Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 16:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 16:8
"And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid."

Why were they afraid? I looked for references but couldn't find any that explained them being afraid. I understand trembling and being amazed for seeing angels and being told Christ has risen, but why would that make them afraid? Were they afraid to tell others because they wouldn't be believed? This is what happened, until he appeared to the eleven. There is a discrepancies in the testimony of the witnesses. The first three gospels say the angels were seen by the women but John says it was Mary Magdalene alone. Could their fear to speak about what happened cause the other women to not be mentioned by John?

Day 4097

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 15:31-32

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 15:31-32
"Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.
Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him."

Right before I read my scriptures I had seen something for the second day in a row. I would call it mocking the covenants we make in the temple. It really upset me and as I prayed before reading my scriptures I discussed it with Heavenly Father. I wanted the peace the scriptures bring. This would have not been the chapter for it, for this is the scene of Christ dying on the cross. Though oddly it still gave me peace. What stood out to me was the mocking He suffered. Yet, he died even for those that mocked. How did he do that? How can I bare people that mock what is sacred? As I pondered on that I realized that stepping away, like I did with the scriptures, can keep me from focusing on the mockers and making sure I'm right with the Lord.

Day 4096

Today's Favorite Verse:Mark 14:4-6

Today's Favorite Verse:Mark 14:4-6
"And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. "

As I was reading these verses I remembered an experience I had at a temple open house. I was with someone that wasn't a member of the church. They were getting rather upset while we walked through the temple. In their eyes all they saw was money being wasted on a building when it could have been used to feed the poor. This whole thought bothered them. At this point we were standing in the celestial room. I reminded them that Solomon's temple was covered with gold and precious things. In the House of the Lord we give our very best.

I told them how much it meant to me to come to the temple and sit in peace in such lovely surrounding. The temple is not only a house of the Lord, it's a place for His people to grow closer to Him. I would never have a home furnished as nicely as this, and as quiet as this. The temple fills and nourishes the soul of the poor. The poor also need this. When they thought about this their mood changed and they could see it in a different light. This is where we came to worship God and give our very best. The story of the woman with the alabaster box of spikenard, that was poured on Jesus head, wasn't wasting money that could have gone to the poor. Think about how much it meant to the Savior to be anointed before his burial. She was doing a good work as we do within the walls of His house.

Day 4095

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 13:30

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 13:30
"Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done."

I looked at the verses that are referenced in the footnotes.

"Verily, I say unto you, This generation, in which these things shall be shewn forth, shall not pass away until all I have told you shall be fulfilled."
(JST Matthew 24:35 & Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:34))

"And it shall come to pass, that this generation of Jews shall not pass away until every desolation which I have told you concerning them shall come to pass."
(Doctrine and Covenants 45:21)

I do believe this is the generation that will not all pass away before the Savior, Jesus Christ will come again. I remember being told this in my youth. Some say well they've been saying that for years. Well no one said we would be the youth of the day when it happens. Many generations are alive on the earth at the same time. Yet, I do feel the youth today are being prepared for the second coming for very good reason. They are the Lord's youth battalion, we are so close.

Day 4094

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 12:30

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 12:30
"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."

I pondered on the challenge with this commandment. How am I sure that I love God with all my heart and soul? Are there things that I place greater importance on at times? Does my mind wander? It certainly takes all your heart and strength to make sure you place nothing above God. I really appreciate my scripture time when I can evaluate my course and direction, and make corrections are needed.

Day 4093

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 11:28

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 11:28
"And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?"

This is something the chief priests, scribes and elders asked of Jesus. Now in this chapter Jesus did not tell them by what authority, because he wanted them to answer him first on if the baptism of John was from heaven or men. The scribes could not say, because they feared either option. In doing so neither would Jesus tell them.

I pondered on how their question was a good one, and similar to a question the Lord would have us ask when faced with false spirits, false teachers, and hypocrites. It is important to know if those trying to lead us actually have the authority and have been ordained to do so.

"Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained?"
(Doctrine and Covenants 50:13)

Day 4092

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 10:31

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 10:31
"But many that are first shall be last; and the last first."

The Joseph Smith Translation of the verse is interesting. Not sure I ever noticed it before.

"But there are many who make themselves first that shall be last, and the last first."

That is speaking of pride and humility. Earlier in the chapter Jesus spoke of needing to be like a little child.

"Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."
(Mark 10:15)

Day 4091

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 9:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 9:9-10
"And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean."

I pondered on how Peter, James and John may have not understood at the time what rising from the dead would mean. Though I am sure they understood it when they saw the resurrected Lord. As we are drawing closer to the second coming things I used to envision are not coming about like I imagined. Yet, as I see things I recognize how they fit. I have stopped trying to figure out any timelines or how things will happen. I know after the Lord comes he will explain all things. Until then I will watch and be ready.

Day 4090

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 8:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 8:11-12
"And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation."

It was the part of Jesus sighing deeply that I paused at. He sounded rather tired of the Pharisees. He wasn't telling them anything knew. They should have already understood the issues with seeking signs. In Matthew it records who Jesus said would seek after a sign.

"A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed."
(Matthew 16:4)

There were other scriptures referenced in these verses.

"For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts."
(Doctrine and Covenants 46:9)

"And he that seeketh signs shall see signs, but not unto salvation.
Verily, I say unto you, there are those among you who seek signs, and there have been such even from the beginning;
But, behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe.
Yea, signs come by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the will of God.
Yea, signs come by faith, unto mighty works, for without faith no man pleaseth God; and with whom God is angry he is not well pleased; wherefore, unto such he showeth no signs, only in wrath unto their condemnation."
(Doctrine and Covenants 63:7-11)

Day 4089

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 7:8-9

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 7:8-9
"For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition."

This made me think of culture and traditions that we may assume are commandments but are not. The example of washing of pots and hands were not part of the law of Moses or commandments. They maybe good things to do for cleanliness sake, but not something you sin over. Many times I've told my children that something was a cultural tradition, and not an official position of the church.

For example it's a cultural tradition that deacons wear a white shirt when passing the sacrament. President David O. McKay taught that a white shirt contributes to the sacredness of the holy sacrament, but was never a requirement. While I was pondering over this, one of my children sent me a picture of a supposed new design for our chapels. The sacrament table was in the front beneath the pulpit. To me the source looked questionable so I don't give it much value. What was more important for me to note to my child is that there is nothing special in the layout of the chapel. I would call it tradition. I've attended sacrament in many interesting locations. We had sacrament for several months in the middle of the field where our chapel was going to be built. That winter we met in an auction barn. The important thing is meeting together and partaking of the sacrament. The building is just fluff. If moving the sacrament table helps members focus more intently on what it represents then its fine with me. I keep my eyes closed the whole time anyways.

Day 4088

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 6:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 6:13
" And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them."

I learned something new, this is the only mention in the scriptures of the Savior's Apostles anointing the sick with oil when administering to them.

President Dallin H. Oaks taught that miraculous healings happen today, just as in biblical times, through the power of the priesthood:
“Miracles happen when the authority of the priesthood is used to bless the sick. I have experienced these miracles. As a boy and as a man I have seen healings as miraculous as any recorded in the scriptures, and so have many of you. …
“The Old Testament frequently mentions anointing with oil as part of a blessing conferred by priesthood authority. Anointings were declared to be for sanctification and perhaps can also be seen as symbolic of the blessings to be poured out from heaven as a result of this sacred act.
“In the New Testament we read that Jesus’s Apostles ‘anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them’ (Mark 6:13). The book of James teaches the role of anointing in connection with the other elements in a healing blessing by priesthood authority:
“‘Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
“‘And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up’ (James 5:14–15).
“ … When elders anoint a sick person and seal the anointing, they open the windows of heaven for the Lord to pour forth the blessing He wills for the person afflicted” (“Healing the Sick,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 48).
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 12: Mark 5-7")

Day 4087

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 5:39-40

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 5:39-40
"And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying."

I pondered on laughing and ridiculing things that require faith. The Savior put them all out. They could not be present while he performed a miraculous miracle. It would be like casting pearls before swine. In some ways they were no different than the legion cast into the swine. Spiritual they had cast themselves into the deep and drown. They would not witness Jesus raising Jairus' daughter from the dead. Then he charged those that attended that no man should know what had happened. How many times do we miss miracles happening around us because of not only our lack of faith but our mocking of it too?

Day 4086

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 4:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 4:8
"And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred."

It made me think of this verse.

"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:20)

It reminded me of a talk given by a young service missionary during Stake Conference yesterday. He is serving at the FamilySearch Center, and mentioned while serving there they will experience more baptisms than the proselyting missionaries. Of course, those that we perform vicious baptism for the dead need to accept what was done in their behalf, but I had never thought about it that way. I reflected on the living that I was instrumental in their conversion and baptism into the church, and then those that I have researched, entered into FamilySearch, prepared their names for baptism and then participated in their ordinances. The work beyond the veil has been bountiful. They are the reason I returned after my near-death experience. This is my life's work and fruit.

"And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!"
(Doctrine and Covenants 18:15-16)

Day 4085

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 3:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 3:2
"And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him."

I pondered on watching people. They did it so they could find fault and accuse Him.

"They Watched Him", the Greek word translated “watched” implies that the Pharisees were scrutinizing Jesus with malicious intent. They had come to the synagogue not to worship, but to find fault.
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 11: Mark 1-4")

When we watch to find fault we are no better than the Pharisees. I know I have been guilty of this. There is an incredible difference in your spirit and peace when you stop it. There will always be a temptation to judge others. The first step is to realize that is what we are doing.

Day 4084

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 2:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 2:15
"And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him."

I hadn't noticed the part of "they followed him". So that means the publicans and sinners in order to follow Christ would have repented. Would the Pharisees feel people could never repent and turn from their past sins?

"In the ancient Near East, sharing a meal with others meant much more than simply eating and drinking together. It was a sign of fellowship; it indicated that a bond of friendship and peace existed or was at least being offered. The Savior often used the occasion of sharing a meal to extend the invitation to repent and obtain forgiveness. On a number of these occasions, pious Jews criticized Jesus for dining in fellowship with people they regarded as sinners.
Those regarded by the pious Jews as “sinners” could have included not only people guilty of breaking commandments but also people who did not live in accordance with the Pharisees’ traditions—people whose daily work was considered unholy (like publicans) and people who were not Israelites (like Samaritans and Gentiles; see Acts 10:28)."
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 11: Mark 1-4")

Day 4083

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 1:14-15

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 1:14-15
"Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."

I pondered on how the Jews must have felt to hear these words. They had been practicing the law of Moses for almost 1,500 years. The time for it to be fulfilled had arrived. How different this must have all felt to them. Some would not accept Jesus as the promised Messiah, nor his gospel. Yet those that did had to have extreme faith and belief. I know it's hard for me to comprehend how they must have felt. It is fitting that the gospel begins with the baptism of Jesus Christ. The only perfect man to walk the earth, that did not need repentance, yet to not be baptized would not have fulfilled all righteousness. He set the ultimate example.

Day 4082

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 46:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 46:3-4, 10 "Now the leader of those who were wroth against their brethren was a large and a strong man; and his name was Amalickiah. And Amalickiah was desirous to be a king; and those people who were wroth were also desirous that he should be their king; and they were the greater part of them the lower judges of the land, and they were seeking for power. Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of cunning device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous’ sake."

I've reached the part of the Book of Mormon that seems to be a play by play for our day. As I've study this I feel a compilation of those in the Book of Mormon, like Noah, Amlici and Amalickiah to name a few, point to who we need to identify in our day and be mindful and careful of. They are deceptive and draw good people to their side that ultimate destroys them. One very basic thing that draws them is anger. In their anger they desire to support these traitors and give them full reign and power. They think they are just, but they don't realize who they are defending, in time it will break people down into tribes and lose their form of government. We also see an interesting flip where the Lamanites will become more righteous than the Nephites.

"And the Amlicites were distinguished from the Nephites, for they had marked themselves with red in their foreheads after the manner of the Lamanites; nevertheless they had not shorn their heads like unto the Lamanites.
Now we will return again to the Amlicites, for they also had a mark set upon them; yea, they set the mark upon themselves, yea, even a mark of red upon their foreheads.
Now the Amlicites knew not that they were fulfilling the words of God when they began to mark themselves in their foreheads; nevertheless they had come out in open rebellion against God; therefore it was expedient that the curse should fall upon them."
(Alma 3:4, 13, 18)

Day 3490

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 3:4, 13, 18

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 3:4, 13, 18
"And the Amlicites were distinguished from the Nephites, for they had marked themselves with red in their foreheads after the manner of the Lamanites; nevertheless they had not shorn their heads like unto the Lamanites.
Now we will return again to the Amlicites, for they also had a mark set upon them; yea, they set the mark upon themselves, yea, even a mark of red upon their foreheads.
Now the Amlicites knew not that they were fulfilling the words of God when they began to mark themselves in their foreheads; nevertheless they had come out in open rebellion against God; therefore it was expedient that the curse should fall upon them.

Today we have people that are marking themselves by wearing red on their foreheads. Does make me wonder if they are unknowingly fulfilling prophesy, but in our day? A study of Amlici has a lot of parallels.

Day 3447

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 16:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 16:11

"And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not."

I wondered if I had heard Mary Magdalene say she saw the risen Lord, would I have believed her too? I like to think that I would have. I can only sit here having heard this story in the scriptures many times and knowing that it's true. This was the first time anything like this would have taken place. It would have seemed impossible for them. I cannot compare our reactions since my story is so different being able to look backwards.

"President James E. Faust (1920–2007) of the First Presidency explained why it may have been so difficult initially for the disciples to believe that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead:

“Perhaps the Apostles should not be unduly criticized for not believing that Jesus, having been crucified and buried in a tomb, had come back to earth as a glorified being. In all human experience, this had never happened before. It was completely unprecedented. This was a different experience than the raising of Jairus’ daughter, the young man of Nain, or Lazarus. They all died again. Jesus, however, became a resurrected being. He would never die again. …

“Said President David O. McKay of this experience: ‘The world would never have been stirred by men with such wavering, doubting, despairing minds as the apostles possessed on the day of the crucifixion.“

‘What was it that suddenly changed these disciples to confident, fearless, heroic preachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ? It was the revelation that Christ had risen from the grave. His promises had been kept, his Messianic mission fulfilled. … On the evidence of these unprejudiced, unexpectant, incredulous witnesses, faith in the resurrection has its impregnable foundation.’ (Treasures of Life, comp. Clare Middlemiss, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1962, pp. 15–16.)

“Like the Apostles of old, this knowledge and belief should transform all of us to be confident, settled, unafraid, and at peace in our lives as followers of the divine Christ. It should help us carry all burdens, bear any sorrows, and also fully savor all joys and happiness that can be found in this life”

(Elder James E. Faust, “The Supernal Gift of the Atonement,” Oct 1988 General Conference)

Day 3132

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 15:13-14

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 15:13-14

"And they cried out again, Crucify him.

Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him."

I pondered on how the people just called for Pilate to crucify Jesus, when they couldn't even explain what the evil was he had done. He hadn't done evil, only good among the people, so there was nothing for them to tell. Yet, they were driven by the chief priests to ask for Jesus to be crucified and Barabbas to be let go.

This keeps making me think of this scripture.

"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

(Matthew 7:20)

It's so important to look at the fruit of a person. You may have to look deep at times because some people can try to pass themselves as good but are rotten to the core.

"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!'

(Isaiah 5:20)

Day 3131