Today's Favorite Verse:Mark 14:4-6

Today's Favorite Verse:Mark 14:4-6
"And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. "

As I was reading these verses I remembered an experience I had at a temple open house. I was with someone that wasn't a member of the church. They were getting rather upset while we walked through the temple. In their eyes all they saw was money being wasted on a building when it could have been used to feed the poor. This whole thought bothered them. At this point we were standing in the celestial room. I reminded them that Solomon's temple was covered with gold and precious things. In the House of the Lord we give our very best.

I told them how much it meant to me to come to the temple and sit in peace in such lovely surrounding. The temple is not only a house of the Lord, it's a place for His people to grow closer to Him. I would never have a home furnished as nicely as this, and as quiet as this. The temple fills and nourishes the soul of the poor. The poor also need this. When they thought about this their mood changed and they could see it in a different light. This is where we came to worship God and give our very best. The story of the woman with the alabaster box of spikenard, that was poured on Jesus head, wasn't wasting money that could have gone to the poor. Think about how much it meant to the Savior to be anointed before his burial. She was doing a good work as we do within the walls of His house.

Day 4095

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 4:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 4:1-2
"But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem."

I have done much thinking on wars and rumors of wars, of financial hardship, and possible shortages coming. The days look rather dark on the surface. But, one thing I know is that the Lord's hallmark temple in the tops of mountains rests in Salt Lake City Utah. After a seven year renovation it will be rededicated in 2027. Before that dedication there is planned an amazing six month open house that will run from April to October of that year. The church is expecting people to flow into it from many nations, to come and see. It is for that reason alone I am waiting and watching for what the Lord has in store for us. There cannot be a world-wide depression or shortages that would prevent people from coming to the house of the Lord.

Day 4043

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 122:8-9

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 122:8-9
"For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good."

I pondered on how my heart has changed since I became more diligent in attending the House of the Lord. My heart has softened and I can see others as children of God no matter how they walk in life.

Day 3943

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 30:1, 13, 15

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 30:1, 13, 15
"And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel.
And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.
Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD."

What a relief to read about King Hezekiah. He tried everything to bring the children of Israel back to the Lord. The greatest being the cleansing of the temple and gathering the people to worship and make sacrifices and offerings. As I was reading this what stuck out to me was not having enough priests that were sanctified to flay the burnt offerings. That the Levites had to help them.

"But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests."
(2 Chronicles 29:34)

Then as all the people are assembled for the passover the priests and Levites were ashamed and had to sanctify themselves. It made me ponder on the Lord's second coming. Just like Hezekiah's letter, none of us know when the call will come to gather. How would I feel if there were things left that I still needed to repent of?

Day 3876

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 22:5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 22:5
And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death."

David wanted to build the house of the Lord but was told he could not. The Lord said it was because he had shed blood abundantly. It would be his son call Solomon that would be given peace and quietness to build the temple. I reflected on how even though David was denied this privilege he prepared and made everything ready for his son. I pondered on how those that have gone before us have prepared things for us that they would never see. It took 40 years to build the Salt Lake Temple. Brigham Young and John Taylor were two prophets that never saw its completion. President Nelson undertook the renovation of the Salt Lake Temple and he has already passed before its completion. Anyway that we can be part of the work matters to the Lord.

Day 3864

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 13:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 13:3-4
"And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we inquired not at it in the days of Saul.
And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people."

What really stood out to me was the moving of the ark was done as seemed right in the eyes of all the people. It doesn't say it done right in the eyes of the Lord.

"Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.
And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it.
For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order."
(1 Chronicles 15:2, 12-13)

So the movement of the ark the first time was not done correctly. When the oxen stumbled and Uzza reached out to steady the ark the Lord smote him. I wonder if Uzza was not a Levite? This is what it says in the Bible Dictionary.

"Uzzah: Strength. Slain for touching the Ark (2 Sam. 6:6); called Uzza (1 Chr. 13:9). The penalty may appear to us severe, but it must be remembered that the Ark was a sacred repository, and the people had been clearly warned that only designated persons could touch the Ark, and warned also of the consequences of disobedience."

This reminds me of a recent conversation I had with a distraught friend, that just needed an ear. One of their children's marriage was falling apart which appeared to be due to one spouse committing adultery. They said they were going to encourage them to go to the temple together as a couple to help them work things out. That thought rather shocked me. To that point I had just been letting them vent. I wasn't looking to give them any advise or opinions but when I heard that I said "Don't do that, especially if one of them is committing adultery. That is the House of the Lord and they need to work with their bishop before they go there. Adultery is far to serious an issue. They do not want to go to the temple and put greater commendations on their heads." After that conversation I wondered how anyone could think going to the temple when you are unworthy to be there would bring blessings?

Day 3861

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 19:13-18

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 19:13-18
"And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him."

This chapter made me cry for Elijah. He sounds very depressed. Twice he mentioned he is the only prophet left and they seek his life. Before this he had requested to die, that the Lord take away his life. Instead Elijah was strengthened twice by an angel with a baked cake and water. The strength lasted him forty days and nights. Now he is back at a cave as others seek his life. Elijah is done. What I love is how the Lord helps him is by calling him with tasks to perform. He is shown how all is not lost. There will be new kings, prophets and seven thousand that are not bowing the knee to Baal. The Lord needs Elijah and there is work to do. Elijah goes and does as the Lord asks.

Whenever I think of Elijah I think of the keys sealing power that he held. The work being performed in the House of the Lord for my kindred death. As the world grows darker the light we receive in the temples, as we are about our Father's business, is very healing to a tired soul.

Day 3848

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 6:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 6:12-13
"Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:
And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel."

I pondered how that same promise is made with ever House of the Lord.

"And in a manner that we may be found worthy, in thy sight, to secure a fulfilment of the promises which thou hast made unto us, thy people, in the revelations given unto us;
That thy glory may rest down upon thy people, and upon this thy house, which we now dedicate to thee, that it may be sanctified and consecrated to be holy, and that thy holy presence may be continually in this house;
And that all people who shall enter upon the threshold of the Lord’s house may feel thy power, and feel constrained to acknowledge that thou hast sanctified it, and that it is thy house, a place of thy holiness."
(Doctrine and Covenants 109:11-13

"The temple is literally the house of the Lord. I promise you as you come worthily and prayerfully to His holy house, you will be armed with His power, His name will be upon you, His angels will have charge over you, and you will grow up in the blessing of the Holy Ghost.
The Lord promised, “Every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am.” There are many different ways to see the face of Christ, and there is no better place than in His holy house.
In this day of confusion and commotion, I testify that the temple is His holy house and will help preserve us, protect us, and prepare us for the glorious day when, with all His holy angels, our Savior returns in majesty, power, and great glory. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
(Elder Neil L. Andersen, "Temples, Houses of the Lord Dotting the Earth", Apr 2024 General Conference)

Day 3843

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 7:11-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 7:11-13
"Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.
Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you."

Israel was defeated in battle against Ai and Joshua is grieved. He doesn't understand why they were defeated. Then the Lord tells him that they had taken of the accursed thing and stolen. Joshua questions them and finds Achan had taken a Babylonish garment and silver and gold and hid it. For that Achan and his family, oxen, asses, sheep and tent are all taken to the valley and stoned and burned. That just seems so horrific. We don't see those things today. We are to live a higher law and I pondered on that. I pondered on the apostates and the damage they have done to the church. How the work of the Lord is at times frustrated because of them. What comes upon them instead of physical death is spiritual death. It made me think about how people can lie that they are temple worthy to go in, and how that really effects all of us. Can you imagine what we would see there if all that came into the House of the Lord was truly worthy?

"And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it;
Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God.
But if it be defiled I will not come into it, and my glory shall not be there; for I will not come into unholy temples."
(Doctrine and Covenants 97:15-17)

Day 3810

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 30:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 30:2
"If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth."

I searched the footnotes for what a vow was. It took me to the Topical Guide to also see covenants, oath, pledge, promise, swearing. The Bible Dictionary tells me.

"These were of two kinds: (a) dedication—some person or thing was given to the Lord (Lev. 27:1–24); (b) abstinence—a promise made to abstain from some lawful act or enjoyment (Num. 6:3). No unnatural mutilation was permitted (Lev. 19:28; Deut. 14:1, etc.). Nothing already holy to the Lord, or intrinsically unholy, or blemished in the slightest degree, could be offered as a vow (Lev. 22:23; 27:26; Deut. 23:18). Provisions were made for ransoming such offerings when they could not be fitly sacrificed (Lev. 27:11). The vows of dependent women (wives or daughters) did not stand unless ratified explicitly or implicitly by the husband or father (Num. 30:3–16; see also Jer. 44:19). Vows often had an entreating character; they were offered in order to obtain some favor from Jehovah (Gen. 28:20; 2 Sam. 15:7–8)."
(Bible Dictionary: Vows)

This made me reflect on the different covenants I have entered into. None of this can be taken lightly. It also me be think of renewing my covenants, be it during the sacrament when I renew by baptismal covenant, or when I perform proxy ordinances in the House of the Lord for my deceased family members. I feel a strengthening in the covenants I entered into as I remember them by doing so for others.

Day 3794

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 29:45

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 29:45
"And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God."

I pondered on how the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is also my God. How as Moses built a tabernacle, so have saints today built houses of the Lord. Every temple has this inscribed, "Holiness to the Lord, the House of the Lord".

"Here is my promise to you: Every sincere seeker of Jesus Christ will find Him in the temple."
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024 General Conference)

Day 3772

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 19:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 19:17
"And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed."

The holy men that were angels were sent to bring Lot and his family out of Sodom. What stood out to me was the "escape to the mountain", which often means the House of the Lord. The prophet has been telling us that we need to worship in the house of the Lord, and why? It is as the angels said "lest thou be consumed". If we do not come out of the world we will be consumed by the world. It made me realize we are no different now than Lot fleeing from Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot was a righteous man, if he was not so the Lord would not have sent his angels to bring him out of it. He remained righteous even though those around him were not. When the men of the city surround his home he did not go out and war with them. He tried to be a peacemaker. Exactly as we have also been counseled. There are so many lessons I learn from Lot.

Day 3752

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 84:23-24

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 84:23-24
"Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;
But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory."

I have been reflecting on the children of Israel lately. How the Lord asked them to sanctify themselves and He offered to come down in the sight of all the people and they could Hear Him as he spoke to Moses. They would have witnessed an amazing revelation. Yet, when the trumpet sounded they trembled and were not ready to come up to where Moses was. Only Moses could endure God's presence. As the holy mount served as a House of the Lord I have thought on how many times we are instructed to prepare ourselves and attend the temple. President Nelson recently said in the Oct 2024 General Conference: "Here is my promise to you: Every sincere seeker of Jesus Christ will find Him in the temple."

I feel like there is a parallel between the children of Israel and the saints today. Those that want to go up to the House of the Lord and those that don't, wanting someone else to go in their place. I feel there is greater importance in the need to attend the temple today than many are aware of. Those that could attend the temple and won't will feel like very foolish virgins in the end.

Day 3673

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 3:18-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 3:18-19
" And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief."

More is told of this in the Doctrine and Covenants.

"Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;
But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory."
(Doctrine and Covenants 84:23-24)

I feel like this general conference had multiple talks that tried to teach plainly like Moses how to behold the face of God and enter into his rest. Through faith, obedience, honoring our covenants, and serving in the house of the Lord, it will strengthen us to do so. This theme was repeated over and over again. I can't wait to get the transcripts of the general conference talks and find all those quotes.

“The ancient prophets speak of ‘entering into God’s rest’; what does it mean? To my mind, it means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in his purpose and in his plan, to such an extent that we know we are right, and that we are not hunting for something else, we are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine, or by the cunning and craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive. … The man who has reached that degree of faith in God that all doubt and fear have been cast from him, he has entered into ‘God’s rest.’ … I pray that we may all enter into God’s rest—rest from doubt, from fear, from apprehension of danger, rest from the religious turmoil of the world”
(Joseph F. Smith, "Gospel Doctrine", 5th ed. [1939], 58).

Day 3295