Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 14:22, 39

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 14:22, 39
"Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues."

Covet - IE be eager, zealous

We are to covet and be eager to prophesy, yet I will never have a prophesy for the entire church. Not even my local ward. That is not my purview, or runway. That made me think of the times I was impressed on specific things happening in my life or the lives of my family that I needed to prepare for. That is the spirit of prophesy, even if it is only something the spirit instructed me about, and I told it to no one else. Such times when this has happened it has made my faith even stronger. I can see how prophesy is for those that believe.

Day 4200

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 10:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 10:9-10
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

What must one do after confessing with the mouth the Lord Jesus? Just saying the words is not enough. It must be believed in the heart. Outwardly you could look like you're saved, but in the heart there must be a mighty change. If the heart of man really did believe then they would be righteous. They would repent and strive to follow Jesus Christ and obey his words. That is what leadeth to salvation.

Day 4180

Today's Favorite Verse: John 11:15

Today's Favorite Verse: John 11:15
"And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him."

When people say "Why does God let bad things happen to good people?" it makes me think of Lazarus. To be sick and die and placed in a grave for 4 days would seem a pretty bad thing. Yet, the Lord called him forth from the grave. How many times has the Lord saved me from the grave and any numbers of trials. All of these experiences have been for my good. They are sacred to me. They have strengthened my faith and belief in Christ and trust in his timing.

Day 4132

Today's Favorite Verse: John 4:42, 48

Today's Favorite Verse: John 4:42, 48
"And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe."

While Jesus was in Samaria not only the women at the well believed in words, but those that she told also believed Jesus was the Christ. They received their own testimony by listening to Him themselves. I pondered on how we all need our own testimonies and cannot progress far on the faith of others. It wasn't until Jesus said in Galilee that they needed a sign or wonders to believe, I realized it never said he did any miracles in Samaria. Instead it was His words, he was able to tell them all things. As we listen to His words we can also receive a firm conviction the Jesus is indeed the Christ.

Day 4125

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 90:24

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 90:24
"Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another."

This is one of my hope scriptures. When things look down and dreary I know all of it will work together for my good. That the Lord is in control. I need faith believing.

"I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."
(Doctrine and Covenants 82:10)

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD."
(Isaiah 54:17)

Day 3679

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 3:26

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 3:26
"For he had said unto him in times before, that if he would believe in him that he could show unto him all things—it should be shown unto him; therefore the Lord could not withhold anything from him, for he knew that the Lord could show him all things."

When did the Lord tell the brother of Jared that he would show him all things, if he believed in Him? I went back in the two earlier chapters and didn't see this mentioned. Maybe it was during those 3 hours the Lord stood in a cloud and spoke to him. I pondered on how the Lord telling you something like that would certainly make me strive to be worthy. It was a promise the Lord knew the brother of Jared could obtain. The brother of Jared must have been pondering on this while he was preparing those 16 stones out of molten rock. That pondering on what he believed the Lord capable of increased the brother of Jared's faith. That is why he could say to the Lord, "Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this." (vs 5) When asked by the Lord, "Believest thou the words which I shall speak? (vs 11)

"And he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie.

This is why the Lord could minister unto the brother of Jared for "he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting." (vs 19)

The Lord will not appear to man if they doubt or want to consume it on their lusts. You need faith where it matters not if you see Him, for you already believe.

Day 3566

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 19:4, 9-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 19:4, 9-11
"And she said unto him: The servants of my husband have made it known unto me that thou art a prophet of a holy God, and that thou hast power to do many mighty works in his name;
And Ammon said unto her: Believest thou this? And she said unto him: I have had no witness save thy word, and the word of our servants; nevertheless I believe that it shall be according as thou hast said.
And Ammon said unto her: Blessed art thou because of thy exceeding faith; I say unto thee, woman, there has not been such great faith among all the people of the Nephites.
And it came to pass that she watched over the bed of her husband, from that time even until that time on the morrow which Ammon had appointed that he should rise."

I reflected on the faith of king Lamoni's wife, the queen. How her faith came from believing the words of others, and acting on them. It made me think of the gifts of the spirit, and believing on the words of others is one of them.

"For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.
To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.
To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.
To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful."
(Doctrine and Covenants 46:11-14)

Day 3463

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 16:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 16:11

"And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not."

I wondered if I had heard Mary Magdalene say she saw the risen Lord, would I have believed her too? I like to think that I would have. I can only sit here having heard this story in the scriptures many times and knowing that it's true. This was the first time anything like this would have taken place. It would have seemed impossible for them. I cannot compare our reactions since my story is so different being able to look backwards.

"President James E. Faust (1920–2007) of the First Presidency explained why it may have been so difficult initially for the disciples to believe that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead:

“Perhaps the Apostles should not be unduly criticized for not believing that Jesus, having been crucified and buried in a tomb, had come back to earth as a glorified being. In all human experience, this had never happened before. It was completely unprecedented. This was a different experience than the raising of Jairus’ daughter, the young man of Nain, or Lazarus. They all died again. Jesus, however, became a resurrected being. He would never die again. …

“Said President David O. McKay of this experience: ‘The world would never have been stirred by men with such wavering, doubting, despairing minds as the apostles possessed on the day of the crucifixion.“

‘What was it that suddenly changed these disciples to confident, fearless, heroic preachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ? It was the revelation that Christ had risen from the grave. His promises had been kept, his Messianic mission fulfilled. … On the evidence of these unprejudiced, unexpectant, incredulous witnesses, faith in the resurrection has its impregnable foundation.’ (Treasures of Life, comp. Clare Middlemiss, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1962, pp. 15–16.)

“Like the Apostles of old, this knowledge and belief should transform all of us to be confident, settled, unafraid, and at peace in our lives as followers of the divine Christ. It should help us carry all burdens, bear any sorrows, and also fully savor all joys and happiness that can be found in this life”

(Elder James E. Faust, “The Supernal Gift of the Atonement,” Oct 1988 General Conference)

Day 3132

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 25:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 25:9

"And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation."

I could just imagine seeing the Lord at his second coming and saying this, "We have waited for him". It's part of that never give up, always striving to be what He wants me to be. Looking towards Christ and believing. When faith is not faith anymore but pure knowledge of who He is.

Day 2863

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 18:20

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 18:20
"And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you."

I have thought a lot on this and I hope I can put it into words. I do not believe that just because I want something bad enough and it is good that I can pray and it will happen. I do believe that the answers to my prayers are according to the Father's will. If the Father's will is that something does or doesn't happen then that is what will happen. So what is the role of prayer? To me the key is knowing by the spirit what to ask for. If I am in tune with the spirit I will know what I should or shouldn't ask for. It is through the promptings of the spirit that I will not ask amiss, and that which I pray for will be according to the Father's will and be right. When the spirit bears witness to me that what I ask is right then with faith and belief I will receive it.

I have experienced being stopped from asking for something, even when it is a good or righteous thing. In those moments I have come to learn to accept the Father's will for me, and been at peace over the matter. It takes just as much faith to accept when something is not right to ask for, as it does to ask for something when it is right.

Day 1955

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 15:17-18, 20

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 15:17-18, 20
"That other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
And now, because of stiffneckedness and unbelief they understood not my word; therefore I was commanded to say no more of the Father concerning this thing unto them.
And verily, I say unto you again that the other tribes hath the Father separated from them; and it is because of their iniquity that they know not of them."

Jesus is telling the Nephites the the Jews is Jerusalem did not know who he spoke of as his other sheep. This was due to their stiffneckedness and unbelief. That the Nephites are who he spoke of, and not only that there are other tribes that have been separated. As I was pondering on this I thought of how today it would also be because of stiffneckedness and unbelief that people do not accept this. It will be the same in the future as the records of those other tribes come forth. How I cannot wait for those days.

Mikhail Nesterov "Holy Rus." (1905)

Day 1952

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 2:1-3

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 2:1-3
"And it came to pass that thus passed away the ninety and fifth year also, and the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen -
Imagining up some vain thing in their hearts, that it was wrought by men and by the power of the devil, to lead away and deceive the hearts of the people; and thus by Satan get possession of the hearts of the people again, insomuch that he did blind their eyes and lead them away to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing.
And it came to pass that the people began to wax strong in wickedness and abominations; and they did not believe that there should be any more signs or wonders given; and Satan did go about, leading away the hearts of the people, tempting them and causing them that they should do great wickedness in the land."

In contrast to these verses I thought about what President Nelson recently said an General Conference.

"We live in the day that “our forefathers have awaited with anxious expectation.” We have front-row seats to witness live what the prophet Nephi saw only in vision, that “the power of the Lamb of God” would descend “upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.”
You, my brothers and sisters, are among those men, women, and children whom Nephi saw. Think of that!
Regardless of where you live or what your circumstances are, the Lord Jesus Christ is your Savior, and God’s prophet Joseph Smith is your prophet. He was foreordained before the foundation of the earth to be the prophet of this last dispensation, when “nothing shall be withheld” from the Saints. Revelation continues to flow from the Lord during this ongoing process of restoration."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Hear Him", April 2020, General Conference)

...and also this.

"Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."
Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", April 2018, General Conference)

I sat and pondered on what has been happening this year. As a family we have remarked that as we follow the "Come, Follow Me" schedule and read the Book of Mormon how much we find applying to our day. So what is this pandemic? I would have to guess it's a voice of warning. What is the warning? Maybe so we don't begin to practice imagining vain things in our hearts, become spiritual blind and dismiss the purpose of what we are to be learning through all this. How careful we have to be to not be deceived and lead away by the power of the devil. We have to be so careful about what sides we are joining. Probably best to join no sides and just side with the Lord and his prophets.

If Satan can blind people in a short 9 years after the sign was given of the birth of Christ, have them dismiss it and not believe, how much more powerful must he be right now to blind people to the truth of what is happening around them. How much more prepared will they be to deny the marvelous works that are to come?

Day 1939

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 31:16, 34-35

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 31:16, 34-35

"Holy God, we believe that thou hast separated us from our brethren; and we do not believe in the tradition of our brethren, which was handed down to them by the childishness of their fathers; but we believe that thou hast elected us to be thy holy children; and also thou hast made it known unto us that there shall be no Christ.

O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ.

Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren again unto thee."

In this chapter Alma leads a mission to the Zoramites. There he and his fellow missionaries to their great astonishment witness the perverted way the Zoramites worship in their synagogue. They would climb upon the high tower called the Rameumptom seat offering the same prayer. In this chapter it explains how this had came about, for they were once members of the church. 

"But they had fallen into great errors, for they would not observe to keep the commandments of God, and his statutes, according to the law of Moses.

Neither would they observe the performances of the church, to continue in prayer and supplication to God daily, that they might not enter into temptation."

(Almas 31:9-10)

This does make me appreciate the Handbook of Instructions being placed online by the church prior to this pandemic happening. For the people all can read it and not fall into gross errors and practices in the way that they worship in their homes. 

What struck me this time in reading the chapter was the vast difference between the Zoramites prayer and the prayer by Alma. It's sounds like the Zoramites are reciting the articles of faith instead of praying. They are giving statements of their beliefs to God. In fact I count five times they tell God what they believe, and never once ask God a questions or ask for his assistance in their lives, or the lives of others. They instead state how they have been elected above others and only then thank God for that in the closing of their prayer. Yeah, that would be a rather astonishing prayer to hear. 

In contrast Alma's prayer is full of desire on how they can help their brethren come to the truth. He does tell God what he is witnessing among the people and how sorrowful his heart is over it. He asks for comfort for his soul, and the souls of those serving with him. In all of Alma's prayer you see a personal relationship and need for his God. Where as the Zoramites have totally shut God out of their lives. This really reinforces the need for daily personal prayer, and how not having it we can shut God out of our lives.  

Day 1889

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 25:23

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 25:23
"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."

I used to think that "after all we can do" meant I had to reach a certain point to be worthy of God's grace. Now I understand this verse differently. "All we can do", means simply to believe in Christ. There is no other way, it is all we can do. His grace is there when I believe in Him. He comes to me even when I'm at the lowest of lows, and vilest of sinners. With that mighty change of heart and reaching out towards Him his grace is there for me. It is by grace that I am saved after I believe in Christ. It is all I can do.

Day 1810

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 20:3

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 20:3
"And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?"

The part "where will ye leave your glory?" really struck me. To leave my glory would mean I have left the Lord. I no longer have His grace. He's not there because I know longer have faith in Christ. When the day that destruction and desolation is all around me He won't be there for me to turn to. Well, really he's always there, but it's me not looking for Him any more. When you've left God for so long you no longer seek refuge in his arms. Such a sad thought, that made me cry.

Day 1805

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 2:16

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 2:16
"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers."

I pondered on how important this moment was for Nephi. He had heard his father, a prophet of God, speak of his visions and dreams. He obediently went into the wilderness leaving behind their home and riches. Now he wanted to know for himself if this was the Lord's will. This is the moment his heart is softened and he believes. When that sure testimony comes there is nothing that will make you deny it. Through the rest of Nephi's story he is faithful and true to what was told him from the very beginning. How important it is to pray about anything a prophet tells you. You need the sure witness for yourself. It opens the door to further personal revelation.


Day 1765

Today's Favorite Verse: James 2:19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: James 2:19-20
"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

I found this point on faith without works is dead something to ponder on today. For even the devil and his angels know who Christ is, yet it is by their works that we know them. How much more important is it for a person of faith and belief to do good works as the Savior did.

"When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not."
(Luke 8:28)

This video is of another story of Jesus healing a man possessed, but the story is the same the devils knew who Christ was.



Day 1721

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrew 11:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrew 11:1
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Not only do I love this verse, I love the whole chapter and the examples of faith that came before them. I love how Elder Andersen explains it too.

"Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is not something ethereal, floating loosely in the air. Faith does not fall upon us by chance or stay with us by birthright. It is, as the scriptures say, “substance … , the evidence of things not seen. Faith emits a spiritual light, and that light is discernible. Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift from heaven that comes as we choose to believe and as we seek it and hold on to it. Your faith is either growing stronger or becoming weaker. Faith is a principle of power, important not only in this life but also in our progression beyond the veil. By the grace of Christ, we will one day be saved through faith on His name. The future of your faith is not by chance, but by choice."
(Neil L. Andersen, "Faith is Not by Chance, but by Choice", Oct 2015 General Conference)

As I pondered on faith, I thought of how having to live by faith is a perfect test for all of us. For either you have faith or you don't. For even when evidence is given as signs to people they don't always believe what they have seen or loose their belief over time. Faith when spiritually enlightened has staying power if we hold onto it.

Day 1717

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrew 3:6, 14

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrew 3:6, 14
"But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;"

I just have to believe in Christ, and then stand firm and true to that unto the end. As I was reflecting on that I thought of the hymn that Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote, "I Believe in Christ". I found the Apr 1972 General Conference talk "The Testimony of Jesus" where he first read those powerful words. The hymn was amazingly first song by the Tabernacle Choir on the occasion that later became Elder McConkie's final general conference talk, April 1985, "The Purifying Power of Gethsemane" he passed just 13 days later. The witness by the Holy Ghost as he spoke was so powerful I shall remember and cherish the experience forever.

Afterwards, I listened to various renditions of the hymn song by the Tabernacle Choir on Temple Square over the years. I wanted to find the very best version of it. Then I remembered that I didn't hear if from them. In fact it happened this past July 2019 in New York City. The Millennial Choir and Orchestra were to perform in concert in Carnegie Hall and there was a major power outage. They took to the streets and sang the most amazing rendition I have ever heard. They sounded like angels truly testifying of Christ. People that would have never attended the show the Lord made sure they had a way of hearing these beautiful words. What a powerful moment.



Day 1709

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 10:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 10:9-10
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

This made me ponder on the discussions I have had over the years with people, regarding all they need to do is confess Jesus is the Christ and be saved. In the rest of this chapter Paul goes on to explain what it means to believe in your heart. It's more than just saying the words. If you believe it then you will live it unto righteousness. If you once believed and no longer live it then it's not in your heart. Words without actions are nothing.

Day 1629