Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 3:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 3:16
"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:"

I focused on the part of the heavens being opened up. Then I read the note I had added to this verse.

"Do you know what I think is so cool...Look at JST Matthew 3:43-46..."and John saw, and lo, the heavens were opened unto him."
And then this from President Nelson just recently to the women of the Church:
President Russell M. Nelson: "Sisters, I love you and thank you. As a result of your efforts, I promise that the heavens will open for you [just like John the Baptist?]. The Lord will bless you with increased inspiration and revelation. Together we will do all that our Heavenly Father needs us to do to prepare the world for the Second Coming of His Beloved Son."
(President Russell M. Nelson, "A Message of Gratitude and a Promise for the Women of the Church in 2019)

I didn't put down who quoted President Nelson, and quoted the addition added to the JST of the New Testament. It was John who witnessed this and heard the voice, "And lo, he heard a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye him." It would be amazing to see all of that.

Day 4056

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 3:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 3:1
"Thus the heaven and the earth were finished, and all the host of them."

I wondered who "all the host of them" were? I started to look at the footnotes.

"And it came to pass that Adam, being tempted of the devil—for, behold, the devil was before Adam, for he rebelled against me, saying, Give me thine honor, which is my power; and also a third part of the hosts of heaven turned he away from me because of their agency;"
(Doctrine and Covenants 29:36)

The third part of the hosts of heaven were Satan and his angels, all those that rebelled against God and were cast out. So automatically some of these other hosts are the two-thirds of spirit children that would be worthy to come to earth and obtain physical bodies.

"Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I AM, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made;"
(Doctrine and Covenants 38:1)

seraphic hosts = Seraphim
"Probably fiery beings. Angelic beings mentioned in the account of Isaiah’s vision (Isa. 6:2). They are represented as winged and partly human in form. They are attendants in Jehovah’s court, the ministers of the heavenly sanctuary, joining in adoration before the throne." (Bible Dictionary)

The spirits of man and the heavenly beings were all created before we can to this earth. This earth had a divine plan and purpose. It was not formed by accident.

"The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–44) said: “Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was. I suppose that I was ordained to this very office in that Grand Council” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 511).
President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) taught: “The Lord informed Abraham that he had chosen rulers from among the intelligences that were organized, to be given in various capacities down the ages; and Abraham was one of these who was so chosen [see Abraham 3:22–23].“It is reasonable to believe that in the beginning, before the earth was prepared, the Lord would have all things organized from the beginning to the end of time. It is written in the scriptures: ‘Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the hosts of them.’ This is equivalent to the Lord’s saying that everything was in preparation to be placed on the earth in its due course when mankind should be placed upon it” (Answers to Gospel Questions, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith Jr. [1966], 5:182).

(Pear of Great Price Student Manual, "Moses 3:1-25")

Day 3732

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 16:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 16:6
"And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen."

I thought about those that I have shared the gospel with and will find such sweet joy to see them in my Father's kingdom. Then I reflected on the sorrow that would be there if I had never shared the gospel with them. How sad to think of those that are lost. I can see how this would be of the most worth to us.

Day 3605

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 30:16

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 30:16
"Wherefore, the things of all nations shall be made known; yea, all things shall be made known unto the children of men."

I look forward to the day when "all things shall be made known".

"For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known."
(Luke 12:2)

"Yea, verily I say unto you, in that day when the Lord shall come, he shall reveal all things—
Things which have passed, and hidden things which no man knew, things of the earth, by which it was made, and the purpose and the end thereof—
Things most precious, things that are above, and things that are beneath, things that are in the earth, and upon the earth, and in heaven."
(Doctrine and Covenants 101:32-34)

Day 3401

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 27:23

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 27:23

"But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens."

David learned to not count Israel. In doing so it showed faith that as the Lord had promised they were so numerous to be uncountable.

"And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be."

(Genesis 15:5)

"That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice."

(Genesis 22:17-18)

"Abraham received promises concerning his seed, and of the fruit of his loins—from whose loins ye are, namely, my servant Joseph—which were to continue so long as they were in the world; and as touching Abraham and his seed, out of the world they should continue; both in the world and out of the world should they continue as innumerable as the stars; or, if ye were to count the sand upon the seashore ye could not number them."

(Doctrine and Covenants 132:30)

Day 2524

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 28:12, 16-17

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 28:12, 16-17

"And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.

And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."

I wanted to understand what Jacob's ladder represented. I found a really nice quote by President Marion G. Romney.

“Jacob realized that the covenants he made with the Lord … were the rungs on the ladder that he himself would have to climb in order to obtain the promised blessings—blessings that would entitle him to enter heaven and associate with the Lord”

(Marion G. Romney, "Temples— The Gates to heaven," Ensign, Mar. 1971, 16)

Reading further in the Old Testament Seminary Student Manual I see that the reference "he was afraid" and "how dreadful is this place" refer to Jacob's feeling of reverence and awe. It indicates that Jacob understood the seriousness of entering the presence of God. He calls the place the "house of God" and "gate of heaven". The gate of heaven refers to the gateway of God's presence, through which we can receive the promise of eternal life. The place for this is in the House of God, or the latter-day temples. It is through making and keeping sacred covenants that we can gain eternal life. OK, this is making me a little homesick.

Day 2187

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 8:17-18

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 8:17-18
"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
For I reckon that the suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

This quote by Sister Linda S. Reeves, was in the Come, Follow Me manual and I found it so profound.

“I do not know why we have the many trials that we have, but it is my personal feeling that the reward is so great, so eternal and everlasting, so joyful and beyond our understanding that in that day of reward, we may feel to say to our merciful, loving Father, ‘Was that all that was required?’ I believe that if we could daily remember and recognize the depth of that love our Heavenly Father and our Savior have for us, we would be willing to do anything to be back in Their presence again, surrounded by Their love eternally. What will it matter … what we suffered here if, in the end, those trials are the very things which qualify us for eternal life and exaltation in the kingdom of God with our Father and Savior?”.
(“Worthy of Our Promised Blessings,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 11)

Day 1627

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 64:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 64:4
"For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him."

I've been thinking lately that when I see prophecy fulfilled or changes taking place it hasn't been what I expected or imagined about those events long ago. I remember reading books on the last days (I don't anymore), I had this picture in my head of how things would take place. I could not in my wildest imagination pictured what I am seeing today. I would have never imagined people with no sense, offended so easily, or being past feeling like they are. I remember thinking about rioting in the streets and not being able to imagine what would ever make people riot. Now, well sadly I can picture the smallest of things making it happen.

I have decided that I will not try to imagine future events. Instead I will read and treasure the scripture up in my mind. Then when the event happens I will know if for what it is. I totally understand how I am unable to perceive what the Lord has waiting for me after his coming. I am ok with that. What I have to keep ahead of me is staying the course and being on His side.

Day 1318

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 8:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 8:3-4
"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"

When I am alone outside at night and look into the heavens I feel how insignificant I am compared to all that God had created. It is then that the thought will come into my mind what if there was no God. That thought turns my blood to ice for the horror of it. It is in comprehensible to me that this is all an accident without a great design. The very heavens testify of it. Once again my heart is comforted because I know without a doubt there is a loving Father in Heaven that has a plan for me. 

Day 1061

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 38:4,6-7

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 38:4,6-7
"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

Man has asked these questions since the beginning. Where did I come from? Where was I when the foundations of this world were created? How grateful I am that these questions are answered through revelation today. In the pre-existence I was with God the Father, raised as his spirit child in eternal mansions on high. I was part of the morning stars that sang together, and shouted for joy. Joy to know I would come to earth and obtain a body. To be tried and tested to gain experience. That a Savior would prepare the way for me, making it possible to return back to the Heavenly Father's presence again. I love the plan of salvation. How grateful I am for the veil of forgetfulness, and that I can live by faith.

I sat and listened to several video on God's plan of happiness. I found one I really liked and wanted to share.


As a personal invitation if you wish to know more about the plan of salvation or my faith please message me or visit: https://www.mormon.org/beliefs/plan-of-salvation

Day 1049

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 17:3, 5

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 17:3, 5
"And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;
Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die."

I thought about how we don't stone people any more for going after "other gods". The Savior taught a higher law, and fulfilled the law of Moses. Yet, this was still a type and shadow of something for my day. The pains people suffer for worshiping false gods is a spiritual death. So interesting that worshiping the heavenly bodies and constellations are a part of this warning. To much star gazing for signs cannot be a good thing, for we could miss the mark. The emphasis needed is to look towards Christ with the spirit as my guide, otherwise I could become lost.

I pondered on what it means to serve other gods. I think it would not only be a practice you would be guilty of, but you would bring others to these false gods too. Leading others astray can have eternal ramifications.

The other thing that can happen to a person that teaches false doctrine that leads others astray, is excommunication from the church. Then all the blessings you have received will be removed. Your baptism and temple ordinances become void. This chapter did talk about having an inquiry and witnesses before passing judgment of death. Maybe excommunication is really what this is pointing to in my day. Not only have they spiritually died. The saving ordinances are gone now too.


Day 745

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 31:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 31:13

"Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you."

This made me think of President Russell M. Nelsons' April 2015 LDS General Conference talk "The Sabbath Is a Delight". 

"When I had to make a decision whether or not an activity was appropriate fro the Sabbath, I simply asked myself, "What sign do I want to give to to God?" That question made my choices about the Sabbath day crystal clear."

He then asked us "What sign will you give to the Lord to show your love from Him?"

I have to say the Sabbath is a delight to me. It is the best day of the week. I love taking the sacrament. I love sitting at the feet of wonderful teachers and learning all the day long. I love family scripture reading right after church. Then we get to discuss what others also learned at church that day. I hope heaven is just like this.

Day 656

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 116:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 116:1

"Spring Hill is named by the Lord Adam-ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet."

This is the only verse in the chapter. I just sat and pondered on what it would be like to be in Adam-ondi-Ahman when Adam returns. I had to listen to the hymn "Adam-ondi-Ahman" which was sung at the Kirtland Temple Dedication, as I pondered. All I succeeded in doing was becoming incredibly homesick. I'm not for sure on what, but that is all I can describe it as. The only time I've even been homesick is when I was visiting my daughter in California and missed going to the temple three weeks in a row. I wasn't homesick for my family back in Utah, I talked to them everyday and did scriptures with them over the phone. I was homesick for the House of the Lord. I finally had to simply go to the temple to get better. Funny thing is today I was at the temple, it was a lovely session. So I have no idea what has made me homesick pondering on Adam-ondi-Ahman. Maybe it just made me homesick for heaven. I know in my near-death experience I came to understand how Adam could be called the Ancient of Days. Maybe things are to close to the surface in this verse and song.

Day 535