Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 12:3

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 12:3
"And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."

I've been laid up for several week and between that and snow storms I have not made it to the temple that I love. Maybe I should whisper it very quietly, but I'm feel well enough now that I should be able to get back to my weekly schedule. Oh, how my heart longs to be back in the house of the Lord. To learn of his ways and walk in his paths. I have been extremely homesick. The other thing I have been while away is stagnant. I have done much reflecting on how different it feels when going to the temple is not a part of my week. I cannot wait to have the feeling inside of moving forward again.

Day 1797

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 11:5

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 11:5
"And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death."

I reflected on if my soul deligheth in the Lord. Life can get so busy and I am so grateful for this time of night where I can stop and reflect on my Savior and all that he has done for me. Reading scriptures is a delight because I shut the world out and ponder His words. Tonight, I pondered on where I would be without his covenants, grace, justice, power and mercy. I really don't know, but I simply wouldn't be sitting here and this isn't something I want to be without. I realized how important it is to take time every day to ponder the scriptures and think upon the Lord because it would be so easy otherwise not to. I think my soul would feel so very, very empty. Yes, reading and pondering on the scriptures and all the Savior has done for me fills my soul with delight.

Day 1796

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 10:16

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 10:16
"Wherefore, he that fighteth against Zion, both Jew and Gentile, both bond and free, both male and female, shall perish; for they are they who are the whore of all the earth; for they who are not for us against me, saith our God.

One of the scripture references for this verse is..

"And the blood of that great and abominable church, which is the whore of all the earth, shall turn upon their own heads; for their own heads; for they shall war among themselves, and the sword of their own hands shall fall upon their own heads, and they shall be drunken with their own blood.
And every nation which shall war against thee, O house of Israel, shall be turned one against another, and they shall fall into the pit which they digged to ensnare the people of the Lord. And all that fight against Zion shall be destroyed, and that great whore, who hath perverted the right ways of the Lord, yea, that great and abominable church, shall tumble to the dust and great shall be the fall of it."
(1 Nephi 22:13-14)

Digging a pit for someone else and then falling into it is something our family has been recently been talking about during family scripture study. That is because we are seeing that literally happen around us. The wicked are destroy each other. This may sound odd but it's actually a very fascinating process to see happen. Especially when those that are doing it have no clue that is exactly what they are doing.

"He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made."
(Psalm 7:15)

"Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him."
(Proverbs 26:27)

"That no weapon formed against them shall prosper; that he who diggeth a pit for them shall fall into the same himself."
(Doctrine and Covenants 109:25)

"But, behold, the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that sir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed."
(Mormon 4:5)

Day 1795

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 9:48

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 9:48
"Behold, if ye were holy I would speak unto you of holiness; but as ye are not holy, and ye look upon me as a teacher, it must needs be expedient that I teach you the consequences of sin."

I love this chapter, I weep all the way through it for it speaks of the beauty of the atonement of Jesus Christ. With it my heart grieves for those I love that have lessons to learn before it is to late. Yet, I know that the Lord's judgments will be just. The only thing in my power is to make sure I continually repent of my sins for I am ever learning and growing. How grateful I am for the sacrament. Then in this verse I see Jacob would have told them more of holiness if they were ready. Oh, how I would love to hear that lesson that he would teach. 

Day 1794

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 8:24

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 8:24
"Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean."

I love this verse and it so moves my heart. I ponder on the holy temple of Lord and the beautiful covenants that I make. It is my strength.

Day 1793

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 7:1

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 7:1
"Yea, for thus saith the Lord: Have I put thee away, or have I cast thee off forever? For thus saith the Lord: Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement? To whom have I put thee away, or to which of my creditors have I sold you? Yea, to whom have I sold you? Behold, for you iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away."

I reflected on when I was reading the Sermon on the Mount and my heart recognized divorcement as leaving the faith. I see this verse as referring to apostasy. The Lord never puts us away, it is ourselves that do that. Through our transgressions we sell our souls to another. The beautiful thing is we can come back.

Day 1792

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 6:13

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 6:13
"Wherefore, they that fight against Zion and the covenant people of the Lord shall lick up the dust of their feet; and the people of the Lord shall not be ashamed. For the people of the Lord are they who wait for him, for they still wait for the coming of the Messiah."

This made me ponder on personal revelation. How I have experienced answers to prayer that led me strongly in one course or direction. Then at a later time the Lord told me to now take the other direction. It's not that I was on the wrong course before and didn't hear the answer correctly. This is very much so a lesson in learning to not doubt what the Lord has told me. It's being obedient to the Lord and his will. Knowing that His ways are not always my way of doing things. There is a divine purpose it having gone down both paths. There is a part we all have to play. As I reflect on how others will perceive this change in course I have thought how they may mock, judge or try to make one ashamed. When one only cares to follow what the Lord would have them do it doesn't matter. This is all an experience in following the Lord and being obedient to his will. There is peace as you continually seek to do what is right.

Day 1791

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 5:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 5:2-3
"But behold, their anger did increase against me, insomuch that they did seek to take away my life.
Yea, they did murmur against me, saying: Our younger brother thinks to rule over us; and we have had much trial because of him; wherefore, now let us slay him, that we may not be afflicted more because of his words. For behold, we will not have him to be our ruler; for it belongs unto us, who are the elder brethren, to rule over this people."

It's an election year and I could not help but ponder on the state of our nation while reading this. Every four years the church as a whole studies the Book of Mormon, and I think it no coincidence it happens to fall during the year of a presidential election. Reading the Book of Mormon is a good reminder of the covenant and promises placed upon this land. If we are righteous we will prosper. It is the prayers of the righteous that save this nation.

The condition I noticed with the separation of Nephi and his older brothers is that it was caused by anger and the assumption on who had the right to rule the people. The one the Lord had chosen was not accepted by those that thought it was their right to rule. I don't know what's coming this year but I sure hope people will accept who is determined by an honest election to be our president. How much damage has been done to our nation by those that would not accept the outcome of the last one. I pray their anger does not rise to the point they will kill or bring destruction upon our heads.

"Yea, well did Mosiah say, who was our last king, when he was about to deliver up the kingdom, having no one to confer it upon, causing that this people should be governed by their own voices - yea, well did he say that if the time should come that the voice of this people should choose iniquity, that is, if the time should come that this people should fall into transgression, they would be ripe for destruction."
(Alma 10:19)

I revere the Constitution of the United States as a divinely inspired document. It breaks my heart to think that the voice of the people are on the verge of socialism, which stands against everything the Lord set as a condition upon this great land. It is so striking in this chapter how the Nephites became industrious and prospered. I see this as supporting capitalism. The description of the Lamanites instead would point towards socialism.

"And because of their cursing which was upon them they did become an idle people, full of mischief and subtlety, and did seek in the wilderness for beasts of prey." (2 Nephi 5:24)

An idle people that live off their prey. That's not just hunting for animals to eat. It can represent the feeling of entitlement to feed off the industry and hard work of others. My prayer is as a nation we do not head deeper down this path.

Day 1790

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 4:15-16

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 4:15-16
"And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.
Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard."

I pondered on how it's not enough to simply read the scriptures. What must take place is a continual pondering. Connecting what I experience and see around me to what I learned in the scriptures. It is in the living of life that the deeper meaning of the scriptures come alive to me.

Day 1789

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 3:12

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 3:12
"Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord."

I love how this explains how the Bible, that goes from the fruit of Judah, and the Book of Mormon from the fruit of Joseph, together confound false doctrines, and lays down contention over their words. The doctrines and covenants of the Lord have been restored once again upon the earth. I am so blessed by having both.

Day 1788

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 2:22-23, 25

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 2:22-23, 25
"And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end.
And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.
Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."

I love this chapter. It has a great explanation of the plan of salvation and the need for the atonement of Jesus Christ in a very clear way. I love how it explains the purpose behind Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and need for opposition in all things and the agency of man.

The other day I saw a comment from someone on Facebook referring to the six days of creation. I look upon the mention of the days of creation as creation periods. Each is called a day but not a literal day according to man. Each day, or creation period is as long as needed. Which would absolutely explain the formation and age of this earth. Once Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden we have no idea how long they remained there until they partook from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. I look forward to the day when all things will be revealed.   

"Yea, verily I say unto you, in that day when the Lord shall come, he shall reveal all things -
Things which have passed, and hidden things which no man knew, things of the earth, by which it was made, and the purpose and the end there-of
Things most precious, things that are above, and things that are beneath, things that are in the earth, and upon the earth, and in heaven."
(Doctrine and Covenants 101:32-34)

Day 1787

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 1:27

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 1:27
"And it must needs be that the power o fGod must be with him, even unto his commanding you that ye must obey. But behold, it was not he, but it was the Spirit of the Lord which was in him, which opened his mouth to utterance that he could not shut it."

Lehi is dying and leaving his parting words to his sons. He says he "exceedingly fear and tremble" because of them. They accuse Nephi of seeking power and authority over them, but all Nephi sought was the will of the Lord. They thought Nephi's words were sharp and angry, and Lehi lets them know those are the words of the Lord. I pondered on how a prophet of God cannot just say the words that the wicked want to hear. He isn't there to pacify and support them in their wickedness. That he is there to call them to repentance and remembrance of the goodness of the Lord and all he has done for them. What Lehi says to his sons is what any good parent would say to their children. Follow the prophet and you won't go astray.

Day 1786

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 22:17

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 22:17
"Wherefore, he will preserve the righteous by his power, even if it so be that the fulness of his wrath must come, and the righteous be preserved, even unto destruction of their enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire."

This verse makes me think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego that were saved in the firery furnace. I also think of Lehi and Nephi that were encircled by fire and were not burned. Then I think of Alma and Amulek in Ammonihah that were forced to watch the women and children that were converted cast into the fire and burned, and so was Abinadi. So when does the Lord save his people from death by fire and not? It is according to the testimony needed. For the righteous can be destroyed and it is a testimony against the wicked, or they can be preserved as a testimony of their faith in Christ. What I learn from all of them is it matters not what the outcome, for with God all things are possible even if I have to walk through the fire. I will not fear a nuclear holocaust because the Lord will preserve the righteous even if he takes them to him for their eternal rest, or protects them to stand as a witness of the Lord's power. Either way they are saved.

Day 1785

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 21:9

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 21:9
"That thou mayest say to the prisoners: Go forth; to them that sit in darkness: Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places."

I reflected on the atonement made by Jesus Christ for my sins. How he was crucified and resurrected to break those bands of death. Both a spiritual and temporal prison. For none would be resurrected if not for what the Savior did. I also reflected on being a savior on mount Zion. How I am able to help open the spiritual prison they are in with performing temple ordinances in their behalf.

Day 1784

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 20:10

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 20:10
"For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction."

I reflected on all the blessings that have come to me through affliction. Even my sins have had a purpose in my life. It is in moments of stress that we face our true character. I still have a hard time dealing with physical pain. My tolerance has gotten better, and I have way more patience than I used to, but when I hit that wall I still lash out at others. I always feel really bad afterwards. One thing I have observed is the awareness of what I am doing and the desire to reign it in. It does help me to overcome the issue quickly. So there is improvement and I would say some refinement. I think it is the realization that the Lord is watching my behavior that causes the greatest desire to do better. It's knowing I have to chose Him over the natural man within me. As I think upon these things my heart is softened as I know the Lord is with me and I am not alone. Though I am not perfect I know the refining process isn't overnight. It takes time to smooth out the rough edges and become all that I can be. The Lord knows my rough spot better than I do and will make sure I'm given the heat needed to burn them out.

Day 1783

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 19:23

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 19:23
"And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning."

I love this example of how I am to read the scriptures. I take the stories and examples and apply them to my life. So much depth of understanding comes when I do this. The other way I apply this is when I am going through an experience the stories in the scriptures will come to mind. I gain a greater understanding in the purpose and meaning in what I am experiencing when I look at it from that perspective. The scriptures really are for my profit and learning. What a blessing they have been to my life.

Day 1782

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 18:15-16

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 18:15-16
"And it came to pass that we were about to be swallowed up in the depths of the sea. And after we had been driven back upon the waters for the space of four days, my brethren began to see that the judgments of God were upon them, and that they must perish save that they should repent of their iniquities; where, they came unto me, and loosed the bands which were upon my wrists, and behold they had swollen, and great was the soreness thereof.
Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions."

I see in this chapter the differences in how Nephi and his brothers approach the Lord. Nephi prays and praises God all the day long. His brothers only turn to God when the crises hits them. I can remember doing that. I would get really religious when the crises hit. Then when things were calm I would drift. One day I recognized this pattern and decided to change what I was doing. Troubles and trials still come, but the difference is I know the Lord while going through them. He is right there by my side all the way. I know it will all work out for my good.

Day 1781

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 17:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 17:2-3
"And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us, that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings.
And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness."

I pondered on how sometimes the commandments of God are the acceptance of his will. What I have endured and been made to wait for without murmuring has been a commandment of the Lord for me. All of it builds faith in Him.

Day 1780

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 16:22-23

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 16:22-23
"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did speak much unto my brethren, because they had hardened their hearts again, even unto complaining against the Lord their God.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food?"

In this chapter there is a lot of murmuring and complaining. The pattern I see is that once we murmur and complain against the Lord then we are left to our own devices. Nephi didn't murmur and with that he was blessed with the inspiration on how to prepare a bow and an arrow in order to solve the problem of obtaining food. I remember Nephi when I wish to murmur, for what I need more than anything is the inspiration or strength from God to overcome the challenge I am facing.

I love this Book of Mormon video when Nephi breaks his bow and how honest the reactions are of others. I can so place myself as having been any one of them. I love the moment when it depicts Nephi realizing he can make a bow. It was pure inspiration that comes from turning to the Lord in faith.


Day 1779

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 15:23-24

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 15:23-24
"And they said unto me: What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree?
And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction."

I pondered on what an amazing promise this is. If I just hold onto the word of God and in faith do as it says I will never perish. Satan will have no power over me to lead me astray. Being deceived is my greatest concern. I know plagues, earthquakes, floods, famines, and fires can only kill the body, but deception can kill the soul. That is what I guard more than anything. I love the scriptures, they are the rock that keeps me planted on solid ground. I love my Savior and want to follow him.

Day 1778

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 14:10

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 14:10
"And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not of the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth."

I have come to feel that it doesn't matter which church anyone belongs to, including mine. That you can have people that belong to the church of the Lamb of God and the church of the devil there. It all depends on where a person's heart is. Live up to what knowledge you have, keep the commandments and keep the faith. Greater light and knowledge comes as we learn to follow the Lamb of God.

Day 1777

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 13:42

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 13:42
"And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles; and after he has manifested himself unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto the Gentiles and also unto the Jews, and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last."

This is what Jesus was referring to in Luke 13:30
"And behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last."

The gospel was first given to the Jews and after the Savior's resurrection taken to the Gentiles. After a period of apostasy where plain and precious truth of the gospel were removed from the record of the Jews (bible) a restoration would come through the Gentiles. God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ did appear to the young boy, Joseph Smith in the sacred grove. The question deep in his heart was which church to join, and he was told to join none of them. "For they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: "they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for the doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof." (Joseph Smith History 1:19)

Joseph's humble prayer was answered and at a later time the gospel was restored, first through the records of the the tribe of Joseph, and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. With the Bible the Book of Mormon becomes another testament of Jesus Christ. With the stick of Judah and the stick of Joseph combined (Ezekiel 37:16-17) the plain and precious truths of the gospel are again restored. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized April 6, 1830 with only a handful of 6 members. Nearly 200 years later the restored gospel of Jesus Christ has been taken throughout the earth, with a membership of over 16 million. It is as Daniel saw a stone cut without hands that would fill the whole earth. This is the time of the Gentiles. One day it will become the time of the Jews, and those that were first will become the last, to come to a knowledge that Jesus is the Christ. Some day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ and that salvation can only come through Him.

Day 1776

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 12:8-9

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 12:8-9
"And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the twelve disciples of the Lamb, who are chosen to minister unto thy seed.
And he said unto me: Thou rememberest the twelve apostles of the Lamb? Behold they are they who shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore, the twelve ministers of thy seed shall be judged of them; for ye are of the house of Israel."

The chapter header says:
"Nephi sees in vision the land of promise; the righteousness iniquity, and downfall of its inhabitants; the coming of th Lamb of God among them; how the Twelve Disciples and the Twelve Apostles will judge Israel; and the loathsome and filthy state of those who dwindle in unbelief."

I have no clue how many times I have read the Book of Mormon and this was the first time I realized that the Twelve Christ chose to minister in the Americas after his resurrection were called the twelve disciples, and the twelve chosen before Christ's resurrection are called the twelve apostles. I had often wondered how there could be two sets of apostles on the earth at the same time. Now I see one set is called the apostles and the other disciples. Both are referred to as the Twelve. It is the apostles that will judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

Twelve Others by Jeremy Winborg

Day 1775

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 11:16-17

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 11:16-17
"And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of God?
And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things."

Condescension means a voluntary descent from rank or dignity.

I love how humble and teachable Nephi is. He is being taught by the Lord and at times through an angel with a question and answer session. I have found that this is how the spirit also teaches me. Questions of faith and not of doubt or a challenge, will bring answers when I am read.

Day 1774

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 10:19

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 10:19
"For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in the times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round."

I pondered on how important it is to come to know and understand the stories of God's dealing with men in the scriptures. How I need to apply them to myself. For the the workings of God are eternal, and never changing. As I have come to understand some of the mysteries of God I have found what I learn is never original. It has been taught and understood before. It was just a mystery to me until the Holy Ghost revealed it to my understanding. I will always find another witness by those in authority that confirms what I have been taught by the spirit.

Day 1773

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 9:3

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 9:3
"Nevertheless, I have received a commandment of the Lord that I should make these plates, for the special purpose that there should be an account engraven of the ministry of my people."

I am so grateful that Nephi was obedient to this commandment of the Lord. What we would have lost if we only had those first 116 pages that were transcribed and subsequently lost/stolen. These plates served as a replacement. It is a great reminder that I won't always know the full reason why I have been impressed by the spirit do a specific thing. I have seen it take months or years for somethings I was guided by the spirit to do, to totally make sense to me. I am sure there is much still to come. 

Day 1772

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 8:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 8:7-8
"And it came to pass that as I followed him I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste.
And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies."

What this verse makes me ponder on is that I can see an angel or messenger from God and listen and follow him and still feel I am in a dreary waste. The condition does not change until I discover my need for a deeper relationship with the Lord. That is who the messengers of God are pointing the way to. I need to be in a partnership with the Lord, and come to understand my need for his tender mercies. In the story of Lehi's family I see this in the actions of Laman and Lemuel verses Nephi and Sam. They all see an angel yet it is only Nephi that works to build that relationship with the Lord.



Day 1771

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 7:17

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 7:17
"But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I my burst these bands with which I am bound."

I love this example of Nephi. He doesn't ask the Lord to remove his bands. He asks for the strength to be given him so he can burst them. He is willing to do his part through the strength of the Lord. I try to remember his example when I need to do hard things. Praying that I am made strong enough to endure or over come the challenge. The credit is the Lord's.



Day 1770

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 6:5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 6:5
"Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world."

I was pondering on how much the Book of Mormon would be a great sifter. Those that are only interested in the things of the world would not desire it. Then I found this quote by President Ezra Taft Benson and he said it much better.

"The Book of Mormon is the great standard we are to use. It shows that Joseph Smith was a prophet. It contains the words of Christ, and its great mission is to bring men to Christ and all other things are secondary. The golden question of the Book of Mormon is “Do you want to learn more of Christ?” The Book of Mormon is the great finder of the golden contact. It does not contain things which are “pleasing unto the world” (1 Ne. 6:5) and so the worldly are not interested in it. It is a great sieve."
(1975–A:63, Ezra Taft Benson, The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God)

Day 1769