Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 3:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 3:16
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

I thought about all the hymns that I love and how I have learned gospel lesson through them. Such profound wisdom can be found in the hymns. I wondered on what the Savior's voice would sound like when singing. He must have sung with his apostles. I reflected on how I am trying to memorize the words to the hymns. I have found if I memorize the words that when I sing I can picture scenes around the hymns and they come to life for me. One of my favorite primary songs I loved as a child was "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus". I love it to this day. I remember hearing it again at this past April's General Conference. The Tabernacle Choir sang it right before our new prophet President Dallin H. Oaks spoke to us. The rarely heard fourth verse was sung, but with one word changed. Instead of Jesus is King, they sang Jesus in Here! That was so powerful.

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear,
Things I would ask him to tell me if he were here.
Scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,
Stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

Oh, let me hear how the children stood round his knee.
I shall imagine his blessings resting on me;
Words full of kindness, deeds full of grace,
All in the love-light of Jesus’ face.

Tell me, in accents of wonder, how rolled the sea,
Tossing the boat in a tempest on Galilee!
And how the Master, ready and kind,
Chided the billows and hushed the wind.

Into the city I’d follow the children’s band,
Waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand.
One of His heralds, yes, I would sing,
Loudest hosannas, “Jesus is Here!”
Loudest hosannas, “Jesus is Here!”

Day 4234

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 2:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 2:12
"Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."

I pondered on how Paul's words explain the manner of baptism. It is by immersion. How else could it be in a similitude of Christ's burial and resurrection.

"Baptism by immersion is the symbolic gate through which we enter into a covenant relationship with God. Being immersed in the water and coming up again is symbolic of the Savior’s death and Resurrection to new life. As we are baptized, we symbolically die and are born again into the family of Christ and show we are willing to take His name upon us. We ourselves embody that covenant symbolism. In the New Testament we read, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.(Galatians 3:27)” With our baptism we symbolically put on Christ."
(J. Anette Dennis, "Put Ye On the Lord Jesus Christ", April 2024 General Conference)

Day 4233

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 1:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 1:9
"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;"

I thought about how wonderful a prayer that is. If you prayed that someone would know God's will for them, and have wisdom and spiritual understanding it would cover all that is needful. I would want someone to pray for me like that.

Day 4232

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 4:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 4:11
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

There is such profound wisdom in being content no matter the circumstances we are in. I think that contentment comes from the peace of God that passes all understanding. It doesn't mean you don't continue to grow and to hope and work for better things. It means in the moment you are content with what you have, for you see them as the blessing from God that they are. Your soul is full and really don't need more. There is sufficient for your needs, because those needs are humble. When the soul is empty the needs and desire are great, and are never satisfied.

Day 4231

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 3:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 3:14
" I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

The mark is faithfully following the straight and narrow path to eternal life. That is the most worthwhile goal of a life time.

Day 4230

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 2:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 2:10-11
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

When I thought of this previously it was to think of those that did not recognize Jesus and were compelled to bow the knee and confess. Tonight, I looked at it differently and how I would feel. Confessing that Jesus is Lord will be an absolutely marvelous moment in my life. That is something I look forward to.

Day 4229

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 1:23-24

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 1:23-24
"For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you."

As I read this I thought of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and his final days. How the Lord preserved his life and allowed him to continue to preach to us. Listening to his scriptural commentaries were so faith promoting. He really did wear out his life in the service of our God. I miss him.

Day 4228

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 6:11, 24

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 6:11, 24
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen."

Grace is divine strength given greater than our own. I hadn't thought of it as my armor, but it is. Along with armor we are given strength and assistance to accomplish what is required of us that we could not do alone.

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
(Ephesian 6:13)

Try as we might to stand on our own we need God's grace to lift and support us.

"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."
(2 Nephi 25:23)

Day 4227

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 5:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 5:13
"But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light."

Darkness cannot hide in the light. Those in darkness cannot tell that others can see them. The person of darkness may only be discernible at first to others as someone to watch, but eventually light enters and exposes them.

"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 4226

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 4:32

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 4:32
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you."

Be kind. That really touched my heart, because it's getting harder to find it. Kindness, tenderhearted, forgiving that is not weak person, that is someone incredibly strong.

"One of the easiest ways to identify a true follower of Jesus Christ is how compassionately that person treats other people."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Peacemakers Needed", Apr 2023 General Conference)

If others think you gullible and being taken advantage of, and maybe you will be, but having been kind has a reward that man cannot take away. It is what's inside such a heart that makes the person. Its a heart the Master will know.

Day 4225

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 3:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 3:15
"Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,"

Families in heaven? Just like we have on earth? Of course, it would not be heaven if we could not continue our family relationships in the next life. Not only that we enjoyed a great family relationship with our Heavenly Father in the world before we came to earth. We must live worthy in this life to have our family relationships continue in the next.

"The Lord went into the spirit world, himself, turned the key for the salvation of the dead and our elders when they pass to the next world, go into that world to continue their labors of preaching the gospel, bringing to repentance all who are willing to repent and receive the truth, that they might come into the kingdom of God or as Paul calls it, "the family of God in heaven and on earth" For it is the family of God. The kingdom of God will be one great family. We call ourselves brothers and sisters. In very deed we become joint heirs with Jesus Christ through the gospel of Jesus Christ, sons and daughters of God, and entitled to the fullness of the blessings of his kingdom if we will repent and keep these commandments."
(Joseph Fielding Smith, "Temple Work", Apr 1959 General Conference)

"I might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times."
(Doctrine and Covenants 128:18)

Day 4224

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 2:8-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 2:8-10
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

I am saved by grace, a gift of God, through my faith in my Lord Jesus Christ. My works do not do it, because I cannot save myself. It took Jesus Christ to make that sacrifice and gift. Now does God want my works and do they count for something? Absolutely, for after my faith in Jesus I must do good works as He has done. It is ordained of God that we walk in this path.

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
(James 2:26)

Day 4223

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 1:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 1:13
"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"

This made think the recent General Conference talk given by Elder Bednar on the "Holy Spirit of Promise". I think there was one other talk that mentioned it also, but I couldn't recall which one. I took the time to listen to Elder Bednar's talk again. It is not enough to participate in ordinances and make sacred covenants. We must remain worthy to receive that ratifying seal on them.

"The Holy Ghost is also described in scripture as the Holy Spirit of Promise, who ratifies or confirms as acceptable to God the righteous acts of His children. Ultimately, all gospel ordinances and covenants must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. As the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, “All covenants … not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise … are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead.”
When sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, an ordinance, vow, or covenant is binding on earth and in heaven. This sealing is conditional in mortality and can be broken or forfeited through unrighteousness.
Receiving this ratifying sealing by the Holy Ghost typically is not a one-time event; rather, it comes over time as we repent sincerely and consistently, honor our covenants, and yield our hearts unto God. Righteously seeking for this blessing is “the challenge of mortality,” as described by President Packer.
Each of us should ever be grateful for sacred opportunities to “walk in all the ordinances of the Lord” and to receive by the Holy Spirit of Promise, “in process of time,” the ratifying seal that guarantees all promised blessings."
(David A. Bednar, "Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise", Oct 2026 General Conference)

Day 4222

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."

Not being deceived is why I am so careful to try to always have the spirit to be with me. I thought about the times I have come in contact with those teaching false doctrine. How the spirit would whisper "He is lukewarm, spite him out!", or clearly warned "This is a priestcraft.". The warnings can come powerfully, and at other times its just an impression that something appears off. Since I will sow what I reap I try to be extra careful about who's field I'm in.

Day 4221

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 5:22-23

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

When the scriptures say "by their fruits ye shall know them" this is the very words we can look upon. Is there love and joy? Are they a peacemaker, longsuffering and gentle? Do they work goodness and show faith, meekness and temperate in behavior. Does this person have self-control and show restraint over their appetites and passions. It is not hard to see with our own eyes what their fruits are, and who they follow.

"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.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
(Matthew 7:16-20)

Day 4220

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 4:29

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 4:29
"But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now."

I always find it rather curious that humble followers of Christ are persecuted by those of the world. Not sure why they can't be left alone. Do they really think persecution would change a follower of Christ's mind on who he serves? If it does then they were not faithful and weak in their convictions. I reflected on how some in the name of religion have persecuted others. I am always disappointed when I hear of them. They are not true followers of Jesus Christ. The are imposters to the faith and serve the wrong master. Contention and persecution others is not the road we travel when following Christ.

Day 4219

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 3:24-26

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 3:24-26
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

This was the purpose of the law of Moses, to point the way to Jesus Christ. It only lasted until Christ came. We know there are missing books of the Bible. I wonder what more the Israelites had been told by Moses that identified Jesus Christ to them. For we know that all prophets have testified of Christ.

"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."
(Acts 10:43)

"And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening"
(Acts 28:23)

One way the children of Israel would come to understand the need for a Savior was because they could not keep the law perfectly and would need a Savior.

"But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe."
(Galatians 3:22)

Day 4218

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

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 2:3-4
"But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:"

JST "Notwithstanding there were some brought in by false brethren unawares, who.."

Titus was a Christian and a Greek, and not compelled to be circumcised. There were some Jewish Christians that felt that all of them needed to be circumcised. The bondage to be forced into was to practice the law of Moses. How hard those early days of the primitive church must have been when then didn't fully grasp what was required of them. We learn so much on their discussions.

It made me reflect on the early days of the restored church and how we needed to learn about revelation and how the spirit manifested itself. In particular I thought about Doctrine and Covenants 28 where Hiram Page professed to be receiving revelation through a stone on the upbuilding of Zion and the order of the church. Several members were deceived by the claims, including Oliver Cowdery. The Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. inquired earnestly of the Lord and received a revelation on the matter.

"But, behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses.
And again, thou shalt take thy brother, Hiram Page, between him and thee alone, and tell him that those things which he hath written from that stone are not of me and that Satan deceiveth him;
For, behold, these things have not been appointed unto him, neither shall anything be appointed unto any of this church contrary to the church covenants.
For all things must be done in order, and by common consent in the church, by the prayer of faith.
(Doctrine and Covenants 28:2, 11-13

Day 4217

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 1:6-7

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 1:6-7
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ."

I think I read that in the space of three years the Galatians were falling away. There were some among them that were perverting the gospel of Jesus Christ. It made me reflect on how much quicker we could fall a way, given how quickly things spread with the internet. I wasn't feeling well today and I wanted to just rest and brainlessly watch something on YouTube. It was rather distrubing how many times I found things that were just off, and didn't seem right. At least with the internet I have the ultimate power of just turning it off. No one knows me or cares what I listen to or not. On the other side the same if I wanted to fill myself with perverted doctrine. We do live in a day that we need to have the holy spirit as our guide.

"I feel to emphasize the warning President Russell M. Nelson issued us: that “in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” One of the many reasons you will need the constant influence of the Holy Ghost is that you live in a season in which the adversary has become so effective at disguising truth that if you don’t have the Holy Ghost, you will be deceived. Many obstacles lie ahead. The distractions will be many."
(Dallin H. Oaks, "Coming Closer to Jesus Christ", BYU Devotional address on February 10, 2026)

Day 4216

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 13:11

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 13:11
"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."

That reminds me of an apostolic blessing. A blessing pronounced collectively over a group by a member of the First Presidency or the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. It just thrills me when I recognize such blessings being given when I hear one of them speak. I try to take what the counsel and its blessing are, so I can receive it. With Paul's apostolic blessing we are promised that if we live in peace that God's love and peace will be with us. That is a wonderful blessing and promise.

Day 4215