Today's Favorite Verse: Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:23

Today's Favorite Verse: Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:23

"Behold, I speak these things unto you for the elect's sake; and you also shall hear of wars, and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled, for all I have told you must come to pass; but the end is not yet."

I really think I could go through each of these 55 verses in this chapter individually and have something to ponder on and write. There is just so very much of great importance in this chapter. In fact when I just want some time to reflect I think I will read this chapter. I can see myself sitting in the celestial room of the temple reading and pondering these words.

I am struck on how many times the Lord says "I speak for mine elect's sake." In fact elect is mentioned 8 times. I think that means this chapter is of specific attention for the Lord's elect to be aware of. I want to count myself as one of them.

The reason this verse stood out to me is because I have been trying to express to others this thought, but didn't have the words. Now I see it's right here. "See that ye be not troubled, for all I have told you must come to pass." I have seen fear amongst people on many different levels. I have seen conspiracy theories and people all worked up over the words of false prophets. (Sadly, that isn't what they realize they are doing.) I think during this latter part of the last days the elect will not have fear, for they will have faith. They will know that even if storms, famines, earthquakes, floods, pestilence, plagues, wars and violence come. If nations fall and evil reigns to not be troubled. These things were prophesied to happen. We don't encourage bad things to happen, but we know that the Lord will strengthen us to endure these things.

I remember a discussion I had with someone. They were all concerned that our economy would fail and a new money system would be put in place. I cannot describe to you all they had worked themselves up over this matter into minute detail. I knew in my heart they were listening to false prophets that put fear in their heart. Then I asked "What difference does it really make if the money system changes? Will that really change your ability to live the gospel?"

Christ said "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." (Mark 12:17) A money system is not of God. It doesn't matter what is used. Why should it matter if the world uses the same thing? There are so many things that we need to not trouble ourselves over, for in the scheme of the eternities and our ability to have eternal life they mean nothing. They are only man's ways. The Lord has already told us what will come about. Know that if you are obedient and do what is right miracles and doors will open up for you. Yes, there are hard days ahead, but so are there promised mighty miracles too. "Be not troubled" is a measuring rod of who we are listening to. We have to have the faith that the Lord knows what is coming, there is a purpose and a plan for all that we endure. We have to be on the Lord's side in this and walk in faith and trust him.

Day 2157

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 2:6-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 2:6-8
"And thus they did assemble themselves together to cast in their voices concerning the matter; and they were laid before the judges.
And it came to pass that the voice of the people came against Amlici, that he was not made king over the people.
Now this did cause much joy in the hearts of those who were against him; but Amlici did stir up those who were in his favor to anger against those who were not in his favor."

No good comes when an election is decided and the opposing side does not agree with it. Then those that lost try to remove the person from office. In this chapter we see it led to blood shed. In our nation we were on that path, but its seems to have taken a pandemic to distract us from it. Either way it's a loss of lives. Now I see anger happening among the people and that is never the way to do things. I think some very hard lessons are coming our way because of it.

Day 1860

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 5:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 5:2-3
"But behold, their anger did increase against me, insomuch that they did seek to take away my life.
Yea, they did murmur against me, saying: Our younger brother thinks to rule over us; and we have had much trial because of him; wherefore, now let us slay him, that we may not be afflicted more because of his words. For behold, we will not have him to be our ruler; for it belongs unto us, who are the elder brethren, to rule over this people."

It's an election year and I could not help but ponder on the state of our nation while reading this. Every four years the church as a whole studies the Book of Mormon, and I think it no coincidence it happens to fall during the year of a presidential election. Reading the Book of Mormon is a good reminder of the covenant and promises placed upon this land. If we are righteous we will prosper. It is the prayers of the righteous that save this nation.

The condition I noticed with the separation of Nephi and his older brothers is that it was caused by anger and the assumption on who had the right to rule the people. The one the Lord had chosen was not accepted by those that thought it was their right to rule. I don't know what's coming this year but I sure hope people will accept who is determined by an honest election to be our president. How much damage has been done to our nation by those that would not accept the outcome of the last one. I pray their anger does not rise to the point they will kill or bring destruction upon our heads.

"Yea, well did Mosiah say, who was our last king, when he was about to deliver up the kingdom, having no one to confer it upon, causing that this people should be governed by their own voices - yea, well did he say that if the time should come that the voice of this people should choose iniquity, that is, if the time should come that this people should fall into transgression, they would be ripe for destruction."
(Alma 10:19)

I revere the Constitution of the United States as a divinely inspired document. It breaks my heart to think that the voice of the people are on the verge of socialism, which stands against everything the Lord set as a condition upon this great land. It is so striking in this chapter how the Nephites became industrious and prospered. I see this as supporting capitalism. The description of the Lamanites instead would point towards socialism.

"And because of their cursing which was upon them they did become an idle people, full of mischief and subtlety, and did seek in the wilderness for beasts of prey." (2 Nephi 5:24)

An idle people that live off their prey. That's not just hunting for animals to eat. It can represent the feeling of entitlement to feed off the industry and hard work of others. My prayer is as a nation we do not head deeper down this path.

Day 1790

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 4

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 4
"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God."

I pondered on my prayers for the prophet and leaders of this church. I was watching a video the other day on President Nelson and he acknowledged that people come to see them because they honor the office that they hold. That is a very important distinction. I know they are elect, being called of God.

Day 1685

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 13:22

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 13:22
"For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect."

This whole chapter I could write so much on every single verse. I could study it for days and ponder on it for months. There is so much Jesus warned his apostles of, and me. I picked this verse today because it is the sorrow of my heart and greatest concern. Why is that? because I was seduced.

I was working for a company and to get my foot in the door I had to do sales. I hate sales. I get physically ill doing sales. I have no natural gift for it. I was going through my sales training and there was just me and one other girl, and the trainer. When training concluded I expressed how nervous I was about taking sales calls. They both said "It's easy, you just need to practice the law of attraction." I had never heard of it, didn't know what it was. They explained it to me and tied it to biblical things like the law of the harvest, gratitude, and faith. All very good gospel centered things. These women were faithful latter-day saints and I thought they knew more than me. I had never heard of this, and figured it must be in the old testament somewhere, because I hadn't read it very much. 

I listened to them, I bought the book "The Secret". Instead of listening to the scriptures, as I had just committed to, I listened to the tapes. I kept my book of gratitude and reviewed it. I faithfully practiced the things it told me to do. Then the most amazing thing happened. Brand new onto the sales floor I had great success in my sales. I could sit and just will those calls that would turn into sales right to me. I even won a beautiful medal for my sales. It was amazing. It was a miracle, and its principle worked in other things.

One day, while picking up my missionary son from his assignment I played one of those tapes in the car. He said "Mom, there is something wrong with that. It doesn't sound right can you turn it off?"  I tried explaining the principles behind it to him and how biblical it was. He said "Mom, I think you need to look this up." So in order to prove my point when I got home I researched it. I found no where in the scriptures does it mention the law of attraction. So, then I searched the entire lds.org website and still nothing there. Next, I turned to the internet and what I found made my heart ill. This was not only false doctrine it was an occult practice. Most of what I found on the internet over 10 years ago is now either buried or has vanished. I know it because I tried to find it recently to help someone. Now I am sickened to see how many Christians, including latter-day saints are polluted with this deception of the adversary. Not only do they practice it, they sell it to others not realizing it's a priestcraft. Do I know that Satan can make signs and wonders happen? The answer is a resounding Yes! And you do not want to be obligated to him.

I am both horrified on how I was deceived, and yet grateful for what I learned from the experience. For God names his laws and he is clear on what they are. It's important to read, study and ponder the scriptures and not depend on anyone else's borrowed light. That is just an invitation to be deceived. If you have to take the doctrine of men and mingle it with scriptures and name it your own, it's a priestcraft. Run away from it! Satan also repackages his materials. He's moved on with "The Power of I AM", and "The Law of Creation", and to be a god. I find it interesting that he's now trying to get others to take on the role he once attempted to do to the Father and the Son. This is serious stuff because it all leads to my will be done, and not God's. That is the key feature in how he deceives. Christ would not be warning the elect about this, if it were not true, and I know that it is. 

Day 1545

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 13:16-19

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 13:16-19
"And he said, I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee: neither shall I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place:
For it was said to me by the word of the Lord, Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest.
He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the Lord, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.
So he went with him and did eat bread in his house and drank water.

I sat and wept for this "man of God out of Judah". He delivered his message to Jeroboam and was faithful in seeking and following the word of the Lord while with him. Then he is deceived by an "old prophet in Beth-el" and follows his invitation to go back to his house. This was against what the Lord had warned him of, and later he is killed. Would I not want to listen also to a prophet? Obviously this was no longer a prophet of God that he meet. How would I know the difference?

I decided that if I am on an errand of the Lord, and the path is told me different by anyone else I should inquire of the Lord who's errand I am on first. I should not take the word of another just because of their position. If they are of the Lord I would get the same answer. In fact I have been encouraged by my prophet to pray for confirmation and receive my own testimony of things. This story teaches the importance of what I have been taught.

Sadly, this has made me think of recent events for me. A family I love and have admired is now on a strange path, following false gods and teaching priestcrafts and occult practices. I have given my single warning and must leave them to themselves. What troubles my soul are those that will follow them, just because of what they used to be. I know the very elect are being deceived. How grateful I am for the scriptures and living prophets and apostles on the earth. I will not be deceived if I keep from strange paths, and do not drink their water. God has named all his laws and if I do not find them in the scriptures then they are not his. The way is very straight and clear ahead.


Day 879