Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 2:12, 13, 19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 2:12, 13, 19-20
"And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. "

I noticed the three different dreams mentioned in this chapter. First to the wise men to not return to Herod, and leave another way. Then to Joseph to flee to Egypt with his family. He is told to remain there until he brings him word. That word wasn't from a third party, saying Herod was dead. It was from the angel of the Lord in a third dream telling him to arise and take the family back to Israel. I pondered on what a righteous man Joseph must have been to have visitations of angels in dreams, and obey what he was told. It made me ponder on our day and how import it is that we are able to receive personal revelation for us and our family. It can have not only spiritual but also physical consequences.

"I feel to emphasize the warning President Russell M. Nelson issued us: that “in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” One of the many reasons you will need the constant influence of the Holy Ghost is that you live in a season in which the adversary has become so effective at disguising truth that if you don’t have the Holy Ghost, you will be deceived. Many obstacles lie ahead. The distractions will be many."
(Dallin H. Oaks, "Coming Closer to Jesus Christ", BYU Devotional address on February 10, 2026)

Day 4055

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 1:19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 1:19-20
"Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."

I could just picture Joseph pondering on how he should handle this situation with Mary. She was pregnant and it wasn't his child. It sounds like God had him ponder on this for a time. The angel did not appear to him until after he decided he would put her away privily. Isn't that how a lot of revelation comes. We must study it out in our minds and then ask God if it be right. In this case God was watching and knowing and then sent an angel to confirm this was the Christ child to be born. What absolute joy and relief he must have felt, along with a lot of humility at being entrusted with such a responsibility.

Day 4054

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 48:18-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 48:18-19
"And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.
And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations."

I pondered on how Jacob knew which of Joseph's son should receive the greater blessing. It was the younger son Ephraim, just like Jacob himself being the younger son. It seemed like Rebekah had tricked Isaac in giving the birthright blessing of Esau to Jacob, but in truth Isaac gave the blessing the Lord would have him give. Just like now, Jacob is giving Ephraim the second son the greater blessing. No one can take someone else's blessing.

Day 3761

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 45:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 45:5
"Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life."

I pondered on how there is purpose in trials, if we remain faithful to the Lord. Joseph knew that the trials he went through by being sold into Egypt by his brothers was God's will for him. There was a greater purpose. Yes, his brothers did wrong and we are punished for our wrongs if we do not repent. I love the reunion of Joseph and his brothers. I love Joseph's forgiveness of them. He knew the greater purpose was for him to be sent ahead to later preserve theirs and those around them lives. It is so important to wait upon the Lord, and have forgiveness of those that did us wrong. We never know the end of the story from the beginning.

Day 3760

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 40:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 40:8
"And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you."

Joseph was a dreamer, that is how he received revelation. I pondered on some of the dreams I have received. There are some things I have learned over the years. First, pray for the interpretation. My dreams have personal meaning for me. If they are from God, personally for me, then by prayer He will also give the interpretation. Be careful who you share a dream with. Like Joseph his family didn't understand the dreams he had when younger. They got down right rude and nasty about the whole thing. His siblings even turned on him. Later his dreams were shown to be prophecy that came true. It's better to hold it to yourself because it was for you anyways. If God wants to give someone else the same dream and interpretation He can. On that same hand there is no need to read stories about other people's dreams, they weren't for you. About the only dreams I care about is when a prophet relates it, for he's the one that receive revelation for the church.

"It is true that the Prophets have told us of dreams and visions which they have had, and in some instances the Lord has explained or interpreted them, and as such we are to receive them. But where he has not deigned to give the interpretation we must wait until he does, for it does not belong to men to give their own private interpretation thereto. It is written, “Interpretations belong to God,” and where it has pleased him to interpret, it behooves us to accept it, and where it has not pleased him to do so it becomes us to wait until he does, and not attempt to obtrude upon mankind our private interpretation of what God has revealed. Where plain predictions are uttered, we are to receive them as we would the writings of any other author—according to the plain and obvious meaning of the language."
(Erastus Snow, "Ancient Prophecy, Etc.", JD 16:200)

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:"
(Joel 2:28)

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:"
(Acts 2:17)

"Revelation can also be given in a dream when there is an almost imperceptible transition from sleep to wakefulness. If you strive to capture the content immediately, you can record great detail, but otherwise it fades rapidly. Inspired communication in the night is generally accompanied by a sacred feeling for the entire experience. The Lord uses individuals for whom we have great respect to teach us truths in a dream because we trust them and will listen to their counsel. It is the Lord doing the teaching through the Holy Ghost. However, He may in a dream make it both easier to understand and more likely to touch our hearts by teaching us through someone we love and respect.
When it is for the Lord’s purposes, He can bring anything to our remembrance. That should not weaken our determination to record impressions of the Spirit. Inspiration carefully recorded shows God that His communications are sacred to us. Recording will also enhance our ability to recall revelation. Such recording of direction of the Spirit should be protected from loss or intrusion by others."
(Richard G. Scott, "How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life", Apr 2012 General Conference)

Day 3759

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 9:13-14

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 9:13-14
"For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

This made me think of the red heifers that the Jews are trying to raise unspotted and supposedly needed to cleanse themselves before the third temple is built. I really don't understand it when Jesus Christ already made this sacrifice and the law of Moses is done away.

In this chapter Paul also mentions that Christ would only offer himself once, unlike the high priest that made this offering yearly.

"Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;" (Hebrews 9:25)

"It will be necessary here to make a few observations on the doctrine set forth in the above quotation, and it is generally supposed that sacrifice was entirely done away when the Great Sacrifice [i.e., the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus] was offered up, and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of sacrifice in future; but those who assert this are certainly not acquainted with the duties, privileges and authority of the priesthood, or with the Prophets.
The offering of sacrifice has ever been connected and forms a part of the duties of the Priesthood. It began with the Priesthood, and will be continued until after the coming of Christ, from generation to generation. We frequently have mention made of the offering of sacrifice by the servants of the Most High in ancient days, prior to the law of Moses; which ordinances will be continued when the Priesthood is restored with all its authority, power and blessings.
Elijah was the last Prophet that held the keys of the Priesthood, and who will, before the last dispensation, restore the authority and deliver the keys of the Priesthood, in order that all the ordinances may be attended to in righteousness. It is true that the Savior had authority and power to bestow this blessing; but the sons of Levi were too prejudiced.”And I will send Elijah the Prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord,” etc., etc. Why send Elijah? Because he holds the keys of the authority to administer in all the ordinances of the Priesthood; and without the authority is given, the ordinances could not be administered in righteousness.
It is a very prevalent opinion that the sacrifices which were offered were entirely consumed. This was not the case; if you read Leviticus, second chap., second and third verses, you will observe that the priests took a part as a memorial and offered it up before the Lord, while the remainder was kept for the maintenance of the priests; so that the offerings and sacrifices are not all consumed upon the altar—but the blood is sprinkled, and the fat and certain other portions are consumed.
These sacrifices, as well as every ordinance belonging to the Priesthood, will, when the Temple of the Lord shall be built, and the sons of Levi be purified, be fully restored and attended to in all their powers, ramifications, and blessings. This ever did and ever will exist when the powers of the Melchisedek Priesthood are sufficiently manifest; else how can the restitution of all things spoken of by the holy Prophets be brought to pass? It is not to be understood that the law of Moses will be established again with all its rites and variety of ceremonies; this has never been spoken of by the Prophets; but those things which existed prior to Moses’ day, namely, sacrifice, will be continued.
It may be asked by some, what necessity for sacrifice, since the Great Sacrifice was offered? In answer to which, if repentance, baptism, and faith existed prior to the days of Christ, what necessity for them since that time? The Priesthood has descended in a regular line from father to son, through their succeeding generations."
(Joseph Smith Jr., "History of the Church", 4:211-212)

This quote was after the third temple, the Kirtland temple. was dedicated, and Elijah came to restore these priesthood ordinances keys. We are making offerings and sacrifices in righteousness now.

Day 3301

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 5:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 5:1-2

"Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.

For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph’s:)"

John Taylor has a nice description of what was taking place here.

"..that because Reuben defiled his father's bed, the birthright was taken from him and given to the sons of Joseph; and the Priesthood was reckoned after that lineage, though Judah prevailed above his brethren to this extent, that through him came the Chief Ruler of Israel, while unto Ephraim, the son of Joseph, was given the keys of the Priesthood—or those rights that apply to the birthright. Of the two sons of Joseph—Ephraim and Manasseh, the Lord said, Manasseh shall be great, but Ephraim shall be greater than he; and he shall become a multitude in the earth.(Genesis 48:19)"

(John Taylor, The Order and Duties of the Priesthood, JD21:358)

Day 2502

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 16:1, 9

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 16:1, 9

"And the lot of the children of Joseph fell from Jordan by Jericho, unto the water of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goeth up from Jericho throughout mount Beth-el,

And the separate cities for the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages."

I thought about how the children of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, have among their descendants the Nephites and Lamanites. How the children of Lehi were from Manasseh and the children of Ishmael were from Ephraim. The tribe of Joseph was complete within their posterity. The Book of Mormon says that Lehi was "at Jerusalem" which was land the tribe of Judah inherited. Being "at Jerusalem" doesn't necessarily mean he lived in Jerusalem. The city of Gilgal is only 15 miles from Jerusalem and within the territory of Manasseh. When Lehi's sons went to Jerusalem to obtain the plates of brass from Laban they mention they went "down to the land of our inheritance" to gather their gold and silver and precious things to try and buy the brass plates. It's interesting to think that might be where they lived, but people can migrate to other lands. Both Lehi and Ishmael's ancestors could have moved enough in advance before the Assyrians took the Israelites captive stopping them from becoming part of the lost ten tribes.

Day 2362

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 50:19-21

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 50:19-21

"And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them."

Jacob has died and is carried back to Canaan and buried in the cave Abraham purchased to bury his dead. On the way back to Egypt Joseph's brothers are concerned that he will hate them for the evil they did against him. They then say to Joseph that their father wanted him to forgive them. This causes Joseph to wept as he says these things to them. He truly already had a heart that forgave them. This is an example of guilty party being unable to forgive themselves. I love Joseph's example of forgiveness. Not only does he forgive, he understands that God had a purpose for what happened. He promises to nourish and care for them.

Day 2209

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 48:20

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 48:20

"And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh."

I am of the tribe of Ephraim. I reflected on the blessings this gospel has given me. I thought upon my efforts to share it.

Day 2207

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 47:19

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 47:19

"Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate."

I pondered on the famine in Egypt and Canaan. It doesn't appear that the dream of Pharaoh was kept a secret from anyone. The people must have seen Joseph building granaries and storing food for those seven years of plenty. I'm sure some must have thought it was foolishness for him to do this. Then when the famine came the people that thought Joseph foolish came and begged for food. Instead of having put something away to provide for themselves they expected the rulers to take care of them. They gave Joseph all their money, then their cattle, finally their land and then themselves. They put themselves into bondage because they did not heed the words of a prophet. This is a big lesson in being self-reliant and how it keeps us from bondage. This makes me think of a talk by President Russell M. Nelson

"The adversary never stops attacking. So, we can never stop preparing! The more self-reliant we are—temporally, emotionally, and spiritually—the more prepared we are to thwart Satan’s relentless assaults.

I promise that as we create places of security, prepare our minds to be faithful to God, and never stop preparing, God will bless us. He will “deliver us; yea, insomuch that he [will] speak peace to our souls, and [will] grant unto us great faith, and … cause us that we [can] hope for our deliverance in him.”

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

Day 2206

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 46:29

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 46:29-30

"And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.

And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive."

I just love this part of the story when Jacob and Joseph are reunited. I suppose if I can mourn with those that mourn, I can also rejoice with those that rejoice.

Day 2205

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 45:5, 7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 45:5, 7-8

"Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt."

I love this part of the story. Seeing the absolute timing and purpose of the Lord. Joseph trusts the Lord, and that also allows him to forgive and rise above any wrongs done to him earlier. He is grateful for his trials for out of them came greater things. I reflected on this past year with a world wide pandemic. The preparations that were made before this happened. How I have been able to grow spiritually without stepping inside of the church for over a year. The family is closer, and stronger. Great things come out of trials, I have come to be grateful for them.

Day 2204

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 44:34

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 44:34

"For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father."

I actually was pondering on a different verse in this chapter and as I went to look something up I stubbled upon this story relayed by Elder Quentin L. Cook. I had forgotten all about it, and in return relayed it to my son. We had just had a lovely discussion during family scripture reading about failed missions, that really are not failures. They take us where the Lord wants us to be. In pondering all this now I think I will change what verse I was originally pondering on and relay the story about the missionaries that missed traveling home on the Titanic.

"When Alma was a young man, he had a friend named Fred who was less active in the Church. They had numerous discussions about serving a mission, and eventually Alma Sonne convinced Fred to prepare and serve. They were both called to the British Mission. At the conclusion of their missions, Elder Sonne, the mission secretary, made the travel arrangements for their return to the United States. He booked passage on the Titanic for himself, Fred, and four other missionaries who had also completed their missions.

When it came time to travel, for some reason Fred was delayed. Elder Sonne canceled all six bookings to sail on the new luxury liner on its maiden voyage and booked passage on a ship that sailed the next day. The four missionaries, who were excited about traveling on the Titanic, expressed their disappointment. Elder Sonne’s answer paraphrased the account of Joseph and his brothers in Egypt recorded in Genesis: “How can we return to our families and the lad be not with us? He explained to his companions that they all came to England together and they all should return home together. Elder Sonne subsequently learned of the Titanic’s sinking and gratefully said to his friend Fred, “You saved my life.” Fred replied, “No, by getting me on this mission, you saved my life.” All of the missionaries thanked the Lord for preserving them."

(Quentin L. Cook, "The Songs They Could Not Sing", Oct 2011, General Conference)

I have come to have so much more peace in my life as I don't stress what seems to be failure. I have learned that when I place it in the Lord's hands, miracles, mercy and grace will take me where I need to be.

Day 2203

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 43:32-33

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 43:32-33

"And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another."

I took time to think about this one and make sure I could picture it correctly. There were three separate tables. The Egyptians sat by themselves, Joseph sat by himself, and his brothers sat by themselves. So first it's odd that Joseph is not sitting with either party. He's saying at least to them, I'm not an Egyptian. Then he has the brothers seated at their table according to their birthright. They would marvel again on how he would know this.

Abomination had a footnote for Genesis 46:34

"That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians."

I didn't really understand why the shepherd or the Hebrew was an abomination to the Egyptians. Then I found this.

"Several Egyptian deities were represented by cattle, especially female cattle. Since the Hebrews were herdsmen who slaughtered and ate cattle, regardless of sex, this practice would have been viewed by the Egyptians as a terrible abomination. Whatever the reason, Joseph seemed to respect the custom of Egyptians and Hebrews eating separately."

(Old Testament Student Manual, Genesis 37-50: Joseph: The Power of Preparation)

What this all made me ponder on was respect for the customs and beliefs of others. Let others be separate if that shows respect to them. Yet, we can all get along with each other.

"And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him."

Day 2202

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 42:22, 37

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 42:22, 37

"And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.

And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again."

I see in Reuben a man that has a repentant heart. He lost his birthright to Joseph because of his moral transgression with Bilhah his father's concubine. Then he tries to stop his brothers from killing Joseph by suggesting they put him in a pit, and that they would deliver him to their father again. He rents his clothes when he finds Joseph gone from the pit. Now in Egypt when they have no idea that it is Joseph listening to them, Reuben feels blood is required to atone for what was done to Joseph. He is later willing to offer his own sons if he does not return Benjamin back to his father. I had never really thought about Reuben when reading this story before, but now I see him in a new light.

Day 2201

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 41:37-39

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 41:37-39

"And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.

And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:"

Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dream and then tells him how to prepare for the coming famine. I pondered on how Pharaoh and his servants all had the spirit bare witness to them that the words of Joseph were true. That they were able to recognize the Spirit of God was with him. Everyone is born with the light of Christ within them to have these moments. Joseph had been prepared in advance for leadership roles. He rises in Potiphar's household, in prison he is the keeper of the prison. Not only did Joseph live his life to have the spirit to be with him, all that he did while in bondage spoke of his character. I reflected on how important our character is in opening that door, for our words spoken by the spirit to be believed.

Day 2200

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 40:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 40:8

"And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you."

I pondered on being able to receive answers to my dreams, because I prayed to understand. You can read all the "dream books" in the world and that won't give you true answers. When you pray about the meaning of a dream it is interesting that the meaning is sometimes not what seemed to be the focus.

Day 2199

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 39:12, 17-18

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 39:12, 17-18

"And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled and go him out.

And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:

And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out."

What a difference between Joseph and the way his brother Judah acted in the earlier chapter. Joseph, even though he was trying to remain chaste, appears to be caught up in what today is called a "Me too" situation. In this case Potiphar's wife lies about what Joseph did. Motivation being she's upset her advances were not reciprocated. What this reinforces is that all matters may not seem as they appear at first sight. There is a need to listen but also investigate. The other thing this shows is never be alone with someone of the opposite sex. Even though Joseph was just going about his business as usual, the situation was taken advantage of by Potiphar's wife, when there was no one there to witness what happened between them. We can never let our guard down.

Day 2198