Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 63:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 63:8
"For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour."

I really liked this verse, in the chapters I read tonight it prophesies of the second coming. Yet this tiny verse gives a very simple clue on who His people are. They will not lie. That's the ninth commandment "Thou shalt not lie". I think the Lord's covenant people keep all His commandments, but this one has a purpose. This commandment prohibits all forms of deceptions, including lying, perjury, slander and twisting the truth. We are actually being warned about this deception, and how if we do not have the Holy Spirit as our guide we will be deceived. We will believe lies, and mostly likely lie to ourselves, and others.

"I feel to emphasize the warning President Russell M. Nelson issued us: that “in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” 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."
(Dallin H. Oaks, "Coming Closer to Jesus Christ", BYU Devotional 10 February 2026)

Day 3990

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 146:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 146:8
"The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:"

I've prayed a lot to have eyes that see and ears that hear. I do not want to be spiritually blind, or deceived. I want understanding on what is happening around me. Sadly, we seem to have an epidemic of blindness in our nation. They cannot see what is right in front of them because of strong delusions and the desire to believe lies. I have been praying that their eyes will be open and they will see the awful condition we are in. The Lord doesn't make one blind. It is the following of blind guides that lead us far from that Lord that makes people deaf, dumb and blind.

"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
(2 Thessalonians 2:10-12)

"Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."
(Matthew 15:14)

"And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind."
(John 9:39)

"And all this have they done that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men."
(1 Nephi 13:27)

"And wo unto the deaf that will not hear; for they shall perish.
Wo unto the blind that will not see; for they shall perish also."
(2 Nephi 9:31-32)

"But Amulek stretched forth his hand, and cried the mightier unto them, saying: O ye wicked and perverse generation, why hath Satan got such great hold upon your hearts? Why will ye yield yourselves unto him that he may have power over you, to blind your eyes, that ye will not understand the words which are spoken, according to their truth?"
(Alma 10:25)

"O ye wicked and ye perverse generation; ye hardened and ye stiffnecked people, how long will ye suppose that the Lord will suffer you? Yea, how long will ye suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides? Yea, how long will ye choose darkness rather than light?"
(Helaman 13:29)

"And it came to pass that thus passed away the ninety and fifth year also, and the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen
Imagining up some vain thing in their hearts, that it was wrought by men and by the power of the devil, to lead away and deceive the hearts of the people; and thus did Satan get possession of the hearts of the people again, insomuch that he did blind their eyes and lead them away to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing."
(3 Nephi 2:1-2)

"And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice."
(Moses 4:4)

"And after that cometh the day of my power; then shall the poor, the lame, and the blind, and the deaf, come in unto the marriage of the Lamb, and partake of the supper of the Lord, prepared for the great day to come.
But if he repent not of his sins, which are unbelief and blindness of heart, let him take heed lest he fall."
(Doctrine and Covenants 58:11,15)

Day 3951

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 13:18-22

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 13:18-22
"He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.
So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water.
And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back:
And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee,
But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the LORD did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers."

This is rather confusing. Was the prophet that brought the other prophet back really a prophet? Why would he lie to him? Then why would the prophet that lied receive word from the Lord and cry to the other prophet that he had disobeyed the Lord?

"Do Prophets Ever Lie or Disobey the Lord?
True prophets obey the word of God; false prophets do not. In this story are two prophets, one pictured as lying and the other pictured as disobeying God’s instructions. Ellis T. Rasmussen wrote: “There are some problems in this story of the man of God who came from Judah to warn the king of northern Israel and lost his life in the mission. Some help is available in the [Joseph Smith Translation] of verse 18, which indicates that the old prophet said, ‘Bring him back … that I may prove him; and he lied not unto him.’ Also there is a change in verse 26, in which the last part reads: ‘… therefore the Lord hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake unto me.’ These make the account more understandable and more acceptable. The young prophet should have obeyed God.” (An Introduction to the Old Testament and Its Teachings, 2:4; emphasis added.)
(Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi, "1 Kings 12-16: A Kingdom Divided against itself"

"He said unto him, I am a prophet also, even as thou. And an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water, that I may prove him; and he lied not unto him."
(JST 1Kings 13:18)

Day 3846

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 6:3, 6-7

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 6:3, 6-7
" And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God."

Its hard to understand at first why steading the ark so it wouldn't fall was worthy of death. Then I thought of Adam and Eve being told to not eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Who would think eating something was worthy of being banished from the garden, and have to one day face mortal death. There are strict commands that God has given man, and with them consequences. Adam and Eve were warned about what would happen if they ate the fruit. This made me go back to find when God warned about touching the ark.

"And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation."
(Numbers 4:15)

God doesn't lie. He commandments are clear. There are times we need to just stand aside and let God do His work and not get in the way. The Lord or His angels could have come to steady the ark.

Day 3835

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 47:22-26

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 47:22-26
"But behold, as the king came out to meet him Amalickiah caused that his servants should go forth to meet the king. And they went and bowed themselves before the king, as if to reverence him because of his greatness.
And it came to pass that the king put forth his hand to raise them, as was the custom with the Lamanites, as a token of peace, which custom they had taken from the Nephites.
And it came to pass that when he had raised the first from the ground, behold he stabbed the king to the heart; and he fell to the earth.
Now the servants of the king fled; and the servants of Amalickiah raised a cry, saying:
Behold, the servants of the king have stabbed him to the heart, and he has fallen and they have fled; behold, come and see. "

This is such a fascinating story of how Amalickiah uses treachery, murder, intrigue and fraud to become king of the Lamanites. I think this is a warning for our day. That things are not always as they seem. The one warning sign of the dangers of Amalickiah was his conspiring heart. He was not a man to be trusted. At the root Amalickiah was bad, and obviously surrounded himself by others that would do his dirty deeds. We have to be ever watchful that we do not support anyone with the tendencies of Amalickiah. This is where the warning of President Nelson fits for us to survive this danger. It is only through the ability to receive personal revelation that can keep away from such people and identify lies when we hear them.

"But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.
My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", Apr 2018 General Conference)

Day 3491

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 1:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 1:5
"And it came to pass that he did teach these things so much that many did believe on his words, even so many that they began to support him and give him money."

Priestcraft is among the Nephites as Nehor preaches false doctrine for gain among the people. Two little words "so much" stood out to me. I realized this was one of his tactics. Say it long enough and often enough, even if untrue, and people will believe it. Just because a thing is accepted among many and repeated over and over we cannot assume it is truth. It could be propaganda. This is Satan's tactic. I decided to look for the quote I was thinking of, and found there are many attributed with saying similar things. Then I realized the author is none of them, this evil practice is inspired by the devil himself.

Here is a sampling of quotes with the same meaning.

‘If a lie is only printed often enough, it becomes a quasi-truth, and if such a truth is repeated often enough, it becomes an article of belief, a dogma, and men will die for it." (The Crown of Life, 1869)

"If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it." (Joseph Goebbels)

"If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it, and you will even come to believe it yourself. (Joseph Goebbels)

"If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed." (Adolf Hitler)

"A lie told often enough becomes the truth." (Vladimir Lenin)

"If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it. If you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth. If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. If you repeat a lie long enough, it becomes truth. If you repeat a lie many times, people are bound to start believing it.
(The Sack of Rome (2006) by Alexander Stille, p. 14, and also A World Without Walls: Freedom, Development, Free Trade and Global Governance (2003) by Mike Moore, p. 63)

"Actually, Peking has operated, as Moscow has since the days of Lenin, on a number of principles which taken together can be called the technique of the "great lie." Among these are: 1) make it big enough and people will believe part of it; (2) repeat it often enough and you will convince some people; (3) say it in enough different ways, and you will convince others..."
(Great China Danger, 1966)

The ways to overcome being fed lies is to look for truth. I will often feel something is just a little off. That will send me on a hunt for original sources and its context. With doctrine I look up the scriptures and read them in context, then look for what the prophets have said about it.

Day 3445

Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 7:8, 23

Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 7:8, 23
"But behold, the Lord God poured in his Spirit into my soul, insomuch that I did confound him in all his words.
And it came to pass that peace and the love of God was restored again among the people; and they searched the scriptures, and hearkened no more to the words of this wicked man."

Jacob is confronted by Sherem, an anti-Christ. Sherem sought to overthrow the doctrine of Christ, and lead away the hearts of the people. In these two verses I see how Jacob was able to overcome him. First, it was by having the Spirit to be with him. He was given the Spirit in order to confound Sherem in his words. He knew what questions to ask and to detect deception. Once Sherem had been overcome peace and the love of God was restored because the people searched the scriptures. They had been deceived once because they did not understand them like Jacob had said to Sherem.

"And I said unto him: Believest thou the scriptures? And he said, Yea.
And I said unto him: Then ye do not understand them; for they truly testify of Christ. Behold, I say unto you that none of the prophets have written, nor prophesied, save they have spoken concerning this Christ.
(Jacob 7:10-11)

Before Sherem dies he testifies that he had lied that he had believed the scriptures, for they truly do testified of Christ.

"And he said: I fear lest I have committed the unpardonable sin, for I have lied unto God; for I denied the Christ, and said that I believed the scriptures; and they truly testify of him. And because I have thus lied unto God I greatly fear lest my case shall be awful; but I confess unto God."
(Jacob 7:19)

It is no wonder that the people saw the importance of searching the scriptures and understanding them after this event. It's just as important for us today to do the same.

Day 3411

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 18:16-17, 19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 18:16-17, 19-20
"Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
"And when they shall say unto you: Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and mutter—should not a people seek unto their God for the living to hear from the dead?
To the law and to the testimony; and if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

I pondered on the contrast of two different groups of people. One will have obtained a testimony, wait upon the Lord and look for Him. These would be the people preparing and found ready at Christ's Second Coming.

The other group are following the ways of the world. I think of them as people that seek conspiracies and run in fear. The world will heal me and I don't need a prophet. Ever learning and never coming to a knowledge of the truth. It's not surprising how much culture is referencing the occult and devil worship. It seems harmless, its just a movie or a book, but there is no light there. If you follow darkness and let it entertain you long enough the things of God seem boring and don't hold purpose or value anymore. Then you are deceived.

"Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
(2 Timothy 3:7

"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
(2 Thessalonians 2:10-12)

Day 3389

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 1:6

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 1:6
"If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:"

The person we lie to is ourselves. We may seem to pull the wool over other people's eyes for a while, but truth does come out. Who we absolutely cannot fool is the Lord, for he already knows us.

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
(Matthew 6:24)

Day 3319

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Thessalonians 2:11

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Thessalonians 2:11
"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:"

I think of this often as I see lies sold as truth and people believe it. This really is a season of strong delusions. The number of people under strong delusions seems to be growing at an unprecedented rate. You can speak truth, giving undeniable facts, and yet they will hold to a lie. Because they reject truth and the testimony of God's servants, strong delusion are sent to them, which causes them to believe a lie all the more. They harden their hearts and lose compassion and charity for others. Money, power and position increases their pride. They become arrogant in feeling they know better than the prophets which leads to spiritual blindness. They become driven and motivated by anger instead of establishing peace. They are embolden to mock and ridicule others. These are the ones that will embrace false doctrine and philosophies of men, establish idols and set men up to be their gods. They seek their will and not God's will. Then when they give the adversary power they will see signs and lying wonders in their life. They have strong delusions on what is real. God sending strong delusions happens because its what they asked for. They want to believe a lie and profit from it. The danger is if you refuse to accept truth long enough you lose the opportunity to receive it.

Day 3277

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 2:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 2:7-8

"So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him."

This made me reflect on the beauty of forgiveness. I had a bad situation where I was abused, lied to, and stolen from. Each of these individuals I forgave in my heart and turned the situation over to the Lord as he saw fit. I stayed away and did not cause grief or contention. Three of these individuals within the year have asked my forgiveness. It was truly such a wonderful thing, because I had already forgiven them. It was a matter so quick to put to rest, to embrace them and tell them that I forgave and loved them. One having fallen on hard times is now living in the tiny cottage behind my house. Another stops in from time to time. The last I went out to lunch with today because I could tell they were feeling overwhelmed and needed comfort. We had a lovely time chatting with each other. Friends once lost are now found.

“When we take the position of withholding forgiveness from our fellow men, we are attempting to block his progress towards salvation. This position is … not Christlike. We are endeavoring to impede the progress of a living soul and deny him the forgiving blessings of the atonement. This philosophy is saturated with impure motives that are designed to destroy the soul” (Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants, 2 vols. [1993], 1:314; see also D&C 64:9–11)

Day 3239

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 5:5, 9-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 5:5, 9-11

"And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.'

This is the story of Ananias and Sapphira that lied to Peter on the price of the sale of land. They were not just lying to Peter, they lied to the Lord. Yet the Lord knew and both of them dropped dead. This reminds me of something that happened this week. A Turkish MP was speaking to Parliament and proclaimed Israel would face "the wrath of Allah". Then his heart stopped and he collapsed to the floor. Someone performed CPR and he was revived and taken to the hospital. He remained in critical condition until he died.

Now I don't know for sure if it was an act of God, but I sure wouldn't want to mess with it. God can choose who he wants to make an example, just like he did with Ananias and Sapphira. Don't mess with God's people. It also reminded me of President Nelson's quote and makes me wonder what mighty works are to come.

"Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation fro the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", Apr 2018 General Conference)

Day 3182

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 6:8, 12

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 6:8, 12

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth."

I pondered on how verse 12 doesn't change verse 8. No matter how how full of violence, lies and deceit someone is we are still required to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. We never know when someone will change. We never know when we are called to forgive and let them start a new. Even if they never change we can't let them change us for the worse.

Day 3058

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 6:18-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 6:18-19

"An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."

I feel like lately I'm always drawn to these verses but its what we're going through right now. I'm watching how destructive this behavior is and in the end instead of destroying others they destroy themselves. It's the saddest thing to witness, and I wish I didn't have to. I am reminded of these words from President Nelson as he spoke of the project to renovate the Salt Lake Temple.

"As I have watched workers dig out old tree roots, plumbing, wiring, and a leaky fountain, I have thought about the need for each of us to remove, with the Savior’s help, the old debris in our lives...

I invite you to pray to identify the debris you should remove from your life so you can become more worthy."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Welcome Message", Apr 2021 General Conference)

Never would I imagine the debris that had to be removed in my life was a relationship. I know it is wisdom in the Lord that my family stop walking on eggshells. He opened the door for all that took place and they removed themselves. I cannot help but feel sorrow for them. I have a place of refuge and peace inside my home, and they do not. I am coming to understand more fully forgiveness, love and compassion in ways I never could before. Prayers have become much richer as I pray they get the help that they need.

Day 2793

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 117:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 117:2

"For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD."

Last night I could not sleep, which was so unlike me. Such a troubling issue had appeared and it all stemmed down to who was telling the truth. I came to understand what gaslighting meant. Because of all these intrigues and untruths I needed to discover where to begin to resolve this issue. I could have no rest so I got up and went into my office. I prayed for guidance and peace. Peace came quickly, and then the inspiration that was needed. Through new eyes I could quietly pace myself through the issue and discover where the source of the untruth came from. Next, I was impressed on what needed to be said and to whom. Above all things I knew my role was to speak truth to open the dialog so there could be resolution. Once I had the plan I spent some time reading the scriptures, until my mind was totally cleared. Then I went back to bed.

In the morning I followed through on all the impressions I received. It is amazing to me to see how all things that had been a concern fell into place. I was speaking to the correct person, and now that we were on the same page we could work together in unison, where untruths and intrigues couldn't enter in. I am so grateful for the mercy and kindness the Lord has extended to me. Truth comes from the Lord and he will help you find it.

Day 2754

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 101:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 101:7

"He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight."

Well, this is totally for my benefit. We just had to make this decision as a family. It's like the Lord just spoke to me in confirmation. If the Lord can say this about His house, I can say it about mine.

Day 2738

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 64:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 64:8

"So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away."

I have witnessed this week several examples where the lies told by others, and the pit they dug for someone else, is where they have landed. It is not a pleasure to witness, it is rather sad. At the same time you see the hand of the Lord in preserving and protecting those that love Him.

"And that great pit, which hath been digged for them by that great and abominable church, which was founded by the devil and his children, that he might lead away the souls of men down to hell—yea, that great pit which hath been digged for the destruction of men shall be filled by those who digged it, unto their utter destruction, saith the Lamb of God; not the destruction of the soul, save it be the casting of it into that hell which hath no end."

(1 Nephi 14:3)

"That no weapon formed against them shall prosper; that he who diggeth a pit for them shall fall into the same himself;"

(Doctrine and Covenants 109:25)

Day 2701

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 59:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 59:12

"For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak."

This made me wonder if cursing and lying are a sign of pride? I know pride is the downfall of even the righteous if they are not careful. It is the one tool Satan can use to crack their shell, by making the righteous take pride in being righteous. As I pondered on this I reviewed the scriptures in the Bible Dictionary to see when pride and lying are mentioned together. It does appear nothing good comes from pride, for once that overtakes a person they are opened to all sins. Lying would just be a way to cover them up.

"A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,"

(Proverbs 6:17)

"The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate."

(Proverbs 8:13)

"We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so."

(Isaiah 16:6)

"Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,"

(Romans 1:30)

"He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,"

(1 Timothy 6:4)

"And the large and spacious building, which thy father saw, is vain imaginations and the pride of the children of men. And a great and a terrible gulf divideth them; yea, even the word of the justice of the Eternal God, and the Messiah who is the Lamb of God, of whom the Holy Ghost beareth record, from the beginning of the world until this time, and from this time henceforth and forever."

(1 Nephi 12:18)

"For those who did not belong to their church did indulge themselves in sorceries, and in idolatry or idleness, and in babblings, and in envyings and strife; wearing costly apparel; being lifted up in the pride of their own eyes; persecuting, lying, thieving, robbing, committing whoredoms, and murdering, and all manner of wickedness; nevertheless, the law was put in force upon all those who did transgress it, inasmuch as it was possible."

(Alma 1:32)

"Now this great loss of the Nephites, and the great slaughter which was among them, would not have happened had it not been for their wickedness and their abomination which was among them; yea, and it was among those also who professed to belong to the church of God.

And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked, and smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek, making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, rising up in great contentions, and deserting away into the land of Nephi, among the Lamanites—

And because of this their great wickedness, and their boastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper, but were afflicted and smitten, and driven before the Lamanites, until they had lost possession of almost all their lands."

(Helaman 4:11-13)

"Ye do not remember the Lord your God in the things with which he hath blessed you, but ye do always remember your riches, not to thank the Lord your God for them; yea, your hearts are not drawn out unto the Lord, but they do swell with great pride, unto boasting, and unto great swelling, envyings, strifes, malice, persecutions, and murders, and all manner of iniquities."

(Helaman 13:22)

Day 2696