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

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

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

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

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

Day 3876

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 19:9, 11

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 19:9, 11
"And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.
And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai."

The Lord promised the children of Israel if they sanctified themselves and washed their clothes they would hear and see him. Yet, when the time came they could not stand near and moved away. They were afraid to come in the presence of the Lord. They wanted Moses to speak to Him.

"And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.
And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die."
(Exodus 20:18-19)

I wondered if I would be afraid? This reminded me of President Nelson's recent general conference talk. I took the time to read it over again. I know that by listening and following a prophet of God I will be prepared to stand before the Lord with confidence.

"When we make and keep covenants with God, we can have confidence that is born of the Spirit.
When I speak of having confidence before God, I am referring to having confidence in approaching God right now! I am referring to praying with confidence that Heavenly Father hears us, that He understands our needs better than we do. I am referring to having confidence that He loves us more than we can comprehend, that He sends angels to be with us and with those we love. I am referring to having confidence that He yearns to help each of us reach our highest potential.
Now, how do we gain such confidence? The Lord answers this question with these words: “Let thy bowels … be full of charity towards all men, … and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God.”
Brothers and sisters, as the world grows more wicked, we need to grow increasingly pure. Our thoughts, words, and actions need to be unfailingly virtuous and filled with the pure love of Jesus Christ towards all men. The great opportunity before us is to become the people God needs us to be."
(President Russell M. Nelson, "Confidence in the Presence of God", Apr 2025 General Conference)

Day 3769

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 88:63, 68, 83

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 88:63, 68, 83
"Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will."
He that seeketh me early shall find me, and shall not be forsaken."

It was so hard to pick a favorite verse out of the 141 verses in this chapter. So many wonderful thoughts. I decided on these three verses because the thought came to me that the Lord isn't hiding. If we seek Him, we will find Him. If we sanctify ourselves He will come when it's time. If we don't procrastinate in our efforts the promise is sure.

Day 3677

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 3:18-19

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 3:18-19

"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness."

I thought about man deceiving himself. Yes, Satan can blind us, but it is we that deceive ourselves on the condition we are in. I looked at the footnote for "let him become a fool".

"And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.

But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them forever—yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints."

(2 Nephi 9:42-43)

The fool being spoke of is to consider we are nothing before God. All the power, praise, wealth, learning, etc. means nothing when we are compared against the God that created everything. We are no more than the dust of the earth.

"And now I ask, can ye say aught of yourselves? I answer you, Nay. Ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth; yet ye were created of the dust of the earth; but behold, it belongeth to him who created you."

(Mosiah 2:25)

The dust of the earth is obedient to God. We being made of all that is obedient, and yet we do not obey God we become nothing.

"O how great is the nothingness of the children of men; yea, even they are less than the dust of the earth.

For behold, the dust of the earth moveth hither and thither, to the dividing asunder, at the command of our great and everlasting God."

(Helaman 12:7-8)

Being in the depths of humility and to feel we are lower than the dust of the earth is a good place to start. It does not mean we are depressed, it means we are in reverence to the God that created us. This is where we become sanctified and made holy.

Day 3224

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: 2 Chronicles 35:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 35:5-6

"And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the families of the fathers of your brethren the people, and after the division of the families of the Levites.

So kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses."

This reminded me a General Conference talk I heard today from Mark L. Pace, the Sunday School general president, "Conversion is Our Goal". How "Come, Follow Me" and studying the scriptures will help to deepen our conversion to the gospel, and sanctify us. That it will become a protection to us and make our homes a sanctuary. To me this is standing in holy places. I don't have the transcript of the talk so I found scriptures that speak of standing in holy places.

"But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die."

(Doctrine and Covenants 45:32)

"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)

"Until the day cometh when there is found no more room for them; and then I have other places which I will appoint unto them, and they shall be called stakes, for the curtains or the strength of Zion.22 Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places;"

(Doctrine and Covenants 101:21-22)

Day 2561

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 19:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 19:10-11

"And the Lord said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,

And be ready against the third day: for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai."

I sat and wondered how I would feel to be told in three days I would see the Lord. I think when one is told that you already know if you are worthy or not. That would make all the difference in how you would approach such an event.

Day 2228

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 3:33-35

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 3:33-35

"And in the fifty and first year of the reign of the judges there was a peace also, save it were the pride which began to enter into the church - not into the church of God, but into the hearts of the people who professed to belong to the church of God -

And they were lifted up in pride, even to the persecution of many of their brethren. Now this was a great evil, which did cause the more humble part of the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much affliction.

Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."

I like how Mormon said "the people who professed to belong to the church of God." These individuals were full of pride, which caused them to persecute those that were humble. I am reminded that there are two churches only, the church of God and the church of the devil. It is entirely possible to be a member of the true and living church, but your membership lies in the church of the devil, simply because of where your heart is. It is sad the damage people can do when they profess to belong to the church and then are a very bad example of what the faith is all about. 

Yet, in this we see the saints that are persecuted by fellow members are made more prayerful, humble and faithful. They turn to God and are purified and sanctified. It is an example of "..all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7) 

I had these notes on the verses. It is powerful to think of what the humble followers of Christ came to understand from all that they passed through.

"The Saints of Helaman’s day continued in good works and became stronger in spiritual qualities, which in turn resulted in sanctification. Elder D. Todd Christofferson explained that sanctification is a step in the path of striving toward perfection: “Personal persistence in the path of obedience is something different than achieving perfection in mortality. Perfection is not, as some suppose, a prerequisite for justification and sanctification. It is just the opposite: justification (being pardoned) and sanctification (being purified) are the prerequisites for perfection. We only become perfect ‘in Christ’ (see Moro. 10:32), not independently of Him. Thus, what is required of us in order to obtain mercy in the day of judgment is simple diligence” (“Justification and Sanctification,” Ensign, June 2001, 24–25). 

The development of humility is a strengthening factor that leads to greater faith and joy in the lives of faithful Church members then and now. 

“To be humble is to recognize gratefully your dependence on the Lord—to understand that you have constant need for His support. Humility is an acknowledgment that your talents and abilities are gifts from God. It is not a sign of weakness, timidity, or fear; it is an indication that you know where your true strength lies. You can be both humble and fearless. You can be both humble and courageous. … 

“The Lord will strengthen you as you humble yourself before Him” (True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference [2004], 86).

Day 1924

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 13:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 13:12
"Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with adhorrence; and there were many, exceedingly great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God.

I had so many wonderful notes added to many verses in this chapter. I enjoyed reading all of them. This one I have both sanctification and entering into the rest of the Lord and I can see how closely they fit together.

President Brigham Young defined sanctification as follows:
"I will put my own definition to the term sanctification, and say it consists in overcoming every sin and bringing all into subjection to the law of Christ. God has placed in us a pure spirit; when this [the spirit] reigns predominant, without let or hindrance, and the triumphs over the flesh and rules and governs and controls..., this I call the blessing of sanctification. Will the sin be perfectly destroyed? No, it will not, for it is not so designed in the economy of heaven.
Do not suppose that we shall ever in the flesh be free from temptations to sin. Some suppose that they can in the flesh be sanctified body and spirit and become so pure that they will never again feel the effects of the power of the adversary of truth. Were it possible for a person to attain to this degree of perfection in the flesh, he could not die, neither remain in a world where sin predominates. Sin has entered into the world, and death by sin. I think we shall more or less feel the effects of sin so long as we live, and finally have to pass the ordeals of death."
(Daniel H. Ludlow, "A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon" [1976], 2:248-49); (Journal of Discourses, Vol 10, pg 173)

"President Joseph F. Smith commented on the meaning of this phrase when he said: "What does it mean to enter into the rest of the Lord? Speaking for myself, it means that through the love of God I have been won over to Him, so that I can feel at rest in Christ, that I may no more be disturbed by every wind of doctrine, by the cunning and craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; and that I am established in the knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ, so that no power can turn me aside from the straight and narrow path that leads back into the presence of God, to enjoy exaltation in His glorious kingdom; that from this time henceforth I shall enjoy that rest until I shall rest with Him in the heavens"
(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1998], 426)

I think a man is perfectly able to determine where they stand in this matter, supposing they are perfectly honest with themselves. When the time of final judge comes we will know the Lord judged us righteously.

Day 1871

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 7:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 7:14
"And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

My new spiritual thought for the day and this verse reinforces it. When I go through trials and adversity, when I have suffered and had to endure, if I turn to the Lord to carry me his atonement will turn that suffering into sanctification. There is purpose in all of it. As I seek the Father's will and rely on my Savior my joy will be full with them.

Day 1747

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: Ezekiel 20:12, 20

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 20:12, 20
"Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.
And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God."

How I worship on the Sabbath is a sign to God. If I hallow it, I will be sanctified. That is a great promise. I reflected on what a difference reading the scriptures has made in how I keep the Sabbath day holy. I am much more observant of what I do. Sunday is my favorite day of the week. It is the best day to study the word of God. I prepare all week by reading the word of God, and then on Sundays He in turns blesses me with a greater capacity to understand. Part of the sign is I will know, "I am the Lord your God".

Day 1397

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 1:20-21

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 1:20-21
"The Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped.
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly."

This chapter made me think of these scriptures.

"And after their temptations, and much tribulation, behold, I, the Lord, will feel after them, and if they harden not their hearts, and stiffen not their necks against me, they shall be converted, and I will heal them."
(Doctrine and Covenants 112:13)

"For all those who will not endure chastening, but deny me, cannot be sanctified."
(Doctrine and Covenants 101:5)

Just like father Abraham went through his trial with Isaac, so Abraham could know more about Abraham. So did Job need to know more about Job. The  Lord knew his heart already, but Job needed to know it with every fiber of his being. That is so he could be refined and sanctified. Job lost nothing for his children were his for the eternities. He had to loose all to be blessed with more after the trial of his faith. It is only though my trails that I come to know my dept of my love and faith in my Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ. I know there is still so much to learn. 


Day 1012

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 29:5, 10, 36

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 29:5, 10, 36
"And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the Lord God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.
Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.
And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly."

I kept pondering on the word sanctify. The priests and the Levites needed to be sanctified before they could even clean the temple. They also prepared their hearts to covenant with the Lord. Then at the end of the chapter I see it was done suddenly. What I realized I was seeing was the preparations needed to be a people prepared to meet the Lord

"I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God; wherefore, gird up your loins and I will suddenly come to my temple. Even so. Amen"
(Doctrine and Covenants 36:8)

"The Lord who shall suddenly come to his temple; the Lord who shall come down upon the world with a curse to judgment; yea, upon all the nations that forget God, and upon all the ungodly among you."
(Doctrine and Covenants 133:3)

"Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping."
(Mark 13:35-36)

I may not know when the Lord's second coming is, but I can see a pattern that his people must be sanctified in preparation to meet Him. In this past year I have heard many talks on this subject. It has made me reflect on the law of chastity, virtue and sanctification. As the world grows darker and unclean, there is a need for God's people to sanctify themselves. I think it's the only way we get through it.

I found this in the bible dictionary under Conversion.
"...conversion will be complete and will change a natural man into a sanctified, born again, purified person - a new creature in Christ Jesus. Complete conversion comes after many trials and much testing."

"And after their temptations, and much tribulation, behold, I, the Lord, will feel after them, and if they harden not their hearts, and stiffen not their necks against me, they shall be converted, and I will heal them."
(Doctrine & Covenants 112:13)

That makes complete sense to me that this last LDS General Conference there was much discussion on being a tried and tested people. I know what a blessing my trials and tests have been for me. Without them I would not have come to know the Lord. Was it easy, no, was it worth it, yes! Am I done? Probably not, there is so much cleansing left to do.


Day 971