Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 16:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 16:1-2
"I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also."

I had two thoughts as I read these verse. First, was what a wonderful memorial of Phebe. She sounds like a wonderful woman. Not only entrusted to carry Paul's letter but a noted woman of good standing, and succourer of many, including Paul. The members must have been pleased to receive her.

The second thought was Paul calling the members saints. It is no different than us today. As the saints in the area are counseled to receive her I thought of our welcoming new members into our wards, as their names are read from the pulpit on Sunday.

Day 4186

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 11:26

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 11:26
"And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."

It doesn't say who first called the disciples "Christians". Was it the non-believers like what I read with King Agrippa, and in the Book of Mormon? It is clear that God referred to his followers as saints. Saints is mentioned 36 times in the Old Testament, 62 times in the New Testament, and 28 times in the Book of Mormon.

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:"
(Ephesians 1:1)

"And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land—
For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church of God, called by those who did not belong to the church.
And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come.
And therefore, at this time, Moroni prayed that the cause of the Christians, and the freedom of the land might be favored."
(Alma 46:13-16)

Day 4153

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 149:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 149:1
"Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. "

This made me think of the new hymns that are being released. I have a faith one right now called "Jesus is the Way". I cannot wait to sing it at church. Once again I love being called saints.

Jesus is the Way
Our Savior, Jesus Christ, has said,
“Come in, oh, come ye in through me.”
By other paths we are misled;
Through Him we are made free.

Come in through Him,
Into the fold of God.Our Savior, Jesus, is the Way—
The Savior of the world.

God’s servants, teaching in His name,
Will live His gospel strong and true,
For did not Jesus do the same?
He taught and lived it too.

Come in through Him,
Into the fold of God.
Our Savior, Jesus, is the Way—
The Savior of the world.

Our Savior is the precious tree
That bears the fruit so sweet and pure.
His truth that makes us ever free
Unchanging will endure.

Come in through Him,
Into the fold of God.
Our Savior, Jesus, is the Way—
The Savior of the world

Day 3952

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 89:5, 7

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 89:5, 7
"And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him."

I am always drawn to when the Lord's followers are called saints. That is what God calls us. The Old Testaments used the word saints 34 times. The New Testament its used 61 times. Christians are what enemies to Jesus Christ gave as a nickname to his followers. I love referring to myself as a latter-day saint. I love that relationship in the name of the church, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints".

Day 3932

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 50:3-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 50:3-6
"Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah."

On this Christmas Eve when we celebrate the Lord Jesus' birth, I reflected on how time wise I am closer to His Second Coming than his birth. How different that event will be compared to an innocent holy baby lying in a manger. Wise men still seek Him, and that gathering of saints includes me too.

Merry Christmas

Day 3919

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:2

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:2

"Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:"

Being called saints is truly what the Lord intended for his people. Christian is what the world calls the followers of Christ. This week I had a friend on Facebook post this quote of President Nelson.

"The word Christian appears in only three verses of the King James Version of the Bible. ...

In contrast, the term saint (or saints) appears in thirty-six verses of the Old Testament and in sixty-two verses of the New Testament. ...

Despite its use in ninety-eight verses of the Bible, the term saint is still not well understood. Some mistakenly think that it implies beatification or perfection. Not so! A saint is a believer in Christ and knows of His perfect love. The giving saint shares in a true spirit of that love, and the receiving saint accepts in a true spirit of gratitude. A saint serves others, knowing that the more one serves, the greater the opportunity for the Spirit to sanctify and purify."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Thus Shall My Church Be Called", April 1990 General Conference)

I posted a reply about the origin of the use of Christian vs Saints. I wanted to give a longer reply because I had researched itr, but left a simple statement instead. Seeing mention of it again I will share my longer response written earlier on when the name of Christ's followers as Christians was given. It is found in both the New Testament and Book of Mormon. It wasn't until I read these verses in the Book of Mormon that I realized something.

"For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church of God, called by those who did not belong to the church.

And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come."

(Alma 46:14-15)

"And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians."

(Alma 48:10)

The name Christian was given to the followers of Christ by their enemies. Curiously very similar to how Latter-day Saints were given the nickname "Mormons" as a derogatory, and disrespectful name by those not of the faith. It appears in both cases these nicknames were later adopted by Christ's followers, including used as a reference by apostles. In the case of the nickname "Mormon" the prophet, Russell M. Nelson, has emphasized that we need to stop using that name. We need to refer to the full name of the church and that we are latter-day saints. I realize now that to refer to myself as a Christian would be taking the name Christ's enemies gave to his followers. So interesting the name Christian is once again being used in very derogatory ways by society.

I then looked for the name "Saint" or "Christian in the Doctrine and Covenants. Christian is no where to be found. Christ refers to us multiple times as saints. It is used 100 times in the Doctrine and Covenants.

"For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

(Doctrine and Covenants 115:4)

Never, once does the Lord, Jesus Christ refer to his followers as Christians. We are His saints. If I take upon me the name of Christ then I should refer to myself as a the name he gave his followers, saint. Latter-day Saints is now used, not only because Christ gave us that name, but it shows which dispensation I am in. So as I am pondering this I realize it's totally ok for other Christians to not refer to me as a Christian. Because that is not the name Christ wanted to be used by his followers. I am a latter-day saint, a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of His Restored Church. There is a lot of power in that name.

Day 3222

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 1:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 1:7

"To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."

A follower of Jesus Christ is to be called a saint. It is only by the enemies of the church that the name of Christian was given. It is the same with the nickname Mormon and how that came about. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and in that relationship I am a saint that lives in these latter-days. I strive to live up to be virtuous, kind and patient. I am not perfect and know I never will be in this life. I need to repent daily, and do so, and strive to be a little better each day.

Day 3206

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 13:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 13:3

"I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness."

It's pretty much terrible to think of the destruction of Babylon at the Second Coming. As I'm reading this I kept think where would I be. Where are the people that love the Lord and worship him?

The footnotes says "sanctified ones" and "saints" are synonymously translated from either of two Hebrew words in the Old Testament." OK, so I'm going to take it that I'm one of the saints.

The footnote for "mighty" references Joel 3:11

"Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy might ones to come down, O LORD."

Ah, so come down from where? The verse before tells me where.

"Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles."

(Isaiah 13:2)

The saints are standing in holy places. Exactly where we are told to be right now. There has to be a place of refuge for those that want to flee Babylon before it is to late.

"Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen."

(Doctrine and Covenants 87:8)

Day 2851

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 50:5, 15

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 50:5, 15

"Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."

I love when I read in the scriptures God's people being called saints. The name Christian was never used by the Lord. Christian was a name the enemies of the church gave His followers, interestingly in both the New Testament and the Book of Mormon. Just like the enemies of the restored church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, called us Mormons instead of latter-day saints. Saints are what we should be, because that is the name God knows us by. There is some type of aversion in calling someone a saint, even among Jesus' followers. I love being called a latter-day saint.

The second verse I pondered on speaks of calling on God in times of trouble and being delivered. It reminds me of the bearing of testimonies as we had today in church. That testimony of what God has done for us does glorify Him.

Day 2687

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 31:23

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 31:23

"O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer."

I was just talking about this today, on having to be obedient and walking in faith. Hoping to be preserved by divine protection when you have to do something you don't totally feel is in your best interest and safe.

"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 2:41)

"If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation."

(Doctrine and Covenants 6:13)

"And inasmuch as they are faithful they shall be preserved, and I, the Lord, will be with them."

(Doctrine and Covenants 61:10)

This made me think of the pioneers having the cross the plains. That act also took obedience and faith. I cannot help but think of the hymn "Come, Come Ye Saints". The last verse showing it matters not if you live or die for all will be well.

"And should we die before our journey’s through,

Happy day! All is well!

We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;

With the just we shall dwell!

But if our lives are spared again

To see the Saints their rest obtain,

Oh, how we’ll make this chorus swell—

All is well! All is well!"

Day 2668

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 33:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 33:3

"Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words."

I pondered on how the name of the Lord's people is saints. That is why as a church we are referred to as latter-day saints. The name Christian was never used by the Lord. Christian was a name the enemies of the church gave his followers, interestingly in both the New Testament and the Book of Mormon. Just like the enemies of the restored church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, called us Mormons instead of latter-day saints. There is some type of aversion in calling someone a saint, even among Jesus' followers. I love being called a latter-day saint.

Day 2345

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 14:11, 26

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 14:11, 26
"But Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day.
And Alma cried, saying: How long shall we suffer these great afflictions, O Lord? O Lord, give us strength according to our faith which is in Christ, even unto deliverance. And they broke the cords with which they were bound; and when the people saw this, they began to flee, for the fear of destruction had come upon them."

I was really struck with how much Alma and Amulek suffered waiting upon the will of the Lord. They were made to watch women and children being burned to death, and were constrained by the spirit to not stretch forth their hands and exercise the power of God to save them from the flames. They were smote on the cheeks and had to remain silent as they were told they and their God had no power to save the people from fire.  They were judged and cast into prison and had to remain silent still. Then leaders and judges visited them multiple times asking questions and again they were constrained by the spirit to remain silent. They withstood being smote, spit on, and mocked. They had food and water withheld from them. Their cloths were taken so they were naked and bound with strong cord. I think one of the very worst is to be told over and over your God doesn't have the power to save others and they died, and you can't save yourself and the whole time you know it was the will of the Lord and you must remain silent until he says otherwise. That takes a lot of faith to endure all that. Then when moved by the spirit you can stand and bare witness of the power of God. Then the prison walls shook and fell down to the earth.

This all made me think of our day, and first how many are showing they have no patience to endure. That what matters is their will instead of waiting for the power of God. I do not know what will become of them. Yet, I wonder on the other hand how many saints are learning to become like Alma and Amulek. How many spiritual giants are growing silently behind their prison doors?  I am so grateful for the many lessons I have had to learn patience these past few years. Learning to trust in the Lord and his timing. I had no idea back then that I would face what is around us today. I had to learn to accept a new normal sitting in a wheelchair. Now I'm out of the wheelchair but living a new normal under COVID-19. Right now we are going through such an amazing opportunity for spiritual growth and coming to understanding the will of the Lord is greater than our own. The Lord will deliver us from our afflictions, after we have proven our faith by submitting to His will.


Day 1872

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 2:19

Today's Favorite Verse: Ephesians 2:19
"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners with the saints, and the house hold 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:"

I love how it places together saints, apostles, prophets, Jesus Christ and the temple. This is how you recognized the restored gospel upon the earth today.

Day 1672

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:2

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:2
"Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:"

This made me ponder on the name of the church, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints".  I am a saint, though to say that seems so unreachable. So I pondered on what it means.

First I looked at "sanctified", because to me that also seems so unreachable. I am not pure and holy, though I wish and hope one day to be. So what does that mean? I looked in the footnote and the other topic guide sections referenced. They are also: Consecrate; Consecration; Earth, Destiny of; Hallow; Holiness; Holy Ghost, Baptism of; Jesus Christ, Atonement through; Justification; Man, New, Spiritually Reborn; Purification; Righteousness; Sacred; Separation. I asked myself which of these would describe me? I can see glimmers of some. I realized in doing so that I was at the beginning. Sanctified is a process and one just doesn't jump into it as a whole. So I felt good that I was able to say I'm in the process of becoming sanctified. I think that is what I am suppose to be doing.

So now I looked at "Saint". In the topical guide it says see also: Church Organization; Holy; Sheep.  Yes, I am part of Christ's church organized on the earth today. I am part of the fold and a sheep. I am a Saint in these the latter-days. I read the verses in the topical guide under Saint and it really struck me how many times it is used to name the members of Christ's church. One thought I had is how interesting it is the most religions that are followers of Christ refer to themselves as "Christians", myself included. But, I am told by them because I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that they do not consider me a Christian. (Yes, that totally confuses me given the name of the church.) 

I became curious when the name of Christ's followers as Christians was given. It is found in both the New Testament and Book of Mormon. It wasn't until I read these verses in the Book of Mormon that I realized something. 

"For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church of God, called by those who did not belong to the church.
And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come."
(Alma 46:14-15)

"And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians."
(Alma 48:10)

The name Christian was given to the followers of Christ by their enemies. Curiously very similar to how Latter-day Saints were given the nickname "Mormons" as a derogatory, and disrespectful name by those not of the faith. It appears in both cases these nicknames were later adopted by Christ's followers, including used as a reference by apostles. In the case of the nickname "Mormon" the prophet, Russell M. Nelson, has emphasized that we need to stop using that name. We need to refer to the full name of the church and that we are latter-day saints. I realize now that to refer to myself as a Christian would be taking the name Christ's enemies gave to his followers. So interesting the name Christian is once again being used in very derogatory ways by society. 

I then went back and looked for the name "Saint" and that is the name Christ gave his followers. I turned to the Doctrine and Covenants.

"... the Doctrine and Covenants is unique because it is not a translation of an ancient document, but is of modern origin and was given of God through His chosen prophets for the restoration of His holy work and the establishment of the kingdom of God on the earth in these days. In the revelations, one hears the tender but firm voice of the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking anew in the dispensation of the fulness of times; and the work that is initiated herein is preparatory to His Second Coming, in fulfillment of and in concert with the words of all the holy prophets since the world began." 

Never, once does the Lord, Jesus Christ refer to his followers as Christians. We are His saints. If I take upon me the name of Christ then I should refer to myself as a the name he gave his followers, saint. Latter-day Saints is now used, not only because Christ gave us that name, but it shows which dispensation I am in. So as I am pondering this I realize it's totally ok for other Christians to not refer to me as a Christian. Because that is not the name Christ wanted to be used by his followers. I am a latter-day saint, a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of His Restored Church. There is a lot of power in that name.

Day 1636

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 24:40-41

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 24:40-41
"Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left."

I know the rapture is a false doctrine, but this sure sounds like what is falsely believed. That the righteous will be raised up and taken from the earth, missing all of the end times. These verses are also found in Luke 17 and it is there that I came to understand their meaning. This is what is found in the Joseph Smith Translation for Luke 17:36-40.

"And they answered and said unto him, Where Lord, shall they be taken?
And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is gathered; or, in other words, whithersoever the saints are gathered, thither will the eagles be gathered together; or, thither will the remainder be gathered together.
This he spake, signifying the gathering of his saints; and of angels descending and gathering the remainder unto them; the one from the bed, the other from the grinding, and the other from the field, whithersoever he listeth.
For verily there shall be new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
And there shall be no unclean thing; for the earth becoming old, even as a garment, having waxed in corruption, wherefore it vanisheth away, and the footstool remaineth sanctified, cleansed from all sin."
(JST Luke 17:36-40)

It reminds me of this what happened to Nephi, son of Helaman. Also Philip after baptizing an eunuch was carried away in the spirit.

"And it came to pass that when Nephi had declared unto them the word, behold, they did still harden their hearts and would not hearken unto his words; therefore they did revile against him, and did seek to lay their hands upon him that they might cast him into prison.
But behold, the power of God was with him, and they could not take him to cast him into prison, for he was taken by the Spirit and conveyed away out of the midst of them.
And it came to pass that thus he did go forth in the Spirit, from multitude to multitude, declaring the word of God, even until he had declared it unto them all,  or sent it forth among all the people.
(Helaman 10:15-17)

"And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing."
(Acts 8:39)

Bottom line, I will not worry about what happens during the end time. If the Lord wants to move me to a different location to gather with the saints in can be done.

Adam-ondi-Aham

Day 1528

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 9:9, 14-15

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 9:9, 14-15
"For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.
And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God."

I pondered on how this could speak of the sifting and scattering of the Jews upon all the nations. Now they are being gathered back to their lands. It also made me think of the saints beings sifted.

It reminded me of the old sifter my mother had. When she was making cakes or popovers I could help by sifting the dry goods together. I was always fascinated in how the sifter would find these hard little clumps when I originally could not see them as I poured the ingredients in. The hard items left behind were good for nothing and simply tossed into the trash. Sifting is just like the Lord finding those with hardened hearts and removing them from his covenant people. If they remained, just like the cake, they would not become its perfect creation, as a Zion people should. It was through the sifting that each little flake became all that it could be.

Day 1463

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 116:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 116:15
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."

Why would that be precious I wondered? It is because a saint is coming home to him. They are prepared to meet Him. They have endured the trials and test of life and are prepare to enter into His rest. I would think it would grieve the Father for one that is unprepared to come home, but come home they must. For Paul said:

"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law."
(1 Corinthians 15:55-56)

There are great promises for those that die in the Lord.

"And I head a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."
(Revelations 14:13)

"And it shall come to pass that those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them."
(Doctrine and Covenants 42:46)

Day 1169

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 113:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 113:7-8
"He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifeth the needy out of the dunghill;
That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people."

This reminds me of something I was pondering on last week. It started with reading the June Ensign and all the stories commemorating the 1978 revelation on the priesthood. I looked at all the sacrifices my black brothers and sisters endured until the priesthood was available to them. I had also been reading stories of the early saints and the sacrifices of the pioneers. I knew I was not worthy to wipe the dust from their feet.

I wondered how could I ever be with them in the celestial kingdom. What they had been asked to do I had never been through. I sat dwelling on this for a while. Then I realized the celestial kingdom would not be a place of who had the worse trial on earth. It would not be telling of the battle stories and who was the strongest. What was the element that made them all equal?  It was faith in Christ. The test may be different for people depending on what is needful for their faith. Faith is the element you cannot see. Faith such a primary answer is actually the answer. It is the greatest thing to obtain in this life. Faith opens the door to eternal life. Faith is how I come to know the Lord. It is how I will be with Him.

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest."
(Hebrews 8:10-11)

Day 1166

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 10:4, 34, 36

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 10:4, 34, 36

"And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee.

And the cloud of the Lord was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp.

And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel."

This chapter made me think of general conference and the gathering of saints. I may not hear trumpets but I thrill at the opening music played right before a conference session begins. I may not see a cloud resting over me, but I certainly watch conference in the cloud via the internet. The pillar of fire is the spirit of God that rests upon me as I sit at the feet of His prophet and apostles, and listen to His voice. The glory of the Lord is once again upon the earth. There is much to rejoice. I'm getting excited already for the April conference to begin.  

Day 702

Today's Favorite Verse: Joseph Smith - Matthew 1:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Joseph Smith - Matthew 1:9

"And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many;" 

I have finished the book of Abraham and am now in Joseph Smith - Matthew. The chapter headers says it is "An extract from the translation of the Bible as revealed to Joseph Smith the Prophet in 1831: Matthew 23:39 and chapter 24."

As I read this I could see why this chapter was chosen. It speaks to the Second Coming of the Son of Man. As I read I had so many thoughts, but the verse I chose struck me because it has also been something I had been noticing around me. Trying to put my finger on what I have been seeing.

What is a false prophet? I would think it is someone that teaches the philosophies of man and tries to make them appear to be the words of Christ. They are setting themselves up to be a light to others, when what they preach contains darkness to deceive. What has been troubling my soul is seeing good people twist scripture stories to uphold wickedness. I have seen the stories of Samson, King David, Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul, Alma the younger, and others used to basically say "God will save us in our sins". That God will use wicked people for his purposes. Sadly the false belief is that the purpose will be to their good. There is never acknowledgement that God used earlier prophets and saints as examples of what happens when we do repent and when we don't. He could only use the prophets when they humbled themselves and repented. The only way God can use a wicked man, that does not repent, is to punish the wicked.   

Now I know what I have been seeing around me, false prophets, and there are many of them. They are lying to us that God will save us in our sins. God can only save us when we turn from sin and come unto him. Every time I see a false prophet I have turned away. I don't even comment or argue. There is no point. They have been deceived and their ears will no longer hear. Satan has taken a great hold upon their hearts and they are blind. All that would come from my words is uncontrollable anger from them. The only protection I have from them is to turn away. I know they feel they won the battle, because I would never fight. Instead what I have been doing is keeping the spirit close within my heart. The only protection from a false prophet is to have the spirit as my constant companion. Right now that is something I cannot afford to lose. For tonight I realized another sign of Christ's coming is fulfilled in my eyes.

Day 573