Today's Favorite Verse: John 1:9, 33-

Today's Favorite Verse: John 1:9, 33-34
"That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God."

I pondered on how everyone born on this earth received this light, the light of Christ, to guide them in their life. Man knows right from wrong inside his soul. They cannot deny this, even if they do not have any faith or religion. Those that do come to know Christ and are baptize will receive more, the gift of the Holy Ghost. To be their constant companion if they live worthy to receive it.

Day 4122

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 24:27, 44-45

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 24:27, 44-45
"And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,"

One thing I love finding in the scriptures are the prophesies that foretell the coming of Jesus Christ. I love how Jesus opened up the scriptures and expounds on how various acts he performed were fulfilling prophesy. I wonder how many of verses they were truly amazed at, and had not seen it until He told them.

Tonight as I was reading in the Old Testament I came across such a verse that appeared to be prophecy to me. It was in Jeremiah.

"I will surely consume them, saith the LORD: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them."
(Jeremiah 8:13)

It reminded me of the barren fig tree and how at Jesus word it withered away. I always wondered on why He needed to do that.

"And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away."
(Matthew 21:19)

It will truly be amazing after Christ comes again to have him open up the scriptures and expound on how events around us today fulfilled prophesy.

Day 4121

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 23:40-43

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 23:40-43
"But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise."

There were two malefactors or thieves that were crucified along with Jesus. One mocked Jesus and the other appears to recognize who He was. Jesus tells him that today he would be in paradise with him. I pondered on what was soon to happen when Christ arrived in the spirit world. He would have the gospel preached to all those that didn't have the opportunity to hear it in their lifetime. This thief would be among them and quickly leave spirit prison and join Him in paradise.

"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water."
(1 Peter 3:18-20)

"For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."
(1 Peter 4:6)

Day 4120

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