Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 34:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 34:4
"I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."

This reminds me of a conversation I had the other day with someone with crippling anxiety. They told me how praying and reading scriptures daily has blessed them in being able to manage their fears. This was something they were not faithful in doing before. Of course, when medication is needed that should be discussed with a doctor. In fact they told me how after they could cope through prayer and daily scripture reading the spirit directed them to seek medical help. That makes so much sense to me. For I have experienced my burden lifted from turning them over to the Lord. Then with that mental pressure taken I could receive the inspiration needed to solve the problem ahead.

Day 3914

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 32:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 32:9
"But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding."

I pondered on how the spirit has taught me things I had no knowledge of before hand. As I reflected on several experiences I thought about many great inventions even just in my lifetime. I then thought of President Nelson and how he was instrumental in creating the first heart-lung machine, so they could perform surgery on the heart. Then he was instructed through inspiration on how to perform those surgeries.

"During the early pioneering days of surgery of the heart,” a stake patriarch from southern Utah suffered much because of a failing heart. He pleaded for help, thinking that his condition resulted from a damaged but repairable valve in his heart.
Extensive evaluation revealed that he had two faulty valves. While one could be helped surgically, the other could not. Thus, an operation was not advised. He received this news with deep disappointment.
Subsequent visits ended with the same advice. Finally, in desperation, he spoke to me with considerable emotion: “Dr. Nelson, I have prayed for help and have been directed to you. The Lord will not reveal to me how to repair that second valve, but He can reveal it to you. Your mind is so prepared. If you will operate upon me, the Lord will make it known to you what to do. Please perform the operation that I need, and pray for the help that you need.”
His great faith had a profound effect upon me. How could I turn him away again? Following a fervent prayer together, I agreed to try. In preparing for that fateful day, I prayed over and over again, but still did not know what to do for his leaking tricuspid valve. Even as the operation commenced, my assistant asked, “What are you going to do for that?”
I said, “I do not know.”
We began the operation. After relieving the obstruction of the first valve, we exposed the second valve. We found it to be intact but so badly dilated that it could no longer function as it should. While examining this valve, a message was distinctly impressed upon my mind: Reduce the circumference of the ring. I announced that message to my assistant. “The valve tissue will be sufficient if we can effectively reduce the ring toward its normal size.”
But how? We could not apply a belt as one would use to tighten the waist of oversized trousers. We could not squeeze with a strap as one would cinch a saddle on a horse. Then a picture came vividly to my mind, showing how stitches could be placed—to make a pleat here and a tuck there—to accomplish the desired objective. I still remember that mental image—complete with dotted lines where sutures should be placed. The repair was completed as diagrammed in my mind. We tested the valve and found the leak to be reduced remarkably. My assistant said, “It’s a miracle.”
I responded, “It’s an answer to prayer."
("Discovering a Surgical First, Russell M. Nelson and Tricuspid Valve Annuloplasty" by Austin A. Robinson and Curtis T. Hunter, BYU Studies)

Day 3899

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 9:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 9:8
"But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right."

You cannot have an intellectual testimony of the gospel. You cannot know intellectually that God exists, and that Jesus Christ atoned for your sins. Yes, it is essential to ponder and study the word of God. Pray to know if it is true. Then the spirit will testify if the desire to know is sincere. I have learned many things through the spirit but I cannot intellectually explain it. Feelings is are what I have to go on.

Day 3598

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 1:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 1:4
"And behold, ye shall take the plates of Nephi unto yourself, and the remainder shall ye leave in the place where they are; and ye shall engrave on the plates of Nephi all the things that ye have observed concerning this people."

Ammaron has all the sacred records and hid them up to the Lord in the hill called Shim, in the land of Antum. When Mormon was ten years old Ammaron gives him this charge that when he is 24 years old he is to go to where the records are deposited and only take the plates of Nephi. He is to record what he has observed of this people. I pondered on how this mission over time changed for Mormon, for eventually Mormon made an abridgement of the records. The Lord will give us instructions line upon line, here a little and there a little. It would have been to overwhelming a task to tell a ten year old boy that he was not only to record what he observed, but to also abridge the records stored in the hill called Shim. Mormon was inspired on what he was to include.

"And now, I speak somewhat concerning that which I have written; for after I had made an abridgment from the plates of Nephi, down to the reign of this king Benjamin, of whom Amaleki spake, I searched among the records which had been delivered into my hands, and I found these plates, which contained this small account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this king Benjamin, and also many of the words of Nephi.
And the things which are upon these plates pleasing me, because of the prophecies of the coming of Christ; and my fathers knowing that many of them have been fulfilled; yea, and I also know that as many things as have been prophesied concerning us down to this day have been fulfilled, and as many as go beyond this day must surely come to pass—
Wherefore, I chose these things, to finish my record upon them, which remainder of my record I shall take from the plates of Nephi; and I cannot write the hundredth part of the things of my people.
But behold, I shall take these plates, which contain these prophesyings and revelations, and put them with the remainder of my record, for they are choice unto me; and I know they will be choice unto my brethren.
And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will."
(Words of Mormon 1: 3-7

"And also that a knowledge of these things must come unto the remnant of these people, and also unto the Gentiles, who the Lord hath said should scatter this people, and this people should be counted as naught among them—therefore I write a small abridgment, daring not to give a full account of the things which I have seen, because of the commandment which I have received, and also that ye might not have too great sorrow because of the wickedness of this people."
(Mormon 5:9)

Day 3555

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 52:13, 19

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 52:13, 19
"And thus he was endeavoring to harass the Nephites, and to draw away a part of their forces to that part of the land, while he had commanded those whom he had left to possess the cities which he had taken, that they should also harass the Nephites on the borders by the east sea, and should take possession of their lands as much as it was in their power, according to the power of their armies.
And in the commencement of the twenty and eighth year, Moroni and Teancum and many of the chief captains held a council of war—what they should do to cause the Lamanites to come out against them to battle; or that they might by some means flatter them out of their strongholds, that they might gain advantage over them and take again the city of Mulek."

Two words stood out to me in these verses, harass and flatter. The Lamanites used the tool of harassment to try and overpower the Nephites. It appears to have had no effect on them. The Nephites were inspired to use flattery to outmaneuver the Lamanites. They knew the pride of their enemy well and understood that to flatter them would lead to their downfall. They were able to flatter the Lamanites into thinking they could easily overtake the Nephites on their march. When in truth they were being tricked and ultimately surrounded. This was war and the enemy fell for the trap. This is a lesson for us today. First, the dangers of leaders were flattery and pride can over take them. Second, for us to be able to endure harassment.

Day 3496

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 5:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 5:15

"I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early."

"Seek my face" has this footnote.

"In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me."

(Doctrine and Covenants 101:8)

It is a sad but true condition of the natural man. I remember going through that cycle, over and over again. Until I got very tired of it and much wiser for it. I had the brilliant idea "Why don't I turn to the Lord BEFORE I have troubles." Greatest piece of inspiration I ever received.

Day 3026

Today's Favorite Verse: Song of Solomon 3:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Song of Solomon 3:1

"By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not."

I wasn't sure if it was just that I'm feeling incredibly tired today but I couldn't find anything in this chapter that caused me to ponder. Usually I have some impress and then look up what that thought leads to. Not this time. I just wanted to find out more about the "Song of Solomon". When I looked in the JST (Joseph Smith Translation) I was surprised to find this, "Note: the JST manuscript states that "The Songs of Solomon are not inspired writings". Then I looked at the Bible Dictionary and found this.

Song of Solomon

"Sometimes called Canticles (as in Latin) or Song of Songs (as in Hebrew). Whether Solomon is actually the author is doubtful. The composition has many beautiful phrases and lyrical prose, often quoted in nonreligious literature. The JST states that “the Songs of Solomon are not inspired writings.” Both Jews and Christians have at times been reluctant to accept it into the canon of scripture because of its romantic content but have permitted it on the basis of its being an allegory of God’s love for Israel and of the Church."

(Bible Dictionary, Song of Solomon)

I think it sufficient to have learned that today in my study. I'm sure as I read other parts of the Song of Solomon it will give me things to ponder on, but today it was just not there.

Day 2833

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 77:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 77:1

"I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me."

This made me think of how God hears me. I don't think of it as seeing what I asked for necessarily coming in a positive way. Though I have experienced immediate and miraculous answers to my prayers. What happens more often is peace being restored to my soul when it is troubled. Then with the peace I have inspiration that comes to help me to resolve the issue at hand. It maybe going to a doctor and taking prescribed medicines. I maybe doing something I had no knowledge or understanding of until then. I know whatever the course and direction I am guided to, it shows me that God hears me, and is aware of my needs. Even if its just to be there to comfort and strengthen me as I walk through the fire for a season.

Day 2714

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 9:2, 23

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 9:2, 23

"And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not.

And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart."

The wisdom Solomon had was unknown by any other. That was a gift of God. It was pure inspiration by the Holy Ghost. I pondered no how important it is to acknowledge this is the source of wisdom and not think that is due to any superiority in ourselves.

"O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.

But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.

(2 Nephi 9:28)

Day 2535

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 17:5, 15-16

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 17:5, 15-16

"Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith.

Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.

Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him. "

Exactly who David had felt impressed to leave behind were now used. Hushai was able to overthrow a plan that would have trapped David and lead to his death. He was able to send the priest's sons Jonathan and Ahimaaz to warn David. It worked as planned, giving them the ability to flee. I pondered on how important it is to listen to the spirit and follow the impressions we receive.

Day 2443

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 27:1, 4

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 27:1, 4

" And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him."

This made me wonder if David was inspired of the Lord to have those thoughts and impressions, or had he given up on the Lord preserving him? I cannot say which it is, by reading this chapter. One thing is clear Saul no longer sought after David. Regardless, God is still protecting David from Saul.

I did find something interesting about this chapter in the Old Testament Student Manual.

"Although many commentators condemn this action by David, it should be noted that he was fulfilling God’s commandment given to Moses and Joshua to utterly destroy the Canaanites when Israel first came to the promised land "

(Old Testament Student Manual Genesis-2 Samuel, "1 Samuel 16-31: Kind David's Call to Lead Israel", (25-32)

Day 2422

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 11:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 11:5-6

"And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.

And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly."

Even though Saul anointed king by Samuel, he appears to have gone about life as usual. It was upon hearing the people weep and and the threat made upon the men of Jabesh-Gilead that he steps up and takes charge. He was led by the spirit in defending Israel. He becomes what he was ordained to be. What this made me ponder on was inspiration, and how often it comes while we are about our every day labors.

Day 2406

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 1:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 1:10-11

"And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.

And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head."

Hannah was barren and wanted more than anything to have a child. We don't barter with the God, to get what we want, so I don't see Hannah's prayer as being that. I see it as Hannah's will was gone, and now she was ready to accept God's will in the matter. I see it as pure inspiration to ask for the blessing of a child, only to turn around and give him back to the Lord. It wasn't a child for her, it was a child for Him. She needed to be barren these many years and to suffer that broken heart to the point she became the mother God needed for the prophet Samuel. The one who would dedicate him to the Lord. The vow Hannah made was her being ready to be what He needed her to be as the mother of a prophet in Israel.

Day 2396

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 36:13, 29

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 36:13, 29

"And he made fifty taches of gold, and coupled the curtains one unto another with the taches: so it became one tabernacle.

And they were coupled beneath, and coupled together at the head thereof, to one ring: thus he did to both of them in both the corners."

As I am reading this chapter my mind wanders and I wonder, "Why do I need to know how to build a tabernacle?", "How does it apply to my day?" No sooner do I ask that, then I noticed the word "coupled". In fact that word is used eight times in this chapter. What are they coupling together? The parts of the tabernacle that the wise hearted craftsmen have made. What does that remind me of today? The article I recently read that the church is looking into making prefabricated modular temples. It's not a stretch of the imagination then to think of them coupling these prefabricated modular units together to become one "temple".

Day 2245

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 103:36

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 103:36

"All victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through your diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith."

This verse reminded me of a discussion we had during family scripture reading today. It was the reminder that all the good that we do, all the strokes of genius or ideas that we have, we give credit to God for them. As I ponder on this verse, that even if success is obtained because I was faithful, diligent and prayerful, it still doesn't mean that I did it. The whole reason for any victory is because of the inspiration that came through the spirit, and the will of God. I needed to live worthy to receive it. We have to be mindful of where we give credit.

Day 2106

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 79:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 79:2

"And I will send upon him the Comforter, which shall teach him the truth and the way whither he shall go;

I have to testify that this is true. That the Comforter does teach truth, and will direct us in the way we need to go. I have experienced both and I am in awe of how it works. For at times I can feel like it's my own thoughts, yet it is knowing I am nothing. All inspiration comes from God, through the Holy Spirit. The more I acknowledge the true source, the more inspiration I will receive.

Day 2082

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 77:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 77:7

"Q. What are we to understand by the seven seals with which it was sealed?

A. We are to understand that the first seal contains the things of the first thousand years, and the second also of the second thousand years, and so on until the seventh."

In this chapter Joseph Smith was in the middle of translating the Scriptures when he received by revelation the answers to questions on the Revelation of St. John. I have often though as I read this question and answer session, that I wished he had asked more questions. But, I know even the questions to ask are inspired and we are given what is needful for us at the time. I do like this question on the meaning of the book sealed with seven seals. It really does help in understanding the book of Revelations that they are simply representing each thousand year period of the temporal existence of this earth. From this the description and symbolism begin to open up the passages in Revelations. When I ponder on this it is amazing to me how inspired these questions asked in this chapter really were.

Day 2080

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 8:2-3

 Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 8:2-3

"Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

Now behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground."

I sat and pondered on personal revelation. In this chapter the Lord is beginning to explain how revelation works to "receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge concerning....by the manifestation of my Spirit." It truly is a learning process to understand how the Spirit speaks to me. It's like a baby trying to walk and making all the parts move together at the same time. You can totally expect to fall a few times, if not many.

So, I asked myself how do I identify the Holy Ghost is speaking to me? The best way for me to describe it is to share a story.

I had a desire to get out of debt. As I studied our finances and prayed it was clear it was time to get rid of our storage unit. I gave my husband an ultimatum, get our storage unit cleared out by a certain date. If it wasn't cleared out then I would stop payment on the unit anyways and they could have whatever was left in there. He had several months. He made the deadline with time to spare.

No sooner was the storage unit cleared then while sitting in my computer room an impression came to me. I heard my own voice in my mind. It said "You have to decide today if you are going to buy a Tuff Shed." That was a totally random thought. I didn't need a Tuff Shed, I just got rid of our storage unit. Again the thought came and I couldn't think of why I needed one. When the impression came again it said "Not only that, it needs windows, heat and air conditioning". I knew then that the Spirit was speaking to me and telling me something I needed to do. This was not my own idea.

So I asked what I needed to use this shed for? The impression that it was an art studio came to me. My husband is an artist it must be for him. I now knew in my mind and heart that I had to go look at Tuff Sheds today. I told my husband and he happily went with me to Home Depot to look at the Tuff Sheds on display. I found that it was perfect timing to buy one, for two sales were merging. Thankfully, I could cover the cost of the shed from what I saved monthly on the storage unit. When the Tuff Shed was built a neighbor helped us run electricity so it could have heat and air conditioning.

We were still in this stage of wiring the shed when my prodigal daughter that had been estranged from us for several years contact us. We meet, and soon it became evident she needed to move back home. The art studio became her home and since being here her love of art has had time to blossom and is now her full-time career. This is what the Lord had planned all along. For revelation is given to further His work, with faith required by us to act upon it.

When this verse describes that it will "dwell in your heart" that is key to me. For, the mind and heart, can easily be deceived. It is the spirit dwelling there between the two that helps me understand.

Day 2011

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 24:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 24:10-11
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the fields, saith the Lord of Hosts."

This last verse meant something to me today, because of the fields in the mid-west that lost their crops yesterday. Literally, the storm "cast her fruit before the time of the fields". In the first verse it mentions that the paying of tithes would have prevented this. So did the farmers not pay tithing? I have no idea who even knows or understands this principle now. What I do know is there are some that do, and I'm sure there are even some that paid tithing and lost their crops.

As I reflected on this I realized the farmers crops are not just his crops, they are mine too. I count on their crops and buy from them. In a way they are my crops too. This situation was not just a reflection of a farmer paying tithing or not, its upon a nation that has left God behind them. When God gives the voice of warning all feel the affects of it.

The difference is those that put God first by paying their tithes, and love him with all their hearts, will have eyes that see and ears that hear because the windows of heaven are opened to them. The blessings come when you are inspired in how to protect yourself and loved ones from the suffering that will come. Even with that I sure hope I get a chance to read a story about some farmer that paid his tithing and his crops survived. It's not that I have to see it to believe it, its just that I know it had to have happened and somehow the story has to make its way to me.

Day 1961