Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 19:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 19:12
"Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults."

The words "secret faults" made me think of having favorite sins we don't want to let go of. How we have to be willing to do so in order to know God. I am reminded of Aaron teaching the gospel to king Lamoni, and then the king humbled prayed to give away all his sins.

"O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead."
(Alma 22:18)

During the time he appeared to be dead, he was sleeping in the Lord and came to have a powerful witness of Him. I am also reminded of the words of President Nelson

"What does it mean to overcome the world? It means overcoming the temptation to care more about the things of this world than the things of God. It means trusting the doctrine of Christ more than the philosophies of men. It means delighting in truth, denouncing deception, and becoming “humble followers of Christ.” It means choosing to refrain from anything that drives the Spirit away. It means being willing to “give away” even our favorite sins."
(Russell M. Nelson, “Overcome the World and Find Rest," Oct 2022 General Conference)

Day 3909

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 62:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 62:1
"Behold, and hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, your advocate, who knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted."

I loved this verse. It tells me that when I am tempted I can turn to the Lord and he will succor me. He will give me the strength to endure, or overcome what hangs over me. I know this is true because I have been there and used this part of the atonement of Jesus Christ. He has strengthened me when I am weak. I now have a verse for it.

"In addition to providing the majestic gift of salvation, the Savior offers us relief and comfort as we face our afflictions, temptations, and weaknesses of mortal life, including the circumstances we have experienced recently in the current pandemic. I can assure you that Christ is ever aware of the adversities we experience in mortality. He understands all of the bitterness, agony, and physical pain as well as the emotional and spiritual challenges we face. The Savior’s bowels are filled with mercy, and He is always ready to succor us. This is possible because He personally experienced and took upon Himself in the flesh the pain of our weakness and infirmities"
(Ulisses Soares, "Jesus Christ: The Caregiver of Our Soul", April 2021 General Conference)

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
(1 Corinthians 10:13)

Day 3651

Today's Favorite Verse: Moroni 7:47-48

Today's Favorite Verse: Moroni 7:47-48
"But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."

These are the last days, this is when charity is needed more than ever. The world is growing dark, and darkness is falling on charity for others. We cannot afford to set charity aside and follow the world. These are the characteristic of a person with charity. If you are following a person that preaches otherwise then run and run as fast and as far away as you can.

"And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." (vs 45)

“While we are in the world, we are not of the world. We are expected to overcome the world and to live as becometh saints.”
(Joseph Fielding Smith "Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith" Chapter 19, page 241)

"Before the Savior submitted Himself to the agony of Gethsemane and Calvary, He declared to His Apostles, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Subsequently, Jesus entreated each of us to do the same when He said, “I will that ye should overcome the world.
You can overcome the spiritually and emotionally exhausting plagues of the world, including arrogance, pride, anger, immorality, hatred, greed, jealousy, and fear. Despite the distractions and distortions that swirl around us, you can find true rest—meaning relief and peace—even amid your most vexing problems.
As we strive to live the higher laws of Jesus Christ, our hearts and our very natures begin to change. The Savior lifts us above the pull of this fallen world by blessing us with greater charity, humility, generosity, kindness, self-discipline, peace, and rest. ”
(Russell M. Nelson, "Overcome the World and Find Rest", Oct 2022 General Conference)

Day 3585

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 15:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 15:2-3
"He saw that there had been slain by the sword already nearly two millions of his people, and he began to sorrow in his heart; yea, there had been slain two millions of mighty men, and also their wives and their children.
He began to repent of the evil which he had done; he began to remember the words which had been spoken by the mouth of all the prophets, and he saw them that they were fulfilled thus far, every whit; and his soul mourned and refused to be comforted."

Sadly, it may take massive destruction for people to "awaken to a sense of your awful situation". (Ether 8:24) Coriantumr had such a moment and grieved over what they had done. He writes an epistle to Shiz offering to give up his kingdom for the sake of the lives of the people. Shiz in turn wants Coriantumr to give himself up so he can slay him. Something Coriantumr was unable to do, either mentally, or because his people and the people of Shiz in their anger wanted the war to continue. With the knowledge of Ether's prophesy Coriantumr would be the last Jaredite standing, living to witness others inherit this promised land. This is such an incredibly sad story. It is a message for us in our day.

There is hope for there will be people waiting to receive our Lord and Savior when He comes again. Now is the great time of gathering and embracing those that have suffered and are wounded, and through this have turned their hearts back to God. The Lord is always waiting with his arms stretched out still, and so should we.

"The Savior is calling us to leave behind the wickedness of the world and gather to Him. He wants His sheep to be a light that shines brightly, setting a standard for the rest of the world by reflecting how true disciples live, including how they experience true joy as they focus their lives on the Savior.
May we be ever grateful for the privilege and trust the Lord has bestowed upon us as we gather to the Savior, gather with the Saints, and gather in His service."
(President Russell M. Nelson, "Grateful to Gather", Liahona magazine, Jan 2025)

Day 3578

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 2:15

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 2:15
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

I sat and pondered on all the ways that I am showing a love of the world. The conclusion I came to is my love of the world has changed over the years. One little thing that gives me an indication is how I spend my down time. There are movies that I used to love that I just can't watch anymore. I thought about my Facebook posts and how they reflect what is meaningful to me. It's full of my love of the scriptures and news of the church. As I reflected on areas I need to address I found it interesting that my desire to have them has changed too. It's not like you are giving something up, its that you want something better.

The other day I had something happen that I had every opportunity to be angry and lash out. Instead of ranting to others I sat down and had a conversation with God to help me get past it. It really helped. The desire for God's blessings was greater than the world's justice. I think that over everything showed a love of God over the world. It's not just things that are markers, its were you find comfort or even if you want it. Earlier, I would have just relished in a good old rant. Oh, there still are triggers that want to bubble things up but I keep whacking them down like weeds. I want a clean lawn not a wild untamed one.

Day 3320

Today's Favorite Verse: Song of Solomon 2:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Song of Solomon 2:2

"The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away."

This made me think of signs before the Saviors second coming..

"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:"

(Matthew 24:32)

The "come away" makes me think about the calls in General Conference for us to overcome the world.

"What does it mean to overcome the world? It means overcoming the temptation to care more about the things of this world than the things of God. It means trusting the doctrine of Christ more than the philosophies of men. It means delighting in truth, denouncing deception, and becoming “humble followers of Christ.” It means choosing to refrain from anything that drives the Spirit away. It means being willing to “give away” even our favorite sins".

(Russell M. Nelson, "Overcome the World and Find Rest", Oct 2022 General Conference)

Day 2832

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 115:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 115:4

"Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands."

This made me think of what I have been pondering on all day. Not letting the things of this world overtake me, but to overcome the world as President Nelson mentioned in General Conference.

"What does it mean to overcome the world? It means overcoming the temptation to care more about the things of this world than the things of God. It means trusting the doctrine of Christ more than the philosophies of men. It means delighting in truth, denouncing deception, and becoming “humble followers of Christ.” It means choosing to refrain from anything that drives the Spirit away. It means being willing to “give away” even our favorite sins.

Now, overcoming the world certainly does not mean becoming perfect in this life, nor does it mean that your problems will magically evaporate—because they won’t. And it does not mean that you won’t still make mistakes. But overcoming the world does mean that your resistance to sin will increase. Your heart will soften as your faith in Jesus Christ increases. Overcoming the world means growing to love God and His Beloved Son more than you love anyone or anything else."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Overcome the World and Find Rest", Oct 2022 General Conference)

I got upset today and I didn't want to be upset. The first thought was how this was making the spirit flee and destroying my peace. It is amazing how a prayer for help to get the spirit back can be answered so quickly. I've had to monitor myself because it so easy to let the world just sweep you up. It was a real struggle but in between I had some glimpses of things that made me understand the situation better. The Lord placed people in my path that could show me how He was taking care of things. With the ability to see things with different eyes I can have patience and wait for when the situation is resolved. There truly is nothing I can do on my end. I just have to turn it over to Him.

Day 2752

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 111:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 111:10

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever."

Still thinking about General Conference. I listened to one of the talks of President Nelson and was struck with how many blessings will be ours if we only seek to overcome the world and honor the covenants we have made. We must turn our hearts to Jesus Christ instead of the things of this world. This would be true wisdom if I followed all that was said.

"I call upon you, my dear brothers and sisters, to become this righteous people. Cherish and honor your covenants above all other commitments. As you let God prevail in your life, I promise you greater peace, confidence, joy, and yes, rest.

With the power of the holy apostleship vested in me, I bless you in your quest to overcome this world. I bless you to increase your faith in Jesus Christ and learn better how to draw upon His power. I bless you to be able to discern truth from error. I bless you to care more about the things of God than the things of this world. I bless you to see the needs of those around you and strengthen those you love. Because Jesus Christ overcame this world, you can too. I so testify in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Overcome the Word and Find Rest", Oct 2022 General Conference)

Day 2748