Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 3:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 3:2
"And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him."

I pondered on watching people. They did it so they could find fault and accuse Him.

"They Watched Him", the Greek word translated “watched” implies that the Pharisees were scrutinizing Jesus with malicious intent. They had come to the synagogue not to worship, but to find fault.
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 11: Mark 1-4")

When we watch to find fault we are no better than the Pharisees. I know I have been guilty of this. There is an incredible difference in your spirit and peace when you stop it. There will always be a temptation to judge others. The first step is to realize that is what we are doing.

Day 4084

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 8:16-17

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 8:16-17
"These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:
And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD."

I would love to live when this is true. If everyone would only speak the truth and be peaceful, then we would be a Zion people. One day that will come, because the Lord will come and reign over us. As I pondered on this further I thought about how we must be a Zion people before the Lord comes. This is to be lived today amongst God's people regardless. Truly to be honest and peaceful in all things, when you're in the midst of people that are not how much truer your conviction is.

Day 4050

Today's Favorite Verse: Nahum 1:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Nahum 1:7
"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."

That is a very comforting verse if you trust in the Lord. I have felt Him as my strong hold when in the midst of trouble. You do not need to see Him to know he is there, and mindful of all that you are going through.

Day 4044

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 7:25-26

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 7:25-26
"Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none.
Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients."

This reminded me of President Nelson, how he taught us to seek peace, be peacemakers, to seek the Holy Ghost and have it as our guide. I could not comprehend then what I do now what peace would come into my life, as I listened and applied what he counseled.

"In the coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.
"Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", Apr 2018 General Conference)

Seven years later President Oaks built upon that those words, the preparation period given by President Nelson is now accomplished. We are in the season he spoke of, where if we do not have the Holy Ghost as our guide we will be deceived. Without it there is no peace.

"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, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, delivered this BYU devotional address on February 10, 2026.")

I thought about how people that didn't prepare then, to learn how to have peace in the midst of trials and the spirit as their guide, will be looking for it now.

Day 4013

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 29:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 29:7
"And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.'

Even though the children of Israel are carried away into Babylon the Lord would help them find peace in their captivity. There is a battle between false prophets, some say they will be back in two years, then there is Jeremiah that says 70 years. He councils them to build houses, plant gardens and fruit trees. Have children and let their children marry and have children. Their numbers would increase and not diminish. Overall they were to seek peace, they were to seek the Lord. This captivity was a time for them to repent. False prophets would expose themselves when their prophesies do not come true.

Day 4001

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 64:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 64:4
"For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him."

I remember when I was a young bride we purchased a book about the last days. I would study and read that book over and over again. I had so many images and thoughts about how the last days would be. Everything was mapped in a timeline. It was all so dreadful and frightening. As I have grown older, and am seeing those days around me, they are so very different. Nothing that I imagined, has unfolded as I thought. The biggest difference is how my soul is handling all this. I used to envision such panic and feeling out of control. Now I just feel peace. I used to think it all depended on how strong I was. Now I realize we were not meant to do this alone. I need to look to Christ and have Him by my side. His prophets are preparing us. I don't know all that lies ahead and that's OK. All I know is the Lord is in control and is preparing the way before me. I am not alone.

"Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", Apr 2018 General Conference)

Day 3991

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 54:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 54:13
"And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children."

It's to the point that if I had young children I wouldn't want them to hear the news. In fact I don't even want to listen to the news. The world has no peace. The only peace comes from knowing the Lord. Now more than ever children need to be taught of the Lord. The faith and prayers of a child will bring comfort and peace. It's true for them and true for us. "Come, Follow Me in the home has been so inspired.

"I was in Idaho Falls and was the guest in a home of a typical Church family. There were a dedicated set of parents and many children. The oldest was in military duty in the dreaded South Pacific, and the hearts of the family followed him from place to place. They handed me his latest letter from the war zone. I read this:
“There have been times when we were so scared, we would tremble, but the fear was out of our minds with prayer and the knowledge that we were being guided by the Lord.
“Dad, I love my religion and I am proud that I had someone like you and Mother to teach me to pray. Then I also know that you are praying for me each morning and night. …”
Spirituality is born in the home and is nurtured in the home evenings, in the twice-a-day and oftener daily prayers, in the weekly meetings when the family goes en masse. That spirituality as the foundation of one’s life comes to his rescue when emergency strikes.
Security is not born of inexhaustible wealth but of unquenchable faith. And generally that kind of faith is born and nurtured in the home and in childhood.
Prayer is the passport to spiritual power."
(Spencer W. Kimball, "The Family Influence", Apr 1973 General Conference)

Day 3987

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 96:11-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 96:11-13
"Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth."

I pondered on how the rejoicing and joy came before the Lord comes. That as terrible as the world is becoming, and Satan is truly in his great day of power, that should not overcome us. That the focus and joy is we are all the closer to the Lord's second coming. I haven't reached the point that I am praying day and night for His return, but I'm getting close to it. I just have peace that this is all in His hands. "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."

Day 3934

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 71:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 71:3
"Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress."

I pondered how commandments are a protection to me. When I have broken commandments I have been in bondage of my own making. Keeping commandments have saved me from physical and mental destruction, and brought safety and peace. This reminds me of the story Elder Keetch once told in General Conference about a group of surfers and how they came to appreciate the barrier in place for their safety.

Day 3926

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 9:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 9:9-10
"The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee."

This verse made me think of this.

"And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children."
(Isaiah 54:13)

I think about how important a sense of peace and safety is. How the Lord can be, and has been, a refuge to me in the midst of the storm. A refuge where I find peace and comfort, and the inspiration needed to help my situation. It all seems so simple, but it really is.

Day 3905

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 18:14-15

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 18:14-15
"And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.
Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him."

These verses reminded me of these.

"And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God;
And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion.
And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety.
And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another.
And it shall be said among the wicked: Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible; wherefore we cannot stand.
And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy."
(Doctrine and Covenants 45:66-71)

Because David behaved wisely, having a deep love and trust in God, keeping all the laws and commandments, not of a contentious nature, and people love him, the wicked (Saul) were afraid of him. Saul sought to have David die in battle, which didn't happen. It made me ponder on how Zion will look terrible to the wicked. Zion will not be at war with one another. I used to think it was physically battles all around. Now I think it more a battle of words and opinions. The only ones that are not contending will be a Zion people. We will be at peace while the world is growing ever darker. The wicked can not stand up against goodness. The wicked dig pits against others and then fall into it. They cannot stop truth and are afraid of it.
"The standard of truth has been erected. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done."
—Joseph Smith, 1842

Day 3829

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 7:65-66

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 7:65-66
"And it came to pass that Enoch saw the day of the coming of the Son of Man, in the last days, to dwell on the earth in righteousness for the space of a thousand years;
But before that day he saw great tribulations among the wicked; and he also saw the sea, that it was troubled, and men’s hearts failing them, looking forth with fear for the judgments of the Almighty God, which should come upon the wicked."

I thought about if I look with fear for the judgments of God. I honestly don't, but I think I would if I wasn't praying for forgiveness every day. When I used to bottle things up and repent when I was all weighted down it was a different story. I am so grateful I learned repentance is needed every day. Not to let things come to a head before I set my life in order. Correction is so much easier when its done in small increments and not when thrown completely off track. I'm also grateful for being able to take the sacrament each Sunday. I think these things bring peace into your life no matter what is swirling around you.

"Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken."
(Luke 21:26)

Day 3736

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 111:5, 7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 111:5, 7-8
"Concern not yourselves about your debts, for I will give you power to pay them.
Tarry in this place, and in the regions round about;
And the place where it is my will that you should tarry, for the main, shall be signalized unto you by the peace and power of my Spirit, that shall flow unto you."

This made me ponder on our move to Utah. It felt right but we were struggling financially. It wasn't until someone offered to buy our land that we decided to look for a different house. It felt right to stay in the city we were initially lead to. When I saw the house we now live in, I knew this was our forever home. This is our place of refuge from life's storms. This is were peace is and the spirit is burned into the walls. Our financial challenges became more manageable. Everything just fell right into place as we started over fresh. Making sure to honor our commitment to pay a full and honest tithe and offerings. Sometimes just starting over where the Lord will lead you is the best place to begin.

I found this wonderful talk from Elder L. Tom Perry where he speaks of his challenges and how he was told to stay in the very state we moved from.

"I remember a critical time in my life and how grateful I was when a still, small voice gave me direction to make an important decision. I had been with a retail firm for a number of years. We had enjoyed extraordinary success. We wanted to expand the business but needed a great deal of capital. In an attempt to raise the money, we contacted the best financial advisers we could find. They encouraged us to merge with a larger firm. The merger was successfully completed, and I was asked to sign a five-year contract to give continuity to management. Within a matter of months I found myself in a very difficult situation. The new owners wanted me to violate a trust that I felt I just could not do. After long discussions, they continued to insist and I continued to refuse. Seeing there was no way to break the deadlock, I agreed to leave the company. The timing for me was devastating. I had a wife who was seriously ill and required a lot of medical attention, a daughter away to college, and a son on a mission. I spent the next year just getting enough consulting work to pay my expenses.
After struggling for about one year, a company called me from California and invited me to come out and talk to them about working for them. I went out and negotiated a very good contract; I was delighted with the opportunity. I told them that I had to return home and discuss it with my family before I could give an answer. I returned home and after a careful discussion, I convinced my family that it was the right thing to do. In the process of calling the firm to accept the offer, a voice just as strong and powerful as I have ever heard came to me and said, “Say no to the offer.” I could not ignore the voice, so I turned the offer down, but I was distressed. I could not comprehend why I had been told to do such a thing. I went upstairs to my bedroom, sat on the bed, opened the scriptures, and they fell open to the Doctrine and Covenants, section 111. This was the only section given in the state of Massachusetts, where my home was at that particular time. These words literally jumped out of the page and met my eye:
“Concern not yourselves about your debts, … I will give you power to pay them. …
“Tarry in this place, and in the regions round about” 
A great peace came to my soul. Within just a few days I was offered a fine position in Boston. A few months later I had the great privilege of hosting a conference in which President Harold B. Lee, then First Counselor in the First Presidency, was the featured speaker. The conference was a glorious success as we feasted on the words of President Lee. The following July, President Joseph Fielding Smith passed away and President Lee became the prophet. Three months later I was asked to come to Salt Lake, where I received a call to leave my profession and join the General Authorities.
I have often wondered what would have happened if I had not heeded the Holy Spirit in its counseling me not to leave Boston."
(L. Tom Perry, "That Spirit Which Leadeth to Do Good", Apr 1997 General Conference)

Day 3700

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 66:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 66:9
"Lay your hands upon the sick, and they shall recover. Return not till I, the Lord, shall send you. Be patient in affliction. Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

The part "be patient in affliction" reminded me of the recent Facebook post by President Jeffrey R. Holland. He mentioned how there will be trouble and challenges ahead for all of us, before the millennium. But great will be the peace of our children. They will know no fear or terror, if they are taught of the Lord. How important it is for us to be righteous and teach our children the words of the Lord. Afflictions are coming, but the through the divine attribute of patience and relying on the Lord we will receive His protection and power.

"It's a prophecy about the last days. It's a prophecy about Zion and what will yet be established. And it talks about strong stakes, lengthen your cords, and the nice imagery of stakes and how you put up a tent - how you put up a tabernacle in their case. When we have trouble and we're in mortality - and this is not the celestial kingdom, if you thought it was, you took a wrong turn down there, but we're in mortality first - and there are going to be troubles. There's going to be difficulty. There's going to be personal challenges. There's going to be family challenges. There's going to be neighborhood and state and national challenges."
"In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.
For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.
O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted! Behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.
And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
In righteousness shalt thou be established; thou shalt be far from oppression for thou shalt not fear, and from terror for it shall not come near thee."
(3 Nephi 22:8, 10-14)
"What a terrific, quick series. That's only verse 8 through verse 14. What a marvelous series of reassurances: mercy and kindness, and a covenant of peace, and a strong Zion structure, and our children blessed. And in righteousness they'll be far from fear, and they'll be far from terror. And none of those shall come near us."
(Jeffrey R. Holland, Facebook and Instagram post 27 Mar 2025)

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Day 3655 

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 63:54

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 63:54
" And until that hour there will be foolish virgins among the wise; and at that hour cometh an entire separation of the righteous and the wicked; and in that day will I send mine angels to pluck out the wicked and cast them into unquenchable fire."

I had an interesting experience yesterday. I was talking to someone that withdrew their membership from the church. Their rules are that I do not speak of the second coming or Jesus Christ. They want nothing to do with the church or religion. So, I can't say anything. They were telling me how scared and almost in a state of panic they were over what was happening in the world. Their fears in most cases are legitimate, in others they border on paranoia. As they talked I thought about the peace I had because of my faith in Jesus Christ. Words I could not say to them. Instead I said, "I wish I could give you what I have." They replied that they wished I could too. We both knew it was something they had to obtain on their own, which they rejected the process.

Since then I have reflected on the parable of the ten virgins. How I have seen it first hand. Those that wanted oil in their lamps need to obtain it on their own. I cannot give you my oil for it was obtained one drop at a time through the precious blood of my Savior. That is how I know Him, and have peace through him come what may.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
(John 14:27)

Day 3652

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 45:68-69

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 45:68-69
"And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety.
And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another."

I was thinking about this scripture just the other day. How only the saints will not be at war one with another. I realized that war didn't necessarily mean physical battle, or fleeing to a physical place. You can be at war with others with words. The battle of words is raging all around us, inciting contention and anger. It is a world-wide condition. I reflected on how President Nelson has asked us to be peacemakers. There is so much wisdom in that council. We stay out of the fray when we don't add to the contention. We have the protection of the Spirit to safely guide us. The gathering to Zion is happening around the whole world. Living as Zion people does and will bring safety and peace.

"If you are serious about helping to gather Israel and about building relationships that will last throughout the eternities, now is the time to lay aside bitterness. Now is the time to cease insisting that it is your way or no way. Now is the time to stop doing things that make others walk on eggshells for fear of upsetting you. Now is the time to bury your weapons of war. If your verbal arsenal is filled with insults and accusations, now is the time to put them away. You will arise as a spiritually strong man or woman of Christ.
Let us as a people become a true light on the hill—a light that “cannot be hid.” Let us show that there is a peaceful, respectful way to resolve complex issues and an enlightened way to work out disagreements. As you demonstrate the charity that true followers of Jesus Christ manifest, the Lord will magnify your efforts beyond your loftiest imagination.
I bless you to replace belligerence with beseeching, animosity with understanding, and contention with peace."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Peacemakers Needed", April 2023 General Conference)

Day 3634

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 34:2, 11

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 34:2, 11
"The light and the life of the world, a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not;
And if you are faithful, behold, I am with you until I come—"

I reflected on what a beautiful promise it is to the faithful to have the Lord with us. Walking with Christ brings peace that is beyond understanding. That is the light that shines in the darkness. Those that remain in darkness cannot comprehend what that peace is and where it comes from.

Day 3623

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 2:1-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 2:1-3
"Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.
If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming."

I added all verses in this chapter for context, but it was the last verse that has been running for months through my mind. I have come to see the absolute wisdom and need for us to focus on our family history and providing temple ordinances for our dead. Being able to turn my heart to my ancestors and family relations has brought so much peace into my life. I think I would be overcome by the wickedness and chaos of the world if I didn't have such an endeavor to pursue. I can turn off the world and restore my soul as I quietly research at my desk. This is one of my holy places. I have also seen the healing power on the soul and mind. As well as the restoring of family relations, by those that were once lost, as they come to find their roots.

Day 3591

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 4:23

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 4:23
"And now I, Mormon, seeing that the Lamanites were about to overthrow the land, therefore I did go to the hill Shim, and did take up all the records which Ammaron had hid up unto the Lord."

With all that is going on this was the most important thing Mormon could do, preserve the sacred records. These records would save souls. This reminded me of something President Nelson said in this last general conference.

"Brothers and sisters, now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority. In a world filled with dizzying distractions, how can we do this?
Regular worship in the temple will help us."
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024 General Conference)

What is my highest priority? Is it temple worship? This question made me look at the project I just started. This week a memory of what started my obsession with family history came to me. I was a young child and whenever my siblings became to much, or I would get in trouble with my mother, I would go to the family cemeteries on either side of our home for solace and comfort. I found peace amongst the tombstones of my ancestors. I knew they were there for me and loved me. I started to bring a notebook and would write down their names and dates. I tried to figure out who was related to who and how I was related to them. I wish I still had that notebook. After reflecting on this I decided I would pick up the quest started over half a century ago. I am going through the cemetery transcriptions available online and piecing everyone in these old cemeteries together. I have already found two children that were never sealed to their parents. People that have been forgot over time. As I work on this there is so much peace that surrounds me. This is why in these latter-days the Lord has given us a charge of something so precious, that will strengthen us and save souls, and not overwhelm us by the evil the surrounds us.

Day 3558

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 22:13

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 22:13
"And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children."

I used to think of these scriptures when I read this verse.

"Behold, I say unto you, concerning the school in Zion, I, the Lord, am well pleased that there should be a school in Zion, and also with my servant Parley P. Pratt, for he abideth in me."
(Doctrine and Covenants 97:3)

"And again, you shall be ordained to assist my servant Oliver Cowdery to do the work of printing, and of selecting and writing books for schools in this church, that little children also may receive instruction before me as is pleasing unto me."
(Doctrine and Covenants 55:4)

When I heard of BYU Pathways I thought of the eventual schools the church may have for our children. That may or may not happen, but now I think of something else. I think of having "Come, Follow Me" in our homes with our children. The home is the greatest place to teach our children the gospel of Jesus Christ in purity. I know there is greater peace in our home since we began reading the scriptures together as a family.

"Our homes are fortresses against the evils of the world. In our homes we come unto Christ by learning to follow His commandments, by studying the scriptures and praying together, and by helping one another stay on the covenant path. The new emphasis on personal and family study in the home through the curriculum Come, Follow Me is designed “to deepen our conversion and help us become more like Jesus Christ.” In so doing we will become what Paul called “new creature[s]” with our hearts and souls in tune with God. We need that strength to face and deflect the assaults of the adversary."
(Ronald A. Rasband, "Build a Fortress of Spirituality and Protection", Apr 2019 General Conference)

Day 3545