Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 20:28

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 20:28
"Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."

I had added this note in my scriptures on this verse: "It's not about you, it's for them. To become like the Savior I must do it for them."

"This is just one example of how the Savior’s life is characterized by humble acts of service. He reminds us that He “cavme not to be ministered unto, but to minister” and then invites us to follow His example by going the extra mile, giving to those who ask of us, and loving our neighbor. When asked, “Who is my neighbour?” Christ shared the parable of the good Samaritan, with a charge to “go, and do thou likewise.”
(James E. Evanson, "Go and Do Likewise", Oct 2025 General Conference)

"Service opens a window by which we understand the life and ministry of Christ. He came to serve, as the scriptures teach, “even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Peter may have given the best description of the Savior’s mortal ministry in five words when he referred to Jesus, “who went about doing good.”
(M. Russell Ballard, "Precious Gift from God", April 2018 General Conference)

"While the most important aspects of redemption have to do with repentance and forgiveness, there is a very significant temporal aspect as well. Jesus is said to have gone about doing good, which included healing the sick and infirm, supplying food to hungry multitudes, and teaching a more excellent way. “The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many”.  So may we, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, go about doing good in the redemptive pattern of the Master.
This kind of redemptive work means helping people with their problems. It means befriending the poor and the weak, alleviating suffering, righting wrongs, defending truth, strengthening the rising generation, and achieving security and happiness at home. Much of our redemptive work on earth is to help others grow and achieve their just hopes and aspirations."
(D. Todd Christofferson, "Redemption", April 2013 General Conference)

Day 4073

Today's Favorite Verse: Malachi 3:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Malachi 3:16
"Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name."

Malachi has so many good verses in it. For my favorite verse I wanted to look for something I had not considered before. I found it in this verse. It was the part that those that feared the Lord "spake often one to another". Those are the names written in the book of remembrance. I reflected on all the ways we share the gospel and strengthen each other in the gospel. Discussions during Sunday School classes and when ministering to each other. I thought about my family gathered each evening to read the scriptures together and do "Come, Follow Me". All of this is done in natural ways because it's part of our souls.

"May God help us to be in deed and in truth what we have been called to be—Saints of the last days, and then, whether in life or death, we shall be His, we shall enter into His glory and be numbered with His jewels; for the Lord cometh to make up His jewels, and it will be those who have met together often and have spoken often one to another, that will be numbered therein; while all the proud and they that do wickedly, will become as stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch."
(Erastus Snow, "Work of God the Same in All Ages", JD 25:68)

Day 4053

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."

I could not help but think of what happened yesterday. My son went out to the mailbox and slipped on the icy driveway. We heard his screams and looking outside I immediately thought, "I can't help him up by myself", so I told my husband to come help. But, first I got my walker, not only so I could safely walk out to the ice to help him, but also so he could use it to help pull himself up. Between the walker and my husband and I lifting him under his armpits, we were able to get him to his feet. Then with the injured knee and foot he could use the walker to support himself as he made his way back into the house. From there we could assess the damage, get him crutches to walk with and administer ice and pain meds. He was waited on the rest of the day to give the injuries time to rest. Only time would tell if he needed more attention than that. Thankfully, he is able to walk on it fully today. I am so grateful we were home to hear his cries. In this cold winter weather it would not take long for someone to freeze to death.

There is another type of death that family members can help prevent, and that is spiritual death. Our daily family scripture study not only helps us to grow spiritually, it can prevent spiritual death in each other.

Day 2822

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 60:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 60:11-12

"Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.

Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies."

God will work through man, for we can be his ministering angels to others. What is vain is to think man will solve your problems instead of God.

Day 2697

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 34:2, 4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 34:2, 4-5
"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered."

This totally makes me think of ministering, and how I need to visit my sisters and families. I haven't done as I would have wanted because of being laid up with my knee. It has weighted on my mind. How can I even climb up their stairs. Last month one of my sisters came to my home so we could minister to each other. That was very sweet. Another one sat and talked on the phone with me. I love our deep gospel discussions. My ministering sister has also been so sweet to me. She's getting me hooked on her sourdough bread. I start to just craved it and she will just magically appear at my door with one. It makes me smile, because she has no clue about what I have been thinking.  I have good shepherds, I just need to do better myself. For I know I will be accountable to the Lord on if I fed his sheep.

Day 1411

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 42:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 42:7
"To open the blind eyes, to bring out of the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house."

This chapter is speaking of the Savior and in particular this verse is referencing Christ's visit to the spirit world between his death and resurrection.

"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water."
(1 Peter 3:18-20)

"For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."
(1 Peter 4:6)

This is explained further in the 138th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, in the Vision of the Redemption of the Dead, given to Joseph F. Smith. That vision was given October 3, 1918, which had its 100th anniversary this month.

"And as I wondered, my eyes were opened, and my understanding quickened, and I perceived that the Lord went not in person among the wicked and the disobedient who had rejected the truth, to teach them;
But behold, from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead."
(Doctrine and Covenants 138:29-30)

I went back and read President M. Russell Ballard's wonderful general conference talk "The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead" given last week in remembrance of its anniversary. It really touched my heart that he prepared his talk before knowing his dear wife, Barbara would pass. Her funeral was the day after his talk. What an amazing gift it is to be involved in ministering on both sides of the veil.

Day 1296

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 114:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 114:3
"The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back."

This chapter speaks of wondrous miracles performed in Old Testament times. The children of Israel saw in their day the parting of the Red Sea and the Jordan River driven back.  It only made me think of my day and what lies ahead. This quote from President Russell M. Nelson's talk "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives" was the most powerful statement in all of April 2018 General Conference for me.

"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."

During general conference I could feel a door has been opened. President Nelson also said in his "Let Us All Press On" talk, "This general conference marks the beginning of a new era of ministering." Door or era, either way there has been a change.

I am called to minister to my brothers and sister. I cannot help but think how such acts will allow the ministering of angels in my behalf. Deeper spiritual roots need to planted. There is much coming and much to be worthy of. I cannot help but wonder what I will be worthy to see? What I must be spiritually prepared to stand against? One thing is I do not feel fear about the days ahead. I feel an excited anticipation. I do not look to what evil has planned. All I can think of is how Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, because they were spiritually prepared, had a fourth man, like the Son of God, walk with them in the fiery furnace. With God you are never left alone. Through the power of the Holy Ghost I will be guided, directed, and comforted if I remain worthy. That is an amazing promise. Just stay the course and eternal life is ahead. 

Day 1167

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 81:13, 16

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 81:13, 16
"Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!
He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee."

When Moses smote the rock and water gushed forth, the children of Israel could have had wheat and honey instead. For forty years they walked through the wilderness eating only manna and water. The Lord cared for them, but they could have had something better, if they had only listened to Him.

It made me ponder on lower laws and higher laws, which means there are also lower blessings and higher blessings. I have been pondering on the changes from this past general conference. How home and visiting teaching is now replaced with a higher law of ministering. What wondrous blessings will waiting me for living the higher law?

Day 1134