Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 5:15-16

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 5:15-16

"If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the Lord; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the Lord a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering:

And he shall make amends for the harm that he hath done in the holy thing, and shall add the fifth part thereto, and give it unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and it shall be forgiven him."

This offering sounds different because there is money or shekels of silver included with it. Then I realized it was a restitution being made for the trespass against another. I understand restitution because that is what I do when I have sinned against another, and there are damages for my actions. I must pay for the loss and restore it as best I can. For the person to be only forgiven does nothing for the person that has lost because of it. Though I know in the end after being trespassed against, I must forgive regardless if restitution has been made by them. Any outstanding restitutions or unfairness we have suffered will be resolved by the Lord in the world to come. This reminded me a quote by Elder Dale G. Renlund in his recent conference talk.

In unfair situations, one of our tasks is to trust that “all that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.” Jesus Christ overcame the world and “absorbed” all unfairness. Because of Him, we can have peace in this world and be of good cheer. If we let Him, Jesus Christ will consecrate the unfairness for our gain. He will not just console us and restore what was lost; He will use the unfairness for our benefit. When it comes to how and when, we need to recognize and accept, as did Alma, that “it mattereth not; for God knoweth all these things; and it sufficeth me to know that this is the case.

We can try to hold our questions about how and when for later and focus on developing faith in Jesus Christ, that He has both the power to make everything right and yearns to do so. For us to insist on knowing how or when is unproductive and, after all, myopic.”

(Dale G. Renlund, "Infuriating Unfairness" Apr 2021 General Conference)

Day 2254

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 4:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 4:2

"Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the Lord concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them:"

Footnote through = in error or inadvertently.

I pondered on why a sin offering is needed when you sin inadvertently or out of ignorance? As I reviewed what the priest does in this chapter it appears that even though the sin was committed in ignorance, the person once learning the difference is accountable. That is why they go through the repentance process to be cleansed of their sin. No different than a person being baptized when they come to the age of accountability. All their sins are then washed away. The same with renewing our baptismal covenants by the taking of the sacrament. Sometimes we don't realize when we have sins, or we have done so out of ignorance. Since no unclean thing can enter the kingdom of heaven and stand in God's presence, there is a way to be made clean through the blood of the lamb made through Christ's atoning sacrifice.

Day 2253

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 3:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 3:2

"And he shall lay his hand upon the head of this offering, and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron's sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood upon the alter round about."

This made me reflect upon the sacrament and how I prepare for the partaking of it each week. I leave at the door the world as I come in to become clean of my sins, and renew my baptismal covenants. The water is the emblem of Christ's blood shed for me. The bread is His body, bruised, broken and torn. The priests bless it and the deacons pass it to me. In its way it's sprinkled round about the alter. As Israel was to reflect on how these ordinances represented the ultimate sacrifice made for their sins by Jesus Christ, so do I.

Day 2252

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 2:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 2:2-3

"And he shall bring it to Aaron's sons the priests: and he shall take thereout his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, to be an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord:

And the remnant of the meat offering shall be Aaron's and his sons': it is a thing most holy of the offerings of the Lord made by fire."

A meat offering is the evening sacrifice. It completed the sacrificial meal of the burnt and peace offering. Only a memorial was offered and the remainder was given to the priests for their service. It was a holy offering. I pondered on what it must have been like for Aaron and his sons to receive such a gift. It made me think of the Bishop and his responsibility to use fast offerings with care. When you know something has been consecrated to the Lord you would be mindful of your stewardship over it, as should the receiver of it.

Day 2251

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 1:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 1:3-4

"If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord.

And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him."

I pondered on the atoning sacrifice made by my Lord, Jesus Christ. The children of Israel were to look forward, and now I am looking back. His sacrifice was made for all of us. I love the temple for all of it points to Christ.

Day 2250

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 40:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 40:12-13

"And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.

And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office."

This made me look for a the video the Church made that explains "Sacred Temple Clothing".

Day 2249

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 39:43

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 39:43

"And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the Lord had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them."

The tabernacle is completed as the Lord asked of them. I can only imagine the joy they must have felt at that moment. I can imagine the blessing Moses gave them was no different than when we receive an apostolic blessing. It is something to be cherished, and observed.

I wanted to see a picture of what the tabernacle may have looked like and found a lovely video that the church created explaining what the different parts of it meant.

Day 2248

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 38:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 38:8

"And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation."

The footnote for lookingglasses is mirrors.

The mention of mirrors made me think about the temple mirrors of eternity. They are found in today's temple to symbolize the past, present and eternity. When I thought about how these women's mirrors made of brass, were used to create the laver (wash basin) it made me think of the broken china added to the Kirtland Temple plaster to make it sparkle. It's lovely to think of the women's contributions in both past and present temples.

Draper Temple Sealing Room

Day 2247

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 37:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 37:17

"And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same:"

I thought about the candlestick that holds up light. How it was made of gold that was beaten. Sometimes the most beautiful things come out of what has been tried and tested.

Day 2246

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 36:13, 29

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 36:13, 29

"And he made fifty taches of gold, and coupled the curtains one unto another with the taches: so it became one tabernacle.

And they were coupled beneath, and coupled together at the head thereof, to one ring: thus he did to both of them in both the corners."

As I am reading this chapter my mind wanders and I wonder, "Why do I need to know how to build a tabernacle?", "How does it apply to my day?" No sooner do I ask that, then I noticed the word "coupled". In fact that word is used eight times in this chapter. What are they coupling together? The parts of the tabernacle that the wise hearted craftsmen have made. What does that remind me of today? The article I recently read that the church is looking into making prefabricated modular temples. It's not a stretch of the imagination then to think of them coupling these prefabricated modular units together to become one "temple".

Day 2245

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 35:21

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 35:21

"And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments."

This reminded me of one thing I loved to see when I was at the temple. The coming and going of people. As people left, others would be coming in to take their place. They came because their "heart stirred them up" to be there. It wasn't required of them, it was what they did with a willing heart. Not only for themselves but for others.

Day 2244

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 34:29-30, 33

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 34:29-30, 33

"And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.

And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.

And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a veil on his face."

When I read how Moses face shown after speaking with the Lord on mount Sinai for 40 days, and he had to wear a veil over his face afterwards, it makes me think of Abinadi in the Book of Mormon. After king Noah sought Abinadi's life the first time he prophesied, he was gone for two years. During that time frame Abinadi also spoke with the Lord and was told what would happen to the people if they did not repent, just like Moses did. When Abinadi reappears he is said to be in disguise, but when he spoke to them his face shone like Moses. I think his disguise was a simply veil like Moses that covered his face.

"And it came to pass that after the space of two years that Abinadi came among them in disguise, that they knew him not, and began to prophesy among them, saying: Thus has the Lord commanded me, saying - Abinadi, go and prophesy unto this my people, for they have hardened their hearts against my words; they have repented not of their evil doings; therefore, I will visit them in my anger, yea, in my fierce anger will I visit them in their iniquities and abominations."

(Mosiah 12:1)

"Now it came to pass after Abinadi had spoken these words that the people of king Noah durst not lay their hands on him, for the Spirit of the Lord was upon him; and his face shone with exceeding luster, even as Moses' did while in the mount of Sinai, while speaking with the Lord."

(Mosiah 13:5)

This is not the only time people that spoke with the Lord faces shone.

"And it came to pass that he turned him about, and behold, he saw through the cloud of darkness the faces of Nephi and Lehi; and behold, they did shine exceedingly, even as the faces of angels. And he beheld that they did lift their eyes to heaven; and they were in the attitude as if talking or lifting their voices to some being whom they beheld."

(Helaman 5:36)

Day 2243

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 33:3, 20

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 33:3, 20

"Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.

And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me and live."

As I pondered on this verse I came to see this as not necessarily a punishment to the people, but the Lord being merciful. He knew they were not ready to endure his presence. For Him to be in their midst it would consume them, because no unclean thing can be in his presence and endure.

Day 2242

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 32:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 32:1

"And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him."

Because the children of Israel felt Moses delayed in coming down from the mount, they gave up and wanted Aaron to make them gods to worship. It made me think of patience and how it is a divine attribute. How the lack of patience shows we are going on a time table of our own making, and not according to God's will. I thought about this one person I know that left the church. Why? Because they prayed to have their calling and election made sure, and nothing happened. To them it meant the church was not true. The logic blows my mind in how flawed it is, and how unprepared they were for such a thing. But to begin to explain it to them is like talking to the wind. Sometimes people smash their own tablets before God gets to reveal greater truths to them. What could the children of Israel have received from the Lord if they were only patient about waiting upon Him.

Day 2241

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 31:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 31:13

"Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.

I actually had a discussion regarding this earlier this morning. I was talking about something I did on the Sabbath day that I typically do not do. I even quoted a talk by President Nelson on it. When I thought about the sign I was giving my Heavenly Father, because of my desire to help another in need, I knew it was acceptable to Him.

"How do we hallow the Sabbath day? In my much younger years, I studied the work of others who had compiled lists of things to do and things not to do on the Sabbath. It wasn’t until later that I learned from the scriptures that my conduct and my attitude on the Sabbath constituted a sign between me and my Heavenly Father. With that understanding, I no longer needed lists of dos and don’ts. When I had to make a decision whether or not an activity was appropriate for the Sabbath, I simply asked myself, “What sign do I want to give to God?” That question made my choices about the Sabbath day crystal clear.

(Russell M. Nelson, "The Sabbath is a Delight", May 2015 General Conference)

Day 2240

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 30:37-38

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 30:37-38

"And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the Lord.

Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people."

Interesting, I hadn't noticed this before that the Lord told Moses to make certain spices into a perfume. But, this perfume would be holy for the Lord. Anyone that copies this and made themselves to smell of this should be cut off from his people. We don't have incense and perfume in the temple or at church now so I had to ponder on this.

In Revelation I learn that vials full of odours and incense are the prayers of the saints.

"And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the saints."

(Revelation 5:8)

"And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

And the smoke of the incense, which came with prayers of the saints, ascending up before God out of the angel's hand."

(Revelation 8:3-4)

I sat here pondering on word associations. I was never good at them in school. But I think there is an association here. Incense is connected to the prayers of the saints. The smell is part of that vehicle. I don't know why, because I can't figure out the word association, but I think the smell as a vehicle would be the priesthood. If someone tried to act like they had authority when they did not, then they would be cut off. I guess if I didn't hold the priesthood by the proper authority I wouldn't go around burning incense as a vehicle for other's prayers. Other than an impression I can't prove that. All I know with the law of Moses fulfilled we don't use incense, but we do offer prayers which was the whole purpose behind the incense to begin with. I guess I will just roll this around in my brain a while and see if I can stumble on how these words associate. If the spirit teaches me something its usually not an originally thought, and I will find another witness that confirms it.

Day 2239

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 29:45-46

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 29:45-46

"And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.

And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the Lord their God."

This chapter speaks of temple ordinances. They point us to the atonement and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through these ordinances the children of Israel would come to know the Lord their God. As I reflected on this and applied it to myself, it made me want to find a quote from President Nelson. It was regarding being able to see Christ in the temple. Not physically but come to know him intimately through the ordinances received there. It is no different than what the children of Israel were promised. I couldn't find that quote. It is with pleasure I will continue to look. I find so many other good quote while I'm at it.

Day 2238