Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 38:41

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 38:41
"And let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness."

When I picture someone preaching in a warning voice it reminds of the evangelists that thump their fights and scream you're a sinner. In this verse we're told the warning voice is given in mildness and meekness. I pondered on how screaming damnation to a person is never conductive to change. The natural man tends to dig his heels in further. Mildness and meekness comes as a still small voice.

"And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."
(1 Kings 19:12)

What is the voice of warning? What are we saying to people? I remembered the senior missionary couple that visited our ward. The sister stood and bore a short but powerful testimony that burned into my soul. She said "I am a disciple of Jesus Christ". Then she quoted parts of Doctrine & Covenants 1:2, 4
"For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated.
And the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days."
She said that here in this church as well as outside of the church we are to warn all people that Jesus is coming, and we ought to be prepared.

I know what she said was true, the spirit bore witness to me of it. I can definitely see that warning voice being spoken in mildness and meekness, for that is what I heard. The message is one of hope, and action. Preparation is for everyone, take it on whatever level is personal to you.

Day 3627

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 37:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 37:3-4
"And again, a commandment I give unto the church, that it is expedient in me that they should assemble together at the Ohio, against the time that my servant Oliver Cowdery shall return unto them.
Behold, here is wisdom, and let every man choose for himself until I come. Even so. Amen."

The saints in New York and Pennsylvania are called to gather to the Ohio. Yet, they are told to choose for himself. I pondered on agency. Even though the Lord commands we are still free to choose. However there are consequences that come with our choices. I pondered on how the saints in Ohio were greatly blessed with more revelations, a temple, and the Lord himself came to accept it. That wasn't to be their final place to reside, but for a season it would be exactly where a faithful member would want to be, regardless of the persecution that followed them.

Day 3626

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 36:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 36:8
"I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God; wherefore, gird up your loins and I will suddenly come to my temple. Even so. Amen."

I have been fascinated thinking about the Lord suddenly coming to His Temple, the House of the Lord. He will appear to His saints before the Jews, and the whole world. I looked up all the footnotes, some before He did appear in the Kirtland Temple. However, the footnote for the word "come" though references His second coming.

"That my covenant people may be gathered in one in that day when I shall come to my temple. And this I do for the salvation of my people."
(Doctrine and Covenants 42:36)

"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts."
(Malachi 3:1)

"And behold, this people will I establish in this land, unto the fulfilling of the covenant which I made with your father Jacob; and it shall be a New Jerusalem. And the powers of heaven shall be in the midst of this people; yea, even I will be in the midst of you."
(3 Nephi 20:22)

"And then shall the power of heaven come down among them; and I also will be in the midst."
(3 Nephi 21:25)

"The Lord who shall suddenly come to his temple; the Lord who shall come down upon the world with a curse to judgment; yea, upon all the nations that forget God, and upon all the ungodly among you."
(Doctrine and Covenants 133:2)

Day 3625

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 35:27

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 35:27
"Fear not, little flock, the kingdom is yours until I come. Behold, I come quickly. Even so. Amen."

Joyful news to think of the Lord coming quickly. In many ways I hope for that. Then in others ways we need more time. There are people who's eyes and ears need to open so they too can find it joyful news when the Lord comes again.

"Brothers and sisters, now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority. In a world filled with dizzying distractions, how can we do this?
Regular worship in the temple will help us. In the house of the Lord, we focus on Jesus Christ. We learn of Him. We make covenants to follow Him. We come to know Him. As we keep our temple covenants, we gain greater access to the Lord’s strengthening power. In the temple, we receive protection from the buffetings of the world. We experience the pure love of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father in great abundance! We feel peace and spiritual reassurance, in contrast to the turbulence of the world.
Here is my promise to you: Every sincere seeker of Jesus Christ will find Him in the temple. You will feel His mercy. You will find answers to your most vexing questions. You will better comprehend the joy of His gospel."
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024 General Conference)

"Now is the time we can learn. Now is the time we can repent. Now is the time we can bless others and “lift up the hands which hang down."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Now is the Time" April 2022 General Conference)

Day 3624