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

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 55:8-9

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 55:8-9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

I have come to learn that God has a plan and I'm just stumbling and feeling my way around. Sometimes things seem harsh but looking back I can see they had a purpose. The roads I have traveled in life, hard as they have been, have been for my good. They bring me to a better place. I have come to know that I have to trust the Lord knows what he is doing far better than me. He can see a far off and knows all that is ahead of me.

Day 3988

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 54:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 54:13
"And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children."

It's to the point that if I had young children I wouldn't want them to hear the news. In fact I don't even want to listen to the news. The world has no peace. The only peace comes from knowing the Lord. Now more than ever children need to be taught of the Lord. The faith and prayers of a child will bring comfort and peace. It's true for them and true for us. "Come, Follow Me in the home has been so inspired.

"I was in Idaho Falls and was the guest in a home of a typical Church family. There were a dedicated set of parents and many children. The oldest was in military duty in the dreaded South Pacific, and the hearts of the family followed him from place to place. They handed me his latest letter from the war zone. I read this:
“There have been times when we were so scared, we would tremble, but the fear was out of our minds with prayer and the knowledge that we were being guided by the Lord.
“Dad, I love my religion and I am proud that I had someone like you and Mother to teach me to pray. Then I also know that you are praying for me each morning and night. …”
Spirituality is born in the home and is nurtured in the home evenings, in the twice-a-day and oftener daily prayers, in the weekly meetings when the family goes en masse. That spirituality as the foundation of one’s life comes to his rescue when emergency strikes.
Security is not born of inexhaustible wealth but of unquenchable faith. And generally that kind of faith is born and nurtured in the home and in childhood.
Prayer is the passport to spiritual power."
(Spencer W. Kimball, "The Family Influence", Apr 1973 General Conference)

Day 3987

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 50:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 50:10
"Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God."

I pondered on this question and what I felt is there is no one that fears the Lord and obeys His servants and yet walks in darkness. It is not possible to be in darkness if you do those two things. You will walk in the light. You would remain faithful and trust in the Lord, and know that His authorized servants speak for Him. How grateful I am for the prophets.

Day 3986