Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 1:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 1:13
"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"

This made think the recent General Conference talk given by Elder Bednar on the "Holy Spirit of Promise". I think there was one other talk that mentioned it also, but I couldn't recall which one. I took the time to listen to Elder Bednar's talk again. It is not enough to participate in ordinances and make sacred covenants. We must remain worthy to receive that ratifying seal on them.

"The Holy Ghost is also described in scripture as the Holy Spirit of Promise, who ratifies or confirms as acceptable to God the righteous acts of His children. Ultimately, all gospel ordinances and covenants must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. As the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, “All covenants … not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise … are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead.”
When sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, an ordinance, vow, or covenant is binding on earth and in heaven. This sealing is conditional in mortality and can be broken or forfeited through unrighteousness.
Receiving this ratifying sealing by the Holy Ghost typically is not a one-time event; rather, it comes over time as we repent sincerely and consistently, honor our covenants, and yield our hearts unto God. Righteously seeking for this blessing is “the challenge of mortality,” as described by President Packer.
Each of us should ever be grateful for sacred opportunities to “walk in all the ordinances of the Lord” and to receive by the Holy Spirit of Promise, “in process of time,” the ratifying seal that guarantees all promised blessings."
(David A. Bednar, "Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise", Oct 2026 General Conference)

Day 4222

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
"Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."

Paul was anointed and sealed an apostle of Jesus Christ. Today, I listened to another apostle of the Lord speak of receiving the "Holy Spirit of Promise". That even though we participate in ordinances they are not ratified until we received this sealing. I look forward to reading and studying Elder Bednar's talk in the coming days.

“The covenants and ordinances of the Savior’s restored gospel are spiritual credentials that can open wide the heavenly windows of opportunity” to receive divine purpose, direction and strength in life. Faithfulness keeps these credentials valid to receive the promised blessings.
The Holy Ghost is described in scripture as the Holy Spirit of Promise, who ratifies the righteous acts of God’s children as acceptable to Him. “When sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, an ordinance, vow or covenant is binding on earth and in heaven.” During mortality, that seal is conditional and can be forfeited through unrighteousness."
“Ultimately, all gospel ordinances and covenants must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise.”
(David A. Bednar, "Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise", Oct 2026 General Conference)

Day 4203

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 9:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 9:4
"And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads."

This chapter continues with the last three angels sounding their trumpets and wo's being pour out upon the wicked. I once again tried to find where should I be? Then I spotted where the righteous are, they have the seal of God in their foreheads. Which I will take to mean their focus and aim is to do what is pleasing to God. They have the Holy Spirit of Promise. They are not focused on the world and its destruction and the great fear coming upon man, for what is prophesied will come to pass. The focus is on the Lord's second coming. We are taking the Spirit as our guide for both physical and spiritual protection. Yes, we may get caught up in events as the wicked are destroyed, but that is not the destruction of our souls. It really doesn't matter which side of the veil we are one when the Lord appears again. The difference is in what direction is our focus.

"The Apostle John saw that certain calamities preceding the Second Coming would not affect all the earth or its inhabitants, “but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads” (Revelation 9:4). This corresponds with other scriptural promises that in the last days, those who are faithful will ultimately be protected (see 1 Nephi 22:17–19; D&C 115:5–6). President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) emphasized that spiritual preparation should be our first priority when seeking protection from the calamities of the last days:
“Someone has said it was not raining when Noah built the ark. But he built it, and the rains came.
“The Lord has said, ‘If ye are prepared ye shall not fear’ (D&C 38:30).
“The primary preparation is also set forth in the Doctrine and Covenants, wherein it says, ‘Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come’ (D&C 87:8). …
“We can so live that we can call upon the Lord for His protection and guidance. This is a first priority. We cannot expect His help if we are unwilling to keep His commandments” (“If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 62).
Though the Lord promises protection to the righteous in the last days, the Prophet Joseph Smith clarified that some who are righteous may lose their lives in the trials and calamities of the last days: “[I] explained concerning the coming of the Son of Man; also that it is a false idea that the Saints will escape all the judgments, whilst the wicked suffer; for all flesh is subject to suffer, and ‘the righteous shall hardly escape’ [see D&C 63:34]; still many of the Saints will escape, for the just shall live by faith [see Habakkuk 2:4]; yet many of the righteous shall fall a prey to disease, to pestilence, etc., by reason of the weakness of the flesh, and yet be saved in the Kingdom of God” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 253)."
(New Testament Student Manual, Chapter 54: Revelation 4-11, "Revelation 9:4 The Righteous Will Be Protected")

Day 3335

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 1:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 1:13

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"

It is one thing to have an ordinance performed. It is another to be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. The ordinances is then ratified, and you are sealed up to eternal life. Another name is having your "calling and election" made sure. I have many quotes on this subject, but the one that settled the matter for me, and gave me peace was this one.

"Everyone in the Church who is on the straight and narrow path, who is striving and struggling and desiring to do what is right, though is far from perfect in this life; if he passes out of this life while he's on the straight and narrow, he's going to go on to eternal reward in his Father's kingdom. We don't need to get a complex or get a feeling that you have to be perfect to be saved. You don't. There's only been one perfect person, and that's the Lord Jesus, but in order to be saved in the Kingdom of God and in order to pass the test of mortality, what you have to do is get on the straight and narrow path--thus charting a course leading to eternal life--and then, being on that path, pass out of this life in full fellowship. I'm not saying that you don't have to keep the commandments. I'm saying you don't have to be perfect to be saved. If you did, no one would be saved. The way it operates is this: you get on the path that's named the "straight and narrow." You do it by entering the gate of repentance and baptism. The straight and narrow path leads from the gate of repentance and baptism, a very great distance, to a reward that's called eternal life. If you're on that path and pressing forward, and you die, you'll never get off the path. There is no such thing as falling off the straight and narrow path in the life to come, and the reason is that this life is the time that is given to men to prepare for eternity. Now is the time and the day of your salvation, so if you're working zealously in this life-- though you haven't fully overcome the world and you haven't done all you hoped you might do--you're still going to be saved. You don't have to do what Jacob said, "Go beyond the mark." You don't have to live a life that's truer than true. You don't have to have an excessive zeal that becomes fanatical and becomes unbalancing. What you have to do is stay in the mainstream of the Church and live as upright and decent people live in the Church--keeping the commandments, paying your tithing, serving in the organizations of the Church, loving the Lord, staying on the straight and narrow path. If you're on that path when death comes--because this is the time and the day appointed, this the probationary estate--you'll never fall off from it, and, for all practical purposes, your calling and election is made sure." 

(Bruce R. McConkie, "The Probationary Test of Mortality," Address given at Univ. of Utah, 10 Jan 1982)

Sometime we make things harder then they really are. Our Heavenly Father wants us to succeed and one day live with him again. Stay true, stay faithful, stay on the covenant path and that promise is sure.

Day 3257

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 3:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 3:8

"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."

It is through faith that we are saved and not simply because of any religions acts. Paul is referring to the law of Moses, which was a dead law. All the rituals and acts would not save if there was no atonement made by Christ and faith in him. The same with being baptized, confirmed, endowed and sealed. None of them are in effect if there is no faith. That is why performing proxy ordinances in behalf for our deceased loved ones mean absolutely nothing, if they do not accept it. You cannot make a person accept Christ. That is entirely on their own.

This is called being sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise.

“The Holy Spirit of Promise is the Holy Spirit promised the saints, or in other words the Holy Ghost. This name-title is used in connection with the sealing and ratifying power of the Holy Ghost, that is, the power given him to ratify and approve the righteous acts of men so that those acts will be binding on earth and in heaven. ‘All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations,’ must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, if they are to have ‘efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead.’ (D. & C. 132:7.)

“To seal is to ratify, to justify, or to approve. Thus an act which is sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise is one which is ratified by the Holy Ghost; it is one which is approved by the Lord; and the person who has taken the obligation upon himself is justified by the Spirit in the thing he has done.

“The ratifying seal of approval is put upon an act only if those entering the contract are worthy as a result of personal righteousness to receive the divine approbation. They ‘are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true.’ (D. & C. 76:53.) If they are not just and true and worthy the ratifying seal is withheld."

(Bruce R. McConkie, "Holy Spirit of Promise", Eternal Marriage Student Manual)

Day 3208

Today's Favorite Verse: Song of Solomon 8:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Song of Solomon 8:6

"Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame."

This made me think of the Holy Spirit of Promise.

"The Holy Ghost is the Holy Spirit of Promise (Acts 2:33). He confirms as acceptable to God the righteous acts, ordinances, and covenants of men. The Holy Spirit of Promise witnesses to the Father that the saving ordinances have been performed properly and that the covenants associated with them have been kept.

They who are sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise receive all that the Father has, D&C 76:51–60 (Eph. 1:13–14).

All covenants and performances must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise to have force after this life, D&C 132:7, 18–19, 26.

(Guide to the scriptures, "Holy Spirit of Promise")

“The Holy Spirit of Promise is the Holy Ghost who places the stamp of approval upon every ordinance: baptism, confirmation, ordination, marriage. The promise is that the blessings will be received through faithfulness.“If a person violates a covenant, whether it be of baptism, ordination, marriage or anything else, the Spirit withdraws the stamp of approval, and the blessings will not be received.“Every ordinance is sealed with a promise of a reward based upon faithfulness. The Holy Spirit withdraws the stamp of approval where covenants are broken”.

(Joseph Fielding Smith, "Doctrines of Salvation", 1:45)

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.'

(Ephesians 1:13-14)

"The more sure word of prophecy means a man’s knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life, by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood."

(Doctrine & Covenants 131:5)

"And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true."

(Doctrine & Covenants 76:53)

"Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen."

(Mosiah 5:15)

"The Holy Spirit of Promise is the ratifying power of the Holy Ghost. When sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, an ordinance, vow, or covenant is binding on earth and in heaven. (See D&C 132:7.) Receiving this “stamp of approval” from the Holy Ghost is the result of faithfulness, integrity, and steadfastness in honoring gospel covenants “in [the] process of time” (Moses 7:21). However, this sealing can be forfeited through unrighteousness and transgression.

Purifying and sealing by the Holy Spirit of Promise constitute the culminating steps in the process of being born again."

(David A. Bednar, "Ye Must Be Born Again", Apr 2007 General Conference)

Day 2838

Today's Favorite Verse: John 13:10

Today's Favorite Verse: John 13:10
"Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all."

Jesus washed the feet of all his apostles. That is an ordinance. I pondered on how he even performed this ordinance for Judas that would betray him. I though upon how ordinances that are performed need to be sealed with the "Holy Spirit of Promise". That just because I received an ordinance does not mean that is the end of what needed to be done. Now I understand why there are two parts to it. Someone can receive ordinances unworthily, but the spirit's ratification is between you and God. That made me look for quotes on "The Holy Spirit of Promise"

"I will make an explanation of the expression, "Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise." This does not have reference to marriage for time and all eternity only, but to every ordinance and blessing of the gospel. Baptism into the Church is sealed by this Spirit, likewise confirmation, ordination, and all ordinances as well as marriage for time and all eternity. The meaning of this expression is this: Every covenant, contract, bond, obligation, oath, vow, and performance, that man receives through the covenants and blessings of the gospel, is sealed by the Holy Spirit with a promise. The promise is that the blessing will be obtained, if those who seek it are true and faithful to the end. If they are not faithful, then the Holy Spirit will withdraw the blessing, and the promise comes to an end. (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:94-95)

"We may deceive men but we cannot deceive the Holy Ghost, and our blessings will not be eternal until they are also sealed by the holy spirit of promise, the Holy Ghost, one who reads the thoughts and hearts of men and gives his sealing approval to the blessings pronounced upon their heads. Then it is binding, and of full force," (Melvin J. Ballard, Sermons and Missionary Service of Melvin J. Ballard, Deseret Book Co., 1949, p. 237.)

"The operation and power of the Holy Spirit of Promise is best illustrated by the ordinance and contract of baptism. An unworthy candidate for baptism might deceive the elders and get the ordinance performed, but no one can lie to the Holy Ghost and get by undetected. Accordingly, the baptism of an unworthy and unrepentant person would not be sealed by the Spirit; it would not be ratified by the Holy Ghost; the unworthy person would not be justified by the Spirit in his actions. If thereafter he became worthy through repentance and obedience, the seal would then be put in force. Similarly, if a worthy person is baptized with the ratifying approval of the Holy Ghost attending the performance, yet the seal may be broken by subsequent sin.

These principles also apply to every other ordinance and performance in the Church. Thus if both parties are "just and true," if they are worthy, a ratifying seal is placed on their temple marriage; if they are unworthy, they are not justified by the Spirit and the ratification of the Holy Ghost is withheld. Subsequent worthiness will put the seal in force, and unrighteousness will break any seal." (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p.362)

Day 1583