Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 8:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 8:11-12
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it."

I pondered on how it depends on where you stand if you are in the midst of a feast or famine in hearing the words of the Lord. I am so blessed to belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is no famine in hearing the words of the Lord. There is continuous revelation and prophets and apostles speaking to us. Yet, with all this bounty a person could be starving if they chose not to sup.

Even in the world where prophets and apostles are not known there can be a feast if they open the bible and read it. Start where you are and feast on the words of the Lord that you have. Then when you want to have more come and see me.

Day 4039

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 5:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 5:12-13
"For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.
Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time."

I pondered on the meaning of the prudent keeping silent. Is it like we have been told to be peacemakers? Don't content with the wicked, just leave them alone. There is no doubt about it that we are living in evil times.

"Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison."
(Matthew 5:25)

It made me think of this post I saw the other day by John Hilton III. It was from his recent YouTube video on Scripture Central. He related a story of Elder Lybbert being told he needing more faith. It didn't mean you worked so hard to the point of exhaustion. That you give reasonable effort and have faith the Lord will do the rest. Is that silent part having faith that the Lord will take care of the rest? He did that for Alma and his people when they were living in bondage.

"Have you heard the story of when Elder Packer told another General Authority he needed more faith?
Elder Lybbert of the Seventy was serving as Area President of Asia. Back-to-back emergencies—a mission president imprisoned, missionaries lost in Korea—had left him running on empty.
Elder Lybbert showed up at a stake conference in Taiwan completely exhausted. Then-Elder Dallin H. Oaks took one look at him and sent him back to the hotel to rest.
When Elder Oaks later shared the experience with Elder Boyd K. Packer, Elder Packer said: “The next time you see Elder Lybbert, tell him he needs to have more faith.” And then Elder Packer told Elder Oaks what he meant by that.
At the next General Conference, Elder Oaks pulled Elder Lybbert aside and delivered the message: “You need to have more faith.”
Elder Lybbert was astonished. “How can I work any harder than I already am?” “Exactly,” said Elder Oaks.
Then he explained what Elder Packer meant.
Elder Packer wasn’t saying to do more. True faith is understanding that the Lord expects a reasonable effort and then we trust that He will get His work done.
“Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.” — D&C 123:17
This is what Jethro taught Moses. Moses was doing righteous work, but carrying it all alone. Jethro’s counsel wasn’t to work harder. It was to trust God enough to share the load.
True faith isn’t always doing more. Sometimes the way to have more faith is to do less and trust God more."
(John Hilton III, Instagram post 15 Apr 2026)

(Finding Christ in the Wilderness | Exodus 14-18 | Come Follow Me 2026 | John Hilton III | Apr 13-19)

Day 4038

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 3:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 3:7
"Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."

The Joseph Smith Translation is a little different.

"Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing until he revealeth the secret unto his servants, the prophets." (JST Amos 3:7)

Throughout the scriptures I see prophets warning the people before destruction would come. They were given the opportunity to repent and turn to God. They were given God's grace and mercy. Sadly, they didn't always listen. How grateful I am that there is a living prophet on the earth today, President Dallin H. Oaks. The warning voice has gotten louder and louder in these past eight years. We have been told what we need to be doing. So much of the prophet's counsel has been line upon line, building us to become more and more a Zion people. If we listen and obey we will be prepared for what comes. Knowing this has brought me so much peace is such a crazy world.

"What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."
(Doctrine and Covenants 1:38)

"Behold, there shall be a record kept among you; and in it thou shalt be called a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the church through the will of God the Father, and the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ,
Being inspired of the Holy Ghost to lay the foundation thereof, and to build it up unto the most holy faith.
Which church was organized and established in the year of your Lord eighteen hundred and thirty, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April.
Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;
For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.
For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory."
(Doctrine and Covenants 21:1-6)

"The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty. (Sixty-first Semiannual General Conference of the Church, Monday, October 6, 1890, Salt Lake City, Utah. Reported in Deseret Evening News, October 11, 1890, p. 2.)
It matters not who lives or who dies, or who is called to lead this Church, they have got to lead it by the inspiration of Almighty God. If they do not do it that way, they cannot do it at all. . . "
(Doctrine and Covenants: Official Declaration 1)

Day 4037

Today's Favorite Verse: Joel 1:28

Today's Favorite Verse: Joel 1:28
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:"

This is the time that we are living in.

When Moroni visited Joseph Smith he quoted this verse in Joel. I have wondered what other explanations and scriptures that couldn't be mentioned were told him? Surely, the instructions have been passed to us in other scriptures and in the temple, but it would have been interesting to know all that was covered that night.

"He also quoted the second chapter of Joel, from the twenty-eighth verse to the last. He also said that this was not yet fulfilled, but was soon to be. And he further stated that the fulness of the Gentiles was soon to come in. He quoted many other passages of scripture, and offered many explanations which cannot be mentioned here."
(Joseph Smith-History 1:41)

Day 4036

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 14:8-9

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 14:8-9
Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.
Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein."

I pondered on conversion. Once you come to know the Lord, there is true repentance and conversion. We give up our idols and favorite sins. We will bare fruit by which people will know who we follow. By their fruits we will know them. The wise will continue to walk with the Lord. Those that are fair weather friends will fall. It's always by their fruits that we know.

"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
(Matthew 7:20)

Day 4035

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 10:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 10:12
"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you."

Before reading in the Old Testament I was reading in the Book of Mormon, where Jesus Christ appears to the Nephites after his resurrection. He gives to them what was taught on the Sermon on the Mount. The part on mercy stood out to me, as it does now in reading Hosea. How grateful I am for mercy.

"And blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."
(3 Nephi 12:7)

“Mercy is not showered [indiscriminately] upon mankind, except in the general sense that it is manifest in the creation and peopling of the earth and in the granting of immortality to all men as a free gift. Rather, mercy is granted (because of the grace, love, and condescension of God), as it is with all blessings, to those who comply with the law upon which its receipt is predicated. That law is the law of righteousness; those who sow righteousness, reap mercy. There is no promise of mercy to the wicked; rather, as stated in the Ten Commandments, the Lord promises to show mercy unto thousands of them that love him and keep his commandments.” (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 484.)
(Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi, "The Ministry of Hosea: A Call to Faithfulness (Hosea)", (10-31)

"There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated."
(Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21)

"And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;"
(Daniel 9:4)

"Behold, I, the Lord, am merciful and will bless them, and they shall enter into the joy of these things. Even so. Amen."
(Doctrine and Covenants 70:18)

Day 4034

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 7:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 7:8
"Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned."

The descriptions in these chapters don't always show the best quality in the tribes. Ephraim being mixed among the people is speaking of them acquiring the cultures and worshipping of their idols around them. That is part of why they become scattered. But, what does a cake not turned mean? At first I pictured a birthday cake being baked in the oven. Then I realized you don't turn those. Then I thought of a pancake that you flip when it's half done. So, is Ephraim half-baked? What does that phrase really mean?

"Half-baked" describes ideas, plans, or schemes that are poorly developed, impractical, or not carefully thought out. It implies a lack of maturity, research, or foresight, often deemed foolish or unrealistic. Literally, it refers to food that is underdone. "

A poorly done, half-baked item would be burnt at the bottom and raw at the top. Not really useful until you get the timing right. Ephraim's timing is off, and that's because its mixed its identity all up. It must understand it's true identity before it can complete its mission.

Day 4033

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 5:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 5:15
"I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early."

When we forget the Lord he doesn't really leave us. He's waiting for us to repent and come to Him. He knows us very well. In our afflictions we will seek Him early. I remember when I used to do that. I would get really serious about repenting, and doing what I should be doing, when I needed Him. One day I remember being just sick of that cycle. I decided to seek the Lord even though I wasn't in a crises. It was the best decision I every made. Oh, the first thing I do in a trial or crises is reach out to the Lord, but that's more of our relationship now and not the "come to Jesus" moment. The solutions and answers are much clearer and peaceful, and not the anguish it used to be.

Day 4032

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 1:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 1:2
"The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD."

I did wonder why a prophet would be told to take a sinful wife? As I read more I realized it's talking about the relationship between the children of Israel and the Lord. They have committed great whoredoms. The church is often referred to in the feminine. Hosea is being called as a prophet to lead them. In between that he does marry and have children.

Day 4031

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 12:8-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 12:8-12
"And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days."

I added this note to these verses in my scriptures.
Is this timing a major coincidence or has prophecy just been fulfilled? 

At the end of day on March 25, 2020 the temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints closed due to Covid. Israel was attacked on Oct 7, 2023 at 6:30 a.m. Which would be the end of the day Oct 6 for the United States, making it 1,290 days later. 
If you read Daniel 12:10 it tells you who will understand.

When I realized the timing I didn't feel fear but awe and wonder of it all. It makes me wonder what else we are seeing but not knowing what we see. When the resurrected Christ appeared to his apostles he expounded all the scriptures that testified of him. We will more than likely experience the same thing when He comes again. Then go, "Awe, I didn't realize that was a sign". Things just happen so natural and organic.

The next question is when are we to start counting the 1,335 days? For blessed is he that waiteth. Was it from the date the temple closed I wondered? That would have made is 20 Nov 2023. I didn't note anything special on that day. If the count begins after the 1290 days then it would be 2 June 2027.

I'm not marking that date as something wondrous, like the second coming, is happening. I have my eye on that date but am fine to wait and see. For it is through the waiting we are blessed. For me waiting means to stay in place and be ever ready. It echoes the parable of the ten virgins to me, and being blessed for keeping their lamps filled. Now is not the time to take a break from living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Day 4030

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 8:19

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 8:19
"And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be."

The angel Gabriel, which is Noah, came to Daniel and told him what would happen in the last days. That's the time I'm living in. It will happen in the time appointed. There is a set time for the Savior's second coming. We can't delay or hurry it along. The Lord's time table is set in motion. It is only us, and where we stand on the path of repentance or not, that will determine if that coming was too soon or too late for us. We should not prolong our day of repentance. Daily repentance has made me more mindful of my actions, and brought much peace into my life.

Day 4029

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 6:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 6:10
"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime."

As I was pondering on Daniel praying towards Jerusalem, I wondered if the temple was still standing there? I don't think it was, but I feel like that is what it was implying, or at least it being a holy place. Was he facing what used to be? That made me think about the times I heard people mentioned facing towards the temple when they pray. I've never felt the need to do that. Where I usually am when praying doesn't face the temple. I'm not even conscience of its location when I pray. Is praying towards the temple even needed? Then I found this nice little discussion on it.

Why Did Daniel Pray Three Times a Day toward Jerusalem?
"Solomon, in his dedicatory prayer of the temple in Jerusalem, referred to the people’s praying “toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house that I have built for thy name” (1 Kings 8:44). The Prophet Joseph Smith once counseled the Twelve Apostles to “make yourselves acquainted with those men who like Daniel pray three times a day toward the House of the Lord” (History of the Church, 3:391). And President Wilford Woodruff, in the dedicatory prayer on the Salt Lake Temple, said: “Heavenly Father, when thy people shall not have the opportunity of entering this holy house to offer their supplications unto thee, and they are oppressed and in trouble, surrounded by difficulties or assailed by temptation, and shall turn their faces towards this thy holy house and ask thee for deliverance, for help, for thy power to be extended in their behalf, we beseech thee to look down from thy holy habitation in mercy and tender compassion upon them, and listen to their cries.” (In James E. Talmage, The House of the Lord, p. 142)
This is not to suggest that the direction in which one faces when one prays has mystical significance, but, rather, that it is an attitude of spiritual “facing.” To face the temple, which is the temporal representation of the House of God, suggests that one turns one’s heart to the Lord and the covenants made in the temples to be more like Him. President Woodruff clarified this point in what he said next: “Or when the children of thy people, in years to come, shall be separated, through any cause, from this place, and their hearts shall turn in remembrance of thy promises to this holy Temple, and they shall cry unto thee from the depths of their affliction and sorrow to extend relief and deliverance to them, we humbly entreat thee to turn thine ear in mercy to them; hearken to their cries, and grant unto them the blessings for which they ask.” (In Talmage, House of the Lord, p. 142; emphasis added.)
(Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi, "Daniel: Prophet of God, Companion of Kings (Daniel)", (28-32)

Day 4028

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 3:21

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 3:21
"And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace."

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego would not bow down to Nebuchadnezzar's golden image. For that they were to be tossed into the fiery furnace. Their fear of God was greater than their fear of man. They knew that God would save them if it was His will. I have always loved this story. This and the one in the Book of Mormon where Nephi and Lehi are surrounded by a pillar of fire and it burned them not. These stories of survival in the midst of fire have brought me so much comfort. I used to be very afraid of nuclear holocaust but now I am not. I know that we can survive with no effect upon our bodies if it's according to God's will. While reading this I noticed the word "other" garments is italicized. That is one more reason for their protection.

Day 4027

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