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: Mormon 1:13-14

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 1:13-14
"But wickedness did prevail upon the face of the whole land, insomuch that the Lord did take away his beloved disciples, and the work of miracles and of healing did cease because of the iniquity of the people.
And there were no gifts from the Lord, and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any, because of their wickedness and unbelief.
And I, being fifteen years of age and being somewhat of a sober mind, therefore I was visited of the Lord, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus."

Mormon goes on to say that his mouth was shut and he was forbidden to preach to the people. I think this must have been for his own preservation. It appears that the light of Christ within was dimmed by the wicked and they would no longer accept the gospel. That must be why the Holy Ghost did not come upon them. Without faith miracles, healings and the gifts from the Lord could not happen. Yet, Mormon knew of the goodness of Jesus and was visited by Him. There were still good people around for Mormon's son Moroni was righteous and finished the plates for his father. That does show the importance of sharing and teaching the gospel within our homes. I see this as what we'll experience in the winding up scenes of our world. There are wicked but those that remain righteous receive incredible blessings to comfort them. 

Day 1969

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

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 8:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 8:11
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord:"

This is talking of the great apostasy that happened after all the original apostles died. There was a falling away, and a famine in hearing the words of the Lord. The gospel has once again been restored to the earth. Prophets and apostles speak the words of the Lord. In fact in eight more days I will sit at their feet and listen to them in general conference. I can't wait!

I also thought of its other meaning. How this famine in hearing the words of the Lord is still happening today. In this case it is self-imposed. For there is an epidemic of apathy for reading the scriptures around the world. Years past if there was only one book in the home it was the Bible. Families would gather to read from it. Now not only is a bible a rare commodity, it's even rarer for a family to gather and read it.

I am grateful for the counsel given in the last general conference. The emphases on home-centered gospel learning. Where as families we gather to read from the New Testament each day. My family was already reading the scriptures together, but I love the feeling of synergy that comes with being part of this worldwide. There is unity in our church as we gather together to discuss what we are learning in our homes. I enjoy these discussions and seeing each family embrace learning the gospel in their homes. There is a different feeling that I cannot find words to describe. We are being feed and it is good.

Day 1462

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 31:28

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 31:28
"And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the Lord"

This is my comfort. For as hard as the winding up scene will be before the coming of the Lord, he will watch over his people. A great work will be taking place to receive our Lord and King

It reminds me of what I read in the Doctrine and Covenants today.

"And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people;"
(Doctrine and covenants 1:14)

To be "cut off" references Alma 50:20 & Doctrine and Covenants 50:8, being cut off from the presence of the Lord, and overcome by the world. It made me think of Elder Cook's statement. How important it is to follow the council of the Lord, given through his prophets.

"He spoke about some of the history of the areas. However, a common theme to the members was that those who follow the new prophetic home-centered teaching will be blessed. He prophesied that 20 years from now those families that have listened to the prophet will weather the coming storms."
("The 'powerful witness of the Savior' that Elder Cook gave Church members in Europe"; Deseret News, Church News, 19 Nov 2018)

Something is being planted now. This is where the Lord wants his people to be. If we fail to do it we will be overcome by the world and cut off.

Day 1351