Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:2

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:2

"Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:"

Being called saints is truly what the Lord intended for his people. Christian is what the world calls the followers of Christ. This week I had a friend on Facebook post this quote of President Nelson.

"The word Christian appears in only three verses of the King James Version of the Bible. ...

In contrast, the term saint (or saints) appears in thirty-six verses of the Old Testament and in sixty-two verses of the New Testament. ...

Despite its use in ninety-eight verses of the Bible, the term saint is still not well understood. Some mistakenly think that it implies beatification or perfection. Not so! A saint is a believer in Christ and knows of His perfect love. The giving saint shares in a true spirit of that love, and the receiving saint accepts in a true spirit of gratitude. A saint serves others, knowing that the more one serves, the greater the opportunity for the Spirit to sanctify and purify."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Thus Shall My Church Be Called", April 1990 General Conference)

I posted a reply about the origin of the use of Christian vs Saints. I wanted to give a longer reply because I had researched itr, but left a simple statement instead. Seeing mention of it again I will share my longer response written earlier on when the name of Christ's followers as Christians was given. It is found in both the New Testament and Book of Mormon. It wasn't until I read these verses in the Book of Mormon that I realized something.

"For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church of God, called by those who did not belong to the church.

And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come."

(Alma 46:14-15)

"And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians."

(Alma 48:10)

The name Christian was given to the followers of Christ by their enemies. Curiously very similar to how Latter-day Saints were given the nickname "Mormons" as a derogatory, and disrespectful name by those not of the faith. It appears in both cases these nicknames were later adopted by Christ's followers, including used as a reference by apostles. In the case of the nickname "Mormon" the prophet, Russell M. Nelson, has emphasized that we need to stop using that name. We need to refer to the full name of the church and that we are latter-day saints. I realize now that to refer to myself as a Christian would be taking the name Christ's enemies gave to his followers. So interesting the name Christian is once again being used in very derogatory ways by society.

I then looked for the name "Saint" or "Christian in the Doctrine and Covenants. Christian is no where to be found. Christ refers to us multiple times as saints. It is used 100 times in the Doctrine and Covenants.

"For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

(Doctrine and Covenants 115:4)

Never, once does the Lord, Jesus Christ refer to his followers as Christians. We are His saints. If I take upon me the name of Christ then I should refer to myself as a the name he gave his followers, saint. Latter-day Saints is now used, not only because Christ gave us that name, but it shows which dispensation I am in. So as I am pondering this I realize it's totally ok for other Christians to not refer to me as a Christian. Because that is not the name Christ wanted to be used by his followers. I am a latter-day saint, a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of His Restored Church. There is a lot of power in that name.

Day 3222

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 12:19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 12:19-20

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head."

I wondered what "give place unto wrath" and "heap coals of fire on his head" meant. God will avenge or teach a lesson to those that are our enemies. I imagine you just have to give God space to do what he feels is best, and place it in His hands. Allow God to do what He will and stay out of the way.

Yet, we are called to care for our enemies. Wanting to heaping coals of fire on his head doesn't sound very peaceful, rather revengeful. I sat for the longest time pondering on what that meant. How would my head feel to have heaps of hot coals on top of it. Very hot, very uncomfortable. Then I thought of shame and embarrassment. How red I would turn and feel like my whole face was on fire. The shame and embarrassment that comes by someone being kind when you were terrible to them would be a great teaching moment. Then I realized this is a great thing to give them. Let them be ashamed of their actions and be embarrassed. That awakens them to guilt and the opportunity to repent and mend their ways. That can turn an enemy into an understanding friend.

Day 3217

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 20:5-6, 19, 26

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 20:5-6, 19, 26

"And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?

But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace."

I pondered on this pattern of the chief priests and scribes that tried so hard to trap Jesus in his words. Yet, they feared the people and what they would do to them. The fear was inspired of the adversary, it was also what stopped them in their cause. They had no power over Jesus until Jesus' time had come. It made me think of a talk by President Kimball.

"We can also tell that we are making progress by the attention we get from the adversary. Do not falter nor be distressed when others misrepresent us, sometimes deliberately and sometimes in ignorance. This has been the lot of the Lord’s people from the beginning, and it will be no different in our time.

Brothers and sisters, pray for the critics of the Church; love your enemies. Keep the faith and stay on the straight and narrow path. Use wisdom and judgment in what you say and do, so that we do not give cause to others to hold the Church or its people in disrepute. Do not be surprised or dismayed if trials and challenges come upon us. This work, which Satan seeks in vain to tear down, is that which God has placed on earth to lift mankind up!"

(Spencer W. Kimball, "No Unhallowed Hand Can Stop the Work", April 1980 General Conference)

"The standard of truth has been erected. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done."

(Joseph Smith, "History of the Church", 4:540, 1842)

"For behold, the Lord hath said: I will not succor my people in the day of their transgression; but I will hedge up their ways that they prosper not; and their doings shall be as a stumbling block before them."

(Mosiah 7:29)

Day 3152

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 9:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 9:8

"Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee."

I have sure witnessed this. To reprove a scorner you invite their wrath. They have no intention of changing their behavior or actions, no matter how modest a request it maybe. You are just inviting contention. It's best to just let them be. They have their agency to believe lies and whatever they may think about you. You sure have to have a thick skin to live in these days. Tough on the outside but harmless and full of the spirit on the inside.

"Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison"

(Matthew 5:25)

Day 2796

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 50:5, 15

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 50:5, 15

"Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."

I love when I read in the scriptures God's people being called saints. The name Christian was never used by the Lord. Christian was a name the enemies of the church gave His followers, interestingly in both the New Testament and the Book of Mormon. Just like the enemies of the restored church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, called us Mormons instead of latter-day saints. Saints are what we should be, because that is the name God knows us by. There is some type of aversion in calling someone a saint, even among Jesus' followers. I love being called a latter-day saint.

The second verse I pondered on speaks of calling on God in times of trouble and being delivered. It reminds me of the bearing of testimonies as we had today in church. That testimony of what God has done for us does glorify Him.

Day 2687

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 5:25

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 5:25
"Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison."

One thing I have found is that I have been accused at times of not listening. Actually what I have found is the person believes this simply because after my having heard their position I don't agree with them. Their definitions is to have heard them means I must agree. Society as a whole is getting into this nonsense too. I have found it simpler to just agree that is their position. Never stating mine for it honestly doesn't matter to them. They want no honest dialog, only that you agree with them. It is getting so perverse now that I see the merit in agreeing as a means of self preservation. Never would I have imagined that people can be arrested or lose their job over things that by God's laws are untruths. Letting a person hold his false beliefs, and agreeing that is how they see it, allows me to maintain my peace and not be of contention, nor lose the spirit. As Jesus was often pressed by the Pharisees and Sadducees I marvel at his wisdom in escaping the trap that had been set for him. As those that press for more than my agreeing on what their position is, I have learned to let the spirit guide in the matter on what peacefully needs to be said or suggested to divert them.

Day 1509

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 11:30, 32

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 11:30, 32
"For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
And such as do wickedly against the covenants shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits."

I pondered on how important it will be to know the Lord and not be deceived by flatteries. It all speaks of pride and the fall that comes from it. I cannot imagine what it would be like for those that forsake their holy covenants and say or do things that help to overcome the saints in the last days. It reminds me of the early saints that joined the church and then became enemies to it. They led to the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. I don't want to be in their shoes when they have to stand before the Lord.

Day 1436

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 29:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 29:4
"But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of they rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales."

I thought the phrase "hooks in thy jaws" was an interesting one so I looked for its meaning. I found this quote from John Taylor.

"It is sometimes hard for us to realize that we are in the hands of God, and that he controls, and manages, and guides our affairs. This is the thing we wish to understand, and wish the people to understand that our confidence is in Him. People talk sometimes about what they are going to do with the “Mormons,” and the rumor flies that we are going to be rooted out, destroyed, and overthrown. We shall, when God says so, and not before. The Lord knew in former times how to put a hook into the jaws of the enemies of Israel, and he knows just as well where to place it today. The nation in which we live and all nations are in the hands of God; and so are we, and our enemies cannot help themselves nor avert the destiny that awaits them. He will accomplish his purposes towards them, and they cannot help it, and towards us, and they cannot help it. Then we are all in the hands of God, like clay in the hands of the potter, to be molded, and trained, and fashioned according to the designs of God and according to his will."
(John Taylor, Revelation from God, JD 11:157)

Even though it looks like those against God's laws maybe winning. That powers are forming against the Lord's people. We can never forget He will have us rise above it all. He knows the right way to hook into the jaws of our enemies to hold them back. Nothing will stop His hallowed hands and work to go forth. 

Day 1406

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 109:8-9, 13

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 109:8-9, 13
"Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.
Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their names be blotted out.

The header to this chapter says David "prays that his enemies will be confounded." No, I think he wishes him dead and his posterity too. It was painful to read. All I could think of were Jesus' words on the Sermon on the Mount.

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"
(Matthew 5:44)

Jesus came to give a high law, a better way. What a contrast to the way they were living. As I pondered on David's words I could see the parallel to my day. There are still people not living the higher law.

Day 1162

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 42:10, 12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 42:10, 12-13
"And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.
He had also seven sons and three daughters."

The trial of Job appears to have ended when Job prayed for his friends that had abused him.

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"
(Matthew 5:44)

For this Job was blessed double what he had before. I found it interesting that the number of sons and daughters did not increase. Why is that?  Because, the sons and daughters that passed on are his eternally. The ones on earth were his increase.


Day 1053

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 11:4-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 11:4-6
"For thou has said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.
But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;
And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth."

Job needs some new friends. Zophar sounds like he is actually cursing him. How could a friend wish God to speak against them, and say they deserve more harm? You wouldn't do that with an enemy. Then I pondered on who my enemies are. Oh, yes there was a time I wished harm to be done to them. Now I am totally ashamed for ever feeling that way. Instead I grieve for those that try to attack or abuse me. Not because I am of any significance, or what they have said or done has hurt me. Its because of what the Savior said. 

"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots."
(Luke 23:34)

What is the greatest offense done unaware? It is to judge.

"Judge not, that ye be not judged.
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."
(Matthew 7:1-2)

I do not want to be in those shoes. Then I had to stop and laugh at myself. Am I guilty of judging Zophar right now? I don't know but judging others is a constant battle for me. I try so hard to not get caught up in it. It seems society has a never ending display of things it wants me to judge on. I can't tell if news stories are real or fake anymore, and it really doesn't matter. What I am finding is that no one ever really needs my opinion. They are just opening doors to make me judge everyone around me, and believe no one deserves forgiveness. That some people are not worthy of love. I just have to get off that train and let society pass me by. I am far happier for it, for having tasted of the spirit as my constant companion, I know judging others makes him leave my side.


Day 1022

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 28:23

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 28:23
"For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel."

What an incredibly sad train of thought. That since Satan helped his enemies king Ahaz thought that if he sacrificed to these other gods, they would help him too. How carefully Satan leads us down to hell.

"And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways of the Lord; and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell."
(Alma 30:60)

Satan didn't help his enemies. It was only because God's people forsake Him that they were left to their enemies. Their enemies would never have had power over them, if they had relied on the Lord. Ahaz was putting credit for the victory in the wrong place. Then he worships the wrong god who's only desire is to destroy him. So very sad, yet I know I have had those lies whispered in my ears. Thankfully I have known the source and turned away. I am grateful for the experience though, it was a total wakeup call to me at the time.

Day 970

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 26:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 26:12

"Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him."

When I read this I thought "I can't imagine being given a hundredfold of anything I already have."  That would be an incredible change of circumstance.

The reference to "an hundredfold" made me check the footnotes. I was referred to Doctrine & Covenants 98:25 "And again, if your enemy shall smite you the second time, and you revile not against your enemy, and bear it patiently, your reward shall be an hundred-fold."

With that I pondered on a very trying circumstance I had over a year ago. Even though I was abused by a repeat offender, I had an incredible sense of calm and peace, and could turn the matter totally over to the Lord. I saw the hand of the Lord in the scenarios leading up to the event. The Lord having told me earlier something I needed to do, and for it I would be blessed. Because of following that council the outcome of the attack was so very different than what it could have been. I never dreamed of how these two things would be connected. I look at the circumstances then, and were I am today, and I have been blessed in so many ways, spiritually, physically, and materially. It may not be an hundredfold, but that's totally ok. God blesses me for the mission I have in life. I have sufficient for my needs. What a great man Isaac must have been, for indeed through him all the nations of the earth are blessed.

Day 601

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 98:9-10, 14

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 98:9-10, 14

"Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn.

Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.

Therefore, be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy."

Never in the history of our nation have we had such poor candidates for president. Honest, wise and good men left standing have hardly any chance of winning. Baring the mercy of the Lord, I foresee our next president to be counted among the evil and wicked of this world. Yet I have peace and am not troubled, because I know I did not and will not support them in evil. I am not fearing what will come and have found peace, because I have covenanted with the Lord to obey his will. I know this will be a time of proving of His saints and where their loyalties lay. I believe in miracles, even eternal life.

After posting these thoughts I went back and read these verses again and something jumped out at me. We are told to seek honest, wise and good men as our rulers. That is what observe to uphold means. The part "otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil", would mean not to vote for people that do not have these characteristics. I have heard so many people saying they are voting "for the lesser of two evils". The Lord is telling us in verse 10 that anything less than good is evil. If we support one evil person over another we are still choosing evil. If we are God fearing people, we must not select the "lesser of two evils". It will prove to the Lord we will not abide in our covenants. We will not be found worthy at the judgment seat. Boy, is this election one of the most important ones of our lifetimes. 

Day 517