Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 120:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 120:1
"Verily, thus saith the Lord, the time is now come, that it shall be disposed of by a council, composed of the First Presidency of my Church, and of the bishop and his council, and by my high council; and by mine own voice unto them, saith the Lord. Even so. Amen."

I have never felt to counsel the Church on where the tithing money goes after I pay it. I didn't conditionally pay my tithing, I gave it to the Lord because He asked me to live that law. I have full confidence in how the Lord instructed the Church in this matter.

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained how tithing funds are administered in the Church:
“According to revelation, bishops are ordained to ‘keep the Lord’s storehouse; to receive the funds of the church’ [D&C 72:10]. Both bishops and clerks are expected to be full-tithe payers who have learned to live prudently within their means. Within hours of receiving tithing funds from members of their wards and branches, these local leaders transmit the funds directly to the headquarters of the Church.
“Then, as revealed by the Lord, the use of tithing is determined by a council comprised of the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the Presiding Bishopric. The Lord specifically states that the council’s work be directed ‘by mine own voice unto them’ [D&C 120:1)]. This council is called the Council on the Disposition of the Tithes.
“It is remarkable to witness this council heed the Lord’s voice. Each member is aware of and participates in all the council’s decisions. No decision is made until the council is unanimous. All tithing funds are spent for the purposes of the Church, including welfare—care for the poor and needy— temples, buildings and upkeep of meetinghouses, education, curriculum— in short, the work of the Lord. …
“To Church members and others throughout the world, I bear my testimony of the Council on the Disposition of the Tithes. I have sat on this council for 17 years, as the Presiding Bishop of the Church and now as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Without exception, the tithing funds of this Church have been used for His purposes” (“Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2002, 28).
(Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, "Chapter 45: Doctrine and Covenants 115-20")

Day 3709

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 56:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 56:14
"Behold, thus saith the Lord unto my people—you have many things to do and to repent of; for behold, your sins have come up unto me, and are not pardoned, because you seek to counsel in your own ways."

This is really good counsel, to not counsel the Lord, and to take the counsel given. The Lord's house is a house of order and if man just disregarded or disobeyed counsel it would be anything but a house of order. Now is man perfect? No, and neither do we expect others are either. We are all learning, growing and in need of repentance. The road to repentance is better than the road to apostasy. The other day someone was talking to me and mentioned something questionable that a former bishop was doing. It wasn't really grievous. It was more they were expecting perfection. They couldn't believe this man had been a bishop. I tried to turn the conversation around and began with describing the mantle of a bishop. How I've seen changes in men that are called, and they are stronger and able to carry the load when that mantle in upon them. Then when they eventually are released it is no longer there. I would not question the Lord's choice for he qualifies and strengthen his servants. It has no bearing on the person's actions today. This lead us to a wonderful conversation on how we have witness this change that comes upon those called and serving. We don't need to question the Lord's ways.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts”
(Isaiah 55:8-9)

"Some actually question God’s capacity, this in the face of His assurance to us: “I am able to do my own work.” Therefore, murmuring can be another form of mocking God’s plan of salvation. Yes, such individuals say, God has an overall general plan, but we don’t care for His specific timing. Yet the scriptures specifically advise us that “all things must come to pass in their time.
"Yes, such individuals may acknowledge God, but they criticize His ways. We want things to be done in our ways, even though our ways are much lower ways. "
(Neal A. Maxwell, "Murmur Not", Oct 1989 General Conference)

Day 3645

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: 1 Timothy 3:7

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Timothy 3:7
"Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."

Paul is speaking about the qualification of a bishop. I pondered on the importance of others outside of our faith to hold him in good report. I hadn't really thought of that need. Then I reflected on the great damage some bishops have done when they have fallen by the snare of the devil. Those events have done so much damage not only in the church by outside of it too. For we look like hypocrites when that happens.

Speaking to bishops, President Gordon B. Hinckley identified similar qualifications needed for priesthood leaders in our day:
“You must be men of integrity. You must stand as examples to the congregations over which you preside. You must stand on higher ground so that you can lift others. You must be absolutely honest, for you handle the funds of the Lord. …
“Your goodness must be as an ensign to your people. Your morals must be impeccable. The wiles of the adversary may be held before you because he knows that if he can destroy you, he can injure an entire ward. You must exercise wisdom in all of your relationships lest someone read into your observed actions some taint of moral sin. You cannot succumb to the temptation to read pornographic literature or even in the secrecy of your own chamber to view pornographic films. Your moral strength must be such that if ever you are called upon to sit in judgment on the questionable morals of others, you may do so without personal compromise or embarrassment” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Shepherds of Israel,” Oct 2003 General Conference). (New Testament Student Manual, Chapter 47: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon)

Day 3281

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 14:21, 23

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 14:21, 23

"And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed."

The apostles returned to where they had once preached the gospel. Then they ordained elders to lead the churches. We see the same today. Having lay ministers to watch over the flock.

"And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves."

(1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)

"I testify to the truthfulness of that principle, which imposes a solemn duty upon the members of this Church to be loyal to their leaders and faithful in following their direction. I affirm that the Lord will bless us for doing so” (“Bishop, Help!” Ensign, May 1997, 23)."

(President Dallin H. Oaks, "Chapter 32: Acts 13-15" New Testament Student Manual)

Day 3191

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 6:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 6:2-3

"Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business."

The apostles looked for seven men to assist them in caring for the poor and needy. It doesn't say what calling these men had but it would probably be similar to bishops and branch presidents today.

This made me think of Moses and the council Jethro, his father-in-law gave him.

"Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee."

(Exodus 18:21-22)

I also pondered on the reference to "serve tables" and found these quotes.

"Was Jesus asking His disciples to respond to random requests from the crowd or to serve tables? No! He was asking them to serve in His way. The people were not to be masters of his disciples. The Lord is their Master."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods", April 1996 General Conference)

"Also that the Seventies are not called to serve tables, or preside over churches, to settle difficulties, but are to preach the Gospel and build them up, and set others, who do not belong to these quorums, to preside over them, who are High Priests. The Twelve also are not to serve tables, but to bear the keys of the Kingdom to all nations, and unlock the door of the Gospel to them, and call upon the Seventies to follow after them, and assist them. The Twelve are at liberty to go wheresoever they will, and if any one will say, I wish to go to such a place, let all the rest say amen."

(Joseph Smith, Jr, "Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 109)

It made me think of people that find fault with the prophets and apostles and want things done their way. Prophets don't answer to people, they answer to God. Even those that "serve tables", like bishops and branch presidents, they still have the gift of discernment, the spirit as their guide to know how to best assist those in needs.

Day 3183