Today's Favorite Verse: John 16:2-3 "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me."
Jesus was speaking to his apostles. Only John the beloved would not die a martyrs death. This made me reflect on Joan of Arc and William Tyndale both killed by religious leaders for their beliefs. I cannot think of any time after Jesus' resurrection, with the law of Moses fulfilled that God has asked a religious sect to kill others for their beliefs. Those that have killed others have been deceived thinking they were right. I pondered on Joseph and Hyrum Smith being murdered in the Cartage jail. I don't know if any of the mob thought they were doing God's service? Was that just politically motivated? Why such hate over people's religions? It is sad what people have done in the name of religion, when what they show is that they do not know the Father nor the Son.
Today's Favorite Verse: Joel 1:28 "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:"
This is the time that we are living in.
When Moroni visited Joseph Smith he quoted this verse in Joel. I have wondered what other explanations and scriptures that couldn't be mentioned were told him? Surely, the instructions have been passed to us in other scriptures and in the temple, but it would have been interesting to know all that was covered that night.
"He also quoted the second chapter of Joel, from the twenty-eighth verse to the last. He also said that this was not yet fulfilled, but was soon to be. And he further stated that the fulness of the Gentiles was soon to come in. He quoted many other passages of scripture, and offered many explanations which cannot be mentioned here." (Joseph Smith-History 1:41)
Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 127:2 "It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep."
I love a good nap. I take one every day for my lunch break. That is the benefit of working from home. I also try to not stay up late and rise early. So, this verse about the Lord giving his beloved sleep is to me a good reward. I remember a story by Truman Madsen about Joseph Smith's ability to fall asleep anywhere at any time. This was the gift of a clear conscience.
"We have a glimpse of his sleeping ability from Lorin Farr, who observed that even in the Missouri persecution days, even under pressure—and of course he was then under the kind of pressure that leads to the worst fatigue—he could sit down at the base of a tree and almost instantly fall into slumber, but almost as instantly snap back to full and alert activity. That may have something to do with a clear conscience and the assurance that God is with you." (Truman G. Madsen, "Joseph Smith Lecture 2: Joseph’s Personality and Character", BYU Speeches, Aug 22, 1978)
"Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated." (Doctrine and Covenants 88:124)
"Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day." (Alma 37:37)
Today's Favorite Verse: Job 34:35-37 "Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom. My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men. For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God."
I can't even imagine judging, much less saying these words to a good man that had suffered so much loss. No wonder the Lord spoke these words to Joseph Smith, while held prisoner in the Liberty jail.
"Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job." (Doctrine and Covenants 121:10)
Today's Favorite Verse: Joseph Smith - History 1:36-37 "After telling me these things, he commenced quoting the prophecies of the Old Testament. He first quoted part of the third chapter of Malachi; and he quoted also the fourth or last chapter of the same prophecy, though with a little variation from the way it reads in our Bibles. Instead of quoting the first verse as it reads in our books, he quoted it thus: For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly shall burn as stubble; for they that come shall burn them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch."
Moroni quoted Malachi 4:1 differently. This is how it reads in the bible. "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch."
My question is who are "they that come"?
In the bible it says "the day that cometh" will burn them up. But Moroni that appeared to Joseph Smith quotes it with the variation "THEY that come". As I was researching this I noticed the Lord said He will burn them up.
"For the hour is nigh and the day soon at hand when the earth is ripe; and all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that wickedness shall not be upon the earth;" (Doctrine and Covenants 29:9)
As I was pondering on who "they that come" are, I was looking at a picture of the second coming. The Lord comes with his angels. It has to be angels that do this work of burning. Angels appearing in the glory of the Lord. I then found other scriptures on the role of angels.
"And until that hour there will be foolish virgins among the wise; and at that hour cometh an entire separation of the righteous and the wicked; and in that day will I send mine angels to pluck out the wicked and cast them into unquenchable fire." (Doctrine and Covenants 63:54)
"Which causeth silence to reign, and all eternity is pained, and the angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned; and, behold, the enemy is combined." (Doctrine and Covenants 38:12)
"The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:41-42)
"And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them." (3 Nephi 17:24)
Those that are righteous are not consumed by the fire, they are embraced and ministered to by the angels in the midst of it. The righteous will remain while the wicked are destroyed.
Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 1:36, 40-41 And it came to pass that Moses spake unto the Lord, saying: Be merciful unto thy servant, O God, and tell me concerning this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, and also the heavens, and then thy servant will be content. And now, Moses, my son, I will speak unto thee concerning this earth upon which thou standest; and thou shalt write the things which I shall speak. And in a day when the children of men shall esteem my words as naught and take many of them from the book which thou shalt write, behold, I will raise up another like unto thee; and they shall be had again among the children of men—among as many as shall believe."
I'm now in the Pearl of Great Price. While Joseph Smith was translating the Bible he received by revelation these extracts from the Book of Moses. As I was reading this chapter I kept thinking about the Five Books of Moses in the Bible, which include Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. I wondered if they were oral traditions that Moses wrote down or revelations? In these verses I think I have my answer. God revealed the creation of this world and all its inhabitants. I can picture that he saw in vision all that took place in the garden of Eden, Noah and the flood, and the building of the Tower of Babel. He saw the beginning and the end of this world. He was commanded to write it. Moses was even shown that one day men would not esteem his words and take many things from the book. The one raised up would be Joseph Smith, restoring what was once lost.
Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 135:1 "To seal the testimony of this book and the Book of Mormon, we announce the martyrdom of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and Hyrum Smith the Patriarch. They were shot in Carthage jail, on the 27th of June, 1844, about five o’clock p.m., by an armed mob—painted black—of from 150 to 200 persons. Hyrum was shot first and fell calmly, exclaiming: I am a dead man! Joseph leaped from the window, and was shot dead in the attempt, exclaiming: O Lord my God! They were both shot after they were dead, in a brutal manner, and both received four balls."
I always cry when I read this chapter. I can't really imagine how the saints must have felt to have their beloved prophet Joseph, and patriarch Hyrum martyred. I know it makes me sad almost 181 years later. I don't have much to say about it. It simply makes me sad that they had to die like that. I know they were not taken until they were finished with their work. That finish including sealing their testimonies with their blood.
Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 130:14-17 "I was once praying very earnestly to know the time of the coming of the Son of Man, when I heard a voice repeat the following: Joseph, my son, if thou livest until thou art eighty-five years old, thou shalt see the face of the Son of Man; therefore let this suffice, and trouble me no more on this matter. I was left thus, without being able to decide whether this coming referred to the beginning of the millennium or to some previous appearing, or whether I should die and thus see his face. I believe the coming of the Son of Man will not be any sooner than that time."
The reminded me of another quote of Joseph Smith, Jr.
"Of the Savior’s words that no man knows the day or the hour of the coming of the Son of Man (see Matt. 24:36), the Prophet asked: “Did Christ speak this as a general principle throughout all generations? Oh, no, He spoke in the present tense. No man that was then living upon the footstool of God knew the day or the hour. But He did not say that there was no man throughout all generations that should not know the day or the hour. No, for this would be in flat contradiction with other scripture. For the prophet says that God will do nothing but what He will reveal unto His servants the prophets. Consequently, if it is not made known to the prophets, it will not come to pass.” (Grant Underwood, "The Prophet Joseph Smith's Use of the Old Testament", Aug 2002 Ensign)
President Nelson also spoke of not knowing the hour or day of the second coming.
"Regular worship in the house of the Lord increases our capacity for both virtue and charity. Thus, time in the temple increases our confidence before the Lord. Increased time in the temple will help us prepare for the Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We do not know the day or the hour of His coming. But I do know that the Lord is prompting me to urge us to get ready for that “great and dreadful day.” (Russell M. Nelson, "Confidence in the Presence of God", Apr 2025 General Conference)
Then in General Conference we have at least 4 talks that spoke of the parable of the ten virgins. You know what I find interesting? That in Jesus' time the bride and the virgins didn't know the day or the hour that the bridegroom was coming, but they knew the season. It would be after the harvest and the father of the bridegroom said it was time. The reason the virgins are waiting is because they knew the time was close the harvest was ending. Like a woman with child, they knew the month and the year the child is coming.
Another interesting thing about Matthew 24:36 is what comes after it.
"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matthew 24:36-37)
I asked myself how long was Noah building the ark? I find that some scholars say it between 55 to 75 years. Other scholars consider it was up to 120 years. Now how long has The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint been restored and waiting for the second coming? The 200th anniversary is in 2030. We've been preparing longer than it took Noah to build the ark. What also happened to Noah before the rain came? The Lord told Noah to take all his house into the ark. (It was their temple.) The Lord shut the door, and it was seven days later that the rains started. You cannot tell me that a prophet of God won't know how close we are to the second coming, if the Lord told us it would be like the days of Noah.
Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 129:1, 4-5 "There are two kinds of beings in heaven, namely: Angels, who are resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bones— When a messenger comes saying he has a message from God, offer him your hand and request him to shake hands with you. If he be an angel he will do so, and you will feel his hand."
The verses continue to explain - The spirit of a just man made perfect will not move to shake your hand, because it is contrary to the order of heaven to deceive. The devil as an angel will move to shake your hand and you will feel nothing.
Seriously, I have a question and I pondered on it after reading this verse. The question? If Jesus Christ was the first resurrected being how did angels appear to man and touch them before His death and resurrection?
Who were the three holy men that Abraham entertained? (Genesis 18) He fed them, they ate. We know the resurrected Lord could eat. These holy men also delivered a message from God, that Sarah shall have a son. Who did Jacob wrestle with until the breaking of day? (Genesis 32) He was given a message from God, and his name was called Israel. What angel touched Elijah and said to him, Arise and eat? (1 Kings 19) All these events happened before Jesus Christ was resurrected. They all had to have a physical body, yet were messengers from God.
I thought about this verse.
"I answer, Yes. But there are no angels who minister to this earth but those who do belong or have belonged to it. The angels do not reside on a planet like this earth; But they reside in the presence of God, on a globe like a sea of glass and fire, where all things for their glory are manifest, past, present, and future, and are continually before the Lord." (Doctrine and Covenants 130:5-7)
If these messengers from God were not resurrected beings, or spirits what are they? They could only be those that belonged to this earth and now resided in his presence. Then I thought of translated beings like Elijah that was taken up in a whirlwind. (2 Kings 2:11-12) But, Elijah came after Abraham and Jacob, and someone else touched him. Then I remembered Enoch and the entire city of Enoch being translated. They are part of this earth, and people that never died. God received them into his bosom.
"Enoch was twenty-five years old when he was ordained under the hand of Adam; and he was sixty-five and Adam blessed him. And he saw the Lord, and he walked with him, and was before his face continually; and he walked with God three hundred and sixty-five years, making him four hundred and thirty years old when he was translated." (Doctrine and Covenants 107:48-49)
"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." (Hebrew 11:5)
"And Enoch and all his people walked with God, and he dwelt in the midst of Zion; and it came to pass that Zion was not, for God received it up into his own bosom; and from thence went forth the saying, ZION IS FLED." (Moses 7:69)
Feeling like I was finally understanding, I looked for some confirmation that angels include translated beings of flesh and bones.
"There are two kinds of beings in heaven who are called angels: those who are spirits and those who have bodies of flesh and bone. Angels who are spirits have not yet obtained a body of flesh and bone, or they are spirits who have once had a mortal body and are awaiting resurrection. Angels who have bodies of flesh and bone have either been resurrected from the dead or translated." (Bible Dictionary, Angels)
"He explained the difference between an angel and a ministering spirit; the one a resurrected or translated body, with its spirit ministering to embodied spirits—the other a disembodied spirit, visiting and ministering to disembodied spirits. Jesus Christ became a ministering spirit (while His body was lying in the sepulchre) to the spirits in prison, to fulfill an important part of His mission, without which He could not have perfected His work, or entered into His rest. After His resurrection He appeared as an angel to His disciples.
Translated bodies cannot enter into rest until they have undergone a change equivalent to death. Translated bodies are designed for future missions.
The angel that appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos was a translated or resurrected body [i.e., personage]. Jesus Christ went in body after His resurrection, to minister to resurrected bodies. There has been a chain of authority and power from Adam down to the present time." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 191)
Translated bodies are designed for future missions. That makes so much sense now on who God sent to prophets before Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.
Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 126:1 "Dear and well-beloved brother, Brigham Young, verily thus saith the Lord unto you: My servant Brigham, it is no more required at your hand to leave your family as in times past, for your offering is acceptable to me."
What a warm and loving greeting the Lord addresses Brigham Young. How he must have felt to be told his offering was acceptable to the Lord. As the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Brigham Young would become the successor of Joseph Smith after the martyrdom. I pondered on how important these next three years would be for Brigham Young. To be so close to Joseph Smith, and personally tutored with an understanding how things were to be setup. Joseph Smith knew that the saints would eventually flee to the rocky mountains. That wasn't just an idea of Brigham Young. How I wish I could have listened to their conversations.
Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 73:4 "And, inasmuch as it is practicable, to preach in the regions round about until conference; and after that it is expedient to continue the work of translation until it be finished."
This work of translation is the Bible. I've always wanted to read the Joseph Smith Translation (JST) of the Bible. It won't be that long before I will start studying the Old Testament again. I would like to read the JST Bible all the way through. I went looking to see where I could get a copy. I really don't want to buy it. Then I remembered the BYU Citation Index website has it. So it looks like a good possibility that this will be my year to start reading it.
"The Prophet Joseph Smith did not “translate” the Bible in the traditional sense of the word. He did not study ancient languages in order to make a new translation into English. Rather, he received the spiritual gift to make inspired revisions. While some of the revisions the Prophet made to the text restored original biblical passages that had been lost, other changes corrected, expanded, and supplemented existing biblical text. Overall, through revelation, Joseph revised passages to reflect the meaning God intended. The changes found today in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible restore plain and precious truths and covenants once found in the Bible. The Lord explained that the inspired translation would do far more than provide information or even edification for the Saints. He said it was also given for “the salvation of mine own elect”. Furthermore, several revelations contained in the Doctrine and Covenants were received as a direct result of Joseph’s work of translation. The inspired translation of the Bible is further witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith’s divine calling and ministry." (Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, Chapter 14: Doctrine and Covenants 35-36; 39-40, "Thou shalt write for him")
"The Prophet and Sidney Rigdon worked diligently on the Bible translation from this time until July 2, 1833, when the translators wrote to the brethren in Missouri that they had, that day, completed the translation of the Bible. Portions of Joseph Smith’s translation are now contained in the Pearl of Great Price (the book of Moses and Joseph Smith—Matthew) and in increasingly more languages in the Latter-day Saint edition of the Bible. The Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible had “a significant influence on the Church in the way it shaped the content of the Doctrine and Covenants. More than half of the current Doctrine and Covenants consists of revelations received during the three-year period in which Joseph Smith labored over the Bible translation. Many revelations were received as direct answers to questions Joseph was inspired to ask as his understanding of the gospel expanded during the effort to restore plain and precious parts of the Bible” (Elizabeth Maki, “Joseph Smith’s Bible Translation,” in Revelations in Context, 103, or history.lds.org). (Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, Chapter 26: Doctrine and Covenants 71-75, "It is expedient to translate again")
Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 50:2 "Behold, verily I say unto you, that there are many spirits which are false spirits, which have gone forth in the earth, deceiving the world."
This reminded me how I used to love to watch paranormal shows were people hunted and tried to communicate with ghosts. They would put cameras up and make audio recordings. Some of their findings were pretty amazing. Hearing the recorded voices always disturbed my spirit, which is never a good sign. But, I was so curious as to what these ghosts were. I knew there were righteous angels and spirit that were sent from God for specific messages. But, what were these other spirits?
The light did not come on until I realized they were deceiving spirits. Mischievous spirits of deceased individuals or Satan's followers trying to deceive. That's why no one was able to catch these ghosts. They were playing with them. They were making people waste their time running after them. Deceiving spirits can appear as little children, famous people of the ages, anyone in history they want to be. A true spirit sent from God would not cause us to run around foolishly after them. When a true spirit has a message he will deliver it and be done. The power to discern spirits and their true source is a gift of the Holy Ghost. I vowed never to waste my time watching another show like those again. Why would you want to even play with this? This is not entertainment, it's evil. They truly have no lasting value and can only lead to deception.
"‘For nothing is a greater injury to the children of men than to be under the influence of a false spirit when they think they have the Spirit of God’ (Joseph Smith, "Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith", p. 205)
Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 49:8 "Wherefore, I will that all men shall repent, for all are under sin, except those which I have reserved unto myself, holy men that ye know not of."
I asked myself "Who are these holy men that God reserved unto himself?" I didn't find an answer to that. So I made my own list of possibilities. First, I identified who the Lord was addressing. This chapter is directed to the Shakers. This is some background found in the chapter header.
"In prefacing this revelation, the Prophet wrote, “In order to have a more perfect understanding on the subject, I inquired of the Lord, and received the following.” The revelation refuted some of the basic concepts of the Shaker group. The aforementioned brethren took a copy of the revelation to the Shaker community (near Cleveland, Ohio) and read it to them in its entirety, but it was rejected."
Since this was being read to the Shakers they would be holy men they were not aware of. To start they would not have know that Joseph Smith, Jr. was a prophet of God and that is indeed a holy man. But, being still a mortal man he probably still needed repentance. I thought about those that were reserved then that never tasted death. The Shakers wouldn't have known about the Book of Mormon and the three Nephites. They were like John the Revelator and would never taste death. All would be holy men. Then I thought about the city of Enoch, which included Enoch and all his people that were taken up to heaven. They would certainly be holy men reserved to come to earth again. They possibly wouldn't know about Moses and Elijah also taken up. I suppose there could be more. Unless there has been some physical change that came upon us all will die and all are in need of repentance.
Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 14:2 "And behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name."
As I ponder on the 5 year prophecy for the sign of the Lord's birth that Samuel the Lamanite gave, I cannot help but hope we are given something similar for the Lord's Second Coming.
"Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7)
I understand we have this scripture.
"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." (Matthew 24:36)
But, I also believe Joseph Smith, Jr's words regarding that passage.
"Did Christ speak this as a general principle throughout all generations? Oh, no, He spoke in the present tense. No man that was then living upon the footstool of God knew the day or the hour. But He did not say that there was no man throughout all generations that should not know the day or the hour. No, for this would be in flat contradiction with other scripture. For the prophet says that God will do nothing but what He will reveal unto His servants the prophets. Consequently, if it is not made known to the prophets, it will not come to pass." (Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook, "The Words of Joseph Smith" (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1980), 180-181)
Reflecting on this it does not mean the church as a whole will be given a time frame. Yet you can still tell the last days are upon us and the prophet is calling for us to prepare.
"Now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ." (Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024)
I ask myself, what do I do differently today than I am already doing? I have been given some specific things to work on and they are a great comfort to me. The Second Coming may be imminent or many years off, one thing I do not want is to be caught unprepared.
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 3:14-15, 24 "And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: Behold, that seer will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded; for this promise, which I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of my loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise; And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation. And there shall rise up one mighty among them, who shall do much good, both in word and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and do that thing which is great in the sight of God, unto the bringing to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel, and unto the seed of thy brethren."
This great seer was the prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. I reflected on how tomorrow will be the 180th anniversary of his martyrdom. Those that thought killing the prophet would end the restored Church were sadly mistaken. It was not Joseph's church, it was the restored Church of Jesus Christ once again upon the earth. I am so grateful for the prophet Joseph and my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph truly was a prophet of God.
"Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!" (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3)
Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 22:7 "Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book."
I have really enjoyed reading the book of Revelation this time through. I was nervous at first because of all the symbolism and how hard it all seemed. What if I didn't understand something important for me to know? I trusted in what the prophet Joseph Smith said about Revelations, and wanted to know how this could be.
"The book of Revelation is one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written" (in History of the Church, 5:342).
If it is plain and easy to understand then I had to make sure I wasn't reading it in the manner than went beyond the mark. What the spirit told me was to look for where I would be, and where the righteous saints are. That is what I prayerfully did and it has changed my feelings about Revelations completely. The book is full of keeping on the covenant path, the importance of the temple, and following the words of the prophet. If your focus is on the Savior it does not matter what the world is doing.
I can see how everything that is being covered in general conference is in keeping with the counsel given in Revelations. We are in the later part of the latter days. The prophet of God is preparing us for the second coming of Jesus Christ. We have to remain faithful and never take our eyes off of the Savior. There is divine protection for the saints. Revelation is a book of promise and hope depending on which side your focus is.
Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 10:11 "And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings."
I want to hear and read John's additional prophesies. I anxiously await all the promised additional scriptures. When I was looking for when John would prophesy again, at first I thought it would be after the Lord came in His glory, which would be the millennium. Then I realized I was overlooking a comma.
"And the Lord said unto me: John, my beloved, what desirest thou? For if you shall ask what you will, it shall be granted unto you. And I said unto him: Lord, give unto me power over death, that I may live and bring souls unto thee. And the Lord said unto me: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, because thou desirest this thou shalt tarry until I come in my glory, and shalt prophesy before nations, kindreds, tongues and people." (Doctrine and Covenants 7:1-3
John will tarry until the Lord comes in His glory. Until then he is prophesying to every nation, kindred, tongues and people. They just don't realize that's who they are speaking to.
"A story about Joseph Smith and his bodyguard Allen Stout provides yet another example of an encounter with a translated person who concealed his angelic status while fulfilling his mission upon the earth. As Joseph Smith and Allen Stout were walking on a road west of the Mississippi River, “they saw a man walking along a road leading in from the south and coming towards them. The Prophet told Allen to remain where he was while he stepped over to speak with this pedestrian. Allen turned his back towards them and for a time forgot the Prophet and became engaged with his own thoughts, while he stood whipping a low bush with the cane he carried. “The hand of the Prophet upon his shoulder aroused him. The Prophet said, ‘We must return immediately to Nauvoo.’ They walked silently and rapidly. Allen became very sorrowful over his recreancy to his duty and could not refrain from weeping. The Prophet asked him why he wept. Allen confessed, ‘I am an insufficient bodyguard—criminally neglectful of your welfare. I allowed that man you met to speak with you without even being ready to defend if he attacked you. He could have killed you and made his escape without my knowing who he is, which way he went or what he even looks like. You will have to dispense with my services and take a guard on which you can depend. Your life is too precious to be trusted to my care.’ “The Prophet then said, ‘That man would not harm me. You saw John the Revelator." (McConkie, Remembering Joseph, 210–11) (Donald W. Parry, "When Joseph Smith and His Body Guard Met John the Revelator on the Road", 24 Aug 2018, LDSLiving)
Today's Favorite Verse: James 1:1 "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting."
What stood out to me was James writing to the scattered twelve tribes. I wondered did they already know where they were back then? I found this in the New Testament Student Manual.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said the following about James’s audience: “Paul wrote to the saints of his own day, and if his doctrine and counsel blesses us of later years, so much the better. But James addressed himself to those of the twelve scattered tribes of Israel who belonged to the Church; that is, to a people yet to be gathered, yet to receive the gospel, yet to come into the fold of Christ; and if his words had import to the small cluster of saints of Judah and Benjamin who joined the Church in the meridian of time, so much the better” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1966–73], 3:243).
So this was written for my day as the lost tribes are being gathered. It's interesting to think how one verse in this chapter had a particular influence in the restoration of the gospel.
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5)
From this verse Joseph Smith, Jr. went into a grove of trees to ask God which of all churches was right. That answer ushered in the last dispensation of time.
Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Timothy 2:6 "Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."
To be "testifed in due time" made me think of all those that have sealed their testimony with their blood. The Savior paid the ransom, and martyrs including the early apostles and latter-day prophets, including Joseph and Hyrum Smith, sealed their testimonies of Jesus Christ with their blood.
"For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth." (Hebrews 9:16-17)
"When Joseph went to Carthage to deliver himself up to the pretended requirements of the law, two or three days previous to his assassination, he said: “I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a summer’s morning; I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men. I SHALL DIE INNOCENT, AND IT SHALL YET BE SAID OF ME—HE WAS MURDERED IN COLD BLOOD.”—The same morning, after Hyrum had made ready to go—shall it be said to the slaughter? yes, for so it was—he read the following paragraph, near the close of the twelfth chapter of Ether, in the Book of Mormon, and turned down the leaf upon it: And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity. And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness, thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father. And now I . . . bid farewell unto the Gentiles; yea, and also unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment-seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood. The testators are now dead, and their testament is in force" (Doctrine and Covenants 135:4-5)
Moroni further told us we would stand at the judgment bar of God and know of his witness.
"And I exhort you to remember these things; for the time speedily cometh that ye shall know that I lie not, for ye shall see me at the bar of God; and the Lord God will say unto you: Did I not declare my words unto you, which were written by this man, like as one crying from the dead, yea, even as one speaking out of the dust?" (Moroni 10:27)
Jesus Christ made himself a ransom for our sins, and no man will escape the truth of that fact. Every knee will bow and confess that Jesus is the Christ.
"I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." (Isaiah 45:23)
"For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." (Romans 14:11)
"Yea, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess before him. Yea, even at the last day, when all men shall stand to be judged of him, then shall they confess that he is God; then shall they confess, who live without God in the world, that the judgment of an everlasting punishment is just upon them; and they shall quake, and tremble, and shrink beneath the glance of his all-searching eye.' (Mosiah 27:31)
"And this shall be the sound of his trump, saying to all people, both in heaven and in earth, and that are under the earth—for every ear shall hear it, and every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess, while they hear the sound of the trump, saying: Fear God, and give glory to him who sitteth upon the throne, forever and ever; for the hour of his judgment is come." (Doctrine and Covenants 88:104)
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
It was the part "God is not mocked" that stood out to me to ponder on. I thought of two recent situations that I came across. The first was while I was by myself listening to little shorts from a comedian that I like. I like them because they are "clean". Then I heard this routine and they were making fun of God. I immediately turned it off. That's not something I entertain or listen to. It wasn't funny and I just don't go there.
Then a couple days later I was talking to someone that has left the church and I pretty much let them be and do what they do. But, this time I think they forgot who they were talking to. They started to make fun of the prophet Joseph Smith. I couldn't listen to it. Now I like to remain peaceful, and not contend, but this crossed a line in me. It took me all of one second to know the course to take. I respectfully stopped them and let them know we can't go there with this discussion. Then I bore my testimony that I knew Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Oddly, you wouldn't think it a conductive time to bare your testimony, but it was. The subject was changed and we moved on. I cringe to think of where that conversation could have gone if I hadn't taken a stand that ended it. Having the spirit to always be with me is very important to me. I believe mocking and loud laughter drives the spirit away. They cannot reside in the same place. What remains is not what I want to reap from. Your jokes just aren't worth it. To make one flee you have to bare witness of the other.
