Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 21:43-44

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 21:43-44
"And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.
And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand."

As I pondered on how much land was promised to Abraham, all the cities and villages the children of Israel claimed and divided, I thought about timing. How you needed a very large number of people to fulfill all that was promised. It took many, many generations for Abraham's posterity to become large enough to come in and be given it. If they hadn't been captive in Egypt and allowed to grow, their small numbers would have been decimated over time if they had to tried to claim this land. You have to trust in the Lord's timing and what He has prepared before us.

Day 3814

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 27:46

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 27:46
"And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?"

I was drawn to understanding why Rebekah felt this way. I pondered on the covenant line. Abraham did not want Isaac to take a wife among the Canaanites, where they dwelt. He sent his servant to find a wife among Abraham's kindred.

"And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:"
(Genesis 24:3)

Isaac and Rebekah experienced much sorrow and grief when Esau married outside of the covenant.

"And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:
Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah."
(Genesis 26:34-35)

I could just see their concern after Abraham being promised to be the father of many nations and then Isaac and Rebekah struggled to have children. If these children, especially the promised birthright son, marries outside of the covenant, what would be the purpose of her life. Not only have they been commanded to not marry outside of their faith, there was danger in their hearts being turned from God. It wasn't simply an issue with blood line, it was an issue of faith and belief in the one true God and protecting and honoring that.

"When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;
And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:
Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.
For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly."
(Deuteronomy 7:1-4)

"But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;
Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.
And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.
For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father."
(1 Kings 11: 1-6)

Day 3754

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 14:21-23

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 14:21-23
"And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:"

This made me ponder on how important it is to always give credit to the Lord for the blessings we receive. Abram did not want the king of Sodom to later take credit in any way that he made Abram rich. Abram was already very rich because the Lord had blessed him. Abram raised his hands in faith unto the Lord, giving all the credit past and future to Him. If the king of Sodom took credit it would cast a shadow on the Lord's blessings. For Abram principles came first before material things.

Day 3750

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 5:14, 16

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 5:14, 16
"And the Gods said: Let us make an help meet for the man, for it is not good that the man should be alone, therefore we will form an help meet for him.
And of the rib which the Gods had taken from man, formed they a woman, and brought her unto the man."

I wish I could recall what I was reading about the creation of Eve. Adam was given Eve as a help meet, it almost sounds like they had no choice. The idea though was as spirits in the pre-existence they would have known each other. Heavenly Father would have known the perfect companion for Adam. They would have been the greatest gift to each other. It would still be a love story for both of them.

Day 3742

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 4:18-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 4:18-19
"And the Gods watched those things which they had ordered until they obeyed.
And it came to pass that it was from evening until morning that it was night; and it came to pass that it was from morning until evening that it was day; and it was the fourth time."

I noticed in the creation story in Abraham that each creation period is called night and day after it is determined that what they ordered was obeyed. It was at the end of each creation period not that the creation happened within the night and day. It also mentioned these were called "times" and not "days" like we have in Genesis. Each creation period could have taken millenniums or longer. I also noticed that calling night and day had nothing to do with the sun and moon at first. The heavens were not organized until the fourth "time" it was called night and day.. I wonder if night or darkness could mean without creation, and day is when the creation is born or completed?

Day 3741

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 3:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 3:15
"And the Lord said unto me: Abraham, I show these things unto thee before ye go into Egypt, that ye may declare all these words."

Abraham is first shown the order of the sun, moon and stars through the Urim and Thummim the Lord gave him. He is instructed in the order and set timing and revolutions of the planets until you reach Kolob which is nearest to God. In God's time a day equals a thousand years for man. Then the Lord put his hands on Abraham's eyes and showed him the eternal nature of spirits, pre-earth life and foreordination. What I pondered on was this was all shown to him so he could declare these words when he went into Egypt. It made we wonder how much astronomy Abraham was able to bring to them?

Day 3740

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 2:6, 12, 19

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 2:6, 12, 19
"But I, Abraham, and Lot, my brother’s son, prayed unto the Lord, and the Lord appeared unto me, and said unto me: Arise, and take Lot with thee; for I have purposed to take thee away out of Haran, and to make of thee a minister to bear my name in a strange land which I will give unto thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession, when they hearken to my voice.
Now, after the Lord had withdrawn from speaking to me, and withdrawn his face from me, I said in my heart: Thy servant has sought thee earnestly; now I have found thee;
And the Lord appeared unto me in answer to my prayers, and said unto me: Unto thy seed will I give this land."

The Lord appeared to Abraham at least twice in this chapter. Abraham prayed in Haran and the Lord appeared to him there. Built an altar in the land of Jershon and made offerings and prayed. Came to Sechem in the plains of Moreh and offered sacrifice and called on the Lord devoutly, and the Lord appeared to him. Then between Bethel and Hai he built another altar and called on the Lord. As I was counting all the times Abraham stopped to built an altar, make offerings and prayed it made me think of all the temples that dot the earth right now. We can be like Abraham and seek the Lord earnestly and we will find him.

"Here is my promise to you: Every sincere seeker of Jesus Christ will find Him in the temple. You will feel His mercy. You will find answers to your most vexing questions. You will better comprehend the joy of His gospel."
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024 General Conference)

Day 3739

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 1:23-25

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 1:23-25
"The land of Egypt being first discovered by a woman, who was the daughter of Ham, and the daughter of Egyptus, which in the Chaldean signifies Egypt, which signifies that which is forbidden;
When this woman discovered the land it was under water, who afterward settled her sons in it; and thus, from Ham, sprang that race which preserved the curse in the land.
Now the first government of Egypt was established by Pharaoh, the eldest son of Egyptus, the daughter of Ham, and it was after the manner of the government of Ham, which was patriarchal."

So much history explained in the book of Abraham. The Bible mentions the sons of Ham as Cush, Mizraim, Phut and Canaan. It excludes mention that Ham's wife was Egyptus and she was of Canaanite. This is how the blood of the Canaanites (with darkened skin) was preserved after the flood. Ham and Egyptus had a daughter named Egyptus. This daughter discovered the land still under water after the flood and it was named Egypt. Her first son was called Pharaoh. He was a righteous man but did not hold the priesthood. The right of priesthood was limited to a few.

"At times in the past, the power and authority to act in the name of the Lord was bestowed upon only a few worthy males and withheld from all others. In the days of Moses’s leadership of the children of Israel, for example, only the tribe of Levi had the privilege to hold the priesthood (see Numbers 8:5–26). Our day is the “long-promised day … when every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood.”
(Pearl of Great Price Student Manual, "Abraham 1:4-31: Facsimile 1")

Understanding how limited the priesthood was I can understand why Abraham was so desirous to have this blessing. His fathers had turned from their righteousness. I would think the priesthood was in jeopardy of being lost to their line.

"And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers.
It was conferred upon me from the fathers; it came down from the fathers, from the beginning of time, yea, even from the beginning, or before the foundation of the earth, down to the present time, even the right of the firstborn, or the first man, who is Adam, or first father, through the fathers unto me.
I sought for mine appointment unto the Priesthood according to the appointment of God unto the fathers concerning the seed."
(Abraham 1:2-4)

Day 3738

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 129:1, 4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 129:1, 4-5
"There are two kinds of beings in heaven, namely: Angels, who are resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bones—
When a messenger comes saying he has a message from God, offer him your hand and request him to shake hands with you.
If he be an angel he will do so, and you will feel his hand."

The verses continue to explain - The spirit of a just man made perfect will not move to shake your hand, because it is contrary to the order of heaven to deceive. The devil as an angel will move to shake your hand and you will feel nothing.

Seriously, I have a question and I pondered on it after reading this verse. The question? If Jesus Christ was the first resurrected being how did angels appear to man and touch them before His death and resurrection?

Who were the three holy men that Abraham entertained? (Genesis 18) He fed them, they ate. We know the resurrected Lord could eat. These holy men also delivered a message from God, that Sarah shall have a son. Who did Jacob wrestle with until the breaking of day? (Genesis 32) He was given a message from God, and his name was called Israel. What angel touched Elijah and said to him, Arise and eat? (1 Kings 19) All these events happened before Jesus Christ was resurrected. They all had to have a physical body, yet were messengers from God.

I thought about this verse.

"I answer, Yes. But there are no angels who minister to this earth but those who do belong or have belonged to it.
The angels do not reside on a planet like this earth;
But they reside in the presence of God, on a globe like a sea of glass and fire, where all things for their glory are manifest, past, present, and future, and are continually before the Lord."
(Doctrine and Covenants 130:5-7)

If these messengers from God were not resurrected beings, or spirits what are they? They could only be those that belonged to this earth and now resided in his presence. Then I thought of translated beings like Elijah that was taken up in a whirlwind. (2 Kings 2:11-12) But, Elijah came after Abraham and Jacob, and someone else touched him. Then I remembered Enoch and the entire city of Enoch being translated. They are part of this earth, and people that never died. God received them into his bosom.

"Enoch was twenty-five years old when he was ordained under the hand of Adam; and he was sixty-five and Adam blessed him.
And he saw the Lord, and he walked with him, and was before his face continually; and he walked with God three hundred and sixty-five years, making him four hundred and thirty years old when he was translated."
(Doctrine and Covenants 107:48-49)

"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." (Hebrew 11:5)

"And Enoch and all his people walked with God, and he dwelt in the midst of Zion; and it came to pass that Zion was not, for God received it up into his own bosom; and from thence went forth the saying, ZION IS FLED."
(Moses 7:69)

Feeling like I was finally understanding, I looked for some confirmation that angels include translated beings of flesh and bones.

"There are two kinds of beings in heaven who are called angels: those who are spirits and those who have bodies of flesh and bone. Angels who are spirits have not yet obtained a body of flesh and bone, or they are spirits who have once had a mortal body and are awaiting resurrection. Angels who have bodies of flesh and bone have either been resurrected from the dead or translated."
(Bible Dictionary, Angels)

"He explained the difference between an angel and a ministering spirit; the one a resurrected or translated body, with its spirit ministering to embodied spirits—the other a disembodied spirit, visiting and ministering to disembodied spirits. Jesus Christ became a ministering spirit (while His body was lying in the sepulchre) to the spirits in prison, to fulfill an important part of His mission, without which He could not have perfected His work, or entered into His rest. After His resurrection He appeared as an angel to His disciples. Translated bodies cannot enter into rest until they have undergone a change equivalent to death. Translated bodies are designed for future missions. The angel that appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos was a translated or resurrected body [i.e., personage]. Jesus Christ went in body after His resurrection, to minister to resurrected bodies. There has been a chain of authority and power from Adam down to the present time."
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 191)

Translated bodies are designed for future missions. That makes so much sense now on who God sent to prophets before Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.

Day 3718

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Timothy 1:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Timothy 1:3-4
"As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do."

Paul is cautioning Timothy about the need for sound doctrine to be taught. Paul knew that members of the church would eventually apostatize, and the embracing of untruths and false doctrines would lead them astray. How sad it must have been for Paul, knowing what was coming. However, there were good people that served faithfully and Timothy was one of them. I pondered on how the adversary is still trying the same tactics in our day. There are members that fall away, but the church as a whole will not apostatize.

There are some key things we are to understand. First, is teach the doctrine of Christ and no other doctrine. It's so important that we really know what God's words are because in ignorance we can share what is not true. Especially when we heed fables and endless genealogies. Fables refers to false teachings, heeding endless genealogies refers to the false tradition that salvation came only to those of the chosen seed of Abraham. At the time of Paul the Jews would site long genealogies as a mean to show they were chosen. Yet, these very people rejected the Messiah. As members of the primitive church some thought their genealogies made them above the gentiles that converted. It's like today, just because you come from pioneer heritage you are not automatically saved. All of us need to work at it, everyone can be blessed as the seed of Abraham or adopted in.

"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:"
(The Acts 10:34)

Day 3279

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 3:24-29

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 3:24-29

"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.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."

The law of Moses testified and pointed to Jesus Christ. With the law fulfilled through Jesus Christ it is through faith and baptism that we make covenants, receive forgiveness, and becomes heirs to the blessings of Abraham. All are invited to the table.

"Paul taught that the cultural separations that existed between Jews and Gentiles, slaves and masters, or men and women should no longer divide people in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each member’s covenant relationship with Jesus Christ creates unity among all members. Through baptism into Jesus Christ’s Church, we become part of “Abraham’s seed” and “heirs according to the promise” given to the ancient patriarch, as the Lord declared in modern revelation through the Prophet Joseph Smith.

President Dallin H. Oaks explained how the Church today, like the New Testament Church, extends the invitation to all to come unto Christ:

“Jesus and His Apostles did not attempt to make Gentiles into Jews. They taught Gentiles and Jews, attempting to make each of them into followers of Christ.

“Similarly, the present-day servants of the Lord do not attempt to make Filipinos or Asians or Africans into Americans. The Savior invites all to come unto Him, and His servants seek to persuade all [people] to become Latter-day Saints” (“Repentance and Change,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2003, 39).

President James E. Faust explained how there can be both diversity and unity in the Church:

“As we move into more and more countries in the world, we find a rich cultural diversity in the Church. Yet everywhere there can be a ‘unity of the faith’. Each group brings special gifts and talents to the table of the Lord. We can all learn much of value from each other. But each of us should also voluntarily seek to enjoy all of the unifying and saving covenants, ordinances, and doctrines of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. …

“We do not lose our identity in becoming members of this church. We become heirs to the kingdom of God, having joined the body of Christ and spiritually set aside some of our personal differences to unite in a greater spiritual cause. We say to all who have joined the Church, keep all that is noble, good, and uplifting in your culture and personal identity. However, under the authority and power of the keys of the priesthood, all differences yield as we seek to become heirs to the kingdom of God, unite in following those who have the keys of the priesthood, and seek the divinity within us” (“Heirs to the Kingdom of God,” Ensign, May 1995, 62).

(New Testament Student Manual, Chapter 43: Galatians, "One in Christ Jesus")

Day 3253

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 3:10

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 3:10

"And Solomon’s son was Rehoboam, Abia his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,"

I got this far into the chapter and couldn't stand not having a pedigree chart. I knew I had collected various databases with bible genealogies over the year, so I stopped to look at them. Then I checked FamilySearch to see if anyone had worked out a nice one. I found some interesting things on genealogies that used other resources like the Talmud, and Quran. Some of them even contained the names of Adam and Eve's daughters. Though when I matched them to Chronicles it wasn't complete. I found the barest of genealogies in my personal collection and that followed most of these first three chapters of Chronicles. I started coloring the lines red from David to Adam. There is something about being able to picture who is related to whom that's important to me. Otherwise, I just skim over the names and with it probably miss a lot of important things.

Adam is David's 31st great grandfather

Noah is David's 22nd great grandfather

Abraham is David's 11th great grandfather

David is Jesus's 39th great grandfather

Jesus' genealogy through Joseph (legal father) descends through David's son Solomon. The genealogy through his mother Mary (blood line) descends through David's son Nathan.

Day 2500

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 1:4, 24-28

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 1:4, 24-28

"Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah,

Eber, Peleg, Reu,

Serug, Nahor, Terah,

Abram; the same is Abraham."

Even though this chapter doesn't give the ages when each father begat a son, and how long they lived, I finally sat and worked it out by other places in the scriptures. Until today, I had never thought about the fact the Noah was still alive when Abraham was born. I knew Shem was alive, but now realize he didn't die until after Abraham's grandson Jacob was born. What incredible things Noah witnessed and heard. His grandfather Methuselah heard Adam's testimony, witnessed his father Enoch and the city of Zion being translated, and didn't die until right before the flood. He would have heard about all these things directly from grandfather who was an eyewitness. Noah witnessed the flood and then lives to see Abraham and the covenant that God will make with him. I am struck on how important families and witnesses are to God.

Day 2498

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 5:2, 5-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 5:2, 5-8

At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.

Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised.

For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way.

And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.

When I read this I wondered why did the children of Israel stopped circumcising their children while Moses lead them? Circumcising was a physical token of the Abrahamic covenant and they had been doing this since the time of Abraham. As I pondered on why it stopped I realized it probably had nothing to do with Moses telling them to stop. It was the people that were not faithful to their covenants that had caused it to stop. This was just one way they showed they were not obedient. Moses didn't need to teach them an existing law they were to obey, what he gave them from the Lord were new ordinances and laws, nothing old was taken away. It's interesting that people can embrace new but not stay obedient to what they also must be doing. Could that be like going from three hour church to two hours, and the extra hour is then used to break the sabbath day?

One thing is for sure this act of obedience and covenant making must have had a terrifying effect on those around them. Knowing these men were obedient to their God, even down to being circumcised as adults. This would only make them stronger in being obedient to their God, and possessing their lands.

Day 2351

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 24:56-58

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 24:56-58

"And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the Lord hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.

And they said, We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth.

And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go."

These verses made me pondered on not hindering the Lord's work. To go and do what has been asked. I thought about how Rebekah was prepared before Abraham servant came to find a wife for Isaac. That is why she did not hesitate, or have the need to wait 10 days to be with her family before leaving. Her lamp was already filled.

Day 2183

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 23:4, 16-17

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 23:4, 16-17

"I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a burying place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.

And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.

And the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mare, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about, were made sure."

Sarah died and even though God had promised Abraham the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession, he did not possess it. He was still a stranger there in his lifetime. He had to buy the land to bury his dead, and later he himself was buried.

"And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God."

(Genesis 17:8)

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."

(Hebrew 11:13)

I pondered on how promised blessings are not only for this life, but for the next. If Abraham could wait for blessings to be fulfilled than so can I.

Day 2182

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 22:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 22:1-2

"And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of."

So much of this story of Abraham and Isaac is a foreshadowing of the Father sacrificing his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, for us. Abraham had to learn more about Abraham, and Isaac more about Isaac, in order to understand more completely the sacrifice and atonement of Jesus Christ.

The word tempt has a footnote to test or prove.

"My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom."

(Doctrine and Covenants 136:31)

Abraham had long been tried and tested of the Lord God. Abraham had walked with and spoken to the Lord. He knew His voice, he knew the Master. There was no doubt when the Lord was speaking to him. The really key part to this test was Abraham was prepared for it in advance. This "test" could have gone horribly wrong if Abraham was listening to the wrong source.

Day 2181

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 21:16, 19

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 21:16, 19

"And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.

And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink."

I believe these miracles do happen. I reflected on how some of my children's first answers to prayers involved things that were lost. After the prayer the item was right in plain sight.

Day 2180

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 20:3, 6

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 20:3, 6

"But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.

And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her."

This made me think of the times I was stopped from doing something when it wasn't quite right. I can see how God can withhold us from sinning because the way just doesn't prosper on that course. I think that might happen just to give us time to think again about the direction we maybe headed. If you persist after that point the condemnation is on your head completely.

Day 2179