Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 10:28-30

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 10:28-30
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

These are some of my favorite verses in the scriptures. I have tested them and they are true. What more can I say than this. I reflect on the word light. It's not just a physically weight that is lifted from my shoulders as I walk with the Lord. It's the light of inspiration to overcome the burdens upon me.

Day 4063

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 60:19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 60:19-20
"The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended."

This chapter is speaking of the Lord's Second Coming, yet it reminds me of the creation story in Genesis.

"And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day."
(Genesis 1:2-5)

On the second day God created a firmament to separate the waters above and below it.
On the third day God gathered the waters and dry land appeared. Along with grass, herbs, seeds and trees.
It wasn't until the fourth day that God created the two great lights. The sun to rule the day and the moon to rule the night. So where did the light come from in the very beginning? Light bright enough to make plants grow? The light came from the Spirit of God. That same God that will return and once again light this world after His Second Coming.

Day 3989

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 50:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 50:10
"Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God."

I pondered on this question and what I felt is there is no one that fears the Lord and obeys His servants and yet walks in darkness. It is not possible to be in darkness if you do those two things. You will walk in the light. You would remain faithful and trust in the Lord, and know that His authorized servants speak for Him. How grateful I am for the prophets.

Day 3986

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 5:20

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 5:20
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"

Lately, as we listen to the news our family seems to mention calling evil good, and good evil all the time. Examples are getting easier and easier to find. We truly are living in the days that Isaiah prophesied. I noticed that Elder Gilbert mentions the same thing yesterday.

"Elder Gilbert quickly moved from talking about the way to involve the Lord in personal revelation and innovation to talking about the fact that the world is in a time foreseen by prophets throughout history.
"The world is in commotion, and people are struggling. Good is being called evil, and evil is being called good,” he said.The anxiety, stress and polarization that come with living today present opportunities that haven’t been seen before, he said.
“It is much harder in this climate to do things without the Lord, but when you involve Him and make Him your priority, all of those things calm.
”As challenges emerge in the world, Elder Gilbert said the gospel light is able to stand out even more and provide more clarity to those who need and seek it. He credited young adults in the world with being able to see that in increasing numbers.
“Ancient and modern prophets have prophesied of the last days before the return of the Savior that there would be increasing darkness, but it would make the light stand out even more than ever before. And people are flocking to that.”
(Church News, "Elder Gilbert says ‘Christ is always pointing you to something better’ as he accepts apostolic call", 13 Feb 2026)

Day 3971

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 130:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 130:5
"I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope."

I pondered on how as the world is falling into chaos and growing darker I am waiting on the Lord's Second Coming. That is the hope in my heart that will heal this world. Hope that doesn't focus on the darkness, but rather on the light of the world, the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Day 3946

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 6:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 6:16
"A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it."

The footnote for window says "HEB tsohar; some rabbis believe it was a precious stone that shone in the ark. Ether 2:23-24"

It would make sense if Noah's ark was lite by precious stones that the brother of Jared would be familiar with this miracle and ask the same for their vessels. It's a good reminder to be familiar with the scripture stories and miracles.

"And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? For behold, ye cannot have windows, for they will be dashed in pieces; neither shall ye take fire with you, for ye shall not go by the light of fire.
For behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea; for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth."
(Ether 2:23-24)

"And it came to pass that the brother of Jared, (now the number of the vessels which had been prepared was eight) went forth unto the mount, which they called the mount Shelem, because of its exceeding height, and did molten out of a rock sixteen small stones; and they were white and clear, even as transparent glass; and he did carry them in his hands upon the top of the mount, and cried again unto the Lord, saying:
And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea.
(Ether 3:1, 4)

I turned to the Sefaria which has the Talmud and Midrash, with 3,000 years of Jewish text. This is the section on "The Miraculous Light in Noah's Ark".

"The miraculous light within Noah's Ark, described as a pearl that illuminated the entire ark, adds a fascinating layer to the biblical narrative. Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, an eighth-century midrashic work, elaborates on the biblical story of Noah's Ark, providing additional details and interpretations."

Rabbi Meir said: One pearl was suspended in the ark, and shed light upon all the creatures in the ark, like a lamp which gives light inside the house, and like the sun yonder which shines in his might, as it is said, "A light shalt thou make to the ark" (Gen. 6:16). Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer 23:6

Day 3747

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 2:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 2:3-4
"And I, God, said: Let there be light; and there was light.
And I, God, saw the light; and that light was good. And I, God, divided the light from the darkness."

I pondered on how simple a verse it is to say "Let there be light", and there was. As if the creation of light was like flicking a light switch on. I thought about how light is the first condition needed to commence a project or work. God was creating a world, a place for man to dwell, and we needed light. Looking at the footnotes on light it took me to the source and power of that light.

"He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;
Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made.
As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made;
As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made;
And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand.
And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;
Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—
The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things."
(Doctrine and Covenants 88:6-13)

This made me ponder on how important it is to seek this light before undertaking the work that needs to be done. How important it is to seek God in prayer when I start my day and in the evening when I end it. This light of Christ will guide me in what I need to do.

Day 3731

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 34:2, 11

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 34:2, 11
"The light and the life of the world, a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not;
And if you are faithful, behold, I am with you until I come—"

I reflected on what a beautiful promise it is to the faithful to have the Lord with us. Walking with Christ brings peace that is beyond understanding. That is the light that shines in the darkness. Those that remain in darkness cannot comprehend what that peace is and where it comes from.

Day 3623

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 7:10

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 7:10
"Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light?"

You cannot walk in darkness if you walk with the Lord. Of course, we don't always know or see everything that is happening, but that is not darkness. That is walking in faith and trust with the Lord. Knowing that he will guide the path in front of us, and open doors for us. It made me thing of shadows and the picture of a match. There is no shadow behind the flame.

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
(John 8:12)

Day 3378

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:2-3

"Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart."

"Read of all men", you cannot hide the light of the gospel that shines in its members.

“In the ultimate sense, the gospel is not written on tablets of stone or in books of scripture, but in the bodies of faithful and obedient persons; the saints are, thus, living epistles of the truth, the books of whose lives are open for all to read”

(Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1965–73], 2:414).

It reminds me of the story about the BYU Jerusalem Center.

"I recently recalled a historic meeting in Jerusalem about 17 years ago. It was regarding the lease for the land on which the Brigham Young University’s Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies was later built. Before this lease could be signed, President Ezra Taft Benson and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, then president of Brigham Young University, agreed with the Israeli government on behalf of the Church and the university not to proselyte in Israel. You might wonder why we agreed not to proselyte. We were required to do so in order to get the building permit to build that magnificent building which stands in the historic city of Jerusalem. To our knowledge the Church and BYU have scrupulously and honorably kept that nonproselyting commitment. After the lease had been signed, one of our friends insightfully remarked, “Oh, we know that you are not going to proselyte, but what are you going to do about the light that is in their eyes?” He was referring to our students who were studying in Israel.

What was that light in their eyes which was so obvious to our friend? The Lord Himself gives the answer: “And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings.” Where did that light come from? Again the Lord gives the answer: “I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” The Lord is the true light, “and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.” This light shows in our countenances as well as in our eyes."

(President James E. Faust, "The Light in Their Eyes", Oct 2005 General Conference)

Day 3240

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 5:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 5:16

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Good works made me think of "by their fruits ye shall know them".

(3 Nephi 14:20)

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

(Matthew 7:15-18, 20)

If our works are good the light we hold up is Jesus Christ, not ourselves.

"Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed."

(3 Nephi 18:24)

Day 3093

Today's Favorite Verse: Lamentations 1:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Lamentations 1:7

"Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her: the adversaries saw her, and did mock at her sabbaths."

This made me ponder on how I hear people speak of past days when so much confusion and crime did not surround us. I always think about how it was also a time when people had faith in God, a moral code, and kept the commandments. Attending church and practicing your religion was a common thing. It is no strange thing, the place we find ourselves in, when you measure it against those no longer considered to belong to any faith at all. As religious people have disappeared from our communities, so has the moral compass that once guided us. It is only the light of the gospel that can restore us.

Day 2957

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 51:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 51:4

"Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people."

law = OR teaching, doctrine, TG God, Law of

I pondered on how having God's law, teachings and doctrine are a light to me. When I stray and am judged it is a light guiding me to come back.

Day 2889

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 4:18-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 4:18-19

"But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble."

This made me think of having the Holy Spirit to always be with me. That through the spirit we receive personal revelation to direct our path. That is the light that grows stronger day by day. Sadly with wickedness the spirit will flee. They are left to themselves and will stumble.

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life"

(John 8:12)

"They who are not chosen have sinned a very grievous sin, in that they are walking in darkness at noon-day."

(Doctrine and Covenants 95:6)

Day 2791

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 137:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 137:4

"How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a strange land?"

As I pondered on that question I thought "but we do!" We are asked to be light upon the hill a beacon to all people.

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

(Matthew 5:14-16

This made me think of one of my favorite hymns.

Brightly Beams Our Fathers Mercy

Brightly beams our Fathers mercy

From his lighthouse evermore,

But to us he gives the keeping

Of the lights along the shore.

Let the lower lights be burning;

Send a gleam across the wave.

Some poor fainting, struggling seaman

You may rescue, you may save.

Dark the night of sin has settled;

Loud the angry billows roar.

Eager eyes are watching, longing,

For the lights along the shore.

Let the lower lights be burning;

Send a gleam across the wave.

Some poor fainting, struggling seaman

You may rescue, you may save.

Trim your feeble lamp, my brother;

Some poor sailor, tempest-tossed,

Trying now to make the harbor,

In the darkness may be lost.

Let the lower lights be burning;

Send a gleam across the wave.

Some poor fainting, struggling seaman

You may rescue, you may save.

Day 2774

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 34:29-30, 33

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 34:29-30, 33

"And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.

And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.

And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a veil on his face."

When I read how Moses face shown after speaking with the Lord on mount Sinai for 40 days, and he had to wear a veil over his face afterwards, it makes me think of Abinadi in the Book of Mormon. After king Noah sought Abinadi's life the first time he prophesied, he was gone for two years. During that time frame Abinadi also spoke with the Lord and was told what would happen to the people if they did not repent, just like Moses did. When Abinadi reappears he is said to be in disguise, but when he spoke to them his face shone like Moses. I think his disguise was a simply veil like Moses that covered his face.

"And it came to pass that after the space of two years that Abinadi came among them in disguise, that they knew him not, and began to prophesy among them, saying: Thus has the Lord commanded me, saying - Abinadi, go and prophesy unto this my people, for they have hardened their hearts against my words; they have repented not of their evil doings; therefore, I will visit them in my anger, yea, in my fierce anger will I visit them in their iniquities and abominations."

(Mosiah 12:1)

"Now it came to pass after Abinadi had spoken these words that the people of king Noah durst not lay their hands on him, for the Spirit of the Lord was upon him; and his face shone with exceeding luster, even as Moses' did while in the mount of Sinai, while speaking with the Lord."

(Mosiah 13:5)

This is not the only time people that spoke with the Lord faces shone.

"And it came to pass that he turned him about, and behold, he saw through the cloud of darkness the faces of Nephi and Lehi; and behold, they did shine exceedingly, even as the faces of angels. And he beheld that they did lift their eyes to heaven; and they were in the attitude as if talking or lifting their voices to some being whom they beheld."

(Helaman 5:36)

Day 2243

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 93:24, 28, 36-37

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 93:24, 28, 36-37

"And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come;

He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.

The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.

Light and truth forsake that evil one.

This chapter has so much in it and especially speaking of the source of all light is through Jesus Christ. He is the light of the world, and tonight we celebrate his birth. While I was reading this chapter I was especially drawn to truth, light and knowledge. I have come to realize that facing truth does bring light into your life. Seeing truth sets you free. It is through the Savior's atoning sacrifice that we heal when we have to see truth, accept it and change because of it. With truth and knowledge we can look at the past, see things as they were and as they are now, and see a brighter future because of it. As we embrace truth; knowledge and intelligence follow. I think they testify of the path we are on. In the past as I've read this chapter I only thought of it speaking to the pre-existence, mortal life, and the eternities. But I think this chapter also helps us see our mortal existence and put it into the proper perspective through the light of Christ.

Day 2096