Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 7:2, 4

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 7:2, 4
"For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God."

Paul is speaking on the law of Moses being fulfilled in Christ. The Mosaic law was a dead law and now they must marry themselves to Jesus Christ, his church and law. It does make me wonder what new laws we will live during the millennium?

“[In Romans 7:1–4, Paul] compares Israel’s allegiance to the law of Moses with that of a wife to her husband. As long as her husband lives, a wife is bound to him, must obey his laws, and if she be with another, she is an adulteress. But when the husband dies, he can no longer direct her actions, and she is free to marry another; she can no longer be subject to him that is dead.
“So with Israel and the law. As long as the law lived, and was therefore in force, Israel was married to it and required to obey its provisions. … But now the law is fulfilled; it no longer lives; it has become dead in Christ; and Israel is married to another, even to Christ, whose gospel law must now be obeyed” (Bruce R. McConkie, "Doctrinal New Testament Commentary", 2:253–54).
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 36: Romans 4-8")

Day 4177

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 6:13-14

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 6:13-14
"And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us."

I wondered if Stephen spoke of the law of Moses being fulfilled with Jesus Christ and done away with? Maybe that is the customs they speak of and are upset about. I did find something that points to that.

"Stephen and his defense, it appears that his opponents were angered by his teachings that the coming of Jesus Christ had redefined basic Jewish concepts regarding the land of Israel, the law of Moses, and the temple of Jerusalem. Stephen’s opponents “suborned men”, meaning that they persuaded men to commit perjury."
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 30: Act 3-7")

Day 4148

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 19:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 19:9
"If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day, to love the LORD thy God, and to walk ever in his ways; then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, beside these three:"

There were a lot of hard laws given, especially an eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. I am grateful I live in a time that the law of Moses was fulfilled and I live a higher law with a broken heart and contrite spirit. The one law that stays the same is to love the Lord God. Keeping the commandments, and to walk in His ways show that love. That will never change.

Day 3803

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 13:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 13:1
"Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness."

I wondered what the offering in righteousness to the Lord would be? How could it be an animal sacrifice when it represented the Lord and his ultimate sacrifice, and that was done away when He fulfilled the law?

"Therefore, it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice, and then shall there be, or it is expedient there should be, a stop to the shedding of blood; then shall the law of Moses be fulfilled; yea, it shall be all fulfilled, every jot and tittle, and none shall have passed away."
(Alma 34:13)

"And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings."
(3 Nephi 9:19)

I do believe that offering is as Joseph Smith, Jr. epistle stated, found in the Doctrine and Covenants. This is why there is such an emphasis on family history work and attending the temple as often as possible.

"Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; and who can abide the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation."
(Doctrine and Covenants 128:24)

Day 3602

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 25:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 25:16
"Now they did not suppose that salvation came by the law of Moses; but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ; and thus they did retain a hope through faith, unto eternal salvation, relying upon the spirit of prophecy, which spake of those things to come."

In the Book of Mormon we understand the role the law of Moses played, in bringing them closer to Jesus Christ. I really liked this general conference talk that describes the state of the children of Israel and how they lost their way. It's important for us to also not get lost in culture over covenants and true worship.

"The law of Moses was given to the early Israelites as a preparatory gospel, designed to ready the people for a higher covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
The law, rich with symbolism pointing believers to “look forward to the coming” and Atonement of Jesus Christ, was meant to help the people of Israel focus on the Savior by practicing faith in Him, His sacrifice, and His laws and commandments in their lives—it was intended to bring them to a greater understanding of their Redeemer.
Just as we are today, God’s ancient people were invited to see their lives through Him in order to see more of Him in their lives. But by the time of the Savior’s ministry, the Israelites had lost sight of Christ in their observances, setting Him aside and adding to the law unauthorized practices that had no instructive symbolism pointing to the true and only source of their salvation and redemption—Jesus Christ.
The everyday world of the Israelites had become disoriented and obscure. The children of Israel, in this state, believed that the practices and rituals of the law were the path to personal salvation and in part reduced the law of Moses to a set of protocols administered to rule civilian life.
This required the Savior to restore focus and clarity to His gospel.
Ultimately a great portion of the Israelites rejected His message, even going so far as to accuse the Savior—He who gave the law and declared that He was “the law, and the light”—of breaking it. Yet Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount, speaking on the law of Moses, declared, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” Then the Savior, through His eternal Atonement, ended the codes, regulations, and ceremonial practices observed by the people of Israel at that time. His final sacrifice led the shift from sacrificial burnt offerings to our rendering of “a broken heart and a contrite spirit,” from the ordinance of sacrifice to the ordinance of sacrament."
(Tracy Y. Browning, "Seeing More of Jesus Christ in Our Lives", Oct 2022 General Conference)

Day 3469

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 3:24-29

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 3:24-29

"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."

The law of Moses testified and pointed to Jesus Christ. With the law fulfilled through Jesus Christ it is through faith and baptism that we make covenants, receive forgiveness, and becomes heirs to the blessings of Abraham. All are invited to the table.

"Paul taught that the cultural separations that existed between Jews and Gentiles, slaves and masters, or men and women should no longer divide people in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each member’s covenant relationship with Jesus Christ creates unity among all members. Through baptism into Jesus Christ’s Church, we become part of “Abraham’s seed” and “heirs according to the promise” given to the ancient patriarch, as the Lord declared in modern revelation through the Prophet Joseph Smith.

President Dallin H. Oaks explained how the Church today, like the New Testament Church, extends the invitation to all to come unto Christ:

“Jesus and His Apostles did not attempt to make Gentiles into Jews. They taught Gentiles and Jews, attempting to make each of them into followers of Christ.

“Similarly, the present-day servants of the Lord do not attempt to make Filipinos or Asians or Africans into Americans. The Savior invites all to come unto Him, and His servants seek to persuade all [people] to become Latter-day Saints” (“Repentance and Change,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2003, 39).

President James E. Faust explained how there can be both diversity and unity in the Church:

“As we move into more and more countries in the world, we find a rich cultural diversity in the Church. Yet everywhere there can be a ‘unity of the faith’. Each group brings special gifts and talents to the table of the Lord. We can all learn much of value from each other. But each of us should also voluntarily seek to enjoy all of the unifying and saving covenants, ordinances, and doctrines of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. …

“We do not lose our identity in becoming members of this church. We become heirs to the kingdom of God, having joined the body of Christ and spiritually set aside some of our personal differences to unite in a greater spiritual cause. We say to all who have joined the Church, keep all that is noble, good, and uplifting in your culture and personal identity. However, under the authority and power of the keys of the priesthood, all differences yield as we seek to become heirs to the kingdom of God, unite in following those who have the keys of the priesthood, and seek the divinity within us” (“Heirs to the Kingdom of God,” Ensign, May 1995, 62).

(New Testament Student Manual, Chapter 43: Galatians, "One in Christ Jesus")

Day 3253

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 2:12, 16

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 2:12, 16

"But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

Paul is speaking to the Church members who are straying because they are listening to false teachers. One issue was those that were Jews telling the Gentile converts they needed to practice the dead law of Moses, and the ritual of circumcision. I noticed that whenever I hear that discussion I remove myself from it. I feel it's a dead law and concern, and can just move on. This time I stopped. The thought I had is that today we may not have these discussions between church members, but it's very possible this discussion may return. What about the Jews of today that convert to the gospel of Jesus Christ? The situation then will be in reverse. Also the restoration of the gospel is on-going. What may change in the future that will cause us to pause like the early church members? The lesson is so important, we live by faith in Jesus Christ, and not by outward signs and rituals in what was once dead laws. Policies, procedures, traditions and culture may vary or change but not the requirement for faith in Jesus Christ universal to us all.

Day 3252

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 3:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 3:8

"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."

It is through faith that we are saved and not simply because of any religions acts. Paul is referring to the law of Moses, which was a dead law. All the rituals and acts would not save if there was no atonement made by Christ and faith in him. The same with being baptized, confirmed, endowed and sealed. None of them are in effect if there is no faith. That is why performing proxy ordinances in behalf for our deceased loved ones mean absolutely nothing, if they do not accept it. You cannot make a person accept Christ. That is entirely on their own.

This is called being sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise.

“The Holy Spirit of Promise is the Holy Spirit promised the saints, or in other words the Holy Ghost. This name-title is used in connection with the sealing and ratifying power of the Holy Ghost, that is, the power given him to ratify and approve the righteous acts of men so that those acts will be binding on earth and in heaven. ‘All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations,’ must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, if they are to have ‘efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead.’ (D. & C. 132:7.)

“To seal is to ratify, to justify, or to approve. Thus an act which is sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise is one which is ratified by the Holy Ghost; it is one which is approved by the Lord; and the person who has taken the obligation upon himself is justified by the Spirit in the thing he has done.

“The ratifying seal of approval is put upon an act only if those entering the contract are worthy as a result of personal righteousness to receive the divine approbation. They ‘are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true.’ (D. & C. 76:53.) If they are not just and true and worthy the ratifying seal is withheld."

(Bruce R. McConkie, "Holy Spirit of Promise", Eternal Marriage Student Manual)

Day 3208

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 15:1, 5

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 15:1, 5

"And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses."

This chapter covers what is called the Jerusalem conference. The question being if the gentiles needed to be circumcised and if they still practiced the law of Moses. Ultimately, the church leaders were unanimous in this was not a requirement. What I wondered about is why it was a question in the first place when Jesus said he fulfilled the law of Moses. This is what I found.

"Jehovah instituted the practice of circumcision among Abraham and his descendants as a token of their covenant with Jehovah. The token reminded them of their obligations and of the sacred and eternal blessings given to all who served the Lord in righteousness (see Abraham 2:8–11; Genesis 17). The law of Moses directed that every male child was to be circumcised when he was eight days old (see Leviticus 12:3) “that thou mayest know forever that children are not accountable before me [the Lord] until they are eight years old” (Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 17:11 [in the Bible appendix]). In New Testament times it was common to refer to Jews as being of the circumcision and to Gentiles as being of the uncircumcision.

In the new covenant instituted by Jesus Christ, the token of circumcision was replaced by the ordinance of baptism. In a revelation given to Mormon and recorded in the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ said: “The law of circumcision is done away in me” (Moroni 8:8). The debate over circumcision concerned not only the interpretation and application of doctrine, but also the accepting of new revelation through Church leaders."

(New Testament Student Manual, Chapter 32: Acts 13-15, "Circumcised after the Manner of Moses")

It seems it didn't put the whole matter to rest. The gentile converts didn't need to be circumcised but culturally and traditionally it was still being practiced. I have to say we still have some issues today with what is doctrine and what is cultural.

"Despite Church leaders’ unanimous resolution to not require Gentiles to be circumcised prior to baptism, many Church members did not readily understand or accept the decision. Robert J. Matthews taught: “The action of the Jerusalem council involved a significant policy decision. … Peter’s unmistakable experience with Cornelius makes it clear that the Brethren understood that the law of Moses was fulfilled in Christ, but evidently many members of the church did not understand. It was a matter of doctrine, tradition, culture, and emotion. Even though the Brethren had settled the matter doctrinally a decade before, considerable time passed before the matter was settled culturally and emotionally in the minds of some Jewish Christians. Furthermore, at least ten years after the council, many Jewish Christians in Jerusalem were still following the law of Moses. (Acts 21:17–25.)

“The decision of the Jerusalem council was not definitive and did not forthrightly say that the law of Moses should be discontinued. Although it declared that Gentiles did not need circumcision for salvation, it did not say that Jewish members of the church need not circumcise their sons” (“Unto All Nations,” in Studies in Scripture, Volume Six: Acts to Revelation, ed. Robert L. Millet [1987], 39).

In the years following the Jerusalem conference, Paul still found it necessary to combat contrary teachings and attitudes wherever he went"

(New Testament Student Manual, Chapter 32: Acts 13-15, "Decisions of the Jerusalem Conference")

Day 3192

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 63:1-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 63:1-3

"Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?

I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment."

This made me wonder about all the places that mention the Savior coming in red apparel.

"Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:

His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk."

(Genesis 49:11-12)

"And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."

(Revelation 19:13-15)

"When he shall deliver up the kingdom, and present it unto the Father, spotless, saying: I have overcome and have trodden the wine-press alone, even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God."

(Doctrine and Covenants 76:107)

"And it shall be said: Who is this that cometh down from God in heaven with dyed garments; yea, from the regions which are not known, clothed in his glorious apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength?47 And he shall say: I am he who spake in righteousness, mighty to save.48 And the Lord shall be red in his apparel, and his garments like him that treadeth in the wine-vat."

(Doctrine and Covenants 133:46-48)

After all this searching on Christ coming in red apparel I read something about the red heifer.

"This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke:

And ye shall give her unto Eleazar the priest, that he may bring her forth without the camp, and one shall slay her before his face:

And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times:"

(Numbers 19:2-4)

I know there are those that think the Jews need to make an offering with a red heifer before Christ comes. The law of Moses is done away with so that has never made sense to me. As I read about the red heifer and sprinkling the blood, it sure seems like the Savior treading the winepress and staining his garments red.

Day 2901

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 43:18-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 43:18-19

"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."

This made me ponder on "new things". I think the greatest change man saw was the fulfilling of the law of Moses, and the ending of animal sacrifices in a similitude of Christ's redeeming sacrifice. He came and fulfilled the law, and now we live a higher law. There have been changes to programs and instructions over the years, which I have been able to witness. There are changes still to come.

I also read in the Old Testament Institute manual where LeGrand Richards spoke of a literal fulfillment of Isaiah's words:

“Isaiah said: ‘Behold, I will do a new thing,’ and as far as my understanding of this scripture is concerned, that new thing was the great principle of irrigation. It is true the Saints had to make the canals, they had to make the ditches, they had to put in the dams, but the land might have remained arid had not the Lord put into their minds the inspiration to do this very thing, and that is what Isaiah saw that the Lord would do. He said:

“If you want to see the rivers in the desert, just go up through Idaho and see the great canals that come out of the Snake River. They are greater than many of the rivers of the land.

“So as you brethren gather in your crops by day in the harvest time, remember that it was the Lord God of Israel who did this new thing in this great wilderness to make it to prosper as a rose and to be a land that would attract the attention of all the world.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1948, pp. 44–45.)

(Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi, "The God of Israel and the Nations (Isaiah 36-37)", section 16-27)

It does make me wonder on all the changes and new things that are to come.

Day 2881

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 138:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 138:2

"I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name."

I thought about praying in the direction of the temple. That isn't something I feel inclined to do. Even after pondering about it I still don't feel it necessary. I wonder if it was necessary while living the law of Moses, with its outward signs? When I think of "worship toward the temple" I only think of a state of being, a reverence towards my Heavenly Father. The same reverence I take when I enter the House of the Lord. The state is worthiness to go, not a ritual of show.

Day 2775

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 5:2, 5-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 5:2, 5-8

At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.

Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised.

For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way.

And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.

When I read this I wondered why did the children of Israel stopped circumcising their children while Moses lead them? Circumcising was a physical token of the Abrahamic covenant and they had been doing this since the time of Abraham. As I pondered on why it stopped I realized it probably had nothing to do with Moses telling them to stop. It was the people that were not faithful to their covenants that had caused it to stop. This was just one way they showed they were not obedient. Moses didn't need to teach them an existing law they were to obey, what he gave them from the Lord were new ordinances and laws, nothing old was taken away. It's interesting that people can embrace new but not stay obedient to what they also must be doing. Could that be like going from three hour church to two hours, and the extra hour is then used to break the sabbath day?

One thing is for sure this act of obedience and covenant making must have had a terrifying effect on those around them. Knowing these men were obedient to their God, even down to being circumcised as adults. This would only make them stronger in being obedient to their God, and possessing their lands.

Day 2351

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 23:24-25

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 23:24-25

"When thou comest into thy neighbour’s vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put any in thy vessel.

When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour’s standing corn."

These verses made me think of the time when Jesus and his apostles went into a field and plucked ears of corn and ate them.

"And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.

And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?

How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?

And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath."

(Mark 2:23-28)

I remember when I could not understand these verses. For it sure sounded like Jesus and his apostles stole corn, but instead the Savior speaks to the Pharisees about the sabbath day. What Jesus was teaching was according to the law of Moses you could pluck corn from a field, as long as you didn't take to it far and use a sickle to gather the ears. Yet the Pharisees and their oral laws took the activity allowed on the sabbath day to far. Among other things they said you couldn't go into a field and pluck corn on the sabbath. That was not what the law of Moses said. So Jesus was telling them not to go beyond the mark. That is exactly what President Nelson has counseled on our behavior on what is acceptable or not on the sabbath day, and what sign we are giving to God.

"How do we hallow the Sabbath day? In my much younger years, I studied the work of others who had compiled lists of things to do and things not to do on the Sabbath. It wasn’t until later that I learned from the scriptures that my conduct and my attitude on the Sabbath constituted a sign between me and my Heavenly Father. With that understanding, I no longer needed lists of dos and don’ts. When I had to make a decision whether or not an activity was appropriate for the Sabbath, I simply asked myself, “What sign do I want to give to God?” That question made my choices about the Sabbath day crystal clear.

(Russell M. Nelson, "The Sabbath is a Delight", Apr 2015, General Conference)

Day 2335