Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 7:9, 15

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 7:9, 15
"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them."

I pondered on the great redeeming work taking place in the House of the Lord for both the living and dead. I reflected on the number of temples that now dot the earth and are still coming. When my parents wanted to make eternal covenants and have their children sealed to them we had to drive from New York to Utah. When I married the Washington D.C. temple was available and only a 10 hour trip. Now I live within 10 minutes of a temple. There have been many around the world that had to make greater sacrifices than my family and I. As the temples grow closer to the members, the numbers grow on both sides of the veil for those wearing white. We are preparing for the great day of the Lord and worshipping in the House of the Lord is key to this. I take interest in the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple and how it mirrors this.

"That our garments may be pure, that we may be clothed upon with robes of righteousness, with palms in our hands, and crowns of glory upon our heads, and reap eternal joy for all our sufferings."
(Doctrine and Covenants 109:76)

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Day 3333

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 6:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 6:17
"For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"

As I'm reading the book of Revelations I'm trying to find where I will be, if I remain righteous. I could picture "who shall be able to stand?" I know the wicked won't be able to stand and they would wish the mountains and rocks to fall on them. I thought of others who won't be standing either, but instead they will be kneeling. I thought of that picture where every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ.

"And the saints rejoiced in their redemption, and bowed the knee and acknowledged the Son of God as their Redeemer and Deliverer from death and the chains of hell."
(Doctrine and Covenants 138:23)

"And this shall be the sound of his trump, saying to all people, both in heaven and in earth, and that are under the earth—for every ear shall hear it, and every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess, while they hear the sound of the trump, saying: Fear God, and give glory to him who sitteth upon the throne, forever and ever; for the hour of his judgment is come."
(Doctrine and Covenants 88:104)

Day 3332

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 5:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 5:9-10
" And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."

Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God, worthy to open the book with seven seals, which is to fulfill the work of God. I pondered on how we are preparing for that millennial day through our making and keeping covenants. In many ways we do not fully understand who we are and the important work we are here to do. If we did we would be like President Holland and feel a great urgency.

"Virtually all my experience in the hospital during that first period is lost to my memory. What is not lost is my memory of a journey outside the hospital, out to what seemed the edge of eternity. I cannot speak fully of that experience here, but I can say that part of what I received was an admonition to return to my ministry with more urgency, more consecration, more focus on the Savior, more faith in His word.
I bear witness that when Christ comes, He needs to recognize us—not as nominal members listed on a faded baptismal record but as thoroughly committed, faithfully believing, covenant-keeping disciples. This is an urgent matter for all of us, lest we ever hear with devastating regret: “I never knew you,” or, as Joseph Smith translated that phrase, “[You] never knew me.” "
(President Jeffrey R. Holland, "Motions of a Hidden Fire", Apr 2024 General Conference)

"That is, before the millennial era, before the time when Christ shall reign personally upon the earth, the elect of God among every kindred, the Saints who speak every tongue, the converts among all peoples and nations, having first believed the restored gospel, will go to the temples of God and receive the ordinances of exaltation whereby they qualify to become kings and priests."
(Bruce R. McConkie, "Go Ye Into All the World", Apr 1969 General Conference, Conference Report, pg. 143)

Day 3331

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 4:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 4:10-11
"The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."

This made me think of praying. Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: “We will go on praising [the Lord] for ever and ever! … We will never need to be coaxed”.
(Neal A. Maxwell, “From Whom All Blessings Flow, Apr 1997 General Conference)

I thought about my prayers, and how I would struggle to do that forever. It reminded me of a story President Steven J. Lund, (Young Men General President), told of President Nelson and how we need to teach the youth to pray. I need to apply this to myself.

"You must teach them to pray. To whom it is they pray and the language of prayer. I'm worried that we have become far to casual in the way that we approach the throne of God. If we really understood who it is on the other side of, "our Father in Heaven we ask thee", then we would bring the most elevated selves, elevated language, the most humble aspect that we could bring to that conversation imaginable. But, we don't see clearly who it is we are talking to. You must teach them to pray. To whom it is they pray and the language of prayer."
(President Russell M. Nelson, "Teach them to Pray", related by Steven J. Lund , "A Day in The Life of the Young Men General President - President Steven J. Lund", YouTube, For All the Saints With Ben Hancock, min 5:58)

Day 3330

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 3:3-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 3:3-5
"Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."

This makes me think of all the talks on wearing our garments and going to the House of the Lord. We cannot afford to be slack in physically wearing our garments or found morally unworthy and unprepared to enter His House. If we are watchful and ready the Lord will not come as a thief in the night. The consequences are just to great.

"The garment of the holy priesthood is a sacred symbol of Jesus Christ and is a reminder of our covenant relationship with Him and Heavenly Father. As endowed members keep the covenants they have made, including the sacred privilege to wear the garment, they will have greater access to the Savior’s mercy, protection, strength, and power."
(First Presidency Letter, "The Garment of the Holy Priesthood", 12 Apr 2024)

Day 3329

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 2:21

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 2:21
"And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not."

It made me think of little children that are fighting. How after warning them to stop you often go out of their sight, but continue listening. Each time you leave you are giving them an opportunity to straighten up and stop their fighting. Some children need one warning, others may need multiple, some just never stop until they are removed from the situation. The one that does listen when first warned has the greatest opportunities to receive blessings for being good. We all have the same time and space to repent, until there is no more time left.

Day 3328

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 1:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 1:1
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:"

"The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805-44) said: "The book of Revelation is one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written" (in History of the Church, 5:342). How is that? Because it is centered on Jesus Christ, and the events of him coming again."

As I knew the book of Revelation was coming I had this feeling of being inadequate in sharing anything meaningful. I wondered if I should study some writings about Revelations first. Then the Spirit told me not to. That I needed to read Revelations and look for the pure messages. I need to look for Jesus Christ and what it tells me about him. When I see that Joseph Smith said the book of Revelation is one of the plainest book, I realized I what to see what is plain too, and not go looking beyond the mark. I look forward to this adventure.

Day 3327

Today's Favorite Verse: Jude 1:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Jude 1:16
"These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage."

I think this is a good description of those that apostatize from the church. Their downfall begins with pride. It's when they think they know better than the prophet or in this case apostles. Pride is the only tool the adversary has to crack that protective shell around a righteous man, first by feeding them the lie that they are so righteous, and others should listen to them.

"Perhaps the greatest obstacle to our ability to hearken courageously to the word of the Lord involves our egos, vain ambitions, and pride. It seems that the proud find it burdensome to hear and accept the instruction of God. We are told in Proverbs that “pride goeth before destruction” The proud are more anxious about man’s judgment than they are of God’s judgment."
(H. David Burton, "Courage to Hearken", Apr 1994 General Conference)

"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."
(Proverbs 16:18-19)

Day 3326

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 John 1:4

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 John 1:4
"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

No greater joy is when a lamb that has been lost returns home again. It's been 20 years but miracles do happen. God will bring our children home if we let Him. Children in their teens and twenties maybe leaving the church in droves, but in their mid 30's and 40's they are coming home. Walk with them as many days in the Lord as you can, and they will know where home is.

"Years ago, while I was serving as a young bishop, an older gentleman asked to meet with me. He described his departure from the Church and the righteous traditions of his parents when he was in his youth. He described in detail the heartache he experienced during his life while vainly seeking lasting joy amidst the momentary happiness the world has to offer. Now, in his later years of life, he experienced the tender, sometimes nagging whispering sensations of the Spirit of God guiding him back to the lessons, practices, feelings, and spiritual safety of his youth. He expressed gratitude for the traditions of his parents, and in modern-day words, he echoed the proclamation of Enos: “Blessed be the name of my God for it.
”In my experience, this dear man’s return to the gospel is characteristic of many and is repeated often among God’s children who leave for a time, only to return to the teachings and practices of their youth. In those moments, we witness the wisdom of the writer of the proverb, who exhorts parents, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
(Steve R. Bangerter, "Laying the Foundation of a Great Work", Oct 2018 General Conference)

Day 3325

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 John 1:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 John 1:7-8
"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward."

This made me think of how its only Tuesday and twice now this week I have had friends tell me stories of how they were approached from seemingly "good" members that are delving into really strange things, and tried to make them join too. As I listened all I could think of is how ignorant these individuals were of what lessons are learned from the Old and New Testaments. God warned his people over and over to not get involved in worshipping these false gods. It's littered with needing to destroy their groves were they worshipped. Just like the early church Satan is working overtime to destroy, and we have to be so careful. Ultimately, Satan did win and the apostasy overcame the primitive church. The difference is this time the entire church will not apostatize, but that doesn't mean everyone survives. We have had warnings in our day.

"Behold, verily I say unto you, there are hypocrites among you, who have deceived some, which has given the adversary power; but behold such shall be reclaimed;
But the hypocrites shall be detected and shall be cut off, either in life or in death, even as I will; and wo unto them who are cut off from my church, for the same are overcome of the world.
Wherefore, let every man beware lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness before me."
(Doctrine and Covenants 50:7-9)

When someone says they have knowledge to share and it sounds nothing like you've been taught in church you need to do as the Lord advised.

"Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained?"
(Doctrine and Covenants 50:13)

If they have not been called by the proper authority and have stewardship over this, then its best to run.

“Let us beware of false prophets and false teachers, both men and women, who are self-appointed declarers of the doctrines of the Church and who seek to spread their false gospel and attract followers by sponsoring symposia, books, and journals whose contents challenge fundamental doctrines of the Church. Beware of those who speak and publish in opposition to God’s true prophets and who actively proselyte others with reckless disregard for the eternal well-being of those whom they seduce. Like Nehor and Korihor in the Book of Mormon, they rely on sophistry to deceive and entice others to their views. …
“Perhaps most damningly, they deny Christ’s Resurrection and Atonement, arguing that no God can save us. They reject the need for a Savior. In short, these detractors attempt to reinterpret the doctrines of the Church to fit their own preconceived views, and in the process deny Christ and His messianic role.”
(M. Russell Ballard, "Beware of False Prophets and False Teachers", Oct 1999 General Conference)

Day 3324

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 5:3

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 5:3
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."

I pondered on "commandments are not grievous", meaning burdensome, or oppressive. Somewhere over the years I have had a change of heart on this. I used to wonder how close can I come to being wicked, without being wicked? Oh, the follies of being a youth.

I've not heard commandments referred to in this manner, but they are joyful to me. Commandments have become a source of protection and offer security. It is an honor to keep them. Like many laws there are reasons for them and those reasons are to keep me and others safe. I'm not going to go swim in the ocean if there is a sign that says "No swimming, shark infested waters". Of course, I have my moments and I am not wise in all the ways commandments can be broken. But, what I do know I am grateful. I know God has patience with me as I repent and try to do better at keeping his commandments. In many ways that continued dialog makes me feel loved and watched over.

"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments."
(1 John 2:3)

Day 3323

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 4:12

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 4:12
"No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us."

Well that's not right. There have been several accounts of prophets seeing God. Even John himself saw God as mentioned in the book of Revelations. Jesus himself said the Father and Him would come to us.

"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."
(John 14:23)

Paul saw Him.
"And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."
(Acts 7:56)

Joseph Smith saw both the Father and the Son.
"It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"
(Joseph Smith-History 1:17)

The Joseph Smith Translation clarifies this.
"No man hath seen God at any time, except them who believe. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us."
(JST 1 John 4:12)

The word "see" can have different meanings, which is explained well here.

President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) explained: “All revelation since the fall has come through Jesus Christ, who is the Jehovah of the Old Testament. In all of the scriptures, where God is mentioned and where he has appeared, it was Jehovah who talked with Abraham, with Noah, Enoch, Moses and all the prophets. … The Father has never dealt with man directly and personally since the fall, and he has never appeared except to introduce and bear record of the Son” The scriptures record a number of occasions when the Father has introduced Jesus Christ: Matthew 3:17; 17:5; 3 Nephi 11:6–7; D&C 76:23; Joseph Smith—History 1:17.
John 1:18 can have another meaning as well. In the scriptures, particularly the Gospel of John, the word see can sometimes mean “perceive with our minds” or “understand.” In that light, John 1:18 can be understood to mean that men have not fully “seen” or understood God. Therefore, Jesus Christ came as God’s messenger to “declare” or reveal to men what God the Father is like. This is a theme throughout the Gospel of John.
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 21: John 1)

Day 3322

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 3:24

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 3:24
"And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."

I pondered on how could we dwell in Jesus Christ? To dwell is to live in or at a specified place. What place would that be?

"For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God; for God giveth him not the Spirit by measure, for he dwelleth in him, even the fulness."
(John 3:34 (JST)

I think that place of dwelling is the fullness of the Spirit.

Day 3321

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 2:15

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 2:15
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

I sat and pondered on all the ways that I am showing a love of the world. The conclusion I came to is my love of the world has changed over the years. One little thing that gives me an indication is how I spend my down time. There are movies that I used to love that I just can't watch anymore. I thought about my Facebook posts and how they reflect what is meaningful to me. It's full of my love of the scriptures and news of the church. As I reflected on areas I need to address I found it interesting that my desire to have them has changed too. It's not like you are giving something up, its that you want something better.

The other day I had something happen that I had every opportunity to be angry and lash out. Instead of ranting to others I sat down and had a conversation with God to help me get past it. It really helped. The desire for God's blessings was greater than the world's justice. I think that over everything showed a love of God over the world. It's not just things that are markers, its were you find comfort or even if you want it. Earlier, I would have just relished in a good old rant. Oh, there still are triggers that want to bubble things up but I keep whacking them down like weeds. I want a clean lawn not a wild untamed one.

Day 3320

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 1:6

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 1:6
"If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:"

The person we lie to is ourselves. We may seem to pull the wool over other people's eyes for a while, but truth does come out. Who we absolutely cannot fool is the Lord, for he already knows us.

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
(Matthew 6:24)

Day 3319

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Peter 3:10

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Peter 3:10
"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."

I have been thinking about the Lord coming as a thief in the night, and I don't think the righteous will be totally unaware. The Lord even said we should watch for the signs of His coming. I was reading tonight in the Book of Mormon about Samuel a Lamanite and how he told the people that the sign of the Lord's birth would come in five years. I think prophets will know, maybe not the day or the hour, but the time frame like Samuel did. I think they already know and following their counsel will prepare us to be ready. I don't need to be given a five year warning. I think now is not the time to delay any repentance and to do all that you can to remain clean. Now is not the time to fall off into strange paths because you may never find your way back home in time.

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."
(Matthew 24:44)

"And again, verily I say unto you, the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, and it overtaketh the world as a thief in the night—
Therefore, gird up your loins, that you may be the children of light, and that day shall not overtake you as a thief."
(Doctrine and Covenants 106:4-5)

"The Saints are preparing themselves for that event when Jesus shall come as a thief in the night. For our own sakes let us do the best we possibly can. We must observe and keep the laws of God, in order to inherit the rewards promised. Let us not set our hearts on the riches and vanities of this earth. It is very convenient, it is true, to have the comforts of life around us, but we shall be better without them, if by hoarding up the riches of the world we forget the things of God."
(Wilford Woodruff, "The Work Progressing", JD 19:134)

Day 3318