Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 2:4-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 2:4-8
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?"

Prior to reading in Acts I was reading in the Book of Mormon, and it reminded me of this.

"For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding."
(2 Nephi 31:3)

The Lord is doing a marvelous work and a wonder among the children of men. He has prepared a way for all to hear the gospel in their own language for their understanding. What a great missionary force is among us. The gift of tongues is spreading the gospel. The Book of Mormon has been translated fully into 115 languages. Selected portions are in an additional 21 languages, with an additional 26 language translations in progress. I love reading and listening to the experiences of the translators of the Book of Mormon.

Day 4144

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 1:24, 26

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 1:24, 26
"And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles."

Why did they draw lots over who the next apostle would be? That isn't how it works now. Then I reflected on how in verse 4 Jesus commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem until they received the promise of the Father. Which would be the Holy Ghost. The day of Pentecost had not happened yet. They could not be lead completely by the Holy Ghost in the matter. They were using the best tools they had available. They had prayer and they could ask to be shown which one was chosen.

"Here again is set forth a significant and unique feature established by the Lord in the governance of His church. The right to nominate rests with the superior officer or officers at whatever the level. But that nomination must be sustained—that is, accepted and confirmed—by the membership of the Church. The procedure is peculiar to the Lord’s church. There is no seeking for office, no jockeying for position, no campaigning to promote one’s virtues. Contrast the Lord’s way with the way of the world. The Lord’s way is quiet, it is a way of peace, it is without fanfare or monetary costs. It is without egotism or vanity or ambition. Under the Lord’s plan, those who have responsibility to select officers are governed by one overriding question: “Whom would the Lord have?” There is quiet and thoughtful deliberation. And there is much of prayer to receive the confirmation of the Holy Spirit that the choice is correct.
We have sustained this afternoon a number of newly called officers. We welcome each with love and respect. Among these is Brother Robert D. Hales, to become a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles. He fills a vacancy made by the passing of our beloved friend and associate, Elder Marvin J. Ashton. In filling that vacancy, each member of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve was at liberty to make suggestions. I am confident that in every case, there was solemn and earnest prayer. A choice was then made by the First Presidency, again after solemn and serious prayer. This choice was sustained by the Council of the Twelve. Today, the membership of the Church in conference assembled has sustained that choice.
I give you my testimony, my brethren, that the impression to call Brother Hales to this high and sacred office came by the Holy Spirit, by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Brother Hales did not suggest his own name. His name was suggested by the Spirit."
(Gordon B. Hinckley, “God Is at the Helm,” April 1994 General Conference)

Day 4143

Today's Favorite Verse: John 21:25

Today's Favorite Verse: John 21:25
"And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen."

This reminds me of the verse in the Book of Mormon that is similar..

"And now there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people;"
(3 Nephi 26:6)

When I think that everything the Lord said is not contained in the scriptures, and then there are also lost and sealed portions of the scriptures, it drives my curiosity to a fever pitch. I want so badly to read all of it. One day I know I will get to read everything. Until then I treasure what I have and read and ponder on them.

Day 4142

Today's Favorite Verse: John 20:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: John 20:10-11
"Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,"

Mary Magdalene came to the sepulcher early when it was still dark. She sees the stone has been taken away and Jesus was gone. She runs to tell the disciples. Peter and John run to the sepulcher. They also see it is empty and the placement of the linen clothes left behind. At this point Peter and John leave, but Mary stays behind weeping. When she looks into the sepulcher again she sees two angels and converses with them. Then she turns around and sees Jesus but doesn't know it is him at first. While reading this I picture the celestial room of the temple. How as the endowment session is over and people come into the room some immediately leave the room. Others will linger in quiet reflection, prayer and reading scriptures. They will leave at separate times. I thought about how if Mary had left with Peter and John she would had missed this private time with the Lord. Yes, there is a need to hurry about our Father's business, but there is also a need to quietly ponder and contemplate what we have seen, heard and felt.

Day 4141