Today's Favorite Verse: Obadiah 1:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Obadiah 1:3-4
"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?
Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD."

Pride goeth before the fall. Pride is the most basic of tools the adversary possess. He can crack the protective shell around a righteous person by tell them how righteous they are. Now more than ever we need humility and the spirit to guide us, so we are not deceived. These two points remind me of President Oaks recent talk.

"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. Even active members may sometimes have concerns about some historical, doctrinal, or social issues connected with the Church.
I want to help all our members overcome present or future doubts. Whatever those doubts, the way to overcome them is to get closer to our Savior Jesus Christ. Again and again, He has taught us that He is the way.
III. Four Ways to Draw Closer to Our Savior
I share four impressions that will draw us closer to our Savior:
• First, strengthen our faith in Him.
• Second, increase our humility.
• Third, seek help from others.
• Fourth, be patient.
(Dallin H. Oaks, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, delivered this BYU devotional address on February 10, 2026)

Day 4040

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: Obadiah 1:21

Today's Favorite Verse: Obadiah 1:21
"And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord's."

As I provide saving ordinances for my deceased ancestors I am told I become a savior on mount Zion. How is that possible? Just like the Savior gave His life as a vicarious sacrifice for me, so can I do vicarious ordinance work in behalf of my deceased ancestor. Just like people have the opportunity to accept the Savior's atonement and sacrifice, they have the same option to accept or reject the work I have vicariously done in their behalf in the temples of the Lord.

The judgment is in reference to this.
"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)

The primitive church was also involved in this redeeming work.
"Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?"
(1 Corinthians 15:29)

The preaching and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ is being done on both sides of the veil. For not all have had the opportunity to accept or reject the gospel in this life. I love how merciful the Lord is and the Father's perfect plan. I have been spiritually blessed by performing vicarious ordinances in the house of the Lord for my deceased ancestors. I am grateful to live when these things have been restored.

The baptismal font and baptistry of the Rome Italy Temple.

Day 1464