Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 15:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 15:4
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

This verse made me reflect on all that it has taken me to read the scriptures. I have been writing "Today's Favorite Version" daily for 11 years, 5 months and 14 days, and the road to it was not easy. Five years prior in 2010 I committed to reading my scriptures every day. It took so much patience to begin because I had been very ill and lost my ability to read and comprehend. The doctor suggested that I read out loud to myself or listen to recordings and follow along. I needed the combination of visual and audio to make the connections in my brain. Listening to the scriptures and following along was the perfect combination. It took four years before I could read on my own without following a recording. That was such a great milestone. Once that was achieved writing my impressions are what came next. I have come so far and learned so much building daily on what I have read and the Spirit has taught me. Truly my weaknesses have become my strengthens. There is a price we pay to understand the scriptures and it takes patience with ourselves and a slow and steady pace. The reward is not only knowledge but a peace and comfort that comes into our lives that nothing else can bring.

During these 15-16 years I have read the Book of Mormon 21 times. The Doctrine and Covenants 8, Pearl of Great Price 8, Old Testament 3, New Testament 6, the Apocrypha once, and all the Topic Guide scriptures covering Jesus Christ once. In 2014 my daily scripture reading lead to inviting my family to read together. We've done it nightly ever since. Our home is a holy place because we speak of Christ together every day. It is burned into the walls of our home. Reading the scriptures is my place of refuge from the storms.

Day 4185

Today's Favorite Verse: Nahum 1:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Nahum 1:7
"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."

That is a very comforting verse if you trust in the Lord. I have felt Him as my strong hold when in the midst of trouble. You do not need to see Him to know he is there, and mindful of all that you are going through.

Day 4044

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 23:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 23:4
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

The older I get the more this verse means to me. I don't need to be dying to have felt the shadow of death surrounding me. It is wherever there has been darkness of sorrow around me. I know that I do not walk alone, for the Lord is with me.

Day 3910

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 16:2, 4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 16:2, 4-5
"I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.
I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.
But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should assuage your grief."

Job calls his friends miserable comforters. It made me reflect on our baptismal covenant, to mourn with those that mourn, and comfort those in need of comfort.

"And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—"
(Mosiah18:8-9)

Day 3894

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 15:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 15:1-2
"And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek were commanded to depart out of that city; and they departed, and came out even into the land of Sidom; and behold, there they found all the people who had departed out of the land of Ammonihah, who had been cast out and stoned, because they believed in the words of Alma.
And they related unto them all that had happened unto their wives and children, and also concerning themselves, and of their power of deliverance."

They found "all the people" that had been cast out of the land of Ammonihah. I thought about how they were gathered in a safe place. Yes, terrible things had happened to their families, but the Lord gave them each other and Alma and Amulek to bring comfort and the word of God to them.

"Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places;"
(Doctrine and Covenants 101:22)

"In conclusion, Latter-day Saints should be gifted, covenant-keeping people. Nonetheless, it remains for each of us to seek to exercise our spiritual gifts and then to invite and learn to recognize promptings of the Spirit. Four guiding principles to assist us in this crucial spiritual endeavor are:
1. Stand in holy places.
2. Stand with holy people.
3. Testify of holy truths.
4. Listen to the Holy Spirit."
(Gary e. Stevenson, "Promptings of the Spirit", Oct 2023 General Conference)

"True disciples love to submit themselves to the Lord with peace in their heart. They are humble and submissive because they love Him. They have faith to fully accept His will, not only in what He does but also in how and when. True disciples know that the real blessings are not always what they want but rather what the Lord wants for them.
True disciples love the Lord more than the world and are steadfast and immovable in their faith. They stay strong and firm in a changing and confusing world. True disciples love to listen to the voice of the Spirit and of the prophets and are not confused by the voices of the world. True disciples love to “stand in holy places” and love to make holy the places where they stand. Wherever they go, they bring the love of the Lord and peace to the hearts of others. True disciples love to obey the Lord’s commandments, and they obey because they love the Lord. As they love and keep their covenants, their hearts are renewed and their very nature changes."
(Massimo De Feo, "Pure Love: The True Sign of Every True Disciple of Jesus Christ", Apr 2018 General Conference)

Day 3459

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 2:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 2:7-8

"So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him."

This made me reflect on the beauty of forgiveness. I had a bad situation where I was abused, lied to, and stolen from. Each of these individuals I forgave in my heart and turned the situation over to the Lord as he saw fit. I stayed away and did not cause grief or contention. Three of these individuals within the year have asked my forgiveness. It was truly such a wonderful thing, because I had already forgiven them. It was a matter so quick to put to rest, to embrace them and tell them that I forgave and loved them. One having fallen on hard times is now living in the tiny cottage behind my house. Another stops in from time to time. The last I went out to lunch with today because I could tell they were feeling overwhelmed and needed comfort. We had a lovely time chatting with each other. Friends once lost are now found.

“When we take the position of withholding forgiveness from our fellow men, we are attempting to block his progress towards salvation. This position is … not Christlike. We are endeavoring to impede the progress of a living soul and deny him the forgiving blessings of the atonement. This philosophy is saturated with impure motives that are designed to destroy the soul” (Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants, 2 vols. [1993], 1:314; see also D&C 64:9–11)

Day 3239

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 1:4

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 1:4

"Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

We all have to pass through tribulation. As a world tribulation is ever increasing the closer we are to the Lord's second coming. There are people and nations in despair. I pondered on how in many respects it is a great missionary tool. For as we turn our hearts to the Lord we find comfort and peace during tribulation. Others are drawn to the peace within us as we comfort them. It is a marvelous work and a wonder as we embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ and bring others to that same peace and light.

Day 3238

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 15:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 15:4

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

I reflected on the peace and comfort that fills my heart as I read the scriptures. If I was to write a prescription for anyone that is troubled it would be to read the scriptures. Sit in a quiet place and say a little prayer, that the spirit would be with you and teach you. Then just read the scriptures. You don't have to grasp everything you read. Just follow the spirit and reflect on what stood out to you. When this process is repeated daily it will develop into the highlight of your day.

Day 3220

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 23:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 23:11

"And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome."

Paul obviously was in need of comfort. I imagine somewhat depressed in his condition. The Lord appears to him and the comfort he gives is "thou bear witness also at Rome". Paul knew his life was not over, there was hope. We can act as the Savior did to others that are down trodden and give them hope and things to look forward to. That there is purpose in our being.

Day 3200

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 2:27-28

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 2:27-28

"Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.

But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah."

I was thinking about having faith today, and how there is great peace of mind in the midst of what seems like dark days ahead. There is no fear when you trust the Lord. Money, politics, and material things cannot bring peace of mind or comfort in sorrow. If those are your gods then in hard times will they save you?

Day 2906

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 12:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 12:1

"And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me."

As I read this I could picture the earth after the great and terrible day of the Lord, at His Second Coming. The destruction is done and the righteous that survive have passed through all that led up to this point. That is why we say "thou wast angry with me". Now all that is left is Him to comfort us and he does, and our joy is full. That will be the great millennial day.

Day 2850

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 94:19

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 94:19

"In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul."

In Sunday School class our teacher said something that stayed with me. He said that when he read a couple of chapters in Isaiah that week the voices in his head quieted. He struggles with those inner voices and all their noise. The chatter was gone after reading the scriptures. I knew what he was talking about. I have turned to the scriptures when I am under a great deal of stress and just need peace. The scriptures will bring comfort to my soul.

"But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge."

(Psalms 94:22)

Day 2731

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 79:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 79:1-2

"O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth"

I read of the destruction of the temple, city and people by the heathens right after reading this in the Book of Mormon.

"And now it came to pass that after the people of Ammon were established in the land of Jershon, and a church also established in the land of Jershon, and the armies of the Nephites were set round about the land of Jershon, yea, in all the borders round about the land of Zarahemla; behold the armies of the Lamanites had followed their brethren into the wilderness.

And thus there was a tremendous battle; yea, even such an one as never had been known among all the people in the land from the time Lehi left Jerusalem; yea, and tens of thousands of the Lamanites were slain and scattered abroad.

Yea, and also there was a tremendous slaughter among the people of Nephi; nevertheless, the Lamanites were driven and scattered, and the people of Nephi returned again to their land."

(Alma 28:1-3)

The thoughts of both made me cry and mourn for them. I don't like to think how it applies to my day, because it's to real that our world is ever darkening. What is the light or hope of these things? The true sorrow is the state of the people when they died. Where were their hearts and how are they greeted by the Lord. Those that are left to mourn can be comforted when they know their loved ones are in the arms of their Savior, Jesus Christ.

"And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing—sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life."

(Alma 28:14)

Day 2716

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 61:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 61:2

"From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

This reminds me of when I shattered my wrist and the extreme pain I was under. It went on for days and weeks. It was so overwhelming at times. I remember all I could do in those moments was cry to the Lord for some relief. The pain didn't go away but my ability to endure did. I could feel His comforting arms around me. I wasn't in this journey alone. You can have peace and comfort in the midst of a terrible storm.

Day 2698

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 10:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 10:4

"The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts."

I pondered on not having God in all your thoughts. That is such a foreign concept to me, yet I can recall when it wasn't. What a filter it is in your life to have God in your thoughts. It keeps you out of a lot of trouble. I never feel alone. Having God in your thoughts brings peace and comfort as you walk through life. It's knowing things will work out not matter what that means.

Day 2647

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 3:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 3:3

"But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head."

At first when I read "the lifter up of mine head" I though of pride. I knew that couldn't be right. Then I pondered on what it meant. I could then picture David being so broken hearted and discouraged that his head hung down. With the Lord he was comforted and could hold up his head again.

Day 2640

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 8:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 8:4

"If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;"

Oh, this is so sad, Job friend Bildad now says that if it wasn't Job that sinned then it was his children and that is why they died. That truly is causing Job to suffer so much. Not an ounce of compassion or comfort in those words. Job is a great lesson in what not to say to people when they are mourning and have suffered a great loss.

Day 2603

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 6:2, 24

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 6:2, 24

"Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!

Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred."

What stood out to me in Job's words is that even though his friends are causing him more grief he is willing to know where he has erred. In all their words they have only spouted off how he must have deserved his bad fate for it to come upon him. They never said Job you actually did this and that is why your loved ones and property are gone.

Even if he had somehow deserved it now was not the time to speak of such things. Job is right when he said: "To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty." (vrs 14)

Day 2601

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 1:21

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 1:21

"And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

I pondered on the times I have had to say "the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord". There is a comfort that fills my heart when I can say that. For with the coming and the going I know He is there with me. He has not left me alone in the midst of the storm. He knows the end from the beginning, he knows how things will work out. When there is faith there is always hope.

Day 2596

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 130:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 130:7-8

"But they reside in the presence of God, on a globe like a sea of glass and fire, where all thing for their glory are manifest, past, present, and future, and are continually before the Lord.

The place where God resides is a great Urim and Thummim"

I reflected on a time when I had great sorrow, because I had traveled and been somewhere a whole month, but was never able to go so much as to the ocean and dip my toe in it. As I sat on the plane ride home I was so grateful that there was no companion next to me, because I silently cried. Then this verse came to me and I realize that all the things I missed will one day be made up. That I really will never miss out on anything, because one day I will be able to see the past as it really was. Since then I have been comforted about the lack of being able to travel or attend events. If it really was important in the scheme of things, I will one day see it better than if I had seen and experienced it with my natural eye. Even if I don't have the doctrine or understanding right, I am grateful for the peace and comfort it gave me over the matter.

Day 2133