Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 20:20, 23

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 20:20, 23
"And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.
But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?"

What stood out to me was they "feign themselves just men". The Lord perceived their craftiness. He knew how to answer their questions to the point "they durst not ask him any questions at all". This made me think about deception and how we will be deceived if we do not have the spirit as our guide.

"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 4117

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 27:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 27:3-4
"Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that."

What did Judas think was going to happen when he turned Jesus over to the chief priests and elders? This is the first time I thought of Judas and his motivation. It wasn't until Judas saw Jesus was condemned that he appears to wake to his awful situation of having betrayed Him. Did he think he would get money for turning Jesus over and Jesus was going to provide a miracle to get out of the situation? Did the chief priests and elders tell Judas something that made him think turning Jesus over wouldn't mean his death? Judas had asked them to lead him away safely.

"And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely." (Mark 14:44)

It's all very curious and something the scriptures do not say. Only Judas could tell that story and he hanged himself before speaking to the other apostles. The chief priests and elders would never tell anyone if they had deceived Judas on their intent.

Thinking about it, it makes more sense why at the last super when Jesus said "that one of you shall betray me", that Judas asked "Master, is it I?" That makes me think Judas didn't think he was betraying Christ. So I ask myself what can we learn from Judas?

As I reflected on this I think Judas' words are the best to ask ourselves, "is it I?" We should never be so prideful to not think we could fall. We must ever be watchful. Don't associate with those that would destroy your faith in Christ. We should counsel with the Lord if the path does not see clear. When Jesus said one would betray him, how different the story would have been if Judas had recognize himself. There were warnings to be careful and opportunities for Judas to change direction.

Day 4080

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 15:8-9

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 15:8-9
"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

I had a few examples of people that came to mind that fit this. Then I thought about how this can apply to more people than I realize. All walks of life are not immune from vain worship. It is something we all have to guard against. I can't see the inside of a person and know what's going on. Now they do at times give themselves away by pride or being hypocrites. The most telling thing is when they teach the doctrines of men. That is also the most dangerous to me. That is why I am continually pondering and learning about the gospel of Jesus Christ and his doctrine. I don't want to be deceived.

Day 4068

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: Obadiah 1:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Obadiah 1:3-4
"The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD."

Pride goeth before the fall. Pride is the most basic of tools the adversary possess. He can crack the protective shell around a righteous person by tell them how righteous they are. Now more than ever we need humility and the spirit to guide us, so we are not deceived. These two points remind me of President Oaks recent talk.

"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. Even active members may sometimes have concerns about some historical, doctrinal, or social issues connected with the Church.
I want to help all our members overcome present or future doubts. Whatever those doubts, the way to overcome them is to get closer to our Savior Jesus Christ. Again and again, He has taught us that He is the way.
III. Four Ways to Draw Closer to Our Savior
I share four impressions that will draw us closer to our Savior:
• First, strengthen our faith in Him.
• Second, increase our humility.
• Third, seek help from others.
• Fourth, be patient.
(Dallin H. Oaks, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, delivered this BYU devotional address on February 10, 2026)

Day 4040

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 42:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 42:2-3
"And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:)
That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do."

Now that Babylon has conquered Jerusalem and carried many way, those that remain turn to the prophet Jeremiah. They want him to speak the Lord and tell them what they should do. They swear they will follow whatever the Lord tells him. After ten days the Lord tells Jeremiah that if they abide in the land He will build them up. To not be afraid of the king of Bablyon, for the Lord will deliver them from his hands. He also tells them that they are not to go into Egypt, for if they do they will be overtaken there by the sword, famine, and pestilence. The Lord is very clear on what they should and should not do. Will they listen and obey?

Jeremiah knows they will not. He tells them they dissembled in your hears (have deceived your souls) when they sent him to inquire of the Lord. The will only listen to the prophet when he says what they want to hear.

"For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it." (Jeremiah 42:20)

Day 4005

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 20:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 20:10-11
"For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.
But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten."

Defaming and slander are tools of the adversary, so are confusion and chaos. These tools are being drawn with sophistication against one another. They may have their season, but in the long run they will not win.

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
“Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God”  (1 Cor. 6:9–10)
Be not deceived, brethren. Heed the ancient and modern prophetic warnings against thievery, drunkenness, and all forms of sexual sin. The deceiver seeks to destroy your spirituality by all of these means. Paul warns us against those who “lie in wait to deceive … by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness” (Eph. 4:14) Beware of the slick package and the glitz of a good time. What the devil portrays as fun can be spiritually fatal.
(Dallin H. Oaks, "Be Not Deceived", Oct 2004 General Conference)

Day 3998

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 12:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 12:10
"Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness."

Those many pastors are "false prophets". They have destroyed the word of God and carry people far away from Him. No one knowingly follows a false prophet. That is why we need to take care and be watchful all the time. The importance of reading the scriptures and understanding the doctrine of Christ is so important. I remember when I listened to "false prophets", as members they were truly wolves in sheep clothing. I thought what they spoke of was probably in the Old Testament because I was ignorant of what was really there. I had to go search for what they spoke of and found it wasn't in the scriptures or on the Church website. As I searched further I found what they spoke of was an occult practice. I was horrified. I vowed never again to be so deceived. I could have paid a terrible price out of ignorance. Now I pay a greater price to keep from being ignorant and deceived. I want to learn God's words and never fall in that trap again.

Day 3995

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 5:21

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 5:21
"Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:"

We truly are foolish if we allow ourselves to be deceived. That we are devoid of the Holy Spirit and no longer have eyes that see and ears that hear and understand. This is my constant prayer that I will have both. That I truly will know what is around me, and see things as they really are. Having the spirit as our guide, with the scriptures, and the words of the prophets we can avoid the fiery darts of the adversary.

"Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old."
(Jacob 4:13)

"For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear."
(Matthew 13:15-16)

Day 3993

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 63:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 63:8
"For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour."

I really liked this verse, in the chapters I read tonight it prophesies of the second coming. Yet this tiny verse gives a very simple clue on who His people are. They will not lie. That's the ninth commandment "Thou shalt not lie". I think the Lord's covenant people keep all His commandments, but this one has a purpose. This commandment prohibits all forms of deceptions, including lying, perjury, slander and twisting the truth. We are actually being warned about this deception, and how if we do not have the Holy Spirit as our guide we will be deceived. We will believe lies, and mostly likely lie to ourselves, and others.

"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 10 February 2026)

Day 3990

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 33:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 33:6
"And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure."

I pondered on wisdom and knowledge being the stability of my time. What time do I live in? The prophet and apostles are being very clear that we now live in the days that have been prophesied, this is the season. The Lord is at the door. I was just listening to Elder Neil L. Andersen's talk yesterday at BYU-Idaho. After hearing President Oaks speak 12 days prior he changed his talk and went into more details on what the prophet had said. What stood out to me in President Oaks talk, and what Elder Andersen just emphasized, is we will be deceived if we do not have the Holy Ghost as our guide. To me the stability that comes from wisdom and knowledge is totally the inspiration given by the Holy Ghost. That is to be treasured. I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I cannot afford to lose it, or I will be deceived.

"After quoting President Nelson 12 days ago, President Oaks issued a more sobering counsel. He said, "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."
Very interesting. He did not say that without the constant influence of the Holy Ghost you might be deceived or you could be deceived. I thought his choice of words were very potent. He said if you don't have the Holy Ghost you will be deceived."
(Elder Neil L. Andersen, "President Oaks and the Law of Witnesses", BYU-Idaho Devotional, 22 Feb 2026)

As I was listening to Elder Andersen's talk I thought about the other things I could have been watching or listening to. If I had been distracted by them, I would have totally missed what the prophets are saying. Oh, I need to be wise and careful about my time.

Day 3980

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 8:20

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 8:20
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

President Oak recently BYU Devotional spoke on four ways to draw closer to the Savior. The third one was to seek help from others. He then gave this warning.

"Remember, to survive spiritually, you will need the constant influence of the Holy Ghost. An abundance of speculation and false information in podcasts and on social media surround us. Some may protest or question the truth of Church doctrine, without knowing or even understanding the fulness of that doctrine.
Don’t be persuaded by false or inaccurate information. Discuss your concerns with faithful, well-informed friends, and always take those concerns to the Lord."
(Dallin H. Oaks, "Coming Closer to Jesus Christ", BYU Devotional, 10 Feb 2026)

I really try to monitor who I listen to on social media and podcasts. I'm pretty good at spotting those preaching false doctrine and turn away from them. What I have noticed that seems infectious is those that speculate. They speculate on implied meanings in any talk or video released from leaders of the church. I swear some of them are even into astrology and numerology. The focus is always on how it applies to how close the second coming is. They give their opinions in a way that sounds like its fact, sadly what they are not aware of is they have crossed into false information. The speculation becomes such a focus that the gospel principle or doctrine that was discussed is completely overlooked.

My list of podcast and videos that I watch grows smaller and smaller. Mainly because those that start out good, seem to get swallowed up in it becoming their livelihoods and being sensational is a way to grow it. I cannot go wrong if I stay inside church websites.

President Ezra Taft Benson gave us three tests in "Be Not Deceived" (Oct 1963 General Conference).
1. What do the standard works have to say about it?
2. What do the latter-day Presidents of the Church have to say on the subject—particularly the living President? 
3. The third and final test is the Holy Ghost—the test of the Spirit. By that Spirit we ". . . may know the truth of all things"  (Moro. 10:5) This test can only be fully effective if one's channels of communication with God are clean and virtuous and uncluttered with sin. 

During President Benson's time frame we didn't have podcasts. What President Oaks is warning about is the dangers of how quickly false information and speculation can over take us. I am trying to be much more intentional on what I listen to in my down time. I'm grateful for the guidance of a living prophet to warn me what needs to be removed from my list.

Day 3972

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 112:25-26

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 112:25-26
"And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord;
First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord."

The Lord will clean His House first. He will both purify his saints, and sift them with judgment. I do not want to be on the wrong side of things. If the sifting among the saints has not already started, then it is soon coming. From His House to the world we will see a dividing of those that truly love and know the Lord.

"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?"
(1 Peter 4:17)

It makes me sad to think of those that lose their grasp on the iron rod. That give into and join the mocking from the great and spacious building and lose their way. What is to be done? Follow the prophet. Read and really ponder the scriptures, and not books or podcasts about them. Invest time and effort to truly know them to know the Lord. Go to the House of the Lord with clean hands and a pure heart. Pray and repent daily, check in with the Lord to know where you stand There are red flags that should go up when any wolf in sheep's clothing tries to enlist you to their side. I exercise caution and am very careful of who I listen to or follow on social media. It has been the saddest thing to watch members that were once strong become deceived and fall away. It has taught me to be ever watchful and ever learning.

Day 3701

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 50:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 50:2
"Behold, verily I say unto you, that there are many spirits which are false spirits, which have gone forth in the earth, deceiving the world."

This reminded me how I used to love to watch paranormal shows were people hunted and tried to communicate with ghosts. They would put cameras up and make audio recordings. Some of their findings were pretty amazing. Hearing the recorded voices always disturbed my spirit, which is never a good sign. But, I was so curious as to what these ghosts were. I knew there were righteous angels and spirit that were sent from God for specific messages. But, what were these other spirits?

The light did not come on until I realized they were deceiving spirits. Mischievous spirits of deceased individuals or Satan's followers trying to deceive. That's why no one was able to catch these ghosts. They were playing with them. They were making people waste their time running after them. Deceiving spirits can appear as little children, famous people of the ages, anyone in history they want to be. A true spirit sent from God would not cause us to run around foolishly after them. When a true spirit has a message he will deliver it and be done. The power to discern spirits and their true source is a gift of the Holy Ghost. I vowed never to waste my time watching another show like those again. Why would you want to even play with this? This is not entertainment, it's evil. They truly have no lasting value and can only lead to deception.  

"‘For nothing is a greater injury to the children of men than to be under the influence of a false spirit when they think they have the Spirit of God’
(Joseph Smith, "Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith", p. 205)

Day 3639

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: Alma 48:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 48:7
"Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God."

This made me ponder on two men in our day. One is trying to obtain power by fraud and deceit, the other is trying to prepare his people to be faithful to the Lord. The latter is Russell M. Nelson, a prophet of God. It's interesting that President Nelson even gave a general conference talk on Moroni.

"In that regard, we can learn a lot from Captain Moroni. As commander of the Nephite armies, he faced opposing forces that were stronger, greater in number, and meaner. So, Moroni prepared his people in three essential ways.
First, he helped them create areas where they would be safe—“places of security” he called them. Second, he prepared “the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord.” And third, he never stopped preparing his people—physically or spiritually. Let us consider these three principles.
Principle Number One: Create Places of Security
Principle Number Two: Prepare Your Mind to Be Faithful to God
Principle Number Three: Never Stop Preparing"
(Russell M. Nelson, "Embrace the Future with Faith", Oct 2020 General Conference)

Day 3492

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 8:20

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 8:20
"O how marvelous are the works of the Lord, and how long doth he suffer with his people; yea, and how blind and impenetrable are the understandings of the children of men; for they will not seek wisdom, neither do they desire that she should rule over them!"

I pondered on seeking wisdom and how many resources the church has given us to understand the scriptures. Yet, there are voices out there that sound knowledgeable and compelling about the gospel. New blogs and videos are popping up all the time. They are all putting their own spin on the gospel. I've seen things go south in the past so I am pretty leery about what resources I consume.

Yesterday, I noticed some new graphics being shared and posted on Facebook. Many of them having quotes from general conference talks. Each of these were branded with a site I hadn't heard of. I decided to investigate who they were before I reposted any of their graphics. I didn't want to endorse them blindly. As I looked into this site, which was only a couple of months old, I found a noticeable trend that made me feel very uneasy about them. I'm skipping sharing their graphics.

Then today I was trying to find something to listen to and thought I would try this YouTube channel others were recommending. I had given it a try earlier and experienced a few red flags in the video I was watching, so I shut it off before finishing. I thought I would try to be fair and listen again. Maybe, they have their act together now? Nope, I lasted about 5 min this time before turning it off. In my quest to seek wisdom I don't want imitations. Deception is real out there and there is to much to risk listening to the wrong sources.

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation."
(2 Peter 1:20)

I've been deceived in the past out of ignorance. Thankfully my son challenged what I was listening to and asked me to find where that was mentioned in the scriptures. It wasn't, nor was it mentioned anywhere on the church website. I was horrified when I did find were it came from. I now make sure I know the source of where quotes and information comes from and don't just take others word for it. Look for the full transcript and provenance and make sure key things have not been left out. It is amazing how many supposed dreams, visions and quotes have been falsely attributed to the prophets. Some are waiting for signs and events that the Lord never promised. When we are waiting on the wrong things we can be blinded to the truth.

The qualifier the Lord gives is the best question to ask.

"Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained?"
(Doctrine and Covenants 50:13)

Day 3423

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 23:8

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 23:8
"And they shall be afraid; pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames."

I have been weeping. I sorrow for those being deceived. I have prayed to know if I am possibly the one deceived. This morning the answer came. I needed to stop asking that. I already knew. To ask again in this matter would be like Joseph that kept praying, after being given the answer twice, if he should give the 116 pages to Martin Harris to take home. Then they were lost. Then Joseph lost the ability to translate for a season. I cannot risk asking when the Lord has already counseled me in the matter. Now I just mourn because I sit back and watch others that I love, that should have the spirit to guide them be deceived. This last day stuff is hard. For one day they will wake up to their awful situation, that they supported and caused to overcome them. They will be amazed as they look upon each other, facing burning for shame, yet have lost the ability to look upon the Lord. It will be to late.

"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."
(Joseph Smith - Matthew 1:22)

Remembering the importance of the qualifier "if possible". If you are deceived you've already strayed. I need hope to stay on the right course. How grateful I am for living prophets that guide us through these days.

"I am optimistic about the future. It will be filled with opportunities for each of us to progress, contribute, and take the gospel to every corner of the earth. But I am also not naive about the days ahead. We live in a world that is complex and increasingly contentious. The constant availability of social media and a 24-hour news cycle bombard us with relentless messages. If we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation.
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.
My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. .. Choose to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", Apr 2018 General Conference)

Day 3394

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 18:16-17, 19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 18:16-17, 19-20
"Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
"And when they shall say unto you: Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and mutter—should not a people seek unto their God for the living to hear from the dead?
To the law and to the testimony; and if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

I pondered on the contrast of two different groups of people. One will have obtained a testimony, wait upon the Lord and look for Him. These would be the people preparing and found ready at Christ's Second Coming.

The other group are following the ways of the world. I think of them as people that seek conspiracies and run in fear. The world will heal me and I don't need a prophet. Ever learning and never coming to a knowledge of the truth. It's not surprising how much culture is referencing the occult and devil worship. It seems harmless, its just a movie or a book, but there is no light there. If you follow darkness and let it entertain you long enough the things of God seem boring and don't hold purpose or value anymore. Then you are deceived.

"Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
(2 Timothy 3:7

"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
(2 Thessalonians 2:10-12)

Day 3389

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 7:8

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 7:8
"And now I, Nephi, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spake unto them, saying, yea, even unto Laman and unto Lemuel: Behold ye are mine elder brethren, and how is it that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind in your minds, that ye have need that I, your younger brother, should speak unto you, yea, and set an example for you?"

I had to ponder on Nephi's word on how people could be hard in their hearts and blind in the minds. It's actually something our family has been talking about during family scriptures. We've noticed a difference in how people see events around us. To the point they can even quote scriptures to support their positions. We just leave them be, because we do not wish to have contention that will make the spirit flee. It leaves us to wonder how they cannot see all the facts in front of them and take them into consideration? We wanted to make sure we were really looking at things correctly. I told my son that I would have to pray to understand this, because we did not want to be incorrect in how we were seeing events.

That night I prayed and asked for understanding in the matter. I have to admit it was a short prayer. I had assumed it would take time to get an answer to understand this. I then fell asleep. To my surprise when I woke in the morning my first thought was "This is the answer." I was then reminded of what I ask for most in my prayers day and night. It is my greatest desire. That I have eyes that see, and ears that hear and know and understand. That I will know truth from error and be not deceived. I realized this daily prayer of real intent has been answered over and over again each day. This was what was protecting me and helping me see what others couldn't because they did not ask. If you are looking to man for wisdom and not God then you will be blind to what can be right in front of you.

"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness."
(1 Corinthians 3:18-29)

Day 3356