Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 14:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 14:10-11
"And when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children who were consuming in the fire, he also was pained; and he said unto Alma: How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the power of God which is in us, and save them from the flames.
But Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day."

I can appreciate how Amulek wished to use priesthood power to stop the horrors happening to the women and children. Some of which were probably his own family members. There is an interesting perspective on this from President Spencer W. Kimball.

“If all the sick for whom we pray were healed, if all the righteous were protected and the wicked destroyed, the whole program of the Father would be annulled and the basic principle of the gospel, free agency, would be ended. No man would have to live by faith.
“If joy and peace and rewards were instantaneously given the doer of good, there could be no evil—all would do good but not because of the rightness of doing good. There would be no test of strength, no development of character, no growth of powers, no free agency, only satanic controls.
“Should all prayers be immediately answered according to our selfish desires and our limited understanding, then there would be little or no suffering, sorrow, disappointment, or even death, and if these were not, there would also be no joy, success, resurrection, nor eternal life and godhood” (Faith Precedes the Miracle [1973], 97).
(Book of Mormon Student Manual, Chapter 26:Alma 13-16, "The Martydom of the Righteous")

Day 3458

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 2:18, 27

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 2:18, 27
"And because he had fallen from heaven, and had become miserable forever, he sought also the misery of all mankind. Wherefore, he said unto Eve, yea, even that old serpent, who is the devil, who is the father of all lies, wherefore he said: Partake of the forbidden fruit, and ye shall not die, but ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil.
Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself."

I pondered on the agency of man. How God has given us this great privilege, the ability to choose and act for ourselves. This mortal life would not be a true test if we were forced in any way. Our hearts must be free to choose to follow Him. The battle over the agency of man continues here on earth. Lucifer, the devil, was cast out of heaven due to his desire to take away the agency of man. He and his followers, comprising one-third of the host of heaven, desires nothing more than the misery of man. One of the ways he does this is to lie to bring them into bondage by a variety of sins. He allows man to dig a pit for their neighbor and then rejoices when they fall into it themselves. It is a great deception that Satan will bless his followers, he may for a season, and when he is done with them he spits them out.

I can understand by witnessing the tactics of man right now why the prophet said, "In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost." (Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", April 2018 General Conference)

How do you answer the question, do I side with those that are for man's agency to choose, which includes legalizing sin? or do I side with those that want to take away man's agency under the guise of politicized religious zeal? It's entirely possible someone that thinks they are being religious may be more wicked then those openly sinning, when you consider God's esteem for the agency of man. Even if sin is legalized it doesn't mean you have to participate. Under the crux of politicized religious zeal I fear we are about to loose our religious freedoms.

Day 3373

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 1:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 1:3-4

"And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,"

I pondered on the beauty in fasting and prayer. How it truly does strengthen us, especially in times of grief and mourning. These words of Nehemiah reminded me of something President Nelson said in recent General Conference.

"Some trials are deeply private burdens no one else can see. Others are played out on the world stage. The armed conflict in eastern Europe is one of these. I have been to Ukraine and Russia many times. I love those lands, the people, and their languages. I weep and pray for all who are affected by this conflict. As a church we’re doing all we can to help those who are suffering and struggling to survive. We invite everyone to continue to fast and pray for all the people being hurt by this calamity. Any war is a horrifying violation of everything the Lord Jesus Christ stands for and teaches.

None of us can control nations or the actions of others or even members of our own families. But we can control ourselves."

(Russell M. Nelson, "The Power of Spiritual Momentum", Apr 2022 General Conference)

I really like how he reminded us that we cannot control the actions of nations or other people. Part of accepting God's will is knowing he gave other's their free agency too. He will never leave us comfortless and alone if we turn to Him.

Day 2573

Today's Favorite Verse: Ruth 3:18

Today's Favorite Verse: Ruth 3:18

"hen said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day."

I pondered on this advice is the very best of advice. I have learned to sit still and wait in so many instances where I have no control in the matter. The next move will only come after the free agency of any other comes into play. There is no sense in worrying about what happens next, or what the decision to be made is. When I trust that the Lord will make sure either way that it will be for my good, I then leave it in his hands. Life is much more peaceful until it is known which way the matter has fallen. Often I am pleasantly surprised by how perfect the outcome was for me.

Day 2394

Today's Favorite Verse: Judges 10:13-14

Today's Favorite Verse: Judges 10:13-14

"Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more.

Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation."

I pondered on free agency and how God has given us the choice on who we will follow. We also face the consequences of that decision.

Day 2380

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 85:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 85:9

"And all they who are not found written in the book of remembrance shall find none inheritance in that day, but they shall be cut asunder, and their portion shall be appointed them among unbelievers, where are wailing and gnashing of teeth."

The thought of this makes me sad. There will be empty places at the table. As I pondered on this I thought about the agency of man, and how no one is forced to sup with the Lord. This was their choice. It still makes me really sad.

Day 2088

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 37:3-4

 Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 37:3-4

"And again, a commandment I give unto the church, that it is expedient in me that they should assemble together at the Ohio, against the time that my servant Oliver Cowdery shall return unto them.

Behold, here is wisdom, and let every man choose for himself until I come. Even so. Amen."

What I pondered on is that the Lord commanded the saints to gather in Ohio. Yet, he never took away their free agency to choose if they would obey. Wisdom would be to follow, but not everyone is wise in how they follow the counsel of the Lord or his servants. In the first verse the Lord tells them why they must go, "because of the enemy and for your sakes". There is both a warning and a blessing. Often I see the counsel given to us today follows that same pattern.

Day 2040

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 14:30

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 14:30
"And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free."

This made me ponder on the light of Christ, free agency, and consequences of our choices. At some point we have to be honest with ourselves and accept responsibility for our actions. Free agency is given but we alone must face the consequences of those choices. Lying to ourselves, placing blame on others, won't remove us from our guilt. The biggest lie in that case is to ourselves, thinking it somehow did.  It really is quite a blessing to be able to acknowledge our faults, and to be able to repent of them and grow, instead of when we stand before the Lord where lying just won't work. No matter what anyone else around us has done, or taught us, in the end the decision is ours alone to make. The light of Christ is a gift given to all which tell us right from wrong. That is having knowledge. We alone are held accountable for our choices.

"Wherefore, we shall have a perfect knowledge of all our guilt, and our uncleanness, and our nakedness; and the righteous shall have perfect knowledge of their enjoyment, and their righteousness, being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness."
(2 Nephi 9:14)

Day 1935

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:17

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:17
"Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."

As I see our liberties being taken, so does wickedness gain momentum in our nation. The one builds upon the other.

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."
(Romans 8:2)

"But where the Spirit of God is, there is union, harmony and liberty, and where it is not there is strife, confusion and bondage. Let us then seek to be one, honor our God, honor our religion, and keep the commandments of God, and seek to know His will, and then to do it"
(JD 22:38, John Taylor, The Organization of the First Presidency, Etc., Oct 1880 General Conference)

"Through our faith in Jesus Christ, believing in His Atonement, repenting of our sins, and being baptized, we may then receive the supernal gift of the Holy Ghost. This gift provides knowledge and understanding, guidance and strength to learn and gain a testimony, power, cleansing to overcome sin, and comfort and encouragement to be faithful in tribulation. These incomparable blessings of the Spirit increase our freedom and power to do what is right, for “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
As we walk the path of spiritual liberty in these last days, we must understand that the faithful use of our agency depends upon our having religious freedom. We already know that Satan does not want this freedom to be ours. He attempted to destroy moral agency in heaven, and now on earth he is fiercely undermining, opposing, and spreading confusion about religious freedom—what it is and why it is essential to our spiritual life and our very salvation.There are four cornerstones of religious freedom that we as Latter-day Saints must rely upon and protect.

The first is freedom to believe. No one should be criticized, persecuted, or attacked by individuals, or governments either, for what he or she believes about God. It is very personal and very important...
The second cornerstone of religious liberty is the freedom to share our faith and our beliefs with others...
The third cornerstone of religious liberty is the freedom to form a religious organization, a church, to worship peacefully with others...
The fourth cornerstone of religious liberty is the freedom to live our faith—free exercise of faith not just in the home and chapel but also in public places..."
(Elder Robert D. Hales, Preserving Agency, Protecting Religious Freedom, Apr 2015 General Conference)

Day 1654

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 33:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 33:3
"My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly."

This reminded me of something I read by Elder Renlund

"We may incorrectly have an expectation that the Lord will micromanage and direct every minute detail of our lives. God does not do that, because He wants us to learn how to make decisions. In some instances, the Holy Ghost’s role is to help us to think clearly, lead us to the right questions, and help us to organize our thinking. Sometimes the actual answer doesn’t really matter that much, and a definitive prompting or answer does not come. The Lord wants us to simply make a decision, and sometimes either choice is acceptable and right, but Heavenly Father lets us go through the process because learning to make decisions is an important part of learning to be like Him."

Last week I experienced an interesting moment in prayer. I was asking if something I was thinking of purchasing was right. In the middle of it I stopped. I knew it mattered not in the eternal scheme of things. I was free to make the decision on my own. I would be able to clearly know the right decision for me.

From this I knew the Lord trusted me. By striving to have the spirit always to be with me I would lead to the knowledge to make the correct decision for me. I was free to make this choice. I've rather enjoyed the process and I don't know quit how to describe it. The spirit has been there as different things to take into consideration have come into my mind. Time has been needed so I could gather all the information and knowledge on the matter. Allowing me to see beauty in patience and its importance. It's been a very pleasant decision making process, like none other. I'm in a partnership but I get to choose. It has brought a new depth of understanding on the beauty of free agency, and why I need the spirit to always to be with me, to make good decisions in my life.


Day 1044

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 4:1-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 4:1-3

"And I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying - Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surly I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.

But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me - Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.

Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down."

God is telling Moses how Satan became the devil. I found it interesting that Moses experienced prior to this the reality of Satan and his demands to be worshiped. It was only through calling on the name of Christ that Satan could be commanded to depart. Moses knew from his own experience exactly who God was talking about.

Satan is still trying to destroy the agency of man. This is the most precious gift I have been given by the Father. The ability to chose. Though those choices do have consequences. My heart is so full of gratitude for my Savior and his willingness to atone for my sins. It is the only way possible for me to make it back to the Father's presence. I just had to sit and reflect on that for a while. What a marvelous plan this is.

Day 563