Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 24:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 24:14
"But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:"

I didn't realize that the saints called following the gospel of Jesus Christ, "the way". It reminds me of how we speak now of the, "the covenant path". It is still the straight and narrow way that leads to Christ.

"In Acts, the term “the way” is often used to refer to Christianity; it denotes the path or course of Christians. Central to Christian belief is the doctrine that Jesus Christ is “the way” of salvation and that through Him all will be resurrected. Paul declared that the real reason the Jews opposed him was his belief in the Resurrection. However, he asserted that his message of the Resurrection was not heresy but was identical to the long-held hope of the Jewish nation. President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) spoke of the universal hope that the Resurrection of Christ can bring to us all:
“Through tears and trials, through fears and sorrows, through the heartache and loneliness of losing loved ones, there is assurance that life is everlasting. Our Lord and Savior is the living witness that such is so.
“With all my heart and the fervency of my soul, I lift up my voice in testimony as a special witness and declare that God does live."
(New Testament Student Manual, Chapter 34: Acts 21-28, "Acts 24-15 "The Way")

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
(John 14:6)

Day 4166

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 35:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 35:8
"And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein."

This highway, way of holiness, is the covenant path. That is what we must cross over in order to receive all the ordinances of the temple. The unclean shall not pass over.

"And they who are in the north countries shall come in remembrance before the Lord; and their prophets shall hear his voice, and shall no longer stay themselves; and they shall smite the rocks, and the ice shall flow down at their presence.
And an highway shall be cast up in the midst of the great deep."
(Doctrine and Covenants 133:26-27)

Day 3981

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 1:5, 7

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 1:5, 7
"There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest."

I pondered on how the Lord is with His prophets. He was with Moses and is now with Joshua, as long as they follow Him. Don't veer to the right or to the left. I learned the importance of this as I read the Book of Mormon. I can apply it to so many areas in my life. Stay true, and stay the course, remain on the covenant path.

Day 3808

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 52:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 52:16
"He that speaketh, whose spirit is contrite, whose language is meek and edifieth, the same is of God if he obey mine ordinances."

This is the covenant path. Every ordinance and covenant made and kept has us on that path. There have been many wonderful talks on the covenant path, here are a few of my favorites.

"What is the covenant path? It is the one path that leads to the celestial kingdom of God. We embark upon the path at the gate of baptism and then “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men [the two great commandments] … to the end.”
In the course of the covenant path (which, by the way, extends beyond mortality), we receive all the ordinances and covenants pertaining to salvation and exaltation."
"A second unique aspect of the covenant path is our relationship with Deity. The covenants God offers to His children do more than guide us. They bind us to Him, and, bound to Him, we can overcome all things"
(D. Todd Christofferson, "Why the Covenant Path", April 2021 General Conference)

"We enter the covenant path by being baptized and making our first covenant with God.
[To understand the covenant path, it is important to understand that a covenant involves a two-way commitment between God and one of His children. In a covenant, God sets the terms, and we agree to those terms. In exchange, God makes promises to us. Many covenants are accompanied by outward signs—or sacred ordinances—in which we participate with witnesses present. For example, baptism is a sign to the Lord that the person being baptized has made a covenant to keep the commandments of God.] 
Each time we partake of the sacrament, we promise again to take the name of the Savior upon us, to remember Him, and to keep His commandments. In return, God assures us that we may always have the Spirit of the Lord to be with us.
Later we make additional covenants in the temple, where we receive even greater promises. Ordinances and covenants give us access to godly power. The covenant path is the only path that leads to exaltation and eternal life."
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Power of Spiritual Momentum", April 2022 General Conference)

"The term covenant path refers to a series of covenants whereby we come to Christ and connect to Him. Through this covenant bond, we have access to His eternal power. The path begins with faith in Jesus Christ and repentance, followed by baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost. Jesus Christ showed us how to enter the path when He was baptized"
"...We become His disciples and represent Him well when we intentionally and incrementally take on ourselves the name of Jesus Christ through covenants. Our covenants give us power to stay on the covenant path because our relationship with Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father is changed. We are connected to Them by a covenantal bond."
"As you walk the covenant path, from baptism to the temple and throughout life, I promise you power to go against the natural worldly flow—power to learn, power to repent and be sanctified, and power to find hope, comfort, and even joy as you face life’s challenges. I promise you and your family protection against the influence of the adversary, especially when you make the temple a major focus in your life."
(Dale G. Renlund, "Accessing God's Power through Covenants", April 2023 General Conference)

Day 3641

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 59:11, 12

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 59:11, 12
"And now, when Moroni saw that the city of Nephihah was lost he was exceedingly sorrowful, and began to doubt, because of the wickedness of the people, whether they should not fall into the hands of their brethren.
Now this was the case with all his chief captains. They doubted and marveled also because of the wickedness of the people, and this because of the success of the Lamanites over them."

There is an election coming up next week. I keep reminding myself that regardless of what the voice of the people choose I can't lose hope. Stay on the covenant path and do as we have been counseled. Be a peacemaker, trust in the Lord.

Day 3503

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 56:40

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 56:40
"Now they durst not turn to the right nor to the left lest they should be surrounded; neither would I turn to the right nor to the left lest they should overtake me, and we could not stand against them, but be slain, and they would make their escape; and thus we did flee all that day into the wilderness, even until it was dark."

Whenever I hear the strategy of neither turning to the right or left, so you are not overtaken, it feels like counsel for our lives. If we turn to far right, or to far left the adversary will overtake us. We need to stand with the Lord, the prophet, within the mainstream of the church. We need to stay on the strait and narrow path, the covenant path. If we fall off the covenant path the adversary will overpower us.

"And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.
And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save."
(2 Nephi 31:18-19)

Day 3500

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 21:16

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 21:16
"And there shall be a highway for the remnant of his people which shall be left, from Assyria, like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt."

That highway is the covenant path. The straight and narrow path, not a physical highway built of asphalt, cement or stone.

"And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. 
No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."
(Isaiah 35:8-10)

"And an highway shall be cast up in the midst of the great deep.” The revelation to Joseph Smith says no more on this point than these words convey. Isaiah gives a somewhat more expansive view in these words: “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those [who are worthy, and]: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there.” It appears that a way will be provided to assemble the outcasts of Israel again in their promised land. The safe and secure physical arrangements, whatever they may be, will, in fact, be but symbolical of the way of holiness whereon only the righteous can find footing. The way of holiness cannot be other than the strait and narrow path. The wayward tribes, having forsaken the ancient holy way, having been scattered for their wickedness, shall now be gathered because they forsake the world and seek again that whereon the footprints of their fathers are found.
(Bruce R. McConkie, "The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man", Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1982, 327.)

Day 3392

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 21:11

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 21:11
"And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted."

I think this is talking about the mountains being the house of the Lord, and the highways are the covenant path. What Isaiah is speaking of is happening right now.

"And then, O house of Israel, behold, these shall come from far; and lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.
Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; for the feet of those who are in the east shall be established; and break forth into singing, O mountains; for they shall be smitten no more; for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted."
(1 Nephi 21: 12-13)

"Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.
Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted."
(Isaiah 49:12-13)

Day 3370

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 22:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 22:7
"Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book."

I have really enjoyed reading the book of Revelation this time through. I was nervous at first because of all the symbolism and how hard it all seemed. What if I didn't understand something important for me to know? I trusted in what the prophet Joseph Smith said about Revelations, and wanted to know how this could be.

"The book of Revelation is one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written"
(in History of the Church, 5:342).

If it is plain and easy to understand then I had to make sure I wasn't reading it in the manner than went beyond the mark. What the spirit told me was to look for where I would be, and where the righteous saints are. That is what I prayerfully did and it has changed my feelings about Revelations completely. The book is full of keeping on the covenant path, the importance of the temple, and following the words of the prophet. If your focus is on the Savior it does not matter what the world is doing.

I can see how everything that is being covered in general conference is in keeping with the counsel given in Revelations. We are in the later part of the latter days. The prophet of God is preparing us for the second coming of Jesus Christ. We have to remain faithful and never take our eyes off of the Savior. There is divine protection for the saints. Revelation is a book of promise and hope depending on which side your focus is.

Day 3348

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 6:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 6:15

"And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God."

This made me reflect on the building of temples in our day. There are currently 315 temples in various phases or operation around the world. I wonder what will be announced this General Conference? What a blessing the temple is to the saints.

"By making and keeping temple covenants, we learn more about the Lord’s purposes and receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost. We receive direction for our lives. We mature in our discipleship so that we do not remain perpetual, unknowing children. Rather, we live with an eternal perspective and are more motivated to serve God and others. We receive increased capacity to fulfill our purposes in mortality. We are protected from evil, and we gain greater power to resist temptation and to repent when we stumble. When we falter, the memory of our covenants with God helps us return to the path. By connecting to God’s power, we become our own pororoca, able to go against the flow of the world, throughout our lives and into the eternities. Ultimately, our destinies are changed because the covenant path leads to exaltation and eternal life."

(Dale G. Renlund, "Accessing God's Power through Covenants", Apr 2023 General Conference)

Day 3076

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 24:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 24:7

"And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart."

I thought about that mighty change of heart. That as we strive to keep God's commandments, learn of Him and love him, our hearts change. It is a beautiful thing to say he is our God and we are his people.

"For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,"

(Psalms 95:7)

"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people."

(Jeremiah 31:33)

"That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God."

(Ezekiel 11:20)

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:"

(Hebrews 8:10)

Day 2928

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 59:20-21

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 59:20-21

"And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.

As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever."

This made me think of apostolic blessings, but this time it's from the Lord himself. If I keep on the covenant path I will see His face.

"Therefore, let your hearts be comforted; for all things shall work together for good to them that walk uprightly, and to the sanctification of the church.

For I will raise up unto myself a pure people, that will serve me in righteousness;

And all that call upon the name of the Lord, and keep his commandments, shall be saved. Even so. Amen."

(Doctrine and Covenants 100:15-17)

Day 2897

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 40:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 40:8

"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."

The world is the grass and flowers that look so beautiful for a season. Then the heat comes and they fade and go away. All is dry and burnt. So are we if we do not continually nourish ourselves with the word of God, or stay on His covenant path. For His word will forever stand, and be an anchor to us. It will help us endure through the dry spells and rough seasons of our lives, and the burning at His coming.

Day 2878

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 35:8-9

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 35:8-9

"And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:"

This is the Joseph Smith Translation.

"And an highway shall be there; for a way shall be cast up, and it shall be called the way of holiness. The unclean shall not pass over upon it; but it shall be cast up for those who are clean; and the wayfaring men, though they are accounted fools, shall not err therein.

No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:"

(JST Isaiah 35:8-9)

These are the verses that make me think that the highway cast up in the deep, through the rocks and ice for the ten tribes to cross over is all referring to the covenant path.

"And they who are in the north countries shall come in remembrance before the Lord; and their prophets shall hear his voice, and shall no longer stay themselves; and they shall smite the rocks, and the ice shall flow down at their presence.

And an highway shall be cast up in the midst of the great deep."

(Doctrine and Covenants 133:26-27)

The unclean, those that do not make and keep sacred covenants are not allowed to walk on it. The prophet spoken of is the living prophet today. The covenant path and a prophet of God are our protection and guide through the midst of all the commotion the world will be in. It sure feels like a mighty changes has happened since President Russell M. Nelson become the prophet of God. The ice is melting and the prophet and apostles are no longer being held back. The gospel of Jesus Christ and our covenants are being made as clear as clear can be.

Day 2873

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 11:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 11:16

"And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt."

I was pondering on and searching again about this highway that would be raised up. I do feel it's spiritual more that figurative, given what Isaiah 35:8-10 calls it "The way of holiness". To me it's the covenant path. This time I thought I would think outside the box and see if I understand things differently. The more I see prophecy fulfilled the more it doesn't resemble what my expectations of it where. As I was searching I came across Nephi's words after having read this section of Isaiah to his people.

"But behold, I proceed with mine own prophecy, according to my plainness; in the which I know that no man can err; nevertheless, in the days that the prophecies of Isaiah shall be fulfilled men shall know of a surety, at the times when they shall come to pass."

(2 Nephi 25:7)

It actually settled the matter for me today. I will know it when I see it. If f I live up to the covenants I have made, and always remember the Savior, I will have His Spirit to always be with me. This spirit will confirm to me with eyes that see and ears that hear to know and understand. It actually made me excited to see what comes. I love that moment of recognizing prophesy for what it is. It's not being told " I don't have the answers", it's "Wait for the answers will come". That is living in faith and I like it.

Day 2849

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 89:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 89:15

"Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance."

I pondered on walking "in the light of [His] countenance". It would seem where one was walking would be important. As I reflect on this I thought of missionary work and conversion. How through the light of Christ one recognizes the truthfulness of the gospel when they hear it. That would be such a joyful sound. They are walking on the covenant path with the spirit as their guide. Then I thought of how that is not a one time thing. We need to feel the joy of our conversion over and over again, as we stay on covenant path and #HearHim.

Day 2726

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 87:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 87:1

"His foundation is in the holy mountains."

When the scriptures speak of holy mountains it is referring to the House of the Lord, the holy temple. For prophets of old would rise and go up to the mountains to speak with the Lord, when there was no tabernacle or temple for the Lord's dwelling place. I pondered on building my foundation from what is in the temple. It is the covenant path. Living up to the covenants I have made through all His holy ordinances. It is a sure foundation that will remain strong and carry me through all the vicissitudes of life.

Day 2724

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 72:18

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 72:18

"Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things."

This made me think of my favorite quote of President Nelson.

"Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", April 2018, General Conference)

The other day I was reflecting on one of the Lord's mightiest works in the past, the parting of the Red Sea and read this.

"Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;

But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers."

(Jeremiah 16:14-15)

I realized that when we mentions our fathers we don't speak of the children of Israel being brought out of Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea. What we speak of is our pioneer ancestors that crossed the plains. We even celebrate a holiday called Pioneer Day to commemorate that event. When I reflected on this and how I've always thought of the lost ten tribes returning on a highway built up as a future event, has probably already happened and is still happening. So many verses I visited began to show me the highway that was to be built up may just mean the covenant path we are now on. Searching the footnotes on Doctrine and Covenants 133:26-27 had some choice verses linked to it.

"And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."

(Isaiah 35:8-10)

One of the greatest works today is the Lord's missionary force gathering God's elect from the four corners of the earth. Those that were lost are now finding their true identities as God's covenant people.

Day 2709