Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 22:19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 22:19-20 "Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats. But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you."

The Lord will only accept an offering without blemish. It cannot be blind, broken, maimed, wen (wart), scurvy, or scabbed. At first that looks like a prejudice against anyone flawed in any way. Then I pondered on how this sacrifice was in a similitude of the Savior. He was without flaw or blemish, he gave an infinite and eternal sacrifice.

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"
(Hebrew 9:14)

"But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"
(1 Peter 1:19)

Day 3783

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 2:6, 12, 19

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 2:6, 12, 19
"But I, Abraham, and Lot, my brother’s son, prayed unto the Lord, and the Lord appeared unto me, and said unto me: Arise, and take Lot with thee; for I have purposed to take thee away out of Haran, and to make of thee a minister to bear my name in a strange land which I will give unto thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession, when they hearken to my voice.
Now, after the Lord had withdrawn from speaking to me, and withdrawn his face from me, I said in my heart: Thy servant has sought thee earnestly; now I have found thee;
And the Lord appeared unto me in answer to my prayers, and said unto me: Unto thy seed will I give this land."

The Lord appeared to Abraham at least twice in this chapter. Abraham prayed in Haran and the Lord appeared to him there. Built an altar in the land of Jershon and made offerings and prayed. Came to Sechem in the plains of Moreh and offered sacrifice and called on the Lord devoutly, and the Lord appeared to him. Then between Bethel and Hai he built another altar and called on the Lord. As I was counting all the times Abraham stopped to built an altar, make offerings and prayed it made me think of all the temples that dot the earth right now. We can be like Abraham and seek the Lord earnestly and we will find him.

"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)

Day 3739

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 13:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 13:1
"Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness."

I wondered what the offering in righteousness to the Lord would be? How could it be an animal sacrifice when it represented the Lord and his ultimate sacrifice, and that was done away when He fulfilled the law?

"Therefore, it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice, and then shall there be, or it is expedient there should be, a stop to the shedding of blood; then shall the law of Moses be fulfilled; yea, it shall be all fulfilled, every jot and tittle, and none shall have passed away."
(Alma 34:13)

"And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings."
(3 Nephi 9:19)

I do believe that offering is as Joseph Smith, Jr. epistle stated, found in the Doctrine and Covenants. This is why there is such an emphasis on family history work and attending the temple as often as possible.

"Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; and who can abide the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation."
(Doctrine and Covenants 128:24)

Day 3602

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 9:13-14

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 9:13-14
"For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

This made me think of the red heifers that the Jews are trying to raise unspotted and supposedly needed to cleanse themselves before the third temple is built. I really don't understand it when Jesus Christ already made this sacrifice and the law of Moses is done away.

In this chapter Paul also mentions that Christ would only offer himself once, unlike the high priest that made this offering yearly.

"Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;" (Hebrews 9:25)

"It will be necessary here to make a few observations on the doctrine set forth in the above quotation, and it is generally supposed that sacrifice was entirely done away when the Great Sacrifice [i.e., the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus] was offered up, and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of sacrifice in future; but those who assert this are certainly not acquainted with the duties, privileges and authority of the priesthood, or with the Prophets.
The offering of sacrifice has ever been connected and forms a part of the duties of the Priesthood. It began with the Priesthood, and will be continued until after the coming of Christ, from generation to generation. We frequently have mention made of the offering of sacrifice by the servants of the Most High in ancient days, prior to the law of Moses; which ordinances will be continued when the Priesthood is restored with all its authority, power and blessings.
Elijah was the last Prophet that held the keys of the Priesthood, and who will, before the last dispensation, restore the authority and deliver the keys of the Priesthood, in order that all the ordinances may be attended to in righteousness. It is true that the Savior had authority and power to bestow this blessing; but the sons of Levi were too prejudiced.”And I will send Elijah the Prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord,” etc., etc. Why send Elijah? Because he holds the keys of the authority to administer in all the ordinances of the Priesthood; and without the authority is given, the ordinances could not be administered in righteousness.
It is a very prevalent opinion that the sacrifices which were offered were entirely consumed. This was not the case; if you read Leviticus, second chap., second and third verses, you will observe that the priests took a part as a memorial and offered it up before the Lord, while the remainder was kept for the maintenance of the priests; so that the offerings and sacrifices are not all consumed upon the altar—but the blood is sprinkled, and the fat and certain other portions are consumed.
These sacrifices, as well as every ordinance belonging to the Priesthood, will, when the Temple of the Lord shall be built, and the sons of Levi be purified, be fully restored and attended to in all their powers, ramifications, and blessings. This ever did and ever will exist when the powers of the Melchisedek Priesthood are sufficiently manifest; else how can the restitution of all things spoken of by the holy Prophets be brought to pass? It is not to be understood that the law of Moses will be established again with all its rites and variety of ceremonies; this has never been spoken of by the Prophets; but those things which existed prior to Moses’ day, namely, sacrifice, will be continued.
It may be asked by some, what necessity for sacrifice, since the Great Sacrifice was offered? In answer to which, if repentance, baptism, and faith existed prior to the days of Christ, what necessity for them since that time? The Priesthood has descended in a regular line from father to son, through their succeeding generations."
(Joseph Smith Jr., "History of the Church", 4:211-212)

This quote was after the third temple, the Kirtland temple. was dedicated, and Elijah came to restore these priesthood ordinances keys. We are making offerings and sacrifices in righteousness now.

Day 3301

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 6:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 6:6

"For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."

Instead of going through the motions, with covenants, ordinances, etc. We need to understand them and love them. We need a knowledge of who God is and why he asks that of us. We need hearts that are willing to make that type of sacrifice.

"In ancient days, sacrifice meant to make something or someone holy. It has now come to mean to give up or suffer the loss of worldly things for the Lord and His kingdom. Members of the Lord’s Church should be willing to sacrifice all things for the Lord. Joseph Smith taught that “a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has the power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation.” In the eternal perspective, the blessings obtained by sacrifice are greater than anything that is given up."

(Guide to the Scriptures, "Sacrifice")

Day 3027

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 4:1, 6

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 4:1, 6

"Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."

I remember watching this video were the interviewer was asking people if they had ever read the bible. It was so disheartening to hear their responses in the negative. A few weeks ago it made the news that three Jeopardy contestants where stumped by a question on the Lord's prayer. What was once common knowledge is not so common anymore. The knowledge of God is fading in our land. When that fades even the moral guidance from God's laws is forgotten. We are in such a sad condition.

The power to over turn this comes one by one. I dedicated myself to reading the scriptures daily 13 years ago. Once I had my habit in place I invited my family to read scriptures together. It was not easy to find a time that worked for all of us. It required sacrifice. Most things worth it have that price. We settled on 11:30 at night, after my husband came home from his second shift job. It was past my bedtime, so it required I have two. I would go to bed and then get up again when he came home. It was hard but it quickly became the highlight of our day. We would talk and discuss the scriptures and how they applied to us for hours. Since my husband has retired we have a more realistic time before dinner at 5:00 pm. After dinner I read my personal scriptures. We are not special people, anyone can make the decision to read the scriptures. When you pay the price to know God you will find Him, and great will be the peace of your children. A knowledge of God is the greatest legacy you can leave them.

Day 3025

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 43:18-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 43:18-19

"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."

This made me ponder on "new things". I think the greatest change man saw was the fulfilling of the law of Moses, and the ending of animal sacrifices in a similitude of Christ's redeeming sacrifice. He came and fulfilled the law, and now we live a higher law. There have been changes to programs and instructions over the years, which I have been able to witness. There are changes still to come.

I also read in the Old Testament Institute manual where LeGrand Richards spoke of a literal fulfillment of Isaiah's words:

“Isaiah said: ‘Behold, I will do a new thing,’ and as far as my understanding of this scripture is concerned, that new thing was the great principle of irrigation. It is true the Saints had to make the canals, they had to make the ditches, they had to put in the dams, but the land might have remained arid had not the Lord put into their minds the inspiration to do this very thing, and that is what Isaiah saw that the Lord would do. He said:

“If you want to see the rivers in the desert, just go up through Idaho and see the great canals that come out of the Snake River. They are greater than many of the rivers of the land.

“So as you brethren gather in your crops by day in the harvest time, remember that it was the Lord God of Israel who did this new thing in this great wilderness to make it to prosper as a rose and to be a land that would attract the attention of all the world.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1948, pp. 44–45.)

(Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi, "The God of Israel and the Nations (Isaiah 36-37)", section 16-27)

It does make me wonder on all the changes and new things that are to come.

Day 2881

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 5:1-2, 5

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 5:1-2, 5

"Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.

Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.

But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter."

The work on rebuilding the temple had stopped. Darius is now king. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah are raised up to help inspire Zerubbabel in resuming the rebuilding. I thought about how the Lord will put in place the right people at the right time to help move the work along. Road blocks don't stop. The people work through political roadblocks and are called upon to make sacrifices to build the temple. That happens in our day too.

Day 2567

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 24:24-25

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 24:24-25

"And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was entreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel."

As I read this I could understand why David wanted to pay for the threshing floor, wood, and oxen to be used in his burnt offerings. He was thinking of Saul and how he was rejected when he brought the Amalekites animals back with him after being commanded to kill them.

"And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed."

(1 Samuel 15:15)

Saul justified his actions by saying he was going to make an offering of them. This offering was not only gained through disobedience, it also cost Saul nothing. There is no sacrifice when we put nothing that we own on the altar, even if it's our time. When David gave the best offering he could according to God's will they were spared.

Day 2450

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 23:19

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 23:19

"The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk."

Footnote for "seethe"

OR cook..., i.e., Israel must not do such fertility-cult practices. Ex 32:26

Well that was interesting I wondered why Jews could not cook or eat meat and milk together. It comes back to a fertility-cult practice. There was a Canaanite religious practice and a Lavantine ritual that it could have stemmed from. Both would cook the young goat in the milk of it's mother. They would obtain supernatural assistance to increase the yield of their flocks by sacrificing to a pagan god. It was inhumane, and the practice was compared to the barbaric slaying of nursing infants.

How even more offense to bring the firstfruits (sacrifices) to the temple and include a pagan practice. Especially when the firstfruits represent Jesus Christ. That would be like going to the temple and doing yoga in the celestial room. Sometimes people don't understand what they are involved in. In this case Moses had to spell it out letter by letter. It does leave me with a question of the three annual feasts that were all mentioned in this chapter. Could continuing to practice them after Jesus Christ's atonement and resurrection be considered cooking a sacrificial animal in it's mother's milk?

Day 2232

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 22:21

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 22:21

"Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt."

It's been over 30 years since I moved to Utah, it was the best decision our family ever made. When I hear people speak badly of those moving into the state, I cannot help but think of how it once was me. I am settled now, because I just got here before them. They need to find homes, settle and feel welcomed.

Day 2231

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 13:12, 15

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 13:12, 15

"That thou shalt set apart unto the Lord all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the Lord's.

And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the Lord slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all the openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem."

I pondered on how Moses was told what they were to sacrifice and it was to remember when the Lord slew all the firstborn in Egypt. Yet, I know this was also to prepare the people for the Lord's coming. How He, the only begotten of the Father, would one day take the place of the sacrificial unblemished first born male lamb.

Day 2222

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 22:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 22:1-2

"And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of."

So much of this story of Abraham and Isaac is a foreshadowing of the Father sacrificing his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, for us. Abraham had to learn more about Abraham, and Isaac more about Isaac, in order to understand more completely the sacrifice and atonement of Jesus Christ.

The word tempt has a footnote to test or prove.

"My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom."

(Doctrine and Covenants 136:31)

Abraham had long been tried and tested of the Lord God. Abraham had walked with and spoken to the Lord. He knew His voice, he knew the Master. There was no doubt when the Lord was speaking to him. The really key part to this test was Abraham was prepared for it in advance. This "test" could have gone horribly wrong if Abraham was listening to the wrong source.

Day 2181

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 5:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Moses 5:10-11

"And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.

And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient."

I love these words, for they are my heart. There is purpose in sin for this is how we come to know and love our Savior, because he atoned for them. I love the steps shown in this chapter. For Adam offered sacrifices to the Lord because he had been commanded to. After many days an angel appears to Adam and asks him why he doest this? Adam doesn't know why, other than the Lord commanded. Then the angel explains that "This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father". When Adam and Eve come to understand the purpose in what they were doing their eyes open up. They come to know the Savior would redeem them from the fall. They see the purpose in their sins, and what they have come to learn from it. Their joy and love of God is deep and eternal. Our eyes likewise do not open up, nor do we know joy, until we understand the purpose in the atoning sacrifice the Lord has made for us.

Day 2148

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 4:19, 21

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 4:19, 21
"For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and rainment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every king?
And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another."

I had two thoughts as I read this. One was on some examples of selfishness that I have seen rise out of people. I have kept my mouth quiet when I've seen those posts because they just make me incredibly sad. These individuals truly believe their needs are greater than others, even when it could mean other people's lives. What I am seeing is an inability to make personal sacrifices for others. It just breaks my heart.

The other one was a talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland today.

"As the world battles an “all hands on deck war” with COVID-19, many still have hopes that have not yet been fulfilled.“When we have conquered it — and we will — may we be equally committed to freeing the world from the virus of hunger and freeing neighborhoods and nations from the virus of poverty,” and hope for safer schools and the gift of personal dignity for every child. Many have deeply personal hopes in addition to these global desires, including marriage, overcoming an addiction, help for a wayward child, or for physical or emotional pain to stop."
(Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "A Perfect Brightness of Hope", April 2020 General Conference)

It's no wonder at the end of the Jaredite and Nephite civilizations that both prophets spoke of the need for charity, the pure love of Christ. That at its very basic level means an ability to see each other as human, and a desire to lift those around us to relieve their pain. Yes, I do see examples of that happening around me. But, I cannot help and think that having charity or not is part of the separation of the wheat and tares. What I am observing is that instead of a "Me" attitude I need the ability to make sacrifices to lift others.

Day 1833

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 2:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 2:1-2
"My little children, these thing write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

I pondered on the great atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and just wept. How great a sacrifice and not only for those that repent, but those that never will. It was given free for all, if they only accept it. What incredible love.  Words cannot express how grateful I am.

Day 1734

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 1:19

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 1:19
"But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"

How am I redeemed? This verse is the answer and I just wept at the thought of it.

Day 1725

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrew 10:1-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrew 10:1-4
"For the law having shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have no more conscience of sins.
But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."

I wasn't until Christ's atonement and sacrifice that man's sins could be forgiven. For then the law of Moses was fulfilled. What I pondered on is the quilt man would have carried, for every year he had to make sacrifice for his sins again. I know the hardest thing now is learning to forgive myself after repenting of my sins. It sounds like under the law of Moses one would have a continual feeling of not being completely forgiven. I'm not sure how it worked but once again I am glad for the time that I live.

Day 1716

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrew 7:26-27

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrew 7:26-27
"For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself."

The great high priest is Jesus Christ, he held the order of Mechisedec forever. He made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us. On reflecting on this I thought of the video that was in the Come, Follow Me materials. The video starts a little geeky but I love how it teaches about the ancient temple sacrifice representing the Savior, and the sacrament today.


Day 1713

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 18:22

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 18:22
"Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: And come, follow me."

When I read this verse the thought that came to me is, Jesus was saying what the "certain ruler" lacked was the desire to do the Father's will. He may have kept the commandments but it was the ruler's desire. What the Father wills for us, is much deeper and personal. Like being asked to minister to my fellow man, even if that means you distribute all that you have to the poor. The call is not the same for each of us. Sometimes, we lay it all on the altar when what is asked is personal and hard for us. The words come, follow me, Jesus taught by example by doing the Father's will, even when it required him to drink the bitter cup, atone for our sins and die for us.

Day 1566