Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 10:23-24

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 10:23-24
"And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."

I pondered on how many through the years waited and wished they could see the time when the Messiah would come to the earth. They wanted to see Him and his works, and hear his words. Then I pondered on how many have waited for my day, as we prepare for the Lord's second coming.

"My dear brothers and sisters, do you see what is happening right before our eyes? I pray that we will not miss the majesty of this moment! The Lord is indeed hastening His work.
Why are we building temples at such an unprecedented pace? Why? Because the Lord has instructed us to do so. The blessings of the temple help to gather Israel on both sides of the veil. These blessings also help to prepare a people who will help prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord!...
My dear brothers and sisters, in a coming day, Jesus Christ will return to the earth as the millennial Messiah. So today I call upon you to rededicate your lives to Jesus Christ. I call upon you to help gather scattered Israel and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord. I call upon you to talk of Christ, testify of Christ, have faith in Christ, and rejoice in Christ!
Come unto Christ and “offer your whole [soul]” to Him. This is the secret to a life of joy!
The best is yet to come, my dear brothers and sisters, because the Savior is coming again! The best is yet to come because the Lord is hastening His work. The best is yet to come as we fully turn our hearts and our lives to Jesus Christ. "
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Will Come Again", Oct 2024 General Conference)

Day 4107

Today's Favorite Verse: Zephaniah 1:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Zephaniah 1:14
"The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly."

This made me reflect on the hastening. How many changes I have seen that show a hastening of the Lord's work is taking place. Now more than ever we are told we are preparing for the Lord's Second Coming. It's not someday down the road. It's soon, you hear it, can feel it, and know it. His coming will be a great and dreadful day, depending on your relationship with the Lord. .

I was thinking today about Simeon and Anna that the Spirit inspired them to be at the temple when the infant Jesus was brought there. Wouldn't it be something to have the promise you would not see death before He came? My patriarchal blessing says I will rise in the morning of the first resurrection. That's a wonderful promise, but the morning of the first resurrection has been on going since Jesus Christ's resurrection, and will continue through the Millennium. I could be on either side of the veil when the second coming happens.

"And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
(Luke 2:25-30, 36-38)

Day 4046

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 40:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 40:13
"Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me."

I thought about how the Lord is hastening his work. That the days are shortened for our sakes.

"And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened."
(Matthew 24:22)

This made me ponder on how I am part of the Lord's work, not only is He shortening the days for me, He's also hastening to deliver and help me when I call.

Day 3916

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 27:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 27:14
"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."

I pondered on how we are waiting on the Lord right now. We are waiting for His Second Coming. While we wait we do not sit and do nothing. The time is hastening, and the gathering is the most pressing and urgent it has ever been. As we gather people on both sides of the veil we are strengthen to the task. I marveled again tonight as I worked on my family history. The ability to find and record complete families has been hastened to an amazing speed. What a glorious time to live in.

Day 3911

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 4:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 4:10
"For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over."

It was the word "hasted" that stood out to me. I pondered how even with miracles being performed we need to hasten. The passover meal was eaten in haste, and the shepherds came with haste to worship the new born king.

"And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord’s passover."
(Exodus 12:11)

"And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."
(Luke 2:16)

"Behold, I will hasten my work in its time."
(Doctrine and Covenants 88:73)

"My dear brothers and sisters, do you see what is happening right before our eyes? I pray that we will not miss the majesty of this moment! The Lord is indeed hastening His work.
Why are we building temples at such an unprecedented pace? Why? Because the Lord has instructed us to do so. The blessings of the temple help to gather Israel on both sides of the veil. These blessings also help to prepare a people who will help prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord!
The best is yet to come, my dear brothers and sisters, because the Savior is coming again! The best is yet to come because the Lord is hastening His work. The best is yet to come as we fully turn our hearts and our lives to Jesus Christ."
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024 General Conference)

"President Russell M. Nelson said at our last conference: “Do you see what is happening right before our eyes? I pray that we will not miss the majesty of this moment! The Lord is indeed hastening His work.”
Hastening His work. “Hastening” is a word that matters. It suggests moving quickly, accelerating, and even urgency. In the growth of the Church and the plan of Christ, hastening is happening. And we are all a part of it."
(Ronald A. Rasband, "Right Before Our Eyes", Apr 2025 General Conference)

Day 3809

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 75:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 75:10
"Calling on the name of the Lord for the Comforter, which shall teach them all things that are expedient for them—"

The word expedient stood out to me. I decided to look up its meaning. But the definitions didn't really feel complete.

Expedient = practical or advantageous, suitable to the circumstance, appropriate. Inclined towards methods or means that are advantageous rather than fair or just.
Suitable for achieving a particular end in a given circumstance.
Something done or used to achieve a particular end usually quickly or temporarily: an expedient action or solution.

I decided to look at the dictionary for the time frame. The one I found was from 1828.

EXPE'DIENT, adjective [Latin expediens; expedio, to hasten; Eng. speed.]
1. Literally, hastening; urging forward. Hence, tending to promote the object proposed; fit or suitable for the purpose; proper under the circumstances. Many things may be lawful, which are not expedient
2. Useful; profitable.
3. Quick; expeditious. [Not used.]
(Webster Dictionary 1828)

Now this felt right. The Lord through the Comforter is telling us what is urgent to hasten his purposes. The Lord instructs and teaches differently than the world. We may receive here a little and there a little, enough for what is needful at the time or circumstance. One of the blessings of being part of a true and living church is on-going revelation. A living prophet that speaks with the living Christ. We are told what is expedient for us to accomplish the work. The Spirit will tell us what is needful, when it is needed. That grows faith.

"And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do."
(1 Nephi 4:6)

Day 3664

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 61:36, 38

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 61:36, 38
"And now, verily I say unto you, and what I say unto one I say unto all, be of good cheer, little children; for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you;
Gird up your loins and be watchful and be sober, looking forth for the coming of the Son of Man, for he cometh in an hour you think not."

I love the encouragement and the direction given. We are to be of good cheer, knowing the Lord is in our midst, and He is coming again.

"The best is yet to come, my dear brothers and sisters, because the Savior is coming again! The best is yet to come because the Lord is hastening His work. The best is yet to come as we fully turn our hearts and our lives to Jesus Christ.
I bear my solemn witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I am His disciple. I am honored to be His servant. At His Second Coming, “the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.” That day will be filled with joy for the righteous!"
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024 General Conference)

Day 3650

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 58:25-26

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 58:25-26
"And behold, it was night and they did pitch their tents, for the chief captains of the Lamanites had supposed that the Nephites were weary because of their march; and supposing that they had driven their whole army therefore they took no thought concerning the city of Manti.
Now it came to pass that when it was night, I caused that my men should not sleep, but that they should march forward by another way towards the land of Manti."

If the Nephites had stopped and rested they would not have had the advantage over the Nephites. By marching through the night they were able to arrive in the city of Manti before the Lamanites. I am sure they were inspired and strengthened by the Lord to achieve this. I pondered on how we can never sit back and rest and take a break from the church. Otherwise, you run the risk of the adversary overtaking you. We also need to move swiftly towards safety and security. There is a hastening now to do so before the Lord's Second Coming.

"Even when things went well, Captain Moroni continued to prepare his people. He never stopped. He never became complacent.
The adversary never stops attacking. So, we can never stop preparing! The more self-reliant we are—temporally, emotionally, and spiritually—the more prepared we are to thwart Satan’s relentless assaults.
Please, keep going! Your vigilance in safeguarding your homes and instilling faith in the hearts of your loved ones will reap rewards for generations to come."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Embrace the Future with Faith", Oct 2020 General Conference)

Day 3502

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 15:19

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 15:19
"That say: Let him make speed, hasten his work, that we may see it; and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it."

I pondered on the Lord hastening his work in these latter-days. I determined that if one cannot tell that is happening then you are blind. Just look at all the temples dotting the earth. How a closer proximity to temples allows members to attend more often and perform ordinances in behalf of their kindred dead. I reflected on the marvelous leaps we have made in researching out our kindred dead by advancements in technology, the computer, internet, even the use of artificial intelligence. We live in a glorious time, and prophesy is being fulfilled. I found this little video that shows the growth of temples around the world. It is a good depiction of the Lord hastening his work.

Day 3386

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 18:1, 4

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 18:1, 4
"And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

I pondered on coming out of Babylon and how the people of the world will mourn when they see it burning. I wondered how will I know I'm not partaking of Babylon, so I'm not part of her sins or plagues? Then I thought about this angel that comes down before Babylon is destroyed, and the earth is lightened with his glory. With that light knowledge on how to come out of Babylon will be there. Sounds like the restoration of the gospel to me.

I thought about the messages that are coming from the leaders of the Church. The intensity of the messages are getting brighter and brighter, President Nelson is not even subtle anymore on how close we are to the second coming. In 2005 then Elder Nelson gave a talk titled "Now is the Time to Prepare", "Now is the time to prepare to meet God. Tomorrow may be too late." 17 years later as prophet he tells us preparation time is over, now is the time for doing.

"Now is the Time"
"Only now can we do.
Now is the time we can learn.
Now is the time we can repent.
Now is the time we can bless others."
(President Nelson, "Now is the Time", Apr 2022 General Conference)

"The Lord is hastening His work and urging us to prepare for His Second Coming...I cannot overstate how vital you and your choices are."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Nevada Devotional" 13 Nov 2022)

"As President of His Church, I plead with you who have distanced yourselves from the Church and with you who have not yet really sought to know that the Savior's Church has been restored. Do the spiritual work to find out for yourselves, and please do it now. Time is running out."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Come Follow Me", April 2019 General Conference)

"For decades, the Lord's prophets have urged us to store food, water, and financial reserves for a time of need. The current pandemic has reinforced the wisdom of that counsel. I urge you to take steps to be temporally prepared. But I am even more concerned about your spiritual and emotional preparations."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Embrace the Future with Faith", Oct 2020 General Conference)

"Using a baseball analogy, we are in the last half of the ninth inning. Our Heavenly Father and His Son chose you to be on Their team when the game is on the line. This means They know you, They trust you and will help you fulfill your personal mission on this earth."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Worldwide Youth Devotional", June 2018)

"I now bless you with the ability to leave the world behind as you assist in this crucial and urgent work. Together we can do all that our Heavenly Father needs us to do to prepare the world for the Second Coming of His Beloved Son."
(President Nelson, "Sisters' Participating in the Gathering of Israel", Oct 2018)

"Things are going to move forward at an accelerated pace. The Church is going to have an unprecedented future, unparalleled. We're just building up to what's ahead now."
(During Rome Temple interview, "President Nelson: 'President Nelson: 'a hinge point in the history of the Church", Church News, 27 Dec 2019)

"The Lord placed you here now because He knew you had the capacity to negotiate the complexities of the latter part of these latter days. He knew you would grasp the grandeur of His work and be eager to help bring it to pass."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Embrace the Future with Faith", Oct 2020 General Conference)

"The future is bright for God's covenant-keeping people. The Lord will increasingly call upon His servants who worthily hold the priesthood to bless, comfort, and strengthen mankind and to help prepare the world and its people for His Second Coming."
(Russell M. Nelson, "What we are learning and Will Never Forget", Apr 2021 General Conference)

"We are sparing no effort to give this venerable temple...a foundation that will withstand the forces of nature into the Millennium. In like manner, it is now time that we each implement extraordinary measures - perhaps measures we have never taken before - to strengthen our personal spiritual foundations. Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures.
My dear brothers and sisters, these are the latter days. If you and I are to withstand the forthcoming perils and pressures, it is imperative that we each have a firm spiritual foundation built upon the rock of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ."
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation", Oct 2021 general Conference)

"We have never needed positive spiritual momentum more than we do now, to counteract the speed with which evil and the darker signs of the times are intensifying. Positive spiritual momentum will keep us moving forward amid the fear and uncertainty created by pandemics, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and armed hostilities."
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Power of Spiritual Momentum", Apr 2022 General Conference)

"One crucial element of (the gathering of Israel) is preparing a people who are able, ready, and worthy to receive the Lord when He comes again, a people who have already chosen Jesus Christ over this fallen world...I call upon you, my dear brothers and sisters, to become this righteous people."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Overcome the World and Find Rest", Oct 2022 General Conference)

Day 3344

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 2:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 2:16

"And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."

I was drawn to the story of the shepherds, that heard the angels message and left with haste to Bethlehem to find the infant Jesus. I had a note for haste: with purpose, and not casually. I also had another note about casual feasting.

“If we are to survive the difficult times ahead, we need to move from casual feasting to urgent feasting upon the word of God. We need to make regular and focused scripture study a priority in our lives. If we do, I promise that we will not fear.”

(Matt Maxwell, "From Fear to Feasting", Jan 2019, Ensign)

I find this interesting because just the other day I said "I have felt such an urgency to learn that I am currently reading from the New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants each day. I want to find time to add the Old Testament somehow too. That one takes so long to read all the way through, but its so important." In reflecting back on this I realized, with all the events going on in the world I have no fear, just peace. If you have fear right now I encourage you to start urgently feasting on the word of God. Feast on the scriptures, not books about the scriptures. The Gospel Library app or the Book of Mormon app are wonderful places to start.

https://go.churchofjesuschrist.org/bookofmormonapp

Day 3134

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 12:33

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 12:33

"And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men."

After witnessing all the firstborn in the land of Egypt dying the people were ready for the children of Israel to leave. They send them out in haste from the land in fear that next they would be dead. It made me look for these verses about the building of the New Jerusalem and how its inhabitants will be feared and protected.

"And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another.

And it shall be said among the wicked: Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible; wherefore we cannot stand.

For when the Lord shall appear he shall be terrible unto them, that fear may seize upon them, and they shall stand afar off and tremble.

And all nations shall be afraid because of the terror of the Lord, and the power of his might. Even so. Amen.

(Doctrine and Covenants 45:69-70, 74-75)

Day 2221

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 5:8, 13, 22-23

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 5:8, 13, 22-23

"And the tale of bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.

And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?

For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither has thou delivered thy people at all."

I sat and pondered on Moses question to the Lord. I could hear distinctly the words "To prepare my people to meet me." I sat and pondered how time is hastening. Satan is doing everything is his power to stop us from worshiping our God. How difficult it is to find the time to do the things the Lord has asked of me. I am just like the children of Israel trying to make bricks without straw and deliver nothing less. God will try and test his people before they are prepared to meet him. This period softens the heart to the point that it can change, and be born again. Some will curse God and die a spiritual death. Instead if I turn to Him with a broken heart I will be healed. He will make my burdens light. I will be found worthy to stand before my King. 

Day 630