Today's Favorite Verse: John 19:15

Today's Favorite Verse: John 19:15
"But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar."

The Caesar mentioned is Tiberius Caesar. He was the ruling Roman Emperor, supreme political figure at the time, and not a king. Being a "Caesar" was a royal title like the title "Pharoah" in Egypt, but not an official title like a king. The Jews were rejecting Jesus by calling Caesar their king, when even that wasn't true. I just found it rather interesting how they held up a political figure as their king when that wasn't his title. I pondered on how they were willing to worship Caesar as their king, instead of Jesus Christ. There is a lesson in there in making men kings before Jesus Christ.

Day 4140

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 109:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 109:8
"Let his days be few; and let another take his office."

I can understand this sentiment of David as he lived under the oppression of king Saul. Prior to reading this I was reading in the Book of Mormon. King Mosiah was telling the people why they should no longer seek to have a king.

"And behold, now I say unto you, ye cannot dethrone an iniquitous king save it be through much contention, and the shedding of much blood.
For behold, he has his friends in iniquity, and he keepeth his guards about him; and he teareth up the laws of those who have reigned in righteousness before him; and he trampleth under his feet the commandments of God;
And he enacteth laws, and sendeth them forth among his people, yea, laws after the manner of his own wickedness; and whosoever doth not obey his laws he causeth to be destroyed; and whosoever doth rebel against him he will send his armies against them to war, and if he can he will destroy them; and thus an unrighteous king doth pervert the ways of all righteousness.
And now behold I say unto you, it is not expedient that such abominations should come upon you."
(Mosiah 29:21-24)

I know king Mosiah spoke truth and sadly we are living his concerns. I have the sentiment of David.

Day 3939

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 12:22-23

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 12:22-23
"For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God.
And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD."

I thought about how David had opportunity to kill Saul, but he would not. He would not kill God's anointed, no matter how much Saul had sought David's life. I pondered on how it was a blessing that David was able to surround himself with valiant men that would defend him. They knew that David was the next king and would follow him. When it mentions this great army like the host of God I thought of the missionaries. How their numbers are increasing day by day. How they are preparing for the Lord's second coming. When Jesus Christ will rule as King of Kings.

Day 3860

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 15:3-4, 28

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 15:3-4, 28
"And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done;
Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin."

In this history of the kings it's a constant back and forth, they either did right in the sight of the Lord, or did evil by not departing from the sins of Jeroboam. His sins were idolatry, worshipping a golden calve, changing God's ordained worship practices. His other sins included building high places for worship, appointing priests from outside the tribe of Levi, and altering the timing of religious festivals to align with his own political will. At this point I've lost count of how many generations and kings since Jerobaom I am at. This one wicked king is the standard all others are based after him. One thing I wondered is why when the king that does right in the sight of the Lord, doesn't take the opportunity to remove the high places so they can no longer practice idolatry? Then I thought about how just removing items of worship from among them doesn't remove them from their hearts. I wonder if when it says the high places were not removed it means the king could not change the heart of the people?

Day 3853

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 11:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 11:4-5
"For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites."

Solomon was wise, but not wise in what he studied. I think Solomon's downfall is a great story to learn from. He allowed his love of his wives to take him down a path of destruction. I'm sure in an attempt to understand them, and the people around him, he studied their gods. Then in that study he build high places for them to worship their God, until he began to worship them too. It was a slow process that left him when old on the wrong side of the Lord. In all his wisdom he was foolish. The Lord had strict rules on who the children of Israel could marry and he broke that with his wives and concubines from other nations. Then he allowed his heart to follow after their gods until he was lost to the God of Israel. I keep this lesson with me as I discern what I will read and watch.

Day 3845

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 19:1, 6

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 19:1, 6
"And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.
And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain."

I just don't understand Saul's hatred of David to the point he wants to kill him. Jonathan, seems to talk sense into him and then he turns around and is after David again. I don't think its so much a matter of revenge for anything David has done personally to him. I think it's Saul's pride, and he doesn't want anyone around that would appear better than him. David is victorious in battle and that is enough for Saul to throw a javlein at him. It is a terrible thing to have a wicked king with a very big ego, can't keep his word, and lives by revenge because he easily offended. The Lord has already rent the kingdom from Saul, but Saul is still king. Why is that? It is hard to get rid of an iniquitous king.

"And behold, now I say unto you, ye cannot dethrone an iniquitous king save it be through much contention, and the shedding of much blood."
(Mosiah 29:21)

Day 3830

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 12:16-18

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 12:16-18
"Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the Lord will do before your eyes.
Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the Lord, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking you a king.
So Samuel called unto the Lord; and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel."

After Samuel made Saul king he emphasized the fact that this was not the Lord's plan. It was because they desired a king when the Lord their God was their king. The great thing to happen was thunder and rain in the middle of wheat harvest. That is not what you want to happen when harvesting wheat. They needed a visual reminder of how powerful the Lord was. Samuel reminds them they can repent and turn and follow the Lord.

"And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart;"
(1 Samuel 12:20)

Day 3827

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 29:26-27

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 29:26-27
"Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people.
And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land."

King Mosiah is speaking to his people about the dangers of having kings. He reminded them of wicked king Noah and how much damage one unrighteous king can do. He then suggests instead of having kings that they have judges, established by the voice of people. He then gives a warning that this works because it is common for the voice of the people to desire what is right. But if the majority of the people choose iniquity the judgment of God will come upon them. This is a warning for us today. The voice of the people will make their decision in our land this year. In many ways I see this as a question of free agency, and how much we allow others their agency or force them to conform to ours.

I could see this also in the response king Mosiah's people gave to him on enjoying their own rights and privileges.

"And now I desire that this inequality should be no more in this land, especially among this my people; but I desire that this land be a land of liberty, and every man may enjoy his rights and privileges alike, so long as the Lord sees fit that we may live and inherit the land, yea, even as long as any of our posterity remains upon the face of the land.
Therefore they relinquished their desires for a king, and became exceedingly anxious that every man should have an equal chance throughout all the land; yea, and every man expressed a willingness to answer for his own sins." (Mosiah 29:32, 38)

Day 3444

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 19:7-8, 11

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 19:7-8, 11
"And now the king cried out in the anguish of his soul, saying: Gideon, spare me, for the Lamanites are upon us, and they will destroy us; yea, they will destroy my people.
And now the king was not so much concerned about his people as he was about his own life; nevertheless, Gideon did spare his life.
Now it came to pass that the king commanded them that all the men should leave their wives and their children, and flee before the Lamanites."

I pondered on how the example of a wicked leader is shown us with king Noah. When first introduced to him we are told he did not keep the commandments of God, and walked in the desire of his own heart. He was morally bankrupt, spending time with his wives and concubines. He was vain, and spoke flattering words. He was a wine-bibber. He built many elegant and spacious buildings and covered them in gold and other precious things. He also encouraged his people to sin. He removed priests consecrated by his father and setup new ones lifted up in the pride of their hearts. They became idolatrous. King Noah's heart was so hardened he would not listen to a prophet and instead killed him.

This chapter shows how he only cared about preserving his life and not his people. He cared nothing about the women and children and commanded the men to leave and flee without them. Some men, like his son Limhi, loved their wives and children and would not abandon them to the Lamanites. The love of family preserved all of their lives. However, the men that at first fled with king Noah and his priests became angry when commanded not to return to their families. In that anger they fulfilled Abinadi's prophesy and king Noah suffered death by fire. Sadly, justice did not come to the priests because they had escaped. There are many important lessons from watching a king Limhi. It's best that they are never supported to begin with.

"For behold, how much iniquity doth one wicked king cause to be committed, yea, and what great destruction!
And behold, now I say unto you, ye cannot dethrone an iniquitous king save it be through much contention, and the shedding of much blood. "
(Mosiah 29:17, 21)

Day 3434

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 10:11, 14

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 10:11, 14
"And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise up unto the Gentiles.
For he that raiseth up a king against me shall perish, for I, the Lord, the king of heaven, will be their king, and I will be a light unto them forever, that hear my words."

Jacob is speaking about this, the American continent. Tomorrow is Independence Day, and it seems so ironic when we are on the verge of the voice of the people setting up a king. I never pictured the end times looking like this. I don't know how the Lord will stop this. His promise is sure that those that raise up a king will perish. Will it be at the Lord's coming or before? I don't know, but I feel like Ether. Instead of viewing these things within the cavity of a rock, I'm viewing them online.

"Now the last words which are written by Ether are these: Whether the Lord will that I be translated, or that I suffer the will of the Lord in the flesh, it mattereth not, if it so be that I am saved in the kingdom of God. Amen."
(Ether 15:34)

Day 3381

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 18:81, 24, 27

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 18:81, 24, 27

"And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they who have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."

This is another verse where more details are given in the Joseph Smith translation.

"And he said unto them, It is impossible for them who trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God; but he who forsaketh the things which are of this world, it is possible with God that he should enter in."

(JST Luke 18:27)

The problem with the certain rich ruler was not that he was rich and couldn't give to the poor. It was that he trusted in his riches and things of the world more. He could not part with all that he had. He probably could have done a little but not all. That was actually the extreme test that Jesus had for him. It's the test we also go through. The love of riches was a sin, do we give up all our sins or want to hold onto some of them.

It made me think of the contrast between the rich ruler and the Lamanite king, father of king Lamoni

"And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.

And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying:

O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead.

(Alma 22:15, 17-18)

Day 3150

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 8:7

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 8:7

"And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them."

In this case the voice of the people are asking Samuel to give them a king. He didn't want to because he knew were this would lead if there was an unrighteous king. The Lord told him to give them what they asked for. They haven't rejected Samuel they have rejected the Lord and will pay a price for it. It reminded me of when the Book of Mormon and the warnings given against having kings. Then when Mosiah turned it back to judges they were warned again about what can happen with the voice of the people choose iniquity.

"Yea, well did Mosiah say, who was our last king, when he was about to deliver up the kingdom, having no one to confer it upon, causing that this people should be governed by their own voices—yea, well did he say that if the time should come that the voice of this people should choose iniquity, that is, if the time should come that this people should fall into transgression, they would be ripe for destruction."

(Alma 10:19)

There are problems with kings and judges, but ultimately those that rule try to confirm to the nature of their people. When the voice of the people support iniquity the leaders just shadow what is acceptable by the majority. If the majority could always be righteous then they would be preserved.

"Yea, and I say unto you that if it were not for the prayers of the righteous, who are now in the land, that ye would even now be visited with utter destruction; yet it would not be by flood, as were the people in the days of Noah, but it would be by famine, and by pestilence, and the sword.

But it is by the prayers of the righteous that ye are spared; now therefore, if ye will cast out the righteous from among you then will not the Lord stay his hand; but in his fierce anger he will come out against you; then ye shall be smitten by famine, and by pestilence, and by the sword; and the time is soon at hand except ye repent."

(Alma 10:22-23)

Day 2403

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 25:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 25:13
"And now all the people of Zarahemla were numbered with the Nephites, and this because the kingdom had been conferred upon none but those who were descendants of Nephi."

This was the first time I realized why someone saying they were a direct descendant of Nephi was an important distinction. Only Nephi's descendants could have the kingdom conferred on them. The reign of the kings began right before Nephi's death. What was establish was in order to rule they needed to be a direct descendant of Nephi. It didn't end until the reign of the judges some 500 years later. By then this distinction was well ingrained into their society.

"Now Nephi began to be old, and he saw that he must soon die; wherefore, he anointed a man to be a king and a ruler over his people now, according to the reigns of the kings.
Wherefore, the people were desirous to retain in remembrance his name. And whoso would reign in his stead were called by the people, second Nephi, third Nephi, and so forth, according to the reigns of the kings; and thus they were called by the people, let them be of whatever name they would."
(Jacob 1:9, 11)

Over 400 years later one descendant of Nephi was Mosiah and he was warned of the Lord to flee out of the land of Nephi. He and all those that would hearken to the voice of the Lord departed into the wilderness until they came to the land of Zarahelma. (Omin 1) The people of Zarahelma are descendants of Mulek that fled out of Jerusalem at the time Zedekiah, king of Judah, was carried away captive into Babylon. They are a remnant of the tribe of Judah. Lehi, father of Nephi, left Jerusalem  with his family before then. Lehi is of the tribe of Manasseh. Ishmael and his family came with Lehi's family and they are of the tribe of Ephraim. I find it interesting that out of all these tribes the direct descendants of Nephi are the fewest yet they were the rulers.

"Now there were not so many of the children of Nephi, or so many of those who were descendants of Nephi, as there were of the people of Zarahelma, who was a descendant of Mulek, and those who came with him into the wilderness.
And there were not so many of the people of Nephi and of the people of Zarahemla as there were of the Lamanites; yea, they were not half so numerous."
(Mosiah 25:2-3)

I tried to go back and find the references of when various times it mentions someone is a descendant of Nephi. Other times it mentions their genealogy and who they are the son of. Following that back it will shows who they are descendant of. They must have kept a beautiful genealogy.

Alma - Mosiah 17:2
Aminadi - Alma 10:3
Mormon - Mormon 1:5
Moroni - Mormon 8:13

Day 1854

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 48:47

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 48:47
"Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the Lord. Thus far is the judgment of Moab."

This verse's reference.

"And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness."
(Isaiah 16:5)

One day our Lord and King, Jesus Christ sit upon his throne and judge in righteousness. As I sit today thinking of Christ's birth, I also sit pondering his second coming.

Day 1368

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 12:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 12:6
"Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee."

The chapter header says "In the millennial day, all men will praise the Lord - He will dwell among them". I sat and pondered on how glorious it will be in that day. When I can feel the presence of the Lord because he is right there. Oh, how I will want to sing, and shout praises to Him. I could never find enough ways to express my gratitude for all the He has done for me. My heart is full just imagining what it would be like.

King of Kings, by Greg Olsen

Day 1266

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 7:27

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 7:27
"Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem:"

I have had some quiet reflection of the last few days events in the news. I'm seeing the president of my nation recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. I don't know all that it means, but I know it means something. Just like in these past few chapters God is putting it into the heart of kings and now a president to do something for His people. Will I see in my lifetime the house of the Lord once again in Jerusalem? The timing is all the Lord's, I do not know, but I am waiting and observing, knowing someday everything will click. I just plan on keeping the course of reading and pondering the scriptures daily in my heart, because at some point I know my heart will understand.


Day 985

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 12:14-15

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 12:14-15
"If ye will fear the Lord, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the Lord your God:
But if ye will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall the hand of the Lord be against you, as it was against your fathers."

Samuel is telling Israel that even though they rejected the Lord their God that is their King, the Lord still set a king over them. He lays out the condition that their relationship with a king would work. If they still fear, serve, obey the Lord and keep his commandments. If they in turn rebel against God the Lord's hand would be against them. I pondered on how this is the relationship God has always had with his people. No matter who our leader or ruler is we are still to obey God's laws. I could not help but ponder on what has become of all the nations of the world. We all have rebelled against God. Is there any wonder of the daily terror I see before us? History repeats itself, because man always think they know more than God. We worship ourselves and not Him.

Day 823

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 8:7, 21-22

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 8:7, 21-22
"And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the Lord.
And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city."

Samuel is getting old and his sons that were made judges did not walk in his ways. Now the people ask that Samuel give them a king to judge them, like other nations. I pondered on how the wickedness of once God's people can turn others into forbidden paths. The poor example of Samuel's sons made the people justify themselves in becoming like other nations, and rejecting their God. Samuel was told by the Lord to give them what they wanted for they had rejected him. What the people wanted would be a cursing and not a blessing to them. I sat and pondered on how I wouldn't want to see such a thing in my day. Sometimes God can give us what we ask for, when it is absolutely what we deserve. What we deserve may not be a good thing. I truly want to deserve good gifts and not bad ones.  


Day 819

Today's Favorite Verse: Judges 17:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Judges 17:6
"In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes."

I sat thinking that I wouldn't want to live in such a period. Then I realized in a way I already do. Society as a whole no longer worships the ultimate King. When man rejects the boundaries of God or become laws unto themselves, there is chaos. Peace has left the earth. It's interesting that this chapter speaks of money and silver, and the making and worshiping of idols. Micah even purchases a priest. So he's basically trying to buy the favors of all the gods out there. Israel is in an utter state of apostasy and priestcraft is had among its people. I pondered on the great apostasy after Christ's apostles left the earth. How Christ's Church has been restored and is upon the earth once more. Yet, the world as a whole is still in a state of apostasy, if they have not heard or accepted it. Both conditions can be present at the same time.


Day 803