Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 6:21

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 6:21
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

I asked myself what my treasure is? Treasure is probably not the right word, for that makes me think of riches and material things and I'm not so big into that. I found it better to think about what I give most of my time and effort too. Where is my attention focused? Do I have a good balance pleasing to the Lord? It made me think of my family history, that really is my top "treasure". This year I will mark my 50th year since I officially took my first genealogy class. That really is a good treasure to mark my life's work. This is part of the Lord's work gathering Israel on both sides of the veil. I have had so many spiritual connections around it. My testimony of the Lord and his love for each of His children has been cemented to my heart. I can not only take this life work with me on the other side, but I can continue it there. I had already planned I was going to do some research after reading my scriptures tonight, now I can't wait! There are more family members to find and eventually greet on the other side.

Day 4059

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 38:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 38:16
"And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes."

I have learned that what I used to picture as end times is not how things are turning out. I never pictures things would become as they are. One thing I used to picture is that I would always stand with Israel. Oh, the whole world could come against them, but I knew they would prevail. Now I see this a little differently. The way things are going the world could absolutely have cause to come against them. Never would I picture how things are lining up. I have left off from trying to figure this all out. The only thing I do know is I want to be right with the Lord and not leave anything left undone. Prophesy will be fulfilled in the Lord's own way and time. The only thing that needs hurrying is the gathering of Israel, helping others to come to Christ, on both sides of the veil. As for wars and oppression of others I want nothing to do with it.

Day 4023

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 3:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 3:14
"Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding."

The marriage is the Abrahamic covenant, and the gathering is taking place now, one of a city, two of a family. This is happening all over the world. President Gordon B. Hinckley said this almost thirty years ago.

"As we contemplate these things, we think of our brothers and sisters in distant lands. We have met hundreds of thousands of you, have looked into your faces, have felt of your spirits. You are so very precious to this work. The Lord has gathered you “one of a city, and two of a family,” as prophesied by Jeremiah. He is teaching you with pastors after His own heart. We pray for you, we visit you, we respect and admire you, we love you. We are all part of a great family—10 million strong—worshiping with one heart and one voice at the feet of our Master, the Son of God. Wherever you are, no matter how distant, you have the opportunity of participating in this conference. You will receive it by satellite in very many places. You will receive it by videotape in some places that cannot be reached by satellite. And for a few in faraway places, you will have it as the written word in our Church magazines."
(Gordon B. Hinckley, "Welcome to Conference", Oct 1998 General Conference)

As of the end of 2024 there were over 17.5 million members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In June 2025 there were more convert baptisms than any other 12-month period in the 195-year history of the Church. The gathering is happening. In a few weeks we will sit at the feet of a prophet and be feed.

Day 3992

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 125:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 125:2
"Verily, thus saith the Lord, I say unto you, if those who call themselves by my name and are essaying to be my saints, if they will do my will and keep my commandments concerning them, let them gather themselves together unto the places which I shall appoint unto them by my servant Joseph, and build up cities unto my name, that they may be prepared for that which is in store for a time to come."

I pondered on how the saint were once called to gather to specific places like, Kirtland, Nauvoo, and later Utah. Then the prophet would call people to expand into other areas. Now our gathering is in the lands that we live. We are assigned to local wards or branches within stakes or missions. This whole process has been nothing but inspiring.

"As the Church grows, it is very important that we build solidly and well, and that our prospective stakes have the basic ingredients that are necessary for success and that existing stakes work tirelessly for full stakehood in the sense of spiritual achievement. These stakes are to be the gathering spots for the Zion of today, and they need to be spiritual sanctuaries and to be self-sufficient in as many ways as is possible.
The stakes and districts of Zion are symbolic of the holy places spoken of by the Lord where His Saints are to gather in the last days as a refuge from the storm. You and your children will gather here to worship, to do sacred ordinances, to socialize, to learn, to perform in music, dance, drama, athletics, and to generally improve yourselves and one another. It is often thought significant that our chapels have on them a steeple, with spires toward the heavens symbolic of how our lives ought to be ever moving upward toward God.
The Book of Mormon prophet Nephi foresaw the day when the Saints would be scattered in stakes all over the world. He saw the time when the Lord would extend His protection to them when menaced by storms of destruction that threatened their existence. Nephi prophesied: “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.” (1 Nephi 14:14)
Through revelation we know that there will be perils, calamities, and persecution in the latter days, but through righteousness the Saints may be spared. The promise of the Lord in the Book of Mormon is sure: “He will preserve the righteous by his power.” (1 Nephi 22:17)"
(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson, "Chapter 23: Strengthen Thy Stakes", [2014])

Day 3714

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 57:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 57:3-4
"And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is wisdom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the center place; and a spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the courthouse.
Wherefore, it is wisdom that the land should be purchased by the saints, and also every tract lying westward, even unto the line running directly between Jew and Gentile;"

I think every saint waits for the day a temple is announced for Independence Missouri. Even if its just turning the visitor center into one. After the saints were driven from that area we have slowly worked towards purchasing the necessary land again. What was dedicated as the temple lot site is not even owned by the church. It was a surprise one day to find the Community of Christ sold us the Kirtland temple. That makes the possibility of one day owning the land in Independence feel even closer. Even though the headquarters of the church will move to this center place I don't feel all the saints will gather there too. Just like Salt Lake City, Utah is the center place today and not all saints live here. It was just yesterday, I happened to say to my family that I feel like I will be in my home during the millennium, and my place to gather to Zion is down the street in my stake house. That is where my place of refuge is. My place to see the Lord is in the temple on the hill.

"And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth."
(Doctrine and Covenants 115:6)

"For the day of my visitation cometh speedily, in an hour when ye think not of; and where shall be the safety of my people, and refuge for those who shall be left of them?"
(Doctrine and Covenants 124:10)

Day 3646

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 15:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 15:2-3
"He saw that there had been slain by the sword already nearly two millions of his people, and he began to sorrow in his heart; yea, there had been slain two millions of mighty men, and also their wives and their children.
He began to repent of the evil which he had done; he began to remember the words which had been spoken by the mouth of all the prophets, and he saw them that they were fulfilled thus far, every whit; and his soul mourned and refused to be comforted."

Sadly, it may take massive destruction for people to "awaken to a sense of your awful situation". (Ether 8:24) Coriantumr had such a moment and grieved over what they had done. He writes an epistle to Shiz offering to give up his kingdom for the sake of the lives of the people. Shiz in turn wants Coriantumr to give himself up so he can slay him. Something Coriantumr was unable to do, either mentally, or because his people and the people of Shiz in their anger wanted the war to continue. With the knowledge of Ether's prophesy Coriantumr would be the last Jaredite standing, living to witness others inherit this promised land. This is such an incredibly sad story. It is a message for us in our day.

There is hope for there will be people waiting to receive our Lord and Savior when He comes again. Now is the great time of gathering and embracing those that have suffered and are wounded, and through this have turned their hearts back to God. The Lord is always waiting with his arms stretched out still, and so should we.

"The Savior is calling us to leave behind the wickedness of the world and gather to Him. He wants His sheep to be a light that shines brightly, setting a standard for the rest of the world by reflecting how true disciples live, including how they experience true joy as they focus their lives on the Savior.
May we be ever grateful for the privilege and trust the Lord has bestowed upon us as we gather to the Savior, gather with the Saints, and gather in His service."
(President Russell M. Nelson, "Grateful to Gather", Liahona magazine, Jan 2025)

Day 3578

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 16:4

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 16:4
"And I command you that ye shall write these sayings after I am gone, that if it so be that my people at Jerusalem, they who have seen me and been with me in my ministry, do not ask the Father in my name, that they may receive a knowledge of you by the Holy Ghost, and also of the other tribes whom they know not of, that these sayings which ye shall write shall be kept and shall be manifested unto the Gentiles, that through the fulness of the Gentiles, the remnant of their seed, who shall be scattered forth upon the face of the earth because of their unbelief, may be brought in, or may be brought to a knowledge of me, their Redeemer.
And then will I gather them in from the four quarters of the earth; and then will I fulfil the covenant which the Father hath made unto all the people of the house of Israel."

This literally happened with the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and the restoration of Christ's church in these latter-days. The gathering from the four quarters of the earth is happening right now. People are being brought to a knowledge of their Redeemer. I cannot wait to read all the records.

"For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it.
And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews.
And it shall come to pass that my people, which are of the house of Israel, shall be gathered home unto the lands of their possessions; and my word also shall be gathered in one. And I will show unto them that fight against my word and against my people, who are of the house of Israel, that I am God, and that I covenanted with Abraham that I would remember his seed forever."
(2 Nephi 29:12-14)

Day 3539

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 10:4-6

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 10:4-6
"O ye people of these great cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Jacob, yea, who are of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you.
And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, who have fallen; yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem, as ye that have fallen; yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not.
O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart."

I hadn't realized until now that the Lord is speaking to both sides of the veil. To those that were now deceased and those that were spared. The deceased spirits must still be lingering around them. The time of repentance is now past for them. They had willfully rebelled and did not turn to the Lord when he called them in this life. Those that are still alive are told the Lord's arms will still gather them. They can still repent and turn with full purpose of heart to the Lord. It is important to not procrastination our day of repentance.

"Brothers and sisters, now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority."
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024 General Conference)

"Obstacles will come. Let us not wait for things to get hard before turning to God. Let us not wait until the end of our mortal lives to truly repent. Instead, let us now, no matter which part of the covenant path we are on, focus on the redemptive power of Jesus Christ and on Heavenly Father’s desire for us to return to Him"
(Elder Jorge M. Alvarado, "Embrace the Lord's Gift of Repentance", Oct 2024 General Conference)

Day 3533

Today's Favorite Verse: James 1:1

Today's Favorite Verse: James 1:1
"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting."

What stood out to me was James writing to the scattered twelve tribes. I wondered did they already know where they were back then? I found this in the New Testament Student Manual.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said the following about James’s audience: “Paul wrote to the saints of his own day, and if his doctrine and counsel blesses us of later years, so much the better. But James addressed himself to those of the twelve scattered tribes of Israel who belonged to the Church; that is, to a people yet to be gathered, yet to receive the gospel, yet to come into the fold of Christ; and if his words had import to the small cluster of saints of Judah and Benjamin who joined the Church in the meridian of time, so much the better” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1966–73], 3:243).

So this was written for my day as the lost tribes are being gathered. It's interesting to think how one verse in this chapter had a particular influence in the restoration of the gospel.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5)

From this verse Joseph Smith, Jr. went into a grove of trees to ask God which of all churches was right. That answer ushered in the last dispensation of time.

Day 3306

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 13:30

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 13:30

"Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."

The parable of the wheat and the tares applies to the apostasy, restoration and the end of the world. It is later then many think. The harvest is now taking place, the wheat are gathering to the stakes of Zion, and the tares are binding themselves in bundles to make ready to be burned.

“God has held the angels of destruction for many years, lest they should reap down the wheat with the tares. But I want to tell you now, that those angels have left the portals of heaven... and they stand over this people and this nation now, and are hovering over the earth waiting to pour out the judgments. And from this very day they shall be poured out. Calamities and troubles are increasing in the earth, and there is a meaning to these things. Remember this, and reflect upon these matters. If you do your duty, and I do my duty, we’ll have protection, and shall pass through the afflictions in peace and in safety.”

(Wilford Woodruff, “The Temple Workers’ Excursion,” Young Woman’s Journal, Aug. 1894, 512–513.)

“Now I want to make some comments in regard to the statement by President Woodruff and this parable [the parable of the wheat and tares in D&C 86].

“The Lord said that the sending forth of these angels was to be at the end of the harvest, and the harvest is the end of the world. Now, that ought to cause us some very serious reflections. And the angels have been pleading, as I have read it to you, before the Lord to be sent on their mission. Until 1893 the Lord said to them no, and then He set them loose. According to the revelation of President Woodruff, the Lord sent them out on that mission.

“What do we gather out of that? That we are at the time of the end. This is the time of the harvest. This is the time spoken of which is called the end of the world.”

(Joseph Fielding Smith, Signs of the Times (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1974), 11-21.)

Day 3101

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 9:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 9:9

"For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth."

This made me think of my husband, first generation American. His father is Polish and his mother is French, and somewhere he has Jewish blood on both sides. He is one of the sifted among all nations. That little grain did not fall. He is the only one to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He holds the Melchizedek priesthood. Something that was probably held amongst his fathers eons ago, and lost over time. Now it is restored and will bless generations.

"Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:"

(Jeremiah 3:14)

Day 3047

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 39:7, 21

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 39:7, 21

"So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.

And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them."

I was drawn to the mention of the heathens in this chapter. They that survive this great last battle of Gog in the land of Magog. Seven months the people are burying their dead. For seven years they burn the weapons of war for fuel. They all know who God is. When I looked at the footnote on the heathen I see it says "Conversion, Convert". These must be the good people of the earth that never knew God. The preaching of the gospel and gathering of Israel will continue into the Millennium. For all will be converted.

At the Savior's first visitation to the America's after his resurrection it took 2-3 years for everyone to be converted. Who knows how long it will take everyone remaining after the Savior's seconding coming to be converted.

"And it came to pass that the thirty and fourth year passed away, and also the thirty and fifth, and behold the disciples of Jesus had formed a church of Christ in all the lands round about. And as many as did come unto them, and did truly repent of their sins, were baptized in the name of Jesus; and they did also receive the Holy Ghost.

And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another."

(4 Nephi 1:1-2)

Joseph Fielding Smith on the subject, "Some members of the Church have an erroneous idea that when the millennium comes all of the people are going to be swept off the earth except righteous members of the Church. That is not so. There will be millions of people, Catholics, Protestants, agnostics, Mohammedans, people of all classes, and of all beliefs, still permitted to remain upon the face of the earth, but they will be those who have lived clean lives, those who have been free from wickedness and corruption. All who belong, by virtue of their good lives, to the terrestrial order, as well as those who have kept the celestial law, will remain upon the face of the earth during the millennium. Eventually, however, the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters do the sea."

(Doctrines of Salvation, 1:86)

Day 3000

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 50:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 50:4-5

"In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God.

They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten."

I pondered on how this is starting to be fulfilled. The Jews are gathering to Israel. Slowly they will seek the Lord and enter into a perpetual covenant. The time of the Jews is so close.

Day 2954

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 3:14-15

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 3:14-15

"Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding."

This made me think about the gathering of Israel. How not everyone in a city, or family accepts the gospel when they hear it. It's really interesting to see who was prepared to receive it and does. In a couple weeks the prophet will be speaking and some are now waiting to be feed spiritually with knowledge and understanding. There are others that just turn away. This is called free agency and the ability to choose. The difference is the eternal reward or consequences that follows.

Day 2907

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 106:47

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 106:47

"Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise."

This made me think of the wheat and the tares. In General Conference Elder Andersen mentioned how the tares will be with us until the Savior comes. It also means the wheat are being gathered. I pondered on how you cannot be gathered from among the heathen unless you decide to leave.

Day 2743

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 24:24

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 24:24

"They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn."

Chapter header: "Murderers, adulterers, those who oppress the poor, and wicked people in general often go unpunished for a little while."

These are the footnotes:

Little while: "For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."

(Psalms 37:10-11)

Low: "And when these things have passed away a speedy destruction cometh unto my people; for, notwithstanding the pains of my soul, I have seen it; wherefore, I know that it shall come to pass; and they sell themselves for naught; for, for the reward of their pride and their foolishness they shall reap destruction; for because they yield unto the devil and choose works of darkness rather than light, therefore they must go down to hell."

(2 Nephi 26:10)

Tops: HEB heads of grains

Which made me think of the sifting of the wheat and tares.

"Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat."

(3 Nephi 18:18)

"Therefore, I must gather together my people, according to the parable of the wheat and the tares, that the wheat may be secured in the garners to possess eternal life, and be crowned with celestial glory, when I shall come in the kingdom of my Father to reward every man according as his work shall be;

While the tares shall be bound in bundles, and their bands made strong, that they may be burned with unquenchable fire."

(Doctrine and Covenants 101:65-66)

"Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned."

(Doctrine and Covenants 86:7)

As I pondered on these verses I thought about how the wheat will be gathered first, and how important it was to stay within the main stream of the church. Then I realized I was thinking majority and that may not even be quit right. What if the main stream or majority went astray? Then I pictured that stream being full of living water and standing in the full course of it. It wouldn't be determined by numbers it would be those that #HearHim and remain true.

Day 2619

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 49:33

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 49:33

"And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people."

Jacob blesses his sons and prophesies what will befall them in the last days. These are the twelve tribes of Israel. At the end Jacob dies and is "gathered unto his people". I thought then that this chapter speaks of the gathering on both sides of the veil. That gathering is taking place right now.

Day 2208

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 33:4, 10

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 33:4, 10

"And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me."

What a touching scene of forgiveness and reconciliation as brothers are once again reunited. I pondered on how Jacob, now Israel, would have another touching reunion later in life with his beloved son, Joseph.

"And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while."

(Genesis 46:29)

I thought of other touching scenes to come, like the return of the lost ten tribes of Israel, and the city of Enoch.

"And they shall be filled with songs of everlasting joy.

Behold, this is the blessing of the everlasting God upon the tribes of Israel, and the richer blessing upon the head of Ephraim and his fellows."

(Doctrine and Covenants 133:33-34)

"And the Lord said unto Enoch: Then shalt thou and all thy city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom, and they shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other;"

(Moses 7:63)

Day 2192