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: 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:11
"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;"

I feel like "study to be quiet" is the season of my life right now. I'm getting much better at being quiet. First, I had to learn the hard way that sharing spiritual experiences can open them up to being attacked, or stifled, even by those you trusted. It can also cause you to not follow the promptings received. Because of this you may lose out on once in a lifetime opportunities, that can never be called back.

"I unreservedly testify of and attest to the reality of God and the miracles in the everyday life of countless people from both the low and high stations of life. True, many sacred experiences are rarely spoken of, in part because of their divine origin and the resulting possibility of ridicule by some who do not know better."
(Christoffel Golden, "Preparing for the Second Coming of Christ," October 2021 General Conference)

Joseph Smith: “Let us be faithful and silent, brethren, and if God gives you a manifestation, keep it to yourselves” (History of the Church, 2:309).

Brigham Young: “Should you receive a vision or revelation from the Almighty, one that the Lord gave you concerning yourselves, or this people, but which you are not to reveal on account of your not being the proper person, or because it ought not to be known by the people at present, you should shut it up and seal it . . . as secret as the grave. The Lord has no confidence in those who reveal secrets, for he cannot safely reveal himself to such persons” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 43-44).

Boyd K. Packer: “I have learned that strong, impressive spiritual experiences do not come to us very frequently. And when they do, they are generally for our own edification, instruction, or correction. . . . I have come to believe also that it is not wise to continually talk of unusual spiritual experiences. . . . I heard President Marion G. Romney once counsel mission presidents and their wives . . . I do not tell all I know; . . . for I found out that if I talked too lightly of sacred things, thereafter the Lord would not trust me. We are, I believe, to keep these things and ponder them in our hearts, as Luke said Mary did of the supernal events that surrounded the birth of Jesus.” (Boyd K. Packer, "The Candle of the Lord", Ensign, Jan. 1983, 53)

Day 3274

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 14:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 14:1

"Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations."

All I can think of when I read this is "keep your mouth shut". If what you want to contribute is not edifying, helpful, or matters in the scheme of the eternities, then keep your mouth shut. If someone is trying to live the gospel but doing somethings wrong, does it really need to be you to correct them? If what you are doing causes another to contend or take offense, then leave it alone. Instead of picking your battles is it better to simply lay down your weapons of war? As President Nelson has said "be a peacemaker".

Several years ago I had to temper myself on Facebook and other social media channels. Inspired by the thirteenth Article of Faith, I took this as my mission statement.

"If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, I seek after these things."

Day 3219

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 23:5-7, 12

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 23:5-7, 12

"But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi."

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."

Jesus is speaking of the scribes and Pharisees that did things to be seen of men. This reminded of the contrast Elder Bednar spoke of in his recent general conference talk.

"In 1990, President Howard W. Hunter, then President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, delivered a message about the indispensable contributions of countless Church members who serve diligently and faithfully and who receive little or no public acknowledgment or acclaim."

'President Hunter then counseled all of us to be no less serviceable. He said: “If you feel that much of what you do this year or in the years to come does not make you very famous, take heart. Most of the best people who ever lived weren’t very famous either. Serve and grow, faithfully and quietly.”

(Howard W. Hunter, “No Less Serviceable” (Brigham Young University devotional, Sept. 2, 1990), 1–2, speeches.byu.edu.)

"The phrase “in the path of their duty” describes spouses and children who support a companion, parent, or child who serves in a leadership position in the Lord’s restored Church. Their steady, quiet, and typically unrecognized sustaining influence makes possible the blessing of many individuals and families in ways that will be fully known only in eternity."

"Through the gift of tongues with which they have been blessed, translators and interpreters serve diligently, selflessly, and, most often, anonymously to help people receive the spiritual gift of faith through reading and hearing the word of God."

(David A. Bednar, "In the Path of Their Duty", Oct 2023 General Conference)

Day 3111

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 32:17-18

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 32:17-18

"And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;"

These verses made me think of my mother. One of her favorite things to say is all she wanted was "peace and quiet". I'm afraid as kids it was the one gift we could never give her. Now that she is on the other side of the veil I'm sure that gift has been given to her.

Day 2870

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 7:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 7:4

"And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah."

Isaiah is warning King Ahaz about political alliances. The firebrands refer to torches burned out. They really are no threat. But, what I pondered on in this verse is the action we are to take when we find ourselves under attack, take heed, be quiet, fear not, and be not fainthearted. It reminded me of counsel given in General Conference. Be quiet really stood out to me. Someone capable of being quiet can play the role of peacemaker, with the wisdom of what to say and what not too. Fire and brimstone does not call people back to the Lord. But, the ability to stand for what you believe in, with peace in your heart in the midst of trial is something that will drawn others to you. They will seek to know the source of your peace and desire to share that too. Don't be afraid to live your faith. Still if you stand alone, do not fear because the Lord is with you.

"Wo be unto them that shall pervert the ways of the Lord after this manner, for they shall perish except they repent. Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear."

(Moroni 8:16)

"Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever."

(Doctrine and Covenants 122:9)

Day 2845

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 5:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 5:1

"Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil."

I have always liked to go to the temple by myself. I like having time to ponder on the words I hear and the impressions that I have. When I go with others there is more of a tendency to whisper. It can be distracting to me when people are talking to loudly or at inappropriate times. I need the silence found in the temple to feel closer to God, to recharge my batteries and receive light and instruction for my path ahead.

I was trying to find this talk that I enjoyed, it spoke about the need to be more quiet in the temple. That we talked to much. It's been a while and I just can't place it. I did however find this video "The Quiet of the Temple". I loved this comment by Sister Sharon Eubank, “I need the silence of the temple to be able to hear the voice of God.”

Day 2823

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 94:19

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 94:19

"In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul."

In Sunday School class our teacher said something that stayed with me. He said that when he read a couple of chapters in Isaiah that week the voices in his head quieted. He struggles with those inner voices and all their noise. The chatter was gone after reading the scriptures. I knew what he was talking about. I have turned to the scriptures when I am under a great deal of stress and just need peace. The scriptures will bring comfort to my soul.

"But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge."

(Psalms 94:22)

Day 2731

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 97:12-17

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 97:12-17

"Behold, this is the tithing and the sacrifice which I, the Lord, require at their hands, that there may be a house built unto me for the salvation of Zion -

For a place of thanksgiving for all saints, and for a place of instruction for all those who are called to the work of the ministry in all their several callings and offices;

That they may be perfected in the understanding of their ministry, in theory, in principle, and in doctrine, in all things pertaining to the kingdom of God on the earth, the keys of which kingdom have been conferred upon you.

And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it;

Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God.

But if it be defiled I will not come into it, and my glory shall not be there; for I will not come into unholy temples."

Tonight is Monday, and before COVID-19 I would be going to bed early so I could wake up and attend the temple early Tuesday morning. Reading tonight about the temple made me feel so homesick. I haven't really felt homesick until now. Now I just sit and weep because I can't go to the temple. I used to gain so much going there. How long will it be before I can go back?

As I reflected on what I could do about this sadness and homesickness I thought about what I loved most while I was at the temple. I realized I wasn't getting the quiet time I needed. The time you reflect without any distracting noises. I used to spend several hours at the temple each week. I think I need more time to sit and reflect on this beautiful eternal plan, and the doctrine of Christ. There are things that I can do better. When I do get to go back to the temple I want to come a better person because I was made to wait.

Day 2100