Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 17:3, 10-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 17:3, 10-13
"And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist."

Does this mean that on the Mount of Transfiguration that it was Moses and John the Baptist with Jesus? That is who Peter, James and John saw? The footnotes also mention Ellijah but I don't see his name in the chapter. Who is Elias? I would make sense Elias is Elijah because of the sealing power.

The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–44) taught, “The Savior, Moses, and Elias [Elijah], gave the keys to Peter, James, and John, on the mount, when they were transfigured before him” (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 105). Also on the Mount of Transfiguration, Moses conferred the keys of the gathering of Israel on Peter, James, and John, who, as the First Presidency, would soon be sending out missionaries to gather the righteous into the gospel. Elijah conferred the sealing power of the priesthood, which made it possible for ordinances performed on earth to be bound or loosed in heaven. Joseph Smith summarized the importance of Elijah’s mission as follows: “The spirit, power, and calling of Elijah is, that ye have power to hold the key of the revelation, ordinances, oracles, powers and endowments of the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood and of the kingdom of God on the earth; and to receive, obtain, and perform all the ordinances belonging to the kingdom of God” (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 311).
President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) taught that Peter, James, and John did receive the sealing power, although they could not use it in behalf of the dead until after the Resurrection of the Savior:
“[The sealing power] was conferred upon Peter, James, and John. … We, therefore, conclude that the saints in that dispensation had the privilege of receiving all the keys and authorities that are necessary for the salvation and exaltation of man. However, these powers were exercised only for the living, until after the resurrection of Christ, when they were exercised also in behalf of the dead. …
“… These keys [for the salvation of the living and the dead] were given to Peter, James, and John on the mount when they received this power from Elias [Elijah] and Moses, the latter conferring the keys of the gathering of Israel. Christ told these three men, who I believe received their endowments on the mount, that they were not to mention this vision and what had taken place until after he was resurrected” (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:164–65). (New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 6: Matthew 16–18")

Day 4070

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 14:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 14:4
"Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one."

Wish I had this verse a few days ago. I had a discussion with someone regarding an issue they were having with an elderly relative. The elderly person was very religious but with some dementia. The family member was trying to clean out their food storage of rotted and expired food. The elderly person thought they needed it all because the end of the world was any day now. The family member not being religious didn't know how to address this. I told them don't challenge them on the second coming being any day now. Distract them in preparing their very best for it instead. The Lord's house is a house of order.

Don't challenge their feelings that they need their food storage. Agree it's import, but distract them in offering their very best. I told them about the story of Elijah and widow of Zarephath. How God can multiple what we have with faith. The widow's flour was not rotted or spoiled, the oil was not rancid, both were whole and able to nourish Elijah, the widow, and her son throughout the famine. If the Lord was to multiple what you had, would you want to multiple something expired, or something eatable? We should offer and store our very best. Get them involved in setting up the guidelines. What is an acceptable time frame after the best buy and expiration date? What type of cans are acceptable to eat. Give them more control so they don't have to feel you will get rid of everything on them. Sometimes rotating is not eating but replacing what was bad with good, so make sure to bring in new items to take their place. If they won't let you throw out the bad then make a special area for expired items until they are ready to let it go. The Lord is not going to make something unclean into clean when we had stewardship over what was stored in that place. We need to be wise and faithful stewards and put our house in order.

Day 3893

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 19:13-18

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 19:13-18
"And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him."

This chapter made me cry for Elijah. He sounds very depressed. Twice he mentioned he is the only prophet left and they seek his life. Before this he had requested to die, that the Lord take away his life. Instead Elijah was strengthened twice by an angel with a baked cake and water. The strength lasted him forty days and nights. Now he is back at a cave as others seek his life. Elijah is done. What I love is how the Lord helps him is by calling him with tasks to perform. He is shown how all is not lost. There will be new kings, prophets and seven thousand that are not bowing the knee to Baal. The Lord needs Elijah and there is work to do. Elijah goes and does as the Lord asks.

Whenever I think of Elijah I think of the keys sealing power that he held. The work being performed in the House of the Lord for my kindred death. As the world grows darker the light we receive in the temples, as we are about our Father's business, is very healing to a tired soul.

Day 3848

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 17:9

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 17:9
"Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee."

This is the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. There was drought and famine in the land. Elijah had hid by the brook Cherith and the ravens had feed him. When the brook dried up this verse is the word of the Lord that came to him. What I noticed is the Lord said He commanded the widow woman to sustain Elijah. Yet, when Elijah speaks to the widow to bring him a little water and a morsel of bread she says she was gathering stick to feed her and her son and then they would die. That does not sound like a women that had been waiting for a prophet of the Lord to come and she would feed him. It's very different than the story of Alma and Amulek. Amulek had been prepared to feed a prophet when he met him.

"And as he entered the city he was an hungered, and he said to a man: Will ye give to an humble servant of God something to eat?
And the man said unto him: I am a Nephite, and I know that thou art a holy prophet of God, for thou art the man whom an angel said in a vision: Thou shalt receive. Therefore, go with me into my house and I will impart unto thee of my food; and I know that thou wilt be a blessing unto me and my house.
And it came to pass that the man received him into his house; and the man was called Amulek; and he brought forth bread and meat and set before Alma."
(Alma 8:19-21)

Why is the widow of Zarephath so different? As I was pondering on this I wondered if the word "command" could have a different meaning? I found it could also mean ordained, chosen or appointed. Any of those words would make sense. The Lord hadn't told the widow of His will to feed Elijah, but being a faithful women she came to know His will when the request was made. She had been chose of the Lord and prepared to act in faith.

Day 3847

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 49:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 49:8
"Wherefore, I will that all men shall repent, for all are under sin, except those which I have reserved unto myself, holy men that ye know not of."

I asked myself "Who are these holy men that God reserved unto himself?" I didn't find an answer to that. So I made my own list of possibilities. First, I identified who the Lord was addressing. This chapter is directed to the Shakers. This is some background found in the chapter header.

"In prefacing this revelation, the Prophet wrote, “In order to have a more perfect understanding on the subject, I inquired of the Lord, and received the following.” The revelation refuted some of the basic concepts of the Shaker group. The aforementioned brethren took a copy of the revelation to the Shaker community (near Cleveland, Ohio) and read it to them in its entirety, but it was rejected."

Since this was being read to the Shakers they would be holy men they were not aware of. To start they would not have know that Joseph Smith, Jr. was a prophet of God and that is indeed a holy man. But, being still a mortal man he probably still needed repentance. I thought about those that were reserved then that never tasted death. The Shakers wouldn't have known about the Book of Mormon and the three Nephites. They were like John the Revelator and would never taste death. All would be holy men. Then I thought about the city of Enoch, which included Enoch and all his people that were taken up to heaven. They would certainly be holy men reserved to come to earth again. They possibly wouldn't know about Moses and Elijah also taken up. I suppose there could be more. Unless there has been some physical change that came upon us all will die and all are in need of repentance.

Day 3638

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 2:1-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 2:1-3
"Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.
If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming."

I added all verses in this chapter for context, but it was the last verse that has been running for months through my mind. I have come to see the absolute wisdom and need for us to focus on our family history and providing temple ordinances for our dead. Being able to turn my heart to my ancestors and family relations has brought so much peace into my life. I think I would be overcome by the wickedness and chaos of the world if I didn't have such an endeavor to pursue. I can turn off the world and restore my soul as I quietly research at my desk. This is one of my holy places. I have also seen the healing power on the soul and mind. As well as the restoring of family relations, by those that were once lost, as they come to find their roots.

Day 3591

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 9:13-14

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 9:13-14
"For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

This made me think of the red heifers that the Jews are trying to raise unspotted and supposedly needed to cleanse themselves before the third temple is built. I really don't understand it when Jesus Christ already made this sacrifice and the law of Moses is done away.

In this chapter Paul also mentions that Christ would only offer himself once, unlike the high priest that made this offering yearly.

"Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;" (Hebrews 9:25)

"It will be necessary here to make a few observations on the doctrine set forth in the above quotation, and it is generally supposed that sacrifice was entirely done away when the Great Sacrifice [i.e., the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus] was offered up, and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of sacrifice in future; but those who assert this are certainly not acquainted with the duties, privileges and authority of the priesthood, or with the Prophets.
The offering of sacrifice has ever been connected and forms a part of the duties of the Priesthood. It began with the Priesthood, and will be continued until after the coming of Christ, from generation to generation. We frequently have mention made of the offering of sacrifice by the servants of the Most High in ancient days, prior to the law of Moses; which ordinances will be continued when the Priesthood is restored with all its authority, power and blessings.
Elijah was the last Prophet that held the keys of the Priesthood, and who will, before the last dispensation, restore the authority and deliver the keys of the Priesthood, in order that all the ordinances may be attended to in righteousness. It is true that the Savior had authority and power to bestow this blessing; but the sons of Levi were too prejudiced.”And I will send Elijah the Prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord,” etc., etc. Why send Elijah? Because he holds the keys of the authority to administer in all the ordinances of the Priesthood; and without the authority is given, the ordinances could not be administered in righteousness.
It is a very prevalent opinion that the sacrifices which were offered were entirely consumed. This was not the case; if you read Leviticus, second chap., second and third verses, you will observe that the priests took a part as a memorial and offered it up before the Lord, while the remainder was kept for the maintenance of the priests; so that the offerings and sacrifices are not all consumed upon the altar—but the blood is sprinkled, and the fat and certain other portions are consumed.
These sacrifices, as well as every ordinance belonging to the Priesthood, will, when the Temple of the Lord shall be built, and the sons of Levi be purified, be fully restored and attended to in all their powers, ramifications, and blessings. This ever did and ever will exist when the powers of the Melchisedek Priesthood are sufficiently manifest; else how can the restitution of all things spoken of by the holy Prophets be brought to pass? It is not to be understood that the law of Moses will be established again with all its rites and variety of ceremonies; this has never been spoken of by the Prophets; but those things which existed prior to Moses’ day, namely, sacrifice, will be continued.
It may be asked by some, what necessity for sacrifice, since the Great Sacrifice was offered? In answer to which, if repentance, baptism, and faith existed prior to the days of Christ, what necessity for them since that time? The Priesthood has descended in a regular line from father to son, through their succeeding generations."
(Joseph Smith Jr., "History of the Church", 4:211-212)

This quote was after the third temple, the Kirtland temple. was dedicated, and Elijah came to restore these priesthood ordinances keys. We are making offerings and sacrifices in righteousness now.

Day 3301

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 1:5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 1:5
"For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake."

That power comes from priesthood authority. Paul was an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Those same keys were given to this dispensation.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:“The true gospel consists of two things: The Word, and The Power. Anyone can have the word; the books in which it is written are universally available. But the power must come from God; it is and must be dispensed according to his mind and his will to those who abide the law entitling them to receive it. The word of the gospel is the spoken or written account of what men must do to be saved. …“But actual salvation comes only when the power of God is received and used; and this power is the power of the priesthood and the power of the Holy Ghost. These must operate in the lives of men; otherwise their souls cannot be cleansed; they cannot be born again; they cannot become new creatures of the Holy Ghost; they cannot put off the natural man and become saints; they cannot be sanctified by the Spirit”
(Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1965–73], 3:42–43).
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 46: 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians")

Those priesthood keys were restored by heavenly messengers to the prophet Joseph Smith. First, came John the Baptist and the restoration of the Aaronic priesthood. Then came Peter, James and Johns to restore the Melchizedek priesthood. Followed by Moses committing the keys of the gathering of Israel, Elias the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, and Elijah with the sealing power. All I know is belonging to a church that holds these priesthood keys. I am so grateful for the blessing it has brought into my life.

Day 3271

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 21:7, 12, 14-15

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 21:7, 12, 14-15

"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 there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,

Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:

And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day."

Being told that I would absolutely shake in my boots. Just because the Lord promised to not destroy the house of David doesn't mean you have a free pass to do whatever evil you want. In this case the Lord had no choice by to destroy Jehoram and the majority of his family. Only his son Jehoahaz survives. Will he learn from what he saw happen to his father? Everything Elijah prophesized was fulfilled and this has to be the worst summary on the esteem his people felt for him.

"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." (vs 20)

Day 2547

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 2:9-11

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 2:9-11

"And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so

And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven..

Elijah asks Elisha what what he could do for him before he leaves. In reply Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. Why did Elijah say he asked for a hard thing? Because, what he asked was not Elijah's to give. It wasn't Elijah's spirit that made him great. It was the Holy Ghost that was with Elijah. One man cannot will the spirit to another. It comes by the worthiness and desire of another to have the spirit to be with him. Elijah then continued to walk with Elisha and they talked. What were the words that Elijah said to Elisha? Those words would fill Elisha to the point he was able to see the chariot and horses of fire, and witness Elijah being taken up in a whirlwind. For all the words that Elijah spoke to Elisha before hand, if they had fallen upon ears that would not hear, then there would have been no eyes that could see.

"Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear."

(Matthew 13:13-16

"And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view."

(Mosiah 2:9)

"For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will—yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man."

(Doctrine and Covenants 76:10)

"Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his ears opened that he may hear;

For my Spirit is sent forth into the world to enlighten the humble and contrite, and to the condemnation of the ungodly."

(Doctrine and Covenants 136:32-33)

Day 2474

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 19:4, 9-10,18

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 19:4, 9-10,18

"But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? 

And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him."

Jealous = zealous

There is so much in this chapter it was hard to find one thing. What I notice first is how weary and exhausted Elijah sounds. Because he had slain the prophets of Baal, Jezebel send a message to Elijah that he will be slain. Elijah flees for his life. When he finally rests under a juniper tree what he asks the Lord is for his life to be over. At that point instead of ravens coming to feed him it's an angel of the Lord. After he arises and eats what the angel gives him he lays down again. The angel comes a second time to wake him and have him eat. This food gives him the strength to go on for forty days.

When Elijah lodges next in a cave the word of the Lord comes to him and asks "What doest thou here, Elijah?" We still see Elijah feeling pretty alone. It is then that Elijah received revelation. As he stands before the Lord he sees great wind rent the mountains, and break the rocks, then an earthquake and after that a fire. After that he is taught the Lord was not in the wind, earthquake or fire but in the still small voice. Why was this knowledge so important to Elijah at this time? Because he had become discouraged after the great manifestation of the fire coming down from heaven consuming the offering upon the altar, and yet the people of Israel did not recognize the power of the Lord. Instead they wanted to have him killed.

Then the Lord asks Elijah again "What doest thou here, Elijah?", and Elijah gives him the same response and why he feels so alone. Then the Lord teaches him his mission, to return and anoint Hazel to be king over Syria, Jehu the king over Israel, and Elisha to be prophet after him. Then the greatest thing Elijah is told is there are 7,000 in Israel that have not turned their hearts to Baal. All is not lost and there is a work for him to do. It is through the still small voice that others have been prepared and will be taught the power of the Lord.

I love how this story shows we are never really alone. Even the strong need to be ministered to.

Day 2469

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 18:25, 32-35

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 18:25, 32-35

"And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.

And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.

And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.

And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.

And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water."

I learned a few things while studying this. The first is that the prophets of Baal worshipped a "Sun-god". Elijah offering this "contest" to see which god could consume the offering with fire was right of their alley. This is what they claimed their god could do. Yet, they rigged their altars with fires beneath them to make sacrifices. This is why Elijah tells them to put no fire under.

Then Elijah builds an altar to the Lord and had the people drench the trench in water. That way no fire could come from beneath. Then no one could claim there was any trickery, but only made possible by the Lord. Elijah shows absolute faith in the power of the true God which is then manifested.

Day 2468

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 17:12-15

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 17:12-15

"And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.

For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.

And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days."

The story of the prophet Elijah and the widow of Zarephath always reminds me of food storage. Elijah had the sealing power and the heavens were shut up for three and a half years. I do not have the space to store three and a half years worth of food, much less a year supply as is the goal. What I do is make sure I store as much as I can as well rounded as possible. Then we rotate it as we eat from our stores. When the pandemic hit in 2020 I was so grateful for what I had put aside.

Though there was one item in my food storage that I was low on before the pandemic hit. I kept asking my husband to stop by the Home Storage Center to pickup a case of powdered milk. It's cheaper to pick it up than to order it online. I felt the need was urgent but he never did. Weeks went buy with it on the shopping list but never picked up. Then as if overnight it was suddenly to late. The pandemic hit and the Home Storage Center was cleaned out. I couldn't even order any powdered milk online. It just made me sick that he never listened to my request and bought it as I had asked. I was down to just a few packages of powered milk at this point. Each time I opened a package of milk I would place it in a large glass canning jar. That jar seemed to empty so slowly, that handful of packages of powered milk lasted me for months. I was down to the last package before I could finally order more again. So many times I thought of the widow of Zarephath's barrel of meal that never wasted as she feed the prophet Elijah, her child and herself throughout the famine. When we honestly try our best blessings do come. The important thing is to listen to the council of a prophet and follow it.

When President Nelson told us in the October 2020 Women's Session of General Conference to never stop preparing I took those words to heart. My level of preparedness has not change throughout this pandemic.

"For decades, the Lord’s prophets have urged us to store food, water, and financial reserves for a time of need. The current pandemic has reinforced the wisdom of that counsel. I urge you to take steps to be temporally prepared. But I am even more concerned about your spiritual and emotional preparation.

I promise that as we create places of security, prepare our minds to be faithful to God, and never stop preparing, God will bless us. He will “deliver us; yea, insomuch that he [will] speak peace to our souls, and [will] grant unto us great faith, and … cause us that we [can] hope for our deliverance in him.”

As you prepare to embrace the future with faith, these promises will be yours!"

(Russell M. Nelson, "Embrace the Future with Faith", Oct 2020 General Conference)

Day 2467

Today's Favorite Verse: Joseph Smith-History 1:38-39

Today's Favorite Verse: Joseph Smith-History 1:38-39

"And again, he quoted the fifth verse thus: Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

He also quoted the next verse differently: And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming."

I'm reading the Joseph Smith History and this is what the angel Moroni quoted to Joseph Smith on the evening of September 21, 1823. As I read these words from Malachi I could not help but wonder what Joseph and Moroni must both be thinking on the eve of RootsTech Connect 2021. The last count I saw there were 501,203 people registered in over 237 countries and territories around the world. The interest and fascination in finding your roots has never been stronger.

There is no doubt that Elijah did come and the hearts of the children have turned to their fathers. It's almost like I can feel the spirit world collectively holding their breath for what is about to happen. The temples have been closed for almost a year and all work for our deceased ancestors have been on hold. If it wasn't for this pandemic none of that would have ever happened, and neither would RootsTech become a virtual worldwide event. It won't be long before the dam bursts and the temple doors will reopen with a flood that will fill the whole earth.

Day 2158

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 2:1-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 2:1-3

"Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.

If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming."

I pondered on how the restoration of the sealing power, which priesthood Elijah held, could prepare us for the great and dreadful day of the Lord. This is a prophecy that has been fulfilled in the sense that Elijah did come. He appeared to the prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple April 3, 1836. This was 13 years after Moroni had quoted these verses to Joseph to let him know he would be coming. The temple had to once again be upon the earth before Elijah could come. But, before that even the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods had to be restored too. There are so many steps that had to take place to make the saints ready before Elijah could even come.

The thought that occurred to me is that now is the time of the Gentiles but, before the Savior's second coming it will be the time of the Jews. The first will be last and the last will be first. (Mark 10:31) Interestingly, their temple will need to be build before Christ returns again. There is so much connection to the temples that prepare His saints for his return. For on the day that Elijah came, the Savior appeared to them too. We must be a temple prepared people in order to survive His coming. It extends on both sides of the veil.

Day 2005