Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 111:5, 7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 111:5, 7-8
"Concern not yourselves about your debts, for I will give you power to pay them.
Tarry in this place, and in the regions round about;
And the place where it is my will that you should tarry, for the main, shall be signalized unto you by the peace and power of my Spirit, that shall flow unto you."

This made me ponder on our move to Utah. It felt right but we were struggling financially. It wasn't until someone offered to buy our land that we decided to look for a different house. It felt right to stay in the city we were initially lead to. When I saw the house we now live in, I knew this was our forever home. This is our place of refuge from life's storms. This is were peace is and the spirit is burned into the walls. Our financial challenges became more manageable. Everything just fell right into place as we started over fresh. Making sure to honor our commitment to pay a full and honest tithe and offerings. Sometimes just starting over where the Lord will lead you is the best place to begin.

I found this wonderful talk from Elder L. Tom Perry where he speaks of his challenges and how he was told to stay in the very state we moved from.

"I remember a critical time in my life and how grateful I was when a still, small voice gave me direction to make an important decision. I had been with a retail firm for a number of years. We had enjoyed extraordinary success. We wanted to expand the business but needed a great deal of capital. In an attempt to raise the money, we contacted the best financial advisers we could find. They encouraged us to merge with a larger firm. The merger was successfully completed, and I was asked to sign a five-year contract to give continuity to management. Within a matter of months I found myself in a very difficult situation. The new owners wanted me to violate a trust that I felt I just could not do. After long discussions, they continued to insist and I continued to refuse. Seeing there was no way to break the deadlock, I agreed to leave the company. The timing for me was devastating. I had a wife who was seriously ill and required a lot of medical attention, a daughter away to college, and a son on a mission. I spent the next year just getting enough consulting work to pay my expenses.
After struggling for about one year, a company called me from California and invited me to come out and talk to them about working for them. I went out and negotiated a very good contract; I was delighted with the opportunity. I told them that I had to return home and discuss it with my family before I could give an answer. I returned home and after a careful discussion, I convinced my family that it was the right thing to do. In the process of calling the firm to accept the offer, a voice just as strong and powerful as I have ever heard came to me and said, “Say no to the offer.” I could not ignore the voice, so I turned the offer down, but I was distressed. I could not comprehend why I had been told to do such a thing. I went upstairs to my bedroom, sat on the bed, opened the scriptures, and they fell open to the Doctrine and Covenants, section 111. This was the only section given in the state of Massachusetts, where my home was at that particular time. These words literally jumped out of the page and met my eye:
“Concern not yourselves about your debts, … I will give you power to pay them. …
“Tarry in this place, and in the regions round about” 
A great peace came to my soul. Within just a few days I was offered a fine position in Boston. A few months later I had the great privilege of hosting a conference in which President Harold B. Lee, then First Counselor in the First Presidency, was the featured speaker. The conference was a glorious success as we feasted on the words of President Lee. The following July, President Joseph Fielding Smith passed away and President Lee became the prophet. Three months later I was asked to come to Salt Lake, where I received a call to leave my profession and join the General Authorities.
I have often wondered what would have happened if I had not heeded the Holy Spirit in its counseling me not to leave Boston."
(L. Tom Perry, "That Spirit Which Leadeth to Do Good", Apr 1997 General Conference)

Day 3700

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 72:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 72:4
"For he who is faithful and wise in time is accounted worthy to inherit the mansions prepared for him of my Father."

After this general conference my quest has been to study the parable of the ten virgins. Having at least four talks mentioning this parable during general conference, I figure it's pretty important to understand right now. In my quest I have also been trying to understand Hebrew marriage customs. The mansions being prepared made me think of this. After the betrothal the bride and groom lived separately for a year. During this time frame they both had important work to do in preparation of the marriage feast. The bridegroom lived with his father, and worked on building a home to bring his bride to. No one knew the hour or the day when the bridegroom would come for his bride. Only the father of the bridegroom knew because he alone would determine when the house was ready. The bride knew the year and the season which was usually after the harvest. That is why in the parable the ten virgins attending the bride are waiting, for they did not know the exact day or hour of the bridegroom's arrival, but they knew it was any day now.

What I find interesting is what the Lord said to his apostles leading up to his death and resurrection.

"In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
(John 14:2-3)

After Jesus Christ's death and resurrection he literally went to His Father's house, and as the bridegroom has been preparing a place for all of us.

What is also interesting is in the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord doesn't mention he's preparing a place anymore, instead it says He has prepared them.

"For those that live shall inherit the earth, and those that die shall rest from all their labors, and their works shall follow them; and they shall receive a crown in the mansions of my Father, which I have prepared for them."
(Doctrine and Covenants 59:2)

"Let not your hearts be troubled; for in my Father’s house are many mansions, and I have prepared a place for you; and where my Father and I am, there ye shall be also."
(Doctrine and Covenants 98:18)

That makes me wonder if the homes are prepared what are we waiting for? It must be finishing the harvest before the wedding feast can begin. Which is exactly what we have been told to busy ourselves with.

Day 3661

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 8:27, 29

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 8:27, 29
"And Alma tarried many days with Amulek before he began to preach unto the people.
And the word came to Alma, saying: Go; and also say unto my servant Amulek, go forth and prophesy unto this people, saying—Repent ye, for thus saith the Lord, except ye repent I will visit this people in mine anger; yea, and I will not turn my fierce anger away"

I was struck with the part that Alma tarried many days with Amulek. He was in Amulek's home. It would be so interesting to know what they talked about. Obviously he was preparing Amulek to testify of Jesus Christ. It made me think of how new missionaries do part of their MTC experience from their homes. A home is a beautiful place to hear and learn the gospel.

"But God was preparing Amulek, and when Amulek met Alma, he welcomed the Lord’s servant into his home, where Alma stayed for many days. During that time, Amulek opened his heart to Alma’s message, and a marvelous change came over him. From then on, Amulek not only believed, but he also became a champion of truth.
When Alma went out again to teach among the people of Ammonihah, he had a second witness at his side—Amulek, one of their own."
(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Learn from Alma and Amulek", Oct 2016 General Conference)

Day 3452

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 14:5

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 14:5
"And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory of Zion shall be a defence."

I feel like this is what we are working towards with our home-centered, church supported gospel learning. I went back and reviewed President Nelson's opening remarks in General Conference, where he announced "Come, Follow Me".

"For many years, Church leaders have been working on an integrated curriculum to strengthen families and individuals through a home-centered and Church-supported plan to learn doctrine, strengthen faith, and foster greater personal worship. Our efforts over these recent years to hallow the Sabbath—to make it a delight and a personal sign to God of our love for Him—will be augmented by the adjustments we will now introduce.
This morning we will announce a new balance and connection between gospel instruction in the home and in the Church. We are each responsible for our individual spiritual growth. And scriptures make it clear that parents have the primary responsibility to teach the doctrine to their children. It is the responsibility of the Church to assist each member in the divinely defined goal of increasing his or her gospel knowledge."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Opening Remarks", Oct 2018 General Conference)

I know reading the scriptures every day with my family, and the discussions that take place afterwards, are the highlight of my day. It has brought such a feeling of peace and unity among us that nothing else could bring. It truly does strengthen families and individuals.

After church we decided to drive around the boundaries of our stake. We wanted to see all the construction that will bring an estimated 3,000 people into our stake boundaries in the next few months. We were in awe of the five story apartment buildings. It was just massive. As we drove I did not see any new chapels. I remembered how in the past every time there was a new development going in there would also be a new chapel near by. I wondered where are we going to put all these people? Will the sharing of our existing chapels in the stake require us to attend church in the evening now? Or will we one day go to sacrament only and truly leave the greater responsibility of learning the gospel on the saints?

"And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents."
(Doctrine and Covenants 68:25)

Day 3385

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 John 1:4

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 John 1:4
"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

No greater joy is when a lamb that has been lost returns home again. It's been 20 years but miracles do happen. God will bring our children home if we let Him. Children in their teens and twenties maybe leaving the church in droves, but in their mid 30's and 40's they are coming home. Walk with them as many days in the Lord as you can, and they will know where home is.

"Years ago, while I was serving as a young bishop, an older gentleman asked to meet with me. He described his departure from the Church and the righteous traditions of his parents when he was in his youth. He described in detail the heartache he experienced during his life while vainly seeking lasting joy amidst the momentary happiness the world has to offer. Now, in his later years of life, he experienced the tender, sometimes nagging whispering sensations of the Spirit of God guiding him back to the lessons, practices, feelings, and spiritual safety of his youth. He expressed gratitude for the traditions of his parents, and in modern-day words, he echoed the proclamation of Enos: “Blessed be the name of my God for it.
”In my experience, this dear man’s return to the gospel is characteristic of many and is repeated often among God’s children who leave for a time, only to return to the teachings and practices of their youth. In those moments, we witness the wisdom of the writer of the proverb, who exhorts parents, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
(Steve R. Bangerter, "Laying the Foundation of a Great Work", Oct 2018 General Conference)

Day 3325

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 2:46

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 2:46

"And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,"

My question was why did the early saints still go to the temple if Jesus fulfilled the law of Moses? The temples were not controlled by the disciples of Christ, it was the temple of the Jews. I was happy to find this very thing discussed in the New Testament Student Manual.

"Though Jesus Christ had fulfilled the law of Moses—and this law continued to be practiced at the temple in Jerusalem—His followers continued to look to the Jerusalem temple as an important place of worship. References in Acts indicate that the Jewish Christians went often to the temple to pray, worship, teach, minister, and participate in religious celebrations. The Apostles often preached at the temple, perhaps because they knew they would find individuals interested in God there. When Paul visited Jerusalem, he too worshipped and preached at the temple. When Paul was arrested in Jerusalem in about A.D. 58, his captors took him out of the temple and shut the heavy temple doors behind him. Just 12 years later in A.D. 70, the Jews revolted against Rome, which resulted in the destruction of the temple by Roman armies."

"The temple and the synagogue had long been gathering places for public Jewish worship, but the followers of Christ also began to meet for worship in the homes of Church members. Some have called these meeting places “house-churches.” In the book of Acts and in Paul’s letters, we learn that when these early Saints gathered together for worship, they often dined together, partook of the sacrament, prayed, preached the gospel to one another, and sang hymns."

(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 29: Acts 1-2", Acts 2:46, Importance of the Temple to the Earliest Christians, Worship in Houses)

So the temple basically was a house of learning and a place to testify of Christ. Jesus taught there, and the apostles did the same.

"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God; "

(Doctrine and Covenants 109:8)

Day 3179

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 26:20-21

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 26:20-21

"Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain."

I read several quotes where Brigham Young, John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff were all referring to the saints in Utah being safely in the chambers of the mountain. I pondered on how it is no longer possible for saints worldwide to gather in the valley of these everlasting mountains.

"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."

(Revelation 18:4)

Our places of refuge are now the stakes of Zion, temples, and our homes. We really did shut our doors when the pandemic first began. These events may have been for "a little moment", but all of it has been for our profit and learning, to be guided by a prophet of God.

"And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth."

(Doctrine and Covenants 115:6)

Day 2864

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 101:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 101:7

"He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight."

Well, this is totally for my benefit. We just had to make this decision as a family. It's like the Lord just spoke to me in confirmation. If the Lord can say this about His house, I can say it about mine.

Day 2738

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 48:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 48:3

"God is known in her palaces for a refuge."

I had been thinking today of my home as a refuge, a place of security and protection. There is a peace here that could not absolutely reside here earlier. Now it's a welcome friend. I have to get my head wrapped around all my changes. In this chapter it speaks of mount Zion, or the temple. It is also a refuge. My home is becoming an extension of the temple. A place you have to be worthy to enter. That is not a bad thing. It's ok though to feel sorry for those that cannot enter in.

"Similarly, as turmoil rages around us, we need to create places where we are safe, both physically and spiritually. When your home becomes a personal sanctuary of faith—where the Spirit resides—your home becomes the first line of defense."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Embrace the Future with Faith", Oct 2020, General Conference)

Day 2685

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 35:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 35:5-6

"And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the families of the fathers of your brethren the people, and after the division of the families of the Levites.

So kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses."

This reminded me a General Conference talk I heard today from Mark L. Pace, the Sunday School general president, "Conversion is Our Goal". How "Come, Follow Me" and studying the scriptures will help to deepen our conversion to the gospel, and sanctify us. That it will become a protection to us and make our homes a sanctuary. To me this is standing in holy places. I don't have the transcript of the talk so I found scriptures that speak of standing in holy places.

"But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die."

(Doctrine and Covenants 45:32)

"Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen."

(Doctrine and Covenants 87:8)

"Until the day cometh when there is found no more room for them; and then I have other places which I will appoint unto them, and they shall be called stakes, for the curtains or the strength of Zion.22 Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places;"

(Doctrine and Covenants 101:21-22)

Day 2561

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 14:43-44

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 14:43-44

"And if the plague come again, and break out in the house, after that he hath taken away the stones, and after he hath scraped the house, and after it is plastered;

Then the priest shall come and look, and, behold, if the plague be spread in the house, it is a fretting leprosy in the house: it is unclean."

The fretting leprosy is mold or mildew that eats or consumes the house. It tells how to cleanse the house and if it comes back it is destroyed. I thought of a couple of things as I pondered on this. The first, is service projects that priests or young men perform in my ward. Sounds like they had them even back in Moses time. The other was how not only mold but anything that eats at or consumes at us needs to be purged and cleansed. If you do not take care at the begin when something is first infected then it can grow out of control. That can be any type of sin, or just simply a lack of care and obedience to duty. I thought about how sacred our homes are and how we must work to make them clean.

Day 2263

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 31:13, 16

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 31:13, 16

"I am the God of Beth-el, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.

For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children's: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do."

This reminded me of a two conversation I had yesterday. One was with the missionaries that visited our home. The other conversation I had with a friend last night. We were discussing moves and sales of homes. One thing my friend observed is that people seemed to be moving "home". As we went on that theme we wondered why we were in Utah when both our homes growing up were back East? Then I thought of my children and one son being born here. This is their home, and over the years it has become mine. We are home. I know there are some upset with the amount of people moving into Utah, afraid of the prices of homes going up, and politics probably changing. The way of life they have known is changing. All I can think of is let them come. They need to come. They are either gathering or fleeing. They must do either as the spirit directions them. One thing is for sure the fleeing and gathering are opening doors for many to hear the gospel. The Lord will send us where we need to be. His purposes are not always ours, but he will guide us.

"Yea, and then shall the work commence, with the Father among all nations in preparing the way whereby his people may be gathered home to the land of their inheritance.

And they shall go out from all nations; and they shall not go out in haste, nor go by flight, for I will go before them, saith the Father, and I will be their rearward."

(3 Nephi 21:28-29)

Day 2190

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 111:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 111:8

"And the place where it is my will that you should tarry, for the main, shall be signalized unto you by the peace and power of my Spirit, that shall flow unto you."

This verse made me reflect on how I feel living in my home today. There is much peace here. I also reflected on when we have moved in the past, and how different that feeling was when it was time to leave.

Day 2114

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 48:1

 Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 48:1

"It is necessary that ye should remain for the present time in your places of abode, as it shall be suitable to your circumstances."

This verse made me smile, considering the pandemic and new emergency order implemented today. I have been so blessed that all that has been asked of me is not a burden. Instead of expecting my circumstances to be adjusted to fit me, my attitude has naturally adjusted to fit my circumstances. It was also a blessing to spend 18 months prior to this pandemic in a wheelchair. What I learned about patience prepared me for a pandemic. I see both of these things as tender mercies of the Lord.

Day 2051

Today's Favorite Verse: Moroni 4:3

 Today's Favorite Verse: Moroni 4:3

"O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen."

I love pondering on this prayer every Sabbath day. Having church at home with my husband and son taking turns offering the sacrament prayers has just made it all the sweeter. What a blessing it has been these past several months having sacrament at home brings a special spirit here.  

Day 1996

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 30:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 30:1-2
"Hearken, O ye Gentiles, and hear the words of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, which he hath commanded me that I should speak concerning you, for, behold he commandeth me that I should write saying:
Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel."

This chapter only has these two verses. It caused me to ponder on what it would be like if all these wicked things were removed from our society. How peaceful life would be. The Nephites were able to obtain this in their society for hundreds of years after Jesus Christ appeared unto them. I cannot see our world obtaining this until after the second coming of Jesus Christ. Then I pondered on how that isn't right. It is obtainable for there will be a Zion people prepared for when Christ comes again. It is where Zion, the pure in heart dwell that there will be peace even when there is chaos all around. Building such a people and a place starts within my own home. 

"And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God;
And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion.
And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety.
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.
And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy.
(Doctrine and Covenants 45:66-71)

Day 1967

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 21:28-29

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 21:28-29
"Yea, and then shall the work commence, with the Father among all nations in preparing the way whereby his people may be gathered home to the land of their inheritance.
And they shall go out from all nations; and they shall not go out in haste, nor go by flight, for I will go before them, saith the Father, and I will be their rearward."

It's funny how long ago February seems now. It was when the pandemic first started and missions were closing and missionaries were starting to come home. Then the nations began closing their borders and calling their people home. That is when I reflected on this verse and could see how the Lord can do amazing things when he begins to call his people home to the land of their inheritance. This time people did leave somewhat in haste and many took flights, but one day it will be that final call home. Who knows maybe this was just the start of it. There is no doubt the Lord was the missionaries' rearward in guiding them safely home.


Day 1958

Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 5:60

Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 5:60
"And because that I have preserved the natural branches and the roots thereof, and that I have grafted in the natural branches again into their mother tree, and have preserved the roots of their mother tree, that, perhaps, the trees of my vineyard may bring forth again good fruit; and that I may have joy again in the fruit of my vineyard, and, perhaps, that I may rejoice exceedingly that I have preserved the roots and the branches of the first fruit - "

I could not help but think of the missionaries that are in the processing of being called home to their home lands. How nations have called their citizens home to shelter this storm. How families are being asked to find refuge in their homes. What will the world be like when the plague has passed? I pray we will have good fruit coming forth.

Day 1823

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 14:5

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 14:5
"And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory of Zion shall be a defence."

I had a note that this verse reminded me of the Come, Follow Me - home centered learning. Where we are to make our home Christ centered and a refuge from the storms. I was listening to Elder Gary E. Stevenson during Family Discover Day at RootsTech on Saturday and was really struck with the reference to fortifying our homes with the scriptures and family history, and we can carry them with us at all times. My heart was full as he left his apostolic blessing upon us.

"The fortification we build will contribute to the individual amour that they bare...The Lord's youth battalion doesn't walk around holding swords but they do hold a powerful tool...Never before has a generation of latter-day saints carried with them at home, at school, at play, almost 24/7 the holy scriptures. What a great blessing this is. What a wonderful use of technology.

Nephi and his brothers when they returned to the tent of their father with the brass plates, Lehi discovered that they not only contained the gospel but also the genealogy of his fathers. 

"Wherefore, it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us, as we journeyed in the wilderness towards the land of promise."
(1 Nephi 5:22)

In the history of the world you too are the first generation of parents and children that carry not just your scriptures but also your personal family history. Your family tree, and it can be with you at all times on this small device. There seems to be great wisdom and power in this as well.

You are not alone and are entitled to help from the other side of the veil.

"Those who have passed on "are as deeply interested in our welfare today, if not with greater capacity, with far more interest behind the veil, than they were in the flesh...They see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more than every" (Joseph F. Smith, 1916)"

So please remember that you are never, and will never be alone. These ministering angels know who you are and care for you and love you. They will become a vital part of the fortification of your home. The spirit of Elijah makes this possible. The spirit of Elijah testifies of the divine nature of the family. I add my testimony to that as well.

As we do the work of salvation on the other side of the veil through temple and family history work we will be blessed in that participation. I would add a promise brothers and sisters to you. That as you participate in this divine work that it will come back to you. That it will fortify your home. That it will become a defense and refuge for you. I bare my testimony of God the Father and of Jesus Christ, and I bare my witness that Jesus Christ is our Savior and our Redeemer, the son of the Living God. I offer that testimony and witness to you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." 
(Elder Gary E. Stevenson, Family Discovery Day, 29 Feb 2020)

Day 1799

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 2:39-40

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 2:39-40
"And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."

Jesus' parents took him home and raised him. I pondered on how Jesus was not left at the temple to be raised but instead remained in a humble home. This is where the best lessons of life can be taught, with both a loving mother and devoted father to raise a child. How incredible inadequate they must have felt to raise the son of God. How inadequate I have felt to raise my children. Yet, Heavenly Father sees the humble home as the place to raise our children. He gives guidance from the scriptures, and the Holy Ghost to inspire, if we but search, ponder and pray.

Day 1550