Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:9

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:9
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."

Paul is speaking of the condescension of God. Where Jesus Christ voluntarily stepped down from His high, divine glory and status to enter human mortality and experience life, suffering and death with humility. Jesus descended to face the most extreme humiliation and suffering that mortality could inflict. He had the riches of the eternities yet he came to earth to be born of a women in a stable and lay in a manger. At the end he had nothing as in riches but he raised to eternal glory. His gifts of atonement and resurrection enabled us all to have eternal life.

Day 4210

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 6:3

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 6:3
"Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?"

How would we ever judge angels? Angels abide with God. I decided to search this out and found it is referring to a righteous man in his resurrected and exalted state.

"The man who passes through this probation, and is faithful, being redeemed from sin by the blood of Christ, through the ordinances of the Gospel, and attains to exaltation in the kingdom of God, is not less but greater than the angels, and if you doubt it read your Bible, for there it is written that the Saints shall “judge angels,” and also they shall “judge the world.” And why? Because the resurrected, righteous man has progressed beyond the pre-existent or disembodied spirits, and has risen above them, having both spirit and body as Christ has, having gained the victory over death and the grave, and having power over sin and Satan, in fact having passed from the condition of the angel to that of a God. He possesses keys of power, dominion and glory that the angel does not possess—and cannot possess without gaining them in the same way that he gained them, which will be by passing through the same ordeals and proving equally faithful. It was so ordained when the morning stars sang together, before the foundations of this earth were laid. Man in his pre-existent condition is not perfect, neither is he in the disembodied estate. There is no perfect estate but that of the risen Redeemer, which is God's estate, and no man can become perfect except he becomes like them. And what are they like? I have shown what Christ is like, and he is like his Father, but I will refer to an undoubted authority to this people, on this point, “The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.”  There is not time to refer to the many scriptural passages which might be cited in proof of these important facts, enough already has been referred to, to place the matter beyond a doubt."
(Joseph F. Smith, "Man a Mortal and an Immortal Being, Etc.", JD 23:169)

Day 4192

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 5:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 5:17
"For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)"

From Adam's fall all men would suffer death. It took one man to give the gift of resurrection to all mankind. That was Jesus Christ. He covered spiritual and physical death through his atonement, sacrifice and resurrection. I had never thought of it starting with one and ending with one.

Day 4175

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 16:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 16:8
"And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid."

Why were they afraid? I looked for references but couldn't find any that explained them being afraid. I understand trembling and being amazed for seeing angels and being told Christ has risen, but why would that make them afraid? Were they afraid to tell others because they wouldn't be believed? This is what happened, until he appeared to the eleven. There is a discrepancies in the testimony of the witnesses. The first three gospels say the angels were seen by the women but John says it was Mary Magdalene alone. Could their fear to speak about what happened cause the other women to not be mentioned by John?

Day 4097

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

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 9:9-10
"And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean."

I pondered on how Peter, James and John may have not understood at the time what rising from the dead would mean. Though I am sure they understood it when they saw the resurrected Lord. As we are drawing closer to the second coming things I used to envision are not coming about like I imagined. Yet, as I see things I recognize how they fit. I have stopped trying to figure out any timelines or how things will happen. I know after the Lord comes he will explain all things. Until then I will watch and be ready.

Day 4090

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 28:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 28:6
"He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

These are some of the most wonderful words spoken by an angel "he is risen". He is risen as he said he would. The Lord keeps all his promises.

Day 4081

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 9:24-25

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 9:24-25
"He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose."

This story of Jairus' daughter reminded me of the story of king Lamoni in the Book of Mormon. How true repentance and being over powdered by the spirit caused king Lamoni, the queen, Ammon and the servants to sink to the earth. Some thought they were dead. Yet the touch of hand made them rise.

"And thus the contention began to be exceedingly sharp among them. And while they were thus contending, the woman servant who had caused the multitude to be gathered together came, and when she saw the contention which was among the multitude she was exceedingly sorrowful, even unto tears.
And it came to pass that she went and took the queen by the hand, that perhaps she might raise her from the ground; and as soon as she touched her hand she arose and stood upon her feet, and cried with a loud voice, saying: O blessed Jesus, who has saved me from an awful hell! O blessed God, have mercy on this people!
And when she had said this, she clasped her hands, being filled with joy, speaking many words which were not understood; and when she had done this, she took the king, Lamoni, by the hand, and behold he arose and stood upon his feet."
(Alma 19:28-30)

I'm not sure what the parallel meaning is. I wonder if that is how resurrection will be by being raised up by the touch of a hand? Those these two examples would not be about resurrection, for the Lord himself was the first to be resurrected from the dead. They were only sleeping in the Lord. This feels like one of those things I will need to ponder on a while in order to understand.

Day 4062

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 13:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 13:6
"And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends."

I find it interesting that the Jews did not recognize the prophesy and how crucifying Jesus Christ would give him these very wounds. Upon resurrection to a perfect glorified body Jesus retained these wounds in his hands and feet. The purpose is to testify that He is the Christ. The promised Messiah that would come into the world and redeem all mankind. He paid the price and earned every wound. When Jesus Christ appeared to his apostles after his resurrection he introduced himself and had them come and feel the wounds in his hand, feet and side. He did the same in the Book of Mormon when he appeared in the Americas. He will do the same when he appears to the Jews in Jerusalem. I am sure when I get to see Him he will also show me those wounds.

Day 4052

Today's Favorite Verse: Zephaniah 1:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Zephaniah 1:14
"The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly."

This made me reflect on the hastening. How many changes I have seen that show a hastening of the Lord's work is taking place. Now more than ever we are told we are preparing for the Lord's Second Coming. It's not someday down the road. It's soon, you hear it, can feel it, and know it. His coming will be a great and dreadful day, depending on your relationship with the Lord. .

I was thinking today about Simeon and Anna that the Spirit inspired them to be at the temple when the infant Jesus was brought there. Wouldn't it be something to have the promise you would not see death before He came? My patriarchal blessing says I will rise in the morning of the first resurrection. That's a wonderful promise, but the morning of the first resurrection has been on going since Jesus Christ's resurrection, and will continue through the Millennium. I could be on either side of the veil when the second coming happens.

"And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
(Luke 2:25-30, 36-38)

Day 4046

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 19:25-26

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 19:25-26
"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:"

I love how Job bears his testimony to his friends. They had not brought words of comfort and had judged him and his children as being wicked, but Job knew the truth. He knew through it all that his redeemer Jesus Christ was there for him. He believed in the resurrection to come. How comforting that though must have been, because that means he would see his children too. There was life after death. First and foremost was his desire to see God.

Day 3895

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 138:19, 51

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 138:19, 51
"And there he preached to them the everlasting gospel, the doctrine of the resurrection and the redemption of mankind from the fall, and from individual sins on conditions of repentance.
These the Lord taught, and gave them power to come forth, after his resurrection from the dead, to enter into his Father’s kingdom, there to be crowned with immortality and eternal life,"

It was the "doctrine of the resurrection" that stood out to me. I knew that resurrection is a priesthood ordinance, but I guess its the part about being a doctrine that made me try to find more on it. I found it called further as the "doctrine of the resurrection of the dead". While I was researching this I realized it was referring to the resurrection of the dead that I have always been familiar with.

Then I realized that through the ages people have not believed in the literal resurrection. Jesus dealt with the Sadducees that did not believe in angels, spirits and refused to accept the doctrine of immortality or resurrection.

"Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,"
(Mark 12:18)

The resurrection is so fundamental to my core beliefs I had to step back and realize that belief is called a doctrine, and it takes faith to believe in it. Death does not have its sting because I believe that one day I will live again with my beloved family members and friends in the Celestial Kingdom of God.

"The Resurrection consists in the uniting of a spirit body with a body of flesh and bones, never again to be divided. The Resurrection shall come to all, because of Christ’s victory over death. Jesus Christ was the first to be resurrected on this earth. Others had been brought back from death but were restored to mortality, whereas a resurrection means to become immortal, with a body of flesh and bone...
One of the most fundamental doctrines taught by the Twelve was that Jesus was risen from the tomb, with His glorified, resurrected body. To obtain a resurrection with a celestial, exalted body is the center point of hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Resurrection of Jesus is the most glorious of all messages to mankind.Latter-day revelation confirms the reality of the Resurrection of Christ and of all mankind,"
(Bible Dictionary, Resurrection)

 "Even with the logic of nature’s regeneration and even with the testimony of that empty garden tomb, there are still those who feel the grave is a final destination. But the doctrine of the Resurrection is the single most fundamental and crucial doctrine in the Christian religion. It cannot be overemphasized, nor can it be disregarded.

Without the Resurrection, the gospel of Jesus Christ becomes a litany of wise sayings and seemingly unexplainable miracles—but sayings and miracles with no ultimate triumph. No, the ultimate triumph is in the ultimate miracle: for the first time in the history of mankind, one who was dead raised himself into living immortality. He was the Son of God, the Son of our immortal Father in Heaven, and his triumph over physical and spiritual death is the good news every Christian tongue should speak. The eternal truth is that Jesus Christ arose from the grave and was the firstfruits of the Resurrection. The witnesses of this wonderful occurrence cannot be impeached." (Howard W. Hunter, "An Apostle's Witness of the Resurrection", Apr 1986 General Conference)

"Contrast these events with an incident which happened to me when I was a young man in my early twenties. While serving in the Air Force, one of the pilots in my squadron crashed on a training mission and was killed. I was assigned to accompany my fallen comrade on his final journey home to be buried in Brooklyn. I had the honor of standing by his family during the viewing and funeral services and of representing our government in presenting the flag to his grieving widow at the graveside. The funeral service was dark and dismal. No mention was made of his goodness or his accomplishments. His name was never mentioned. At the conclusion of the services, his widow turned to me and asked, “Bob, what is really going to happen to Don?” I was then able to give her the sweet doctrine of the Resurrection and the reality that, if baptized and sealed in the temple for time and all eternity, they could be together eternally. The clergyman standing next to her said, “That is the most beautiful doctrine I have ever heard.”
The fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ brings great comfort in stressing times of mortality. It brings light where there is darkness and a calming influence where there is turmoil. It gives eternal hope where there is mortal despair. It is more than just beautiful doctrine. It is a reality in our lives that if we can be obedient and obtain the eternal rewards that God grants us, if we will draw nigh unto Him and embrace the eternal doctrine, we will be blessed."
(Robert D. Hales, "The Eternal Family", Oct 1996 General Conference)

"Our new revelations that we have received inform us of a great many individuals that were translated before the flood. We read that a great and mighty Prophet of the Most High God was sent forth in the days of Adam, namely Enoch, the seventh generation from Adam, who lived contemporary with his ancestor Adam; that in his days a great number of people heard the plan of salvation preached to them by the power of the Holy Ghost that rested upon Enoch and those who were called with him; that they received this plan of salvation and gathered themselves out from among the various nations of the earth where they had obeyed the Gospel; that they were instructed, after they assembled in one, in righteousness, for three hundred and sixty-five years; that they learned the laws of the kingdom, and concerning God and every principle of righteousness that was necessary to enable them to enter into the fullness of the glory of heaven; they were instructed to build up a city, and it was called a city of holiness, for God came down and dwelt with that people; he was in their midst, they beheld his glory, they saw his face, and he condescended to dwell among them for many long years, during which time they were instructed and taught in all of his ways, and among other things they learned the great doctrine and principle of translation, for that is a doctrine the same as the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, which is among the first principles of the plan of salvation; and we may also say that the doctrine of translation, which is intimately connected with that of the resurrection, is also one of the first principles of the doctrine of Christ. They were instructed in relation to this government, the object of it, &c."
(Orson Pratt, "All Nations Believe, etc.", JD 17:145)

Day 3727

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 129:1, 4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 129:1, 4-5
"There are two kinds of beings in heaven, namely: Angels, who are resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bones—
When a messenger comes saying he has a message from God, offer him your hand and request him to shake hands with you.
If he be an angel he will do so, and you will feel his hand."

The verses continue to explain - The spirit of a just man made perfect will not move to shake your hand, because it is contrary to the order of heaven to deceive. The devil as an angel will move to shake your hand and you will feel nothing.

Seriously, I have a question and I pondered on it after reading this verse. The question? If Jesus Christ was the first resurrected being how did angels appear to man and touch them before His death and resurrection?

Who were the three holy men that Abraham entertained? (Genesis 18) He fed them, they ate. We know the resurrected Lord could eat. These holy men also delivered a message from God, that Sarah shall have a son. Who did Jacob wrestle with until the breaking of day? (Genesis 32) He was given a message from God, and his name was called Israel. What angel touched Elijah and said to him, Arise and eat? (1 Kings 19) All these events happened before Jesus Christ was resurrected. They all had to have a physical body, yet were messengers from God.

I thought about this verse.

"I answer, Yes. But there are no angels who minister to this earth but those who do belong or have belonged to it.
The angels do not reside on a planet like this earth;
But they reside in the presence of God, on a globe like a sea of glass and fire, where all things for their glory are manifest, past, present, and future, and are continually before the Lord."
(Doctrine and Covenants 130:5-7)

If these messengers from God were not resurrected beings, or spirits what are they? They could only be those that belonged to this earth and now resided in his presence. Then I thought of translated beings like Elijah that was taken up in a whirlwind. (2 Kings 2:11-12) But, Elijah came after Abraham and Jacob, and someone else touched him. Then I remembered Enoch and the entire city of Enoch being translated. They are part of this earth, and people that never died. God received them into his bosom.

"Enoch was twenty-five years old when he was ordained under the hand of Adam; and he was sixty-five and Adam blessed him.
And he saw the Lord, and he walked with him, and was before his face continually; and he walked with God three hundred and sixty-five years, making him four hundred and thirty years old when he was translated."
(Doctrine and Covenants 107:48-49)

"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." (Hebrew 11:5)

"And Enoch and all his people walked with God, and he dwelt in the midst of Zion; and it came to pass that Zion was not, for God received it up into his own bosom; and from thence went forth the saying, ZION IS FLED."
(Moses 7:69)

Feeling like I was finally understanding, I looked for some confirmation that angels include translated beings of flesh and bones.

"There are two kinds of beings in heaven who are called angels: those who are spirits and those who have bodies of flesh and bone. Angels who are spirits have not yet obtained a body of flesh and bone, or they are spirits who have once had a mortal body and are awaiting resurrection. Angels who have bodies of flesh and bone have either been resurrected from the dead or translated."
(Bible Dictionary, Angels)

"He explained the difference between an angel and a ministering spirit; the one a resurrected or translated body, with its spirit ministering to embodied spirits—the other a disembodied spirit, visiting and ministering to disembodied spirits. Jesus Christ became a ministering spirit (while His body was lying in the sepulchre) to the spirits in prison, to fulfill an important part of His mission, without which He could not have perfected His work, or entered into His rest. After His resurrection He appeared as an angel to His disciples. Translated bodies cannot enter into rest until they have undergone a change equivalent to death. Translated bodies are designed for future missions. The angel that appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos was a translated or resurrected body [i.e., personage]. Jesus Christ went in body after His resurrection, to minister to resurrected bodies. There has been a chain of authority and power from Adam down to the present time."
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 191)

Translated bodies are designed for future missions. That makes so much sense now on who God sent to prophets before Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.

Day 3718

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 81:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 81:6
"And if thou art faithful unto the end thou shalt have a crown of immortality, and eternal life in the mansions which I have prepared in the house of my Father."

What a beautiful promise. I pondered on how immortality would not be possible if Jesus Christ had not risen from the dead. He has prepared a place for us with the Father, if we remain faithful. I would gladly take the smallest of cottages in heaven to only be there.

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."
(2 Nephi 31:20)

"And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God."
(Doctrine and Covenants 14:7)

Day 3670

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 76:22

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 76:22
"And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!"

Such a wonderful chapter. What a marvelous plan God has for us if we truly love Him. There are parts that make me cry because I think of loved ones that have rejected the gospel and Jesus Christ. I simply remind myself it is not my place to judge, it's up to the Lord where you spend eternity. Their story is not fully written yet, there is still time to repent. I turn myself instead to all the glorious promises if I remain faithful. As I asked myself which verse is the most import to me, this was the one. The testimony that Jesus Christ lives. It was only recently that I learned some Christians no longer believe is Jesus Christ's literal resurrection. I cannot understand that. For He is Risen! He Lives!

Day 3665

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 28:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 28:7-8
"Therefore, more blessed are ye, for ye shall never taste of death; but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the Father unto the children of men, even until all things shall be fulfilled according to the will of the Father, when I shall come in my glory with the powers of heaven.
And ye shall never endure the pains of death; but when I shall come in my glory ye shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality; and then shall ye be blessed in the kingdom of my Father."

The Lord is speaking to the three Nephites that requested, like John the Beloved, to remain on this earth until the Lord's coming.

I attended a funeral today. The person that passed did so in their sleep. Several of us were remarking on how that is a wonderful way to go. Then we had a discussion on how its possible we could be here when the Savior returns and be twinkled, which sounds even better. Though some of our patriarchal blessings say we will rise in the morning of the first resurrection. Thinking we will probably be gone before that happens. I then recalled that the morning of the first resurrection began when Christ was resurrected and will continue into and through the Millennium. I now wonder if you can be twinkled and thereby receive your resurrection at the same time? For all men will die, and every man resurrected in his proper order.

"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming."
(1 Corinthians 15:22-23)

President Joseph Fielding Smith also taught: “Men on the earth will still be mortal, but a change shall come over them so that they will have power over sickness, disease and death. Death shall all but be banished from the earth, for men shall live until they are the age of a tree or one hundred years old, and then shall die at the age of man, but this death shall come in the twinkling of an eye and mortality shall give way to immortality suddenly. There shall be no graves, and the righteous shall be caught up to a glorious resurrection” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 2 vols. [1953], 1:461).

"And he that liveth when the Lord shall come, and hath kept the faith, blessed is he; nevertheless, it is appointed to him to die at the age of man.
Wherefore, children shall grow up until they become old; old men shall die; but they shall not sleep in the dust, but they shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye."
(Doctrine and Covenants 63:50-51)

I have decided to no longer assume rising on the morning of the first resurrection necessarily means you have died before the Lord's second coming.

Day 3551

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 40:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 40:4-5
"Behold, there is a time appointed that all shall come forth from the dead. Now when this time cometh no one knows; but God knoweth the time which is appointed.
Now, whether there shall be one time, or a second time, or a third time, that men shall come forth from the dead, it mattereth not; for God knoweth all these things; and it sufficeth me to know that this is the case—that there is a time appointed that all shall rise from the dead."

Alma is speaking to his son Corianton and explains all that has been revealed to him on the resurrection. He does not know all the details at this point but he does know by an angel that there is an appointed time for everyone to be resurrected. I love Alma's response that the details matter not, for God knoweth all these things. Sometimes we just have to trust that not everything is revealed to the prophets or us all at once. This manner of instructing us helps develop our faith in Jesus Christ.

Day 3484

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 11:41-42

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 11:41-42
"Therefore the wicked remain as though there had been no redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death; for behold, the day cometh that all shall rise from the dead and stand before God, and be judged according to their works.
Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death."

I pondered on how the gift of resurrection is given to everyone that lived upon this earth. That is something we did not earn, but is a gift from our Savior, including to the unrighteous. Our body and spirit will be reunited and restored to its proper frame. That could be a blessing and a curse, for we will have a bright recollection of all our guilt. I pondered on the importance of daily repentance, and not leaving any sin unrepented. For we are promised that Christ will remember them no more.

"Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more"
(Doctrine and Covenants 58:42)

"And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
(Jeremiah 31:34)

Day 3455

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 16:6-7

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 16:6-7
"And now if Christ had not come into the world, speaking of things to come as though they had already come, there could have been no redemption.
And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection."

These are the words of Abinadi spoke 182 years before Christ would rise from the dead. I pondered on what absolute faith it took to think of these events as already taking place. I can't even imagine seeing a future event as already happening. I can believe events that happened in the past that I was not witness too. I do believe Christ will come again and there will be a Millennial reign and final judgment. But I think of all those as future. It made me think of the prophet Lehi and how he spoke of the destruction of Jerusalem and obtaining a land of promise before those events happened too.

"And it had come to pass that my father spake unto her, saying: I know that I am a visionary man; for if I had not seen the things of God in a vision I should not have known the goodness of God, but had tarried at Jerusalem, and had perished with my brethren.
But behold, I have obtained a land of promise, in the which things I do rejoice; yea, and I know that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban, and bring them down again unto us in the wilderness."
(1 Nephi 5:4-5)

Day 3431

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 15:21-22

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 15:21-22
"And there cometh a resurrection, even a first resurrection; yea, even a resurrection of those that have been, and who are, and who shall be, even until the resurrection of Christ—for so shall he be called.
And now, the resurrection of all the prophets, and all those that have believed in their words, or all those that have kept the commandments of God, shall come forth in the first resurrection; therefore, they are the first resurrection."

I wanted to study further on the resurrection and the different time periods. We are still in the First Resurrection, it is on going and will continue until the end of the Millennium. There are also periods called the morning and afternoon of the first resurrection, and I wasn't sure what the others were called. I found in the Book of Mormon Student Manual a nice graph, but it didn't use the names I was looking for. This is what I have finally pieced together.

Resurrection of the Just - from Christ's resurrection through the Millennium
The Morning of the First Resurrection: Resurrection of celestial people - on going since Christ's resurrection and throughout the Millennium. You will be resurrected at the first opportunity that you can be.
The Afternoon of the First Resurrection: Resurrection of terrestrial people - begins at the start of the Millennium, until the end of it.
End of the resurrection of the just

Beginning of the Resurrection of the Unjust - after the Millennium
The Morning of the Second Resurrection: Resurrection of telestial people. They will not spend eternity in the presence of Satan and his minions, but will be eternally shut out from the presence of the Father and Son.
The Afternoon of the Second Resurrection: Resurrection of sons of perdition. They will spend eternity with the devil and his angels, because they did his work. There is no eternal glory for them, only outer darkness where God's light never shines.

I pondered on how Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith as a glorified, resurrected being. He died about 400 years after Jesus Christ was resurrected. The morning of the first resurrection is still ongoing. I though of some quotes that I found regarding resurrection being a priesthood ordinance. The full talk of President Kimball's is particularly interesting.

"Resurrection is a priesthood ordinance. As to the first question—how the dead are raised—we know that it is by the power of Jesus Christ because He holds the keys of death, hell, and resurrection. However, latter-day prophets have clarified how that power is activated in our behalf. President Brigham Young and Elder Erastus Snow taught that the Resurrection will be conducted much as other things are done in the kingdom, by those in authority and by delegation. As one cannot baptize himself, nor can he baptize others until he himself is baptized, ordained, and directed by the presiding officers, so one cannot resurrect himself but will be called forth by someone in authority. Men will be given the keys of this ordinance after they themselves are resurrected, and they then will resurrect others. I expect that a righteous father will be given the keys to resurrect his family.
In the April 1977 general conference, President Spencer W. Kimball quoted President Brigham Young: “We are in possession of all the ordinances that can be administered in the flesh; but there are other ordinances and administrations that must be administered beyond this world. I know you would like to ask what they are. I will mention one. We have not, neither can we receive here, the ordinance and the keys of resurrection.” President Kimball then explained that resurrection is the work of God and that the world by its wisdom has not produced the power to resurrect anyone."
(Robert J. Matthews, “Resurrection: The Ultimate Triumph,” in Jesus Christ: Son of God, Savior, ed. Paul H. Peterson, Gary L. Hatch, and Laura D. Card (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2002), 313–33.)
(Spencer W. Kimball, "Our Great Potential", April 1977 General Conference)

Day 3430

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 20:6-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 20:6-8
"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea."

When I was reading this the part about a thousand years stuck out to me. It said those part of the first resurrection would reign with Christ only a thousand years? Then Satan would be loosed to deceive the nations. I thought "What? I thought I was done being tempted." Then I read it over and over and realized it wasn't those that had died and were resurrected that are being tempted. As a resurrection being you are beyond temptation. Who is being tempted? All those that are still mortal, that were born during the thousand years of the millennium. They are as numerous as the sand of the sea. They are who need to experience the temptation we have gone through in our mortal lives.

Day 3346