Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:10

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

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

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

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

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

Day 4208

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 5:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 5:17
"For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)"

From Adam's fall all men would suffer death. It took one man to give the gift of resurrection to all mankind. That was Jesus Christ. He covered spiritual and physical death through his atonement, sacrifice and resurrection. I had never thought of it starting with one and ending with one.

Day 4175

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 2:11-15

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 2:11-15
"And Nahshon begat Salma, and Salma begat Boaz,
And Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse,
And Jesse begat his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimma the third,
Nethaneel the fourth, Raddai the fifth,
Ozem the sixth, David the seventh:"

These three chapters were the genealogies from Adam to David's descendants. There were many names I did not recognize. It was fun when I spotted names I could recall reading about. I am getting better at it this time through the Old Testament. This little section is covered in the book of Ruth.

Day 3857

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

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 6:3, 6-7
" And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God."

Its hard to understand at first why steading the ark so it wouldn't fall was worthy of death. Then I thought of Adam and Eve being told to not eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Who would think eating something was worthy of being banished from the garden, and have to one day face mortal death. There are strict commands that God has given man, and with them consequences. Adam and Eve were warned about what would happen if they ate the fruit. This made me go back to find when God warned about touching the ark.

"And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation."
(Numbers 4:15)

God doesn't lie. He commandments are clear. There are times we need to just stand aside and let God do His work and not get in the way. The Lord or His angels could have come to steady the ark.

Day 3835

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: Moses 5:6-9

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 5:6-9
"And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me. 
And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.
Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore.
And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which beareth record of the Father and the Son, saying: I am the Only Begotten of the Father from the beginning, henceforth and forever, that as thou hast fallen thou mayest be redeemed, and all mankind, even as many as will."

I looked at when the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, it was after he repented and understood the Savior's role in his life. He had offered sacrifices as the Lord had commanded, but he was still ignorant as to why. Once it was explained that all was to be done in the name of the Son, and to repent, Adam understood and the Spirit could confirm the truthfulness of it to him.

"(May 17th, 1843.) The more sure word of prophecy means a man’s knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life, by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood.
It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance."
(Doctrine and Covenants 131:5-6

Day 3734

Today's Favorite Verse: James 2:22

Today's Favorite Verse: James 2:22
"Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?"

The footnotes in this chapter for works refer to good works, obedience, and commitment. These made me ponder on the role of trials in our lives. How trials have a perfect work in turning our hearts in love and trust to the Lord. Many things work upon us to give us experience in this mortal life. This is when we can exercise our faith and grow it. If we do not then faith will fail. It made me think of how Adam and Eve couldn't exercise faith completely in the garden of Eden since they knew neither good nor evil.

"And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.
And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient."
(Moses 5:10-11)

If we don't have experiences good or bad that work upon our faith then we cannot obtain it.

Day 3307

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 5:19

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 5:19

"For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."

The one man's disobedience was Adam. We were all made sinners being subject to the law. As the second article of faith says: "We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression." Each man's sin is his own. It was only by Adam's fall that we came under the law. It is only little children under the age of accountability that do not sin. It is only through the obedience and perfection of our Savior, Jesus Christ that an infinite atonement could be made for all of us. He is the only one that could walk this earth in complete righteousness. It is through Jesus Christ that we can return back to Heavenly Father's presence where once Adam was cast out.

"President Boyd K. Packer (1924–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles affirmed: “Save for the exception of the very few who defect to perdition, there is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no apostasy, no crime exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness. That is the promise of the atonement of Christ” (“The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 20).

(New Testament Student Manual, Chapter 36: Romans 4-8, "Much More")

Day 3210

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: Genesis 2:22, 24

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 2:22, 24

"And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

This was the marriage of Adam and Eve. It was an eternal marriage preformed by God. I realized for the first time both Adam and Eve were immortal at the time of their marriage. The Father never said "Til death do you part". That is what happens if you have a marriage for time only. The only way to have an eternal marriage that exists after death is to have it performed by God, or by one given that authority by him. I am grateful that eternal marriages are performed in the House of the Lord, in His Holy Temples.

Day 2161

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 5:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 5:13

"But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the time that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die. Now I, Abraham, saw that it was after the Lord's time, which was after the time of Kolob; for as yet the Gods had not appointed unto Adam his reckoning."

I pondered on time and how Adam died in the day that he ate of the tree of knowledge. For in God's reckoning one day equals 1,000 years for us.

"And the Lord said unto me, by the Urim and Thummim, that Kolob was after the manner of the Lord, according to its times and seasons in the revolutions thereof; that one revolution was a day unto the Lord, after his manner of reckoning, it being one thousand years according to the time appointed unto that whereon thou standest. This is the reckoning of the Lord's time, according to the reckoning of Kolob.

(Abraham 3:4)

"And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died."

(Genesis 5:5)

Adam begat Seth at 130 

Seth begat Enos at 105

Enos begat Cainan at 90

Cainan begat Mahaleleel at 70

Mahalaleel begat Jared at 65

Jared begat Enoch at 162

Enoch begat Methuselah at 65

Methuselah begat Lamech at 187

Lamech begat Noah at 182

Noah begat Shem, Ham and Japeth at 500

Noah was 600 when the flood came

The oldest living man was Methuselah.

"And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died."

(Genesis 5:27)

"Methuselah was one hundred years old when he was ordained under the hand of Adam.

Three years previous to the death of Adam, he called Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch and Methuselah, who were all high priests, with the residue of his posterity who were righteous, into the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing."

(Doctrine and Covenants 107:50, 53)

Jewish tradition says Methuselah died 7 days before the great flood. He was not taken up to the city of Enoch so from his posterity Noah would be born. It was important that Methuselah would live long enough to prepare Noah. It's fascinating when you think of Methuselah being the last person on earth to have heard the testimony of Adam from his own lips. He was the bridge between Adam and Noah, which spanned 1,056 years until Noah was born, or 1,656 years from the fall to the flood.

Day 2156

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 3:7, 18

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 3:7, 18

"And I, the Lord God, formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul, the first flesh upon the earth, the first man also; nevertheless, all things were before created; but spiritually were they created and made according to my word."

And I, the Lord God, said unto mine Only Begotten, that it was not good that man should be alone; wherefore, I will make an help meet for him."

As I have listened to and read the creation story the part that I had the hardest time with was God creating woman as a help meet for Adam. My mind would always wonder, "What if Eve didn't want to be Adam's wife?", "What if she wasn't attracted to him or didn't fall in love with him?", "Did she just have to be assigned to be his wife?" Then one day I realized God created everything spiritually before they were created physically. That means he knew Adam and Eve before he created them physically as the first man and woman on the earth. I think God knew they loved each other, making Eve the perfect help meet for Adam. I love it when I have questions and when I give it time the answers will come, and all the pieces just fall together.

Day 2146

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 116:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 116:1

"Spring Hill is named by the Lord Adam-ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet."

This coming event is something I would love to attend. Doesn't matter which side of the veil I am on, as long as I'm number among the hundreds of millions of worthy saints throughout the dispensations in attendance. This event marks when the finally scenes of the last days begins. Those there already know the Lord has come, but not yet to the world at large. I read in Daniel where it speaks of this.

"I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom."

(Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, 22)

Day 2119

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 2:22-23, 25

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 2:22-23, 25
"And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end.
And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.
Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."

I love this chapter. It has a great explanation of the plan of salvation and the need for the atonement of Jesus Christ in a very clear way. I love how it explains the purpose behind Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and need for opposition in all things and the agency of man.

The other day I saw a comment from someone on Facebook referring to the six days of creation. I look upon the mention of the days of creation as creation periods. Each is called a day but not a literal day according to man. Each day, or creation period is as long as needed. Which would absolutely explain the formation and age of this earth. Once Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden we have no idea how long they remained there until they partook from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. I look forward to the day when all things will be revealed.   

"Yea, verily I say unto you, in that day when the Lord shall come, he shall reveal all things -
Things which have passed, and hidden things which no man knew, things of the earth, by which it was made, and the purpose and the end there-of
Things most precious, things that are above, and things that are beneath, things that are in the earth, and upon the earth, and in heaven."
(Doctrine and Covenants 101:32-34)

Day 1787

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 2:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 2:16
"And he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the Lord."

Naked can mean riotous, let loose, or exposed. It can also mean you are physically naked as was Adam and Eve.

"And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they had been naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons.
And he said: I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I beheld that I was naked, and hid myself."
(Moses 4:13, 16)

I think the experience of Adam and Eve hiding in the garden from the Lord because of their nakedness is exactly how the world will end.

"And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:"
(Revelation 6:15-16)

In the great and terrible day of the Lord, I do not want to stand naked before him. I want to stand clothed in the garments of the priesthood, with the robes of righteousness, obtained through the atonement of Jesus Christ. For that is the only thing that can cover my nakedness. Nothing man made can do it.

"Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them." (Genesis 3:21)

To stand naked, exposed before God, I would truly want the rocks to fall down and hide me.

"For behold, when ye shall be brought to see your nakedness before God, and also the glory of God, and the holiness of Jesus Christ, it will kindle a flame of unquenchable fire upon you."
(Mormon 9:5)

"Wherefore, we shall have a perfect knowledge of all our guilt, and our uncleanness, and our nakedness, and the righteous shall have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment, and their righteousness, being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness."
(2 Nephi 9:14)

"That our garments may be pure, that we may be clothed upon with robes of righteousness, with palms in our hands, and crowns of glory upon our heads, and reap eternal joy for all our sufferings."
(Doctrine and Covenants 109:76)


Day 1456

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
"I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Doctrine and Covenants 116 explains who the Ancient of Days is, and where this event will takes place.
"Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, near Wight's Ferry, at a place called Spring Hill, Daviess County, Missouri, May 19, 1838.
"Spring Hill is named by the Lord Adam-ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet."

Why is this significant?
“Three years previous to the death of Adam, he called Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, and Methuselah, who were all high priests, with the residue of his posterity who were righteous, into the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing.
And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the prince, the archangel.”
(D&C 107:53–54)

Before Adam left this earth he blessed his posterity and predicted what would happen to them unto the last generation. It is recorded in the book of Enoch, which will come forth in due time. The Lord appeared there and will again appear when Ancient of days comes to sit over the council of his saints. There will be an accounting of the keys that have been held in every dispensation. The world at large won't know it, even the Church at large will not know it. Only those who have officially been called to this council will know it. It will proceed the coming of Jesus Christ as a thief in the night, unbeknown to all the world. I would love to be there but highly suspect, even with 100 million in attendance, I am of no significance to be at such a glorious event. For these are the righteous from all dispensations of time. Regardless, I will continue to live my life in a manner to be worthy to go, if I could.

Day 1432

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 35:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 35:11
"Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?"

My mind went to the verses in the story of Adam and Eve, that I have recently been pondering on.

"And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it."
(Genesis 2:15)

"And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.
Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them."
(Genesis 3:8, 21)

I have often sat and wondered on all that God taught Adam and Eve while they walked in the garden. You cannot have someone dress and keep a garden if you don't show them how. Adam and Eve must have learned to garden, and make clothes by God himself instructing them. I will never know all that they learned while in the garden, but their source had to be directly from God. Once they left the garden they no longer walked with God. Instead they received instruction through his spirit. Those strokes of ideas that come to man, making him see new possibilities. Man might think they thought of such things themselves, but it was not them. It was the spirit that gives inspiration. When the time is right man will receive new ideas that build upon the knowledge already given. Even those that know not God will receive impressions through the light of Christ given to all men. The difference is what they will use that knowledge for.


Day 1046

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 10:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 10:1 

"Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood."

I read that first verse and though "Ahh, then that means they did have sons before the flood too." I thought about Adam having Seth at the age of 130, after Cain killed Abel. How the first man had to start over in a sense, and the first family after the flood had to do the same thing. It made me think of Job too. For he lost his family and the Lord bless him again with more. The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away, but if we remain righteous more is added upon our heads. I will be forever in debt to the Lord.

Day 585

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 5:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 5:13

"But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the time that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die. Now I, Abraham, saw that it was after the Lord's time, which was after the time of Kolob; for as yet the Gods had not appointed unto Adam his reckoning."

In the time of Kolob one day equals a thousand years to man. I have often thought about the serpent tempting Adam and Eve in the garden. Telling them they won't die by eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Of course the serpent was Satan and all he can do is lie, and deny God's word. For God told man that in the day that they ate of that fruit they would die. As it happens once they eat of the fruit neither of them dies right away. So did God lie because they didn't die within the day?  No, for the reckoning of time was 1,000 years to equal the day in which Adam would die. For Adam in our time lived to be 929 years old. So he did die within the day counted by God. This simple story shows me how God never lies and everything he says is fulfilled. It's man that just doesn't understand his ways.

Day 572