Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 21:34

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 21:34
"And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares."

It was the word "surfeiting" that caught my attention. Jesus is speaking of the signs to precede His Second Coming. Being distracted while surfing the internet is definitively something I can relate to. I have to say the incessant doomscrolling is something I'm continually analyzing and metering my usage of. One thing that has helped me is having a playlist on YouTube of all my favorite hymns. When I catch myself endlessly scrolling for something to watch I stop and turn that on. It has really help me feel the spirit and bring peace to me. I have also found sometimes I need to just unplug and sit in silence.

"When you look around on this cruise ship called earth, you might see other people sitting in lounge chairs drinking, gambling in casinos, wearing clothing that is too revealing, scrolling endlessly on cell phones, and wasting too much time playing electronic games. But instead of wondering, “Why can’t I do that?,” you can remember that you are not an ordinary passenger. You are a member of the crew. You have responsibilities that passengers do not have. As Sister Ardeth Kapp once said, “You can’t be a life[guard] if you look like all the other swimmers on the beach."
(Bradley R. Wilcox, "O Youth of the Noble Birthright", Oct 2024 General Conference)

Recently, in a worldwide youth devotional, President Russell M. Nelson invited the youth to step back from the world, disengaging from social media by holding a seven-day fast. And just last evening, he made a similar invitation to the sisters as part of the women’s session of conference. He then asked the youth to notice any differences in how they feel, what they think, or even how they think. He then invited them “to do a thorough life assessment with the Lord … to ensure that your feet are firmly planted on the covenant path.” He encouraged them that if there were things in their lives that needed changing, “today is the perfect time to change.” (Russell M. Nelson, "Hope of Israel", Worldwide Youth Devotional, June 3, 2018 Conference Center, Salt Lake City, Utah)
(Jack N. Gerard, "Now is the Time", Oct 2018 General Conference)

"There are certain patterns of online engagement that predict negative outcomes: cyberbullying, sexting, and doomscrolling, for example. (”Doomscrolling,” by the way—for those of you who, like me, have never heard of it—refers to spending long periods of time on one’s phone or computer focusing on negative news stories. Apparently, for some, that habit is compulsive and somehow darkly comforting.) Passive uses of social media—that is, spending time reviewing social media content aimlessly—increases feelings of inferiority and negative comparison, while active or purposeful social media use (such as posting, commenting, and connecting) does not have the same negative associations."
(D. Todd Christofferson, "Trust in God", S&I Annual Broadcast, Jan 2024)

"The scriptures teach us to use judgment and be wise in all things. The internet can be used in a positive way or a destructive way.Both long-term members and those newly studying the gospel need to be intentional about what they view. Do not entertain immoral, dishonest, or unrighteous material. If you do, algorithms can lead you down a path that destroys faith and impairs your eternal progression. You can be acted upon positively or negatively. Seek righteousness and avoid dark internet rabbit holes and doomscrolling. Fill your life with positive, righteous ideas; be joyful; have fun but avoid foolishness. There is a difference. The thirteenth article of faith is a marvelous guide. Above all, immerse yourself regularly in the Book of Mormon, which will draw the Spirit into your life and help you discern truth from error."
(Quentin L. Cook, "Sacred Scriptures - the Foundations of Faith", Oct 2024 General Conference)

Day 4118

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 8:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 8:11-12
"And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation."

It was the part of Jesus sighing deeply that I paused at. He sounded rather tired of the Pharisees. He wasn't telling them anything knew. They should have already understood the issues with seeking signs. In Matthew it records who Jesus said would seek after a sign.

"A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed."
(Matthew 16:4)

There were other scriptures referenced in these verses.

"For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts."
(Doctrine and Covenants 46:9)

"And he that seeketh signs shall see signs, but not unto salvation.
Verily, I say unto you, there are those among you who seek signs, and there have been such even from the beginning;
But, behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe.
Yea, signs come by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the will of God.
Yea, signs come by faith, unto mighty works, for without faith no man pleaseth God; and with whom God is angry he is not well pleased; wherefore, unto such he showeth no signs, only in wrath unto their condemnation."
(Doctrine and Covenants 63:7-11)

Day 4089

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 38:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 38:16
"And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes."

I have learned that what I used to picture as end times is not how things are turning out. I never pictures things would become as they are. One thing I used to picture is that I would always stand with Israel. Oh, the whole world could come against them, but I knew they would prevail. Now I see this a little differently. The way things are going the world could absolutely have cause to come against them. Never would I picture how things are lining up. I have left off from trying to figure this all out. The only thing I do know is I want to be right with the Lord and not leave anything left undone. Prophesy will be fulfilled in the Lord's own way and time. The only thing that needs hurrying is the gathering of Israel, helping others to come to Christ, on both sides of the veil. As for wars and oppression of others I want nothing to do with it.

Day 4023

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 38:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 38:7-8
"And this shall be a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken;
Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down."

I thought about signs. Only the wicked will seek for a sign. But, Hezekiah was not being wicked, nor did he ask for a sign. He was ill and the prophet Isaiah told him to get his life in order for he would die. Hezekiah wept sore tears in private and cried that the Lord would remember him. Isaiah came again and told him the Lord said he would live 15 more years, and the sun going backward ten degrees would to be the sign. The sign was both to be witnessed in Hezekiah by living, and also physically manifested for all to see. Hezekiah was blessed because he didn't ask for a sign by seeing one.

"But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:"
(Matthew 12:39)

"A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed."
(Matthew 16:4)

"Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,
Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD."
(Isaiah 7:10-12)

"And he that seeketh signs shall see signs, but not unto salvation.
Verily, I say unto you, there are those among you who seek signs, and there have been such even from the beginning;
But, behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe.
Yea, signs come by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the will of God.
Yea, signs come by faith, unto mighty works, for without faith no man pleaseth God; and with whom God is angry he is not well pleased; wherefore, unto such he showeth no signs, only in wrath unto their condemnation.
Wherefore, I, the Lord, am not pleased with those among you who have sought after signs and wonders for faith, and not for the good of men unto my glory."
(Doctrine and Covenants 63:7-12)

"President Joseph F. Smith (1838–1918) explained the weakness of requiring a sign to uphold faith: “Show me Latter-day Saints who have to feed upon miracles, signs and visions in order to keep them steadfast in the Church, and I will show you members of the Church who are not in good standing before God, and who are walking in slippery paths. It is not by marvelous manifestations unto us that we shall be established in the truth, but it is by humility and faithful obedience to the commandments and laws of God” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1900, 40).
(Book of Mormon Student Manual, Chapter 16: Jacob 5-7, Jacob 7:13 "Show Me a Sign")

Day 3982

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 4:6-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 4:6-8
"And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.
And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh.
And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign."

As I prayerfully read the scriptures questions will come to my mind. Not questions of doubt, but one of seeking understanding. When I read this verse I wondered when did Moses perform this sign of his hand turning leprous and then being healed? This wasn't something I recall being done in front of Pharaoh. Then the answer came when I read these two verses.

"And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel:
And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people. "
(Exodus 4:29-30)

This sign wasn't for Pharaoh to believe, it was for the elders of the children of Israel to believe. It makes sense that Moses would be sent to them first, so they would know God's plan for the day of their release from bondage was upon them. God's people needed to understand that Moses, through his brother Aaron spoke for Him.

Day 3764

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 51:20

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 51:20
"Verily, I say unto you, I am Jesus Christ, who cometh quickly, in an hour you think not. Even so. Amen."

I have been thinking much about the pregnant woman. She does not know the hour or day of delivery, but she knows the month and year. She knows the signs. Even thought I knew when my children were due the pains of childbirth begin when I was not expecting it. The time is here and nothing else matters. Those that are watching for the signs of Christ's coming will not be taken completely off guard and unaware, though it will still be suddenly to us.

"For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape."
(1 Thessalonians 5:3)

"Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour."
(Doctrine and Covenants 133:11)

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."
(Matthew 24:44)

"Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not."
(Luke 12:40)

"Gird up your loins and be watchful and be sober, looking forth for the coming of the Son of Man, for he cometh in an hour you think not."
(Doctrine and Covenants 61:38)

"And again, verily I say unto you, the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, and it overtaketh the world as a thief in the night—"
(Doctrine and Covenants 106:4)

"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 3640

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 15:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 15:5-6
"Behold, I am he that gave the law, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel; therefore, the law in me is fulfilled, for I have come to fulfil the law; therefore it hath an end.
Behold, I do not destroy the prophets, for as many as have not been fulfilled in me, verily I say unto you, shall all be fulfilled."

Through Christ's life and resurrection he fulfilled the law of Moses. He was the sacrificial lamb. All things pointed to Him. Yet, not all the words of the prophets have been fulfilled. I think of how much was prophesied to happen in these latter-days and has been. All things shall be fulfilled, but not always according to how we interpret them to be. It is through natural means that the Lord works and as such I think we have missed a lot of what is going on around us.

"Even with this experience in the past, the Latter-day Saints themselves are not entirely divested of extravagant views respecting the effects which are likely to follow the fulfillment of predictions yet in the future. Are we not all inclined to look forward to many events which have been predicted by the servants of God as being of so great and wonderful, and I may say so supernatural a character, that when they shall be fulfilled they will even startle us, who believe they are coming, and will compel the unbelieving inhabitants of the earth to accept them as evidences of the truth? In our thoughts this seems to be the natural tendency. I notice it in myself; I notice it in others. When we read respecting the great events which are to take place in connection with this work, as predicted in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, are we not inclined to think that, surely, when these things shall come to pass all the earth, as well as ourselves, will be constrained to acknowledge this to be the work of God, and these events to be indeed those which have been predicted by the prophets?
Now I would not, for the world, say one word to lessen in the minds of my brethren and sisters the importance of these events; I would not say one word to weaken your proper expectations; but my experience has taught me that the Lord works in the midst of this people by natural means, and that the greatest events that have been spoken of by the holy prophets will come along so naturally as the consequence of certain causes, that unless our eyes are enlightened by the Spirit of God, and the spirit of revelation rests us, we will fail to see that these are the events predicted by the holy prophets."
(Elder George Q. Cannon, "Natural Fulfillment of Prophecy—The Israelites and the Gentiles", JD, Vol. 21, Discourse 29, pg. 264-272)

Day 3538

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 14:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 14:2
"And behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name."

As I ponder on the 5 year prophecy for the sign of the Lord's birth that Samuel the Lamanite gave, I cannot help but hope we are given something similar for the Lord's Second Coming.

"Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."
(Amos 3:7)

I understand we have this scripture.

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."
(Matthew 24:36)

But, I also believe Joseph Smith, Jr's words regarding that passage.

"Did Christ speak this as a general principle throughout all generations? Oh, no, He spoke in the present tense. No man that was then living upon the footstool of God knew the day or the hour. But He did not say that there was no man throughout all generations that should not know the day or the hour. No, for this would be in flat contradiction with other scripture. For the prophet says that God will do nothing but what He will reveal unto His servants the prophets. Consequently, if it is not made known to the prophets, it will not come to pass."
(Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook, "The Words of Joseph Smith" (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1980), 180-181)

Reflecting on this it does not mean the church as a whole will be given a time frame. Yet you can still tell the last days are upon us and the prophet is calling for us to prepare.

"Now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ."
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024)

I ask myself, what do I do differently today than I am already doing? I have been given some specific things to work on and they are a great comfort to me. The Second Coming may be imminent or many years off, one thing I do not want is to be caught unprepared.

Day 3521

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 17:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 17:11-12
"Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depths, or in the heights above.
But Ahaz said: I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord."

Oddly, I had an experience the other night where someone sent me a message that I didn't read until the following morning. They said that they were impressed that I would have a dream that night and it was really import that I remember all of it and tell them what it was the next morning. I replied in the morning "Hmm, I didn't have any dreams." What I didn't say was if I did have a dream I wouldn't tell you. Then they told me I needed to pray about having a dream and then tell them. I didn't respond, because I absolutely would not do that. I don't ask the Lord for such things to satisfy someone else's curiosity. It's also not appropriate that someone else would be getting impressions about me dreaming things and telling them. I certainly wouldn't let them interpret any of my dreams for me either. Asking for dreams and visions is about as wrong as asking for signs in my book. The Lord knows were to find me when he has something to share.

This all reminded me of a talk by Elder Renlund where he told someone he would not pray about what they were asking either.

"I told him that he was mistaken, and he implored me to pray about it. I told him I would not."

He went on further to explain.

"I did not need to pray about this request for one simple but profound reason: only the prophet receives revelation for the Church. It would be “contrary to the economy of God” for others to receive such revelation, which belongs on the prophet’s runway.
Personal revelation rightly belongs to individuals. You can receive revelation, for example, about where to live, what career path to follow, or whom to marry. Church leaders may teach doctrine and share inspired counsel, but the responsibility for these decisions rests with you. That is your revelation to receive; that is your runway.
The promise of personal revelation through the Holy Ghost is awe-inspiring, much like an airplane in flight. And like airplane pilots, we need to understand the framework within which the Holy Ghost functions to provide personal revelation. When we operate within the framework, the Holy Ghost can unleash astonishing insight, direction, and comfort. Outside of that framework, no matter our brilliance or talent, we can be deceived and crash and burn.
...The scriptures also teach us how to receive personal revelation. And we ask for what is right and good and not for what is contrary to God’s will. We do not “ask amiss,” with improper motives to promote our own agenda or to fulfill our own pleasure. Above all, we are to ask Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ, believing that we will receive.
...A second element of the framework is that we receive personal revelation only within our purview and not within the prerogative of others."
(Elder Dale G. Renlund, "A Framework for Personal Revelation", Oct 2022 General Conference)

Day 3388

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 19:7

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 19:7
"For the things which some men esteem to be of great worth, both to the body and soul, others set at naught and trample under their feet. Yea, even the very God of Israel do men trample under their feet; I say, trample under their feet but I would speak in other words—they set him at naught, and hearken not to the voice of his counsels."

I pondered on how you can feel you esteem the Lord, but then set aside various things related to His gospel and Church. In reality it means you still are not esteeming the Lord with great worth. The prophet and apostles give us "the voice of his counsels" all the time, but do we esteem them? I thought about having "Come, Follow Me" daily in our homes, family and personal scripture study, attending the house of the Lord to perform redeeming ordinances for our kindred dead. I thought about tithes and offerings, ministering to others, there are many ways we show we esteem the Lord or not. I think there are other things, like signs of the times, that we can also not esteem of great worth. We can be missing things of great importance right in front of us.

Day 3368

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 16:7, 15

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 16:7, 15
"And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame."

The seven vials are poured out upon the wicked. I had to look for the righteous and were they would be. I see that they recognize the judgments for what they are, and acknowledge they are from the Lord. With all these disasters man will probably foolishly not recognize they come from the Lord, but see them as climate change, or man made pollutions. Thinking they could control what is to come. There is also warning that the Lord will come as a thief in the night and we are to watch. See if we are watching we won't be caught unaware. I find that last part about the garments interesting. The adversary is working overtime to make those that have been endowed to remove their garments. Their protection is gone. They would be among those not watching. The righteous are faithfully watching and remaining true to their covenants.

Day 3342

Today's Favorite Verse: John 1:32, 33

Today's Favorite Verse: John 1:32, 33

"And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost."

I had a question as I read this, "It this the first time the Spirit was actually seen and just not felt?" I don't believe John actually saw a dove. He saw the sign of a dove descending from heaven. That made me try to find out more.

Bible Dictionary: Dove, sign of

"A prearranged means by which John the Baptist would recognize the Messiah at Jesus’ baptism (John 1:32–34). “The sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world, a witness for the Holy Ghost, and the devil cannot come in the sign of a dove. … The sign of a dove was given to John to signify the truth of the deed, as the dove is an emblem or token of truth and innocence” (Joseph Smith, HC 5:261). See 1 Ne. 11:27; 2 Ne. 31:8; D&C 93:15; Abr., fac. 2, fig. 7. Though we usually associate the sign of the dove with John the Baptist, from the latter reference we learn that it was manifested to Abraham also. We suppose that it has been similarly made known to other prophets on occasion since the time of Adam."

"And I looked and beheld the Redeemer of the world, of whom my father had spoken; and I also beheld the prophet who should prepare the way before him. And the Lamb of God went forth and was baptized of him; and after he was baptized, I beheld the heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abide upon him in the form of a dove."

(1 Nephi 11:27)

"Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove."

(2 Nephi 31:8)

"And I, John, bear record, and lo, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove, and sat upon him, and there came a voice out of heaven saying: This is my beloved Son."

(Doctrine and Covenants 93:15)

"Fig. 7. Represents God sitting upon his throne, revealing through the heavens the grand Key-words of the Priesthood; as, also, the sign of the Holy Ghost unto Abraham, in the form of a dove."

(Abraham, Facsimile 2, figure 7)

Well, I got the answer to my question. This was not the first time the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove? Abraham was shown this too. Which brings me to my next question "Did it really take the form of a dove?"

"Whoever led the Son of God into the waters of baptism, and had the privilege of beholding the Holy Ghost descend in the form of a dove, or rather in the sign of the dove, in witness of that administration? The sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world, a witness for the Holy Ghost, and the devil cannot come in the sign of a dove. The Holy Ghost is a personage, and is in the form of a personage. It does not confine itself to the form of the dove, but in sign of the dove. The Holy Ghost cannot be transformed into a dove; but the sign of a dove was given to John to signify the truth of the deed, as the dove is an emblem or token of truth and innocence."

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p 275-276)

"What was the result of obedience to the ordinance of baptism in the case of the Savior? The Holy Ghost, in the form of a dove, it is said, rested upon him. This is not exactly the fact, though a natural dove descended and rested on the head of the Lord Jesus, in witness that God had accepted the offering of his Son. But the dove was not the Holy Ghost, but the sign that the Holy Ghost was given to him. And after that, Jesus went forth and was tempted, Matt. 4:1 as you read."

(Brigham Young, "The One-Man Power, etc.", JD 14:91)

My reasoning is then if it's called the sign of a dove, and takes the form of a dove, that's an emblem or token, then it may have really been a dove they saw come down, especially if it sat upon him. It was representing the Spirit. So I guess they didn't actually see the Spirit, but only something that represented it was there. I will look at those pictures that show an actual dove appearing a little differently now.

Day 3157

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 21:26, 32

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 21:26, 32

"Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled."

With the signs of the second coming appearing I have no doubt it will be with this generation. I was just noticing there is another worldwide devotional for young adults tomorrow. It is for ages 18-30, single or married. We never had such things when I was in that age group. I am so glad they are helping to strengthen the youth and young adults of the church. They need to be strong for what is ahead of us, and upon us. I had a discussion with someone this week about what we are seeing happening in the world and how we don't feel any fear, only peace, knowing God is in control. Twenty or thirty years ago that would not have been my reaction. I've had time to prepare my heart and to become fully converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I work daily at keeping my faith strong. This is why I don't feel fear. This is why our youth and young adults need to be prepared, because they have to become spiritual stronger faster than I had a chance. This is a remarkable generation, I have every faith that they will do it.

Day 3153

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 55:8-9

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 55:8-9

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

This is something I always think about when we get into discussions on the last days. It is the nature of man to try to map on the sequence and think we know what it will look like. As I am living in these last days I realize nothing I pictured while younger is as I thought it would be. I would have never pictured the world as we know it today. I have learned to have patience regarding the matter. I will know when a sign is fulfilled when I see it.

Day 2893

Today's Favorite Verse: Song of Solomon 2:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Song of Solomon 2:2

"The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away."

This made me think of signs before the Saviors second coming..

"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:"

(Matthew 24:32)

The "come away" makes me think about the calls in General Conference for us to overcome the world.

"What does it mean to overcome the world? It means overcoming the temptation to care more about the things of this world than the things of God. It means trusting the doctrine of Christ more than the philosophies of men. It means delighting in truth, denouncing deception, and becoming “humble followers of Christ.” It means choosing to refrain from anything that drives the Spirit away. It means being willing to “give away” even our favorite sins".

(Russell M. Nelson, "Overcome the World and Find Rest", Oct 2022 General Conference)

Day 2832

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 138:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 138:2

"I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name."

I thought about praying in the direction of the temple. That isn't something I feel inclined to do. Even after pondering about it I still don't feel it necessary. I wonder if it was necessary while living the law of Moses, with its outward signs? When I think of "worship toward the temple" I only think of a state of being, a reverence towards my Heavenly Father. The same reverence I take when I enter the House of the Lord. The state is worthiness to go, not a ritual of show.

Day 2775

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 13:4-6

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 13:4-6

" And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Beth-el, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him.

The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD.

And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Entreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored him again, and became as it was before."

There are others scriptures that speak of men that seek for a sign. The sign given is on them. The story of Alma and Korihor comes to mind.

" Now Alma said unto him: This will I give unto thee for a sign, that thou shalt be struck dumb, according to my words; and I say, that in the name of God, ye shall be struck dumb, that ye shall no more have utterance.

Now when Alma had said these words, Korihor was struck dumb, that he could not have utterance, according to the words of Alma."

(Akna 39:49, 50)

There is another story of Joseph Smith, Jr. and a Campbellite preacher and what he taught him about signs.

When the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was first founded, you could see persons rise up and ask, “What sign will you show us that we may be made to believe?” I recollect a Campbellite preacher who came to Joseph Smith, I think his name was Hayden. He came in and made himself known to Joseph, and said that he had come a considerable distance to be convinced of the truth. “Why,” said he, “Mr. Smith, I want to know the truth, and when I am convinced, I will spend all my talents and time in defending and spreading the doctrines of your religion, and I will give you to understand that to convince me is equivalent to convincing all my society, amounting to several hundreds.”

Well, Joseph commenced laying before him the coming forth of the work, and the first principles of the Gospel, when Mr. Hayden exclaimed, “O this is not the evidence I want, the evidence that I wish to have is a notable miracle; I want to see some powerful manifestation of the power of God, I want to see a notable miracle performed; and if you perform such a one, then I will believe with all my heart and soul, and will exert all my power and all my extensive influence to convince others; and if you will not perform a miracle of this kind, then I am your worst and bitterest enemy.”

“Well,” said Joseph, “what will you have done? Will you be struck blind, or dumb? Will you be paralyzed, or will you have one hand withered? Take your choice, choose which you please, and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ it shall be done.” “That is not the kind of miracle I want,” said the preacher. “Then, sir,” replied Joseph, “I can perform none, I am not going to bring any trouble upon anybody else, sir, to convince you.

I will tell you what you make me think of—the very first person who asked a sign of the Savior, for it is written, in the New Testament, that Satan came to the Savior in the desert, when he was hungry with forty days' fasting,” and said, “If you be the Son of God, command these stones to be made bread.” “And now,” said Joseph, “the children of the devil and his servants have been asking for signs ever since; and when the people in that day continued asking him for signs to prove the truth of the Gospel which he preached, the Savior replied, “It is a wicked and an adulterous generation that seeketh a sign,”.

But the poor preacher had so much faith in the power of the Prophet that he daren't risk being struck blind, lame, dumb, or having one hand withered, or anything of the kind." 

(George A. Smith, "Arguments of Modern Christian Sects, Etc.", JD 2:323)

Day 2463