Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 4:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 4:1-2
"But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem."

I have done much thinking on wars and rumors of wars, of financial hardship, and possible shortages coming. The days look rather dark on the surface. But, one thing I know is that the Lord's hallmark temple in the tops of mountains rests in Salt Lake City Utah. After a seven year renovation it will be rededicated in 2027. Before that dedication there is planned an amazing six month open house that will run from April to October of that year. The church is expecting people to flow into it from many nations, to come and see. It is for that reason alone I am waiting and watching for what the Lord has in store for us. There cannot be a world-wide depression or shortages that would prevent people from coming to the house of the Lord.

Day 4043

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 2:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 2:1-2
"Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.
And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage."

Interest thought that the evil man cannot sleep. He spends his time during the night plotting evil against others. I am reminded of the difference between wickedness and evil.

To be wicked you are morally wrong in a principle. To be evil you have a plan or passion to hurt someone. With sowing discord among brethren it sounds like you have a plan and are working it. Its incredible how much discord one evil person can sow. We were warned about supporting and giving them power.

Day 4042

Today's Favorite Verse: Jonah 4:1, 5, 10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Jonah 4:1, 5, 10-11
"But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry."
So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.
Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:
And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

Jonah was called to preach repentance to the people of Ninevah. He first ran away from the calling, but the Lord found him and taught Him a lesson. Jonah entered the city and told the people in 40 days Ninevah would be overthrown if they did not repent. The king and his people believed and put on sack cloth and ashes, and fasted and repented. They did exactly as God asked. They turned from evil and God forgave them. God was not going to destroy them. That is a lesson for the ages. What I find interesting is that after all this Jonah is angry that the people of Ninevah are being spared. He sits outside the city to see what will happen to it. It made me think about how the Lord would feel looking at us, wishing he would come and destroy all the wicked. We should never wish the destruction of people. We should have more feeling for others than for a gourd.

Day 4041

Today's Favorite Verse: Obadiah 1:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Obadiah 1:3-4
"The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD."

Pride goeth before the fall. Pride is the most basic of tools the adversary possess. He can crack the protective shell around a righteous person by tell them how righteous they are. Now more than ever we need humility and the spirit to guide us, so we are not deceived. These two points remind me of President Oaks recent talk.

"I feel to emphasize the warning President Russell M. Nelson issued us: that “in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” One of the many reasons you will need the constant influence of the Holy Ghost is that you live in a season in which the adversary has become so effective at disguising truth that if you don’t have the Holy Ghost, you will be deceived. Many obstacles lie ahead. The distractions will be many. Even active members may sometimes have concerns about some historical, doctrinal, or social issues connected with the Church.
I want to help all our members overcome present or future doubts. Whatever those doubts, the way to overcome them is to get closer to our Savior Jesus Christ. Again and again, He has taught us that He is the way.
III. Four Ways to Draw Closer to Our Savior
I share four impressions that will draw us closer to our Savior:
• First, strengthen our faith in Him.
• Second, increase our humility.
• Third, seek help from others.
• Fourth, be patient.
(Dallin H. Oaks, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, delivered this BYU devotional address on February 10, 2026)

Day 4040