Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 96:11-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 96:11-13
"Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth."

I pondered on how the rejoicing and joy came before the Lord comes. That as terrible as the world is becoming, and Satan is truly in his great day of power, that should not overcome us. That the focus and joy is we are all the closer to the Lord's second coming. I haven't reached the point that I am praying day and night for His return, but I'm getting close to it. I just have peace that this is all in His hands. "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."

Day 3934

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 30:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 30:5
"For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

I love this Joseph Smith translation even better.

For his anger kindleth against the wicked; they repent, and in a moment it is turned away; and they are in his favour, and he giveth them life; therefore, weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
(JST Psalms 30:5)

What a difference the role of repentance plays. For truly joy coming in the morning when forgiveness has been given.

Day 3912

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 6:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 6:16
"And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,"

I pondered on temple dedications today and they are joyful occasions. The building of temples lessen the power of Satah by increasing God's power on the earth and in individuals' lives.

“Every foundation stone that is laid for a Temple, and every Temple completed … lessens the power of Satan on the earth, and increases the power of God and Godliness.”
(George Q. Cannon, in “The Logan Temple,” Millennial Star, Nov. 12, 1877, 743.)

Day 3880

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 7:4, 8

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 7:4, 8
"And for this cause the Lord said unto Peter: If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? For he desired of me that he might bring souls unto me, but thou desiredst that thou mightest speedily come unto me in my kingdom.
Verily I say unto you, ye shall both have according to your desires, for ye both joy in that which ye have desired."

I pondered on how God's children are not cookie cutters of each other. We have various gifts and talents. We find joy differently. This is not the happiness some find in wickedness. I mean in righteous things. John wanted to tarry on the earth and brings souls until Christ, while Peter wanted to speedily come unto the Lord's kingdom and not remain until the end. Both were righteous desires that brought them each joy. As Paul said all members of the body are needed. Some are the foot, others the eyes. We should not concern ourselves over what others desire or feel superior to them.

"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another."
(1 Corinthians 12:12, 25)

Day 3596

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 27:30-31

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 27:30-31
" And now, behold, my joy is great, even unto fulness, because of you, and also this generation; yea, and even the Father rejoiceth, and also all the holy angels, because of you and this generation; for none of them are lost.
Behold, I would that ye should understand; for I mean them who are now alive of this generation; and none of them are lost; and in them I have fulness of joy."

After ascending up to heaven Jesus continues to appear to the Nephite apostles as needed. In this chapter the apostles were united in mighty prayer and fasting. After being rejected by the Jews, what joy Christ must have felt to be received by the Nephites. His apostles were teaching and converting with great success. What a contrast this period of time is to all other times in history. I pondered on how Christ will be received in his second coming. How much missionary work will be required to convert the good and righteous people remaining on this earth, that had never heard of Christ. None will be lost because they will come to a knowledge of the truth.

Day 3550

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 John 1:4

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 John 1:4
"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

No greater joy is when a lamb that has been lost returns home again. It's been 20 years but miracles do happen. God will bring our children home if we let Him. Children in their teens and twenties maybe leaving the church in droves, but in their mid 30's and 40's they are coming home. Walk with them as many days in the Lord as you can, and they will know where home is.

"Years ago, while I was serving as a young bishop, an older gentleman asked to meet with me. He described his departure from the Church and the righteous traditions of his parents when he was in his youth. He described in detail the heartache he experienced during his life while vainly seeking lasting joy amidst the momentary happiness the world has to offer. Now, in his later years of life, he experienced the tender, sometimes nagging whispering sensations of the Spirit of God guiding him back to the lessons, practices, feelings, and spiritual safety of his youth. He expressed gratitude for the traditions of his parents, and in modern-day words, he echoed the proclamation of Enos: “Blessed be the name of my God for it.
”In my experience, this dear man’s return to the gospel is characteristic of many and is repeated often among God’s children who leave for a time, only to return to the teachings and practices of their youth. In those moments, we witness the wisdom of the writer of the proverb, who exhorts parents, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
(Steve R. Bangerter, "Laying the Foundation of a Great Work", Oct 2018 General Conference)

Day 3325

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 4:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 4:12-13
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."

I pondered on how trials come to both the wicked and the righteous. As I thought about being a partaker of Christ's suffering I reflected on his atoning sacrifice. That sacrifice was not just for my sins, it was to also succor me in all my pains and grief. To afford me mercy and grace. His glory being revealed is when he carries me through all those fiery darts of the adversary and restores my soul. I am glad, and there is joy.

Day 3314

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 1:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 1:11
"Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;"

Needing patience and being longsuffering does not sound like a recipe for joyfulness. What is joyful is knowing and relying on the source of strength that gets us through it. It is recognizing the Lord's hand in our lives and the miracles he performs in our behalf. Knowing He walks the path beside me, strengthen me to be patient and longsuffering. The yoke that joins us together brings sweet relief and joy.

Day 3267

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:2

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:2

"How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality."

Liberality = GR sincerity, purity of mind. TG Generosity.

This made me think of those little videos I see where a homeless person is avoided by many, and then someone finally stops and gives them food or money. Then that homeless person goes to the other homeless people around them and shares. It is in trials that we come to learn what true want is. A good person will share even what little they have. There is a feeling that comes to you when you share willingly with others in their need. It reminds me of the widows mite.

"And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:

For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had."

(Luke 21:1-4)

I truly believe that not only does God know the heart of the giver, the giver knows their own heart too. When giving is done in righteousness you feel a sweet joy in your soul. When you give to be seen of others, even if only by the receiver, you will justifying the offering, and why they did or did not deserve more. It is in those moments of justification you award is your own vanity and pride. There is no true joy in the offering.

Day 3245

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 12:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 12:1

"Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?"

This made me ponder on why the wicked prosper and don't seem to come to face judgment or justice. I suppose that is a similar question to why do bad things happen to good people? In a "perfect" world the righteous would never suffer, and the wicked always would. Where would the trial of faith be in all that? If a man was punished immediately for his sins, then he would learn not to sin so he would not be punished. It would be a lesson totally avoid of abhorring sin because it was an offense to God. They would be compelled to selfishness in a self preservation and love of themselves, and not out of a love of God.

"But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return."

(3 Nephi 27:11)

"At a meeting I attended one Sunday, a young woman asked something like the following: “My boyfriend and I recently broke up, and he chose to leave the Church. He tells me he has never been happier. How can this be?”

The Savior answered this question when He said to the Nephites, “But if [your life is] not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you [you will] have joy in [your] works for a season, and by and by the end cometh.” There simply is no enduring joy outside the gospel of Jesus Christ."

(Robert C. Gay, "Taking Upon Ourselves the Name of Jesus Christ", Oct 2018 General Conference)

Day 2916

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 49:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 49:3

"And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified."

I pondered on the Lord's second coming and what an honor it will be to counted as His sheep. That because we will be there waiting for our Lord and King it will bring glory to Him. I had never thought of bringing glory to the Lord. How can one be glorified if there is no one there to worship and adore you? After all He has done for us, it will be an honor to show Him how much he means to me. This made me think of the Savior visiting the Nephites after his resurrection, and how they received Him and his joy was full.

"And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did kiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears.

And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full.

And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them."

(3 Nephi 17:10, 20-21)

Day 2887

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 33:2, 22

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 33:2, 22

"O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.

For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us."

The other day I was reading in 1 Nephi 11 where Nephi ponders in his heart the vision of his father. Then he was caught away in the Spirit and was shown the vision and given the interpretation of it. As I was reading all of a sudden I could hear his joy and exclamation over seeing the lamb of God. The wonder of all he was seeing. Then sadly the sorrow at the wickedness of the world. It was a marvelous experience. Ever since then I can hear and feel the joy in the scriptures as I read them. When I read these two verses I heard it again. It truly is a new way for me to read them.

"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."

(2 Nephi 2:25)

"But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God."

(Alma 26:11)

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy;"

(Doctrine and Covenants 11:13)

Day 2871

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 12:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 12:1

"And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me."

As I read this I could picture the earth after the great and terrible day of the Lord, at His Second Coming. The destruction is done and the righteous that survive have passed through all that led up to this point. That is why we say "thou wast angry with me". Now all that is left is Him to comfort us and he does, and our joy is full. That will be the great millennial day.

Day 2850

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 51:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 51:11-12

"Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit."

David is repenting of his sins. I pondered on how these are the greatest loss for sin. To have the holy spirit taken from you. To no longer feel the presence of the Lord. A profound depression caused by the removal of joy for your salvation. Once tasting of these things it would be so painful to lose them. Only true repentance and forgiveness can restore them.

Day 2688

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 16:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 16:11

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

This reminds of an article I was reading today about the loss of belief in God happening. It really hit me thinking about the youth.

"When I was a kid, my parents took it for granted that we’d be brought to mass, we’d be taught the ways of prayer, we learned about the saints. They just immersed us in that world," Barron recalled. "Well, when you don’t immerse people in that world, you say things like, ‘Oh, it’s up to you, you decide what you want to do when you’re 16.’ You lose all that. And then we’re surprised that young people are adrift and young people have lost their sense of purpose and meaning?"

(Catholic Bishop Robert Barron, "US religious leaders explain why faith in God hit lowest level ever, say COVID made it worse" by Andrew Mark Miller, Fox News)

Without God in my life, and the guidance, direction and purpose He gives me, I don't know how I would find my way without it in my life. How would you know a fulness of joy?

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

(Proverbs 22:6)

Day 2653

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 5:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 5:11

"But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee."

Shout = Heb sing

I thought about the Lord defending me. Which made me think about standing before Him clean, through the blood of his redeeming grace. That would be so much joy that I could only weep. It made me think of that song "I Could Only Imagine". I can see myself doing all of those things.

Day 2642

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 3:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 3:11-12

"And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:"

For seventy years the Jews were in bondage and held captive in Babylon. Cyrus overthrew Babylon and rebuilt Jerusalem. Now they were rebuilding the temple. The joy the people were expressing made me think of how much joy there is when we hear of new temples being built, watch them progress and be dedicated. Thinking of the old men that have seen the first temple weeping at the laying of the foundation of the next temple's foundation really touched me.

Day 2565

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 3:1-3

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 3:1-3

"Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.

Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits."

As I was reading about the house of the Lord starting to be built I felt joy for the people, even though they are long since dead. It must have been such an exciting time for them. It was just nice to feel that joy.

Day 2529

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 33:4, 10

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 33:4, 10

"And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me."

What a touching scene of forgiveness and reconciliation as brothers are once again reunited. I pondered on how Jacob, now Israel, would have another touching reunion later in life with his beloved son, Joseph.

"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."

(Genesis 46:29)

I thought of other touching scenes to come, like the return of the lost ten tribes of Israel, and the city of Enoch.

"And they shall be filled with songs of everlasting joy.

Behold, this is the blessing of the everlasting God upon the tribes of Israel, and the richer blessing upon the head of Ephraim and his fellows."

(Doctrine and Covenants 133:33-34)

"And the Lord said unto Enoch: Then shalt thou and all thy city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom, and they shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other;"

(Moses 7:63)

Day 2192

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 5:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 5:10-11

"And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.

And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient."

I love these words, for they are my heart. There is purpose in sin for this is how we come to know and love our Savior, because he atoned for them. I love the steps shown in this chapter. For Adam offered sacrifices to the Lord because he had been commanded to. After many days an angel appears to Adam and asks him why he doest this? Adam doesn't know why, other than the Lord commanded. Then the angel explains that "This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father". When Adam and Eve come to understand the purpose in what they were doing their eyes open up. They come to know the Savior would redeem them from the fall. They see the purpose in their sins, and what they have come to learn from it. Their joy and love of God is deep and eternal. Our eyes likewise do not open up, nor do we know joy, until we understand the purpose in the atoning sacrifice the Lord has made for us.

Day 2148