Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

This is what is meant by being lifted up. It's not the rapture that movies depict, escaping all the end time tribulations. For how would those that are alive at Christ's second coming be caught up into the clouds to meet him in the air? For he is not saving the wicked in this manner. I can't wait for this event for I will see it regardless of which side of the veil I am on.

Day 4239

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 3:12
" And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:"

This made me think of "by their fruits ye shall know them". The increase in love towards our fellow man does show the heart of a person. It is very concerning when once righteous people hearts grow cold towards their fellow man, having lost charity, the pure love of Christ. You cannot serve two masters and will soon lose their faith in Christ.

"But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"
(1 John 3:17)

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
(John 13:34-35

"And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another.
And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you but to God, to whom also your life belongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, nor repent of the thing which thou hast done.
I say unto you, wo be unto that man, for his substance shall perish with him; and now, I say these things unto those who are rich as pertaining to the things of this world.
And again, I say unto the poor, ye who have not and yet have sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean all you who deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say in your hearts that: I give not because I have not, but if I had I would give."
(Mosiah 4:21-24)

Day 4238

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 2:13

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 2:13
"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."

Paul is speaking of missionaries and their converts to the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is what every missionary would want to say about those that converted. That they were not converted because of who the missionary was, but because they embraced the truth of the gospel. This reminded me of the words of Ammon as they were finishing their mission to the Lamanites.

"But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.
Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.
Behold, how many thousands of our brethren has he loosed from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love, and this because of the power of his word which is in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?
Yea, we have reason to praise him forever, for he is the Most High God, and has loosed our brethren from the chains of hell.
Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love; yea, and we have been instruments in his hands of doing this great and marvelous work.
Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel."
(Alma 26:11-16)

Day 4237

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 1:3

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 1:3
"Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;"

I pondered on the phrase "patience of hope". Patience is something everyone wants to have, but it is the hardest to achieve. It truly is a Christ-like attribute and worthy to obtain. Is patience unobtainable if one has no hope? For when we have hope in Christ we are willing to say thy will be done. When we know God has a plan and things will work to our good, we can have patience to wait upon the Lord's timing.

Day 4236

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 4:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 4:16
"And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea."

I had two thoughts after reading this. First, the epistle of Laodicea is lost scripture. It made me think of other scriptures that we know will come forth. I can't wait. I hope I am doing justice to treasuring the scriptures I have by supping from them daily. I want whatever new scriptures that come forth to just harmoniously fit into what I already know, but add more.

The second thought is how we receive letters from the First Presidency that are read in our sacrament meetings. They were doing the same thing in their day.

Day 4235

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 3:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 3:16
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

I thought about all the hymns that I love and how I have learned gospel lesson through them. Such profound wisdom can be found in the hymns. I wondered on what the Savior's voice would sound like when singing. He must have sung with his apostles. I reflected on how I am trying to memorize the words to the hymns. I have found if I memorize the words that when I sing I can picture scenes around the hymns and they come to life for me. One of my favorite primary songs I loved as a child was "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus". I love it to this day. I remember hearing it again at this past April's General Conference. The Tabernacle Choir sang it right before our new prophet President Dallin H. Oaks spoke to us. The rarely heard fourth verse was sung, but with one word changed. Instead of Jesus is King, they sang Jesus in Here! That was so powerful.

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear,
Things I would ask him to tell me if he were here.
Scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,
Stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

Oh, let me hear how the children stood round his knee.
I shall imagine his blessings resting on me;
Words full of kindness, deeds full of grace,
All in the love-light of Jesus’ face.

Tell me, in accents of wonder, how rolled the sea,
Tossing the boat in a tempest on Galilee!
And how the Master, ready and kind,
Chided the billows and hushed the wind.

Into the city I’d follow the children’s band,
Waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand.
One of His heralds, yes, I would sing,
Loudest hosannas, “Jesus is Here!”
Loudest hosannas, “Jesus is Here!”

Day 4234

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 2:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 2:12
"Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."

I pondered on how Paul's words explain the manner of baptism. It is by immersion. How else could it be in a similitude of Christ's burial and resurrection.

"Baptism by immersion is the symbolic gate through which we enter into a covenant relationship with God. Being immersed in the water and coming up again is symbolic of the Savior’s death and Resurrection to new life. As we are baptized, we symbolically die and are born again into the family of Christ and show we are willing to take His name upon us. We ourselves embody that covenant symbolism. In the New Testament we read, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.(Galatians 3:27)” With our baptism we symbolically put on Christ."
(J. Anette Dennis, "Put Ye On the Lord Jesus Christ", April 2024 General Conference)

Day 4233

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 1:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 1:9
"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;"

I thought about how wonderful a prayer that is. If you prayed that someone would know God's will for them, and have wisdom and spiritual understanding it would cover all that is needful. I would want someone to pray for me like that.

Day 4232

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 4:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 4:11
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

There is such profound wisdom in being content no matter the circumstances we are in. I think that contentment comes from the peace of God that passes all understanding. It doesn't mean you don't continue to grow and to hope and work for better things. It means in the moment you are content with what you have, for you see them as the blessing from God that they are. Your soul is full and really don't need more. There is sufficient for your needs, because those needs are humble. When the soul is empty the needs and desire are great, and are never satisfied.

Day 4231

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 3:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 3:14
" I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

The mark is faithfully following the straight and narrow path to eternal life. That is the most worthwhile goal of a life time.

Day 4230

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 2:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 2:10-11
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

When I thought of this previously it was to think of those that did not recognize Jesus and were compelled to bow the knee and confess. Tonight, I looked at it differently and how I would feel. Confessing that Jesus is Lord will be an absolutely marvelous moment in my life. That is something I look forward to.

Day 4229

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 1:23-24

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 1:23-24
"For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you."

As I read this I thought of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and his final days. How the Lord preserved his life and allowed him to continue to preach to us. Listening to his scriptural commentaries were so faith promoting. He really did wear out his life in the service of our God. I miss him.

Day 4228

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 6:11, 24

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 6:11, 24
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen."

Grace is divine strength given greater than our own. I hadn't thought of it as my armor, but it is. Along with armor we are given strength and assistance to accomplish what is required of us that we could not do alone.

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
(Ephesian 6:13)

Try as we might to stand on our own we need God's grace to lift and support us.

"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."
(2 Nephi 25:23)

Day 4227

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 5:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 5:13
"But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light."

Darkness cannot hide in the light. Those in darkness cannot tell that others can see them. The person of darkness may only be discernible at first to others as someone to watch, but eventually light enters and exposes them.

"They who are not chosen have sinned a very grievous sin, in that they are walking in darkness at noon-day."
(Doctrine and Covenants 95:6)

Day 4226

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 4:32

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 4:32
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you."

Be kind. That really touched my heart, because it's getting harder to find it. Kindness, tenderhearted, forgiving that is not weak person, that is someone incredibly strong.

"One of the easiest ways to identify a true follower of Jesus Christ is how compassionately that person treats other people."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Peacemakers Needed", Apr 2023 General Conference)

If others think you gullible and being taken advantage of, and maybe you will be, but having been kind has a reward that man cannot take away. It is what's inside such a heart that makes the person. Its a heart the Master will know.

Day 4225

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 3:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 3:15
"Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,"

Families in heaven? Just like we have on earth? Of course, it would not be heaven if we could not continue our family relationships in the next life. Not only that we enjoyed a great family relationship with our Heavenly Father in the world before we came to earth. We must live worthy in this life to have our family relationships continue in the next.

"The Lord went into the spirit world, himself, turned the key for the salvation of the dead and our elders when they pass to the next world, go into that world to continue their labors of preaching the gospel, bringing to repentance all who are willing to repent and receive the truth, that they might come into the kingdom of God or as Paul calls it, "the family of God in heaven and on earth" For it is the family of God. The kingdom of God will be one great family. We call ourselves brothers and sisters. In very deed we become joint heirs with Jesus Christ through the gospel of Jesus Christ, sons and daughters of God, and entitled to the fullness of the blessings of his kingdom if we will repent and keep these commandments."
(Joseph Fielding Smith, "Temple Work", Apr 1959 General Conference)

"I might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times."
(Doctrine and Covenants 128:18)

Day 4224

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 2:8-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 2:8-10
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

I am saved by grace, a gift of God, through my faith in my Lord Jesus Christ. My works do not do it, because I cannot save myself. It took Jesus Christ to make that sacrifice and gift. Now does God want my works and do they count for something? Absolutely, for after my faith in Jesus I must do good works as He has done. It is ordained of God that we walk in this path.

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
(James 2:26)

Day 4223

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 1:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 1:13
"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"

This made think the recent General Conference talk given by Elder Bednar on the "Holy Spirit of Promise". I think there was one other talk that mentioned it also, but I couldn't recall which one. I took the time to listen to Elder Bednar's talk again. It is not enough to participate in ordinances and make sacred covenants. We must remain worthy to receive that ratifying seal on them.

"The Holy Ghost is also described in scripture as the Holy Spirit of Promise, who ratifies or confirms as acceptable to God the righteous acts of His children. Ultimately, all gospel ordinances and covenants must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. As the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, “All covenants … not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise … are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead.”
When sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, an ordinance, vow, or covenant is binding on earth and in heaven. This sealing is conditional in mortality and can be broken or forfeited through unrighteousness.
Receiving this ratifying sealing by the Holy Ghost typically is not a one-time event; rather, it comes over time as we repent sincerely and consistently, honor our covenants, and yield our hearts unto God. Righteously seeking for this blessing is “the challenge of mortality,” as described by President Packer.
Each of us should ever be grateful for sacred opportunities to “walk in all the ordinances of the Lord” and to receive by the Holy Spirit of Promise, “in process of time,” the ratifying seal that guarantees all promised blessings."
(David A. Bednar, "Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise", Oct 2026 General Conference)

Day 4222

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 6:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 6:7
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

Not being deceived is why I am so careful to try to always have the spirit to be with me. I thought about the times I have come in contact with those teaching false doctrine. How the spirit would whisper "He is lukewarm, spite him out!", or clearly warned "This is a priestcraft.". The warnings can come powerfully, and at other times its just an impression that something appears off. Since I will sow what I reap I try to be extra careful about who's field I'm in.

Day 4221

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 5:22-23

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

When the scriptures say "by their fruits ye shall know them" this is the very words we can look upon. Is there love and joy? Are they a peacemaker, longsuffering and gentle? Do they work goodness and show faith, meekness and temperate in behavior. Does this person have self-control and show restraint over their appetites and passions. It is not hard to see with our own eyes what their fruits are, and who they follow.

"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 can 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."
(Matthew 7:16-20)

Day 4220

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 4:29

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 4:29
"But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now."

I always find it rather curious that humble followers of Christ are persecuted by those of the world. Not sure why they can't be left alone. Do they really think persecution would change a follower of Christ's mind on who he serves? If it does then they were not faithful and weak in their convictions. I reflected on how some in the name of religion have persecuted others. I am always disappointed when I hear of them. They are not true followers of Jesus Christ. The are imposters to the faith and serve the wrong master. Contention and persecution others is not the road we travel when following Christ.

Day 4219

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

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 3:24-26
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

This was the purpose of the law of Moses, to point the way to Jesus Christ. It only lasted until Christ came. We know there are missing books of the Bible. I wonder what more the Israelites had been told by Moses that identified Jesus Christ to them. For we know that all prophets have testified of Christ.

"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."
(Acts 10:43)

"And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening"
(Acts 28:23)

One way the children of Israel would come to understand the need for a Savior was because they could not keep the law perfectly and would need a Savior.

"But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe."
(Galatians 3:22)

Day 4218

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 2:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 2:3-4
"But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:"

JST "Notwithstanding there were some brought in by false brethren unawares, who.."

Titus was a Christian and a Greek, and not compelled to be circumcised. There were some Jewish Christians that felt that all of them needed to be circumcised. The bondage to be forced into was to practice the law of Moses. How hard those early days of the primitive church must have been when then didn't fully grasp what was required of them. We learn so much on their discussions.

It made me reflect on the early days of the restored church and how we needed to learn about revelation and how the spirit manifested itself. In particular I thought about Doctrine and Covenants 28 where Hiram Page professed to be receiving revelation through a stone on the upbuilding of Zion and the order of the church. Several members were deceived by the claims, including Oliver Cowdery. The Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. inquired earnestly of the Lord and received a revelation on the matter.

"But, behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses.
And again, thou shalt take thy brother, Hiram Page, between him and thee alone, and tell him that those things which he hath written from that stone are not of me and that Satan deceiveth him;
For, behold, these things have not been appointed unto him, neither shall anything be appointed unto any of this church contrary to the church covenants.
For all things must be done in order, and by common consent in the church, by the prayer of faith.
(Doctrine and Covenants 28:2, 11-13

Day 4217

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 1:6-7

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 1:6-7
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ."

I think I read that in the space of three years the Galatians were falling away. There were some among them that were perverting the gospel of Jesus Christ. It made me reflect on how much quicker we could fall a way, given how quickly things spread with the internet. I wasn't feeling well today and I wanted to just rest and brainlessly watch something on YouTube. It was rather distrubing how many times I found things that were just off, and didn't seem right. At least with the internet I have the ultimate power of just turning it off. No one knows me or cares what I listen to or not. On the other side the same if I wanted to fill myself with perverted doctrine. We do live in a day that we need to have the holy spirit as our guide.

"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 address on February 10, 2026)

Day 4216

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 13:11

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 13:11
"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."

That reminds me of an apostolic blessing. A blessing pronounced collectively over a group by a member of the First Presidency or the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. It just thrills me when I recognize such blessings being given when I hear one of them speak. I try to take what the counsel and its blessing are, so I can receive it. With Paul's apostolic blessing we are promised that if we live in peace that God's love and peace will be with us. That is a wonderful blessing and promise.

Day 4215

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:20

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:20
"For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:"

These are all things that as saints we should not be. I'm sure today it's hard for any apostle that visits the various stakes and wards around the world that they do not want to find the saints in such condition. It reminds me of President Nelson and him telling us to be peacemakers, to avoid contention. If we started there these other vices would not exist among us.

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9)

Day 4214

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 11:30

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 11:30
"If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities."

Why would you glory in your infirmities? Then I thought of these words.

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."
(Ether 12:27)

Through our weaknesses we can become humble. With being humble we can find God's grace and mercy, and our faith can grow. In these we receive strength greater than our own. It is a thing to glory in.

Day 4213

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 10:17

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 10:17
"But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

This reminds me of Ammon in the Book of Mormon, as he rejoiced in their labors among the Lamanites and how many souls had come to Christ. His brother Aaron rebuked him saying, "I fear that thy joy doth carry thee away unto boasting." Ammon says he boasted of my God.

"But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.
Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."
(Alma 26:11-12)

Day 4212

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:6

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:6
"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."

This chapter reminds me of fast offerings, where we skip two meals and give the cost of it to the Lord. Fast offerings are gathered the first Sunday of the month, then distributed to those in need. I truly love to hear of all the ways the church uses our fast offerings. When I was first married I really didn't know how much to give. Was the cost of the two meals a bowl of soup or oatmeal? Sometimes that was what I gave especially when I included all the members of the family. Then I heard a bishop talk on this and he mentioned he used the price of eating out as his guide. I embraced that idea and over time included the cost of better restaurants. What a difference this more generous fast offering has made in our lives. I'm sure it has blessed others, but all I can compare is my life. Between paying tithing and a generous fast offering we have sufficient for our needs.

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:" (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Day 4211

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:9

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:9
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."

Paul is speaking of the condescension of God. Where Jesus Christ voluntarily stepped down from His high, divine glory and status to enter human mortality and experience life, suffering and death with humility. Jesus descended to face the most extreme humiliation and suffering that mortality could inflict. He had the riches of the eternities yet he came to earth to be born of a women in a stable and lay in a manger. At the end he had nothing as in riches but he raised to eternal glory. His gifts of atonement and resurrection enabled us all to have eternal life.

Day 4210

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 7:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 7:10-11
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter."

Why would godly sorrow cause revenge? Out of everything Paul listed as being the result of repentance with godly sorrow, why would revenge be amongst them?

Today's definition: Revenge is the act of retaliating against a person or group to get even for a real or perceived wrong. A desire for retribution or vengeance, often driven by anger, a need to restore honor, or a "bitter desire to injure another".

That sure didn't sound like what Paul was referring to, nor praising the saint for. I could see restore honor, but now I wonder if it could be a translation issue? I decided to search online for the meaning of revenge and learned that the word translated as "revenge" in the King James Version (KJV) means vindication, justice, or the punishment of wrong, rather than personal malice or spite.

Vindication would show the church proved itself innocent and serious about following God's commands. It cleared its name through proper church discipline. Paul was commending them for taking serious action against unrepentant sin in the community. The church disciplined the wrongdoer, removed complicity, and restored moral and spiritual order. Now that I can understand.

Day 4209

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:10

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:10
"As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things."

This makes me think of opposites. In particular the reason Eve partook of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Eden. She would know from her own experience good from evil, pleasure and pain, sickness and health, trials and hardships and the joy of redemption.

"And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."
(Genesis 2:16-17)

After they were removed from the garden they earned bread by the sweat of their brow, and gave birth to children with all its highs and lows. Through the living of life they came to know you can have sorrow and yet rejoice. You can have nothing but yet have everything. What more can you want then to be redeemed and have eternal life.

"And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which beareth record of the Father and the Son, saying: I am the Only Begotten of the Father from the beginning, henceforth and forever, that as thou hast fallen thou mayest be redeemed, and all mankind, even as many as will.
And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.
And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.
And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters."
(Moses 5:9-12)

Day 4208

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:7

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:7
"(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"

With faith it matters not what you can see with your eyes, or hear with your ears. What matters is having the Holy Ghost testify of Christ and his words and promises. We all start with faith believing and move forward, trusting in Christ. We find that He will carry out burdens if we humbly let him. Over time it matters not that we see or hear Him, for we know He is there. Having this witness and the profound assurance the Spirit brings, we have eyes that see, and ears that hear, that know and understand.

Day 4207

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:18

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:18
"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

How can you look at things that are not seen? I asked myself that and realized I do that all the time. I look forward with hope and faith in an eternal life with my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ. I look forward to promised blessings and hope of better days. The lens I view life here is tinted with the colors of eternity.

Day 4206

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:11

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:11
"For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious."

Paul is speaking of the law of Moses being done away. It was glorious but even more glorious the time they lived where Jesus Christ had fulfilled the law. It made me ponder on the time I live in. In the not to distance future we will live a new way with Jesus Christ's second coming. I have no idea what the millennium will look like, but things will only get more glorious.

Day 4205

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 2:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 2:7-8
"So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him."

This made me think of those that were wayward and apostatized and left the church. Doing much harm and damage to the church with lies and intrigues. Then their eyes are opened and they come back. We must have open arms to all that come back. We must embrace and love them as our brothers and sisters. Even if they never come back, especially with our family members, we must always love them.

Day 4204

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
"Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."

Paul was anointed and sealed an apostle of Jesus Christ. Today, I listened to another apostle of the Lord speak of receiving the "Holy Spirit of Promise". That even though we participate in ordinances they are not ratified until we received this sealing. I look forward to reading and studying Elder Bednar's talk in the coming days.

“The covenants and ordinances of the Savior’s restored gospel are spiritual credentials that can open wide the heavenly windows of opportunity” to receive divine purpose, direction and strength in life. Faithfulness keeps these credentials valid to receive the promised blessings.
The Holy Ghost is described in scripture as the Holy Spirit of Promise, who ratifies the righteous acts of God’s children as acceptable to Him. “When sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, an ordinance, vow or covenant is binding on earth and in heaven.” During mortality, that seal is conditional and can be forfeited through unrighteousness."
“Ultimately, all gospel ordinances and covenants must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise.”
(David A. Bednar, "Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise", Oct 2026 General Conference)

Day 4203

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 16:14

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 16:14
"Let all your things be done with charity."

Charity has really been standing out to me the past few days. After today's sessions of General Conference I was talking to the family about charity too. We had a discussion on how at the end of the Nephite civilization Mormon and Moroni speak of charity. I think the message was especially important because the people had lost it. I feel like I'm seeing charity die in our society too. All the more for us to obtain it so we can be found worthy when Christ comes again.

Day 4202

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:40-41

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:40-41
"There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory."

There is knowledge of the degrees of glory in the New Testament. I've known this since childhood, I've read about it in the 76th section of the Doctrine and Covenants. Though it is a foreign concepts to other faiths. The highest degree of glory is the celestial glory, it is as the glory of the sun. Those that dwell there are in the presence of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. The sun has and gives off its own light. The next degree is terrestrial, which is the glory of the moon. The terrestrial glory is borrowed or reflected light from the sun. Those that reside there will enjoy the presence of the Son and the Holy Ghost. The only reason these individuals are not celestial is because they were not valiant in the testimony of Jesus.They were blinded by the craftiness of men. They receive glory but not the fulness of the Father. We cannot live on borrowed light we must have our own testimony of Jesus Christ and his gospel.

The last degree of glory that Paul doesn't give by name is telestial glory. It is the lessor glory, the glory of the stars. They didn't receive the gospel of Christ, nor a testimony of him. They will only receive the presence of the Holy Spirit through the ministering of those terrestrial. I think of telestial glory as those that receive the world as we live in, but with all the good people removed. They will have an eternity to try to find some comfort in the presence of the Holy Ghost. Something they could have learned while living in this world. That is not a place I want to be.

It isn't immediately after death that people receive their eternal glory. There is a time after death and before resurrection where those that had never heard of Jesus Christ can be taught. Everyone will have fair opportunity before they stand at final judgment before the Lord. It is only after this judgment that our fate is sealed and our eternal reward is given us.

Day 4201

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 14:22, 39

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 14:22, 39
"Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues."

Covet - IE be eager, zealous

We are to covet and be eager to prophesy, yet I will never have a prophesy for the entire church. Not even my local ward. That is not my purview, or runway. That made me think of the times I was impressed on specific things happening in my life or the lives of my family that I needed to prepare for. That is the spirit of prophesy, even if it is only something the spirit instructed me about, and I told it to no one else. Such times when this has happened it has made my faith even stronger. I can see how prophesy is for those that believe.

Day 4200

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;"

This made me think of a conversation I had a while back. A person was telling me of an interaction that had with someone I knew. They were very disheartened and disappointed because as they said, "They have no compassion." My friend explained how this person lumped everyone from a different culture in a bad light. They also appeared to rejoice in the taking away of benefits that helped support those in need. Reading about charity I see they fit many of the descriptions of someone without it. They were not kind, thought evil of others, and preferred their own. I can see how charity and compassion go hand in hand.

What I had reminded my friend of is the second great commandment "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Matthew 22:39) The Lord did not say only love these people and not those. He said to love our neighbors. The great commandment Jesus was teaching was charity.

Day 4199

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:12, 28-30

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:12, 28-30
"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?"

One body has many member that make up the whole, there is need for every member. So is there need for every member that makes up the body of the church. Some are given one gift and some another. Every gift is needful. So are the diversity of callings within the members. Not everyone can teach for who would be the student. If everyone spoke in tongues who would be the interpreter. The same with needing apostles, and prophets. There is order in the Lord's house and he calls and qualifies whom He will. I am so grateful for all the prophets and apostles and cannot wait to sit at their feet and learn this general conference weekend.

Day 4198

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 11:27-29

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 11:27-29
"Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body."

I reflected on how partaking of the sacrament is a very serious thing. We need to judge ourselves and repent to be worthy. Of course, sins of a serious nature need to be confessed and worked with a Bishop. As I pondered on this I thought about the need for daily repentance. Live your life to always be ready to partake of the sacrament. Then while the sacrament is being passed do more self-examination and self-discernment, so you are ready to renew the covenants with the Lord you have made.

Day 4197

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:21

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:21
"Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils."

This verse made me think of this verse on serving two masters.

"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) (3 Nephi 13:24)

When the day comes for me to face the Lord I do not want to hear him say.

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
(Luke 6:46)

Day 4196

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 9:14

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 9:14
"Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel."

Some of the greatest sermons are those done with silent service that go about doing good. When men know your good works they are more willing to listen to what you have to say. They will see with their own eyes the truth. There is nothing worse than a bad example of a member of the church.

Day 4195