Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 5:47-48

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 5:47-48
"Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world.
And now, when they heard this they cast up their eyes as if to behold from whence the voice came; and behold, they saw the heavens open; and angels came down out of heaven and ministered unto them."

Helamen's sons Lehi and Nephi went to the land of Nephi to preach to the Lamanites. They were cast into prison and then a miraculous event takes place. They were encircled as if by fire and it hurt them not. The Lamanites were fearful to touch them. Then the earth shook and a cloud of darkness overshadowed the Lamanites and Nephite dissenters. A voice speaks from over the cloud of darkness. They are called to repentance. It was of perfect mildness and pierced their souls. Then a Nephite from birth tells them to turn around and look at Lehi and Nephite, their faces were glowing and talking with angels. The people see this and are told to repent and cry unto the voice until they have faith in Christ, which they did. The cloud disperses and they are all encircled by a pillar of fire and filled with joy. This is when God the Father speaks to all of them. There are only a few times we hear His voice in scriptures and this is one of them. Then angels came down and ministered to them. What a marvelous event took place. The 300 people that witness this go and declare what they saw and heard and minister to those around them.

"Insomuch that the more part of the Lamanites were convinced of them, because of the greatness of the evidence which they had received." (verse 50)

Events like this are what I think of when I heard President Nelson say this.

"Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But 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)

Day 3512

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 82:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 82:6

"I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High."

This verse speaks of our eternal potential to become gods, because we are children of God. I found it interesting that Christ himself quoted this.

"The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?"

(John 10:33-36)

Day 2719

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 38:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 38:3

"Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me."

As I was reading this chapter it struck me how many times God asked Job a question. In fact I counted 40 of them. It made me think of the question and answer sessions I have had while being taught by the spirit. When the spirit prompts you to ask a question in faith the answer will follow. Job right now is being instructed by God by these questions. The nature of the questions are to instruction on the character and majesty of God. I notice the plan of salvation is also taught.

Day 2633

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 8:13-15

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 8:13-15

"And Noah and his sons hearkened unto the Lord, and gave heed, and they were called the sons of God.

And when these men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, the sons of men saw that those daughters were fair, and they took them wives, even as they chose.

And the Lord said unto Noah: The daughters of thy sons have sold themselves; for behold mine anger is kindled against the sons of men, for they will not hearken to my voice."

I think the story of Noah is worsened when you realize among the people begging to be let on the ark after the rains began, where his own grandchildren. The daughters of his sons. I sat and pondered on what it would have been like to know your offspring will die, and the three remaining sons and their wives will have prosperity after the flood. Noah was 452 years old when he begat Japheth. Japeth was 42 years older than Shem, and Shem was 8 years older than Ham. These are the names of the children we know, but how many other children did Noah have that died in the flood? Noah was 500 years old when Shem was born and the flood happened when he was 600.

I also looked at what the difference was between the "sons of God', and the "sons of men". The "sons of God" is obvious because they follow God. The "sons of men" are those that covenanted with Satan, and kept not the commandments of God. (Moses 5:52).

Day 2151

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 67:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 67:13

"Ye are not able to abide the presence of God now, neither the ministering of angels; wherefore, continue in patience until ye are perfected."

As I have observed the reactions of people over the course of this pandemic I have come to be more convinced than ever that patience is a divine attribute. As I pondered on what patience can lead to, the ministering of angels and abiding the presence of God, I am more convinced of its means of perfecting us.

"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

(James 1:4)

Day 2070

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 5:2, 23

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 5:2, 23
"But behold, I was without hope, for I knew the judgments of the Lord which should come upon them; for they repented not of their iniquities, but did struggle for their lives without calling upon that Being who created them."
Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll?"

Mormon agrees to once again lead the Nephites in battle, but he has no hope for them. They have turned their backs on God. I see again that when there is no hope for them he turns to us. To fulfill his mission in preserving and abridging the plates. He gives his counsel and advice which I am sure he wished he could have given to those around him.

I love imagery of being in the hands of God. If I could just stay within His hands I would never be lost or go astray. His hands would watch over me, protect me, sustain me, lift me, support me, give me power and direction to do His will. The comfort and peace knowing you're in God's had and his watchful eye is ever on me, mean we're never alone. I am sure that Mormon felt he was in God's hands.

Day 1973

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Timothy 1:3, 6

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Timothy 1:3, 6
"As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine.
From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;"

Footnote References
Swerved = missed the mark
Turned = Apostasy of the Early Christian Church
Vain Jangling = vain, idle, fruitless discussion

What Paul warned the early church that they would head into apostasy if they strayed from sound doctrine. This is the same warning we have to today. Vain, idle, fruitless discussion reminds me of President Dallin H. Oaks, Oct 2019 General Conference talk "Trust in the Lord". He especially pointed out that we not teach what is not official doctrine. He used the example of spirit world and what we do and do not know. That we are not to teach dreams or visions that others had in the matter. I especially feel sensitive to this. I recognize that my near-death experience had symbolic meaning for me.

One vain, idle and fruitless discussion that rather drives me a little crazy is the obsession with a heavenly mother. Not if there is or isn't one, but that I tend to feel some women are so obsessed with the subject, and any glimmer of a mention, that if given the chance they would worship her instead of the Father. Otherwise why are they so obsessed with this subject? It simply is not what we have been taught. In fact I feel a concern whenever I hear people mentioning this subject that they will go the way of the primitive church into apostasy and begin to pray to and worship a "Heavenly Mother". There must be a very specific reason why revelation has not been given on this subject. I cannot help but see it as no coincidence in how many times false doctrines include worshiping the feminine. The adversary must know the feminine is a human weakness, and the Father as a protection has left that subject alone. All that is needful is to focus on the Father and the Son, and we will not be lead astray.

Day 1693

Today's Favorite Verse: John 3:16

Today's Favorite Verse: John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

It is incredible to me how these two verses explain the plan of salvation. It speaks of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as two separate beings. One the Father the other the Son. That we lived with God before coming to this earth. That the mission of Jesus Christ was to save us from our sins, if we just believed his words and followed him. Thus allowing us to gain eternal life.

I especially loved this verse because it supported a thought I had on charity and discussed with my family last night during scripture reading.

"But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him."
(Moroni 7:47)

This verse teaches me that charity is an eternal principle that endures forever. That God the Father possessed it by his example of the very plan of salvation prepared for us. The verse in John reinforces that God so loved the world. I had not connected these two verses in this thought. The other thought I had on Moroni 7:47 was how charity, the pure love of Christ was needed by us in order to survive the last days. And why is that?  Because without it we would be consumed by the evil of our day. Otherwise we would look for what is wrong in others, hate, attack, and destroy. This mentality destroys our humanity and love for one another. It makes us do things we otherwise would not do. The lack of charity is what destroyed the Nephite civilization. It would destroy us too if we let it. Charity is a spiritual protect to us, especially in the days that we live in. I can see why it is an order of heaven, and one of the most desirable things to have in the last days.





Day 1573

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 3:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 3:17
"And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

In this chapter Jesus comes to be baptized of John. If one being perfect has need of baptism how much more so than the rest of humankind. No one accountable can enter into the kingdom of heaven without baptism. If Jesus without sin had not been baptized then he would have not been obedient to this commandment, and become imperfect.

In this chapter the three members of the Godhead make their presence know. Jesus Christ, the son of God; the Holy Ghost, in the form of a dove; and God the Father voice. It made me look up all the scriptures I could recall when God the Father testifies of His Son.

Jesus transfigured on the mount.
"And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him." (Luke 9:35) (see Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; 2 Peter 1:17)

Nephi testifying of revelation received.
"And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.
And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved." (2 Nephi 31:11, 15)

Right before Jesus appears in the Americas after His resurrection.
"Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him." (3 Nephi 11:7)

To the young boy, Joseph Smith in the sacred grove, ushering in the last dispensation of time.
"It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" (Joseph Smith-History 1:17)

Day 1507

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 127:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 127:3
"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."

Saw this scripture verse a little differently today. Heritage reminded me of my forbearers, and how we pass on a family resemblance. Then I thought of this verse.

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
(Genesis 1:27)

One of the heritages from the Lord is that I was made in his image. Every baby born down through the ages is in his image too. We are literal children of God and have a noble heritage.

Day 1180

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 14:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 14:1
"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good."

This verse made me shed some tears for those that say there is no God. Why would they say that?  Because they do not seek Him.

"But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul."
(Deuteronomy 4:29)

Once I sought to know God with all my heart, I found Him. He was never hiding, I was.

Day 1067

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 believe like Job this is why bad things have happened to me. So I could come to know my redeemer, the resurrection, and that I will stand one day before God, in the flesh. Then I will know the reason for all things. For now I know there is wisdom in all he sees fit to allow me to pass through. If I remain faithful it will be all worth it in the end.


Day 1030

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 12:6-7

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 12:6-7
"Them did Moses the servant of the Lord and the children of Israel smite: and Moses the servant of the Lord gave it for a possession unto the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh.
And these are the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this side Jordan on the west, from Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon even unto the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir; which Joshua gave unto the tribes of Israel for a possession according to their divisions;"

In this chapter it speaks of 31 different kings that Israel conquers. What struck me in these verses is that Moses and Joshua never made themselves kings in their place. The land that was conquered was divided up as an inheritance to the children of Israel. If they were men of war and wanted to conquer other lands this is not what they would have done. I pondered on how the children of Israel's King was their God, and not a man.


Day 774

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 45:5, 7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 45:5, 7-8

"Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt."

I love this chapter. I just weep as Joseph and his brother weep together at their reunion. I love how Joseph acknowledges the hand of God in all that happened in his life. That there is purpose and meaning to everything we pass through. I reflected on my own life, how much I have gained from so much that I have lost. I would not change a thing. God has compensated in ways I never dreamed. I see Joseph would not change a thing. What has happened is so much greater than himself.  

Day 620

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 1:26

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 1:26

"And God said, Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."

I am reading the King James version of the bible. I love how poetic it is, and how the spirit flows as I read it. The language style is very similar to the other scriptures of my faith. I know it is the word of God. I believe the King James version is one of the most correct versions of the bible available. What gratitude I have for those that sacrificed their lives to bring about the English translation of the bible for me.

As I read this chapter I thought about my scripture reading yesterday. That God the Eternal Father, his Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings. As I read this verse in Genesis I can see an echo of that here in this verse. "God said, Let us make man in our own image.." Who is the us that God is referring to? It is his very son Jesus Christ that did the will of the Father in preparing this earth for all of us. I am sure there were other great ones with them, that by the power of the priesthood they were able to create this earth. What a beautiful earth it is. I am so grateful for all that the Father has done for me to be here. I am so grateful for a physical body created in His image. This was no freak of nature to have created such a marvelous thing.

Day 576

Today's Favorite Verse: Articles of Faith 1

Today's Favorite Verse: Articles of Faith 1

"We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."

I am at the end of the Pearl of Great Price. Tomorrow I will start on the Old Testament. When Joseph Smith was asked to define the Latter-day Saint religion he wrote out 13 basic beliefs of our faith. As I read through them I asked myself which is the most important? Which means the most to me? They all do. Yet to go back and review, the very first one is a vital key. That the Godhead is made up of three distinct individuals. God the Eternal Father, his son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

The Father and the Son appeared to Joseph Smith in the sacred grove as he humbly asked which church to join. The thought that the Father and Son were separate beings was no longer known among men. Joseph was persecuted as a young 14 year old boy for saying it. This testimony he could never deny. I have been raised on this belief of a loving Heavenly Father, that sent his only begotten Son to die for me. That the Holy Spirit can confirm all the words of Christ, and personally tutor and direct me in my life. Knowing they are separate beings, but one in purpose, means so very much to me. It is so part of every fiber of my being. I cannot read the scriptures and not think of them any other way. To take that from me I would be lost. For this is a mystery of God, that is now clear to the understanding of men, because a young boy thought to pray.

Day 575

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 4:26-27

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 4:26-27

"And the Gods took counsel among themselves and said: Let us go down and form man in our image, after our likeness; and we will give them dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping things that creepeth upon the earth.

So the Gods went down to organize man in their own image, in the image of the Gods to form they him, male and female to form they them."

To simply know that my body is designed after the image of God helps me feel like I am one of his children. I have believed this since I was a child. It helped me understand the concept of God being a loving Heavenly Father. I cannot imagine what it must feel like to think of God without a body but just everywhere. I think I would feel much more distant from him. To think that God wanted me to be formed in his image means he expects me to become like him.

Day 571