Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:18

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:18
"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

How can you look at things that are not seen? I asked myself that and realized I do that all the time. I look forward with hope and faith in an eternal life with my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ. I look forward to promised blessings and hope of better days. The lens I view life here is tinted with the colors of eternity.

Day 4206

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 19:41-42

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 19:41-42
"And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes."

This made me ponder on how the Lord and the prophets must feel when they look out across the members of the church. Prophets see around corners, they try to warn and prepare us. Yet, how much do we really see and understand?

Day 4116

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: Matthew 3:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 3:16
"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:"

I focused on the part of the heavens being opened up. Then I read the note I had added to this verse.

"Do you know what I think is so cool...Look at JST Matthew 3:43-46..."and John saw, and lo, the heavens were opened unto him."
And then this from President Nelson just recently to the women of the Church:
President Russell M. Nelson: "Sisters, I love you and thank you. As a result of your efforts, I promise that the heavens will open for you [just like John the Baptist?]. The Lord will bless you with increased inspiration and revelation. Together we will do all that our Heavenly Father needs us to do to prepare the world for the Second Coming of His Beloved Son."
(President Russell M. Nelson, "A Message of Gratitude and a Promise for the Women of the Church in 2019)

I didn't put down who quoted President Nelson, and quoted the addition added to the JST of the New Testament. It was John who witnessed this and heard the voice, "And lo, he heard a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye him." It would be amazing to see all of that.

Day 4056

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: Jeremiah 23:23

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 23:23
"Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?"

I felt to ponder on this question. Was God near or far off? I feel Him near me so He is a God at hand. Then I pondered on what it meant to be "a God afar off". The distance is probably of our own making. At that point you would feel God is afar off, and possibly doesn't see what you are doing. That would be a great lie to ourselves. For God sees and knows all of what is done by man. We cannot hide our sins, like we can from our fellow man.

Day 3999

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 7:11-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 7:11-13
"Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.
Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you."

Israel was defeated in battle against Ai and Joshua is grieved. He doesn't understand why they were defeated. Then the Lord tells him that they had taken of the accursed thing and stolen. Joshua questions them and finds Achan had taken a Babylonish garment and silver and gold and hid it. For that Achan and his family, oxen, asses, sheep and tent are all taken to the valley and stoned and burned. That just seems so horrific. We don't see those things today. We are to live a higher law and I pondered on that. I pondered on the apostates and the damage they have done to the church. How the work of the Lord is at times frustrated because of them. What comes upon them instead of physical death is spiritual death. It made me think about how people can lie that they are temple worthy to go in, and how that really effects all of us. Can you imagine what we would see there if all that came into the House of the Lord was truly worthy?

"And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it;
Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God.
But if it be defiled I will not come into it, and my glory shall not be there; for I will not come into unholy temples."
(Doctrine and Covenants 97:15-17)

Day 3810

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 4:29-31

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 4:29-31
"But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;
(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them."

Moses is talking not only to the children of Israel then, but to us today. We are living in the latter days. Not only is God the same yesterday, today and forever, so is the natural man. We all need to seek the Lord. Seek and ye shall find. We are to love the Lord God with all our hearts, mind, and strength. Tribulations will come to all of us, it is especially prophesied for these latter days. God will remember His promises to us, if we remember our promises to Him.

"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."
(Matthew 5:8)

Day 3798

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 29:45

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 29:45
"And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God."

I pondered on how the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is also my God. How as Moses built a tabernacle, so have saints today built houses of the Lord. Every temple has this inscribed, "Holiness to the Lord, the House of the Lord".

"Here is my promise to you: Every sincere seeker of Jesus Christ will find Him in the temple."
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024 General Conference)

Day 3772

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 24:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 24:9-10
"Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:
And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness."

Even though the children of Israel lost the privilege of seeing God, there were some found worthy. I had not noticed the seventy elders before. That must be where the calling of Seventy comes from. Just like the twelve apostles stood for the twelve tribes of Israel.

"After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."
(Luke 10:1, 17)

"The Seventy are also called to preach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles and in all the world—thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.
The Seventy are to act in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Twelve or the traveling high council, in building up the church and regulating all the affairs of the same in all nations, first unto the Gentiles and then to the Jews—"
(Doctrine and Covenants 107:25, 34)

I do wonder on the difference of the pre-mortal Christ appearing on a paved work of sapphire, clear as the heavens. Then after the dedication of the Kirtland Temple he stood on a paved work of pure gold, like amber.

"We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber."
(Doctrine and Covenants 110:2)

Then I read Ezekiel's vision and realized sapphire can be amber, I was thinking blue.

"And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.
And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about."
(Ezekiel 1:26-27)

Day 3770

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 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: 3 Nephi 20:22

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 20:22
"And behold, this people will I establish in this land, unto the fulfilling of the covenant which I made with your father Jacob; and it shall be a New Jerusalem. And the powers of heaven shall be in the midst of this people; yea, even I will be in the midst of you."

I pondered on this statement.

"While teaching the Nephites about Zion or the New Jerusalem, the Savior promised that He would “be in the midst” of His people (3 Nephi 20:22). The Lord used a similar phrase in the Doctrine and Covenants:
“But behold, verily, verily, I say unto you that mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me;
“But the day soon cometh that ye shall see me, and know that I am; for the veil of darkness shall soon be rent, and he that is not purified shall not abide the day.
“Wherefore, gird up your loins and be prepared” (D&C 38:7–9).
The promise that God will dwell in the midst of Zion can have reference to Him being in the temple in Zion (the New Jerusalem) and that “all the pure in heart that shall come into [the temple] shall see God”
(Book of Mormon Student Manual, Chapter 44: 3 Nephi 20-22, "God Will Dwell in Our Midst")

I have strongly felt there are multiple purposes for the house of the Lord to dot the earth. It prepares the saints of every kindred, tongue and people to see Christ in their midst.

"Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God."
(Doctrine and Covenants 97:16)

President Nelson recently gave us this promise.

"Regular worship in the temple will help us. In the house of the Lord, we focus on Jesus Christ. We learn of Him. We make covenants to follow Him. We come to know Him. As we keep our temple covenants, we gain greater access to the Lord’s strengthening power. In the temple, we receive protection from the buffetings of the world. We experience the pure love of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father in great abundance! We feel peace and spiritual reassurance, in contrast to the turbulence of the world.
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)

Ministry of Lorenzo Snow: A Vision of the Lord

Day 3543

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 10:17, 19

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 10:17, 19
"And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come—I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men.
For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round."

I pondered on "see, hear and know". It sounds like Nephi was expecting to see a vision, a specific vision that his father had. I don't expect to see visions, should I? I reflected on how overpowering it must have been to hear Lehi's vision of the tree of life in person. The spirit must have been incredibly strong. I came to the conclusion that the spirit must have bore witness to Nephi that he needed to ask to see what his father saw. It wasn't because of doubt, it was because he did believe it. It think its a lot like a later Nephi that is given the sealing power, because he would not ask for anything contrary to God's will.

"And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will."
(Helaman 10: 5)

There is a difference asking to "see" so you can believe, and "seeing" because you believe. Being able to see, hear and know can be just as real by a spiritual manifestation of the Holy Ghost as a physical one. The key is to not ask amiss, ask as the spirit confirms that you should, and not consumed upon your lusts. There was a specific reason Nephi was to ask to see this vision. For he would see more and record it for me to read and believe.

Day 3359

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 9:6

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 9:6
"But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen."

This reminds me of something Elder D. Todd Christofferson's recently said:
"One thing I would say is don’t ever be discouraged. You don’t see things unfolding that are unfolding. You don’t see what the Lord is putting in place. And the people, the key people and the key moments that are happening, you are not cognizant of all of that going on in the moment. And I don’t blame myself or anybody else for that. I mean, we are human, we are mortal, and we have a limited perspective. But we ought to have the faith; I would say to myself, “Have the faith that the Lord is doing His work and can do His work, and that your part of it can be helpful, can be meaningful, and more will come of what you are doing than you perhaps imagine, or certainly more than you can see right now.”

(D. Todd Christofferson, "Episode 191: Elder Christofferson reflects on his own mission to Argentina and on returning to South America to dedicate the Salta Argentina Temple", Church News Podcast, 4 Jun 2024, 39:50 min)

Day 3358

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 4:12

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 John 4:12
"No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us."

Well that's not right. There have been several accounts of prophets seeing God. Even John himself saw God as mentioned in the book of Revelations. Jesus himself said the Father and Him would come to us.

"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."
(John 14:23)

Paul saw Him.
"And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."
(Acts 7:56)

Joseph Smith saw both the Father and the Son.
"It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"
(Joseph Smith-History 1:17)

The Joseph Smith Translation clarifies this.
"No man hath seen God at any time, except them who believe. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us."
(JST 1 John 4:12)

The word "see" can have different meanings, which is explained well here.

President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) explained: “All revelation since the fall has come through Jesus Christ, who is the Jehovah of the Old Testament. In all of the scriptures, where God is mentioned and where he has appeared, it was Jehovah who talked with Abraham, with Noah, Enoch, Moses and all the prophets. … The Father has never dealt with man directly and personally since the fall, and he has never appeared except to introduce and bear record of the Son” The scriptures record a number of occasions when the Father has introduced Jesus Christ: Matthew 3:17; 17:5; 3 Nephi 11:6–7; D&C 76:23; Joseph Smith—History 1:17.
John 1:18 can have another meaning as well. In the scriptures, particularly the Gospel of John, the word see can sometimes mean “perceive with our minds” or “understand.” In that light, John 1:18 can be understood to mean that men have not fully “seen” or understood God. Therefore, Jesus Christ came as God’s messenger to “declare” or reveal to men what God the Father is like. This is a theme throughout the Gospel of John.
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 21: John 1)

Day 3322

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 3:18-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 3:18-19
" And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief."

More is told of this in the Doctrine and Covenants.

"Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;
But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory."
(Doctrine and Covenants 84:23-24)

I feel like this general conference had multiple talks that tried to teach plainly like Moses how to behold the face of God and enter into his rest. Through faith, obedience, honoring our covenants, and serving in the house of the Lord, it will strengthen us to do so. This theme was repeated over and over again. I can't wait to get the transcripts of the general conference talks and find all those quotes.

“The ancient prophets speak of ‘entering into God’s rest’; what does it mean? To my mind, it means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in his purpose and in his plan, to such an extent that we know we are right, and that we are not hunting for something else, we are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine, or by the cunning and craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive. … The man who has reached that degree of faith in God that all doubt and fear have been cast from him, he has entered into ‘God’s rest.’ … I pray that we may all enter into God’s rest—rest from doubt, from fear, from apprehension of danger, rest from the religious turmoil of the world”
(Joseph F. Smith, "Gospel Doctrine", 5th ed. [1939], 58).

Day 3295

Today's Favorite Verse: John 9:39

Today's Favorite Verse: John 9:39

" And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind."

I could understand those that "see not might see" because Jesus came to open the eyes of those that did not know him. But why would someone that sees be made blind? Then I read this.

"After the Savior healed the man born blind, some Pharisees asked Jesus whether they were “blind also.” In reply, the Savior used a metaphor, teaching that individuals who were “blind”—those who did not know who He was—“should have no sin” (John 9:41). On the other hand, individuals who could “see”—those who had received enough witnesses concerning the Savior and His divine mission that they should have known who He was—would be accountable for their actions. The Pharisees were among those who could “see,” and thus their “sin remaineth.” Spiritually speaking, they chose to be blind because they refused to recognize Jesus as the Son of God, despite the many witnesses they had received."

(New Testament Student Manual, Chapter 24: John 8-10, "Those Who Have Spiritual Sight Are Accountable for Their Sins"

I think its saying that after receiving knowledge of who Christ is, if you decide to reject Him, you are willfully blind.

Day 3165

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 10:24

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 10:24

"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 this not only speaks of Christ's time, but also for the day I live in. When we are preparing for His second coming. I have that same desire to see what is to come. I know there was a general conference talk that spoke of people for generations wanting to see our day, but I can't find it. Instead I'll close with my favorite quote of my day.

"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."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", Apr 2018 General Conference)

Day 3142

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 4:11, 14

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 4:11, 14

"Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?

Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth."

The interpretation of the olive tree and candlestick is given. It is the two anointed. More is given in Revelations on the roll of these two special witnesses.

"And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth."

(Revelation 11:3-4)

These two witnesses will be raised up to the Jewish nation in the last days. They will prophesy and be given the sealing power of the priesthood. They will be able to shut the heavens, have power to turn water into blood, and smith the earth with all plagues. Eventually they will be killed and their bodies will lie in the streets for three and a half days. The people of the earth will rejoice over their deaths and give gifts to one another. Then a great voice will be heard saying "Come up hither" and these two witnesses will ascended up to heaven. This will be the end times prior to the Savior's second coming.

What amazes me as I review this part of Revelations is that the people of the earth rejoice over their deaths. It seems pretty clear on what is happening when you see these two witnesses and the signs that are given. How could you mistake who they are? Why is it not a wake up call as they witness them using their priesthood power? I suppose its pretty strong delusions that make you believe a lie. Looking around our world right now I can see how that's possible.

Then I remember Elder Renlund's BYU Education Week talk this year. How we cannot always believe what our eyes see, we need to use reason and faith.

“Observation, reason and faith facilitate revelation and enable the Holy Ghost to be a reliable, trustworthy and beloved companion.”

“These elements will be key factors in producing ‘spiritual momentum in our lives,’ helping us move ‘forward amid … fear and uncertainty.’”

Day 3074