Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

I've had some interesting observations and emotions today. Good people that see the events taking place around us so differently. I have been reflecting on how we truly are in those days spoken of by President Nelson.

"But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.
My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. Let this Easter Sunday be a defining moment in your life. Choose to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", Apr 2018 General Conference)

I'm not saying my good friends that see things differently than me are incapable of receiving revelation. That would mean I think I am and I'm right. I have decided to just do the best that I can and leave the rest in the Lord's hands. I continue to pray for guidance, that my eyes will see, and ears will hear. That I will recognize truth and have understanding. I cannot get through the mine fields around me without the Lord's guidance and direction. One thing is sure there are so many opinions out there that if we were left on our own to figure things out we may fall down crooked paths. Look to the Lord and do what is right.

Day 3953

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 23:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 23:6

"Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;"

One of the lessons I have learned during this pandemic is to stay the course. Follow the prophet and the mainstream of the church. Don't go right or left because either side will lead you astray. Stay the course right down the middle. That doesn't mean I straddle the fence. It means stay on the narrow path that is straight and sure. The Lord is there and will lighten the way through all that is ahead. I have to be like Peter and not get distracted by the storm going on around me, but keep my eyes on the Lord.

I have come to understand Lehi's dream of the tree of life with new eyes. The importance of staying on the strait and narrow path and not to take my hand off the rod of iron for a moment.

"And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world."

(1 Nephi 8:20)

That there will be others on the right and on the left that will mock at those that choose to follow the prophet.

"And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.

And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.

And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of scorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not."

(1 Nephi 8:26-27, 33)

Those that choose to not follow the prophet think they are wise, but sadly they will perish. Right now there is a real possibility they will perish physically, but more devastating is they are perishing spiritually.

"O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish."

(2 Nephi 9:28)

Sometimes, I wish I could literally shake people that say their "personal revelation" told them to set aside the counsel of a prophet of God. Can they not see who's plan they are following? They have become that verse.

"For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me."

(Doctrine and Covenants 132:22)

Day 2369

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 103:18-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 103:18-19
"To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
The Lord hath prepared his throne in heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all."

This made me think about this wonderful quote I found from Bruce R. McConkie.

"Everyone in the Church who is on the straight and narrow path, who is striving and struggling and desiring to do what is right, though is far from perfect in this life; if he passes out of this life while he's on the straight and narrow, he's going to go on to eternal reward in his Father's kingdom. 

We don't need to get a complex or get a feeling that you have to be perfect to be saved. You don't. There's only been one perfect person, and that's the Lord Jesus, but in order to be saved in the Kingdom of God and in order to pass the test of mortality, what you have to do is get on the straight and narrow path--thus charting a course leading to eternal life--and then, being on that path, pass out of this life in full fellowship.  

I'm not saying that you don't have to keep the commandments. I'm saying you don't have to be perfect to be saved. If you did, no one would be saved. The way it operates is this: you get on the path that's named the "straight and narrow." You do it by entering the gate of repentance and baptism. The straight and narrow path leads from the gate of repentance and baptism, a very great distance, to a reward that's called eternal life. 

If you're on that path and pressing forward, and you die, you'll never get off the path. There is no such thing as falling off the straight and narrow path in the life to come, and the reason is that this life is the time that is given to men to prepare for eternity. Now is the time and the day of your salvation, so if you're working zealously in this life-- though you haven't fully overcome the world and you haven't done all you hoped you might do--you're still going to be saved.  

You don't have to do what Jacob said, "Go beyond the mark." You don't have to live a life that's truer than true. You don't have to have an excessive zeal that becomes fanatical and becomes unbalancing.  

What you have to do is stay in the mainstream of the Church and live as upright and decent people live in the Church--keeping the commandments, paying your tithing, serving in the organizations of the Church, loving the Lord, staying on the straight and narrow path. If you're on that path when death comes--because this is the time and the day appointed, this the probationary estate--you'll never fall off from it, and, for all practical purposes, your calling and election is made sure."  

(Bruce R. McConkie, "The Probationary Test of Mortality," Address given at Univ. of Utah, Jan. 1982, p. II; See JD 1:6)

I just have to stay on the covenant path, pressing forward, and I will make it all the way home.

Day 1156

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 13:16-19

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 13:16-19
"And he said, I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee: neither shall I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place:
For it was said to me by the word of the Lord, Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest.
He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the Lord, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.
So he went with him and did eat bread in his house and drank water.

I sat and wept for this "man of God out of Judah". He delivered his message to Jeroboam and was faithful in seeking and following the word of the Lord while with him. Then he is deceived by an "old prophet in Beth-el" and follows his invitation to go back to his house. This was against what the Lord had warned him of, and later he is killed. Would I not want to listen also to a prophet? Obviously this was no longer a prophet of God that he meet. How would I know the difference?

I decided that if I am on an errand of the Lord, and the path is told me different by anyone else I should inquire of the Lord who's errand I am on first. I should not take the word of another just because of their position. If they are of the Lord I would get the same answer. In fact I have been encouraged by my prophet to pray for confirmation and receive my own testimony of things. This story teaches the importance of what I have been taught.

Sadly, this has made me think of recent events for me. A family I love and have admired is now on a strange path, following false gods and teaching priestcrafts and occult practices. I have given my single warning and must leave them to themselves. What troubles my soul are those that will follow them, just because of what they used to be. I know the very elect are being deceived. How grateful I am for the scriptures and living prophets and apostles on the earth. I will not be deceived if I keep from strange paths, and do not drink their water. God has named all his laws and if I do not find them in the scriptures then they are not his. The way is very straight and clear ahead.


Day 879