Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:7

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:7
"(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"

With faith it matters not what you can see with your eyes, or hear with your ears. What matters is having the Holy Ghost testify of Christ and his words and promises. We all start with faith believing and move forward, trusting in Christ. We find that He will carry out burdens if we humbly let him. Over time it matters not that we see or hear Him, for we know He is there. Having this witness and the profound assurance the Spirit brings, we have eyes that see, and ears that hear, that know and understand.

Day 4207

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 8:2

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 8:2
"And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know."

Paul goes on to explain that the eating of meat that was sacrificed to idols will not hurt them. Idols are nothing in the world. We may know this, but what we may not know is how our actions can hurt those that see if differently. Paul counsels us to not become a stumblingblock to others in their faith. As I pondered on this stumblingbock I thought of various people that were raised in a religion and then for whatever reason left it. To the point they have no faith and mock those that do. Whatever stumblingblock happened in their life to make them lose faith, prevents them from actually hearing the gospel when the opportunity comes. We should never destroy someone's faith, to the point they lose all faith and reject everything. Instead what is needed is to give them an opportunity to grow and learn more, and make the faith they have even stronger.

Day 4194

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 15:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 15:4
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

This verse made me reflect on all that it has taken me to read the scriptures. I have been writing "Today's Favorite Version" daily for 11 years, 5 months and 14 days, and the road to it was not easy. Five years prior in 2010 I committed to reading my scriptures every day. It took so much patience to begin because I had been very ill and lost my ability to read and comprehend. The doctor suggested that I read out loud to myself or listen to recordings and follow along. I needed the combination of visual and audio to make the connections in my brain. Listening to the scriptures and following along was the perfect combination. It took four years before I could read on my own without following a recording. That was such a great milestone. Once that was achieved writing my impressions are what came next. I have come so far and learned so much building daily on what I have read and the Spirit has taught me. Truly my weaknesses have become my strengthens. There is a price we pay to understand the scriptures and it takes patience with ourselves and a slow and steady pace. The reward is not only knowledge but a peace and comfort that comes into our lives that nothing else can bring.

During these 15-16 years I have read the Book of Mormon 21 times. The Doctrine and Covenants 8, Pearl of Great Price 8, Old Testament 3, New Testament 6, the Apocrypha once, and all the Topic Guide scriptures covering Jesus Christ once. In 2014 my daily scripture reading lead to inviting my family to read together. We've done it nightly ever since. Our home is a holy place because we speak of Christ together every day. It is burned into the walls of our home. Reading the scriptures is my place of refuge from the storms.

Day 4185

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 33:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 33:3
"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."

I went down a rabbit hole tonight. I happened upon this video. It was some type of gathering or fireside with this man talking about the signs of the times, etc. The name was familiar but I couldn't recall what I knew of them. As I listened there were moments that I could feel the spirit and it touched me. Then there were moments that I was amazed at how they put the scriptures together, and were drawing this timeline. The whole time I'm thinking I don't know who this person is. After watching the video I thought to find out who they were. I still couldn't figure it out, but I wondered if there were other presentations by him. I searched and found him on channels that I had put aside for one reason or another. He seemed so knowledgeable about the scriptures, I'm really drawn to that. I pulled up a second video and probably didn't make it five minutes in before I had my answer. I shut off the video and have no more curiosity about listening to him. It is all so clever how people try to twist and draw you in with their knowledge. What made me turn him off was a very simple comment that those in the audience appeared to agreed with. They saw things in what I would call a political way, instead of acknowledging the counsel the prophet gave us at the time. When you set the counsel of the prophet aside, and think you know better, then we need to part paths. It's as simple as that.

After this situation I pondered on it. I came to the conclusion that I needed to let the spirit guide me in my study of the scriptures. There was no need to run faster than I am able. Stay with the scriptures, the prophets, apostles, wholesome things on the church website. I had to trust that things would open up as I was ready. Listening to other "teachers" run the risk of going off course. Then I settled down to read my scriptures. Reading this verse was confirmation that I'm on the right path.

Day 4002

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 11:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 11:9
"They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."

The only way the wicked will stop hurting and destroying others is if they came to a knowledge of the Lord, and truly know Him. Sadly, when the Lord comes the second time those individuals will not be here. I say sadly because they were to late in repenting and turning their hearts to him. Only those that will live a terrestrial or celestial law will remain. People of every nationality and faith that are of a good heart will remain. All that remain will eventually be converted as they come to know Jesus Christ. That would be an incredible thing to witness.

“There has never been a time in the history of the world when knowledge of our Savior is more personally vital and relevant to every human soul. Imagine how quickly the devastating conflicts throughout the world—and those in our individual lives—would be resolved if we all chose to follow Jesus Christ and heed His teachings.”
(Russell M. Nelson, "Pure Truth, Pure Doctrine, and Pure Revelation", Oct 2021 General Conference)

Day 3973

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 7:8

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 7:8
"And now I, Nephi, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spake unto them, saying, yea, even unto Laman and unto Lemuel: Behold ye are mine elder brethren, and how is it that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind in your minds, that ye have need that I, your younger brother, should speak unto you, yea, and set an example for you?"

I had to ponder on Nephi's word on how people could be hard in their hearts and blind in the minds. It's actually something our family has been talking about during family scriptures. We've noticed a difference in how people see events around us. To the point they can even quote scriptures to support their positions. We just leave them be, because we do not wish to have contention that will make the spirit flee. It leaves us to wonder how they cannot see all the facts in front of them and take them into consideration? We wanted to make sure we were really looking at things correctly. I told my son that I would have to pray to understand this, because we did not want to be incorrect in how we were seeing events.

That night I prayed and asked for understanding in the matter. I have to admit it was a short prayer. I had assumed it would take time to get an answer to understand this. I then fell asleep. To my surprise when I woke in the morning my first thought was "This is the answer." I was then reminded of what I ask for most in my prayers day and night. It is my greatest desire. That I have eyes that see, and ears that hear and know and understand. That I will know truth from error and be not deceived. I realized this daily prayer of real intent has been answered over and over again each day. This was what was protecting me and helping me see what others couldn't because they did not ask. If you are looking to man for wisdom and not God then you will be blind to what can be right in front of you.

"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness."
(1 Corinthians 3:18-29)

Day 3356

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 12:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 12:2-3

"And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)"

Reading of the death of James made me cry. I don't really know why it touched me so. Then as I read of Peter being rescued by the angel I wondered why the difference in one being preserved and the other not?

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord."

(Isaiah 55:8)

I don't know the answer, other than its for God's will and purposes. I found that thought interesting because during sacrament I actually thought on that. Before church I had been pondering on how I am content not knowing all the how to's, what for's, and why's of things. I can accept God's will if I know or don't know. God will be there for me regardless. Then during sacrament a past event came to mind, just something stupid I once did, of no real significance. Then I thought well if I can so easily not hold control over things now why does my mind hold onto things with no meaning? I kind of laughed at myself. Funny thing is now I can't even remember what that past event even was. Now this doesn't mean the death of James or rescue of Peter is of no importance. The difference is accepting God's will and purpose, and I don't have to understand every part of it. No blessing will be withheld in the eternities for either.

Day 3189

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 13:27

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 13:27

"But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity."

There is an interesting difference between the King James version and the Joseph Smith Translation of this verse.

"But he shall say, I tell you, ye know not from whence ye are; depart from me, all workers of iniquity."

The difference being the Lord is never confused about who and what you are. He knows if you follow Him or the adversary. The only one that doesn't see are those blinded by what they have embraced.

Day 3145

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 7:21-23

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 7:21-23

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

I think the Joseph Smith Translation has a very important clarification on that last verse. It wasn't that Christ did not know them, it was that they didn't know Christ.

"And then will I say, Ye never knew me; depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

(JST Matthew 7:33)

Why did they not know him, even though they prophesied in his name, cast out devils and did other works? Because it was all done by their own will and not according to the Father's. They are hypocrites, furthering their own works and desires, and not the Father's. It is through seeking to do the Father's will and keeping his commandments that we come to know Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. When you follow your own will you're listening to the wrong source and lead astray.

Day 3095

Today's Favorite Verse: Habakkuk 2:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Habakkuk 2:14

"For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."

One day every knee will bow and confess that Jesus is the Christ. Until that day I pictured us preparing for that event. It made me think of all the temples dotting the earth.

Day 3064

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 6:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 6:6

"For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."

Instead of going through the motions, with covenants, ordinances, etc. We need to understand them and love them. We need a knowledge of who God is and why he asks that of us. We need hearts that are willing to make that type of sacrifice.

"In ancient days, sacrifice meant to make something or someone holy. It has now come to mean to give up or suffer the loss of worldly things for the Lord and His kingdom. Members of the Lord’s Church should be willing to sacrifice all things for the Lord. Joseph Smith taught that “a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has the power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation.” In the eternal perspective, the blessings obtained by sacrifice are greater than anything that is given up."

(Guide to the Scriptures, "Sacrifice")

Day 3027

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 4:1, 6

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 4:1, 6

"Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."

I remember watching this video were the interviewer was asking people if they had ever read the bible. It was so disheartening to hear their responses in the negative. A few weeks ago it made the news that three Jeopardy contestants where stumped by a question on the Lord's prayer. What was once common knowledge is not so common anymore. The knowledge of God is fading in our land. When that fades even the moral guidance from God's laws is forgotten. We are in such a sad condition.

The power to over turn this comes one by one. I dedicated myself to reading the scriptures daily 13 years ago. Once I had my habit in place I invited my family to read scriptures together. It was not easy to find a time that worked for all of us. It required sacrifice. Most things worth it have that price. We settled on 11:30 at night, after my husband came home from his second shift job. It was past my bedtime, so it required I have two. I would go to bed and then get up again when he came home. It was hard but it quickly became the highlight of our day. We would talk and discuss the scriptures and how they applied to us for hours. Since my husband has retired we have a more realistic time before dinner at 5:00 pm. After dinner I read my personal scriptures. We are not special people, anyone can make the decision to read the scriptures. When you pay the price to know God you will find Him, and great will be the peace of your children. A knowledge of God is the greatest legacy you can leave them.

Day 3025

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 12:4, 10

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 12:4, 10

"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

I thought of knowledge being increased in the last days. Much of that knowledge does make us run to and fro. But, it also made me think of how many have become dumbed down because of it. Then confirmation comes later in the chapter that the wicked will not understand, but the wise will. True wisdom is a gift given by the Holy Ghost.

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

(2 Nephi 9:28)

Day 3021

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 9:23-24

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 9:23-24

"Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD."

What a contrast in what the wicked and the righteous glory in. The wicked glory in themselves and the righteous glory in knowing the Lord and doing his work. It reminds of what I was just reading about Lucifer and those that follow him, they are seeking their own glory and praise. Their pride comes before their fall.

"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! Art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations!

For thou hast said in thy heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north;

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.

Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit."

(2 Nephi 24:12-15; Isaiah 14:12-15)

Day 2913

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 46:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 46:12-13

"Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:

I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory."

I pondered on how near the Lord is, if we but turned our hearts back to him. He is not slow to answer the honest in heart, that desire to know him. His hands are stretched out still.

Day 2884

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 27:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 27:11

"When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour."

I pondered on the people destroyed that had no understanding. Wouldn't that seem unfair if they didn't understand what they were doing? Then I thought of those that turned their back on God, or had no faith in him. Would you say they had no understanding? I think the meaning then is they did not seek to understand God. In such a state they had no understanding or comprehension of who God was. It was a choice to not know Him.

Day 2865

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 23:13-14

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 23:13-14

"Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.

Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell."

I remember growing up being swatted with a lilac switch. I think it was very effective in making me a disciplined child. While I was raising my children you could no longer swat your child when they misbehaved. Maybe that's why we have a generations of disobedient children and adults? I was curious on what I could find given by the church on this. The following is by George A. Smith in 1872.

"In my boyhood discipline was enforced by the application of the blue beech switch. The blue beech does not grow in this country, but many schoolmasters in former times in New York and New England were provided with these tough limber switches, and I have seen them used among the scholars with fearful effect, and in cases where I am satisfied the pupil was less at fault than the preceptor. I know they say Solomon declared if you spare the rod you will spoil the child. My opinion is that the use of the rod is very frequently the result of a want of understanding on the part of a spoiled parent or teacher in guiding, directing and controlling the feelings and affections of children, though of course the use of the rod in some cases might be necessary; but I have seen children abused when they ought not to have been, because King Solomon is believed to have made that remark, which, if he did, in nine cases out of ten referred to mental rather than physical correction. I will, however, allow other men who have taught school, as a profession, to offer their suggestions on these subjects; but I will say that I have known Professor Dusenberry teach a hundred scholars—the wildest, roughest boys we had in a frontier town, and never lay a stick on one of them. He has done it term after term, and the children liked and respected him and would mind him, and there was nothing on the face of the earth that seemed to hurt their feelings more than to feel that they had lost the confidence of their preceptor. This was simply the result of cultivating reasoning powers in the minds of the children, and I am happy to say there are many such teachers now in Utah.

(George A. Smith, "Our Schools", JD 14:371)

This made me look over the chapter again and I noticed in verse 12 the following. "Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge." I don't think I ever noticed that this comes before correcting a child. The heart must be right, it must have understanding and knowledge regarding what was perceived to be wrong, before correcting the child. The problem today isn't a lack of disciplining a child with a good swat on the bottom. It's the lack of parents having the heart to instruct and listen to their children.

Day 2810

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 15:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 15:14

"The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness."

Again, there were so many great wise sayings in this chapter. This one made me think of various sources of news. How careful we need to be. If you are foolish you can feed on foolish sources. It isn't long before these things can build on each other until you believe a lie. This can not only happen in health, medicine, political and educational areas, it also happens in religion too. I am very strict with myself on sources of my knowledge. The law of witnesses is very important in not being lead astray. A good rule of thumb is looking towards the scriptures, and the words of a living prophet when they were prophet, then the apostles. I also know the materials found on the church website are safe for my instruction. Everything else needs to be monitored, sadly because I have seen good people go astray from the doctrine of Christ. When a teacher sets themselves up as a light to be followed instead of Christ, then you have to stay away.

Day 2802

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 2:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 2:6

"For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding."

I pondered on how many times while reading in the scriptures wisdom comes. It may not even be what I just read. My mind opens up and connections are made on events going on around me, or why certain things are happening. Suddenly it's clear on how to resolve an issue, or the next step I need to take. I never could understand how they would say all the answers are found in the scriptures. But, over the years I have come to understand how your mind is enlightened while reading scriptures and answers will come.

"For when we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures; for His words are spoken through His prophets. He will then teach us as we listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit."

(Robert D. Hales, "Holy Scriptures: The Power of God unto Our Salvation", Oct 2006 General Conference)

Day 2789