Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 2:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 2:3-4
"And I, God, said: Let there be light; and there was light.
And I, God, saw the light; and that light was good. And I, God, divided the light from the darkness."

I pondered on how simple a verse it is to say "Let there be light", and there was. As if the creation of light was like flicking a light switch on. I thought about how light is the first condition needed to commence a project or work. God was creating a world, a place for man to dwell, and we needed light. Looking at the footnotes on light it took me to the source and power of that light.

"He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;
Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made.
As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made;
As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made;
And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand.
And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;
Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—
The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things."
(Doctrine and Covenants 88:6-13)

This made me ponder on how important it is to seek this light before undertaking the work that needs to be done. How important it is to seek God in prayer when I start my day and in the evening when I end it. This light of Christ will guide me in what I need to do.

Day 3731

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants Official Declaration 2

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants Official Declaration 2
"This, in turn, has inspired us with a desire to extend to every worthy member of the Church all of the privileges and blessings which the gospel affords.
Aware of the promises made by the prophets and presidents of the Church who have preceded us that at some time, in God’s eternal plan, all of our brethren who are worthy may receive the priesthood, and witnessing the faithfulness of those from whom the priesthood has been withheld, we have pleaded long and earnestly in behalf of these, our faithful brethren, spending many hours in the Upper Room of the Temple supplicating the Lord for divine guidance"

I remember when this announcement was made in 1978. We had been aware of the promise that one day all worthy males would receive the priesthood. We speculated amongst ourselves on when this would happen. Then when the day finally came it was nothing like anyone had speculated on how it would unfold. It was a joyous day, that taught me so much. When I hear speculation my reflection on the inside is that is probably not how it will happen.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
(Isaiah 55:8-9)

It also taught me that the prophet doesn't just change things because it sounds like a good idea. He speaks with the Lord, and does not move forward until the Lord has spoken.

Day 3729

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants Official Declaration 1

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants Official Declaration 1
"President Lorenzo Snow offered the following:
“I move that, recognizing Wilford Woodruff as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the only man on the earth at the present time who holds the keys of the sealing ordinances, we consider him fully authorized by virtue of his position to issue the Manifesto which has been read in our hearing, and which is dated September 24th, 1890, and that as a Church in General Conference assembled, we accept his declaration concerning plural marriages as authoritative and binding.”
The vote to sustain the foregoing motion was unanimous.
Salt Lake City, Utah, October 6, 1890."

This official declaration is the manifesto given by President Wilford Woodruff that ended the practice of plural marriage. The chapter header explains that "monogamy is God's standard for marriage unless He declares otherwise." Once the law of the land made this religious practice illegal the prophet sought the will of the Lord. He was shown in vision and by revelation what would happen to the saints if they did not end this practice. They had struggles with some that would not stop and continued to perform plural marriages in the endowment house. The prophet Wilford Woodruff had the endowment house taken down. What I pondered on is how some members think they know better than the prophet. That is such a sad thing. As President Lorenzo Snow very clearly spells out the prophet holds the keys to the sealing ordinances. He alone holds that authority on the earth.

Day 3728

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 138:19, 51

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 138:19, 51
"And there he preached to them the everlasting gospel, the doctrine of the resurrection and the redemption of mankind from the fall, and from individual sins on conditions of repentance.
These the Lord taught, and gave them power to come forth, after his resurrection from the dead, to enter into his Father’s kingdom, there to be crowned with immortality and eternal life,"

It was the "doctrine of the resurrection" that stood out to me. I knew that resurrection is a priesthood ordinance, but I guess its the part about being a doctrine that made me try to find more on it. I found it called further as the "doctrine of the resurrection of the dead". While I was researching this I realized it was referring to the resurrection of the dead that I have always been familiar with.

Then I realized that through the ages people have not believed in the literal resurrection. Jesus dealt with the Sadducees that did not believe in angels, spirits and refused to accept the doctrine of immortality or resurrection.

"Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,"
(Mark 12:18)

The resurrection is so fundamental to my core beliefs I had to step back and realize that belief is called a doctrine, and it takes faith to believe in it. Death does not have its sting because I believe that one day I will live again with my beloved family members and friends in the Celestial Kingdom of God.

"The Resurrection consists in the uniting of a spirit body with a body of flesh and bones, never again to be divided. The Resurrection shall come to all, because of Christ’s victory over death. Jesus Christ was the first to be resurrected on this earth. Others had been brought back from death but were restored to mortality, whereas a resurrection means to become immortal, with a body of flesh and bone...
One of the most fundamental doctrines taught by the Twelve was that Jesus was risen from the tomb, with His glorified, resurrected body. To obtain a resurrection with a celestial, exalted body is the center point of hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Resurrection of Jesus is the most glorious of all messages to mankind.Latter-day revelation confirms the reality of the Resurrection of Christ and of all mankind,"
(Bible Dictionary, Resurrection)

 "Even with the logic of nature’s regeneration and even with the testimony of that empty garden tomb, there are still those who feel the grave is a final destination. But the doctrine of the Resurrection is the single most fundamental and crucial doctrine in the Christian religion. It cannot be overemphasized, nor can it be disregarded.

Without the Resurrection, the gospel of Jesus Christ becomes a litany of wise sayings and seemingly unexplainable miracles—but sayings and miracles with no ultimate triumph. No, the ultimate triumph is in the ultimate miracle: for the first time in the history of mankind, one who was dead raised himself into living immortality. He was the Son of God, the Son of our immortal Father in Heaven, and his triumph over physical and spiritual death is the good news every Christian tongue should speak. The eternal truth is that Jesus Christ arose from the grave and was the firstfruits of the Resurrection. The witnesses of this wonderful occurrence cannot be impeached." (Howard W. Hunter, "An Apostle's Witness of the Resurrection", Apr 1986 General Conference)

"Contrast these events with an incident which happened to me when I was a young man in my early twenties. While serving in the Air Force, one of the pilots in my squadron crashed on a training mission and was killed. I was assigned to accompany my fallen comrade on his final journey home to be buried in Brooklyn. I had the honor of standing by his family during the viewing and funeral services and of representing our government in presenting the flag to his grieving widow at the graveside. The funeral service was dark and dismal. No mention was made of his goodness or his accomplishments. His name was never mentioned. At the conclusion of the services, his widow turned to me and asked, “Bob, what is really going to happen to Don?” I was then able to give her the sweet doctrine of the Resurrection and the reality that, if baptized and sealed in the temple for time and all eternity, they could be together eternally. The clergyman standing next to her said, “That is the most beautiful doctrine I have ever heard.”
The fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ brings great comfort in stressing times of mortality. It brings light where there is darkness and a calming influence where there is turmoil. It gives eternal hope where there is mortal despair. It is more than just beautiful doctrine. It is a reality in our lives that if we can be obedient and obtain the eternal rewards that God grants us, if we will draw nigh unto Him and embrace the eternal doctrine, we will be blessed."
(Robert D. Hales, "The Eternal Family", Oct 1996 General Conference)

"Our new revelations that we have received inform us of a great many individuals that were translated before the flood. We read that a great and mighty Prophet of the Most High God was sent forth in the days of Adam, namely Enoch, the seventh generation from Adam, who lived contemporary with his ancestor Adam; that in his days a great number of people heard the plan of salvation preached to them by the power of the Holy Ghost that rested upon Enoch and those who were called with him; that they received this plan of salvation and gathered themselves out from among the various nations of the earth where they had obeyed the Gospel; that they were instructed, after they assembled in one, in righteousness, for three hundred and sixty-five years; that they learned the laws of the kingdom, and concerning God and every principle of righteousness that was necessary to enable them to enter into the fullness of the glory of heaven; they were instructed to build up a city, and it was called a city of holiness, for God came down and dwelt with that people; he was in their midst, they beheld his glory, they saw his face, and he condescended to dwell among them for many long years, during which time they were instructed and taught in all of his ways, and among other things they learned the great doctrine and principle of translation, for that is a doctrine the same as the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, which is among the first principles of the plan of salvation; and we may also say that the doctrine of translation, which is intimately connected with that of the resurrection, is also one of the first principles of the doctrine of Christ. They were instructed in relation to this government, the object of it, &c."
(Orson Pratt, "All Nations Believe, etc.", JD 17:145)

Day 3727

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 137:5-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 137:5-8
"I saw Father Adam and Abraham; and my father and my mother; my brother Alvin, that has long since slept;
And marveled how it was that he had obtained an inheritance in that kingdom, seeing that he had departed this life before the Lord had set his hand to gather Israel the second time, and had not been baptized for the remission of sins.
Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying: All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God;
Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom;"

In this vision Joseph Smith saw his brother Alvin in the celestial kingdom. He did not understand because Alvin died before the church was restored. He was never baptized. The Lord explains that any that died without a knowledge of the gospel and would have received it are heirs to the celestial kingdom. I reflected on how merciful the Lord is to all. This is why the gospel is preached on both sides of the veil. This is why we perform proxy baptism for our kindred dead.

"Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?"
(1 Corinthians 15:29)

Day 3726

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 136:31

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 136:31
"My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom."

Why do bad things happen to good people? We must be tried in all things. As I reflect on my trials I can see how much growth came from them. They led me down paths I never would have chosen on my own. What I learned through these experiences, and through relying on the Lord, have become the most valuable education I could ever receive. I don't seek out trials or suffering, but I've come to appreciate the strength and insight they bring. They have brought me closer to the Lord. It's even more rewarding when I can help others through the wisdom that was gained.

Day 3725

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 135:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 135:1
"To seal the testimony of this book and the Book of Mormon, we announce the martyrdom of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and Hyrum Smith the Patriarch. They were shot in Carthage jail, on the 27th of June, 1844, about five o’clock p.m., by an armed mob—painted black—of from 150 to 200 persons. Hyrum was shot first and fell calmly, exclaiming: I am a dead man! Joseph leaped from the window, and was shot dead in the attempt, exclaiming: O Lord my God! They were both shot after they were dead, in a brutal manner, and both received four balls."

I always cry when I read this chapter. I can't really imagine how the saints must have felt to have their beloved prophet Joseph, and patriarch Hyrum martyred. I know it makes me sad almost 181 years later. I don't have much to say about it. It simply makes me sad that they had to die like that. I know they were not taken until they were finished with their work. That finish including sealing their testimonies with their blood.

Day 3724

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 134:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 134:9
"We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied."

This chapter is "a declaration of belief regarding governments and laws in general". It was adopted by unanimous vote at a general assembly of the church in 1835. As I reviewed each statement of belief this verse seems the most pressing concern for my day. It would be a terrible offense if Christian Nationalism was ever adopted in our land. We cannot force this nation to be Christian. Force does not go with true worship and belief.

"We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may." (11th Article of Faith)

Day 3723

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 133:2, 10

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 133:2, 10
"The Lord who shall suddenly come to his temple; the Lord who shall come down upon the world with a curse to judgment; yea, upon all the nations that forget God, and upon all the ungodly among you."
"Yea, let the cry go forth among all people: Awake and arise and go forth to meet the Bridegroom; behold and lo, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord."

The parable of the ten virgins was a theme and focus this past general conference. The message being to prepare for the second coming. Whenever I see the Bridegroom mentioned it stands out to me now. When I read verse 10 the thought came, "Where do we go to meet Him?" Like in the parable of ten virgins the cry was made "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." (Matthew 25:6) Where would I go to meet the Lord? My answer, I cannot go wrong if I was at His House, the House of the Lord. The place where I am told he will suddenly come. Since general conference I have thought of the oil like a temple recommend. I can't share it with someone else. I cannot hurry and go get one when the call is made. Being prepared is also being ever ready to enter the House of the Lord.

Day 3722

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 132:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 132:13
"And everything that is in the world, whether it be ordained of men, by thrones, or principalities, or powers, or things of name, whatsoever they may be, that are not by me or by my word, saith the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall not remain after men are dead, neither in nor after the resurrection, saith the Lord your God."

This is the ultimate "you can't take it with you". Everything of this world will burn. In the last few days I've heard multiple times, from various people, the thought of basically what is the real world. In reference to going to the temple and then leaving the "real world" behind you. Or leaving the temple to go back into the "real world". This perspective was wrong. What is "real" is all that is taking place in the temple. The outside world is temporary, not lasting, not eternal. It's almost like being in make believe. I've pondered on how others have been trying to describe this. It really is a paradigm shift.

“Time in the temple puts everything into an eternal frame,” she said. “What we experience inside the temple is real and really important.”
(Wendy Nelson, "Syracuse temple dedication" 8 Jun 2025; Church News "President Nelson dedicates Syracuse Utah Temple, 'a sacred place of revelation')

Day 3721

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 131:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 131:6
"It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance."

I thought upon this verse a little differently. I reflected on performing proxy baptisms and other ordinances for my kindred dead. If they are ignorant of that offering, or reject it out right, it has no saving grace upon them. Man must receive and accept ordinances to be in effect. This made me think of Joseph F. Smith vision of the redemption of the dead, regarding Jesus Christ's ministry between his crucifixion and resurrection. (1 Peter 3:18-20; 1 Peter 4:6)

"And I wondered at the words of Peter—wherein he said that the Son of God preached unto the spirits in prison, who sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah—and how it was possible for him to preach to those spirits and perform the necessary labor among them in so short a time.
And as I wondered, my eyes were opened, and my understanding quickened, and I perceived that the Lord went not in person among the wicked and the disobedient who had rejected the truth, to teach them;
But behold, from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead.
And the chosen messengers went forth to declare the acceptable day of the Lord and proclaim liberty to the captives who were bound, even unto all who would repent of their sins and receive the gospel.
Thus was the gospel preached to those who had died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets.
These were taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands,
And all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for them to know in order to qualify themselves that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."
(Doctrine and Covenants 138:28-34)

Day 3720

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 130:14-17

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 130:14-17
"I was once praying very earnestly to know the time of the coming of the Son of Man, when I heard a voice repeat the following:
Joseph, my son, if thou livest until thou art eighty-five years old, thou shalt see the face of the Son of Man; therefore let this suffice, and trouble me no more on this matter.
I was left thus, without being able to decide whether this coming referred to the beginning of the millennium or to some previous appearing, or whether I should die and thus see his face.
I believe the coming of the Son of Man will not be any sooner than that time."

The reminded me of another quote of Joseph Smith, Jr.

"Of the Savior’s words that no man knows the day or the hour of the coming of the Son of Man (see Matt. 24:36), the Prophet asked: “Did Christ speak this as a general principle throughout all generations? Oh, no, He spoke in the present tense. No man that was then living upon the footstool of God knew the day or the hour. But He did not say that there was no man throughout all generations that should not know the day or the hour. No, for this would be in flat contradiction with other scripture. For the prophet says that God will do nothing but what He will reveal unto His servants the prophets. Consequently, if it is not made known to the prophets, it will not come to pass.”
(Grant Underwood, "The Prophet Joseph Smith's Use of the Old Testament", Aug 2002 Ensign)

President Nelson also spoke of not knowing the hour or day of the second coming.

"Regular worship in the house of the Lord increases our capacity for both virtue and charity. Thus, time in the temple increases our confidence before the Lord. Increased time in the temple will help us prepare for the Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We do not know the day or the hour of His coming. But I do know that the Lord is prompting me to urge us to get ready for that “great and dreadful day.”
(Russell M. Nelson, "Confidence in the Presence of God", Apr 2025 General Conference)

Then in General Conference we have at least 4 talks that spoke of the parable of the ten virgins. You know what I find interesting? That in Jesus' time the bride and the virgins didn't know the day or the hour that the bridegroom was coming, but they knew the season. It would be after the harvest and the father of the bridegroom said it was time. The reason the virgins are waiting is because they knew the time was close the harvest was ending. Like a woman with child, they knew the month and the year the child is coming.

Another interesting thing about Matthew 24:36 is what comes after it.

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."
(Matthew 24:36-37)

I asked myself how long was Noah building the ark? I find that some scholars say it between 55 to 75 years. Other scholars consider it was up to 120 years. Now how long has The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint been restored and waiting for the second coming? The 200th anniversary is in 2030. We've been preparing longer than it took Noah to build the ark. What also happened to Noah before the rain came? The Lord told Noah to take all his house into the ark. (It was their temple.) The Lord shut the door, and it was seven days later that the rains started. You cannot tell me that a prophet of God won't know how close we are to the second coming, if the Lord told us it would be like the days of Noah.

Day 3719

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 129:1, 4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 129:1, 4-5
"There are two kinds of beings in heaven, namely: Angels, who are resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bones—
When a messenger comes saying he has a message from God, offer him your hand and request him to shake hands with you.
If he be an angel he will do so, and you will feel his hand."

The verses continue to explain - The spirit of a just man made perfect will not move to shake your hand, because it is contrary to the order of heaven to deceive. The devil as an angel will move to shake your hand and you will feel nothing.

Seriously, I have a question and I pondered on it after reading this verse. The question? If Jesus Christ was the first resurrected being how did angels appear to man and touch them before His death and resurrection?

Who were the three holy men that Abraham entertained? (Genesis 18) He fed them, they ate. We know the resurrected Lord could eat. These holy men also delivered a message from God, that Sarah shall have a son. Who did Jacob wrestle with until the breaking of day? (Genesis 32) He was given a message from God, and his name was called Israel. What angel touched Elijah and said to him, Arise and eat? (1 Kings 19) All these events happened before Jesus Christ was resurrected. They all had to have a physical body, yet were messengers from God.

I thought about this verse.

"I answer, Yes. But there are no angels who minister to this earth but those who do belong or have belonged to it.
The angels do not reside on a planet like this earth;
But they reside in the presence of God, on a globe like a sea of glass and fire, where all things for their glory are manifest, past, present, and future, and are continually before the Lord."
(Doctrine and Covenants 130:5-7)

If these messengers from God were not resurrected beings, or spirits what are they? They could only be those that belonged to this earth and now resided in his presence. Then I thought of translated beings like Elijah that was taken up in a whirlwind. (2 Kings 2:11-12) But, Elijah came after Abraham and Jacob, and someone else touched him. Then I remembered Enoch and the entire city of Enoch being translated. They are part of this earth, and people that never died. God received them into his bosom.

"Enoch was twenty-five years old when he was ordained under the hand of Adam; and he was sixty-five and Adam blessed him.
And he saw the Lord, and he walked with him, and was before his face continually; and he walked with God three hundred and sixty-five years, making him four hundred and thirty years old when he was translated."
(Doctrine and Covenants 107:48-49)

"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." (Hebrew 11:5)

"And Enoch and all his people walked with God, and he dwelt in the midst of Zion; and it came to pass that Zion was not, for God received it up into his own bosom; and from thence went forth the saying, ZION IS FLED."
(Moses 7:69)

Feeling like I was finally understanding, I looked for some confirmation that angels include translated beings of flesh and bones.

"There are two kinds of beings in heaven who are called angels: those who are spirits and those who have bodies of flesh and bone. Angels who are spirits have not yet obtained a body of flesh and bone, or they are spirits who have once had a mortal body and are awaiting resurrection. Angels who have bodies of flesh and bone have either been resurrected from the dead or translated."
(Bible Dictionary, Angels)

"He explained the difference between an angel and a ministering spirit; the one a resurrected or translated body, with its spirit ministering to embodied spirits—the other a disembodied spirit, visiting and ministering to disembodied spirits. Jesus Christ became a ministering spirit (while His body was lying in the sepulchre) to the spirits in prison, to fulfill an important part of His mission, without which He could not have perfected His work, or entered into His rest. After His resurrection He appeared as an angel to His disciples. Translated bodies cannot enter into rest until they have undergone a change equivalent to death. Translated bodies are designed for future missions. The angel that appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos was a translated or resurrected body [i.e., personage]. Jesus Christ went in body after His resurrection, to minister to resurrected bodies. There has been a chain of authority and power from Adam down to the present time."
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 191)

Translated bodies are designed for future missions. That makes so much sense now on who God sent to prophets before Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.

Day 3718

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 128:24

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 128:24
"Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; and who can abide the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation."

This chapter is full of so many wonderful things to quote. So hard to pick a favorite. I picked the one that I am a part of. My work is family history. I am helping my family and other people's families to put together this book of humankind. One branch, one twig at a time. Some day all those that enter the house of the Lord will be pure and we shall see His face there. I feel this work is so great that many will weep and mourn when they realize what they missed out on during the winding up scenes of this earth, and preparation for the Lord's second coming. The Lord is hastening his work, we have to choose our priorities wisely.

“Like partaking of the sacrament, attending meetings, reading the scriptures, and saying personal prayers, doing family history and temple work should be a regular part of our personal worship. The response of our youth and others to prophetic invitations has been inspiring and proves this work can and should be done by all members at any age.
“… Doing the work now is much easier and limited only by the number of members who make this a priority. The work still takes time and sacrifice, but all can do it, and with relative ease compared to just a few years ago.
“To assist members, the Church has gathered records and provided tools so that much of the work can be done in our own homes or in the ward buildings and the temple. Most obstacles have been removed. Whatever your past perception, it is different now!
“However, there is one obstacle the Church cannot remove. It is an individual’s hesitation to do the work. All it requires is a decision and a little effort. It does not require a large block of time. Just a little time on a consistent basis will yield the joy of the work. Make the decision to take a step, to learn and ask others to help you. They will! The names you find and take to the temple will become the records for ‘the book’ [D&C 128:24]”
(Elder Allen F. Packer, “The Book", Oct. 2014 General Conference)

"Sister Susa Young Gates once asked her father, Brigham Young, how it would ever be possible to accomplish the great amount of temple work that must be done, if all are given a full opportunity for exaltation. He told her there would be many inventors of labor saving devices, so that our daily duties could be performed in a short time, leaving us more and more time for temple work. The inventions have come, and are still coming, but many simply divert the time gained to other channels, and not for the purpose intended by the Lord."
(Archibald F. Bennett, Improvement Era, Oct. 1952, p. 720)
Brigham Young died in 1877

"A universal system of intelligent cooperation will bring together on one record sheet every fact in existence regarding a particular family. This wealth of data will insure accuracy and banish error. Expensive and time-consuming duplication in research and repetitions in ordinances will be eliminated. No sooner will a new fact be uncovered in any part of the world by a researcher than it will be communicated to the Archives center and be assigned to its proper place, on some family record.
The process of 'facsimile transmission' as an application of the principle of television will make this possible."
(Archibald F. Bennett, Secretary Genealogical Society of Utah. Church News, December 20, 1947, pg 90)

Day 3717

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 127:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 127:4
"And again, verily thus saith the Lord: Let the work of my temple, and all the works which I have appointed unto you, be continued on and not cease; and let your diligence, and your perseverance, and patience, and your works be redoubled, and you shall in nowise lose your reward, saith the Lord of Hosts. And if they persecute you, so persecuted they the prophets and righteous men that were before you. For all this there is a reward in heaven."

This chapter and verse made me reflect on the building of temples around the world. As the world has grown darker and more wicked the Lord has hastened the building of temples around the world. I am so grateful to have a temple so near to me. It is the House of the Lord.

"Why are we building temples at such an unprecedented pace? Why? Because the Lord has instructed us to do so. The blessings of the temple help to gather Israel on both sides of the veil. These blessings also help to prepare a people who will help prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord!"
(Russell M. Nelson "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024 General Conference)

"Regular worship in the house of the Lord increases our capacity for both virtue and charity. Thus, time in the temple increases our confidence before the Lord. Increased time in the temple will help us prepare for the Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We do not know the day or the hour of His coming. But I do know that the Lord is prompting me to urge us to get ready for that “great and dreadful day.”
(Russell M. Nelson, "Confidence in the Presence of God", Apr 2025 General Conference)

Day 3716

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 126:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 126:1
"Dear and well-beloved brother, Brigham Young, verily thus saith the Lord unto you: My servant Brigham, it is no more required at your hand to leave your family as in times past, for your offering is acceptable to me."

What a warm and loving greeting the Lord addresses Brigham Young. How he must have felt to be told his offering was acceptable to the Lord. As the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Brigham Young would become the successor of Joseph Smith after the martyrdom. I pondered on how important these next three years would be for Brigham Young. To be so close to Joseph Smith, and personally tutored with an understanding how things were to be setup. Joseph Smith knew that the saints would eventually flee to the rocky mountains. That wasn't just an idea of Brigham Young. How I wish I could have listened to their conversations.

Day 3715

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 125:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 125:2
"Verily, thus saith the Lord, I say unto you, if those who call themselves by my name and are essaying to be my saints, if they will do my will and keep my commandments concerning them, let them gather themselves together unto the places which I shall appoint unto them by my servant Joseph, and build up cities unto my name, that they may be prepared for that which is in store for a time to come."

I pondered on how the saint were once called to gather to specific places like, Kirtland, Nauvoo, and later Utah. Then the prophet would call people to expand into other areas. Now our gathering is in the lands that we live. We are assigned to local wards or branches within stakes or missions. This whole process has been nothing but inspiring.

"As the Church grows, it is very important that we build solidly and well, and that our prospective stakes have the basic ingredients that are necessary for success and that existing stakes work tirelessly for full stakehood in the sense of spiritual achievement. These stakes are to be the gathering spots for the Zion of today, and they need to be spiritual sanctuaries and to be self-sufficient in as many ways as is possible.
The stakes and districts of Zion are symbolic of the holy places spoken of by the Lord where His Saints are to gather in the last days as a refuge from the storm. You and your children will gather here to worship, to do sacred ordinances, to socialize, to learn, to perform in music, dance, drama, athletics, and to generally improve yourselves and one another. It is often thought significant that our chapels have on them a steeple, with spires toward the heavens symbolic of how our lives ought to be ever moving upward toward God.
The Book of Mormon prophet Nephi foresaw the day when the Saints would be scattered in stakes all over the world. He saw the time when the Lord would extend His protection to them when menaced by storms of destruction that threatened their existence. Nephi prophesied: “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.” (1 Nephi 14:14)
Through revelation we know that there will be perils, calamities, and persecution in the latter days, but through righteousness the Saints may be spared. The promise of the Lord in the Book of Mormon is sure: “He will preserve the righteous by his power.” (1 Nephi 22:17)"
(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson, "Chapter 23: Strengthen Thy Stakes", [2014])

Day 3714

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 124:51-53, 83

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 124:51-53, 83
"Therefore, for this cause have I accepted the offerings of those whom I commanded to build up a city and a house unto my name, in Jackson county, Missouri, and were hindered by their enemies, saith the Lord your God.
And I will answer judgment, wrath, and indignation, wailing, and anguish, and gnashing of teeth upon their heads, unto the third and fourth generation, so long as they repent not, and hate me, saith the Lord your God.
And this I make an example unto you, for your consolation concerning all those who have been commanded to do a work and have been hindered by the hands of their enemies, and by oppression, saith the Lord your God.
If he will do my will let him not take his family unto the eastern lands, even unto Kirtland; nevertheless, I, the Lord, will build up Kirtland, but I, the Lord, have a scourge prepared for the inhabitants thereof."

This chapter was received January 19, 1841. The saints had been drive out by mobs from Kirtland and Missouri at this point. Including an extermination order issued by Lilburn W. Boggs, governor of Missouri. Twice when they were asked to build a temple the saints received opposition from those around them. The adversary did not want a House of the Lord where saints could receive power from on high. In this chapter the saints are now in Nauvoo and once again commanded to build a House of the Lord. They will build this temple and then be drive out soon after it is dedicated. The ordinances of the temple are established here. The ordinance of baptism for the dead is restored. First, they are given permission to perform these baptisms by proxy in the river. Once the temple is built the Lord would no longer accept this ordinance outside of the temple.

What I focused on was what happened in Missouri and Kirtland. Missouri suffered during the Civil War.
"Elder B. H. Roberts published a reported prophecy of Joseph Smith to Alexander Doniphan, his lawyer in Missouri. According to Doniphan’s brother-in-law, writing the incident over seventy years after it occurred, Joseph Smith warned Doniphan that “‘God’s wrath hangs over Jackson County … and you will live to see the day when it will be visited by fire and sword. The fields and farms and houses will be destroyed, and only the chimneys will be left to mark the desolation.’ 
“General Doniphan said to me,” his brother-in-law continued, “that the devastation of Jackson county [during the Civil War] forcibly reminded him of this remarkable prediction.” Elder Roberts cites additional descriptions of Jackson County’s role during the Civil War as fulfillment of this prophecy. (Comprehensive History of the Church, 1:538–59)

As for Kirtland I do not know all that it has passed through. However, I do remember that in 1979 when Ezra Taft Benson, then president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, during a groundbreaking dedication for a chapel there removed that curse.

"By October 1979, the last part of Karl’s plan to lift the curse was in place: they broke ground in Kirtland for a new LDS chapel that would become a stake center. Ezra Taft Benson attended the ceremony. “The curse that the Lord placed on Kirtland,” he told the congregation during his speech, “is being lifted today.” And during his prayer, he formally lifted the scourge that was on Kirtland. Latter-day Saints saw this as a redemptive process of remaking Kirtland."
(Dialogue Journal, "The Kirtland Temple as a Shared Space: A Conversation with David J. Howlett" by Hugo N. Olaiz, Volume 47, No. 1)

"President Hinckley called local resident Karl Andersen to the podium, thanking him for his decades of persistence in seeing the project through to completion. Andersen, a former LDS stake president in the area, said Ezra Taft Benson, later an LDS Church president, had come to Kirtland years ago as an LDS apostle and declared that the "curse" pronounced by one early church leader on the city had been lifted. He quoted Joseph Smith as saying, upon leaving the city, that "Kirtland will yet see great and glorious days.
"Andersen believes those days have finally arrived."
(Deseret News, "Pres. Hinckley lauds rebirth of Kirtland", 18 May 2003)

Day 3713

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 123:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 123:11-12
"And also it is an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation, and to all the pure in heart—
For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—"

Joseph Smith is telling the saints the will of the Lord while in the Liberty jail. They are to gather up a knowledge of the facts of all the loses, sufferings and abuses the saints observed in Missouri. This chapter is one of the reasons the Church History Museum holds the largest collection of anti-Mormon literature in the world. What I pondered on was how this was not only important for them in their time, but this knowledge is also important for us in our day. What struck me is how there was no calls for retaliation or violence. They were to seek for justice in the courts of law, which was not successful. In the end they were driven out of Missouri and found refuge, kindness and compassion shown to them by the residents of Quincy, Illinois. I saw an article "New Sign in Quincy Commemorates Kindness of Residents to Latter-day Saints".

I also pondered on how men are deceived and blinded from truth, because they do not know where to find it. It is so important to know who you are listening to.

Day 3712

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 122:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 122:9
"Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever."

I love this verse. "Hold on thy way", its saying stay the course, hold onto the iron rod. The priesthood will never be taken from the earth again. Joseph Smith and us will live until God calls us home and not a day shorter. Don't worry or think about what man can do to you. Nothing they can do can truly harm your soul. For God will be with you forever. So much promise and protection in this one verse.

Day 3711