Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 15:4-6, 31-32

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 15:4-6, 31-32
"What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost."
"And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found."

As I was reading the parable of the lost sheep I kept thinking about the 99 left behind. Who was protecting those sheep? Then as I read the parable of the prodigal son I saw how they went hand in hand. The 99 and the faithful son are the same, they were true and ever faithful. They may for a moment hesitate to see such rejoicing and feasting over the lost, but the Father has not forgotten them. We are to learn to rejoice for the lost sheep returning in stead of feeling forgotten. The reward is to be with the Father again.

Day 4112

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 11:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 11:3
"And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth."

Where am I, or the righteous in this chapter? I want to recognize these two witnesses when they appear and listen to what they are saying. So many want to see the miracles they perform, but I want to know what are they saying? I can imagine it is a very exciting time for the saints of God to see this final prophesy happening. I may not be where the two witnesses are but I'm pretty sure I will see this event streamed live. Especially, when it says the people of the earth will rejoice over them when they are slain. I won't rejoice like them, only sit in anticipation of what is to come. The true rejoicing is when the Lord comes.

I try not to setup in my mind exactly how prophesies are fulfilled. I believe if I treasure up the word of God that I will recognize it when it happens. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.". (Isaiah 55:8) Tonight, I was reading in the Book of Mormon where the Savior appears to the Nephites and explains how they were the sheep of another fold he mentioned to his disciples in Jerusalem (John 10:16) and they understood him not. That was because they assumed incorrectly of whom He was speaking of.

"And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles; for they understood not that the Gentiles should be converted through their preaching.
And they understood me not that I said they shall hear my voice; and they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice—that I should not manifest myself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost."
(3 Nephi 15:21-23)

Day 3337

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 7:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 7:14

"I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows."

The footnote says "IE She cynically suggests her piety". The harlot is trying to entice the man with her words. We have the same danger if not greater today. It is hard to tell who is a friend or brother in the gospel, or a wolf among the sheep. The only way to tell is to have the spirit as a guide, and a knowledge of the words of the prophets. If you look carefully at all they say you will find they are not in harmony with the gospel.

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

(Matthew 7:15)

Day 2794

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 95:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 95:7

"For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,"

This just sounds so peaceful. I can picture the sheep just grazing in a lush green pasture. They know the master's voice when He calls them. As I thought about sheep I started looking at pictures of them. I thought about their bowed heads as they ate. How many different types of sheep there are. Some pastures had a lot of sheep and some just a few. The pastures were not all the same either. I thought of being a world-wide church and how the Lord loves everyone one of His sheep. The shepherd would give his life to protect his sheep, and the Savior already has.

Day 2732

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 3:1, 3

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 3:1, 3

"Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.

But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof."

I knew what a sheep gate was but when I read fish gate I paused and wondered if it also had a significance? If so I didn't know what it was. As I continued in this chapter I found there were numerous other gates that they repaired.

Different gates listed.

Sheep gate (vs. 1)

Fish gate (vs. 2)

Old gate (vs. 6)

Valley gate (vs. 13)

Dung gate (vs. 13, 14)

Fountain gate (vs.15)

Water gate (vs. 26)

Horse gate (vs. 28)

East gate (vs. 29)

Gate Miphkad (vs. 31)

From the footnotes only the sheep gate and the fish gate mention their purpose. The fish gate was access to the merchant's quarter. Out of all the gates repaired only the sheep gate appears to have been rebuilt by priests and sanctified. What was so important about the sheep gate? Here is what it has in the footnote.

"A gate probably in the northeast wall of Jerusalem near the temple, for access of sacrificial animals". This reminds me of a talk this last general conference where a sheepfold is mentioned, and having to enter through the gate.

"A fold, or sheepfold, is a large enclosure, often constructed with stone walls, where the sheep are protected at night. It has only one opening. At the end of the day, the shepherd calls the sheep. They know his voice, and through the gate they enter the safety of the fold.

The people of Alma would have known that shepherds stand at the narrow opening of the fold so that when the sheep enter, they are numbered and their wounds and ailments noted and cared for one by one. The safety and well-being of the sheep depend on their willingness to come into the fold and to stay in the fold.

Within the fold of God, we experience His watchful, nurturing care and are blessed to feel His redeeming love. He said, “I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” Our Savior has graven upon His palms our sins, pains, afflictions, and all that is unfair in life. All are welcome to receive these blessings, as they “are desirous to come” and choose to be in the fold. The gift of agency is not simply the right to choose; it is the opportunity to choose the right. And the walls of the fold are not a constraint but a source of spiritual safety.

Jesus taught that there is “one fold, and one shepherd.” He said:

“He that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. …“

And the sheep hear his voice … ,

“… and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.”

Jesus then stated, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved,”14 teaching clearly that there is only one way into the fold of God and only one way to be saved. It is by and through Jesus Christ."

(Elder Randy D. Funk, "Come into the Fold of God", Apr 2022 General Conference)

I could just imagine the Savior watching over all that enter through the sheep gate. Once inside this is how I come to know the shepherd. What a beautiful thing to ponder on this Resurrection Day.

"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

(John 10:9-11, 14)

Day 2575

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 15:17-18, 20

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 15:17-18, 20
"That other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
And now, because of stiffneckedness and unbelief they understood not my word; therefore I was commanded to say no more of the Father concerning this thing unto them.
And verily, I say unto you again that the other tribes hath the Father separated from them; and it is because of their iniquity that they know not of them."

Jesus is telling the Nephites the the Jews is Jerusalem did not know who he spoke of as his other sheep. This was due to their stiffneckedness and unbelief. That the Nephites are who he spoke of, and not only that there are other tribes that have been separated. As I was pondering on this I thought of how today it would also be because of stiffneckedness and unbelief that people do not accept this. It will be the same in the future as the records of those other tribes come forth. How I cannot wait for those days.

Mikhail Nesterov "Holy Rus." (1905)

Day 1952

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 John 1:9

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 John 1:9
"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son."

The question would then be what is the doctrine of Christ?

The answer comes from Jesus Christ himself, as he spoke to his "other sheep" after his resurrection.

"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."
(John 10:16)

“This is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me.
And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God.
And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.”
(3 Nephi 11:32–35, 39)



Day 1738

Today's Favorite Verse: John 21:3

Today's Favorite Verse: John 21:3
"Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing."

I pondered on how after all Jesus had taught them, after he was risen from the dead the apostles went fishing. In reality they were called as fishers of men. They didn't understand their mission but the symbolism of what they were drawn to, "fishing" was preparation for what would come next. How many times do I do things and not realize it was preparation for what would come next? After Jesus stood on the shore and called them, he directed them where to cast their nets. He calls again "come and dine" and feeds them. Now he is ready to ask Simon Peter, "lovest thou me?" Three times he asks and three times he instructs to "feed my sheep".  Truly loving the Lord comes first before feeding his sheep. His invitation "follow thou me" is for all. When I don't follow His voice then all that I do is for nothing.


Day 1591

Today's Favorite Verse: John 10:16

Today's Favorite Verse: John 10:16
"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."

I love how hidden in plain sight the Savior speaks of his other sheep, the tribes that have been separated from them, and they know them not. As Jehovah in the Old Testament he had promised to not only scatter Israel but to once again gather them. He was fulfilling his promises. After Christ resurrection he appears to one of the folds in the Americas and they hear his voice and testify of him. When he departs from them he refers to other sheep that he will now visit.

"And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd
And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles; for they understood not that the Gentiles should be converted through their preaching.
And they understood me not that I said they shall hear my voice; and they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice - that I should not manifest myself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost.
But behold, ye have both heard my voice, and seen me; and ye are my sheep, and ye are numbered among those whom the Father hath given me."
(3 Nephi 15:21-24)

"And verily, verily, I say unto you that I have other sheep, which are not of this land, neither of the land of Jerusalem, neither in any parts of that land round about whither I have been to minister.
For they of whom I speak are they who have not as yet heard my voice; neither have I at any time manifested myself unto them.
But I have received a commandment of the Father that I shall go unto them, and that they shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep, that they may be one fold and one shepherd; therefore I go to show myself unto them."
(3 Nephi 16:1-3)

I cannot wait to read the records of these other lost sheep that Christ visited. This all reminds me of the painting by a Russian religious art painter, Mikhail Nesterov (1862-1942) inspired by very old Russian folk traditions of a visit by Jesus to the ancient Russians, the Kievan Rus, after his resurrection. It hangs in the Russian Gallery in Leningrad. Their folk traditions fits with the bible saying the lost ten tribes of Israel would be scattered and gathered from the north countries. (Deuteronomy 30:1-5) (Jeremiah 16:13-15) (Jeremiah 31:8-9). This all fits with what I know in my heart, their records are coming.

“Saintly Rus” (Святая Русь), by Mikhail Nesterov

Day 1580

Today's Favorite Verse: Nahum 1:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Nahum 1:7
"The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."

This chapter is speaking of the second coming, but this verse is true every day. For no matter the trouble I can always turn to the Lord and find comfort and peace. Though the earth may melt and burn away at His coming it worries me not. For he will gather his sheep and hold them.

Day 1476

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 34:2, 4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 34:2, 4-5
"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered."

This totally makes me think of ministering, and how I need to visit my sisters and families. I haven't done as I would have wanted because of being laid up with my knee. It has weighted on my mind. How can I even climb up their stairs. Last month one of my sisters came to my home so we could minister to each other. That was very sweet. Another one sat and talked on the phone with me. I love our deep gospel discussions. My ministering sister has also been so sweet to me. She's getting me hooked on her sourdough bread. I start to just craved it and she will just magically appear at my door with one. It makes me smile, because she has no clue about what I have been thinking.  I have good shepherds, I just need to do better myself. For I know I will be accountable to the Lord on if I fed his sheep.

Day 1411

Today's Favorite Verse: Lamentations 4:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Lamentations 4:12
"The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem."

This reminded me of this..

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
(Matthew 7:15, and 3 Nephi 14:15)

The easiest way to let the adversary in, and to be deceived by others, is to be ignorant of the word of God. I have learned so much during my personal scripture study. That there are little warning bells going off as I see false precepts of man and false doctrine trying to be passed off as truths. I know I can never afford to stop reading the scriptures, because I have experienced deception before when not reading them. If its happened once, it can happen again, so I will never stop watching for the wolf in sheep's clothing waiting to deceive. 

Day 1376

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 25:7, 12

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 25:7, 12
And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.
But the captain of the guard left the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen."

Here are two more groups that did not get carried away into Babylon. There was a son of Zedekiah, named Mulek that fled. The story of this is not found in the bible, but it is in the Book of Mormon.

"And now will you dispute that Jerusalem was destroyed? Will ye say that the sons of Zedekiah were not slain, all except it were Mulek? Yea, and do ye not behold that the seed of Zedekiah are with us, and they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem? But behold, this is not all -" (Helaman 8.21)

Even the people of the Book of Mormon didn't know Mulek survived until some 300 years after the event. When the Nephites came across his descendants in the land of Zarahemla.

They are all part of Christ's words in John 10:16
"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."

The other group that did not get carried away, but were left behind were the poor. There is safety in being the poor and meek of the earth.


Day 913