Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 11:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 11:5-6
"The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness."

I have been pondering last night and today over the need to see justice done for those wronged. In part this was triggered by Elder Ronald A Rasband's talk the other day at the MTCs.

“We should all thank Heavenly Father that we get to have a front-row seat to the fulfillment of ancient and modern-day prophecy,
To illustrate the Lord’s hastening of His work, Elder Rasband countered six false narratives from those who “cannot see or acknowledge what is happening."
"I feel that we are only scratching the surface of what the Lord has in store for us as He prepares the world for His Second Coming,”
“I feel that we are only scratching the surface of what the Lord has in store for us as He prepares the world for His Second Coming,”
“So buckle up, hold on tight, because I firmly believe that the best is yet to come.”
(Ronald A. Rasband, "'A remarkable time to serve’: At MTC, Elder Rasband testifies the Lord is hastening His work", Church News, 28 Jan 2026)

I have asked myself "Do I know what time it is? Am I really seeing what's happening?"

These are the last days, I'm not so sure justice will come by man.The wicked will consume the wicked. I do not need the chaos of the world to turn my focus and time away from what is needful. I need to put my focus on doing good things that cultivate the spirit to guide me. Work on my family history, attend the temple, seek knowledge, growth, ponder and prayer. Right now having the spirit as my guide is the best thing I can do to survive these days. Oh, I know what time it is, and I don't need to see all the gory details on the world's wickedness. My focus is the Lord is coming, I'm preparing for that day.

Deseret News

Day 3956

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 4:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 4:10
"For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over."

It was the word "hasted" that stood out to me. I pondered how even with miracles being performed we need to hasten. The passover meal was eaten in haste, and the shepherds came with haste to worship the new born king.

"And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord’s passover."
(Exodus 12:11)

"And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."
(Luke 2:16)

"Behold, I will hasten my work in its time."
(Doctrine and Covenants 88:73)

"My dear brothers and sisters, do you see what is happening right before our eyes? I pray that we will not miss the majesty of this moment! The Lord is indeed hastening His work.
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!
The best is yet to come, my dear brothers and sisters, because the Savior is coming again! The best is yet to come because the Lord is hastening His work. The best is yet to come as we fully turn our hearts and our lives to Jesus Christ."
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024 General Conference)

"President Russell M. Nelson said at our last conference: “Do you see what is happening right before our eyes? I pray that we will not miss the majesty of this moment! The Lord is indeed hastening His work.”
Hastening His work. “Hastening” is a word that matters. It suggests moving quickly, accelerating, and even urgency. In the growth of the Church and the plan of Christ, hastening is happening. And we are all a part of it."
(Ronald A. Rasband, "Right Before Our Eyes", Apr 2025 General Conference)

Day 3809

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 22:13

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 22:13
"And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children."

I used to think of these scriptures when I read this verse.

"Behold, I say unto you, concerning the school in Zion, I, the Lord, am well pleased that there should be a school in Zion, and also with my servant Parley P. Pratt, for he abideth in me."
(Doctrine and Covenants 97:3)

"And again, you shall be ordained to assist my servant Oliver Cowdery to do the work of printing, and of selecting and writing books for schools in this church, that little children also may receive instruction before me as is pleasing unto me."
(Doctrine and Covenants 55:4)

When I heard of BYU Pathways I thought of the eventual schools the church may have for our children. That may or may not happen, but now I think of something else. I think of having "Come, Follow Me" in our homes with our children. The home is the greatest place to teach our children the gospel of Jesus Christ in purity. I know there is greater peace in our home since we began reading the scriptures together as a family.

"Our homes are fortresses against the evils of the world. In our homes we come unto Christ by learning to follow His commandments, by studying the scriptures and praying together, and by helping one another stay on the covenant path. The new emphasis on personal and family study in the home through the curriculum Come, Follow Me is designed “to deepen our conversion and help us become more like Jesus Christ.” In so doing we will become what Paul called “new creature[s]” with our hearts and souls in tune with God. We need that strength to face and deflect the assaults of the adversary."
(Ronald A. Rasband, "Build a Fortress of Spirituality and Protection", Apr 2019 General Conference)

Day 3545

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 13:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 13:2
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

It seems like in the recent general conference angels were mentioned quit a few times. I decided to go look for all the times it was quoted. Angels were mentioned 23 times.

"I bear witness that when Christ comes, He needs to recognize us—not as nominal members listed on a faded baptismal record but as thoroughly committed, faithfully believing, covenant-keeping disciples. This is an urgent matter for all of us, lest we ever hear with devastating regret: “I never knew you,” or, as Joseph Smith translated that phrase, “[You] never knew me.”Fortunately, we have help for this task—lots of help. We need to believe in angels and miracles and the promises of the holy priesthood."
(President Jeffrey R. Holland, "Motions of a Hidden Fire", Apr 2024 General Conference)

"I see the faith of many wherever I go who strengthen my own faith.
I see angels all around me.
I see the faith of many who don’t see the Lord physically but recognize Him spiritually, because they know Him intimately."
(Elder Massimo De Feo, "Rise! He Calleth Thee", Apr 2024 General Conference)

"Alma stood as an opponent of the Lord’s Church, leading many astray from the path of righteousness. However, a divine intervention, marked by an angelic visitation, awakened him from his wrongdoings."
(Elder Jose L. Alonso, "Jesus Christ at the Center of Our Lives", Apr 2024 General Conference)

"Many today say that miracles no longer exist, that angels are fictional, and that the heavens are closed. I testify that miracles have not ceased, angels are among us, and the heavens are truly open.
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren [and sisters], have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven? …
“… Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men.”
"President Russell M. Nelson has taught us to seek and expect miracles. I testify that because the priesthood has been restored, the power and authority of God are upon the earth. Through callings and councils, men and women, young and old, can participate in priesthood work. It is a work of miracles, attended by angels. It is the work of heaven, and it blesses all God’s children."
"Miraculously, everyone else was able to walk away. The baby Lynette was carrying was Tyson. He too was spared any harm and was born the next February. Eight months later, after receiving his earthly body, Tyson returned home to Heavenly Father. He is our guardian angel son. We feel his influence in our family and look forward to being with him again.

Those who lifted the van off of Emily observed that the van seemed to weigh nothing. I knew that heavenly angels had joined with earthly angels to lift the vehicle off of Emily’s body. I also know that Emily was brought back to life by the power of the holy priesthood.

The Lord revealed this truth to His servants: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up. ”

I testify that “the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God”—the Melchizedek Priesthood—with its keys, authority, and power has been restored to the earth in these latter days. I know that while not all circumstances turn out like we may hope and pray for, God’s miracles will always come according to His will, His timing, and His plan for us.
If you desire the blessings of the priesthood, including miracles and the ministry of angels, I invite you to walk the path of covenants God has made available to each of us. Members and leaders of the Church who love you will help you take the next step.
I testify that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lives and leads His Church through living prophets who hold and exercise priesthood keys. The Holy Ghost is real. The Savior gave His life to heal us, reclaim us, and bring us home.

I witness that miracles have not ceased, angels are among us, and the heavens are open. And oh, how open they are! In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
(Elder Shayne M. Bowen, "Miracles, Angels, and Priesthood Power", Apr General Conference)

"I promise that if we “feast upon the words of Christ”31 that lead to salvation, our prophet’s words that guide and encourage us, and our own words that speak of who we are and what we hold dear, the powers of heaven will pour down upon us. “The words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.” We are Heavenly Father’s children and He is our God, and He expects us to speak with “the tongue of angels” by the power of the Holy Ghost."
(Elder Ronald A. Rasband, "Words Matter", Apr 2024 General Conference)

"When the time came for the Restoration of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, God called a prophet, Joseph Smith. We do not know the full content of the angel Moroni’s early instructions to this maturing young prophet."
(President Dallin H. Oaks, "Covenants and Responsibilities", Apr 2024 General Conference)

"On that sacred occasion in the Kirtland Temple, the Prophet prayed that in the Lord’s holy house, the Saints would be armed with the power of God, that the name of Jesus Christ would be upon them, that His angels would have charge over them, and that they would grow up in the Lord and “receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost.” These powerful supplications are fulfilled in our lives as we faithfully worship in the house of the Lord.
In the Kirtland Temple, the Prophet Joseph prayed that “angels [would] have charge over [His Saints].” Regularly performing ordinances for our ancestors in the temple brings a sweet and sure confirmation that life continues beyond the veil.
Most of our experiences in the house of the Lord bring joyful peace and quiet revelation more than dramatic intervention. But be assured: angels do have charge over us!
My beloved friends, if we are able and have not already increased our attendance at the temple, let us regularly find more time to worship in the house of the Lord. Let us pray for the temples that have been announced, that properties can be purchased, that governments will approve plans, that talented workers will see their gifts magnified, and that the sacred dedications will bring the approval of heaven and the visit of angels.
The temple is literally the house of the Lord. I promise you as you come worthily and prayerfully to His holy house, you will be armed with His power, His name will be upon you, His angels will have charge over you, and you will grow up in the blessing of the Holy Ghost.
In this day of confusion and commotion, I testify that the temple is His holy house and will help preserve us, protect us, and prepare us for the glorious day when, with all His holy angels, our Savior returns in majesty, power, and great glory. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
(Elder Neil L. Andersen, "Temples, Houses of the Lord Dotting the Earth", Apr 2024 General Conference)

"We are instructed that all who worship in the temple will have the power of God and angels having “charge over them.”  How much does it increase your confidence to know that, as an endowed woman or man armed with the power of God, you do not have to face life alone? What courage does it give you to know that angels really will help you?"
(President Russell M. Nelson, "Rejoice in the Gift of the Priesthood Keys", Apr 2024 General Conference)

Day 3305

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 4:5, 9

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 4:5, 9

"And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:"

The footnotes that reference the Joseph Smith Translation make a very important distinction on who lead Jesus where.

"And the Spirit taketh him up into an high mountain, and he beheld all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

And the Spirit brought him to Jerusalem and set him on a pinnacle of the temple. And the devil came unto him and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence;"

I pondered on why it was important to note it was the Spirit that guided Jesus to these locations and not Satan. I thought of several.

1. Satan has no power over Jesus to take him anywhere.

2. Jesus would never listen to Satan and follow him.

3. To allow Satan to take him somewhere would have given Satan agency over Him.

It was important to note that after the Spirit speaks to us the adversary will try to tempt us and guide us away from our course. It made me think of "Doubt your doubts".

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters—my dear friends—please, first doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. We must never allow doubt to hold us prisoner and keep us from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Come, Join with Us", Oct 2013 General Conference)

Then I thought of the wise counsel to act upon the first prompting.

"Fourth, we must act on the first prompting.

Remember the words of Nephi. “I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. Nevertheless,” he said, “I went forth.”

And so must we. We must be confident in our first promptings. Sometimes we rationalize; we wonder if we are feeling a spiritual impression or if it is just our own thoughts. When we begin to second-guess, even third-guess, our feelings—and we all have—we are dismissing the Spirit; we are questioning divine counsel. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that if you will listen to the first promptings, you will get it right nine times out of ten."

(Ronald A. Rasband, "Let the Holy Spirit Guide", April 2017 General Conference)

Then I thought of Elder Scott and his wonderful general conference talk, full of instructions on listening and following the spirit.

"I witness that as you gain experience and success in being guided by the Spirit, your confidence in the impressions you feel can become more certain than your dependence on what you see or hear."

(Richard G. Scott, "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance", Oct 2009 General Conference)

Stay listening to the Spirit as you are led and directed. Then when the adversary comes to mess with and stir you off course, doubt that doubt.

Day 3136

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 1:19-21

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 1:19-21

"And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.

Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels."

This is a vision that Ezekiel had with much symbolism. I didn't even really try to picture all that he described. With it being symbolic and having a lack of cultural understanding, I knew it wouldn't have the same meaning to me. I just wanted to see what would stand out to me so I could understand a portion of this. What stood out was the importance of knowing what the wheel represented. This is what I found.

"Because Joseph Smith received from the Lord some keys for interpreting the meaning of the beasts in John’s vision (see D&C 77:2–4), the parallels between John’s vision and Ezekiel’s give some clues to the meaning of the beasts Ezekiel saw. There is, however, no parallel in John’s vision to the wheels seen by Ezekiel.

The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “I make this broad declaration, that whenever God gives a vision of an image, or beast, or figure of any kind, He always holds Himself responsible to give a revelation or interpretation of the meaning thereof, otherwise we are not responsible or accountable for our belief in it. Don’t be afraid of being damned for not knowing the meaning of a vision or figure, if God has not given a revelation or interpretation of the subject.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 291.)

At present the interpretation of Ezekiel’s vision has not been given to the Church, so the Lord does not hold His Saints accountable for understanding what is represented by the wheels."

(Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi, "Ezekiel: Watchman of Israel", (26-10) Ezekiel 1:15-21. What is Represented by the Wheels That Ezekiel Described?"

Well that was comforting. I didn't learn what the wheels meant because that interpretation has not been given. I read these verses again to see what else would stand out to me and this time it was in verse 20. "Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; ...."

The impression I got was I may not understand everything, but following the spirit is something I do understand. When it says to go you go. Then I found this in verse 12.

"And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went."

Not only do you follow the spirit and go when you are told to go, you follow that first impression and don't turn from it. Don't talk yourself out of that first impression. It reminded me of a wonderful talk by Elder Rasband.

"We must be confident in our first promptings. Sometimes we rationalize; we wonder if we are feeling a spiritual impression or if it is just our own thoughts. When we begin to second-guess, even third-guess, our feelings—and we all have—we are dismissing the Spirit; we are questioning divine counsel. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that if you will listen to the first promptings, you will get it right nine times out of ten."

(Elder Ronald A. Rasband, "Let the Holy Spirit Guide", Apr 2017 General Conference)

I have found that the Holy Spirit is often of very few words. Sometimes spoken as simple as the word "Go". When you listen and obey miracles happen.

Day 2962