Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 19:13, 15

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 19:13, 15
"Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?"

Did the Jews do this to mock the name of Jesus? Were they just playing around? Testing the waters? The man with the evil spirit leaped on them. You cannot mess with things you have no authority or power over. Those that mock will mourn.

"Thou hast also made our words powerful and great, even that we cannot write them; wherefore, when we write we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words; and I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words.
And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness;"
(Ether 12:25-26)

Day 4161

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 18:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 18:9
"And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:"

I struggled to decide which verse was my favorite in this chapter. I decided on this one because not only have I seen this, it also made me think of something President Nelson said. I just couldn't remember what talk it was in so I spent a lot of time tonight looking for it.

"In situations that are highly charged and filled with contention, I invite you to remember Jesus Christ. Pray to have the courage and wisdom to say or do what He would. As we follow the Prince of Peace, we will become His peacemakers.
At this point you may be thinking that this message would really help someone you know. Perhaps you are hoping that it will help him or her to be nicer to you. I hope it will! But I also hope that you will look deeply into your heart to see if there are shards of pride or jealousy that prevent you from becoming a peacemaker."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Peacemakers Needed", April 2023 General Conference)

I loved that wisdom in looking at ourselves and not just pointing the finger that someone else needs to do better. It is the same when you think we are more righteous that others, and then we despise or mock those that just sin differently than us. We are all in need of the Lord's mercy and grace, and we need to in turn give it to others. The world seems to be losing it's humanity. It all just makes me really sad.

Day 4115

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 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: Jeremiah 15:17, 19-21

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 15:17, 19-21
" I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.
Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.
And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible."

Jeremiah had been faithful when those around him had not. He pleads with the Lord to remember him, that he was part of those that mocked. It's better to be alone than to be with those on the wrong side of the Lord. For this the Lord promised Jeremiah that he will be delivered out of the hand of the wicked. He was not taken into Babylon. Instead he taken into Egypt. The greater deliverance however is spiritual and receiving an eternal reward.

I am reminded of an experience I had in the early days of the pandemic. I found these funny jokes and memes about it and started laughing at them. Everything struck me so funny. Then the Lord sharply rebuked me and said "Those that laugh will mourn." I humbled myself and repented of my follies, and have strived to be so careful at what I laugh at since then.

Day 3996

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 6:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 6:12
"Make not thy gift known unto any save it be those who are of thy faith. Trifle not with sacred things."

This made me ponder on how just because someone is of the same faith as me doesn't mean I should share things with them. I have had several experiences in my life after sharing sacred experiences that those that should have understood turn on me. They did not see the sacred experience instead they sought to condemned me for having one. Now I am extremely guarded and protective to not open sacred things or experiences to being mocked or condemned.

"But as you cannot always judge the righteous, or as you cannot always tell the wicked from the righteous, therefore I say unto you, hold your peace until I shall see fit to make all things known unto the world concerning the matter."
(Doctrine and Covenants 10:37)

Day 3595

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 12:26

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 12:26
"And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness;"

Reading "fools mock, but they shall mourn" made me immediately recalled the experience I had during the early days of the pandemic. This is what I recorded in my journal.

"Last night I had such an unusual experience. I was reading all these memes about the virus and saving them and passing them on to my siblings. I was laughing the whole time. Everything was hitting me so funny. I had not felt so much laughter over this whole thing. Then in an instant I had this great soberness come over me and the spirit warned me not to laugh at this. That what I was doing was "loud laughter", and those that laugh will mourn. What an absolute wake-up call. 
I then read my scriptures and there it talked about destruction before the second coming. My frame of mind on this virus and its meaning completely changed. The Lord's hand is in all this and obedience is important. I have a feeling of much sorrow for those that are effected by this. When we did our family scripture reading I told them my experience and the other impressions that I had. We laid some ground rules for ourselves."

That experience was a life changing moment for me. I am so careful about what I choose to laugh at. As I was watching the reports on the devastating fires in California, I felt like I was seeing the fulfillment of the times of the Gentiles. When we go from a warning voice to destruction. I turned to Doctrine and Covenants 45 for I knew it spoke of this, and also fire, and moon turning to blood. This stood out to me.

"And in that generation shall the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
And there shall be men standing in that generation, that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land.
But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die."
(Doctrine and Covenants 45:30-32)

I feel like the early pandemic was just a dress rehearsal of what is to come. Sadly, some learned to mock it and put their trust in the arm of flesh, and ignore the counsel of a living prophet. They have set themselves up to feel justified in mocking any news of a desolating sickness. When the next one comes they may not take it serious soon enough. I believe in prophesies and all of them will be fulfilled. I am just very, very cautious on what I laugh and mock at, especially the suffering of others. It is no wonder that Moroni also speaks on the need for charity in this chapter.

“Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. It makes the thought of [putting others down] repulsive.
“Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other” (Elder Marvin J. Ashton, "The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword", Apr 1992 General Conference).

Day 3575

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 6:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 6:7

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

It was the part "God is not mocked" that stood out to me to ponder on. I thought of two recent situations that I came across. The first was while I was by myself listening to little shorts from a comedian that I like. I like them because they are "clean". Then I heard this routine and they were making fun of God. I immediately turned it off. That's not something I entertain or listen to. It wasn't funny and I just don't go there.

Then a couple days later I was talking to someone that has left the church and I pretty much let them be and do what they do. But, this time I think they forgot who they were talking to. They started to make fun of the prophet Joseph Smith. I couldn't listen to it. Now I like to remain peaceful, and not contend, but this crossed a line in me. It took me all of one second to know the course to take. I respectfully stopped them and let them know we can't go there with this discussion. Then I bore my testimony that I knew Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Oddly, you wouldn't think it a conductive time to bare your testimony, but it was. The subject was changed and we moved on. I cringe to think of where that conversation could have gone if I hadn't taken a stand that ended it. Having the spirit to always be with me is very important to me. I believe mocking and loud laughter drives the spirit away. They cannot reside in the same place. What remains is not what I want to reap from. Your jokes just aren't worth it. To make one flee you have to bare witness of the other.

Day 3256

Today's Favorite Verse: Obadiah 1:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Obadiah 1:3

"The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?"

We've had a lot of discussion in our home lately about what causes people to believe lies and be under strong delusions. It is the pride of your heart. If the adversary can feed into your pride you will be deceived and believe lies, and made spiritually blind. That blindness is not just to the gospel, it will cover every facet of their lives.

"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:"

(2 Thessalonians 2:11)

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

(2 Timothy 4:3-4)

"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 4:12-13)

Day 3048

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 1:25-31

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 1:25-31

"But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices."

I can't imagine the Lord laughing and mocking the wicked because they would not listen. I know I'm sensitive on that because I have someone I love that is facing jail time for their actions, and they just made things worse for themselves. There is no way I could laugh and mock them when the demands of justice fall on them. As I sat and pondered on this I realized the Lord's hands are tied in many ways. Just like mine are. That laugh and mock is not a cruel one. I could just picture His stretched out hands saying "Now you want me to save you?" It's that laugh of you're asking the impossible of me, because there are laws. You just don't get it, after all I warned you about. Sometimes, we don't receive answers to prayers because there are things we need to learn first. At some point the lesson time runs out and justice must be served. The doors to the ark are already closed and that boat isn't coming back.

Day 2788

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 4:1, 7-8, 11

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 4:1, 7-8, 11

"But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.

But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,

And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.

And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease."

I was interested in the tactics of the adversary in stopping the Lord's work. In this case it was those trying to stop the Jews from rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem. It got so bad they had to work with a tool in one hand and weapon in another. Very similar to how the saints had to protect themselves while building the Kirtland and later the Nauvoo temple.

Earlier Sanballat and others in the surrounding area laughed the Jews to scorn and despised them for saying they were going to rebuild. Now as they witnessed it happening they were wroth and had great indignation. In comparing it to my day I would say angry and took offense. After that they wanted to stop the work from happening so they conspired together to fight against and to hinder the work. The Jews at that point would not stop their work of rebuilding, they pressed on ever watchful, but armed themselves as they worked for protection. This last general conference I think we were given tools to protect ourselves as we work. That tool was to be peacemakers. To watch and guard ourselves from contention, to hold our peace. It will work for a season, but greater persecution will come. We must prepare spiritually in order to endure.

Day 2576

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16

"Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.

And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:

But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy."

Even though the people were wicked the Lord had compassion on them and sent messengers of God to them. Instead they mock and misuse the prophets. To the point "there was no remedy". The wrath of the Lord leaves them unprotected and their enemies come in and destroy them, the temple, Jerusalem and carry any that escaped into Babylon. That is pretty bad when there is no other remedy than that.

I pondered on what a terrible condition people are in when they mock and misuse messengers of God, his prophets. That is exactly what's happening today. Maybe not to the extent that happened in this chapter but it doesn't take much research to see comments after General Conference that fall into this realm. We know what happens after they go into Babylon, they lost their religious freedom and ability to openly worship God. After listening to General Conference it seems like that is a battle gathering outside the door.

Day 2562

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 63:58

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 63:58

"For this is a day of warning, and not a day of many words. For I, the Lord, am not to be mocked in the last days."

This verse stood out to me because in our family scripture reading tonight this one stood out to me.

"And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness;"

(Ether 12:26)

I am reminded of an experience I had in the early days of COVID-19. This is what I recorded in my journal.

"Last night I had such an unusual experience. I was reading all these memes about the virus and saving them and passing them on to my siblings. I was laughing the whole time. Everything was hitting me so funny. I had not felt so much laughter over this whole thing. Then in an instant I had this great soberness come over me and the spirit warned me not to laugh at this. That what I was doing was "loud laughter", and those that laugh will mourn. What an absolute wake-up call. 

I then read my scriptures and there it talked about destruction before the second coming. My frame of mind on this virus and its meaning completely changed. The Lord's hand is in all this and obedience is important. I have a feeling of much sorrow for those that are effected by this. When we did our family scripture reading I told them my experience and the other impressions that I had. We laid some ground rules for ourselves."

This situation is not funny. There are people dying, there are health professionals that are risking their lives for us. I know people will relieve stress with humor but it can become far to easy to forget oneself. If you are stressed the best relief is to turn to the Lord, he will bring comfort and peace. We must always remember Him."

As I pondered on these verses and the experience I had so many months ago, I realize that some people are mocking even if they are not laughing. You are guilty of mocking when you dismiss the Lord's voice of warning as being absolutely nothing to be concerned about.

Day 2066

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 33:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 33:1-2
"And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.
But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught."

I've been seeing and experiencing this around me. This isn't just words spoken by the spirit of gospel truth. It can include words spoken by the spirit to physically protect or prepare others. It's like night and day on who believes something spoken by the spirit and those that do not. Who will dismiss and mock, and who will take action and believe. One thing I have felt while observing this is it appears to be part of the shifting. I can never forgot that "..the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do." (2 Nephi 32:5) That is a marvelous promise.

Day 1818

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 27:40-42

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 27:40-42
"And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Likewise also the chief priest mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross and we will believe him."

So much in this chapter but it was actually these verses of Jesus being mocked that cut me to the core and grieved me. I was just talking with the family tonight during scripture reading that we never know how prophesy will be fulfilled, but it will be. The people that mocked Christ had no idea what would happen three days later. The temple he had referred to was the temple of his body. He had to stay on that cross so he could save not only himself, but everyone else that believed. He also did it even if they didn't believe.

Day 1531

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 20:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 20:1-2
"Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the Lord, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.
Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the Lord."

While growing up I often visited Fort William Henry, where battles took place during the French and Indian Wars. On the grounds were stocks that people could try out and take the obligatory photograph of themselves. I remember how fun it was to be in the stocks at first. But left for any length of time my back would start to ache from hunching over. My legs and feet would hurt from standing in one place. It was impossible to scratch my nose with my fingers being cruelly separated by the stocks. The confinement and inability to freely move would make me want out pretty quickly. This verse made me picture Jeremiah being in those stocks. Then I pondered on how today we do the same thing to prophets by putting them in stocks. Not literally, but figuratively when we hedge up their way, and by not sustaining them. It even gets more vile when their council and words are taken to the public arena and openly ridiculed and mocked. After Jeremiah was placed in the stocks he prophesies about what would happen to Pashur and Judah, none of which was good. It is never wise to go counter to the words of a prophet and to mock what they say.

Day 1340

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 36:15-16

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 36:15-16
"And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:
But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy."

That final statement "till there was no remedy" spoke volumes to me. My heart grieves tonight for those that mock God and despise any mention of his words or set them for naught. In this chapter it goes on to tell how Judah was carried away into Babylon. Why?  Because they had left God with no other option in trying to reach them. Hard things had to come to soften their hearts and have them turn back to Him. The Lord's arms are forever stretched out still, and he does everything to call his people home. Even if there is no other remedy than to allow their enemies to come upon them and bring them down into captivity.

I am concerned for my brothers and sisters that appear on this same path. Seems each day a new level of people being abased. Now much deeper can we fall as a people? I know what is needed is the light of the gospel in order to change hearts. I am sadden to see how quickly people mock and attack those that try to share some light in a darkening world. I shudder to think if we reach the point "till there was no remedy."


Day 978

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 30:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 30:9-10
"For if ye turn again unto the Lord, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.
So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them."

Hezekiah invites all of Israel to come to Jerusalem and join in the Passover. Some accept but others laugh him to scorn. I could not help but ponder on what if this same event happened today? The world at large would laugh us to scorn. Our nation needs to turn back to God to heal us, and that is the very thing people would laugh at the suggestion. If not get down right angry to mention anything religious. That makes me incredibly sad.


Day 972

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 21:6

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 21:6
"And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger."

As I began to read this verse it was very familiar, because several other kings had done the same thing. I was reading it rather quickly until I spotted those last few words "to provoke him to anger". Manasseh, Hezekiah's son what taught what was right from his father. Yet, he on purpose did what was wrong in the sight of God, to provoke him. He mocked God. He built up every evil thing and practice to provoke him.

I could picture people today that do that same thing. Mockingly saying "God will strike them dead with lightening", or something along those lines, for their crimes. This put a whole new level on the evil Manasseh was capable of, because he hated God enough to provoke him. I wonder if he "played" with things he shouldn't have because he didn't think they had any value either. Could it be like the foolish child that plays with a ouija board out of curiosity, or the adult that uses taro cards or fortune tellers, thinking it's just for entertainment? When God says don't touch such things there is a reason and warning for it. Mocking God never comes to a good end.


Day 909

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 7:1

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 7:1
"Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.

Benhadad had besieged Samaria and food was selling for a great price. Elisha prophesized that there will be plenty the next day, and flour will sell at an unheard of price. He is scorned. How did the prophesy come to pass?  The Syrians heard the noise of the unseen chariots of fire that surrounded them. They thought the king of Israel had hired others to fight them so they fled. Leaving behind all their provisions. What does this tell me? Never mock the words of a prophet. For the one that mocked Elisha was trampled to death. Spiritual death is a far worse fate.


Day 895