Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 8:2

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 8:2
"And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know."

Paul goes on to explain that the eating of meat that was sacrificed to idols will not hurt them. Idols are nothing in the world. We may know this, but what we may not know is how our actions can hurt those that see if differently. Paul counsels us to not become a stumblingblock to others in their faith. As I pondered on this stumblingbock I thought of various people that were raised in a religion and then for whatever reason left it. To the point they have no faith and mock those that do. Whatever stumblingblock happened in their life to make them lose faith, prevents them from actually hearing the gospel when the opportunity comes. We should never destroy someone's faith, to the point they lose all faith and reject everything. Instead what is needed is to give them an opportunity to grow and learn more, and make the faith they have even stronger.

Day 4194

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 26:27

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 26:27
"Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him."

I have thought of this one lately. How does a man dig a pit and fall in it? Or, roll a stone and it rolls back over him? How do they not see where things are headed. It is a spiritual blindness due to wickedness that overcomes them. They can no longer see that others can see things as they really are. Those with eyes that see and ears that hear, and hearts that understand know to get out of their way.

"And it came to pass that thus passed away the ninety and fifth year also, and the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen—"
(3 Nephi 2:1)

The other part is the wicked will destroy each other.

"But, behold, the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed."
(Mormon 4:5)

"And also that God hath set his hand and seal to change the times and seasons, and to blind their minds, that they may not understand his marvelous workings; that he may prove them also and take them in their own craftiness;
Also because their hearts are corrupted, and the things which they are willing to bring upon others, and love to have others suffer, may come upon themselves to the very uttermost;"
(Doctrine and Covenants 121:12-13)

Day 3961

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 56:4-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 56:4-6
"In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul."

I pondered on what type of person would wait to destroy the soul of another? They would have to be a very ill person with that objective. If you want to destroy someone for a belief in God, that makes them happy, why would you want to destroy their happiness? How would destroying their soul possibly benefit you? Is it because they want others to be as miserable as them? I just don't understand it. Just like I never could understand how Saul continually sought David's life. When all they want is to destroy another, then they're very ill indeed.

Day 3921

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 21:6-7, 19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 21:6-7, 19-20
"And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD.
Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.
And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.
Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings."

When Jehoram was made king he slew all his brethren with the sword. That is just so evil. The only reason God didn't destroy Jehoram was the covenant He made with David. It appears Jehoram was the last of that line. God made promises and would honor them, but the man that didn't honor God wouldn't escape punishment. Jehoram suffered an incurable disease that sounded very painful. Then when he dies there is no honor given him by the people, other than to be buried in the city of David.

I pondered how we don't always know why the wicked are allowed to remain as they are and not be destroyed. There is always the possibility they will repent, but there can also be greater purposes the Lord has for them, or for the people that support them.

Day 3873

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 9:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 9:5
"Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

I pondered on how very humbling those words are. The children of Israel were not possessing the lands of their inheritance due to any righteousness on their part. It was due to the promises the Lord made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in their righteousness. The other nations had a cause for their destruction. It was due to their own wickedness that had become fully ripe after many generations. The warning was also given to the children of Israel that they also would be scattered when they forgot their God. The timing of all things is in the hand of the Lord.

Day 3799

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 8:25-26

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 8:25-26
"And it repented Noah, and his heart was pained that the Lord had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at the heart.
And the Lord said: I will destroy man whom I have created, from the face of the earth, both man and beast, and the creeping things, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth Noah that I have created them, and that I have made them; and he hath called upon me; for they have sought his life."

Comparing this verse to Genesis 6:6-7 and the Joseph Smith Translation found in Genesis 8:13-14)
"And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them."

"And it repented Noah, and his heart was pained that the LORD made man on the earth, and it grieved him at the heart.
And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man, and beast, and the creeping things, and the fowls of the air,"
(JST Genesis 8:13-14)

The difference is in who repented. It wasn't the Lord it was Noah. There is also another explanation here in the Hebrew word used.

"The Hebrew word used here, and translated repented in the Bible, is nacham (naw-kham), which literally means “to sigh,” “to breathe strongly,” “to be sorry,” “to pity.”
(Pearl of Great Price Student Manual, "Moses 8")

Noah was a just man, and perfect in his generation. After trying to preach the gospel there were people that wanted to kill him. Yet, I can see this great sorrow he must have had. He tried to warn them and change their hearts, knowing that destruction would come otherwise. Noah and his righteous sons would be saved with their wives, but none else. I pondered on how as wicked as this world gets before the Savior's Second Coming we need the heart of Noah. We need to feel sorrow and pity for those that chose the wrong path. We do all that we can for as long as we can, until the Lord says it's enough. I feel really bad when I hear people say they can't wait for the second coming with the intent that the wicked are destroyed. That should never feel like a good thing. Otherwise, we lose the humanity within us. We won't have the right spirit about us. I think at the Lord's Second Coming it will be both a great and dreadful day for the righteous. How could we not mourn for the millions that are gone, family and friends, no matter how bad they were.

Day 3737

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 9:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 9:4-5
"And it came to pass that Jared was anointed king over the people, by the hand of wickedness; and he gave unto Akish his daughter to wife.
And it came to pass that Akish sought the life of his father-in-law; and he applied unto those whom he had sworn by the oath of the ancients, and they obtained the head of his father-in-law, as he sat upon his throne, giving audience to his people."

This story always make me think of this verse.

"But, behold, the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed."
(Mormon 4:5)

Jared sought the head of his father the king and he sent Akish to do it. Once Jared is king his now son-in-law Akish in turn kills him. The wicked will destroy the wicked. Sometimes I feel like an outsider looking in, as I watch this very thing happening in our world.

Day 3572

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 3:9,14-15

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 3:9,14-15
"And now, because of this great thing which my people, the Nephites, had done, they began to boast in their own strength, and began to swear before the heavens that they would avenge themselves of the blood of their brethren who had been slain by their enemies.
And when they had sworn by all that had been forbidden them by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that they would go up unto their enemies to battle, and avenge themselves of the blood of their brethren, behold the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying:
Vengeance is mine, and I will repay; and because this people repented not after I had delivered them, behold, they shall be cut off from the face of the earth."

Revenge, and vengeance when taken on by man is not of God. Anyone that feels vengeance and revenge is justified is also not of God. It is horrifying to think we have set up leaders out for revenge. This story will not end well for them.

"I, the Lord, am angry with the wicked; I am holding my Spirit from the inhabitants of the earth.
I have sworn in my wrath, and decreed wars upon the face of the earth, and the wicked shall slay the wicked, and fear shall come upon every man;
And the saints also shall hardly escape; nevertheless, I, the Lord, am with them, and will come down in heaven from the presence of my Father and consume the wicked with unquenchable fire."
(Doctrine and Covenants 63:32-34

Day 3557

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 44:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 44:4
"Now ye see that this is the true faith of God; yea, ye see that God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are faithful unto him, and unto our faith, and our religion; and never will the Lord suffer that we shall be destroyed except we should fall into transgression and deny our faith."

The Nephites were being attacked by the Lamanites that wanted to destroy them and have power over them. Yes, good people can die in battle, but the Lord's promise was they would not be destroyed as a whole until they fell into transgression and denied their faith. That is ultimately what did happen to the Nephite civilization.

This made me reflect upon the church, and the promise that we have that it will never be taken again from the earth. The safest place of protection both spiritually and physically is to be in the mainstream of the church. Not a wolf in sheep clothing, but a faithful, active member of Christ's church.

"Apostasy can occur at two basic levels—institutional and individual. At the institutional level, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will not be lost through apostasy or taken from the earth.
The Prophet Joseph Smith proclaimed: “The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing … ; the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”
(David A. Bednar, "In the Space of Not Many Years", Oct 2024 General Conference)

Day 3488

Today's Favorite Verse: Omni 1:5-7

Today's Favorite Verse: Omni 1:5-7
"Behold, it came to pass that three hundred and twenty years had passed away, and the more wicked part of the Nephites were destroyed.
For the Lord would not suffer, after he had led them out of the land of Jerusalem and kept and preserved them from falling into the hands of their enemies, yea, he would not suffer that the words should not be verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall not prosper in the land.
Wherefore, the Lord did visit them in great judgment; nevertheless, he did spare the righteous that they should not perish, but did deliver them out of the hands of their enemies."

The book of Omni is so key to understanding the different groups mentioned in the rest of the Book of Mormon. As I was reading it I wondered what happened in 280 BC that caused the wicked part of the Nephites to be destroyed? That's something we don't have a lot of detail on. I went back to look at when the promise was given in Jarom 1:3 that God was merciful in not yet sweeping them off the land. It was about 400 BC, so in 120 years the wicked had been removed. That made me wonder were we are in the scheme of things? This chapter ends in 130 BC so there is a huge amount of history being highlighted in this one chapter.

Day 3414

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 16:9

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 16:9

"For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries."

Door = Colossians 4:3

"Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:"

Effectual = GR energetic, efficient

I pondered on how when the mysteries of Christ are spoken, or the prophets speak, that adversaries will gather. Satan was doing all that he could to destroy this primitive Church of Christ. Satan is doing all he can to destroy it today. As I pondered over this chapter I see that Paul has the same counsel that President Nelson gives us today. He wants them to accepting, conduct in peace, be watchful, stand fast in faith, be strong, have charity, help and to labor.

Day 3237

Today's Favorite Verse: Malachi 3:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Malachi 3:10-11

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts."

I pondered on the blessings that have come to me and my family as we have paid tithing. The blessings come both spiritually and temporarily. The particular blessing that stood out to me was he would "rebuke the devourer for my sake". The blessing of protection against evil. As this world grows darker being protected from evil means so much to me. I do not want to be deceived or devourer by the adversary. I want the blessing of having the spirit always to be with me. I want wisdom to use the blessings God provides me with. I can make do with little, while a rich man can have money flow through his fingers like water. Easy in and easily devoured. In reality he just can't hold onto it. It is devoured upon his lusts. Wealth is no measure of God's blessings falling upon you. It's what you can do with what He has given that shows wealth.

Day 3087

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 13:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 13:9

"O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help."

I was talking today with my son on how we saw the wicked destroying the wicked. It really is them destroying themselves. They dig a pit for another and then fall into it. If only we could stop playing these games that only hurt others, and rightfully ourselves. If we would turn to the Lord, repent, and follow Him how great would be our peace.

Day 3034

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 32:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 32:11-12

"For thus saith the Lord GOD; The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon thee.

By the swords of the mighty will I cause thy multitude to fall, the terrible of the nations, all of them: and they shall spoil the pomp of Egypt, and all the multitude thereof shall be destroyed."

An example of the Lord allowing the wicked to destroy the wicked.

"Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate."

(Psalms 34:21)

"But, behold, the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed."

(Mormon 4:5)

"And this testimony shall come to the knowledge of the Lamanites, and the Lemuelites, and the Ishmaelites, who dwindled in unbelief because of the iniquity of their fathers, whom the Lord has suffered to destroy their brethren the Nephites, because of their iniquities and their abominations."

(Doctrine and Covenants 3:18)

I reflected on the innocent that will suffer and are destroyed while the wicked rage, for there will be collateral damage. The innocent will go to the paradise of God. Their suffering will find solace and be healed at the hands of the Lord. While the wicked will face a greater condemnation for their actions, and face the judgment of God.

"Can you think to sit upon your thrones in a state of thoughtless stupor, while your enemies are spreading the work of death around you? Yea, while they are murdering thousands of your brethren—

Do ye suppose that, because so many of your brethren have been killed it is because of their wickedness? I say unto you, if ye have supposed this ye have supposed in vain; for I say unto you, there are many who have fallen by the sword; and behold it is to your condemnation;

For the Lord suffereth the righteous to be slain that his justice and judgment may come upon the wicked; therefore ye need not suppose that the righteous are lost because they are slain; but behold, they do enter into the rest of the Lord their God."

(Alma 60:7, 12-13)

Day 2993

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 30:10, 24

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 30:10, 24

"Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also make the multitude of Egypt to cease by the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon.

And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break Pharaoh’s arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man."

I pondered on how a tyrant is allowed to rule for a season, for he will destroy the wicked with him. This is exactly how the Lord used Nebuchadrezzar. Ultimately the tyrants reign will end. I think that is maybe why we should not fear what evil forms, because ultimately God holds the keys of hell and what they are allowed to do. He ends it when those purposes are served.

"Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate."

(Psalms 34:21-22)

"For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."

(Psalms 37:9-11)

Day 2991

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 19:12-14

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 19:12-14

"But she was plucked up in fury, she was cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up her fruit: her strong rods were broken and withered; the fire consumed them.

And now she is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground.

And fire is gone out of a rod of her branches, which hath devoured her fruit, so that she hath no strong rod to be a sceptre to rule. This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation."

This is a allegory of the destruction of Judah and Israel, how there is no blood royals left to hold a scepter and rule.

"The allegory in Ezekiel 19:10–14 deals with the conditions in Israel at the time of Ezekiel: “Israel resembled a vine planted by the water. … This vine sent out strong shoots for rulers’ sceptres; that is to say, it brought forth powerful kings, and grew up to a great height, … It was torn up in fury by the wrath of God, cast down to the ground, so that its fruit withered. … The uprooting ends in the transplanting of the vine into a waste, dry, unwatered land,—in other words, in the transplanting of the people, Israel, into exile. The dry land is Babylon, so described as being a barren soil in which the kingdom of God could not flourish.” (Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary 9:1:261-2)

With the destruction of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar and the killing of Zedekiah’s sons, “she hath no strong rod to be a sceptre to rule” (Ezekiel 19:14). Clarke summarized: “None of the blood-royal of Judah [was] left. And from that time not one of her own royal race ever sat upon the throne of Israel.” (Commentary, 4:474.)

(Old Testament Manual, "Ezekiel: Watchman of Israel", (26-50) Ezekiel 19:10-14, The Allegory of the Vine and Its Branches)

Day 2980

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 15:2, 5

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 15:2, 5

"Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest?

Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less shall it be meet yet for any work, when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned?"

I think James E. Talmage describes this pretty clearly. Jerusalem was so worthless it hardly had value in being burned.

"The people at Jerusalem in Ezekiel’s day were similar to those referred to by Isaiah in his parable of a vineyard (see Isaiah 5:1–25). Though they had been set up as the Lord’s vineyard to produce fruit, they did not produce and were of little value.

“The worthlessness of a vine save only for its fruit was set forth by the Lord through His prophet Ezekiel (15:2–5); and truly it is so, that the wood of the grape plant is fit for nothing but burning; the whole vine as wood is inferior to a branch from a forest tree (verse 3). And Israel is represented as such a vine, precious if but fruitful, otherwise nothing but fuel and that of poor quality.”

(James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, p. 542.)

(Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi, "Ezekiel: Watchman of Israel", (26-42) Inhabitants of Jerusalem Compared to a Useless Vine)

Day 2976

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 14:4, 9

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 14:4, 9

"Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;

And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel."

The footnote makes an import addition.

JST Ezek: 14:9 ...I the Lord have not deceived

Considering that the Joseph Smith translations says the Lord did not deceive the prophet, yet in verse 4 it does say He will answer them, I pondered on when is the Lord speaking to the prophet or not? As I pondered on this further I realized I needed to understand what type of prophet an idol worshipper would even be going to?

First, the Lord spoke to Ezekiel, a prophet, telling him what to say to the idol worshipper. If they go to a prophet, the Lord will only answer according to his idols. So the answer isn't coming from the Lord, its coming from their idols. Ezekiel wasn't say if you come to me, a prophet, because that was not what they were doing. Instead he was saying if you go to "your" prophet you get the answers from them. Not only that but if a prophet deceives you then they will be destroyed.

I am reminded of President Woodruff's remarks in Official Declaration 1 about if a prophet could lead you astray.

"The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty”

(Official Declaration 1, “Excerpts from Three Addresses by President Wilford Woodruff Regarding the Manifesto”)

There are two more witnesses to a prophet's inability to lead you astray.

President Harold B. Lee: “You keep your eye upon him whom the Lord called, and I say to you now, knowing that I stand in this position, you don’t need to worry about the President of the Church ever leading people astray, because the Lord would remove him out of his place before He would ever allow that to happen”

(The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, ed. Clyde J. Williams [1996], 533)

(Teachings of the Living Prophets Student Manual, Chapter 2: The Living Prophet: the President of the Church)

President Gordon B. Hinckley: “The Church is true. Those who lead it have only one desire, and that is to do the will of the Lord. They seek his direction in all things. There is not a decision of significance affecting the Church and its people that is made without prayerful consideration, going to the fount of all wisdom for direction. Follow the leadership of the Church. God will not let his work be led astray” (Gordan B. Hinckley “Be Not Deceived,” Oct 1983 General Conference).

Day 2975