Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 16:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 16:8
"And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid."

Why were they afraid? I looked for references but couldn't find any that explained them being afraid. I understand trembling and being amazed for seeing angels and being told Christ has risen, but why would that make them afraid? Were they afraid to tell others because they wouldn't be believed? This is what happened, until he appeared to the eleven. There is a discrepancies in the testimony of the witnesses. The first three gospels say the angels were seen by the women but John says it was Mary Magdalene alone. Could their fear to speak about what happened cause the other women to not be mentioned by John?

Day 4097

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 15:31-32

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 15:31-32
"Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.
Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him."

Right before I read my scriptures I had seen something for the second day in a row. I would call it mocking the covenants we make in the temple. It really upset me and as I prayed before reading my scriptures I discussed it with Heavenly Father. I wanted the peace the scriptures bring. This would have not been the chapter for it, for this is the scene of Christ dying on the cross. Though oddly it still gave me peace. What stood out to me was the mocking He suffered. Yet, he died even for those that mocked. How did he do that? How can I bare people that mock what is sacred? As I pondered on that I realized that stepping away, like I did with the scriptures, can keep me from focusing on the mockers and making sure I'm right with the Lord.

Day 4096

Today's Favorite Verse:Mark 14:4-6

Today's Favorite Verse:Mark 14:4-6
"And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. "

As I was reading these verses I remembered an experience I had at a temple open house. I was with someone that wasn't a member of the church. They were getting rather upset while we walked through the temple. In their eyes all they saw was money being wasted on a building when it could have been used to feed the poor. This whole thought bothered them. At this point we were standing in the celestial room. I reminded them that Solomon's temple was covered with gold and precious things. In the House of the Lord we give our very best.

I told them how much it meant to me to come to the temple and sit in peace in such lovely surrounding. The temple is not only a house of the Lord, it's a place for His people to grow closer to Him. I would never have a home furnished as nicely as this, and as quiet as this. The temple fills and nourishes the soul of the poor. The poor also need this. When they thought about this their mood changed and they could see it in a different light. This is where we came to worship God and give our very best. The story of the woman with the alabaster box of spikenard, that was poured on Jesus head, wasn't wasting money that could have gone to the poor. Think about how much it meant to the Savior to be anointed before his burial. She was doing a good work as we do within the walls of His house.

Day 4095

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 13:30

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 13:30
"Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done."

I looked at the verses that are referenced in the footnotes.

"Verily, I say unto you, This generation, in which these things shall be shewn forth, shall not pass away until all I have told you shall be fulfilled."
(JST Matthew 24:35 & Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:34))

"And it shall come to pass, that this generation of Jews shall not pass away until every desolation which I have told you concerning them shall come to pass."
(Doctrine and Covenants 45:21)

I do believe this is the generation that will not all pass away before the Savior, Jesus Christ will come again. I remember being told this in my youth. Some say well they've been saying that for years. Well no one said we would be the youth of the day when it happens. Many generations are alive on the earth at the same time. Yet, I do feel the youth today are being prepared for the second coming for very good reason. They are the Lord's youth battalion, we are so close.

Day 4094