Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 28:27

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 28:27
"For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."

Why would anyone want to not see, hear and known and be converted? Do you intentionally do this? As I pondered on this and thought of people I knew that have done this. I thought yes, it is intentional for them. They don't want to see truth because that would mean they need to change. Pride is another reason they do not want to see, especially when they have openly persecuted the church. Thinking about this made me read 4 Nephi and how they did not dwindle in unbelief, but willfully rebel against the gospel of Christ. Yes, their hearts had waxed gross. It is my constant prayer that this never happens to me. I know how precious it is to have eyes that see and ears that hear, and know and understand.

Day 4170

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 6:5-6, 8, 46-47

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 6:5-6, 8, 46-47
"And a book of remembrance was kept, in the which was recorded, in the language of Adam, for it was given unto as many as called upon God to write by the spirit of inspiration;
And by them their children were taught to read and write, having a language which was pure and undefiled. 
Now this prophecy Adam spake, as he was moved upon by the Holy Ghost, and a genealogy was kept of the children of God. And this was the book of the generations of Adam, saying: In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him.
For a book of remembrance we have written among us, according to the pattern given by the finger of God; and it is given in our own language.
And as Enoch spake forth the words of God, the people trembled, and could not stand in his presence."

A book of remembrance was created in the beginning in the Adamic language. The pure language of God that was confounded at the Tower of Babel. It was preserved with Jared and his brother and those that came with them to their new land of inheritance. It was this land. They had the Adamic language, and their records would have been written in them. This is what Moroni said about the record left by Ether that would have been in this same language.

"And thou hast made us that we could write but little, because of the awkwardness of our hands. Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in writing like unto the brother of Jared, for thou madest him that the things which he wrote were mighty even as thou art, unto the overpowering of man to read them."
(Ether 12:24)

What must it be like to hear the words of God as Enoch spoke them, or read what Ether recorded?

Day 3735

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 10:17, 19

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 10:17, 19
"And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come—I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men.
For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round."

I pondered on "see, hear and know". It sounds like Nephi was expecting to see a vision, a specific vision that his father had. I don't expect to see visions, should I? I reflected on how overpowering it must have been to hear Lehi's vision of the tree of life in person. The spirit must have been incredibly strong. I came to the conclusion that the spirit must have bore witness to Nephi that he needed to ask to see what his father saw. It wasn't because of doubt, it was because he did believe it. It think its a lot like a later Nephi that is given the sealing power, because he would not ask for anything contrary to God's will.

"And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will."
(Helaman 10: 5)

There is a difference asking to "see" so you can believe, and "seeing" because you believe. Being able to see, hear and know can be just as real by a spiritual manifestation of the Holy Ghost as a physical one. The key is to not ask amiss, ask as the spirit confirms that you should, and not consumed upon your lusts. There was a specific reason Nephi was to ask to see this vision. For he would see more and record it for me to read and believe.

Day 3359

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 7:8

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 7:8
"And now I, Nephi, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spake unto them, saying, yea, even unto Laman and unto Lemuel: Behold ye are mine elder brethren, and how is it that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind in your minds, that ye have need that I, your younger brother, should speak unto you, yea, and set an example for you?"

I had to ponder on Nephi's word on how people could be hard in their hearts and blind in the minds. It's actually something our family has been talking about during family scriptures. We've noticed a difference in how people see events around us. To the point they can even quote scriptures to support their positions. We just leave them be, because we do not wish to have contention that will make the spirit flee. It leaves us to wonder how they cannot see all the facts in front of them and take them into consideration? We wanted to make sure we were really looking at things correctly. I told my son that I would have to pray to understand this, because we did not want to be incorrect in how we were seeing events.

That night I prayed and asked for understanding in the matter. I have to admit it was a short prayer. I had assumed it would take time to get an answer to understand this. I then fell asleep. To my surprise when I woke in the morning my first thought was "This is the answer." I was then reminded of what I ask for most in my prayers day and night. It is my greatest desire. That I have eyes that see, and ears that hear and know and understand. That I will know truth from error and be not deceived. I realized this daily prayer of real intent has been answered over and over again each day. This was what was protecting me and helping me see what others couldn't because they did not ask. If you are looking to man for wisdom and not God then you will be blind to what can be right in front of you.

"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness."
(1 Corinthians 3:18-29)

Day 3356

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 8:18

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 8:18

"Take heed, therefore, how ye hear; for whosoever receiveth, to him shall be given; and whosoever receiveth not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have."

What stood out to me were the words "which he seemeth to have". Those that would not receive the word of God thought they already had it, and knew it, but they didn't. Nothing was taken from them, they just didn't have it in the first place.

Day 3140

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 3:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 3:10

"Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears."

I thought about how meaningful these words were to Ezekiel and to me. I need to do just like Ezekiel and receive in my heart and really hear the words of the Lord. It can come to me personally or though the Lord's servants the prophets. The spirit will guide and tell me what I need to do, if I don't lose the ability to #HearHim. You cannot hear him if you heart is unable to receive it. Daily prayer, repentance and feasting on the scriptures helps prepare my heart and open my ears so I can hear.

Day 2964

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 2:9-11

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 2:9-11

"And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so

And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven..

Elijah asks Elisha what what he could do for him before he leaves. In reply Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. Why did Elijah say he asked for a hard thing? Because, what he asked was not Elijah's to give. It wasn't Elijah's spirit that made him great. It was the Holy Ghost that was with Elijah. One man cannot will the spirit to another. It comes by the worthiness and desire of another to have the spirit to be with him. Elijah then continued to walk with Elisha and they talked. What were the words that Elijah said to Elisha? Those words would fill Elisha to the point he was able to see the chariot and horses of fire, and witness Elijah being taken up in a whirlwind. For all the words that Elijah spoke to Elisha before hand, if they had fallen upon ears that would not hear, then there would have been no eyes that could see.

"Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear."

(Matthew 13:13-16

"And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view."

(Mosiah 2:9)

"For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will—yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man."

(Doctrine and Covenants 76:10)

"Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his ears opened that he may hear;

For my Spirit is sent forth into the world to enlighten the humble and contrite, and to the condemnation of the ungodly."

(Doctrine and Covenants 136:32-33)

Day 2474

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 110:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 110:1

"The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened."

This is one of the amazing chapters in all of the Doctrine and Covenants. This is where the Lord himself appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland temple, April 3, 1836. Followed by Moses, Elias, and Elijah coming to committed the keys of their dispensations to this the fullness of time. What it would have been like to witness these events.

I always try to ponder on something different when I read the scriptures. This time the first verse stood out to me. It made me think of Elder Bednar's apostolic blessing to have eyes that see, and ears that hear. That having this gift of the spirit would come first before the veil could be lifted and understanding opened up to you. I may not see what Joseph and Oliver saw, but having the eyes that see, ears to hear and understanding that follows, is something I can obtain. "Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his ears opened that he may hear;" (Doctrine and Covenants 136:32) "And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken." (Isaiah 32:3) "By the power of the Spirit our eyes were opened and our understanding were enlightened, so as to see and understand the things of God -" (Doctrine and Covenants 76:12)

Day 2113

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 28:26-27

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 28:26-27
"Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."

So my thought while reading this was "Are people accountable if they don't see or hear and understand what was said to them?"  As I was pondering on that question I realized the answer was already there. They by their own doing closed their eyes and ears from truth, basically rejecting it. They would be accountable for the closing. What they missed in a way is immaterial. What the could have heard and enjoyed would be the blessing that they missed. 

Day 1619

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 12:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 12:2
"Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house."

After reading how Ezekiel was to prepare, move stuff, and dig through a wall right in plain sight of others, it occurred to me that this lack of ability for the rebellious to see and hear can be and is a blessing to the saints. The Lord can do things in plain sight. It reminded me of the Nephites and how the treasures of the wicked became slippery.

"And it shall come to pass, saith the Lord of Hosts, yea, our great and true God, that whoso shall hide up treasures in the earth shall find them again no more, because of the great curse of the land, save he be a righteous man and shall hide it up unto the Lord."
(Helaman 13:18)

I also thought about that scene in the movie "17 Miracles" where the women flees with her children from her abusive husband to come to Zion. He comes searching for her aboard the train, and when he stops at her seat he stares right at her and the children and doesn't recognize them. It was a miracle. I had never looked at the wicked's inability to see and hear as anything but a sorrowful state for them. Now I see it as a great gift to thoset they do not need to pay attention to.

Day 1389

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 66:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 66:3
"He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not."

I had to ponder on this a while. I think what it means is that the wicked can delude themselves into thinking if they do what appears righteous it will make them so, even if they continue to sin. Instead it will be counted against them. The Lord knows if we listened to his voice or not. He knows when we have our own agenda.

Day 1320

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 32:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 32:3
"And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken."

That is my wish for this coming general conference. I want eyes that see and ears that hear. I want a heart that will hearken unto the council that is given. I want all the blessings that will come from these gifts.

Day 1286

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 6:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 6:9
"And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not."

This is why the Savior spoke in parables. In Matthew 13:14-15
"And in them is fulfilled the prophecy to Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."

My deepest desire is to have ears that hear and eyes that see. One thing I am sure is that I do not understand all that I want to. It's only given as my faith increases. It requires much study, pondering, fasting and prayer.

Day 1260