Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 11:27-29

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 11:27-29
"Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body."

I reflected on how partaking of the sacrament is a very serious thing. We need to judge ourselves and repent to be worthy. Of course, sins of a serious nature need to be confessed and worked with a Bishop. As I pondered on this I thought about the need for daily repentance. Live your life to always be ready to partake of the sacrament. Then while the sacrament is being passed do more self-examination and self-discernment, so you are ready to renew the covenants with the Lord you have made.

Day 4197

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

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 10:9-10
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

What must one do after confessing with the mouth the Lord Jesus? Just saying the words is not enough. It must be believed in the heart. Outwardly you could look like you're saved, but in the heart there must be a mighty change. If the heart of man really did believe then they would be righteous. They would repent and strive to follow Jesus Christ and obey his words. That is what leadeth to salvation.

Day 4180

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 5:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 5:15
"I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early."

When we forget the Lord he doesn't really leave us. He's waiting for us to repent and come to Him. He knows us very well. In our afflictions we will seek Him early. I remember when I used to do that. I would get really serious about repenting, and doing what I should be doing, when I needed Him. One day I remember being just sick of that cycle. I decided to seek the Lord even though I wasn't in a crises. It was the best decision I every made. Oh, the first thing I do in a trial or crises is reach out to the Lord, but that's more of our relationship now and not the "come to Jesus" moment. The solutions and answers are much clearer and peaceful, and not the anguish it used to be.

Day 4032

Today's Favorite Verse: Lamentations 5:21

Today's Favorite Verse: Lamentations 5:21
"Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old."

This is Jeremiah's prayer. The desire is for Israel to turn again to the Lord. I pondered on how I pray for this too. I pray for those I love, that their hearts will be softened, that they will turn to the Lord. That they will awaken to their awful situation before it is to late.

"Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up."
(Ether 8:24)

"O, all ye old men, and also ye young men, and you little children who can understand my words, for I have spoken plainly unto you that ye might understand, I pray that ye should awake to a remembrance of the awful situation of those that have fallen into transgression.
And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."
(Mosiah 2:40-41)

Day 4010

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 15:17, 19-21

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 15:17, 19-21
" I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.
Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.
And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible."

Jeremiah had been faithful when those around him had not. He pleads with the Lord to remember him, that he was part of those that mocked. It's better to be alone than to be with those on the wrong side of the Lord. For this the Lord promised Jeremiah that he will be delivered out of the hand of the wicked. He was not taken into Babylon. Instead he taken into Egypt. The greater deliverance however is spiritual and receiving an eternal reward.

I am reminded of an experience I had in the early days of the pandemic. I found these funny jokes and memes about it and started laughing at them. Everything struck me so funny. Then the Lord sharply rebuked me and said "Those that laugh will mourn." I humbled myself and repented of my follies, and have strived to be so careful at what I laugh at since then.

Day 3996

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 11:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 11:9
"They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."

The only way the wicked will stop hurting and destroying others is if they came to a knowledge of the Lord, and truly know Him. Sadly, when the Lord comes the second time those individuals will not be here. I say sadly because they were to late in repenting and turning their hearts to him. Only those that will live a terrestrial or celestial law will remain. People of every nationality and faith that are of a good heart will remain. All that remain will eventually be converted as they come to know Jesus Christ. That would be an incredible thing to witness.

“There has never been a time in the history of the world when knowledge of our Savior is more personally vital and relevant to every human soul. Imagine how quickly the devastating conflicts throughout the world—and those in our individual lives—would be resolved if we all chose to follow Jesus Christ and heed His teachings.”
(Russell M. Nelson, "Pure Truth, Pure Doctrine, and Pure Revelation", Oct 2021 General Conference)

Day 3973

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 30:1, 13, 15

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 30:1, 13, 15
"And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel.
And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.
Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD."

What a relief to read about King Hezekiah. He tried everything to bring the children of Israel back to the Lord. The greatest being the cleansing of the temple and gathering the people to worship and make sacrifices and offerings. As I was reading this what stuck out to me was not having enough priests that were sanctified to flay the burnt offerings. That the Levites had to help them.

"But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests."
(2 Chronicles 29:34)

Then as all the people are assembled for the passover the priests and Levites were ashamed and had to sanctify themselves. It made me ponder on the Lord's second coming. Just like Hezekiah's letter, none of us know when the call will come to gather. How would I feel if there were things left that I still needed to repent of?

Day 3876

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 24:15-16

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 24:15-16
"So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beer-sheba seventy thousand men.
And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite."

The Lord does not need to repent, and whenever I see that phrase in the bible I know there is a Joseph Smith translation of it. I was not disappointed. It was the people that repented.

"And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD said unto him, Stay now thine hand; it is enough;, for the people repented. And the LORD stayed the hand of the angel, that he destroyed not the people. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingfloor of Araunah, the Jebusite."
(JST 2 Samuel 24:16)

Day 3841

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 12:16-18

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 12:16-18
"Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the Lord will do before your eyes.
Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the Lord, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking you a king.
So Samuel called unto the Lord; and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel."

After Samuel made Saul king he emphasized the fact that this was not the Lord's plan. It was because they desired a king when the Lord their God was their king. The great thing to happen was thunder and rain in the middle of wheat harvest. That is not what you want to happen when harvesting wheat. They needed a visual reminder of how powerful the Lord was. Samuel reminds them they can repent and turn and follow the Lord.

"And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart;"
(1 Samuel 12:20)

Day 3827

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 4:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 4:3-4
"And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.
So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God."

What I find interesting is that after Israel is defeated by the Philistines in battle, they decide to bring the ark of the covenant. Along with it come Eli's sons that the Lord was already displeased with. The outcome is disastrous not only are they defeated again, but the ark of the covenant is captured. I pondered on how instead of turning to prayer and repentance they thought to use something sacred to protect them. We cannot trifle with holy things. Holy things will not protect us when used to protect us in our sins.

Day 3825

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 8:25-26

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 8:25-26
"And it repented Noah, and his heart was pained that the Lord had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at the heart.
And the Lord said: I will destroy man whom I have created, from the face of the earth, both man and beast, and the creeping things, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth Noah that I have created them, and that I have made them; and he hath called upon me; for they have sought his life."

Comparing this verse to Genesis 6:6-7 and the Joseph Smith Translation found in Genesis 8:13-14)
"And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them."

"And it repented Noah, and his heart was pained that the LORD made man on the earth, and it grieved him at the heart.
And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man, and beast, and the creeping things, and the fowls of the air,"
(JST Genesis 8:13-14)

The difference is in who repented. It wasn't the Lord it was Noah. There is also another explanation here in the Hebrew word used.

"The Hebrew word used here, and translated repented in the Bible, is nacham (naw-kham), which literally means “to sigh,” “to breathe strongly,” “to be sorry,” “to pity.”
(Pearl of Great Price Student Manual, "Moses 8")

Noah was a just man, and perfect in his generation. After trying to preach the gospel there were people that wanted to kill him. Yet, I can see this great sorrow he must have had. He tried to warn them and change their hearts, knowing that destruction would come otherwise. Noah and his righteous sons would be saved with their wives, but none else. I pondered on how as wicked as this world gets before the Savior's Second Coming we need the heart of Noah. We need to feel sorrow and pity for those that chose the wrong path. We do all that we can for as long as we can, until the Lord says it's enough. I feel really bad when I hear people say they can't wait for the second coming with the intent that the wicked are destroyed. That should never feel like a good thing. Otherwise, we lose the humanity within us. We won't have the right spirit about us. I think at the Lord's Second Coming it will be both a great and dreadful day for the righteous. How could we not mourn for the millions that are gone, family and friends, no matter how bad they were.

Day 3737

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 35:27

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 35:27
"Fear not, little flock, the kingdom is yours until I come. Behold, I come quickly. Even so. Amen."

Joyful news to think of the Lord coming quickly. In many ways I hope for that. Then in others ways we need more time. There are people who's eyes and ears need to open so they too can find it joyful news when the Lord comes again.

"Brothers and sisters, now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority. In a world filled with dizzying distractions, how can we do this?
Regular worship in the temple will help us. In the house of the Lord, we focus on Jesus Christ. We learn of Him. We make covenants to follow Him. We come to know Him. As we keep our temple covenants, we gain greater access to the Lord’s strengthening power. In the temple, we receive protection from the buffetings of the world. We experience the pure love of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father in great abundance! We feel peace and spiritual reassurance, in contrast to the turbulence of the world.
Here is my promise to you: Every sincere seeker of Jesus Christ will find Him in the temple. You will feel His mercy. You will find answers to your most vexing questions. You will better comprehend the joy of His gospel."
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024 General Conference)

"Now is the time we can learn. Now is the time we can repent. Now is the time we can bless others and “lift up the hands which hang down."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Now is the Time" April 2022 General Conference)

Day 3624

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 19:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 19:5
"Wherefore, I revoke not the judgments which I shall pass, but woes shall go forth, weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth, yea, to those who are found on my left hand."

The "weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth" is a constant thought weighting on me, as I stand as a witness in these the latter part of the last days. I can see how when eyes are opened to what they have supported and the awful course they have put us on, they will truly mourn for what they have done. I hope their eyes are opened in time and not a condition of "endless torment". I truly hope there is time to repent. Much sorrow will be felt over being deceived but that is the price you pay for repentance.

Day 3608

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 11:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 11:7-8
"And they hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord, because of their wicked combinations; wherefore, there began to be wars and contentions in all the land, and also many famines and pestilences, insomuch that there was a great destruction, such an one as never had been known upon the face of the earth; and all this came to pass in the days of Shiblom.
And the people began to repent of their iniquity; and inasmuch as they did the Lord did have mercy on them."

I wondered what the great destruction was? They already had wars, contentions, famines and pestilences going on. Was it an earthquake or consuming fire? Regardless, there was absolute chaos happening around them. This was the voice of the Lord to wake up to their awful situation. The Lord follows natural laws to awaken us, after that they are left to themselves, which doesn't end well unless they repent.

"We read that as a result of the wars, famines, pestilences, and destructions, the people began to repent of their iniquity. President Joseph F. Smith (1838–1918) helped us understand that sometimes the Lord uses natural disasters to bring about repentance in the lives of His children:
“The Latter-day Saints, though they themselves tremble because of their own wickedness and sins, believe that great judgments are coming upon the world because of iniquity; they firmly believe in the statements of the Holy Scriptures, that calamities will befall the nations as signs of the coming of Christ to judgment. They believe that God rules in the fire, the earthquake, the tidal wave, the volcanic eruption, and the storm. Him they recognize as the Master and Ruler of nature and her laws, and freely acknowledge his hand in all things. We believe that his judgments are poured out to bring mankind to a sense of his power and his purposes, that they may repent of their sins and prepare themselves for the second coming of Christ to reign in righteousness upon the earth. …
“We believe that these severe, natural calamities are visited upon men by the Lord for the good of his children, to quicken their devotion to others, and to bring out their better natures, that they may love and serve him” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 55; for additional references to the Lord using the elements of nature to speak to people who refuse to repent, see Helaman 12:3; D&C 43:21–25; 88:88–91).
(Book of Mormon Student Manual, Chapter 52: Ether 11-15, "Natural Disasters Can Lead to Repentance")

Day 3574

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 30:2

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 30:2
"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."

I pondered on how this list of don'ts could be possible for someone to obtain, yet they have not done what the Lord asked. For once turning from your evil doing you must come unto Christ, repent, be baptized and given the Holy Ghost. This is what keeps you on the covenant path.

Day 3553

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 12:1, 23

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 12:1, 23
"And thus we can behold how false, and also the unsteadiness of the hearts of the children of men; yea, we can see that the Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him.
Therefore, blessed are they who will repent and hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; for these are they that shall be saved."

These were the most important verses to me in this chapter. To put my trust in the Lord, and repent. I am reminded of President Nelson's words this past general conference, that "it is neither to early or too late", the time is now.

"Jesus Christ took upon Himself your sins, your pains, your heartaches, and your infirmities. You do not have to bear them alone! He will forgive you as you repent. He will bless you with what you need. He will heal your wounded soul. As you yoke yourself to Him, your burdens will feel lighter. If you will make and keep covenants to follow Jesus Christ, you will find that the painful moments of your life are temporary. Your afflictions will be “swallowed up in the joy of Christ."
It is neither too early nor too late for you to become a devout disciple of Jesus Christ. Then you will experience fully the blessings of His Atonement. You will also be more effective in helping to gather Israel."
(Russelll M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024 General Conference)

Day 3519

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 31:24-25, 35

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 31:24-25, 35
Now when Alma saw this his heart was grieved; for he saw that they were a wicked and a perverse people; yea, he saw that their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods.
Yea, and he also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride.
Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee."

Alma having heard that the Zoramites were perverting the ways of the Lord, has his heart begin to sicken. His heart is sorrowful for them. He gathers others to go with him to preach to the Zoramites. What they witness of the Zoramites manner of worship astonished them beyond all measure. Even though their gross wickedness grieves Alma he prays for them. He looks upon them as children of our Heavenly Father. They need to be saved. Alma does all that he can. I think that is a good lesson. That even though some people's sins may sicken us to our cores, we still pray for them. We still try to be there to turn their hearts. We don't mock, belittle, make fun or condemn them. We pray for them, and try to do what the Lord would have us do for them. Truly every soul is precious.

Day 3475

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 12:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 12:1-2
"And it came to pass that after the space of two years that Abinadi came among them in disguise, that they knew him not, and began to prophesy among them, saying: Thus has the Lord commanded me, saying—Abinadi, go and prophesy unto this my people, for they have hardened their hearts against my words; they have repented not of their evil doings; therefore, I will visit them in my anger, yea, in my fierce anger will I visit them in their iniquities and abominations.
Yea, wo be unto this generation! And the Lord said unto me: Stretch forth thy hand and prophesy, saying: Thus saith the Lord, it shall come to pass that this generation, because of their iniquities, shall be brought into bondage, and shall be smitten on the cheek; yea, and shall be driven by men, and shall be slain; and the vultures of the air, and the dogs, yea, and the wild beasts, shall devour their flesh."

I pondered on how the Lord gave king Noah and his people two years to repent. He sent Abinadi again to them to warn them. It would be in the current generation that they would be brought into bondage. Giving them time is being merciful, but eventually time runs out.

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

"The original Hebrew word used in the Bible for secret literally means “counsel,” so it has to do with the Lord’s plans or intentions."
(New Era, "Line upon Line Amos 3:7", March 2012)

Day 3427

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 7:20, 29, 33

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 7:20, 29, 33
"And again, that same God has brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem, and has kept and preserved his people even until now; and behold, it is because of our iniquities and abominations that he has brought us into bondage.
For behold, the Lord hath said: I will not succor my people in the day of their transgression; but I will hedge up their ways that they prosper not; and their doings shall be as a stumbling block before them.
But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage."

Wickedness was never happiness, and king Limhi knows the reason his people are in bondage is because of their wickedness. They are oppressed by the Lamanites, being taxes half of all they possess. They wanted to escape from their bondage and are greatly relived when Ammon and his brethren from Zarahemla find them. All that the people of king Limhi had to endure was for a purpose. It caused them to soften their hearts and turn to God for deliverance. Sometimes we get what we deserve with trials caused by past actions, because we deserve better if we just repent. There is a way prepared for us.

Day 3422

Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 6:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 6:5
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts."

Before I was reading this I was reading in Exodus 9 and 10 and noticed the footnotes. Every time it said "And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh" in the footnote it is corrected and says "And Pharaoh hardened his heart". At one point Moses is told "for he hath hardened his heart, and the hearts of his servants, therefore I will show these my signs before him;" (JST Ex. 10:1) The Lord God does not harden his heart against his children. His arms of mercy are always extended towards us if we will repent. It is man that will harden his heart against God. Pharaoh was given every opportunity to repent and soften his heart. Sometimes we pass through hard things before we are humble enough to do it.

Day 3410