Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 13:8, 10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 13:8, 10-11
"Wherefore, the remnant of the house of Joseph shall be built upon this land; and it shall be a land of their inheritance; and they shall build up a holy city unto the Lord, like unto the Jerusalem of old; and they shall no more be confounded, until the end come when the earth shall pass away.
And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel.
And then also cometh the Jerusalem of old; and the inhabitants thereof, blessed are they, for they have been washed in the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who were scattered and gathered in from the four quarters of the earth, and from the north countries, and are partakers of the fulfilling of the covenant which God made with their father, Abraham."

This chapter in Ether makes Revelations and the New Jerusalem very clear on what it is and where it will be. There are two Jerusalem's, the old in Israel where the scattered Jews right now are gathering. The New Jerusalem which will be built in North America. The location was revealed to Joseph Smith in Doctrine and Covenants 57:2. It also speaks of the return of the City of Enoch that will come down from heaven.

The New Jerusalem:
It will be "the holy sanctuary of the Lord" (3)
It will be built on the American continent for the remnant of the seed of Joseph (4-6)
It will be a holy city like the Jerusalem built unto the Lord (8-9)
It will stand until the earth is celestialized (8)
It will be a city for the pure and righteous (10)

I pondered on how all of this will take shape when the saints are righteous and pure in heart, while the world is at its most wicked point. I know where I want to be found. 

Day 1990

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 30:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 30:1-2
"Hearken, O ye Gentiles, and hear the words of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, which he hath commanded me that I should speak concerning you, for, behold he commandeth me that I should write saying:
Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel."

This chapter only has these two verses. It caused me to ponder on what it would be like if all these wicked things were removed from our society. How peaceful life would be. The Nephites were able to obtain this in their society for hundreds of years after Jesus Christ appeared unto them. I cannot see our world obtaining this until after the second coming of Jesus Christ. Then I pondered on how that isn't right. It is obtainable for there will be a Zion people prepared for when Christ comes again. It is where Zion, the pure in heart dwell that there will be peace even when there is chaos all around. Building such a people and a place starts within my own home. 

"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)

Day 1967

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 1:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 1:10
"That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which is in heaven, and which are on the earth; even in him."

Paul knew not only would an apostasy come after him, but the next dispensation would be the fulness of time. The gospel has been restored again and now I live in the dispensation of the fulness of time. As I pondered on this verse and pictured a gathering together in one all things in Christ, both in heaven and earth, it made me think of the city of Enoch returning. President Nelson has said the restoration is a continuing process, I wonder what more will I see in my lifetime. There really is a lot to be done in the hearts of men to prepare for the second coming of the Lord.

President Spencer W. Kimball spoke of preparing:
“For many years we have been taught that one important end result of our labors, hopes, and aspirations in this work is the building of a Latter-day Zion, a Zion characterized by love, harmony, and peace—a Zion in which the Lord’s children are as one. …“This day will come; it is our destiny to help bring it about! …“… That can only be done through consistent and concerted daily effort by every single member of the Church. … May I suggest three fundamental things we must do if we are to ‘bring again Zion.’ …
“First, we must eliminate … selfishness. …
“Second, we must cooperate completely and work in harmony one with the other. …
“Third, we must … sacrifice whatever is required by the Lord”.
(Spencer W. Kimball, "Becoming the Pure in Heart",  Apr 1978, General Conference)

Elder D. Todd Christofferson spoke of this too.
"Zion is Zion because of the character, attributes, and faithfulness of her citizens. Remember, “the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them” (Moses 7:18). If we would establish Zion in our homes, branches, wards, and stakes, we must rise to this standard. It will be necessary (1) to become unified in one heart and one mind; (2) to become, individually and collectively, a holy people; and (3) to care for the poor and needy with such effectiveness that we eliminate poverty among us. We cannot wait until Zion comes for these things to happen—Zion will come only as they happen."
(D. Todd Christofferson, "Come to Zion", Oct 2008, General Conference)

Day 1671

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:2

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:2
"How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality."

This made me think of some stories I've been reading of members caught up in numerous disasters around the world. In their want they will help others before themselves. I struggled to find the story I wanted then I realized there was simply to many, and I couldn't just highlight one.

After this recent General Conference, I have been reading and pondering on the city of Enoch and what makes a Zion people. I came to realize why President Russell M. Nelson gave his talk "The Second Great Commandment". If we are to prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ then we need to be a Zion people, where there is no poor among us. President Nelson spoke of all the saints had donated through their fast offerings and humanitarian aid. How this has blessed so many around the world.

Though he never used this word, this is part of becoming a Zion people, where we are united in one and there is no poor among us. Truly interesting how Satan always has a counterfeit, for he would say socialism is the means to achieve that. You cannot take from a man and have his heart in it. Zion is the pure in heart and it comes from their desire to truly be equal and one. As President Nelson spoke during his conference talk I thought of what I had donated, and after seeing how it was used made me want to donate more. Yet, at the same time I saw how even my little when added with others truly can bless many lives. It is fascinating and at the same time a little scary to see how as the Lord's plan is starting to take shape that Satan is deceiving many into accepting his counterfeit.

Day 1659

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 5:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 5:3
"Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom."

The part "given thee to the half of the kingdom" made me search where else I had seen that offered.

King Herod said it to the daughter of Herodias, who danced before him.

"And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom."
(Mark 6:23)

Ammon meets the father of king Lamoni, who was king over all the land. When the king realized Ammon could slay him, he offered him even half his kingdom.

"Now the king, fearing he should lose his life, said: If thou wilt spare me I will grant unto thee whatsoever thou wilt ask, even to half of the kingdom."
(Alma 20:23)

It is interesting that a worldly king will offer up to half his kingdom. To give all he would no longer be a king. Yet, the Lord is a joint heir of all of that the Father has, and we can be join heirs also. We don't get a portion we receive all.

"And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father's kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him."
(Doctrine and Covenants 84:38)

I pondered on what an amazing attitude and heart one would have to have in order to be a joint heir and not try to claim ownership of a portion that the Father has. One would truly have to posses charity, the pure love of Christ. You would have to totally be able to live the law of consecration.

"To dedicate, to make holy, or to become righteous. The law of consecration is a divine principle whereby men and women voluntarily dedicate their time, talents, and material wealth to the establishment and building up of God's kingdom."

There has been times when the Lord's people have lived united with all things in common, and its never lasted. One doesn't need to live in a time when it's practiced to live that law. In fact I think its a higher law to live without being compelled to do so. Only a person's heart would know where they stand in this matter. It could only be done with the pure love of Christ.


Day 1006

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 11:16

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 11:16
"And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the Lord God of their fathers."

Israel and Judah are divided, and temple is in Judah. After the Levites are cast out of Israel they come to Jerusalem. Then it mentions the people that come out of Israel too. They are the pure in heart that seek God. It made me think about the shifting. How even if Israel is now divided the sifting that happens finds the pure in heart. The pure in heart will find a way to come and worship God. The pure in heart seek to be at the temple. It made me ponder on the sifting that will happened before the Lord's return. Is part of the sifting happening now? Is part of it those that seek to go to the temple or not?


Day 953