Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 49:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 49:10-11
"Now, if king Amalickiah had come down out of the land of Nephi, at the head of his army, perhaps he would have caused the Lamanites to have attacked the Nephites at the city of Ammonihah; for behold, he did care not for the blood of his people.
But behold, Amalickiah did not come down himself to battle. And behold, his chief captains durst not attack the Nephites at the city of Ammonihah, for Moroni had altered the management of affairs among the Nephites, insomuch that the Lamanites were disappointed in their places of retreat and they could not come upon them."

I noticed Mormon warning on who we are to watch out for in our day. This type of person wants power, but "he did care not for the blood of his people". He also "did not come down himself to battle". In verse 13 it also tells us that "their chief captains came forward and took an oath that they would destroy the people of that city." When they lose Amalickiah is angry, exceeding wroth, and cursed God. He swore with an oath he would drink the blood of Moroni. Amalickiah seeks for revenge. There is a lot more in this chapter and it is a clear warning to not be deceived and fight for the wrong side, and for the wrong things. Moroni on the other hand keeps the commandments of God in preparing for the safety of his people. How grateful I am for a living prophet that is doing the same.

Day 3493

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 110:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 110:4

"The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek."

Sworn = oath

I read several quotes regarding this scriptures. This is the one I felt was the most insightful.

Oath of priesthood

"Now may I say a few words about the oath which accompanies the reception of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

To swear with an oath is the most solemn and binding form of speech known to the human tongue; and it was this type of language which the Father chose to have used in the great Messianic prophecy about Christ and the priesthood. Of him it says: "The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek"  

In explaining this Messianic prophecy, Paul says that Jesus had "an unchangeable priesthood," and that through it came "the power of an endless life" Joseph Smith said that "all those who are ordained unto this priesthood are made like unto the Son of God, abiding a priest continually," that is, if they are faithful and true.

And so Christ is the great prototype where priesthood is concerned, as he is with reference to baptism and all other things. And so, even as the Father swears with an oath that his Son shall inherit all things through the priesthood, so he swears with an oath that all of us who magnify our callings in that same priesthood shall receive all that the Father hath."

(Joseph Fielding Smith, "The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood", Oct 1970, General Conference)

Day 2747

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 29:14-15, 29

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 29:14-15, 29

"Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath;

But with him that standeth here with us this day before the LORD our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day:

The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."

This scripture is talking about us. I pondered on the eternal nature of the covenants and oaths we make with the Lord. How at the end of this earth existence we will all fairly be judged no matter which dispensation we lived in. The trials and temptations the beset me have not belonged to me alone. That every generation has had to learned to love the Lord greater than themselves.

Day 2341

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 30:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 30:2

"If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

I found this quote from James E. Faust that I really like.

"Integrity is the light that shines from a disciplined conscience. It is the strength of duty within us."

He continued in his talk.

"The power of keeping an oath was manifested by Nephi, who held Zoram, the frightened servant of Laban, to keep him from fleeing. Dr. Hugh Nibley has written:

“Nephi, a powerful fellow, held the terrified Zoram in a vise-like grip long enough to swear a solemn oath in his ear, ‘as the Lord liveth, and as I live’ that he would not harm him if he would listen. Zoram immediately relaxed, and Nephi swore another oath to him that he would be a free man if he would join the party. …

“… As soon as Zoram ‘made an oath unto us that he would tarry with us from that time forth … our fears did cease concerning him.’  (1 Ne. 4:32, 35, 37) 

(An Approach to the Book of Mormon, 2nd ed., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1976, pp. 103–4.)

(James E. Faust, "Integrity, the Mother of Many Virtues", April 1982 General Conference)

Day 2306

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 30:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 30:2
"If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth."

This made me ponder on how honor has left our society. Where once your word meant everything. I marvel at how Nephi could take Zoram at his oath to stay with them, and not run and tell others where they were. It seems all throughout history I read about people's honor being their bond. Now I simply cannot tell if what someone tells me is the truth or that they will hold to it. How sad that is. This is part of the world I do not want to be come part of. I pondered on how breaking your vow, or word, is the same as not being honest. I need to be honest in all my dealings. God's laws have not changed, it is only man. Though the world can become like that, I do not and should not do the same as them.  For there is a layer of protection over the honest and the man of integrity.

"Integrity is the light that shines from a disciplined conscience. It is the strength of duty within us." (James E. Faust, Integrity, The Mother of Many Virtues, Apr 1982 CT)

Day 722