Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:12, 28-30

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:12, 28-30
"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?"

One body has many member that make up the whole, there is need for every member. So is there need for every member that makes up the body of the church. Some are given one gift and some another. Every gift is needful. So are the diversity of callings within the members. Not everyone can teach for who would be the student. If everyone spoke in tongues who would be the interpreter. The same with needing apostles, and prophets. There is order in the Lord's house and he calls and qualifies whom He will. I am so grateful for all the prophets and apostles and cannot wait to sit at their feet and learn this general conference weekend.

Day 4198

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 1:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 1:11
"For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;"

I pondered on the times I have seen and listened to a prophet and apostle of God in person. How the spirit would testify of the truthfulness of their words. It would strengthen my faith and anchor it. I imagine for the saints being able to hear Paul would be the same. How blessed I am for the day I live in. With the internet I can hear their words right in my home. I don't have to wait for an apostle to come to my area. I know the great apostasy happened with the early saints, and now with the restoration of the gospel the church as a whole will never fall into apostasy again. I think being able to hear the words of the prophet and apostles so frequently is one of the ways that is possible. We are continually being nourished. It's up to us to feast on it.

Day 4171

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 27:10, 22-23, 31, 34

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 27:10, 22-23, 31, 34
"And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.
For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

Paul first warned them of the voyage they were to undertake. They didn't listen. Then he is visited by an angel to encourage and direct him. They then start to listen and finally everyone on the ship is saved. It made me ponder on listening to prophets and apostles. Not listening and following the counsel they are inspired with can put us in peril. We are also entitled to personal revelation for what we have stewardship over. .

Day 4169

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 20:29-30

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 20:29-30
"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them."

Paul warns of a coming apostasy. That great apostasy did take place, and Satan tactics remain the same today. The only difference is there has been a restoration of Christ's Church again upon the earth and there will not be another great apostasy. The Church will remain with prophets and apostles and be here when Christ returns. That does not mean however, that individual apostasy cannot happen. It can and is happening now. We still have to watch for ravenous wolves among us and guard ourselves against individual apostasy.

"As he bade farewell to the Church leaders in Ephesus, Paul warned them that an apostasy was coming and that it would be the result of forces working both outside the Church (“grievous wolves”) and inside the Church (“of your own selves”). The Greek word apostasia, which was translated as “falling away” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, is closer in meaning to “rebellion” or “revolution.” Thus, Church members themselves contributed to the Great Apostasy by rebelling against Church leaders and doctrine. Priestcraft was an important element of this internal rebellion. Paul’s words in Acts 20:30 provide a definition of priestcraft.
Elder James E. Talmage (1862–1933) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles affirmed Paul’s message: “Not only would outsiders ingratiate themselves with the saints for purposes of selfish gain—wolves entering in, and not sparing the flock,—but schisms and divisions were imminent; and these dissensions were to come through some then present—men who would aspire to leadership, and who would set up their own doctrines, thus drawing disciples away from the Church and unto themselves” (The Great Apostasy [1968], 28).
Discussing the origins of the Great Apostasy, President Joseph Fielding Smith declared that some of it was the result of evil men who moved in and displaced the authority of the Apostles: “In time all ordinances of the gospel were changed, commandments were broken, and the simple principles of the gospel were mixed with pagan philosophy by the ‘grievous wolves’ and apostate disciples who displaced the prophets and apostles who had divine communion with the heavens. Spiritual darkness set in, and unrighteous men took command and closed the heavens against themselves. Visions and contact with the heavens ceased, and the gifts of the spirit came to an end. The blessings and presence of the Twelve Apostles ceased, and the cry went forth that they were no longer needed” (Answers to Gospel Questions, 5 vols. [1957–66], 5:177)."
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 33: Acts 16-20")

Day 4162

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 15:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 15:5-6
"But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter."

I thought it interesting that it was converted Pharisees that were pushing for the gentile converts to be circumcised. Rightly so the discussion went to the apostles and elders to come to an understanding and agreement on the matter. I couldn't find anything more on these Pharisees.

"Pharisees: A religious party among the Jews. The name denotes separatists. They prided themselves on their strict observance of the law and on the care with which they avoided contact with things gentile. Their belief included the doctrine of immortality and resurrection of the body and the existence of angels and spirits. They upheld the authority of oral tradition as of equal value with the written law. The tendency of their teaching was to reduce religion to the observance of a multiplicity of ceremonial rules and to encourage self-sufficiency and spiritual pride. They were a major obstacle to the reception of Christ and the gospel by the Jewish people. For the Lord’s judgment on them and their works."
(Bible Dictionary, "Pharisees")

This made me think about how important it is for us to listen to the prophet and apostles, and not just the understanding of scholarly men. Though these Pharisees were learned they did not have authority to speak for the church.

Day 4157

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 19:41-42

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 19:41-42
"And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes."

This made me ponder on how the Lord and the prophets must feel when they look out across the members of the church. Prophets see around corners, they try to warn and prepare us. Yet, how much do we really see and understand?

Day 4116

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 23:30-31

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 23:30-31
"And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets."

Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees. Here they think they would not have stoned or killed the prophets if they have lived in days of their fathers. Yet, they would do far worse. They would crucify God's only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah.

Day 4076

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 18:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 18:16
"But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established."

This verse reminded me of Elder Neil L. Anderson's recent BYU-Idaho Devotional. He spoke on a warning President Russell M. Nelson and then President Dallin H. Oaks both gave and then quoted President Henry B. Eyring on the law of witnesses, and authorized witnesses. We need to listen when warnings are repeated. I had been meaning to look at the talk by President Eyring. First, I wanted to find more scriptures on witnesses. After that I have President Eyring original quotes from his talk, and finally repeating Elder Anderson from his talk on all of them. How grateful I am to have authorized witnesses upon the earth and to be able to hear them.

"This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."
(2 Corinthians 13:1)

"And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of God and also his word, of which the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record—and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day."
(Ether 5:4)

"One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established."
(Deuteronomy 19:15)

"It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true."
(John 8:17)

"There seems to be no end to the Savior’s desire to lead us to safety. And there is constancy in the way He shows us the path. He calls by more than one means so that it will reach those willing to accept it. And those means always include sending the message by the mouths of His prophets whenever people have qualified to have the prophets of God among them. Those authorized servants are always charged with warning the people, telling them the way to safety.
One of the ways we may know that the warning is from the Lord is that the law of witnesses, authorized witnesses, has been invoked. When the words of prophets seem repetitive, that should rivet our attention and fill our hearts with gratitude to live in such a blessed time."
(Henry B. Eyring, "Finding Safety in Counsel", April 1997 General Conference)

"President Oaks began one part of his message by saying, "I feel." Whenever a prophet says, "I feel," our ears stand up. We start listening. We listen all the time, but we especially listen when he says, "I feel." And he said to emphasize the warning President Russell M. Nelson issued to us. This warning was given in April 2018. President Nelson's first general conference address after becoming the president of the church. He spoke of the conditions of our world with a very solemn warning that was repeated by President Oaks 12 days ago. And I know many of you know these words. They've been repeated many times. Here they are.
In the coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.
Now I wondered when it was first said, “in the coming days.” That was eight years ago. Have the coming days come? It seems possible. Today these powerful words stand as two bookends. April 1st, 2018, February 10th, 2026.
Now having been spoken by two beloved prophets of God in the past eight years, this serious warning has been repeated 13 times in general conference including five times by members of the first presidency and quorum of the 12. They have been spoken 19 times in BYU Idaho devotionals.
How many knew this citation, this quotation of President Nelson that President Oaks said last week? How many knew that before President Oaks said it last week? Yeah, it's been with us, hasn't it?
Think of it. This specific warning has been a part of the Lord's teaching to you if you're 20 years old. How many here are 20 years old right now? Raise your hand. Some of you are much older. If you're 20 years old, it's been with you since you were 12 years old at teaching.
Nearly 30 years ago, President Henry B. Eyring, who was then a member of the quorum of the 12, said something in general conference that I have not forgotten. Here's what he said: "One of the ways we may know that the warning is from the Lord is that the law of witnesses, authorized witnesses, has been invoked. When the words of the prophets seem repetitive, that should rivet our attention and fill our hearts with gratitude to live in such a blessed time."
The words that have been pressed upon my mind are the law of authorized witnesses. When repetitive, they should rivet our attention.
After quoting President Nelson 12 days ago, President Oaks issued a more sobering counsel. He said, "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."
(Elder Neil L. Andersen, "President Oaks and the Law of Witnesses", BYU-Idaho Devotional, 22 Feb 2026)

Day 4071

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 4:23

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 4:23
"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people."

I was pondering on how I would have loved to be there, to hear Jesus preaching. Then I thought about how I already do hear His words. I'm reading this is the scriptures. I also hear His words when I listen to the prophet, especially during general conference. As I was reflecting on this and wondered why I would have loved to be there, right then. It wasn't just because it was Jesus. It was the time of the end of the law of Moses and learning how to live a higher and holier way. I realized it was because I love change. I love being in the middle of change. I thought about how the restoration is still on going. There are lots of changes still to come. If I live to see the millennium I will see tremendous changes. That is all very exciting.

Day 4057

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 8:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 8:11-12
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it."

I pondered on how it depends on where you stand if you are in the midst of a feast or famine in hearing the words of the Lord. I am so blessed to belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is no famine in hearing the words of the Lord. There is continuous revelation and prophets and apostles speaking to us. Yet, with all this bounty a person could be starving if they chose not to sup.

Even in the world where prophets and apostles are not known there can be a feast if they open the bible and read it. Start where you are and feast on the words of the Lord that you have. Then when you want to have more come and see me.

Day 4039

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 3:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 3:7
"Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."

The Joseph Smith Translation is a little different.

"Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing until he revealeth the secret unto his servants, the prophets." (JST Amos 3:7)

Throughout the scriptures I see prophets warning the people before destruction would come. They were given the opportunity to repent and turn to God. They were given God's grace and mercy. Sadly, they didn't always listen. How grateful I am that there is a living prophet on the earth today, President Dallin H. Oaks. The warning voice has gotten louder and louder in these past eight years. We have been told what we need to be doing. So much of the prophet's counsel has been line upon line, building us to become more and more a Zion people. If we listen and obey we will be prepared for what comes. Knowing this has brought me so much peace is such a crazy world.

"What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."
(Doctrine and Covenants 1:38)

"Behold, there shall be a record kept among you; and in it thou shalt be called a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the church through the will of God the Father, and the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ,
Being inspired of the Holy Ghost to lay the foundation thereof, and to build it up unto the most holy faith.
Which church was organized and established in the year of your Lord eighteen hundred and thirty, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April.
Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;
For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.
For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory."
(Doctrine and Covenants 21:1-6)

"The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty. (Sixty-first Semiannual General Conference of the Church, Monday, October 6, 1890, Salt Lake City, Utah. Reported in Deseret Evening News, October 11, 1890, p. 2.)
It matters not who lives or who dies, or who is called to lead this Church, they have got to lead it by the inspiration of Almighty God. If they do not do it that way, they cannot do it at all. . . "
(Doctrine and Covenants: Official Declaration 1)

Day 4037

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 13:2-3, 6-7

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 13:2-3, 6-7
"Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!"
They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.
Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD."

I learned something the other day that was so depressing to me. I learned that there is a religious political movement now calling their leaders prophets and apostles. As I was reading about this movement it sickened me that others may think I speak of them. When I ponder on my favorite verse and say I follow the prophet and apostles they are not who I speak of. I want to be very clear that I believe Jesus Christ's church has been restored on the earth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is a prophet today named Dallin H. Oaks. He has two counselors that make up the First Presidency, namely Henry B. Eyring and D. Todd Christofferson, they are also apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles consist of Dieter F. Uchtdorf, David A. Bednar, Quentin L. Cook, Neil L. Andersen, Ronald A. Rasband, Gary E. Stevenson, Dale G. Renlund, Gerrit W. Gong, Ulisses Soares, Patrick Kearon, Gérald Caussé, and Clark G. Gilbert.

I can say this boldly for the Holy Ghost has born witness to me this is true. The others are false prophets and will lead you astray. I can wait because with time truth stands. One way to know a false prophet is by what they prophesy and it does not happen. Oh, they will twist and say they meant something else, but a prophet of God never has to do that.

"Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart."
(Jeremiah 14:14)

"There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof."
(Ezekiel 22:25)

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
(Matthew 7:15)

"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
(Matthew 24:14)

"And liars and hypocrites shall be proved by them, and they who are not apostles and prophets shall be known."
(Doctrine and Covenants 64:39)

Day 4015

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 11:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 11:5
"And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them."

This is Holy Week in remembrance of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, atonement and resurrection. It is also the week I prepare for General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is when for two days I will sit at the feet of the prophet and apostles and listen to His words. Prophets see around corners, they know our concerns and thoughts. What is ahead that I need to prepare for? For years I have experienced thoughts on various subjects, hoping they will be covered, and then found that was the direction general conference went. I've had some very interesting impressions this time. I wonder how things will be laid out?

Day 4014

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 3:18-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 3:18-19
"When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul."

As I read these verses it made me reflect on a spreadsheet I started at the beginning of the year. My plan was to note every talk and post made by the prophet and apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I didn't last very long keeping up with that list. I try to post what I find on Facebook, and am having a hard time keeping up with that. Watching the exponential growth of just these posts there is no doubt in my mind the Lord is hastening His work. His prophet and apostles are traveling and speaking to the whole world. They take serious the charge that if they do not sound the warning voice the blood of the wicked will be required at their hand. They are working at a profound pace to prepare the world for the second coming of Jesus Christ. In less than 10 days is General Conference. I cannot wait to sit at the feet of the prophet and apostles and listen to what I should know for the days ahead.

Day 4011

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 44:16-18

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 44:16-18
"As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.
But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.
But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine."

It's interesting how they twisted things. They thought because they had stopped burning incense to the queen of heaven that was why the sword and famine came upon them. They had not understood it was because they had sinned against the God of Israel and did not repent that those things happened. They didn't follow all that the prophet had told them to do. You can't be half committed and figure you will have blessings. You are either all-in or all-out. Obviously, they were still committed to the queen of heaven and not the God of Israel.

Day 4006

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 42:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 42:2-3
"And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:)
That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do."

Now that Babylon has conquered Jerusalem and carried many way, those that remain turn to the prophet Jeremiah. They want him to speak the Lord and tell them what they should do. They swear they will follow whatever the Lord tells him. After ten days the Lord tells Jeremiah that if they abide in the land He will build them up. To not be afraid of the king of Bablyon, for the Lord will deliver them from his hands. He also tells them that they are not to go into Egypt, for if they do they will be overtaken there by the sword, famine, and pestilence. The Lord is very clear on what they should and should not do. Will they listen and obey?

Jeremiah knows they will not. He tells them they dissembled in your hears (have deceived your souls) when they sent him to inquire of the Lord. The will only listen to the prophet when he says what they want to hear.

"For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it." (Jeremiah 42:20)

Day 4005

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 38:19

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 38:19
"And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me."

Jeremiah tells Zedekiah what he must do, that if he goes now to the Chaldeans he will live. Instead of obeying the prophet, who's words Zedekiah implied he wanted to hear, he says instead that he can't. He's afraid the Jews there will mock him. Even though the prophet tells him what will happen to Jerusalem, his women and children, it seems the fear of being mocked has a greater pull on him. I pondered on pride and faith, both can't exist at the same time. Either Zedekiah lost his pride and followed the prophet's words, or he doubted the prophet and would lose his life. Sadly, Zedekiah pride ruled over faith and he lost his life.

Day 4004

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 36:23, 32

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 36:23, 32
"And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.
Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words."

We can't so easily dismiss the words of God by burning the pages they are written on. A prophet can dictate the words again. I thought about how people can ignore the scriptures, never pick them up or read them. Yet, the prophesies and counsel for us are still there. The only one that is hurt is ourselves. The best part of my day is when I sit and read and study the scriptures. It brings peace to my soul.

Day 4003

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 33:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 33:3
"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."

I went down a rabbit hole tonight. I happened upon this video. It was some type of gathering or fireside with this man talking about the signs of the times, etc. The name was familiar but I couldn't recall what I knew of them. As I listened there were moments that I could feel the spirit and it touched me. Then there were moments that I was amazed at how they put the scriptures together, and were drawing this timeline. The whole time I'm thinking I don't know who this person is. After watching the video I thought to find out who they were. I still couldn't figure it out, but I wondered if there were other presentations by him. I searched and found him on channels that I had put aside for one reason or another. He seemed so knowledgeable about the scriptures, I'm really drawn to that. I pulled up a second video and probably didn't make it five minutes in before I had my answer. I shut off the video and have no more curiosity about listening to him. It is all so clever how people try to twist and draw you in with their knowledge. What made me turn him off was a very simple comment that those in the audience appeared to agreed with. They saw things in what I would call a political way, instead of acknowledging the counsel the prophet gave us at the time. When you set the counsel of the prophet aside, and think you know better, then we need to part paths. It's as simple as that.

After this situation I pondered on it. I came to the conclusion that I needed to let the spirit guide me in my study of the scriptures. There was no need to run faster than I am able. Stay with the scriptures, the prophets, apostles, wholesome things on the church website. I had to trust that things would open up as I was ready. Listening to other "teachers" run the risk of going off course. Then I settled down to read my scriptures. Reading this verse was confirmation that I'm on the right path.

Day 4002

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 3:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 3:14
"Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding."

The marriage is the Abrahamic covenant, and the gathering is taking place now, one of a city, two of a family. This is happening all over the world. President Gordon B. Hinckley said this almost thirty years ago.

"As we contemplate these things, we think of our brothers and sisters in distant lands. We have met hundreds of thousands of you, have looked into your faces, have felt of your spirits. You are so very precious to this work. The Lord has gathered you “one of a city, and two of a family,” as prophesied by Jeremiah. He is teaching you with pastors after His own heart. We pray for you, we visit you, we respect and admire you, we love you. We are all part of a great family—10 million strong—worshiping with one heart and one voice at the feet of our Master, the Son of God. Wherever you are, no matter how distant, you have the opportunity of participating in this conference. You will receive it by satellite in very many places. You will receive it by videotape in some places that cannot be reached by satellite. And for a few in faraway places, you will have it as the written word in our Church magazines."
(Gordon B. Hinckley, "Welcome to Conference", Oct 1998 General Conference)

As of the end of 2024 there were over 17.5 million members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In June 2025 there were more convert baptisms than any other 12-month period in the 195-year history of the Church. The gathering is happening. In a few weeks we will sit at the feet of a prophet and be feed.

Day 3992