Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 19:13-15

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 19:13-15
"And it came to pass when they were all baptized and had come up out of the water, the Holy Ghost did fall upon them, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
And behold, they were encircled about as if it were by fire; and it came down from heaven, and the multitude did witness it, and did bear record; and angels did come down out of heaven and did minister unto them.
And it came to pass that while the angels were ministering unto the disciples, behold, Jesus came and stood in the midst and ministered unto them."

I was drawn to the mention of being encircled by fire. It reminded me of Nephi and Lehi in prison being surrounded by fire.

"And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi were encircled about as if by fire, even insomuch that they durst not lay their hands upon them for fear lest they should be burned. Nevertheless, Nephi and Lehi were not burned; and they were as standing in the midst of fire and were not burned."
(Helaman 5:23)

Fire shows the presence of God, and divine protection. The glory of the Lord at his coming will either embrace or consume, it depends on how one fears the Lord.

"And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."
(Isaiah 40:5)

"And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, and it hath gone forth in a firm decree, by the will of the Father, that mine apostles, the Twelve which were with me in my ministry at Jerusalem, shall stand at my right hand at the day of my coming in a pillar of fire, being clothed with robes of righteousness, with crowns upon their heads, in glory even as I am, to judge the whole house of Israel, even as many as have loved me and kept my commandments, and none else."
(Doctrine and Covenants 29:12)

"These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical."
(Doctrine and Covenants 76:70)

"And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:"
(2 Thessalonians 2:8)

"And the saints also shall hardly escape; nevertheless, I, the Lord, am with them, and will come down in heaven from the presence of my Father and consume the wicked with unquenchable fire."
(Doctrine and Covenants 63:34)

Day 3542

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 18:15, 18

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 18:15, 18
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him.
Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat."

I noticed that in verse 15 the Lord is speaking to his disciples. In verse 18 he says it a little differently to the saints gathered there. The disciples are warned they will be led captive, or in bondage to the devil. The people are warned that Satan desires to sift them as wheat. Similar to the warning the Lord gave to Simon Peter before he was given the keys to lead the church.

"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:"
(Luke 22:31)

"Jesus cautioned that Satan desires to sift us like wheat which means to make us common like all those around us. But Jesus taught that we who follow Him should be precious and unique, “the salt of the and “the light of the world,” to shine forth to all men."
(Dallin H. Oaks, "Unselfish Service", Apr 2009 General Conference)

I pondered on what the difference meant between these verses? One thing that stands out to me is the Lord is first speaking to the priesthood leaders of His Church. Bondage would be a way Satan could stop the work. Amen to that man's priesthood if he knowingly gives into Satan's temptations. For they have a sure knowledge of the divinity of the Lord.

"All gifts and endowments given of the Lord to members of His church are not given to control the church; but they are under the control and guidance of the priesthood, and are judged of by it. Some have erred upon this point, and have been led captive by the devil"
(Brigham Young, "Summary of Instructions", JD 11:129)

Among the saints Satan will work to shift them as wheat. Remove what is unique and precious among them, the spirit. They will no longer be a light to others to lead them to Christ. Both the priesthood leaders and the saints are to watch and pray always so they are not tempted and fall.

Day 3541

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 17:23-25

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 17:23-25
"And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.
And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.
And the multitude did see and hear and bear record; and they know that their record is true for they all of them did see and hear, every man for himself; and they were in number about two thousand and five hundred souls; and they did consist of men, women, and children."

I have always love the stories of Jesus and the little children. As a child these stories were so comforting to me. I knew He loved me. As an adult I still remember the feelings I had as a child, but now as a parent I feel the other side, of seeing children surrounding Jesus and angels ministering to them. It makes me cry.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
(3 John 1:4)

"Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence."
(Matthew 19:13-15)

Day 3540

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 16:4

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 16:4
"And I command you that ye shall write these sayings after I am gone, that if it so be that my people at Jerusalem, they who have seen me and been with me in my ministry, do not ask the Father in my name, that they may receive a knowledge of you by the Holy Ghost, and also of the other tribes whom they know not of, that these sayings which ye shall write shall be kept and shall be manifested unto the Gentiles, that through the fulness of the Gentiles, the remnant of their seed, who shall be scattered forth upon the face of the earth because of their unbelief, may be brought in, or may be brought to a knowledge of me, their Redeemer.
And then will I gather them in from the four quarters of the earth; and then will I fulfil the covenant which the Father hath made unto all the people of the house of Israel."

This literally happened with the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and the restoration of Christ's church in these latter-days. The gathering from the four quarters of the earth is happening right now. People are being brought to a knowledge of their Redeemer. I cannot wait to read all the records.

"For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it.
And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews.
And it shall come to pass that my people, which are of the house of Israel, shall be gathered home unto the lands of their possessions; and my word also shall be gathered in one. And I will show unto them that fight against my word and against my people, who are of the house of Israel, that I am God, and that I covenanted with Abraham that I would remember his seed forever."
(2 Nephi 29:12-14)

Day 3539

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 15:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 15:5-6
"Behold, I am he that gave the law, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel; therefore, the law in me is fulfilled, for I have come to fulfil the law; therefore it hath an end.
Behold, I do not destroy the prophets, for as many as have not been fulfilled in me, verily I say unto you, shall all be fulfilled."

Through Christ's life and resurrection he fulfilled the law of Moses. He was the sacrificial lamb. All things pointed to Him. Yet, not all the words of the prophets have been fulfilled. I think of how much was prophesied to happen in these latter-days and has been. All things shall be fulfilled, but not always according to how we interpret them to be. It is through natural means that the Lord works and as such I think we have missed a lot of what is going on around us.

"Even with this experience in the past, the Latter-day Saints themselves are not entirely divested of extravagant views respecting the effects which are likely to follow the fulfillment of predictions yet in the future. Are we not all inclined to look forward to many events which have been predicted by the servants of God as being of so great and wonderful, and I may say so supernatural a character, that when they shall be fulfilled they will even startle us, who believe they are coming, and will compel the unbelieving inhabitants of the earth to accept them as evidences of the truth? In our thoughts this seems to be the natural tendency. I notice it in myself; I notice it in others. When we read respecting the great events which are to take place in connection with this work, as predicted in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, are we not inclined to think that, surely, when these things shall come to pass all the earth, as well as ourselves, will be constrained to acknowledge this to be the work of God, and these events to be indeed those which have been predicted by the prophets?
Now I would not, for the world, say one word to lessen in the minds of my brethren and sisters the importance of these events; I would not say one word to weaken your proper expectations; but my experience has taught me that the Lord works in the midst of this people by natural means, and that the greatest events that have been spoken of by the holy prophets will come along so naturally as the consequence of certain causes, that unless our eyes are enlightened by the Spirit of God, and the spirit of revelation rests us, we will fail to see that these are the events predicted by the holy prophets."
(Elder George Q. Cannon, "Natural Fulfillment of Prophecy—The Israelites and the Gentiles", JD, Vol. 21, Discourse 29, pg. 264-272)

Day 3538

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 14:16-20

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 14:16-20
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them.

I was talking to my son today and we were marveling how the same scripture can mean totally different things to people. They feel their scripture describes current events, and I just can't see the hoops they just leaped through. As we were talking we asked ourselves are we the ones that are not seeing? Can we be wrong? How do you tell the difference, especially if both parties feel they have confirmation by the spirit through prayer? Then the impression came to me, "by their fruits ye shall know them." That settled the matter for us as we based the results of their interpretations by their fruit. How grateful I am that there is a second witness after the gift of the spirit to know how to choose.

Day 3537

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 13:8

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 13:8
"Be not ye therefore like unto them, for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him."

That verse became a stumbling block at one time to me. If the Father knew what I needed before I asked, then why should I ask? Wouldn't he already know? My eyes did not begin to see until I read the account of Nephi being given the sealing power. God knew Nephi would not ask for anything contrary to His will. This helped me to understand that prayer is where I learn by the Spirit to ask according to God's will. We become one in prayer and purpose. In ways it's a meeting of the minds. My mind is turned to Him and what he wants for me. This allows me to ask in greater faith.

"And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will."
(Helaman 10:5)

Day 3536

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 12:16

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 12:16
"Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

This made me think about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint initiative to #LightTheWorld. This year's message is to be an angel and serve others like Jesus Christ did. It is breathtaking to see major cities around the world literally light up with angels appearing and images of the Christ child's birth.

I have marveled each year as the number of locations for the Giving Machines have increased. The church may have started it, but they are not alone. They are bringing other faiths and organizations together to serve those in need. Reminds me a lot of what the church did with FamilySearch and RootsTech. This annual event brings people together worldwide as we share our stories and celebrate our individual heritages. We find we have more in common than we ever realized. We truly are brothers and sisters. The church isn't looking to be the light or take credit. They are pointing the light towards the Lord as they bring God's children closer together.

Day 3535

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 11:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 11:1-2
"And now it came to pass that there were a great multitude gathered together, of the people of Nephi, round about the temple which was in the land Bountiful; and they were marveling and wondering one with another, and were showing one to another the great and marvelous change which had taken place.
And they were also conversing about this Jesus Christ, of whom the sign had been given concerning his death."

I think upon this often, that the saints were gathered at the temple when the Savior appeared to them. Will Christ again appear to his saints at the temple, before he appears to the whole world?

"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts."
(Malachi 3:1)

"The Lord who shall suddenly come to his temple; the Lord who shall come down upon the world with a curse to judgment; yea, upon all the nations that forget God, and upon all the ungodly among you."
(Doctrine and Covenants 133:2)

I know the Lord did suddenly come to his temple after the Kirtland temple dedication, along with Moses, Elias, and Elijah. Only Joseph Smith, Jr. and Oliver Cowdery witnessed this vision. Yet, the Lord says...

"For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.
Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house."
(Doctrine and Covenants 110:7-8)

"During this visitation, the Lord affirmed His identity. He said, “I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father.” Jesus Christ then declared that He had accepted the temple as His house and made this stunning promise: “I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.” This significant promise applies to every dedicated temple today. I invite you to ponder what the Lord’s promise means for you personally."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys", Apr 2024 General Conference)

Day 3534

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 10:4-6

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 10:4-6
"O ye people of these great cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Jacob, yea, who are of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you.
And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, who have fallen; yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem, as ye that have fallen; yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not.
O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart."

I hadn't realized until now that the Lord is speaking to both sides of the veil. To those that were now deceased and those that were spared. The deceased spirits must still be lingering around them. The time of repentance is now past for them. They had willfully rebelled and did not turn to the Lord when he called them in this life. Those that are still alive are told the Lord's arms will still gather them. They can still repent and turn with full purpose of heart to the Lord. It is important to not procrastination our day of repentance.

"Brothers and sisters, now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority."
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024 General Conference)

"Obstacles will come. Let us not wait for things to get hard before turning to God. Let us not wait until the end of our mortal lives to truly repent. Instead, let us now, no matter which part of the covenant path we are on, focus on the redemptive power of Jesus Christ and on Heavenly Father’s desire for us to return to Him"
(Elder Jorge M. Alvarado, "Embrace the Lord's Gift of Repentance", Oct 2024 General Conference)

Day 3533

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 9:11

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 9:11
"And because they did cast them all out, that there were none righteous among them, I did send down fire and destroy them, that their wickedness and abominations might be hid from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints whom I sent among them might not cry unto me from the ground against them."

I had wondered about the righteous being a causality of destruction that happened after the Lord was crucified. I know there were wounded among them for the Lord healed them. In this verse I see that cities destroyed were due to the wicked casting them out. Being persecuted and cast out would have been a trial for the righteous to endure, but in the long run it moved them to places of refuge from the coming storm. Those whose blood were spilt at the hands of the wicked were claimed by the Lord and his. I can see that this was also a fulfillment of prophesy given by Samuel the Lamanite.

"But blessed are they who will repent, for them will I spare. But behold, if it were not for the righteous who are in this great city, behold, I would cause that fire should come down out of heaven and destroy it.
But behold, it is for the righteous’ sake that it is spared. But behold, the time cometh, saith the Lord, that when ye shall cast out the righteous from among you, then shall ye be ripe for destruction; yea, wo be unto this great city, because of the wickedness and abominations which are in her."
(Helaman 12:13-14)

Day 3532