Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 47:1, 5

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 47:1, 5
"Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.
Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over."

I was going to look for Elder Renlund's conference talk where he spoke of "waters to swim in". Where we immerse ourselves in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the healing that comes from temple blessings. Then I found this interesting quote about the water.

"The Prophet Joseph Smith proclaimed: “Judah must return, Jerusalem must be rebuilt, and the temple, and water come out from under the temple, and the waters of the Dead Sea be healed. It will take some time to rebuild the walls of the city and the temple, &c; and all this must be done before the Son of Man will make His appearance.” (Teachings, p. 286.) The waters issuing forth from under the temple and the healing of the Dead Sea may occur when the Lord Himself sets foot upon the Mount of Olives, causing this mountain to divide in two and create a large valley.
(Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi, "Prophecies of the Restoration", (27-34)

Day 4026

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 44:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 44:5
"And the LORD said unto me, Son of man, mark well, and behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears all that I say unto thee concerning all the ordinances of the house of the LORD, and all the laws thereof; and mark well the entering in of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary."

We are given the same charge today in the holy temples. To enter a dedicated House of the Lord one must be interviewed, found worthy, and present a recommend with two signatures to worship inside. Once inside the quiet of the Lord's house, we are able to ponder all that we see, hear and feel. It is such an amazing time, with so many temples being built around the world. Before they are dedicated the world is invited to a free public open house. There they can experience the peace founds inside, and feel and see the reverence we hold for the House of the Lord.

Day 4025

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 40:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 40:3-4
"And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate.
And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel."

Ezekiel sees in vision a very detailed temple. The angel walks him throughout the whole temple, out buildings and courts, measuring each detail as they go. Ezekiel recalls every detail and records it. I wondered if the second temple in Jerusalem followed those measurements or was it only intended for the temple of the last days?

I learned it resembled Solomon's temple, but the second temple (Temple of Zerubbabel) was built on the same site by not initially built like it. Herod's expansion of the second temple greatly remodeled and expanded the complex but it doesn't appear to match the temple Ezekiel saw in vision. Ezekiel's temple has not been built.

“In most of its essential features Ezekiel’s ideal followed closely the plan of Solomon’s Temple; so close, indeed, is the resemblance, that many of the details specified by Ezekiel have been accepted as those of the splendid edifice destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar."
"The plan provided for even greater exclusiveness than had characterized the sacred area of the Temple of Solomon; the double courts contributed to this end."
(James E. Talmage, "The House of the Lord", 1914, pp. 44-45)

Day 4024

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 38:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 38:16
"And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes."

I have learned that what I used to picture as end times is not how things are turning out. I never pictures things would become as they are. One thing I used to picture is that I would always stand with Israel. Oh, the whole world could come against them, but I knew they would prevail. Now I see this a little differently. The way things are going the world could absolutely have cause to come against them. Never would I picture how things are lining up. I have left off from trying to figure this all out. The only thing I do know is I want to be right with the Lord and not leave anything left undone. Prophesy will be fulfilled in the Lord's own way and time. The only thing that needs hurrying is the gathering of Israel, helping others to come to Christ, on both sides of the veil. As for wars and oppression of others I want nothing to do with it.

Day 4023

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 36:26-27

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 36:26-27
"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."

It is with a mighty change of heart that we turn to the Lord, and are born again. We will have His spirit to always be with us. Our hearts will desire to walk in this statutes, keep His laws and all that He asks of us. The place to start is within our hearts. I am reminded of king Lamoni and his mighty change of heart and desire for eternal life.

"And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.
But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest."
(Alma 22:15-16)

Day 4022

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 33:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 33:12-13
"Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth.
When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it."

This reminded me of the day I was praying about a sin that happened long ago. I could not be resolved of it. The Lord spoke clearly to my mind, "I love you for who you are today. You need to forgive that 17 year old girl." I learned something so profound that day. You cannot store up righteousness or wickedness and have one overcome the other. Judgment day isn't a tally that is counted up to see which side you are on. The Lord looks at who we are today. Do you stand righteous today or wicked? Have you repented of your sins and are clean? He knows us, just like we know ourselves. Judgment will not be a shock, for we already know where our heart stands.

Day 4021

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 29:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 29:4
"But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales."

I pondered on what a bunch of trouble that fish would be in, simple because he found something that looked very tempting and went after it. Once he's bitten and now hooked in the jaw he is at the mercy of the fisherman. The fish is then moved not completely under its own power. As it is moved it starts to stick to other things until it is completely powerless and able to be devoured. People can be a lot like fish. I thought about the commandments and how they are a protection to us. They prevent us from being hooked in the jaw and start spiraling downward.

Day 4020

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 25:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 25:17
"And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them."

I thought about how this would be a very hard way to come to know the Lord. There is another option. It's to search for Him. Read and ponder the scripture to know His voice. Keep His commandments, and believe and trust in Him. Do all that He asks and those that sincerely seek Him will find him. They will be able to say they know the Lord. I would much rather know the Lord that way then to have furious rebukes wake me up.

Day 4019

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 22:27-29

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 22:27-29
"Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.
And her prophets have daubed them with untempered mortar, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.
The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully."

My son and I were talking today. We had identified earlier some false prophets and apostles. He told me what one of them had said today. It was really bad. These verses do describe them. I find it so interesting that all my life I knew there were false prophets, apostles and false Christs, but I hadn't really met them. Now they are so incredibly bold and main stream it's shocking. They are not hiding. They work in plain site. Prophecy is being fulfilled at such an amazing pace.

Day 4018

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 20:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 20:3
"Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to inquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you."

It took me back a little when the Lord said "I will not be inquired of by you." That seemed so harsh when they wanted to inquire of the Lord. As I read and pondered I realized these elders of Israel hadn't gone directly to the Lord, they asked Ezekiel to inquire. They were just like the children of Israel at the time of Moses. They lost an opportunity to know the Lord. When Ezekiel inquires of the Lord he is told, He won't listen or speak to them. They have rebelled in the abominations of their fathers. They have not listened or obeyed Him, would they listen now?

All this made me pondered on the recent Sunday class meeting schedule changes. It made me so sad to read the comments on various posts. So many finding fault, suggesting better plans, etc. Seriously, you're going to go into General Conference already finding fault with a new meeting schedule? You haven't even tried it yet. What's so hard about having a 25 min class? You're not capable of getting up from your pew and walking to a classroom in 5 minutes? I use a walker and know it doesn't even take me a minute to walk there. What if this announcement was a test to see how we would react? A test to see if we are ready to receive more?

I remember when Elder Renlund visited our stake. He had two members of the stake come up and bear their testimonies of Jesus Christ. I sat there just broken hearted because neither of them did what they were asked. They couldn't take 5 minutes to tell what the Savior meant to them. I watched Elder Renlund taking notes. I felt like Elder Renlund was taking the heart beat of our stake to see what we were ready to receive. His talk was wonderful, but I still wonder what else he could have told us if our heart beat was a little different.

Based on the majority of comments on the Sunday class meeting changes, I think we already failed that test.

Day 4017

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 18:27-28

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 18:27-28
"Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die."

Because we sin it does not mean we are eternally doomed. That was the whole purpose behind the Lord, Jesus Christ's atonement. He paid the price so we can live again. All that is asked is for us to repent when we sin. We can repentance every day. It's best not to put it off or feel you are unworthy. Jesus never told us we were unworthy of his atoning sacrifice when we come unto Him.

Day 4016

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 13:2-3, 6-7

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 13:2-3, 6-7
"Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!"
They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.
Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD."

I learned something the other day that was so depressing to me. I learned that there is a religious political movement now calling their leaders prophets and apostles. As I was reading about this movement it sickened me that others may think I speak of them. When I ponder on my favorite verse and say I follow the prophet and apostles they are not who I speak of. I want to be very clear that I believe Jesus Christ's church has been restored on the earth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is a prophet today named Dallin H. Oaks. He has two counselors that make up the First Presidency, namely Henry B. Eyring and D. Todd Christofferson, they are also apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles consist of Dieter F. Uchtdorf, David A. Bednar, Quentin L. Cook, Neil L. Andersen, Ronald A. Rasband, Gary E. Stevenson, Dale G. Renlund, Gerrit W. Gong, Ulisses Soares, Patrick Kearon, Gérald Caussé, and Clark G. Gilbert.

I can say this boldly for the Holy Ghost has born witness to me this is true. The others are false prophets and will lead you astray. I can wait because with time truth stands. One way to know a false prophet is by what they prophesy and it does not happen. Oh, they will twist and say they meant something else, but a prophet of God never has to do that.

"Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart."
(Jeremiah 14:14)

"There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof."
(Ezekiel 22:25)

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
(Matthew 7:15)

"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
(Matthew 24:14)

"And liars and hypocrites shall be proved by them, and they who are not apostles and prophets shall be known."
(Doctrine and Covenants 64:39)

Day 4015

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 11:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 11:5
"And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them."

This is Holy Week in remembrance of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, atonement and resurrection. It is also the week I prepare for General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is when for two days I will sit at the feet of the prophet and apostles and listen to His words. Prophets see around corners, they know our concerns and thoughts. What is ahead that I need to prepare for? For years I have experienced thoughts on various subjects, hoping they will be covered, and then found that was the direction general conference went. I've had some very interesting impressions this time. I wonder how things will be laid out?

Day 4014

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 7:25-26

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 7:25-26
"Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none.
Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients."

This reminded me of President Nelson, how he taught us to seek peace, be peacemakers, to seek the Holy Ghost and have it as our guide. I could not comprehend then what I do now what peace would come into my life, as I listened and applied what he counseled.

"In the coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.
"Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", Apr 2018 General Conference)

Seven years later President Oaks built upon that those words, the preparation period given by President Nelson is now accomplished. We are in the season he spoke of, where if we do not have the Holy Ghost as our guide we will be deceived. Without it there is no peace.

"One of the many reasons you will need the constant influence of the Holy Ghost is that you live in a season in which the adversary has become so effective at disguising truth that if you don't have the Holy Ghost, you will be deceived. Many obstacles lie ahead. The distractions will be many."
(Dallin H. Oaks, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, delivered this BYU devotional address on February 10, 2026.")

I thought about how people that didn't prepare then, to learn how to have peace in the midst of trials and the spirit as their guide, will be looking for it now.

Day 4013

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 6:7, 10, 13-14

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 6:7, 10, 13-14
"And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
And they shall know that I am the LORD, and that I have not said in vain that I would do this evil unto them.
Then shall ye know that I am the LORD, when their slain men shall be among their idols round about their altars, upon every high hill, in all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree, and under every thick oak, the place where they did offer sweet savour to all their idols.
So will I stretch out my hand upon them, and make the land desolate, yea, more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblath, in all their habitations: and they shall know that I am the LORD."

What stood out to me was how many times it says, "ye shall know that I am the Lord". Why does it have to take losing everything, suffering war and famine, before they wake up? One thing I do know, is that He warned them before any of this happened. They had time to repent and turn back to him. It reminded me of having my bottom spanked when I did something wrong as a child. My parents always warned me before any punishments. I guess children are no different. Eventually we learn to listen and obey.

Day 4012

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 3:18-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 3:18-19
"When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul."

As I read these verses it made me reflect on a spreadsheet I started at the beginning of the year. My plan was to note every talk and post made by the prophet and apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I didn't last very long keeping up with that list. I try to post what I find on Facebook, and am having a hard time keeping up with that. Watching the exponential growth of just these posts there is no doubt in my mind the Lord is hastening His work. His prophet and apostles are traveling and speaking to the whole world. They take serious the charge that if they do not sound the warning voice the blood of the wicked will be required at their hand. They are working at a profound pace to prepare the world for the second coming of Jesus Christ. In less than 10 days is General Conference. I cannot wait to sit at the feet of the prophet and apostles and listen to what I should know for the days ahead.

Day 4011

Today's Favorite Verse: Lamentations 5:21

Today's Favorite Verse: Lamentations 5:21
"Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old."

This is Jeremiah's prayer. The desire is for Israel to turn again to the Lord. I pondered on how I pray for this too. I pray for those I love, that their hearts will be softened, that they will turn to the Lord. That they will awaken to their awful situation before it is to late.

"Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up."
(Ether 8:24)

"O, all ye old men, and also ye young men, and you little children who can understand my words, for I have spoken plainly unto you that ye might understand, I pray that ye should awake to a remembrance of the awful situation of those that have fallen into transgression.
And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."
(Mosiah 2:40-41)

Day 4010

Today's Favorite Verse: Lamentations 3:24-26

Today's Favorite Verse: Lamentations 3:24-26
"The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD."

I was listening to a stake conference talk today. The mission president and his wife were speaking. She mentioned going to Ghana and South Africa and visiting the saints there. It is truly a marvelous work and a wonder in missionary work there. She spoke of how you never hear complaining of hardships over the pulpit. They were so joyous of what the Lord had done for them. They looked to Christ in all things. He was their hope and strength. I want to be more like them.

Day 4009

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 51:6, 45

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 51:6, 45
"Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.
My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD."

What the Lord told Jeremiah is exactly what we are to do today, flee out of the midst of Babylon. Babylon represents the world and all its wickedness. We cannot serve two masters, the world and the Lord. We would hate the one and love the other. We are to flee, leave, come out of Babylon and turn to the Lord, and be healed. This is a decision only we can make for our own souls. It all comes down to where are hearts are and not our physical location.

"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 4008

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 48:44

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 48:44
"He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon it, even upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith the LORD."

The Lord says Moab will be destroyed, for they had turned against Him. They trusted in their own works and treasures. I could just picture them trying to flee out of fear, being blinded to the fact there was a pit ahead of them. They then fall in it. Then once they get out of the pit they stumble into a snare. What that says to me is spiritual blindness. They can no longer discern where they must go for safety. It's interesting and sad to see people that have turned their backs on God do the same thing. They keep stumbling about, even cursing God. When all along He was there, if they would just turn to Him.

Day 4007

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 44:16-18

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 44:16-18
"As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.
But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.
But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine."

It's interesting how they twisted things. They thought because they had stopped burning incense to the queen of heaven that was why the sword and famine came upon them. They had not understood it was because they had sinned against the God of Israel and did not repent that those things happened. They didn't follow all that the prophet had told them to do. You can't be half committed and figure you will have blessings. You are either all-in or all-out. Obviously, they were still committed to the queen of heaven and not the God of Israel.

Day 4006

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 42:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 42:2-3
"And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:)
That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do."

Now that Babylon has conquered Jerusalem and carried many way, those that remain turn to the prophet Jeremiah. They want him to speak the Lord and tell them what they should do. They swear they will follow whatever the Lord tells him. After ten days the Lord tells Jeremiah that if they abide in the land He will build them up. To not be afraid of the king of Bablyon, for the Lord will deliver them from his hands. He also tells them that they are not to go into Egypt, for if they do they will be overtaken there by the sword, famine, and pestilence. The Lord is very clear on what they should and should not do. Will they listen and obey?

Jeremiah knows they will not. He tells them they dissembled in your hears (have deceived your souls) when they sent him to inquire of the Lord. The will only listen to the prophet when he says what they want to hear.

"For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it." (Jeremiah 42:20)

Day 4005

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 38:19

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 38:19
"And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me."

Jeremiah tells Zedekiah what he must do, that if he goes now to the Chaldeans he will live. Instead of obeying the prophet, who's words Zedekiah implied he wanted to hear, he says instead that he can't. He's afraid the Jews there will mock him. Even though the prophet tells him what will happen to Jerusalem, his women and children, it seems the fear of being mocked has a greater pull on him. I pondered on pride and faith, both can't exist at the same time. Either Zedekiah lost his pride and followed the prophet's words, or he doubted the prophet and would lose his life. Sadly, Zedekiah pride ruled over faith and he lost his life.

Day 4004

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 36:23, 32

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 36:23, 32
"And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.
Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words."

We can't so easily dismiss the words of God by burning the pages they are written on. A prophet can dictate the words again. I thought about how people can ignore the scriptures, never pick them up or read them. Yet, the prophesies and counsel for us are still there. The only one that is hurt is ourselves. The best part of my day is when I sit and read and study the scriptures. It brings peace to my soul.

Day 4003

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 33:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 33:3
"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."

I went down a rabbit hole tonight. I happened upon this video. It was some type of gathering or fireside with this man talking about the signs of the times, etc. The name was familiar but I couldn't recall what I knew of them. As I listened there were moments that I could feel the spirit and it touched me. Then there were moments that I was amazed at how they put the scriptures together, and were drawing this timeline. The whole time I'm thinking I don't know who this person is. After watching the video I thought to find out who they were. I still couldn't figure it out, but I wondered if there were other presentations by him. I searched and found him on channels that I had put aside for one reason or another. He seemed so knowledgeable about the scriptures, I'm really drawn to that. I pulled up a second video and probably didn't make it five minutes in before I had my answer. I shut off the video and have no more curiosity about listening to him. It is all so clever how people try to twist and draw you in with their knowledge. What made me turn him off was a very simple comment that those in the audience appeared to agreed with. They saw things in what I would call a political way, instead of acknowledging the counsel the prophet gave us at the time. When you set the counsel of the prophet aside, and think you know better, then we need to part paths. It's as simple as that.

After this situation I pondered on it. I came to the conclusion that I needed to let the spirit guide me in my study of the scriptures. There was no need to run faster than I am able. Stay with the scriptures, the prophets, apostles, wholesome things on the church website. I had to trust that things would open up as I was ready. Listening to other "teachers" run the risk of going off course. Then I settled down to read my scriptures. Reading this verse was confirmation that I'm on the right path.

Day 4002

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 29:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 29:7
"And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.'

Even though the children of Israel are carried away into Babylon the Lord would help them find peace in their captivity. There is a battle between false prophets, some say they will be back in two years, then there is Jeremiah that says 70 years. He councils them to build houses, plant gardens and fruit trees. Have children and let their children marry and have children. Their numbers would increase and not diminish. Overall they were to seek peace, they were to seek the Lord. This captivity was a time for them to repent. False prophets would expose themselves when their prophesies do not come true.

Day 4001

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 25:31-33

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 25:31-33
"A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.
And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground."

Jeremiah is speaking of the latter-days, and the final battle Armageddon. I have been reflecting on how some are saying the battle in the middle east is the beginning of Armageddon. In fact some military leaders are telling their troops that they are fighting God's battle. They want Armageddon to happen. To me that is just offensive and wrong. Moral men cannot decide to make such a war happen. That's not how God works. We are told to not make the first offense. I think such desires are not of the Lord, and inspired of the adversary. Only evil and designing men would have such an objective. Yes, God has his purposes and sees the end from the beginning. It does not mean man will be held unaccountable for their actions and who they were inspired by.

"They think that men manipulate the affairs of men. They do in part, and they are used ofttimes as instruments by the Almighty, and sometimes by another power that is called Lucifer, just as circumstances may be."
(John Taylor, "The Gathering, Etc.", JD 25:341)

Day 4000

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 23:23

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 23:23
"Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?"

I felt to ponder on this question. Was God near or far off? I feel Him near me so He is a God at hand. Then I pondered on what it meant to be "a God afar off". The distance is probably of our own making. At that point you would feel God is afar off, and possibly doesn't see what you are doing. That would be a great lie to ourselves. For God sees and knows all of what is done by man. We cannot hide our sins, like we can from our fellow man.

Day 3999

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 20:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 20:10-11
"For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.
But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten."

Defaming and slander are tools of the adversary, so are confusion and chaos. These tools are being drawn with sophistication against one another. They may have their season, but in the long run they will not win.

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
“Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God”  (1 Cor. 6:9–10)
Be not deceived, brethren. Heed the ancient and modern prophetic warnings against thievery, drunkenness, and all forms of sexual sin. The deceiver seeks to destroy your spirituality by all of these means. Paul warns us against those who “lie in wait to deceive … by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness” (Eph. 4:14) Beware of the slick package and the glitz of a good time. What the devil portrays as fun can be spiritually fatal.
(Dallin H. Oaks, "Be Not Deceived", Oct 2004 General Conference)

Day 3998

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 16:14-16

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 16:14-16
"Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.
Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks."

We are the hunters and fishers of today. Elder LeGrand Richards mentioned it in 1971 there were 14,000 missionaries. At the end of 2025 there were 84,000. Recently I heard one apostles say they had assigned the largest number of missionaries in a single day. I just wish I could recall where I came across that. Soon we should hear what the new numbers are.

"In a general conference address Elder LeGrand Richards commented on these verses:
“Just contemplate that statement [vv. 14–15] for a few moments. Think how the Jews and the Christians all through these past centuries have praised the Lord for his great hand of deliverance under the hands of Moses when he led Israel out of captivity, and yet here comes Jeremiah with this word of the holy prophet, telling us that in the latter days they shall no more remember that, but how God has gathered scattered Israel from the lands whither he had driven them.
“And Jeremiah saw the day when the Lord would do this very thing, when he would call for many fishers and many hunters, ‘and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.’ (Jer. 16:16.) Where do you find those fishers and hunters that we read about in this great prophecy of Jeremiah? They are these 14,000 missionaries of this church, and those who have preceded them from the time that the Prophet Joseph Smith received the truth and sent the messengers out to share it with the world. Thus have they gone out, fishing and hunting, and gathering them from the hills and the mountains, and the holes in the rocks. I think that is more literal than some of us think!” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1971, p. 143; or Ensign, June 1971, pp. 98–99.)
(Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi, "As ye Sow, So Shall Ye Reap")

Day 3997

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 15:17, 19-21

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 15:17, 19-21
" I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.
Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.
And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible."

Jeremiah had been faithful when those around him had not. He pleads with the Lord to remember him, that he was part of those that mocked. It's better to be alone than to be with those on the wrong side of the Lord. For this the Lord promised Jeremiah that he will be delivered out of the hand of the wicked. He was not taken into Babylon. Instead he taken into Egypt. The greater deliverance however is spiritual and receiving an eternal reward.

I am reminded of an experience I had in the early days of the pandemic. I found these funny jokes and memes about it and started laughing at them. Everything struck me so funny. Then the Lord sharply rebuked me and said "Those that laugh will mourn." I humbled myself and repented of my follies, and have strived to be so careful at what I laugh at since then.

Day 3996

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 12:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 12:10
"Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness."

Those many pastors are "false prophets". They have destroyed the word of God and carry people far away from Him. No one knowingly follows a false prophet. That is why we need to take care and be watchful all the time. The importance of reading the scriptures and understanding the doctrine of Christ is so important. I remember when I listened to "false prophets", as members they were truly wolves in sheep clothing. I thought what they spoke of was probably in the Old Testament because I was ignorant of what was really there. I had to go search for what they spoke of and found it wasn't in the scriptures or on the Church website. As I searched further I found what they spoke of was an occult practice. I was horrified. I vowed never again to be so deceived. I could have paid a terrible price out of ignorance. Now I pay a greater price to keep from being ignorant and deceived. I want to learn God's words and never fall in that trap again.

Day 3995

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 7:23

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 7:23
"But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you."

I love this covenant relationship and commandment. Obey God and in turn He will walk with us. What more can I ask for.

Day 3994

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 5:21

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 5:21
"Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:"

We truly are foolish if we allow ourselves to be deceived. That we are devoid of the Holy Spirit and no longer have eyes that see and ears that hear and understand. This is my constant prayer that I will have both. That I truly will know what is around me, and see things as they really are. Having the spirit as our guide, with the scriptures, and the words of the prophets we can avoid the fiery darts of the adversary.

"Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old."
(Jacob 4:13)

"For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear."
(Matthew 13:15-16)

Day 3993

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 3:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 3:14
"Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding."

The marriage is the Abrahamic covenant, and the gathering is taking place now, one of a city, two of a family. This is happening all over the world. President Gordon B. Hinckley said this almost thirty years ago.

"As we contemplate these things, we think of our brothers and sisters in distant lands. We have met hundreds of thousands of you, have looked into your faces, have felt of your spirits. You are so very precious to this work. The Lord has gathered you “one of a city, and two of a family,” as prophesied by Jeremiah. He is teaching you with pastors after His own heart. We pray for you, we visit you, we respect and admire you, we love you. We are all part of a great family—10 million strong—worshiping with one heart and one voice at the feet of our Master, the Son of God. Wherever you are, no matter how distant, you have the opportunity of participating in this conference. You will receive it by satellite in very many places. You will receive it by videotape in some places that cannot be reached by satellite. And for a few in faraway places, you will have it as the written word in our Church magazines."
(Gordon B. Hinckley, "Welcome to Conference", Oct 1998 General Conference)

As of the end of 2024 there were over 17.5 million members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In June 2025 there were more convert baptisms than any other 12-month period in the 195-year history of the Church. The gathering is happening. In a few weeks we will sit at the feet of a prophet and be feed.

Day 3992

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 64:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 64:4
"For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him."

I remember when I was a young bride we purchased a book about the last days. I would study and read that book over and over again. I had so many images and thoughts about how the last days would be. Everything was mapped in a timeline. It was all so dreadful and frightening. As I have grown older, and am seeing those days around me, they are so very different. Nothing that I imagined, has unfolded as I thought. The biggest difference is how my soul is handling all this. I used to envision such panic and feeling out of control. Now I just feel peace. I used to think it all depended on how strong I was. Now I realize we were not meant to do this alone. I need to look to Christ and have Him by my side. His prophets are preparing us. I don't know all that lies ahead and that's OK. All I know is the Lord is in control and is preparing the way before me. I am not alone.

"Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", Apr 2018 General Conference)

Day 3991

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 63:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 63:8
"For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour."

I really liked this verse, in the chapters I read tonight it prophesies of the second coming. Yet this tiny verse gives a very simple clue on who His people are. They will not lie. That's the ninth commandment "Thou shalt not lie". I think the Lord's covenant people keep all His commandments, but this one has a purpose. This commandment prohibits all forms of deceptions, including lying, perjury, slander and twisting the truth. We are actually being warned about this deception, and how if we do not have the Holy Spirit as our guide we will be deceived. We will believe lies, and mostly likely lie to ourselves, and others.

"I feel to emphasize the warning President Russell M. Nelson issued us: that “in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” One of the many reasons you will need the constant influence of the Holy Ghost is that you live in a season in which the adversary has become so effective at disguising truth that if you don’t have the Holy Ghost, you will be deceived. Many obstacles lie ahead. The distractions will be many."
(Dallin H. Oaks, "Coming Closer to Jesus Christ", BYU Devotional 10 February 2026)

Day 3990

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 60:19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 60:19-20
"The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended."

This chapter is speaking of the Lord's Second Coming, yet it reminds me of the creation story in Genesis.

"And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day."
(Genesis 1:2-5)

On the second day God created a firmament to separate the waters above and below it.
On the third day God gathered the waters and dry land appeared. Along with grass, herbs, seeds and trees.
It wasn't until the fourth day that God created the two great lights. The sun to rule the day and the moon to rule the night. So where did the light come from in the very beginning? Light bright enough to make plants grow? The light came from the Spirit of God. That same God that will return and once again light this world after His Second Coming.

Day 3989