Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 1:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 1:1
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:"

"The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805-44) said: "The book of Revelation is one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written" (in History of the Church, 5:342). How is that? Because it is centered on Jesus Christ, and the events of him coming again."

As I knew the book of Revelation was coming I had this feeling of being inadequate in sharing anything meaningful. I wondered if I should study some writings about Revelations first. Then the Spirit told me not to. That I needed to read Revelations and look for the pure messages. I need to look for Jesus Christ and what it tells me about him. When I see that Joseph Smith said the book of Revelation is one of the plainest book, I realized I what to see what is plain too, and not go looking beyond the mark. I look forward to this adventure.

Day 3327

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 25:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 25:4

"And the LORD hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear."

As I was reading this chapter I thought about how clear the Lord was by having Jeremiah prophesy that Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon would come and take them. They would be in bondage for 70 years before they would return. You couldn't get much clearer than that about what was going to come upon them for not listening to the Lord. Yet, they didn't listen. I thought about how clear the messages of the prophets are. They are not obscure things. It reminded me of this quote.

"The doctrine is taught by all 15 members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. It is not hidden in an obscure paragraph of one talk. True principles are taught frequently and by many. Our doctrine is not difficult to find."

(Elder Neil L. Andersen, "Trial of Your Faith", Oct 2012 General Conference)

Even Nephi mentions speaking plainly.

"For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding."

(2 Nephi 31:3)

This past general conference our prophet Russell M. Nelson spoke pretty plainly. I am struck by the title of his talk "Peacemakers Needed". Then the talk is peppered with the word NOW. I have to say that to me is a very clear message of what is the most important thing we need to do now, not later, but now. To me it's a warning.

"I urge you to choose to be a peacemaker, now and always.

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."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Peacemakers Needed", Apr 2023 General Conference)

There is no doubt there is an absolute need for peacemakers right now. I can only imagine what will happen if we do not heed his warning, now.

Day 2929

Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 6:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 6:12
"O be wise; what can I say more?"

In our family scripture reading today we got on the subject of intellectuals, and how great the challenge is to not show pride. As I sit and ponder on this more I cannot help but think of Jesus Christ and his example. He spoke in the language of the person so they could understand. He did not speak above their understanding. Yes, some parables are understood on a deeper level, but there is something for all. That is the pure beauty of the words of Christ. Of all people to walk this earth Jesus Christ had the greatest right to appear the wisest of us all, yet he was humble, and spoke to be understood. The most he asks is that we come to be as a little child, is not that the purest and plainest language there could be.

"For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding."
(2 Nephi 31:3)

"And then shall ye know that I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face, and that he told me in plain humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language, concerning these things."
(Ether 12:39)

"Behold, I am God and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding."
(Doctrine and Covenants 1:24)

"For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall hear the fulness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language, through those who are ordained unto this power, by the administration of the Comforter, shed forth upon them for the revelation of Jesus Christ."
(Doctrine and Covenants 90:11)

"Now when it was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because they every man heard them speak in his own language."
(Acts 2:6)

"Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved."
(3 Nephi 8:22)

Day 1824

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 3:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Philippians 3:14
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

This made me think of the opposite of "looking beyond the mark"

"But behold, the Jews were a stiffnecked people; and they despised the words of plainness, and killed the prophets, and sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall; for God hath taken away his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they cannot understand, because they desired it. And because they desired it God hath done it, that they may stumble."
(Jacob 4:14)

To not look beyond the mark I need to look straight at it. That is towards my Savior, Jesus Christ. I need to press forward in Christ. How do I do that?, by plainness. The basic of the gospel, the doctrine of Christ. I need to cherish the word of God, in the scriptures and listen to the words of the prophets and apostles. They will not move me beyond the mark, they lead me towards Christ.

I love these words of Nephi for he gloried in plainness, and the doctrine of Christ.

"Wherefore, the things which I have written sufficeth me, save it be a few words which I must speak concerning the doctrine of Christ; wherefore, I shall speak unto you plainly, according to the plainness of my prophesying.
For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding."
(2 Nephi 31:2-3)

"I glory in plainness; I glory in turth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell."
(2 Nephi 33:6)

Day 1679