Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 10:8, 34, 45

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 10:8, 34, 45
"And because you have delivered the writings into his hands, behold, wicked men have taken them from you.
But behold, here is wisdom, and because I show unto you wisdom, and give you commandments concerning these things, what you shall do, show it not unto the world until you have accomplished the work of translation.
Behold, there are many things engraven upon the plates of Nephi which do throw greater views upon my gospel; therefore, it is wisdom in me that you should translate this first part of the engravings of Nephi, and send forth in this work."

Seventy verses in this chapter and each one of them holds so much to ponder on. It was hard to pick a favorite. What I liked about these verses are they contained things I had not considered before. In verse 10 the Lord said "wicked men" had taken the 116 pages that were lost. He really could have said a women if Martin Harris' wife Lucy was among them. Lucy was affiliated with the Quaker's and on her death bed confirmed again that she had nothing to do with the lost pages. People of faith don't lie on their death beds, especially a Quaker.

In verse 34 I thought about how those that stole the 116 pages probably figured up until they read the Book of Mormon that they were going to prove Joseph was a false prophet by changing what was in those 116 pages. They had no idea that the book of Lehi was not retranslated.

In verse 45 I thought about how the better part is what was given us. How often I have had disappointments and things not go my way, according to my will. Yet, the Lord blesses me more after the trial of my faith. He brings me to something better. It's been a school of hard knocks but I have learn from repeated experience that the Lord knows best.

Day 3599

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 13:33

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 13:33
"For behold, did not Moses prophesy unto them concerning the coming of the Messiah, and that God should redeem his people? Yea, and even all the prophets who have prophesied ever since the world began—have they not spoken more or less concerning these things?"

I pondered on how ALL the prophets prophesied of Christ. There has not been a prophet of God that has not.

"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)

Not only mention of Jesus Christ is missing from the Old Testament but so are many books of scriptures that would also testify of Him. The scriptures themselves testify of books known to be missing. Here is a list as found in the Bible Dictionary under Lost Books.

book of the Wars of the Lord (Num. 21:14)
book of Jasher (Josh. 10:13; 2 Sam. 1:18)
book of the acts of Solomon (1 Kgs. 11:41)
book of Samuel the seer (1 Chr. 29:29)
book of Gad the seer (1 Chr. 29:29)
book of Nathan the prophet (1 Chr. 29:29; 2 Chr. 9:29)
prophecy of Ahijah (2 Chr. 9:29)
visions of Iddo the seer (2 Chr. 9:29; 12:15; 13:22)
book of Shemaiah (2 Chr. 12:15)
book of Jehu (2 Chr. 20:34)
sayings of the seers (2 Chr. 33:19)
an epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, earlier than our present 1 Corinthians (1 Cor. 5:9)
possibly an earlier epistle to the Ephesians (Eph. 3:3)
an epistle to the Church at Laodicea (Col. 4:16)
and some prophecies of Enoch, known to Jude (Jude 1:14).

The Book of Mormon makes reference to writings of Old Testament times and connection that are not found in the Bible, the Book of Mormon, or in any other known source. These writings are of
Zenock, Zenos, and Neum (1 Ne. 19:10; Alma 33:3–17).
An extensive prophecy by Joseph in Egypt (which is not in the Bible) is also apparent from 2 Ne. 3:4–22
A prophecy of Jacob (not found in the Bible) is given in Alma 46:24–26. These writings were evidently contained on the plates of brass spoken of in the Book of Mormon (1 Ne. 5:10–13).

Day 3428

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 29:8, 12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 29:8, 12-13
"Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written.
For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it.
And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews."

Part of this is fulfilled today. We have the records of the Jews and the Nephites, the Bible and Book of Mormon. Now we wait for more records to come forth, including the lost tribes of Israel.

About 30 years ago I thought I had heard about them being found. I was serving at a family history center and the director came in looking out of sorts. He had just come back from a meeting in Salt Lake. He told me he had learned of a large collections of records that the Russian government had asked the church to microfilm. They were found in caves along the Caspian Sea. They were so fragile that when the Russians attempted to open these records they would disintegrate. They contacted The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because of their expertise in preserving and microfilming records. The arrangement was for the church to retain a copy of these records. There were so many records they were taken out by the truck loads. The church was in the process at that time of filming these records, and what they were finding was a history and genealogy of the lost tribes. This man was really in shock as he related to me what he had learned. I felt it to my core these were the records. I have waited nearly 30 years to learn any further news of these records but haven't.
 
Regardless if the records I heard about 30 years ago are truly them or not, I know somewhere the records of the lost tribes exist. Someday they will be restored to us, before the Lord's second coming. Someday I will read them and hold them and love them as I do all the scriptures I have today. I will continue to treasure and ponder and pray over the ones I have today. So when that day comes, that more records are given, I will thrill in the harmony and consistency of the Lord, as he speaks to his people. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Day 3400

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 72:18

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 72:18

"Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things."

This made me think of my favorite quote of President Nelson.

"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. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."

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

The other day I was reflecting on one of the Lord's mightiest works in the past, the parting of the Red Sea and read this.

"Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;

But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers."

(Jeremiah 16:14-15)

I realized that when we mentions our fathers we don't speak of the children of Israel being brought out of Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea. What we speak of is our pioneer ancestors that crossed the plains. We even celebrate a holiday called Pioneer Day to commemorate that event. When I reflected on this and how I've always thought of the lost ten tribes returning on a highway built up as a future event, has probably already happened and is still happening. So many verses I visited began to show me the highway that was to be built up may just mean the covenant path we are now on. Searching the footnotes on Doctrine and Covenants 133:26-27 had some choice verses linked to it.

"And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."

(Isaiah 35:8-10)

One of the greatest works today is the Lord's missionary force gathering God's elect from the four corners of the earth. Those that were lost are now finding their true identities as God's covenant people.

Day 2709

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 9:3

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 9:3
"Nevertheless, I have received a commandment of the Lord that I should make these plates, for the special purpose that there should be an account engraven of the ministry of my people."

I am so grateful that Nephi was obedient to this commandment of the Lord. What we would have lost if we only had those first 116 pages that were transcribed and subsequently lost/stolen. These plates served as a replacement. It is a great reminder that I won't always know the full reason why I have been impressed by the spirit do a specific thing. I have seen it take months or years for somethings I was guided by the spirit to do, to totally make sense to me. I am sure there is much still to come. 

Day 1772

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 4:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 4:16
"And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea."

The footnote tells me the epistle of Laodicea is lost scriptures and not found in the bible. I took time to look over the list of scriptures referenced by other verses that are not found anywhere. Then I looked in the Topical Guide over "Scriptures to Come Forth".

"And after it had come forth unto them I beheld other books, which came forth by the power of the Lamb, from the Gentiles unto them, unto the convincing of the Gentiles and the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the Jews who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophets and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true."
(1 Nephi 13:39)

"And then, behold, other records have I, that I will give unto you power that you may assist to translate."
(Doctrine and Covenants 9:2)

As I pondered on these I noted the Bible as the stick of Judah, and the Book of Mormon as the stick of Joseph, and wondered what other books would come forth. When Nephi wrote of other books he had no idea the Jaredite record, the Book of Ether would be included in with the Book of Mormon for his people. When Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were told of other records they didn't know the Book of Abraham and Moses would both come forth. I love the scriptures and now I wish to live to see more come to light. 

Day 1684

Today's Favorite Verse: John 10:16

Today's Favorite Verse: John 10:16
"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."

I love how hidden in plain sight the Savior speaks of his other sheep, the tribes that have been separated from them, and they know them not. As Jehovah in the Old Testament he had promised to not only scatter Israel but to once again gather them. He was fulfilling his promises. After Christ resurrection he appears to one of the folds in the Americas and they hear his voice and testify of him. When he departs from them he refers to other sheep that he will now visit.

"And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd
And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles; for they understood not that the Gentiles should be converted through their preaching.
And they understood me not that I said they shall hear my voice; and they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice - that I should not manifest myself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost.
But behold, ye have both heard my voice, and seen me; and ye are my sheep, and ye are numbered among those whom the Father hath given me."
(3 Nephi 15:21-24)

"And verily, verily, I say unto you that I have other sheep, which are not of this land, neither of the land of Jerusalem, neither in any parts of that land round about whither I have been to minister.
For they of whom I speak are they who have not as yet heard my voice; neither have I at any time manifested myself unto them.
But I have received a commandment of the Father that I shall go unto them, and that they shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep, that they may be one fold and one shepherd; therefore I go to show myself unto them."
(3 Nephi 16:1-3)

I cannot wait to read the records of these other lost sheep that Christ visited. This all reminds me of the painting by a Russian religious art painter, Mikhail Nesterov (1862-1942) inspired by very old Russian folk traditions of a visit by Jesus to the ancient Russians, the Kievan Rus, after his resurrection. It hangs in the Russian Gallery in Leningrad. Their folk traditions fits with the bible saying the lost ten tribes of Israel would be scattered and gathered from the north countries. (Deuteronomy 30:1-5) (Jeremiah 16:13-15) (Jeremiah 31:8-9). This all fits with what I know in my heart, their records are coming.

“Saintly Rus” (Святая Русь), by Mikhail Nesterov

Day 1580

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 10:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 10:12-13
"Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day."

In order to have time to finish the battle with his enemies Joshua asks the Lord to make the sun stand still, and stay the moon. It made me think of how the Lord is hastening his work and shortening the days for the sake of his very elect.

"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)

With not as many real hours in the day now, I have struggled to finish all that needs to be done. I have wished at times I could make the sun stand still. For now, I realize I must choose my priorities and do the most important things first. I have felt the Lord is testing me to see if I can judge what really matters. All I am capable of doing in a day is putting Him first. As the other areas of my past life fade away I can see I am the better for it. As time presses in to accomplish what is needful I will stop and evaluate did I put him first? Have I worked on my family history? Have I gone visiting teaching? If I add those in my busy schedule the minutes will stretch longer as it is needed. I have witnessed miracle happen when time seems to stand still. I have also seen time jump. I know as Joshua I'm not in control of this the Lord is.  He is doing what is needful to protect me.

The other thing I noted in this verse was the mention of the book of Jasher. I followed the footnotes and found three sections to follow:

Scriptures, Lost
Scriptures to Come Forth
Bible Dictionary -  Lost Books

There are references to at least 15 lost books mentioned in the bible alone. That is more than what the Book of Mormon mentions as lost books. There were other writings too that were mentioned so I'm really not sure of the total count we know that are lost. It made me wonder, what is lost that we don't even know about right now?  I sat and pondered on this for a while.

I would love to read the book of Jasher and all these lost books. I would also love to read the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon and the rest of John's prophesies in Revelations that were sealed too.

"And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings."
(Revelation 10:4, 11)

As I sat and thought on this, I saw the irony of the hastening of time I reflected on earlier. I would have to ask God to make the sun stand still so I could read all the lost books and sealed portions when they are made available. I struggle now to read what I do have, and then that's not even taking into consideration having studied, pondered and understood it. I have so much to still do with what I have already been given, it really should be enough. Funny that just tonight in family scriptures my husband commented that tomorrow we will finish the last chapter in Acts. We remarked on how quickly you get through the scriptures even with doing only one chapter a day. Slow and steady does help accomplish the goal. It's just if I got new scriptures I would want to feast on it all right then.


Day 772

Today I Lost One Ring

On a very busy day I suddenly noticed my engagement ring was gone. It had become too big since losing weight. It would just twirl on my finger and was very easy to come off, yet I kept wearing it. It was a treasured family heirloom that belonged to my grandmother and mother and was passed onto me when I became engaged. I loved it for how it connected me to these special women. Our family prayed if it be the Lord's will that it would be found. I retraced my steps but couldn't find it. I thought it was either gone for good, or would someday appear while cleaning. I was sad but not upset. Out of all of my possessions that was what meant the most to me. If that had to be taken from me, then it was what had to be.

I felt impressed to try on my wedding band that I had not been able to wear since my first child was born. (He will be 34 next month.) I just never spent the money to have it resized. I was amazed to see it now fit. I was happy with the simplicity of wearing just a single wedding band. A special thank you to my husband William Zamora for going the extra mile and looking in the bottom of our outside trash can for my engagement ring. He was the means that God answered our humble prayers, and returned the ring to me. I have put it up for safe keeping where my wedding band used to be. I will get the engagement ring resized after I finish losing more weight. Right now the wedding band, my husband bought me years ago, is being enjoyed as it should be. Today I lost one ring, and now two have been returned to me. I am so blessed.

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 2:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 2:12

"Now, after the Lord had withdrawn from speaking to me, and withdrawn his face from me, I said in my heart: Thy servant has sought thee earnestly; now I have found thee;"

As I read this I thought "Here is a truth, anyone that earnestly seeks the Lord will find him." No will be denied. The invitation is for all. The more I seek Him, the more I come to know him. This is a promise the Lord will never break. The only time I am lost is when I turn away.

Day 569