Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 127:2
"It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep."
I love a good nap. I take one every day for my lunch break. That is the benefit of working from home. I also try to not stay up late and rise early. So, this verse about the Lord giving his beloved sleep is to me a good reward. I remember a story by Truman Madsen about Joseph Smith's ability to fall asleep anywhere at any time. This was the gift of a clear conscience.
"We have a glimpse of his sleeping ability from Lorin Farr, who observed that even in the Missouri persecution days, even under pressure—and of course he was then under the kind of pressure that leads to the worst fatigue—he could sit down at the base of a tree and almost instantly fall into slumber, but almost as instantly snap back to full and alert activity. That may have something to do with a clear conscience and the assurance that God is with you."
(Truman G. Madsen, "Joseph Smith Lecture 2: Joseph’s Personality and Character", BYU Speeches, Aug 22, 1978)
"Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated."
(Doctrine and Covenants 88:124)
"Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."
(Alma 37:37)
Day 3945
