Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 9:1-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 9:1-3
"Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.
For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.
And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied."

Marrying outside of the faith was against God's law for the children of Israel. This was partly to preserve their faith and not to be lost to false gods other nations worshipped. Ezra is overwhelmed how prevalent this had become and and grieves. It was even among their princes and rulers. Ezra weeps and so do the people.

"Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore."
(Ezra 10:1)

They then covenant with God to put away their wives and children born of them. I can see why they would be so broken hearted. Seems in some ways so extreme to break up families. Yet, this was the consequences of their actions. As a people coming back from exile they wanted to be right with the Lord. Now they had to do what it took to repent and make restitution. As I was pondering over this situation in many ways it is exactly what we would face in the next life if we married outside of our faith, and not entered into an eternal covenant of marriage. Husband and wives and children would not have a sealing link to each other. There would also be much heartache over the choices made in this life.

Day 3881

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 19:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 19:5
"Wherefore, I revoke not the judgments which I shall pass, but woes shall go forth, weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth, yea, to those who are found on my left hand."

The "weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth" is a constant thought weighting on me, as I stand as a witness in these the latter part of the last days. I can see how when eyes are opened to what they have supported and the awful course they have put us on, they will truly mourn for what they have done. I hope their eyes are opened in time and not a condition of "endless torment". I truly hope there is time to repent. Much sorrow will be felt over being deceived but that is the price you pay for repentance.

Day 3608

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:18

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:18

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

It made me think of the eternal perspective and how that changes everything that you pass through. It helps you find purpose when others may find despair. It builds hope, faith, and trust in the Lord.

"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

(Romans 8:6)

"As faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have a distinctive way of looking at life. We view our experiences in terms of eternity. As we draw farther from worldliness, we feel closer to our Father in Heaven and more able to be guided by his Spirit. We call this quality of life spirituality.

To the faithful, spirituality is a lens through which we view life and a gauge by which we evaluate it. 

To be spiritually minded is to view and evaluate our experiences in terms of the enlarged perspective of eternity.

Each of us has a personal lens through which we view the world. Our lens gives its special tint to all we see. It can suppress some features and emphasize others. It can also reveal things otherwise invisible. Through the lens of spirituality, we can know “the things of God” by “the Spirit of God.”  As the Apostle Paul taught, such things are “foolishness” to the “natural man.” He cannot see them “because they are spiritually discerned.”

(Dallin H. Oaks, "Spirituality", Oct 1985 General Conference)

Day 3241

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:8

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:8

"Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away."

I asked myself "How could prophecies fail?" Maybe I'm tired but it took some thinking on this to realized that what was prophesized didn't fail. A prophesy of God is a prophesy and will come to pass. Its speaking of the ability for someone to prophesy if they have not charity. Same with the gift of tongues or knowledge. If we lose our ability to have charity those gifts will fail, or cease to work when they once did. Paul knew that these gifts would also end either through apostasy or eternal glory. The one man lost by unworthiness, the other being in a glorified state. The saint has no need for these gifts for they will know all things, past, present and future. The one constant through all ages and through eternity is charity, the pure love of Christ.

Day 3234

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 4:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 4:1-2

"And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel."

As I thought of my day the women wouldn't even be concerned about being married or not. Looking at it deeper I think this only applies to women in Zion. Seven women to one man would be polygamy, something the church has not practiced in 133 years. Something that is against the law, and anyone found practicing plural marriage will be excommunicated or have their membership withdrawn from the church. Looking at what Isaiah is prophesying for the last days is not ordinary times. The men have been killed and only those left in Zion are holy. That means they would be righteous enough to practice plural marriage again. The women would want an eternal marriage and have children. Not like the women today.

This reminds me of a conversation I had with a sister I visit taught in New England, over 35 years ago. She was going inactive and all worked up and concerned about someday being asked to live the law of polygamy. I was young and inexperienced and had never thought upon this matter. While I sat and listened, I just prayed in my heart I would know what to say. Then the spirit spoke and I said "There is a reason you are concerned about living the law of polygamy right now. That is because we are not asked to live it. Your heart is right in this matter. When or if the time ever comes to live such a law again, I am sure your heart and my heart will be changed. Then we would be able to do what we are asked to do." These words settled the matter for the sister and were words of marvel to me. This experience has helped me be relieved of any concern on matters I do not understand. I do not have to pick at them to make myself raw over them. I know when its time to understand or know something of importance, my mind and heart will be opened to these things.

Day 2842

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 19:25-26

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 19:25-26

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:"

I think these are some of my favorite verses of Job. With having lost everything, and even his friends against him, and feeling God is against him, Job has not lost his testimony. His faith in the redeemer is strong and true. What he built over the years to have such faith, is now the rock he is leaning on. This type of faith and testimony can weather the storms of life. This type of faith gives hope when things are their darkest. He has an eternal preceptive.

Day 2614

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 2:4

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 2:4

"Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel."

I pondered on how we don't burn sweet incense in the temple, have shewbread or burnt offerings. We also don't follow the feasts. Then how could these ordinances be forever for Israel?

The footnote takes me here.

"Behold, this is the tithing and the sacrifice which I, the Lord, require at their hands, that there may be a house built unto me for the salvation of Zion—

For a place of thanksgiving for all saints, and for a place of instruction for all those who are called to the work of the ministry in all their several callings and offices;

That they may be perfected in the understanding of their ministry, in theory, in principle, and in doctrine, in all things pertaining to the kingdom of God on the earth, the keys of which kingdom have been conferred upon you.

And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it;

Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God."

(Doctrine and Covenants 97:12-16)

The ordinances are eternal, not the outward things that pointed to Christ and were fulfilled with His ultimate sacrifice. The instruction and teaching of God's children are what last forever. Over time the presentation of these ordinances may change, but not what they point to.

Day 2528

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 25:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 25:13

"And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel."

This made me think about the priesthood being everlasting, being without beginning or end.

"It was conferred upon me from the fathers; it came down from the fathers, from the beginning of time, yea, even from the beginning, or before the foundation of the earth, down to the present time, even the right of the firstborn, or the first man, who is Adam, or first father, through the fathers unto me."

(Abraham 1:3)

Priesthood Everlasting: The Priesthood is an everlasting principle, and existed with God from eternity, and will to eternity, without beginning of days or end of years. The keys have to be brought from heaven whenever the Gospel is sent. When they are revealed from heaven, it is by Adam’s authority.

(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 157)

Day 2301

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 2:22, 24

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 2:22, 24

"And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

This was the marriage of Adam and Eve. It was an eternal marriage preformed by God. I realized for the first time both Adam and Eve were immortal at the time of their marriage. The Father never said "Til death do you part". That is what happens if you have a marriage for time only. The only way to have an eternal marriage that exists after death is to have it performed by God, or by one given that authority by him. I am grateful that eternal marriages are performed in the House of the Lord, in His Holy Temples.

Day 2161

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 10:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 10:12
"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you."

The cause and effect of what you sow is what you reap. If I sow righteousness I will reap mercy. If I sow seeking the Lord, he will rain righteousness upon me. Meaning I will reap righteousness in return. It is from seeking the Lord that I gain righteousness which then brings mercy. It is one great eternal round.

Day 1447

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."

I pondered on how just these two simple things will bring eternal life. In the scheme of things not much is being asked of me. What it all requires in faith on my end to just do it.

Day 1246

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 10:24, 28

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 10:24, 28
"The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish."

Pondering on these two verses I could see how they came together.

The wicked fear God in their own perverted way, for they are afraid to acknowledge him. In the end they will truly come to fear Him, for they will acknowledge on bended knee, the Savior Jesus Christ, is Lord and King. Their expectations then of controlling this world for gain has perishing with them.

Yet, the hope and desire of the righteous is eternal life. That is what will be granted to them. They will live in gladness.

Every Knee Shall Bow - J. Kirk Richards

Day 1213

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 27:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 27:4
"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple."

That is my heart. I thought about how David felt the same way I do about the temple. Then my heart mourned for him because he desired to build a temple and the Lord said no. That it would be one of his descendants that would built the House of the Lord after him. How many people have lived on this earth without a House of the Lord there for them? I am sad for all of them. How did I get the blessing to have a temple just minutes from me? I cannot ever take it for granted. I am one of the most blessed people to ever live upon the earth.

I also pondered on this verse in John 14:2-3
"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

My desire to be in the Lord's house stretches the eternities.

 San Diego California Temple

Day 1080

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 21:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 21:2
"Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah."

This made me this of Matthew 6:21
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

I pondered on the beautiful gift of free agency, the freedom to choose eternal life or not. Where my heart's desire lay, is what I will be given. It doesn't mean God is a genie that will grant my every wish for material items. He lets me choose which direction I want to take, and the consequences that go with it.

"I ought not to harrow up in my desires the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction."
(Alma 29:4)

Day 1074

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 12:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 12:6
"The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times."

This verse made me think of these two verses.

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
(Hebrews 13:8)

"Listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday, and forever."
(Doctrine & Covenants 35:1)

I pondered on how God knows the end from the beginning. He speaks from experience and knows what is needed for man to return to Him. This counsel is pure, tried and tested. I cannot go wrong following His words. They are pure. He knows how to purify and refine me.

Day 1065

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 6:61

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 6:61

"Therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven, the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment."

As I was reading this verse the part "peaceable things of immortal glory" rested on my mind. I was in awe that not only can I have peace here but in the eternities it would remain with me forever.  With it I will know all things, be full of wisdom, truth and judgement. That is such an amazing promise. Then my mind rested on those that may not obtain eternal life. Would they be forever blind to the fullness of truth and be angry? For indeed the opposite of peace is anger. My soul felt such sorrow for them. I wish desperately that I am not counted among them. I wish desperately that no one has this as their eternal fate..How much is at stake with the brief time we call mortal life.

Day 565