Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 12:2, 17

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 12:2, 17
"And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place."

I was following the timeline where it first mentions Herold had James the brother of John killed by the sword, and it pleased the Jews. Then an angel released Peter from prison. When Peter arrives at the house of Mary, the mother of John, he tells them to go tell James what happened. I did a double take. Did Peter not know James was dead? Could he mean the other apostle James, the son of Alphaeus? I had to look that one up. It appears the James he is speaking of is the half-brother of Jesus, that is still alive.

Day 4154

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19
"The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;"

I thought Peter was so bold and bore a powerful testimony. I totally missed that he didn't tell them to repent and be baptized. Instead he told them to repent and be converted that their sins would be blotted out during the millennium, which is the time of refreshing. These were the people that crucified Christ.

"The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–44) referred to Acts 3:17–19 and said that Peter was addressing those who had crucified Jesus. “[Peter] did not say to them, ‘Repent and be baptized, for the remission of your sins;’ but he said, ‘Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.’ [Acts 3:19.] … They could not be baptized for the remission of sins for they had shed innocent blood” (in History of the Church, 6:253)."

Day 4145

Today's Favorite Verse: John 20:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: John 20:10-11
"Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,"

Mary Magdalene came to the sepulcher early when it was still dark. She sees the stone has been taken away and Jesus was gone. She runs to tell the disciples. Peter and John run to the sepulcher. They also see it is empty and the placement of the linen clothes left behind. At this point Peter and John leave, but Mary stays behind weeping. When she looks into the sepulcher again she sees two angels and converses with them. Then she turns around and sees Jesus but doesn't know it is him at first. While reading this I picture the celestial room of the temple. How as the endowment session is over and people come into the room some immediately leave the room. Others will linger in quiet reflection, prayer and reading scriptures. They will leave at separate times. I thought about how if Mary had left with Peter and John she would had missed this private time with the Lord. Yes, there is a need to hurry about our Father's business, but there is also a need to quietly ponder and contemplate what we have seen, heard and felt.

Day 4141

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

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 9:9-10
"And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean."

I pondered on how Peter, James and John may have not understood at the time what rising from the dead would mean. Though I am sure they understood it when they saw the resurrected Lord. As we are drawing closer to the second coming things I used to envision are not coming about like I imagined. Yet, as I see things I recognize how they fit. I have stopped trying to figure out any timelines or how things will happen. I know after the Lord comes he will explain all things. Until then I will watch and be ready.

Day 4090

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 26:72-75

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 26:72-75
"And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly."

I added this note to my scriptures. It helps me to understand how important it was that Peter as of yet had not received the Holy Ghost before he denied Christ.

"If the Disciples had been endowed with the “gift of the Holy Ghost,” or “with power from on high,” at this time, their course would have been altogether different from this as the sequel abundantly proved. If Peter, who was the chief Apostle, had received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the power and testimony thereof prior to the terrible night on which he cursed and swore and denied his Lord, (Matt. 26:69-75) the result would have been very different with him, for then he would have sinned against “light and knowledge,” and “against the Holy Ghost,” for which there is no forgiveness. The fact, therefore, that he was forgiven, after bitter tears of repentance, is an evidence that he was without the witness of the Holy Ghost, never having received it. The other disciples or apostles of Christ were precisely in the same condition, and it was not until the evening of the day on which Jesus came out of the grave, that he bestowed upon them this inestimable gift. John gives a careful description of this important event which concludes as follows: “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them,” (John 20:21-23)
(Joseph F. Smith, "Man a Mortal and An Immortal Being, Etc.", JD 23:169)

Day 4079

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Peter 3:10

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Peter 3:10
"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."

I have been thinking about the Lord coming as a thief in the night, and I don't think the righteous will be totally unaware. The Lord even said we should watch for the signs of His coming. I was reading tonight in the Book of Mormon about Samuel a Lamanite and how he told the people that the sign of the Lord's birth would come in five years. I think prophets will know, maybe not the day or the hour, but the time frame like Samuel did. I think they already know and following their counsel will prepare us to be ready. I don't need to be given a five year warning. I think now is not the time to delay any repentance and to do all that you can to remain clean. Now is not the time to fall off into strange paths because you may never find your way back home in time.

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."
(Matthew 24:44)

"And again, verily I say unto you, the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, and it overtaketh the world as a thief in the night—
Therefore, gird up your loins, that you may be the children of light, and that day shall not overtake you as a thief."
(Doctrine and Covenants 106:4-5)

"The Saints are preparing themselves for that event when Jesus shall come as a thief in the night. For our own sakes let us do the best we possibly can. We must observe and keep the laws of God, in order to inherit the rewards promised. Let us not set our hearts on the riches and vanities of this earth. It is very convenient, it is true, to have the comforts of life around us, but we shall be better without them, if by hoarding up the riches of the world we forget the things of God."
(Wilford Woodruff, "The Work Progressing", JD 19:134)

Day 3318

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Peter 2:1, 3

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Peter 2:1, 3
"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

I saw that today, false prophets making merchandise of their followers. Their followers love them all the more for it.

"For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."
(Romans 16:18)

"And now, because of the glory of the world and to get gain will they say this, and not for the glory of God."
(2 Nephi 27:16)

"Condemning the righteous because of their righteousness; letting the guilty and the wicked go unpunished because of their money; and moreover to be held in office at the head of government, to rule and do according to their wills, that they might get gain and glory of the world, and, moreover, that they might the more easily commit adultery, and steal, and kill, and do according to their own wills—"
(Helaman 7:5)

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
(Isaiah 5:20)

Day 3317

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Peter 1:6

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Peter 1:6
"And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;"

I pondered on this is a path to godliness, prior to this it spoke of diligence, faith, virtue and knowledge. That before you can reach godliness, brotherly kindness and charity you must overcome temperance and patience. Patience always fascinates me because its such a divine Christlike attribute. Before you conquer patience you must first conquer yourself. Temperance is having self-restraint in actions, thoughts and feelings; with sobriety, and moderation. One definition of it says there are four types of temperance, with the character strengths of forgiveness, humility, prudence and self-regulation. Temperance is a wonderful virtue to have. If you want more patience then learn temperance.

"And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible."
(1 Corinthians 9:25)

"And no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care."
(Doctrine and Covenants 12:8)

Day 3316

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 5:10

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 5:10
"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."

What stood out to me was "settle you". It's entering into his rest. The questions and internal struggles are gone. You know that sweet comfort that the Lord lives and His gospel is upon the earth. That brings peace amongst the storms of life. His grace is sufficient.

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,"
(Ephesians 3:17)

Day 3315

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 4:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 4:12-13
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."

I pondered on how trials come to both the wicked and the righteous. As I thought about being a partaker of Christ's suffering I reflected on his atoning sacrifice. That sacrifice was not just for my sins, it was to also succor me in all my pains and grief. To afford me mercy and grace. His glory being revealed is when he carries me through all those fiery darts of the adversary and restores my soul. I am glad, and there is joy.

Day 3314

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 3:15

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 3:15
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"

This reminds me of the other day while I was sitting in the Emergency Room with someone in a lot of pain. They were bemoaning all the terrible things that had happened to them lately, and said they just wanted it to stop. Couldn't they just get a break. I told them, "No you can't, and it won't stop, because this is what life is all about." Each trial makes you stronger and you learn from them. You develop a resilience you would never have otherwise. Then I pointed out some of the blessings I had seen happening to them lately as they went through these trials. How they were a stronger person and in a better place because of them. It turned the conversation around and we counted blessings and reasons for hope and good things out of the bad. As they were preparing to leave the hospital they were grateful for the nice crutches I had brought with me, because I knew from experience they would need them. As I helped them settle into bed at their home they were grateful for the large ice packs with the nice wrapper I had also brought along. They knew I had been on their journey before and because of that I could in turn help them. One day when they are strong they will help others with what they have learned. For now, they knew they were a strong person that can do hard things.

Though they have turned their back on God and I could not share all that I would have wished. Helping them see and recognize blessings in their life helps to open the door to who put them there.

Day 3313

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 2:9-10
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."

This made me want to go back and find President Nelson's talk where he explained what it meant to be a peculiar people. I thought it more recent than 1995, but couldn't find one after that.

"Peter used uplifting terms in a prophecy regarding our day. He identified members of the Church as “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.” The adjectives chosen, royal, and holy we recognize as elevating. But what about peculiar? A modern dictionary defines peculiar as “unusual,” “eccentric,” or “strange.” What kind of compliment is that?
But the term peculiar as used in the scriptures is quite different. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term from which peculiar was translated is segullah, which means “valued property,” or “treasure.” In the New Testament, the Greek term from which peculiar was translated is peripoiesis, which means “possession,” or “an obtaining.”
Thus, we see that the scriptural term peculiar signifies “valued treasure,” “made” or “selected by God.” For us to be identified by servants of the Lord as his peculiar people is a compliment of the highest order..
(Russell M. Nelson, “Children of the Covenant" Apr 1995 General Conference)

"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:"
(Exodus 19:5)

"For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth."
(Deuteronomy 14:2)

Day 3312

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 1:7

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 1:7
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"

Trials are a part of life and necessary for us to learn and grow. We can chose to grow and become resilient or attempt to run away from them. The same is true with faith. It is meant to be tried and tested. We can either grow closer to the Lord or turn and run from him. It's the running part which never works to our good, for trials will never cease. We only succeed in removing the very help needed, placing ourselves in greater emotional, physical or spiritual danger. When we chose to grow great blessings follow.

"These fiery trials are designed to make you stronger, but they have the potential to diminish or even destroy your trust in the Son of God and to weaken your resolve to keep your promises to Him. These trials are often camouflaged, making them difficult to identify. They take root in our weaknesses, our vulnerabilities, our sensitivities, or in those things that matter most to us. A real but manageable test for one can be a fiery trial for another.
How do you remain “steadfast and immovable” during a trial of faith? You immerse yourself in the very things that helped build your core of faith: you exercise faith in Christ, you pray, you ponder the scriptures, you repent, you keep the commandments, and you serve others.
When faced with a trial of faith—whatever you do, you don’t step away from the Church! Distancing yourself from the kingdom of God during a trial of faith is like leaving the safety of a secure storm cellar just as the tornado comes into view."
(Neil L. Andersen, "Trial of Your Faith", Oct 2012 General Conference)

Day 3311

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 1:5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 1:5
"For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake."

That power comes from priesthood authority. Paul was an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Those same keys were given to this dispensation.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:“The true gospel consists of two things: The Word, and The Power. Anyone can have the word; the books in which it is written are universally available. But the power must come from God; it is and must be dispensed according to his mind and his will to those who abide the law entitling them to receive it. The word of the gospel is the spoken or written account of what men must do to be saved. …“But actual salvation comes only when the power of God is received and used; and this power is the power of the priesthood and the power of the Holy Ghost. These must operate in the lives of men; otherwise their souls cannot be cleansed; they cannot be born again; they cannot become new creatures of the Holy Ghost; they cannot put off the natural man and become saints; they cannot be sanctified by the Spirit”
(Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1965–73], 3:42–43).
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 46: 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians")

Those priesthood keys were restored by heavenly messengers to the prophet Joseph Smith. First, came John the Baptist and the restoration of the Aaronic priesthood. Then came Peter, James and Johns to restore the Melchizedek priesthood. Followed by Moses committing the keys of the gathering of Israel, Elias the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, and Elijah with the sealing power. All I know is belonging to a church that holds these priesthood keys. I am so grateful for the blessing it has brought into my life.

Day 3271

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 22:3, 22

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 22:3, 22

"Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!"

I pondered on how prophesy of the Lord's death and resurrection had been foretold from the beginning. Did it mean Judas was destined to be the one to betray him? What I noticed is Judas allowed Satan to enter him and tempt him. There is still agency there. Satan has no power over us, unless we give it to him.

In fact Jesus, once gave all the disciples, including Judas the power to cast out devils.

"Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick." (Luke 9:1-2)

Jesus even told us that evil cannot cast out evil.

"And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?" (Matthew 12:26)

So it was not possible for Judas to be wicked from the beginning. The problem was overtime Judas let Satan tempt him and that is how he fell. His weakness was the love of money and he stole from the money bag. He broke the commandment "Thou shalt not steal."

"This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein." (John 12:6)

All the apostles were being tempted. If it was not Judas, Satan would have continued until he found someone weak enough to do his bidding. Even Peter was being tempted.

"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:"

(Luke 22:31)

There is protection in keeping the commandments. Keeping the commandment gives us power over the adversary.

Day 3154

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 3:29

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 3:29

" But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:"

I had the thought, "How would one know if they blaspheme against the Holy Ghost?". I found this interesting quote, where I had not thought of Peter in this way.

"If the Disciples had been endowed with the “gift of the Holy Ghost,” or “with power from on high,” at this time, their course would have been altogether different from this as the sequel abundantly proved. If Peter, who was the chief Apostle, had received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the power and testimony thereof prior to the terrible night on which he cursed and swore and denied his Lord, (Matt. 26:69-75) the result would have been very different with him, for then he would have sinned against “light and knowledge,” and “against the Holy Ghost,” for which there is no forgiveness. The fact, therefore, that he was forgiven, after bitter tears of repentance, is an evidence that he was without the witness of the Holy Ghost, never having received it. The other disciples or apostles of Christ were precisely in the same condition, and it was not until the evening of the day on which Jesus came out of the grave, that he bestowed upon them this inestimable gift. John gives a careful description of this important event which concludes as follows: “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them,” (John 20:21-23)

(Joseph F. Smith, "Man a Mortal and An Immortal Being, Etc.", JD 23:169)

One must have the gift of the Holy Ghost bestowed on them in order for them to deny it. I see it as one more reason for the gift of the Holy Ghost to not be given to the apostles while Jesus Christ was alive. It also makes sense why they stumbled at times understanding the words of Christ.

"Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."

(Matthew 12:31-32)

"For behold, if ye deny the Holy Ghost when it once has had place in you, and ye know that ye deny it, behold, this is a sin which is unpardonable; yea, and whosoever murdereth against the light and knowledge of God, it is not easy for him to obtain forgiveness; yea, I say unto you, my son, that it is not easy for him to obtain a forgiveness."

(Alma 39:6)

"But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying: After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me."

(2 Nephi 31:14)

Day 3119

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 1:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 1:17

"And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men."

The words "to become" stood out to me. When Jesus called Simon and Andrew they were not already fishers of men. They had no experience in the work they were called to. But, Jesus saw their potential. They were simply told to "come after me", that is to follow Jesus. They would learn from observing and following Him. What a master class they would receive walking with the Savior. There were times they fell short, but what I have learned from their experiences. I pondered on how much harder this walk with Christ would be, if all he chose from the beginning were perfect men. There is hope for me.

Day 3117

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 16:18-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 16:18-19

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

I pondered on how Jesus called his twelve apostles, with Peter chief among them, to build His church. The rock it is built upon is Jesus Christ. The keys and authority were given, what was bound on earth was bound in heaven. After the death of the apostles there was an great apostasy. Now, in the latter-days Christ's church has once again been restored upon the earth. It is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Lord's prophets have held that authority and keys ever since. The gates of hell will not prevail against it. Christ's church will stand until He comes again. I pray that I remain faithful, and stand with it. We can never take our testimony for granted.

Day 3104

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Peter 3:9, 18

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Peter 3:9, 18
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."

As I pondered on this chapter I could see how merciful the Lord is. He is giving man all the time possible for us to repent before he "will come as a thief in the night" (2 Peter: 3:10). So this message I would say if for the unprepared. What about those that are preparing for his come? Verse 18 tells me I need to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord. So none can afford not to prepare for the day of His Second Coming. We cannot just say we are saved and leave it at that. Preparation is continual, as well as his mercy extended towards us to repent, until final judgment comes.

Day 1732

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Peter 2:21

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Peter 2:21
"For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them."

This is such a sad thought to me, for people I love are in this situation. All I can do is pray they see the light and turn back to Christ, for "his hand is stretched out still."

Day 1731