Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 7:16, 20

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 7:16, 20
"Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

The Lord tells us that a good tree cannot bring evil fruit, neither can an evil tree give us good fruit. Oh, I'm sure evil will call itself good but to its core it is rotten and eventually the rot is exposed. We will know them by their fruits. It's just like false prophets for what they prophesy will not come true. A broken clock can be correct twice a day, and sometime the evil gives that appearance but if you watch it long enough you will know something is not quite right. There is deception. The really sad part is you can be blinded to that deception if you believe lies and do not have the spirit to always be with you.

"I feel to emphasize the warning President Russell M. Nelson issued us: that “in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” One of the many reasons you will need the constant influence of the Holy Ghost is that you live in a season in which the adversary has become so effective at disguising truth that if you don’t have the Holy Ghost, you will be deceived. Many obstacles lie ahead. The distractions will be many."
(Dallin H. Oaks, "Coming Closer to Jesus Christ", BYU Devotional address on February 10, 2026)

Day 4060

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 2:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 2:12

"But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not."

Nazarite: A consecrated man. A man under a vow to abstain from wine, from any cutting of the hair, and any contact with the dead. The vow might be lifelong, or for a short, definite period.

(Bible Dictionary)

One of the sins Israel had committed was corrupting the Nazarites, by giving them wine to drink. Then they turned around and didn't want prophets to prophesy. They were rejecting and corrupting what was holy.

This made me ponder on what happens to those that lead others astray.

This is a statement on church discipline.

"Sometimes members’ actions contradict Church doctrine and lead others astray. While uncommon, some members in effect choose to take themselves out of the Church by actively teaching and publicly attempting to change doctrine to comply with their personal beliefs. This saddens leaders and fellow members. In these rare cases, local leaders have the responsibility to clarify false teachings and prevent other members from being misled. Decisions are made by local leaders and not directed or coordinated by Church headquarters."

(Newsroom, "Church Responds to Church Discipline Questions", 11 June 2014, Church statement)

"Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession."

(Proverbs 28:10)

"Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones."

(Luke 17:1-2)

Day 3040

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 1:29

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 1:29
"And there was also a cause of much sorrow among the Lamanites; for behold, they had many children who did grow up and began to wax strong in years, that they became for themselves, and were led away by some who where Zoramites, by their lyings and their flattering words, to join those Gadianton robbers.
And thus were the Lamanites afflicted also, and began to decrease as to their faith and righteousness, because of the wickedness of the rising generation."

This chapter holds so much in the space of 4 years. They see signs and wonders increase as the time of Christ's birth approaches. The wicked plan to slay the righteous because the sign of Christ's birth hadn't appeared. It really did test the faith of the believers. The night of Christ's birth does arrive and some believe and others try to lie and deceive others on its meaning. Then they had to face those of the faith that wrested the scriptures and had to be corrected. After all this they face the rising generation being led away. All at the very time they knew Christ had been born into the world and it would not be many years before his death and resurrection and visitation to them. Those alive at that time, especially the rising generation would be there when it all happens.

Who are the Zoramites?  When I read Alma 31 that speaks of them they are apostates, that eventually joined the Lamanites. They have a false concept of election, errors in doctrine, and bowed down to idols. They had built unusual synagogues and worshiped in a manner never beheld before, with set prayers upon the Rameumptom stand. After all gave the same self prayer they return to their homes never speaking of their God again. They were a prideful and boastful people, wearing costly apparel. They refused entry of the poor to worship with them. 

The only way I can picture them is to think of college universities with Zoramites among their professors. In their position they gain the ears of the rising generation and pervert their ways. It is by the false teachings and indoctrination of the youth that the parents become corrupted too. This is the only way I can picture it because that is what has happened in our society, and continues to happen.

Now I am observing parents today struggling with decisions on the safest way to educate their children during the pandemic. I believe the Lord has a plan and is guiding many of them to homeschool their children. The decision maybe because of the coronavirus, but in the end it just might save the children from indoctrination by corrupt teachers once this is over. Parents will learn to be more watchful and careful about their children's education and what they are being taught and by whom. 

Day 1938

Today's Favorite Verse: Malachi 2:7-8, 17

Today's Favorite Verse: Malachi 2:7-8, 17
"For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts.
Ye have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?"

This made me reflect on some discussions I have read from other faiths. They gathered together to discuss changing their ways to support the times. The problem is calling what was once evil now good. God's laws do not change.

Day 1502

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 53:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 53:1
"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good."

Had an interesting conversation with my family during scripture reading this week. We got onto the subject of apostasy and destroying another's faith. Who would be at fault, the one that lead the person away, or the one lead away? Honestly I have no idea on a person's heart or knowledge that they had prior to being lead away, but I think both are accountable for their actions. I hope I never stand in the shoes of either individual. All I can work on is myself and my personal relationship with my Savior.

This scripture makes me ponder on that again. For I think the heart of the matter is corruption had to be in both places. I have my agency, and no one can take from me my faith, unless I let them. If I stop working on my testimony or let pride or sin overcome me, then I am ripe for corruption. I am one of the five foolish virgins without oil in my lamp. 

Day 1106