Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 10:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 10:9-10
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

What must one do after confessing with the mouth the Lord Jesus? Just saying the words is not enough. It must be believed in the heart. Outwardly you could look like you're saved, but in the heart there must be a mighty change. If the heart of man really did believe then they would be righteous. They would repent and strive to follow Jesus Christ and obey his words. That is what leadeth to salvation.

Day 4180

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 12:30

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 12:30
"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."

I pondered on the challenge with this commandment. How am I sure that I love God with all my heart and soul? Are there things that I place greater importance on at times? Does my mind wander? It certainly takes all your heart and strength to make sure you place nothing above God. I really appreciate my scripture time when I can evaluate my course and direction, and make corrections are needed.

Day 4093

Today's Favorite Verse: Haggai 1:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Haggai 1:7
"Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways."

I know Haggai said this when calling the people to repentance for not rebuilding the temple as the Lord asked. However, this wasn't what I chose to ponder on though. It made me think about how individual verses can have meaning in other ways. Today, I saw a post a friend made on social media. Then one of their friends ripped at them for their position and asked them to have a change of heart. It was a rather interesting comment that had a lot of irony given what they had said in their diatribe. Rather a mote and beam moment. I wasn't tempted to comment, but if I was so inclined I would have told them they needed to look at changing their own heart. Now when I read the words of the Lord saying "consider your ways" that would have fit right in. There really is much wisdom in considering our ways when we aim to chastise another person.

Day 4047

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 36:26-27

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 36:26-27
"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."

It is with a mighty change of heart that we turn to the Lord, and are born again. We will have His spirit to always be with us. Our hearts will desire to walk in this statutes, keep His laws and all that He asks of us. The place to start is within our hearts. I am reminded of king Lamoni and his mighty change of heart and desire for eternal life.

"And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.
But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest."
(Alma 22:15-16)

Day 4022

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 29:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 29:13
"Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:"

This makes me think of those that treat Jesus like a genie in a bottle. Someone to call out for when they need help, but stuffed back in the bottle and placed on a shelf afterwards. They love the concept of a Jesus, just not his words or commandments. We can profess our love for Jesus, but God can see if our hearts are far removed from Him. If we loved Him we would do what he says.

Day 3979

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 112:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 112:7
"He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD."

We are going to hear of wars and rumors of war, those are certainly evil tidings. Yet, we are to trust in the Lord. I am drawn again to President Oaks recent words.

“As we experience Satan’s deadly onslaught on morality and the integrity of families, and as we read the prophecies and feel the signs of the times, we cannot doubt that the future holds great sacrifices and challenges for Latter-day Saints individually and for the divinely prescribed work of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” he said. “The scriptures speak of perilous times, when men’s hearts will fail them. They also speak of worthy disciples escaping these things, of their standing in holy places and not being moved.”
In these holy temples, Latter-day Saints make covenants with God. This, the prophet explained, is “the way the Lord reminds us to stay worthy of His blessings and to translate the knowledge we receive in the temple into service to our fellowmen.”
“Surely,” President Oaks said, “the times ahead will call for us to remember our temple covenants and to rely on the blessings promised in these houses of the Lord here in Burley and throughout the world.”
“This is His house. This is His work. We are His servants,” the prophet concluded."
(President Dallin H. Oaks, Burley Idaho Temple Dedication, 11 Jan 2026, Church Newsroom, "President Oaks Dedicates the Burley Idaho Temple")

Day 3940

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 66:18

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 66:18
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:"

We cannot hide the intent of our heart. The outward appearance and our words can be deceptive but the Lord truly knows who we are. If iniquity has residence in our heart the spirit cannot reside there too.

"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
(1 Samuel 16:7)

"Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart."
(Doctrine and Covenants 6:16)

"And Ammon said: Yea, and he looketh down upon all the children of men; and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart; for by his hand were they all created from the beginning."
(Alma 18:32)

Day 3924

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 33:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 33:12
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance."

I pondered on how you cannot place into law or force a nation to be followers of God. The nations are blessed that follow the Lord only by their own free will and choice. The Lord looketh on the heart, and not forced compliance. If it were by law you could have a nation that calls themselves Christian, but their hearts are far from Him.

Day 3913

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 27:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 27:6
"My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live."

This made me think of the iron rod, the word of God, and holding fast to it.

"And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God."
(1 Nephi 11:25)

The love of God goes both ways. God's love for his children, and our love for God. The heart is in all of this. Our heart will know if we are steadfast and true.

"And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction."
(1 Nephi 15:24)

Day 3897

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 15:2

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 15:2
"And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you."

This made me ponder on those that do not believe in God. I wondered if they had really sought the Lord? To seek Him is to find him. It has to be like Moroni's promise, if you seek with a sincere heart, with real intent.

"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."
(Moroni 10:4-5)

The other part is forsaking God. Once finding Him if you forsake him, He will leave you to your choice to be without him.

Day 3871

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 28:9

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 28:9
"And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever."

I pondered on how we have to seek the Lord. It takes work and effort. It takes a desire to know Him. I thought of the promise of Moroni at the end of the Book of Mormon. We need to ask with a sincere heart. This applies to everything of the Lord. If we seek Him we will find Him `.

"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."
(Moroni 10:4-5)

Day 3866

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 10:28-29

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 10:28-29
Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.
Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Beth-el, and that were in Dan."

Why did Jehu by subtilty kill the priests and worshipers of Baal, but himself turn around and worship a golden calf? As I looked over how he killed Ahab's descendants, saying he was motivated by his desirer to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah, I don't think he did it with the right heart. Jehu may have used doing the Lord's will to his advantage to secure his kingdom.

Day 3852

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 19:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 19:9
"If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day, to love the LORD thy God, and to walk ever in his ways; then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, beside these three:"

There were a lot of hard laws given, especially an eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. I am grateful I live in a time that the law of Moses was fulfilled and I live a higher law with a broken heart and contrite spirit. The one law that stays the same is to love the Lord God. Keeping the commandments, and to walk in His ways show that love. That will never change.

Day 3803

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 7:65-66

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 7:65-66
"And it came to pass that Enoch saw the day of the coming of the Son of Man, in the last days, to dwell on the earth in righteousness for the space of a thousand years;
But before that day he saw great tribulations among the wicked; and he also saw the sea, that it was troubled, and men’s hearts failing them, looking forth with fear for the judgments of the Almighty God, which should come upon the wicked."

I thought about if I look with fear for the judgments of God. I honestly don't, but I think I would if I wasn't praying for forgiveness every day. When I used to bottle things up and repent when I was all weighted down it was a different story. I am so grateful I learned repentance is needed every day. Not to let things come to a head before I set my life in order. Correction is so much easier when its done in small increments and not when thrown completely off track. I'm also grateful for being able to take the sacrament each Sunday. I think these things bring peace into your life no matter what is swirling around you.

"Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken."
(Luke 21:26)

Day 3736

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 98:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 98:16
"Therefore, renounce war and proclaim peace, and seek diligently to turn the hearts of the children to their fathers, and the hearts of the fathers to the children;"

This verse made me see exactly the direction President Nelson has given us in his general conference talks. We are told to be peacemakers. We are also counseled to work on our family history. I have thought many times as I am researching my ancestors how this allows my heart and focus to be on other things than what is happening in the world. It is a safe place a holy place, for my thoughts and actions. Then as this effort brings me to the house of the Lord, to perform vicarious ordinances for my kindred dead, I know this is all a great plan. The prophet truly is speaking the words of the Lord, for in the scriptures I can #HearHim.

"Now, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, what does the Lord expect of us? As a Church, we must “renounce war and proclaim peace.” As individuals, we should “follow after the things which make for peace.” We should be personal peacemakers. We should live peacefully—as couples, families, and neighbors. We should live by the Golden Rule. We have writings of the descendants of Judah as now merged with writings of the descendants of Ephraim. We should employ them and expand our circle of love to embrace the whole human family. We should bring divine love and revealed doctrines of restored religion to our neighbors and friends. We should serve them according to our abilities and opportunities. We should keep our principles on a high level and stand for the right. We should continue to gather scattered Israel from the four corners of the earth and offer the ordinances and covenants that seal families together forever. These blessings we are to bring to people of all nations."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Blessed are the Peacemakers", Oct 2022 General Conference)

Day 3687

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 64:34

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 64:34
"Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days."

The "willing mind" stood out to me. I pondered on how I can do the Lord's will but if my heart and mind is not in it, then its not enough. At that point doing what's right is only for show. The Lord wants us fully committed. I may not be perfect at what is asked, but I can be willing.

"But remember, the Lord has never required expert, flawless missionary efforts. Instead, “the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind.”
(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Missionary Work: Sharing What is in Your Heart", Apr 2019 General Conference)

"But the Lord requires not only outward acts but also your inner thoughts and feelings to be close to the spirit of the law. God “require[s] the heart and a willing mind.” 
(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "A Matter of a Few Degrees", Apr 2008 General Conference)

Day 3653

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 15:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 15:3
"And I will tell you that which no man knoweth save me and thee alone—"

God knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts. We cannot hide anything from Him. He knows our sins and earnest desires. He is a perfect confidant and friend.

"Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart."
(Doctrine and Covenants 6:16)

“For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?”  (Mosiah 5:13)
Now, you will still be startled, as President Benson said you would be, to realize how familiar the face of our Heavenly Father is. But when you see him, you will know his voice, because you will have prayed, listened, obeyed, and come to share the thoughts and intents of his heart. You will have drawn nearer to him."
(Henry B. Eyring, "To Draw Closer to God", Apr 1991 General Conference)

Day 3604

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 8:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 8:2-3
"Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.
Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground."

I had a question today. I was trying to make sense of why I see things one way and some others see it drastically different. Am I just not seeing things clearly? I do this to check myself and make sure I'm not going off track. Yet in my heart I knew my impressions on the matter were correct. As I read these verses again I reflected on this question. Then into my mind I recalled an experience I had and how I was given exact instructions on how to prepare for what was coming. I followed those impressions. The event happened and I was prepared. What was prepared in advance was a blessing to me and my family. After recalling that experience I knew the answer to the question haunting me all day. I know today, just like I did when I was given exact instructions on how to prepare earlier. The same spirit of revelation confirms that to me. I am not off track and I have no need to question what I am seeing.

Day 3597

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 39:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 39:14
"Seek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you."

President Oaks explains what vain things of the world are.
"The “vain things of [the] world” include every combination of that worldly quartet of property, pride, prominence, and power. As to all of these, the scriptures remind us that “you cannot carry them with you”  We should be seeking the kind of treasures the scriptures promise the faithful: “great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures”
(Dallin H. Oaks, "Focus and Priorities", Apr 2001 General Conference)

I have also been reflecting on President Nelson's General Conference talk.

"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 Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024 General Conference)

If one's focus is on the vain things of the world there is no way you could "offer your whole soul to Him". When we fully turn our hearts and lives to Jesus Christ that is something we truly can take with us.

Day 3483

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 5:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 5:7
"Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word; yea, they were encircled about by the bands of death, and the chains of hell, and an everlasting destruction did await them."

I have many that I pray for that their eyes will be opened. That they will awake from that deep sleep and recognize their blessings and privileges. I pray for them because I love them. Then I ask that my eyes will be opened too. For we never know when we are in a midst of darkness and not seeing clearly. I remember that day when I had my first cataract surgery and the first thing I noticed was white. One eye had the orangey dingy white, and the other eye I could see real white again. With that white an array of other brilliant colors poured in. I hadn't noticed over the years that white was no longer white for me. So it is with our testimonies and the word of God. If we stopped treasuring and pondering on His word, and renewing the covenants we have made, we may think we still have a testimony. Then slowly things darkened and we don't even realize we have lost our way. That moment of a change of heart that awaken us can be both painful and sweet, it is individual to us all.

Day 3449