Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 22:35-36

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 22:35-36
"And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."

When Jesus sent out the apostles the first time it was without purse or script. Before His death and resurrection he told them to go with purse and script. He also mentions a sword. This made me think about our missionaries today. They also go with everything that is needed for them. When did this change? When the first missionaries were sent out to proclaim the restoration of the gospel they also went without purse or script. It appears that it started to change during the time of Brigham Young, after being settled in the West. He would tell the missionaries not to beg the poor Saints to death while on their missions. (Discourses of Brigham Young) By 1863 Apostle George A. Smith mentions "Circumstances have changed and in view of the poverty of other peoples and the wealth of the Saints that missionaries should not need to go without purse or scrip." (JD 10:142, 6 Apr 1863) As I was reading an article "Without Purse of Scrip" by Jessie L. Embry on the change it seems being without purse of scrip was guided by mission leaders for their areas. It wasn't until transportation was more available in the 1950's that it changed.

"We used to be in the habit of going without purse or scrip. That is the way I have traveled hundreds and thousands of miles, but then we felt as the disciples of old did. When we returned, if asked if we had lacked anything, we could say verily no. But there was a time afterwards when Jesus said—“Let him that has a purse, take it with him, and let him that has no sword, sell his coat, and buy one." We do not always remain in statu quo. At that time we were the poorest people in the world, but now we are better off than the generality of mankind, and we are able to help one another, and there is no necessity for our missionaries to go under the circumstances they have done heretofore; and since it is the counsel that they shall not, why let us do what we can to help them. In relation to the Kingdom of God, it is still onward, and we expect it to continue to progress, and we expect, individually, to be co-workers in its affairs and participators in its progress. If we are called on missions we go; if we are called upon to contribute to assist others to go we contribute. If the word is, “remove here,” or “go there,” we go—that is, many of us do, some do not."
(John Taylor, "Trip to Southern Utah-The Works and Faith of the Saints", 19 May 1867, Journal of Discourses 12:47)

Day 4119

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 21:34

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 21:34
"And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares."

It was the word "surfeiting" that caught my attention. Jesus is speaking of the signs to precede His Second Coming. Being distracted while surfing the internet is definitively something I can relate to. I have to say the incessant doomscrolling is something I'm continually analyzing and metering my usage of. One thing that has helped me is having a playlist on YouTube of all my favorite hymns. When I catch myself endlessly scrolling for something to watch I stop and turn that on. It has really help me feel the spirit and bring peace to me. I have also found sometimes I need to just unplug and sit in silence.

"When you look around on this cruise ship called earth, you might see other people sitting in lounge chairs drinking, gambling in casinos, wearing clothing that is too revealing, scrolling endlessly on cell phones, and wasting too much time playing electronic games. But instead of wondering, “Why can’t I do that?,” you can remember that you are not an ordinary passenger. You are a member of the crew. You have responsibilities that passengers do not have. As Sister Ardeth Kapp once said, “You can’t be a life[guard] if you look like all the other swimmers on the beach."
(Bradley R. Wilcox, "O Youth of the Noble Birthright", Oct 2024 General Conference)

Recently, in a worldwide youth devotional, President Russell M. Nelson invited the youth to step back from the world, disengaging from social media by holding a seven-day fast. And just last evening, he made a similar invitation to the sisters as part of the women’s session of conference. He then asked the youth to notice any differences in how they feel, what they think, or even how they think. He then invited them “to do a thorough life assessment with the Lord … to ensure that your feet are firmly planted on the covenant path.” He encouraged them that if there were things in their lives that needed changing, “today is the perfect time to change.” (Russell M. Nelson, "Hope of Israel", Worldwide Youth Devotional, June 3, 2018 Conference Center, Salt Lake City, Utah)
(Jack N. Gerard, "Now is the Time", Oct 2018 General Conference)

"There are certain patterns of online engagement that predict negative outcomes: cyberbullying, sexting, and doomscrolling, for example. (”Doomscrolling,” by the way—for those of you who, like me, have never heard of it—refers to spending long periods of time on one’s phone or computer focusing on negative news stories. Apparently, for some, that habit is compulsive and somehow darkly comforting.) Passive uses of social media—that is, spending time reviewing social media content aimlessly—increases feelings of inferiority and negative comparison, while active or purposeful social media use (such as posting, commenting, and connecting) does not have the same negative associations."
(D. Todd Christofferson, "Trust in God", S&I Annual Broadcast, Jan 2024)

"The scriptures teach us to use judgment and be wise in all things. The internet can be used in a positive way or a destructive way.Both long-term members and those newly studying the gospel need to be intentional about what they view. Do not entertain immoral, dishonest, or unrighteous material. If you do, algorithms can lead you down a path that destroys faith and impairs your eternal progression. You can be acted upon positively or negatively. Seek righteousness and avoid dark internet rabbit holes and doomscrolling. Fill your life with positive, righteous ideas; be joyful; have fun but avoid foolishness. There is a difference. The thirteenth article of faith is a marvelous guide. Above all, immerse yourself regularly in the Book of Mormon, which will draw the Spirit into your life and help you discern truth from error."
(Quentin L. Cook, "Sacred Scriptures - the Foundations of Faith", Oct 2024 General Conference)

Day 4118

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 20:20, 23

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 20:20, 23
"And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.
But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?"

What stood out to me was they "feign themselves just men". The Lord perceived their craftiness. He knew how to answer their questions to the point "they durst not ask him any questions at all". This made me think about deception and how we will be deceived if we do not have the spirit as our guide.

"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."
(Dallin H. Oaks, "Coming Closer to Jesus Christ", BYU Devotional address on February 10, 2026)

Day 4117

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 19:41-42

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 19:41-42
"And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes."

This made me ponder on how the Lord and the prophets must feel when they look out across the members of the church. Prophets see around corners, they try to warn and prepare us. Yet, how much do we really see and understand?

Day 4116