed.

Day 402 Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 8:22-23

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 8:22-23

"And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of the saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not.

Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain - and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be."

I truly feel we have secret combination not only in our land but throughout the world. What struck me was the part "and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you". I had to ponder on what that meant for me. I hope with all my heart I have not accepted any secret combinations. I would prefer to be one of the saints that are murdered by them then to be part of that Satanic society. Yet I think this is telling me if I don't do everything in my power to not let them get above me, for them to excel in their support among the people, then I will be judged for it. I cannot be a silent bystander. I think we are facing the most critical period and election of our times. I cannot let secret combinations get above us. I must support God fearing men that will lead in righteousness. I pray for a miracle that such a man will be left standing for our national election. I cannot even think what I will do if I am left choosing the lesser of two evils. To plan that now is to lose faith and hope that miracles can happen.

Day 401 Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 7:23-24

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 7:23-24

"And also in the reign of Shule there came prophets among the people, who were sent from the Lord, prophesying that the wickedness and idolatry of the people was bringing a curse upon the land, and they should be destroyed if they did not repent.

And it came to pass that the people did revile against the prophets, and did mock them. And it came to pass that king Shule did execute judgment against all those who did revile against the prophets."

The chapter gives a history of their kings, how they divided and were brought into captivity, until we get to the generation of king Shule. King Shule establish a law that the prophets could go wherever they wanted. This freedom brought the people to repentance. The people repented of their iniquities and idolatries. The Lord spared them and they prospered in the land. 

What I pondered on was the role of our leaders. If king Shule had not been a righteous king there is a concern that wickedness would have reigned and the judgment of God would have come upon the people. Now people do not vote for a king, so it was even more important that the king was righteous. The only way to remove an unrighteous king is to kill him, or somehow take away his kingdom. I am grateful for the right to vote for my leader, because it allows a peaceful way to remove them from office.

It is even more important that we chose leaders that will uphold the laws of God, and the land. I just had to ponder on the direction our nation has turned as our leaders have not obeyed the laws of God. Wickedness multiples when leaders call evil good, and good evil. The hearts of the people follow their leaders, and the leaders turn the hearts of the people from God if they are not righteous. There is a covenant between God and his people and no one should stand in the way of it. Nations suffer otherwise. I have a fear for our nation in the direction it is headed, and the people as a whole in who they are wanting as our leaders. On this fast Sunday I pray that the hearts of people will be softened and they will seek a righteous leader. One that knows and honors God. The only compass that can be our guide. The only way our nation will be preserved and prosper.

Day 400 Tami Fitzgerald Harris