Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 13:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 13:11
"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed."

People of so many different faiths have the same impression, we are in end times. When I see people fall away from the church I am so sad. Do they realize what time it is? Do they understand how close we are? Can anyone afford to fall away at this point in time? In Paul's time you couldn't afford to fall way either. The second coming was many centuries off. The problem with taking a break from church or the commandment is you may never have the desire to come back.

Day 4183

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 17:34-37

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 17:34-37
"I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together."

I love the Joseph Smith Translation of these verses for it explains how the saints will be gathered.

"I tell you, in that night there shall be two in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Two shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
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 17:34-40)

The gospel is being proclaimed to every nation, tongue and people, and the saints are gathering to the stakes of Zion and temples around the world. Yet, at the very end that very last gathering will be assisted by angels to a place of refuge among the saints. How can you fear what is to come with a promise like that. Angels will come for you just like they did for Lot and his family. .

"And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth."
(Doctrine and Covenants 115:5)

Day 4114

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 12:37, 40

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 12:37, 40
"Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not."

If the Son of man comes when people don't think He will, then shouldn't we always think that the time is now? I would much rather live each day thinking it could be tomorrow, leaving nothing that needs repenting left undone. There has been a hastening in preparation and signs that we are close, when I heard others say the second coming is years, and years away I wonder if they are the ones prophesied to say He delays his coming.

"And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth."
(Doctrine and Covenants 45:26)

"And they said, Who then is that faithful and wise servant?
And the Lord said unto them, It is that servant who watcheth, to impart his portion of meat in due season.
Blessed be that servant whom his Lord shall find, when he cometh, so doing."
(JST, Luke 12:50-52)

Day 4109

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 10:23-24

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 10:23-24
"And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."

I pondered on how many through the years waited and wished they could see the time when the Messiah would come to the earth. They wanted to see Him and his works, and hear his words. Then I pondered on how many have waited for my day, as we prepare for the Lord's second coming.

"My dear brothers and sisters, do you see what is happening right before our eyes? I pray that we will not miss the majesty of this moment! The Lord is indeed hastening His work.
Why are we building temples at such an unprecedented pace? Why? Because the Lord has instructed us to do so. The blessings of the temple help to gather Israel on both sides of the veil. These blessings also help to prepare a people who will help prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord!...
My dear brothers and sisters, in a coming day, Jesus Christ will return to the earth as the millennial Messiah. So today I call upon you to rededicate your lives to Jesus Christ. I call upon you to help gather scattered Israel and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord. I call upon you to talk of Christ, testify of Christ, have faith in Christ, and rejoice in Christ!
Come unto Christ and “offer your whole [soul]” to Him. This is the secret to a life of joy!
The best is yet to come, my dear brothers and sisters, because the Savior is coming again! The best is yet to come because the Lord is hastening His work. The best is yet to come as we fully turn our hearts and our lives to Jesus Christ. "
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Will Come Again", Oct 2024 General Conference)

Day 4107

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 13:30

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 13:30
"Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done."

I looked at the verses that are referenced in the footnotes.

"Verily, I say unto you, This generation, in which these things shall be shewn forth, shall not pass away until all I have told you shall be fulfilled."
(JST Matthew 24:35 & Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:34))

"And it shall come to pass, that this generation of Jews shall not pass away until every desolation which I have told you concerning them shall come to pass."
(Doctrine and Covenants 45:21)

I do believe this is the generation that will not all pass away before the Savior, Jesus Christ will come again. I remember being told this in my youth. Some say well they've been saying that for years. Well no one said we would be the youth of the day when it happens. Many generations are alive on the earth at the same time. Yet, I do feel the youth today are being prepared for the second coming for very good reason. They are the Lord's youth battalion, we are so close.

Day 4094

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

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

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

Day 4090

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 24:44

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 24:44
"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."

This week on two separate occasions I had someone tell me that they didn't think the second coming was near, that is was years away. With all that is happening in the world I just don't want to put that opinion on the table. I think of this verse and remember it will be "when you think not". We have people fulfilling that prophesy all the time. I don't know when it will be but I sure am preparing for it. We are told to be ready. You cannot err if you plan as if it could be tomorrow. President Nelson told us to "Embrace the Future with Faith", and to "never stop preparing".

"What if the day of His coming were tomorrow? If we knew that we would meet the Lord tomorrow—through our premature death or through His unexpected coming—what would we do today? What confessions would we make? What practices would we discontinue? What accounts would we settle? What forgivenesses would we extend? What testimonies would we bear?
If we would do those things then, why not now? Why not seek peace while peace can be obtained? If our lamps of preparation are drawn down, let us start immediately to replenish them.
We need to make both temporal and spiritual preparation for the events prophesied at the time of the Second Coming. And the preparation most likely to be neglected is the one less visible and more difficult—the spiritual. A 72-hour kit of temporal supplies may prove valuable for earthly challenges, but, as the foolish virgins learned to their sorrow, a 24-hour kit of spiritual preparation is of greater and more enduring value."
(Dallin H. Oaks, "Preparation for the Second Coming", April 2004 General Conference)

Day 4077

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 16:28

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 16:28
"Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom."

I wonder if this is when John the Beloved formed the desire to never taste of death? To remain on the earth until the Savior would come again. Was a seed planted and then John desired it? Jesus mentioned John's desire when he visited the Nephites. Three of His disciples desired the same thing.

"And he said unto them: Behold, I know your thoughts, and ye have desired the thing which John, my beloved, who was with me in my ministry, before that I was lifted up by the Jews, desired of me.
Therefore, more blessed are ye, for ye shall never taste of death; but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the Father unto the children of men, even until all things shall be fulfilled according to the will of the Father, when I shall come in my glory with the powers of heaven."
(3 Nephi 28:6-7)

Day 4069

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 12:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 12:9-10
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."

It has only been more recently that I saw these verses a little differently. I used to think I would always stand with Israel, why would you not? Then with more recent events I realized what I think is happening is not always what is happening. There might be real reasons all the nations come against Jerusalem. Their leaders may behave politically really badly. They may be causing world wide unrest. Why would the Lord then destroy all those nations? Well it could be wickedness in them too. I think more likely though, that in the midst of Jerusalem being destroyed a miracle needs to happen. The Lord appears, showing mercy to them. They will recognize the hands, feet and side that were pierced because their fathers crucified the God of Israel. They will come to know Jesus is the Christ and mourn and repent.

Day 4051

Today's Favorite Verse: Zephaniah 1:14

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

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

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

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

Day 4046

Today's Favorite Verse: Habakkuk 1:20

Today's Favorite Verse: Habakkuk 1:20
"But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him."

This reminded me of the words of President Nelson.

"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)

I've had the experience where I knew the Savior was visiting his temple. It was the second session of the newly dedicated Payson Temple. I knew that if I got up and left the endowment session I was in that I could find my way to Him. Yet, I understood that I was not to do that. He was overseeing the workings of the temple and accepting it. Where I was, was where I needed to be. I have wondered how we should react if the Savior revealed himself to us in the temple? I'm sure there would be silence and awe. Would we keep silent that he was there, or would the world need to know? When I think about Jesus' appearance to the Nephites after his resurrection, they spent the whole night spreading the word of His appearance, and that he would come again to the temple the next day. I have no doubt persecution would come to us if it was revealed.

"And now it came to pass that when Jesus had ascended into heaven, the multitude did disperse, and every man did take his wife and his children and did return to his own home.
And it was noised abroad among the people immediately, before it was yet dark, that the multitude had seen Jesus, and that he had ministered unto them, and that he would also show himself on the morrow unto the multitude.
Yea, and even all the night it was noised abroad concerning Jesus; and insomuch did they send forth unto the people that there were many, yea, an exceedingly great number, did labor exceedingly all that night, that they might be on the morrow in the place where Jesus should show himself unto the multitude."
(3 Nephi 19:1-3)

Day 4045

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 64:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 64:4
"For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him."

I remember when I was a young bride we purchased a book about the last days. I would study and read that book over and over again. I had so many images and thoughts about how the last days would be. Everything was mapped in a timeline. It was all so dreadful and frightening. As I have grown older, and am seeing those days around me, they are so very different. Nothing that I imagined, has unfolded as I thought. The biggest difference is how my soul is handling all this. I used to envision such panic and feeling out of control. Now I just feel peace. I used to think it all depended on how strong I was. Now I realize we were not meant to do this alone. I need to look to Christ and have Him by my side. His prophets are preparing us. I don't know all that lies ahead and that's OK. All I know is the Lord is in control and is preparing the way before me. I am not alone.

"Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", Apr 2018 General Conference)

Day 3991

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 60:19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 60:19-20
"The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended."

This chapter is speaking of the Lord's Second Coming, yet it reminds me of the creation story in Genesis.

"And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day."
(Genesis 1:2-5)

On the second day God created a firmament to separate the waters above and below it.
On the third day God gathered the waters and dry land appeared. Along with grass, herbs, seeds and trees.
It wasn't until the fourth day that God created the two great lights. The sun to rule the day and the moon to rule the night. So where did the light come from in the very beginning? Light bright enough to make plants grow? The light came from the Spirit of God. That same God that will return and once again light this world after His Second Coming.

Day 3989

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 25:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 25:9
"And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation."

I sat an pondered on that scene. I had a couple of thoughts, mainly about songs. One was the song "I Can Only Imagine". The other was "When He Comes Again". I couldn't decide which I loved best, just like I couldn't decide if I will dance, be still, stand, fall on my knees, or sing hallelujah. As I was listening to these song I was reminded of a new one called "When the Savior Comes Again". All of them are powerful and peaceful in their own way. The only thing I do know for sure is there will be tears.

Day 3978

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 11:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 11:9
"They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."

The only way the wicked will stop hurting and destroying others is if they came to a knowledge of the Lord, and truly know Him. Sadly, when the Lord comes the second time those individuals will not be here. I say sadly because they were to late in repenting and turning their hearts to him. Only those that will live a terrestrial or celestial law will remain. People of every nationality and faith that are of a good heart will remain. All that remain will eventually be converted as they come to know Jesus Christ. That would be an incredible thing to witness.

“There has never been a time in the history of the world when knowledge of our Savior is more personally vital and relevant to every human soul. Imagine how quickly the devastating conflicts throughout the world—and those in our individual lives—would be resolved if we all chose to follow Jesus Christ and heed His teachings.”
(Russell M. Nelson, "Pure Truth, Pure Doctrine, and Pure Revelation", Oct 2021 General Conference)

Day 3973

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:1,17

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:1,17
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work."

I don't always know where to find specific verses in the scriptures, so it always makes me happy when I come upon the familiar, especially when songs. I had to go listen to The Byrds "Turn! Turn! Turn!". That song was on the radio a lot when I was growing up. It helped me understand at an early again there would be seasons to my life. As I have gotten older I understand there is even purpose in the wicked among us. Even now they are fulfilling prophesy to all that was foretold before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Day 3963

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 11:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 11:5-6
"The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness."

I have been pondering last night and today over the need to see justice done for those wronged. In part this was triggered by Elder Ronald A Rasband's talk the other day at the MTCs.

“We should all thank Heavenly Father that we get to have a front-row seat to the fulfillment of ancient and modern-day prophecy,
To illustrate the Lord’s hastening of His work, Elder Rasband countered six false narratives from those who “cannot see or acknowledge what is happening."
"I feel that we are only scratching the surface of what the Lord has in store for us as He prepares the world for His Second Coming,”
“I feel that we are only scratching the surface of what the Lord has in store for us as He prepares the world for His Second Coming,”
“So buckle up, hold on tight, because I firmly believe that the best is yet to come.”
(Ronald A. Rasband, "'A remarkable time to serve’: At MTC, Elder Rasband testifies the Lord is hastening His work", Church News, 28 Jan 2026)

I have asked myself "Do I know what time it is? Am I really seeing what's happening?"

These are the last days, I'm not so sure justice will come by man.The wicked will consume the wicked. I do not need the chaos of the world to turn my focus and time away from what is needful. I need to put my focus on doing good things that cultivate the spirit to guide me. Work on my family history, attend the temple, seek knowledge, growth, ponder and prayer. Right now having the spirit as my guide is the best thing I can do to survive these days. Oh, I know what time it is, and I don't need to see all the gory details on the world's wickedness. My focus is the Lord is coming, I'm preparing for that day.

Deseret News

Day 3956

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 130:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 130:5
"I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope."

I pondered on how as the world is falling into chaos and growing darker I am waiting on the Lord's Second Coming. That is the hope in my heart that will heal this world. Hope that doesn't focus on the darkness, but rather on the light of the world, the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Day 3946

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 96:11-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 96:11-13
"Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth."

I pondered on how the rejoicing and joy came before the Lord comes. That as terrible as the world is becoming, and Satan is truly in his great day of power, that should not overcome us. That the focus and joy is we are all the closer to the Lord's second coming. I haven't reached the point that I am praying day and night for His return, but I'm getting close to it. I just have peace that this is all in His hands. "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."

Day 3934

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 91:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 91:7-8
"A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked."

This reminds me of having a bubble of protection around you. Those that trust the Lord will survive these last days. Oh, some will be called home early, for the timing is the Lord's. But only the good will survive the Lord's coming. I wonder if I will see the wicked receive their reward in this life or in the next? Will they fall in the pit they are digging for others? I have to trust that the evil men that avoid judgment have a purpose here, known by the Lord. They may think they get away with wickedness, but it won't always be so.

Day 3933