Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 9:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 9:9-10
"And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean."

I pondered on how Peter, James and John may have not understood at the time what rising from the dead would mean. Though I am sure they understood it when they saw the resurrected Lord. As we are drawing closer to the second coming things I used to envision are not coming about like I imagined. Yet, as I see things I recognize how they fit. I have stopped trying to figure out any timelines or how things will happen. I know after the Lord comes he will explain all things. Until then I will watch and be ready.

Day 4090

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 8:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 8:11-12
"And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation."

It was the part of Jesus sighing deeply that I paused at. He sounded rather tired of the Pharisees. He wasn't telling them anything knew. They should have already understood the issues with seeking signs. In Matthew it records who Jesus said would seek after a sign.

"A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed."
(Matthew 16:4)

There were other scriptures referenced in these verses.

"For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts."
(Doctrine and Covenants 46:9)

"And he that seeketh signs shall see signs, but not unto salvation.
Verily, I say unto you, there are those among you who seek signs, and there have been such even from the beginning;
But, behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe.
Yea, signs come by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the will of God.
Yea, signs come by faith, unto mighty works, for without faith no man pleaseth God; and with whom God is angry he is not well pleased; wherefore, unto such he showeth no signs, only in wrath unto their condemnation."
(Doctrine and Covenants 63:7-11)

Day 4089

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 7:8-9

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 7:8-9
"For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition."

This made me think of culture and traditions that we may assume are commandments but are not. The example of washing of pots and hands were not part of the law of Moses or commandments. They maybe good things to do for cleanliness sake, but not something you sin over. Many times I've told my children that something was a cultural tradition, and not an official position of the church.

For example it's a cultural tradition that deacons wear a white shirt when passing the sacrament. President David O. McKay taught that a white shirt contributes to the sacredness of the holy sacrament, but was never a requirement. While I was pondering over this, one of my children sent me a picture of a supposed new design for our chapels. The sacrament table was in the front beneath the pulpit. To me the source looked questionable so I don't give it much value. What was more important for me to note to my child is that there is nothing special in the layout of the chapel. I would call it tradition. I've attended sacrament in many interesting locations. We had sacrament for several months in the middle of the field where our chapel was going to be built. That winter we met in an auction barn. The important thing is meeting together and partaking of the sacrament. The building is just fluff. If moving the sacrament table helps members focus more intently on what it represents then its fine with me. I keep my eyes closed the whole time anyways.

Day 4088

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 6:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 6:13
" And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them."

I learned something new, this is the only mention in the scriptures of the Savior's Apostles anointing the sick with oil when administering to them.

President Dallin H. Oaks taught that miraculous healings happen today, just as in biblical times, through the power of the priesthood:
“Miracles happen when the authority of the priesthood is used to bless the sick. I have experienced these miracles. As a boy and as a man I have seen healings as miraculous as any recorded in the scriptures, and so have many of you. …
“The Old Testament frequently mentions anointing with oil as part of a blessing conferred by priesthood authority. Anointings were declared to be for sanctification and perhaps can also be seen as symbolic of the blessings to be poured out from heaven as a result of this sacred act.
“In the New Testament we read that Jesus’s Apostles ‘anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them’ (Mark 6:13). The book of James teaches the role of anointing in connection with the other elements in a healing blessing by priesthood authority:
“‘Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
“‘And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up’ (James 5:14–15).
“ … When elders anoint a sick person and seal the anointing, they open the windows of heaven for the Lord to pour forth the blessing He wills for the person afflicted” (“Healing the Sick,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 48).
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 12: Mark 5-7")

Day 4087