Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 13:27 "For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him."
The Jews had the scriptures, the words of the prophets, they had prophesy to tell them how to identify the Messiah. Yet, they could not recognize Him when he came. They had determined incorrectly what the Savior would be. They thought of physical salvation from their enemies, and not salvation for their souls.
I pondered on how we can also miss prophesy if we do not ponder the scriptures. We can picture the wrong course of events and even be deceived. We need the Holy Ghost as our guide and be willing to be taught. I have found that what I pictured decades ago as the last days is nothing that I imagined would be happening now.
Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 13:17 "For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."
First, I thought of the disciples sitting there with Jesus, hearing these words. How many prophets before them had testified of the coming of Jesus Christ, and now they were the ones to live to witness it. Then that made me think about what I have been hearing about my day. I live in a time that has been long prophesied, called to participate and stand as a witnesses to these winding up scenes.
"Sometimes we think of the Restoration of the gospel as something that is complete, already behind us—Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, he received priesthood keys, the Church was organized. In reality, the Restoration is an ongoing process; we are living in it right now. It includes “all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal,” and the “many great and important things” that “He will yet reveal.” Brethren, the exciting developments of today are part of that long-foretold period of preparation that will culminate in the glorious Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This is one of the most remarkable periods of the world’s history! Ancient prophets yearned to see our day." (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Are You Sleeping through the Restoration?", Apr 2014 General Conference)
"Prophets have foreseen our day, when there would be wars and rumors of wars and when the whole earth would be in commotion. As followers of Jesus Christ, we plead with leaders of nations to find peaceful resolutions to their differences. We call upon people everywhere to pray for those in need, to do what they can to help the distressed, and to seek the Lord’s help in ending any major conflicts. Brothers and sisters, the gospel of Jesus Christ has never been needed more than it is today. Contention violates everything the Savior stood for and taught. I love the Lord Jesus Christ and testify that His gospel is the only enduring solution for peace. His gospel is a gospel of peace." (Russell M. Nelson, "Preaching the Gospel of Peace", Apr 2022 General Conference)
"For centuries, prophets have foretold this gathering, and it is happening right now! As an essential prelude to the Second Coming of the Lord, it is the most important work in the world! This premillennial gathering is an individual saga of expanding faith and spiritual courage for millions of people. And as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or “latter-day covenant Israel,” we have been charged to assist the Lord with this pivotal work." (Russell M. Nelson, "Let God Prevail", Oct 2020 General Conference)
Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 8:19 "And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be."
The angel Gabriel, which is Noah, came to Daniel and told him what would happen in the last days. That's the time I'm living in. It will happen in the time appointed. There is a set time for the Savior's second coming. We can't delay or hurry it along. The Lord's time table is set in motion. It is only us, and where we stand on the path of repentance or not, that will determine if that coming was too soon or too late for us. We should not prolong our day of repentance. Daily repentance has made me more mindful of my actions, and brought much peace into my life.
Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 40:3-4 "And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate. And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel."
Ezekiel sees in vision a very detailed temple. The angel walks him throughout the whole temple, out buildings and courts, measuring each detail as they go. Ezekiel recalls every detail and records it. I wondered if the second temple in Jerusalem followed those measurements or was it only intended for the temple of the last days?
I learned it resembled Solomon's temple, but the second temple (Temple of Zerubbabel) was built on the same site by not initially built like it. Herod's expansion of the second temple greatly remodeled and expanded the complex but it doesn't appear to match the temple Ezekiel saw in vision. Ezekiel's temple has not been built.
“In most of its essential features Ezekiel’s ideal followed closely the plan of Solomon’s Temple; so close, indeed, is the resemblance, that many of the details specified by Ezekiel have been accepted as those of the splendid edifice destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar." "The plan provided for even greater exclusiveness than had characterized the sacred area of the Temple of Solomon; the double courts contributed to this end." (James E. Talmage, "The House of the Lord", 1914, pp. 44-45)
Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 38:16 "And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes."
I have learned that what I used to picture as end times is not how things are turning out. I never pictures things would become as they are. One thing I used to picture is that I would always stand with Israel. Oh, the whole world could come against them, but I knew they would prevail. Now I see this a little differently. The way things are going the world could absolutely have cause to come against them. Never would I picture how things are lining up. I have left off from trying to figure this all out. The only thing I do know is I want to be right with the Lord and not leave anything left undone. Prophesy will be fulfilled in the Lord's own way and time. The only thing that needs hurrying is the gathering of Israel, helping others to come to Christ, on both sides of the veil. As for wars and oppression of others I want nothing to do with it.
Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 25:31-33 "A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground."
Jeremiah is speaking of the latter-days, and the final battle Armageddon. I have been reflecting on how some are saying the battle in the middle east is the beginning of Armageddon. In fact some military leaders are telling their troops that they are fighting God's battle. They want Armageddon to happen. To me that is just offensive and wrong. Moral men cannot decide to make such a war happen. That's not how God works. We are told to not make the first offense. I think such desires are not of the Lord, and inspired of the adversary. Only evil and designing men would have such an objective. Yes, God has his purposes and sees the end from the beginning. It does not mean man will be held unaccountable for their actions and who they were inspired by.
"They think that men manipulate the affairs of men. They do in part, and they are used ofttimes as instruments by the Almighty, and sometimes by another power that is called Lucifer, just as circumstances may be." (John Taylor, "The Gathering, Etc.", JD 25:341)
Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 33:6 "And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure."
I pondered on wisdom and knowledge being the stability of my time. What time do I live in? The prophet and apostles are being very clear that we now live in the days that have been prophesied, this is the season. The Lord is at the door. I was just listening to Elder Neil L. Andersen's talk yesterday at BYU-Idaho. After hearing President Oaks speak 12 days prior he changed his talk and went into more details on what the prophet had said. What stood out to me in President Oaks talk, and what Elder Andersen just emphasized, is we will be deceived if we do not have the Holy Ghost as our guide. To me the stability that comes from wisdom and knowledge is totally the inspiration given by the Holy Ghost. That is to be treasured. I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I cannot afford to lose it, or I will be deceived.
"After quoting President Nelson 12 days ago, President Oaks issued a more sobering counsel. He said, "One of the many reasons you will need the constant influence of the Holy Ghost is that you live in a season in which the adversary has become so effective at disguising truth that if you don't have the Holy Ghost, you will be deceived. Many obstacles lie ahead. The distractions will be many." Very interesting. He did not say that without the constant influence of the Holy Ghost you might be deceived or you could be deceived. I thought his choice of words were very potent. He said if you don't have the Holy Ghost you will be deceived." (Elder Neil L. Andersen, "President Oaks and the Law of Witnesses", BYU-Idaho Devotional, 22 Feb 2026)
As I was listening to Elder Andersen's talk I thought about the other things I could have been watching or listening to. If I had been distracted by them, I would have totally missed what the prophets are saying. Oh, I need to be wise and careful about my time.
Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 19:18-19 "In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction. In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD."
Six times in this chapter “In that day” is used. I read that it suggests future fulfillment. Elder McConkie gives the meaning behind some of those locations.
"Elder Bruce R. McConkie used a quotation that shows why Isaiah may have used such neighbors as Egypt, Moab, and Babylon to describe the wicked of latter days. Speaking of the world, he said: “‘Babylon marks its idolatry, Egypt its tyranny, Sodom its desperate corruption, Jerusalem its pretensions to sanctity on the ground of spiritual privileges, whilst all the while it is the murderer of Christ in the person of his members.’ ([Robert Jamieson and others, Commentary on the Whole Bible, ] p. 577.)” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:510.) (Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi, "A Voice of Warning to the Wicked" (Isaiah 13-23)
Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 112:7 "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD."
We are going to hear of wars and rumors of war, those are certainly evil tidings. Yet, we are to trust in the Lord. I am drawn again to President Oaks recent words.
“As we experience Satan’s deadly onslaught on morality and the integrity of families, and as we read the prophecies and feel the signs of the times, we cannot doubt that the future holds great sacrifices and challenges for Latter-day Saints individually and for the divinely prescribed work of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” he said. “The scriptures speak of perilous times, when men’s hearts will fail them. They also speak of worthy disciples escaping these things, of their standing in holy places and not being moved.” In these holy temples, Latter-day Saints make covenants with God. This, the prophet explained, is “the way the Lord reminds us to stay worthy of His blessings and to translate the knowledge we receive in the temple into service to our fellowmen.” “Surely,” President Oaks said, “the times ahead will call for us to remember our temple covenants and to rely on the blessings promised in these houses of the Lord here in Burley and throughout the world.” “This is His house. This is His work. We are His servants,” the prophet concluded." (President Dallin H. Oaks, Burley Idaho Temple Dedication, 11 Jan 2026, Church Newsroom, "President Oaks Dedicates the Burley Idaho Temple")
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.
Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 91:7-8 "A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked."
This reminds me of having a bubble of protection around you. Those that trust the Lord will survive these last days. Oh, some will be called home early, for the timing is the Lord's. But only the good will survive the Lord's coming. I wonder if I will see the wicked receive their reward in this life or in the next? Will they fall in the pit they are digging for others? I have to trust that the evil men that avoid judgment have a purpose here, known by the Lord. They may think they get away with wickedness, but it won't always be so.
Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 40:13 "Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me."
I thought about how the Lord is hastening his work. That the days are shortened for our sakes.
"And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened." (Matthew 24:22)
This made me ponder on how I am part of the Lord's work, not only is He shortening the days for me, He's also hastening to deliver and help me when I call.
Today's Favorite Verse: Job 19:25-26 "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:"
I love how Job bears his testimony to his friends. They had not brought words of comfort and had judged him and his children as being wicked, but Job knew the truth. He knew through it all that his redeemer Jesus Christ was there for him. He believed in the resurrection to come. How comforting that though must have been, because that means he would see his children too. There was life after death. First and foremost was his desire to see God.
Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 11:1 "And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched. And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them."
I wondered what this fire was. Was it a fire like a fever, or fire like burning flames? I had not thought this pondering on fire would lead me to the fire that would devour the whole earth in the last days.
When therefore, we read that the earth was once depopulated, except a few individuals, who were saved in the ark, why should it be thought a thing incredible that the Lord should again depopulate our globe, not by a flood, but by devouring fire. It may be said that we cannot see how a universal fire can prevail over all the face of the earth. There are various ways by which this could be accomplished. How did the Lord cause fire in ancient times to break out among the children of Israel, when they transgressed his holy laws, and when they murmured and complained against God? Fire was sent forth from his presence we are told, and rested upon the tabernacle; he was in the tabernacle, and his cloud was over the tabernacle; and fire went forth from this center, or the place where the Lord chose to manifest and show forth his glory, and it destroyed many of the people. You may say, “But this was a supernatural fire that proceeded from the presence of God, from the tabernacle, consuming thousands of transgressors.” I would ask, cannot the same Being who was able to produce this destruction by fire upon a few thousand individuals cause it to be more extensive and more universal in its operation? Has he not the same power to produce a supernatural fire over all the earth; even to the consuming of “all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly;” burning them up literally, their bodies becoming as “ashes,” as a farmer would set fire to and burn up the stubble of his fields? Well, you say, “If we admit that the first was supernatural, that God did actually burn the transgressors among Israel by fire, we are willing to admit that the same Being that could do this upon a small scale, could perform a similar work on a universal scale.” That is very reasonable to admit. But then, perhaps the Lord may not see proper to do this work of burning in the latter days altogether upon a supernatural principle; he may, perhaps, bring it about by certain physical forces or laws, by certain changes that may be wrought upon our elements; for the Lord holds in his own hands all the elements, and not only those of this little globe of ours, but all the elements that compose the universe; they are in his hands, he can give instructions and they are made subservient in the accomplishing of his great and wise purposes. Now, there is in the very air which we breathe, and which all animated beings, more or less, breathe, and by which they live—a principle of heat; and when this heat in its latent form is evolved, or comes forth from the constituents of the atmosphere, would there not be a sufficient amount to produce this revolution upon the earth? Is there not sufficient heat not only to burn up the wicked and the proud, but to cause the very elements of our globe to melt by its intensity? Thus fulfilling another prophecy which says, “The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord;” and yet another prophecy, which says, the mountains shall flow down at His presence like melted substance; run like rivers, in consequence of the intensity of the heat, connected with the elements of which our atmosphere and mountains are composed." (Orson Pratt, "Interpretation of Scriptures, Etc.", JD 20.8)
Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 97:25-26 "Nevertheless, Zion shall escape if she observe to do all things whatsoever I have commanded her. But if she observe not to do whatsoever I have commanded her, I will visit her according to all her works, with sore affliction, with pestilence, with plague, with sword, with vengeance, with devouring fire."
These made me ponder on the importance of listening to a prophet. Something so simple as looking at a brass serpent on a pole meant life or death to the children of Israel. The Lord didn't take away the fiery flying serpents, He prepared the way for them to be healed. That meant that good people got bit and ill. But, those that would look at the serpent were healed, as those that will look to Christ will live. With all that is coming its now more important than ever to listen to the counsel of a prophet. To take to heart the words he speaks at general conference and be obedient. To prepare ourselves to be the Zion people, the pure in heart.
"We do not say that all of the Saints will be spared and saved from the coming day of desolation. But we do say there is no promise of safety and no promise of security except for those who love the Lord and who are seeking to do all that he commands. It may be, for instance, that nothing except the power of faith and the authority of the priesthood can save individuals and congregations from the atomic holocausts that surely shall be.And so we raise the warning voice and say: Take heed; prepare; watch and be ready. There is no security in any course except the course of obedience and conformity and righteousness." (Bruce R. McConkie, "Stand Independent above All Other Creatures", Apr 1979 General Conference)
“… Zion can be built up only among those who are the pure in heart, not a people torn by covetousness or greed, but a pure and selfless people. Not a people who are pure in appearance, rather a people who are pure in heart. Zion is to be in the world and not of the world, not dulled by a sense of carnal security, nor paralyzed by materialism. No, Zion is not things of the lower, but of the higher order, things that exalt the mind and sanctify the heart” (President Spencer W. Kimball, "Becoming the Pure in Heart", Apr 1978 General Conference)
Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 39:21 "For the time is at hand; the day or the hour no man knoweth; but it surely shall come."
I often hear people quoting this verse and the one in Matthew 24. That no man will know the day or hour of the Lord's coming. However, as I have pondered on these verses I note that He did not include the month or the year with that. We are promised to know the season. "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." (Matthew 24:32-33)
The Lord will do nothing but he revealeth it to his prophets. The following quote from Joseph Smith, Jr. confirms this.
"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", Ensign, Aug 2002)
"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7)
Starting in my youth we were called the promised generation. We have witnessed many things in our day as we prepare for the second coming. After us every generation of youth have been told the same thing. I hear people say "Oh, I've heard that for ages and it hasn't happened yet." As if that means because it keeps being repeated its somehow void. My thought is "You're not dead yet!" I know this is still the generation, and every generation of youth after us are part of it. Here are some interesting quotes. The first one is particularly interesting given the current First Presidency, President Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring were all alive when it was written. Another point of interest is satellite communication hadn't been invented yet. It isn't until around 1966 when we start to see references to a particular generation.
"Some now living may see Second Coming. The day of the coming of the Lord is near. I do not know when. I am not looking, however, upon the coming of the Son of Man as I looked once upon the day when men would speak from city to city and throughout the land without the aid of wires, and would be heard -- as something that may come in some far distant time — because I sincerely believe it will come in the very day when some of us who are here today [April 5, 1936] will be living upon the face of the earth. That day is close at hand. (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie [1955], 3:2)
"You, our youth today, are among the most illustrious spirits to be born into mortality in any age of the world. Yours is a noble heritage and a wonderful opportunity. Dedicate your lives to a new resolve. Gird yourselves with the armor of righteousness, having as your weapons the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Be guided to fulfill your highest destiny. Be prepared to become leaders in that glorious millennial day when Christ himself will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords." (President Harold B. Lee, card given to all the youth of the church, 1973) (O. Leslie Stone, "Essentials for Success", BYU Speeches, June 26, 1973)
"Our duty is to raise up a generation of men and women worthy to receive the coming of the Lord. For he will come—to Jackson County, Missouri, to be sustained as King of Kings—and he will come also to Israel to be hailed as Lord of Lords. Then his millennial reign will be ushered in. You young, strong, and faithful men and women will bear the burden of the kingdom of God upon the earth as these days of destiny come." (Russell M. Nelson, “Four Lessons from One Life”, Brigham Young University devotional, May 14, 1974, speeches.byu.edu.)
"For the Strength of Youth was published almost two years ago, under the direction and approval of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I announced this revision in the opening session of general conference in October 2022. President Russell M. Nelson, our dear prophet, whom we all love and admire, concluded his message with these words: "One crucial element of this gathering is preparing a people who are able, ready, and worthy to receive the Lord when He comes again, a people who have already chosen Jesus Christ over this fallen world, a people who rejoice in their agency to live the higher, holier laws of Jesus Christ." And then he added, "I call upon you, my dear brothers and sisters, to become this righteous people." My dear young friends [pause], I believe that For the Strength of Youth is an ideal resource to help us become that kind of people. This guide for making choices is a call to set aside negative worldly influences and let God prevail in your lives. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Devotional with Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf", 2024 Utah YSA Conference Aug. 4, 2024, broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. ISH)
The most recent quote was Feb 13, 2025 with Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Elder Clark G. Gilbert, of the Seventy, Commissioner of the Church Educational System.
Elder Gilbert: I’d just say, you know, to all of us who love and admire and work with young adults and youth, trust them. President [Russell M.] Nelson has told the young adults first, and then he told the whole Church, “Take charge of your testimony.” In fact, use the word “plead.” And we always pay attention when the Prophet says, “I plead with you.” And he said to the young adults in his worldwide message to them, “I plead with you to take charge of your testimony. Work for it. Own it. Feed it, and feed it. Nurture it so that it will grow.” And I have so much confidence in this generation. It is hard. What they're facing is hard. But the Lord is pouring out blessings, resources and His Spirit, in unprecedented ways. And we see that happening. And it's inspiring. The Lord's doing something powerful. He’s hastening the work, and one of the ways He's doing it is through the future of this Church, which are youth and are young adults. Elder Christofferson: Our time as general authorities, we are doing everything we can to invest in them, and to help them succeed. They have a crucial role to play in all that is happening in the Lord's plan in this dispensation. And as we are hastening toward the end, toward the conclusion of that, they are crucial. Their role is crucial. Individually, each one matters. We do all our ordinances one by one because everybody matters. And we don’t do a group baptism; we do one by one, name by name. Every person is infinitely valuable in the Lord's eyes. I know I speak for the First Presidency and the Twelve in saying this, that we pray for them, and in the name of Christ, we bless them. ("Trust the Youth," Church News, February 13, 2025, YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZBC1Y9hVlI)
Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 29:18 "Wherefore, I the Lord God will send forth flies upon the face of the earth, which shall take hold of the inhabitants thereof, and shall eat their flesh, and shall cause maggots to come in upon them;"
Probably one of the oddest verses to ponder on. It was the word flies that caught my eye. This chapter is speaking of the Second Coming and the signs, plagues and desolations that precede it. There was a footnote for flies that refers me to plagues. I pondered on if it means real flies or just plagues that fly through the air? It could be both. I do think we are seeing prophesy fulfilled with more plagues coming with greater occurrence among us. Just yesterday I started a new spreadsheet to track the numbers. I think one of the saddest parts is so much is preventable physically, and will even more so spiritually.
Some of the plagues mentioned are similar to what occurred to the Egyptians in order for the children of Israel to be released from bondage. Isn't the coming of the Lord the greatest release from bondage for the living and the dead? I have hope that some of these plagues will pass by the righteous in these end times. The key will be as it was for the children of Israel of old, to listen to the prophet.
"Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are. And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth." (Exodus 8:21-22)
Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 8:34-35 "Behold, the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you. Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing."
I pondered on Moroni seeing Joseph Smith's time and our day. Moroni went on to make an abridgment of the Jaredite record, and what would become the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon for us later. He would see the growth of the world wide church in my day. What marvelous inventions he would see that furthered the gospel message. As he is talking about the condition of men walking in their pride, and suffering the needy, hungry, and sick to pass by, he was also seeing us. The church does wonderful humanitarian things, but the hearts of men can do far more. This year, more than ever, I have understood how well they saw our day.
"The second great reason why we must make the Book of Mormon a center focus of study is that it was written for our day. The Nephites never had the book; neither did the Lamanites of ancient times. It was meant for us. Mormon wrote near the end of the Nephite civilization. Under the inspiration of God, who sees all things from the beginning, he abridged centuries of records, choosing the stories, speeches, and events that would be most helpful to us. Each of the major writers of the Book of Mormon testified that he wrote for future generations. Nephi said: “The Lord God promised unto me that these things which I write shall be kept and preserved, and handed down unto my seed, from generation to generation” (2 Ne. 25:21). His brother Jacob, who succeeded him, wrote similar words: “For [Nephi] said that the history of his people should be engraven upon his other plates, and that I should preserve these plates and hand them down unto my seed, from generation to generation” (Jacob 1:3). Enos and Jarom both indicated that they too were writing not for their own peoples but for future generations (see Enos 1:15–16, Jarom 1:2). Mormon himself said, “Yea, I speak unto you, ye remnant of the house of Israel” (Morm. 7:1). And Moroni, the last of the inspired writers, actually saw our day and time. “Behold,” he said, “the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you.“Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing” (Morm. 8:34–35). If they saw our day and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon? We should constantly ask ourselves, “Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age?” (Ezra Taft Benson, "The Book of Mormon - Keystone of Our Religion", Oct 1986 General Conference)
I have asked myself this while studying the Book of Mormon with my family and personally this year. I have seen so many examples of why certain stories were included as a warning to us. Mormon and Moroni absolutely knew what needed to be included.
Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 11:37 "And it came to pass in the eighty and fifth year they did wax stronger and stronger in their pride, and in their wickedness; and thus they were ripening again for destruction."
This chapter covers 14 years and during that time frame there was war, famine, repentance, esteeming Nephi as a prophet, prosperity, growth of the church, contention over points of doctrine, strife, revelations, dissenters, war, murder, plunder, Gadianton robbers, an army to search them out and destroy the robbers, kidnapping of women and children, some being stirred up in remembrance of the Lord, people waxing strong in iniquity that they don't mend their ways.
All this made me think of how it applies to our day? I pictured having all of this in our land. Then I realized this story isn't just of America. It's not just America preparing for the second coming of the Lord. The whole world is in commotion. All these things are taking place across the globe, many things all at once. The righteous will seek to be more righteous, as the wicked become more wicked.
"In relation to the kingdom of God, the devil always sets up his kingdom at the very same time in opposition to God." (Joseph Smith, Jr, "History of the Church", 6:364)
"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." (Luke 21:25-26)
"And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth." (Doctrine and Covenants 45:26)
Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 5:71 "And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come."
In the past I disliked coming to this chapter in the Book of Mormon. It is 77 verses long and talks about tree husbandry. Over the years I have come to love it for I see the dispensations in it, and how long the Lord has worked to preserve his vineyard. I can see we are at the very end, that last time the Lord will nourish his vineyard. This is the last time laborers are called to work with Him.
As I was reading through this I thought of the apocrypha and how some have grasped onto a part they call Ezra's eagle. I have had no desire to follow their wresting of these non-canonized verses, especially with the political emphases they put on it.
"Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you concerning the Apocrypha—There are many things contained therein that are true, and it is mostly translated correctly; There are many things contained therein that are not true, which are interpolations by the hands of men." (Doctrine and Covenants 91:1-2)
The impression I received while ready the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees is we would have a much better understanding of the Lord's work reading it, than with twisting the interpolation of man to make it stand for something it is not.
"This great and last dispensation is building steadily to its climax—Zion on earth being joined with Zion from above at the Savior’s glorious return. The Church of Jesus Christ is commissioned to prepare—and is preparing—the world for that day. And so, this Easter, let us truly celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and all that it portends: His return to reign for a thousand years of peace, a righteous judgment and perfect justice for all, the immortality of all who ever lived upon this earth, and the promise of eternal life. Christ’s Resurrection is the ultimate assurance that all will be put right. Let us be about building up Zion to hasten that day. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen." (D. Todd Christofferson, "Preparing for the Lord's Return", Apr 2019 General Conference)
