Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 12:16

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 12:16
"Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

This made me think about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint initiative to #LightTheWorld. This year's message is to be an angel and serve others like Jesus Christ did. It is breathtaking to see major cities around the world literally light up with angels appearing and images of the Christ child's birth.

I have marveled each year as the number of locations for the Giving Machines have increased. The church may have started it, but they are not alone. They are bringing other faiths and organizations together to serve those in need. Reminds me a lot of what the church did with FamilySearch and RootsTech. This annual event brings people together worldwide as we share our stories and celebrate our individual heritages. We find we have more in common than we ever realized. We truly are brothers and sisters. The church isn't looking to be the light or take credit. They are pointing the light towards the Lord as they bring God's children closer together.

Day 3535

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 2:19-22

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 2:19-22

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

I just finished 3 days of RootsTech and these verses made me think of what amazing growth I have seen in thirteen years. How people all over the world are united in their love of family and telling their stories. This year RootsTech was broadcasted in 240 countries and territories, in 20 languages. No commercial company could have created such a united worldwide effort. It could only be possible through the efforts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, under the direction of apostles and prophets.

I reflected much over the past three days on the words of Malachi that Moroni quoted to Joseph Smith.

"He also quoted the next verse differently: And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming."

(Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith-History 1:39)

I thought about how it was only through the world-wide effort to gather family on both sides of the veil that peace will come to this earth. I heard no politics, I heard no racism, or conspiracy theories for these 3 glorious days. All I knew was that I was learning to love my brothers and sisters and value each and every one of them as they are. My heart has been touched, and I hope those not of my faith will carry the light they received within them. These are millennial people. This is a millennial work.

Day 3258

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 12:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 12:3

"And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."

This chapter made me thing of President Nelson's recent General Conference talk and what he asked me to do.

"As you study your scriptures during the next six months, I encourage you to make a list of all that the Lord has promised He will do for covenant Israel. I think you will be astounded! Ponder these promises. Talk about them with your family and friends. Then live and watch for these promises to be fulfilled in your own life."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Let God Prevail", Oct 2020 General Conference)

It made me think about the recent RootsTech Connect and over 1 million people worldwide participated online in gathering their families. How many lives will be blessed on both sides of the veil from just this one event.

"This doctrine of the gathering is one of the important teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Lord has declared: “I give unto you a sign … that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion.” The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is a sign to the entire world that the Lord has commenced to gather Israel and fulfill covenants He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  We not only teach this doctrine, but we participate in it. We do so as we help to gather the elect of the Lord on both sides of the veil."

(Russell M. Nelson "Gathering of Scattered Israel", Oct 2006 General Conference)

Day 2171

Today's Favorite Verse: Joseph Smith-History 1:38-39

Today's Favorite Verse: Joseph Smith-History 1:38-39

"And again, he quoted the fifth verse thus: Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

He also quoted the next verse differently: And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming."

I'm reading the Joseph Smith History and this is what the angel Moroni quoted to Joseph Smith on the evening of September 21, 1823. As I read these words from Malachi I could not help but wonder what Joseph and Moroni must both be thinking on the eve of RootsTech Connect 2021. The last count I saw there were 501,203 people registered in over 237 countries and territories around the world. The interest and fascination in finding your roots has never been stronger.

There is no doubt that Elijah did come and the hearts of the children have turned to their fathers. It's almost like I can feel the spirit world collectively holding their breath for what is about to happen. The temples have been closed for almost a year and all work for our deceased ancestors have been on hold. If it wasn't for this pandemic none of that would have ever happened, and neither would RootsTech become a virtual worldwide event. It won't be long before the dam bursts and the temple doors will reopen with a flood that will fill the whole earth.

Day 2158