Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 89:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 89:2-3
"To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—
Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints."

I pondered and began to research when the word of wisdom became a commandment. The one overwhelming thought I kept having was the history and timing didn't matter. What matters the most is the saints living it today. It is today that we have highly processed food, and meat full of antibiotics and chemicals. We have man telling us grains and carbs are not good and push us to eat things the word of wisdom says to moderate or be sparing. It is today we face evil designs of conspiring men. The desire to make us addicted or become habit-forming, tempting us day and night with incessant advertisements. The word of wisdom is even more critical for the saints in this latter part of the last days. It was given for my day. It is to help the saints that are weak to heal and be made strong.

The word of wisdom is a principle with a promise. It's important to understand what a principle is.
1. fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.
2. a general scientific theorem or law that has numerous special applications across a wide field.

When we take the word of wisdom as a guide we don't need everything spelled out that is not good for us. We should know based on the principled given us. If you can become addicted to alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea, then wouldn't other items that cause addiction also be included? We don't need to be commanded in all things. As Joseph Smith said, “I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves.”

"For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward."
(Doctrine and Covenants 58:26)

"Elder John A. Widtsoe wrote: “The reward for keeping the Word of Wisdom is four-fold. 1. Self-control is developed. That is implied in verse 3 of the revelation which states that the Word of Wisdom is ‘adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all Saints, who are or can be called Saints.’ 2. Strength of body, including resistance to contagion, is a result of wise living. 3. Clearness of mind is the gift of those whose bodies are in a healthy condition. 4. Spiritual power comes to all who conquer their appetites, live normally and look upward to God.” (Program of the Church, pp. 39–40.)
(Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, Section 89, The Word of Wisdom)

Day 3678

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 9:7-9

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 9:7-9
"And behold the people did gather themselves together unto the place of the judgment-seat—and behold, to their astonishment they saw those five men who had fallen to the earth.
And now behold, the people knew nothing concerning the multitude who had gathered together at the garden of Nephi; therefore they said among themselves: These men are they who have murdered the judge, and God has smitten them that they could not flee from us.
And it came to pass that they laid hold on them, and bound them and cast them into prison. And there was a proclamation sent abroad that the judge was slain, and that the murderers had been taken and were cast into prison."

As I was reading this chapter what stood out to me is how quick people were to judge before they received the full story. They assumed motives and guilt. We are seeing conspiracies theories being bought into.

Nephi had prophesied that the chief judge had been killed upon the judgment seat. Five men ran to see if this was in fact true. When they arrive they find the chief judge dead lying in his own blood. They were so astonished that the five fell to the earth. The servants of the chief judge had witnessed the actual murder and they ran to tell the people. When the multitude arrives they find these five men fallen to the earth. Because they knew nothing about what Nephi had prophesied in his garden and why the men were there, they convinced each other that these were the men that murdered the chief judge. Saying, God had smitten them so they couldn't flee. First off I see an issue here. Why didn't the servants speak up that these men were not there when they saw the chief judge murdered? Yet somehow the multitude comes up with another theory of what happened and falsely accuse the wrong men.

The five are cast into prison and it wasn't until the next day at the chief judge's burial that those that were with Nephi wondered where the five men were? They finally realize the men that were cast into prison were the same sent to confirm Nephi's words. But the judges that were asking, now came up with another conspiracy theory and twist the story that somehow Nephi was confederate with the murderer and was using a fake story to appear to be a prophet.

At this point I realized that Mormon that abridged the record isn't speaking of assassinations in our day. He's telling us there will be conspiracy theories. That we have to have discernment on what we believe as news. We need to study out the full story and not jump to conclusions. Lives are at matter when we get things wrong.

This made me think of the recent "Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults" given on 3 Nov 2024 by Elder David A. Bednar and his wife, Susan K. Bednar. He gave a 2.0 version of his "Things as They Really Are" address at a Church Education System fireside at BYU-Idaho on 3 May 2009. He reminds us that...

"The Savior has warned us repeatedly to beware of deception by the adversary:
“Jesus answered, and said unto them: Take heed that no man deceive you; …
“For in those days there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant. …
“And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived”
(Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:5, 22, 37)."
"Obedience opens the door to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. And the spiritual gifts and abilities activated by the power of the Holy Ghost enable us to avoid deception—and to see, to feel, to know, to understand, and to remember things as they really are."

Both of Elder Bednar's talks are excellent, and should be studied.

Day 3516

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 13:8-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 13:8-10
"And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
If any man have an ear, let him hear.
He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints."

Over the years I've seen so many conspiracies and speculations on what 666 means. I think in many respects in this chapter it's a deflection on worldly things and not the true focus for a saint. I again asked "where am I in this chapter, or where are the righteous". I found they have their names written in the book of life of the Lamb of God. They have patience and faith. If I can develop and obtain all of these things I don't even need to begin to worry about what 666 means. I find it interesting needing to have "ears to hear" about those that lead others into captivity, or kill with the sword, which can be both physical and mental. They will have the same done to them. Then there is this connection to saints having faith and patience. It makes me think of the people that conspire to dig a pit for someone and then they fall into it. It's like it's saying don't fall into this worldly practice of trying to mislead, corrupt or overcome others. Don't join in their contentions, infighting and stand separate.

I reflected on what I recently learned about patience. It truly is a god-like attribute. I learned that patience requires forgiveness not only with yourself but with others. The One that had the greatest capacity to forgive also demonstrated godly patience. As I have worked on forgiveness of others, I found being able to forgive as they are doing wrong to me, not waiting until after, changes the way I react and speak to them. It brings a level of godly patience towards them into the whole situation. There is a protection that envelopes your spirit when you combine patience and forgiveness together.

Day 3339

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 56:4, 11

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 56:4, 11

"In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me."

Good advise that was worth repeating twice in this chapter. This made me think of some news this week that made some people so paranoid, speaking of conspiracies and the government coming to get you. That is living in fear of man and what he can do to you. That happens when your eye is off the Lord and focused on worldly things. This is how the adversary works. If you obey God's laws, and are honest with your dealings with your fellow man you have nothing to fear. Truth will prevail when we trust in the Lord.

Day 2693

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 2:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 2:1

"Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?"

Imagine = to form a mental image of (something not present)

Suppose, guess

To form a notion of with sufficient basis: Fancy

Plan, Scheme

Vain = having or showing undue or excessive pride in one's appearance or achievements: Conceited.

Marked by futility or ineffectualness: Unsuccessful, useless

Having no real value: idle, worthless, vain pretensions

Foolish, silly

This reminded me of a discussion I had with my son today regarding gas lighting and sophistry being used to incite unfounded conspiracies, that subtly cover the vainness and pride of those that lead them. Even to the point their rage has turned to violence. Who would have ever thought those that call themselves Christians would fall into supporting such evil. As good and evil are turned upside down there is a real danger of this eventually spilling over and leading to the persecution of the saints. Tonight I found this quote.

"The heathen—the so-called Christian nations—will become mad with rage against the Latter-day Saints; and thus the world will go on until they are ripened for destruction. We can afford to be calm and patient and await God's deliverance; for we know that He is our friend; that He is on the side of the righteous; and that He will bring them off triumphant if they continue faithful, which may the Lord grant in the name of Jesus. Amen."

(Joseph F. Smith, "Character Accorded to the Savior" The Hatred of the World, Etc., Aug 19, 1883, JD 24:245)

Day 2639

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 19:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 19:2-3

"And David said, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father shewed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him.

But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land?"

Looks like they had to deal with fake news back in David's time too. He tried to show kindness and conspiracy theorists built up such paranoia over something that didn't exist. Showing themselves totally in fear of man and not lead by God. All of this caused a battle where 47,000 men needlessly died. How do you stop people from doing this? I guess you just have to trust that God will help you over come the challenges caused by those that have lost their way.

"Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight."

(1 Chronicles 19:13)

Day 2516

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 15:10, 25, 30

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 15:10, 25, 30

"And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.

But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king’s house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.

 And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah."

The chapter headers says this: "Many kings reign in Israel and in Judah—Their wickedness, wars, conspiracies, and evils are described—Much of Israel is carried captive to Assyria by Tiglath-pileser."

It was the mention of conspiracies that stood out to me. I have strong feelings on conspiracies, those that conspire and those that believe in people conspiring against them. Basically, I want nothing to do with either group. It's not the people, it's Satan that rules over that domain. His flaxen cords will choke you regardless of which side you are on.

"And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for he is the founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder, and works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever."

(2 Nephi 26:22)

Instead of spending my efforts looking for and following conspiracies I need to focus my efforts and energies on growing as close to the Savior as I can. It is through the Holy Spirit that my path will be guided and I will walk through all the fiery darts that surround me. All conspiracies do is cause you to hate your brother and no longer see them as people just like you. Then you become blinded to the fact you became part of what you were trying to fight against.

"And it came to pass on the other hand, that the Nephites did build them up and support them, beginning at the more wicked part of them, until they had overspread all the land of the Nephites, and had seduced the more part of the righteous until they had come down to believe in their works and partake of their spoils, and to join with them in their secret murders and combinations."

(Helaman 6:38)

If you stay close to the Lord and have the spirit as your guide you will have eyes that see, and ears that hear, and will know and understand far greater than those blinded by the adversary.

Day 2487

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 15:25, 30

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 15:25, 30
"But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.
And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah."

The word conspiracy stood out to me in the last chapter. In this chapter a form of this word is mentioned four times. I noticed that as conspiracy built so did the murders of their leaders, and eventually being made captive by a foreign land. Out of all the things I see happening in the world right now I sure hope that isn't something we begin to see next.

I searched the scriptures and read all the verses that mentioned conspiracy. Interestingly there was no mention of that word in the Book of Mormon. Instead it's called "secret combinations". There are more references to secret combinations in the Book of Mormon than the combined use of conspiracy in the Bible and Doctrine & Covenants. What an odd thing to ponder on today. Feels like a question for a board game on random scripture facts.


Day 903