Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 7:11-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 7:11-13
"Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.
Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you."

Israel was defeated in battle against Ai and Joshua is grieved. He doesn't understand why they were defeated. Then the Lord tells him that they had taken of the accursed thing and stolen. Joshua questions them and finds Achan had taken a Babylonish garment and silver and gold and hid it. For that Achan and his family, oxen, asses, sheep and tent are all taken to the valley and stoned and burned. That just seems so horrific. We don't see those things today. We are to live a higher law and I pondered on that. I pondered on the apostates and the damage they have done to the church. How the work of the Lord is at times frustrated because of them. What comes upon them instead of physical death is spiritual death. It made me think about how people can lie that they are temple worthy to go in, and how that really effects all of us. Can you imagine what we would see there if all that came into the House of the Lord was truly worthy?

"And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it;
Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God.
But if it be defiled I will not come into it, and my glory shall not be there; for I will not come into unholy temples."
(Doctrine and Covenants 97:15-17)

Day 3810

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 46:27

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 46:27
"And unto the bishop of the church, and unto such as God shall appoint and ordain to watch over the church and to be elders unto the church, are to have it given unto them to discern all those gifts lest there shall be any among you professing and yet be not of God."

I was reading an interesting post today about a group of apostates and how people have been deceived and follow them. I know it's important for me to have discernment to tell if a person is of God or not. Identifying if they are preaching false doctrine or truth. In fact I have had occasion to identify these wolves in sheep clothing. As I read this verse I am also grateful for bishops that protect their flocks. They have been given the gift of discernment in these matters. It is marvelous how the Lord has put these things in place.

Day 3635

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 8:16-18

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 8:16-18

"And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD’s house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.

Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose.

Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them."

Can't help but think of the recent court case and how awful it was learning these people went into our temples. I have been reflecting on that and how punishment is in God's hand. It may appear that a jury found the one person to face trial so far guilty, but being openly exposed and punished in how He deals with them.

"Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops."

(Luke 12:3)

Day 2969

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 1:29

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 1:29
"And there was also a cause of much sorrow among the Lamanites; for behold, they had many children who did grow up and began to wax strong in years, that they became for themselves, and were led away by some who where Zoramites, by their lyings and their flattering words, to join those Gadianton robbers.
And thus were the Lamanites afflicted also, and began to decrease as to their faith and righteousness, because of the wickedness of the rising generation."

This chapter holds so much in the space of 4 years. They see signs and wonders increase as the time of Christ's birth approaches. The wicked plan to slay the righteous because the sign of Christ's birth hadn't appeared. It really did test the faith of the believers. The night of Christ's birth does arrive and some believe and others try to lie and deceive others on its meaning. Then they had to face those of the faith that wrested the scriptures and had to be corrected. After all this they face the rising generation being led away. All at the very time they knew Christ had been born into the world and it would not be many years before his death and resurrection and visitation to them. Those alive at that time, especially the rising generation would be there when it all happens.

Who are the Zoramites?  When I read Alma 31 that speaks of them they are apostates, that eventually joined the Lamanites. They have a false concept of election, errors in doctrine, and bowed down to idols. They had built unusual synagogues and worshiped in a manner never beheld before, with set prayers upon the Rameumptom stand. After all gave the same self prayer they return to their homes never speaking of their God again. They were a prideful and boastful people, wearing costly apparel. They refused entry of the poor to worship with them. 

The only way I can picture them is to think of college universities with Zoramites among their professors. In their position they gain the ears of the rising generation and pervert their ways. It is by the false teachings and indoctrination of the youth that the parents become corrupted too. This is the only way I can picture it because that is what has happened in our society, and continues to happen.

Now I am observing parents today struggling with decisions on the safest way to educate their children during the pandemic. I believe the Lord has a plan and is guiding many of them to homeschool their children. The decision maybe because of the coronavirus, but in the end it just might save the children from indoctrination by corrupt teachers once this is over. Parents will learn to be more watchful and careful about their children's education and what they are being taught and by whom. 

Day 1938

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 2:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 2:2
"And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain."

Paul returns to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and Titus. The interesting things is they came by revelation. It made me think of the prophet and apostles today and their inspired travels around the world to the saints and leaders of nations. I have been listening to and reading about President M. Russell Ballard and Elder D. Todd Christofferson's three-day visit to New England.

President Ballard said, ““As an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I have a solemn duty to face the Lord and deliver His message. His words often include words of encouragement and expressions of love. They also include words of warning. America and the nations of the earth, as in times past, “are at another crossroad,” Let it begin today that we take leadership and reach out in our own prayers and encourage our neighbors, our friends, our families … to pray for this country that we all love much.

I plead with you this evening to pray for this country, for our leaders, for our people, and for the families that live in this great nation founded by God.”

We start and end our family scripture reading with prayer. We discussed this request from President Ballard before hand, and made sure to include this in our prayers. It was amazing how powerfully the spirit filled our home. It really touched our hearts. There are blessings to us as we pray for our great nation and its people. It was a testimony to me that we need to heed this great counsel and advice from a servant of God. Whatever is ahead the time is now for the prayers for our nation.

Day 1666

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 7:25-27

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 7:25-27
"Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death."

This chapter is not only speaking of temptation and immorality in the mortal body. It speaks of unfaithfulness to God and spiritual death.

I often search for scriptural references. Stories or quotes that I recall and want to read again. In my search I seem to find the websites of the apostates. They are like the harlot that entices with the quotes that I seek but their price is to high. They cause the spirit to flee when I enter their house. I must and do walk away. For I will not have them soil pure doctrine. They are not the instructors that I seek. For I am looking for messengers of the Father, his prophets and apostles that speak the words of Christ. I must find other sources, and when I do I am rewarded beyond measure. I can drink deeply when I am at the right well.

Day 1210

Today's Favorite Verse: Do&C 102:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 102:2

The high council was appointed by revelation for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church or the bishop's council to the satisfaction of the parties."

As I read this chapter I kept thinking, what does this have to do with me?  I don't plan on having a situation where I would need to go before the high council to settle a dispute, or have them question my standing in the church?

Then I realized, I do need to know this. In fact I have counted on these proceedings as the church has needed to settle matters, especially with apostate members. I know how the Lord handles these matters, and it is just and fair. The whole process is no secret, A person is given every opportunity to repent. When an apostate in turn speaks out angrily against the church, I feel no need to hear or get involved in the matter. I have totally confidence in how these things have been handled. I trust the high council has sought the will of the Lord in the matter.

Day 521