Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 48:22

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 48:22
"There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked."

I thought about the scripture that "wickedness never was happiness". Oh, I'm sure the wicked have pleasure and think they are happy. But there is a longing the remains in the soul that is never truly satisfied. They will not have peace, nor will they understand the fullness of joy and happiness that comes from the Lord.

"Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness."
(Alma 41:10)

Day 3985

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 9:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 9:14
"And then cometh the judgment of the Holy One upon them; and then cometh the time that he that is filthy shall be filthy still; and he that is righteous shall be righteous still; he that is happy shall be happy still; and he that is unhappy shall be unhappy still."

We don't magically become happy when we cross over the veil, or when the Savior comes again. If we are in a state of unhappiness we will continue to be in that state. Wickedness was never happiness, no matter how fleeting it maybe. This is a resting state of peace or not. It's important to find it in this life, because to find it is walk with God.

"I say unto thee, my son, that the plan of restoration is requisite with the justice of God; for it is requisite that all things should be restored to their proper order. Behold, it is requisite and just, according to the power and resurrection of Christ, that the soul of man should be restored to its body, and that every part of the body should be restored to itself."
(Alma 41:2)

"Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world."
(Alma 34:34)

Day 3563

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 20:18, 22

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 20:18, 22
"O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments—then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.
And notwithstanding he hath done all this, and greater also, there is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked."

This made me think of the words of Alma, "wickedness never was happiness."

"Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness."
(Alma 41:10)

I pondered on how the commandments really are a protection to us. So many commandments when broken will bring such unhappiness into our lives. It's Satan that whispers lies that by not living by them you will be happy. Happiness can only come for a short season, but soon fades. Though you may believe it is making you happy, it cannot bring peace.

"And it came to pass that when I, Mormon, saw their lamentation and their mourning and their sorrow before the Lord, my heart did begin to rejoice within me, knowing the mercies and the long-suffering of the Lord, therefore supposing that he would be merciful unto them that they would again become a righteous people.
But behold this my joy was vain, for their sorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin."
(Mormon 2:12-13)

Day 3369

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 12:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 12:1

"Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?"

This made me ponder on why the wicked prosper and don't seem to come to face judgment or justice. I suppose that is a similar question to why do bad things happen to good people? In a "perfect" world the righteous would never suffer, and the wicked always would. Where would the trial of faith be in all that? If a man was punished immediately for his sins, then he would learn not to sin so he would not be punished. It would be a lesson totally avoid of abhorring sin because it was an offense to God. They would be compelled to selfishness in a self preservation and love of themselves, and not out of a love of God.

"But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return."

(3 Nephi 27:11)

"At a meeting I attended one Sunday, a young woman asked something like the following: “My boyfriend and I recently broke up, and he chose to leave the Church. He tells me he has never been happier. How can this be?”

The Savior answered this question when He said to the Nephites, “But if [your life is] not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you [you will] have joy in [your] works for a season, and by and by the end cometh.” There simply is no enduring joy outside the gospel of Jesus Christ."

(Robert C. Gay, "Taking Upon Ourselves the Name of Jesus Christ", Oct 2018 General Conference)

Day 2916

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 144:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 144:15

"Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD."

I pondered on this happiness because God is my Lord. I think its a quiet, reassuring happiness. That brings peace even in times of trouble. You know you are never alone in whatever you face. There is also a freedom that comes when sin is not weighing you down. There is a happiness in knowing there is sufficient for my needs, and it will all work out. There is a happiness in knowing that God's laws and commandments are there as a means of protection and security. There is a happiness is seeing God's hand in your life.

Day 2781

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 6:24

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 6:24

" And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day."

I pondered on how keeping God's laws and commandments are always for our good. He is not trying to limit or restrict us. He is trying to keep us free from bondage that comes from the consequences of sin. The thief will land in jail. The law of chastity will protect from the destruction of family, or children out of wedlock. It made me think of the video "Blessed and Happy Are Those Who Keep the Commandments of God". It was from Elder Von G. Keetch's Oct 2015 General Conference talk.

Day 2318

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 2:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 2:13
"But behold this my joy was vain, for their sorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin."

Alma once said "Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness."(Alma 41:10) Yet, you can look at some mildly wicked and very wicked people and they look happy. They will even tell you they are happy. So if wickedness was never happiness how can this be? The answer is for a season they may know their form of happiness, but it will not always be so. There is no peace, so when challenges come into their lives they do not have it. There can be happiness and joy in the midst of affliction when one knows the goodness of God.

Day 1970

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 41:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 41:10

"Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness."

Alma is speaking to Corianton of the resurrection and restoration of the body with the spirit. You are restored as you were in this life. If you were wicked you will be wicked still. If you are righteous knowing the happiness and joy that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings you will be restored to a state of happiness. I have reflected on this often. I used to think happiness would come in the next life. When there were no trials, suffering and pain. But, when I read this I realized I will not change I will only be as happy as I am now. So why not try an experiment on His words and live a life that brings joy and happiness even in the midst of trial and affliction. I have to say the doctrine is true. For He is my comfort now, and he will be my comfort for the eternities. 

Day 1899

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 133:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 133:1
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

I pondered on how much work is done in the Lord's kingdom when his saints are united in harmony and peace.

Made me think of the faithful song "Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel".


I pondered on the beauty of people being united and working together, but it does not mean we do the same thing. Ever member of the body and its specific role is needful. My gifts and talents are different than another's role they serve in. Jealousy and envy of others will destroy instead of build. It can cause depression and a lack of self-worth. My role is divine as is another's made just for them. Just last night I read my patriarchal blessing and saw this very thing in it. I saw how very unique I really am. It brought much comfort to know this is the right path for me. How much more harmony and unity I can give when I embrace and understand the Father's will for me. This is how I truly find myself. I understand my role as a child of God. There is joy and happiness.


Day 1186

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 125:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 125:5
"As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel."

Wickedness never was happiness and it certainly does not give peace. I have been able to observe this in the life of someone that has turned their back on God. Oh they believe the universe will bring them good things. But, when trials come they are in a panic and have no peace. My heart bleeds for them. They have even asked me how I can remain so calm. I can't even begin to explain it when they do not want me to speak of Christ.  I am beginning to understand why the sign of the dove appeared at Jesus' baptism. The peace of the Lord cannot be mimicked by Satan.

Day 1178

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 25:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 25:4-5
"Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day."

I pondered on how being instructed of the Lord is a journey of discovery. Line upon line I am taught. How at first it was tiny beams of light coming through a mist of darkness. If I wasn't careful I would miss it. Slowly the frequency increased. I'm talking years of studying and pondering the scriptures every day. At first I couldn't even read and comprehend. I had to listen to a recording as I read along, because my illness had robbed me of my comprehension. I just listened and kept at it. It healed me. Now I read and can feel power coming from the words. My soul if filled with joy and happiness. I attend the temple and see new things every time. I am excited about what I will learn new each day, as I wait on the Lord. Consistency and saying this is important to me, and I want to learn, has brought me to this beautiful place. For I know the Lord will teach me as I am ready and able to comprehend. The path he takes me on, if I let him, is perfectly designed for me. I wouldn't have it any other way.

"And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree." (1 Nephi 8:24)

"And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.
And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.
And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit." (1 Nephi 8:10-12)

Day 1078