Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 5:2

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 5:2
"And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you."

A member of the church in Corinth was having sexual relations with his father's wife, which would be his step-mother. It was not acceptable in the church and in society outside of the church too. Paul judged the matter and they were to remove this man from the church. For the members he tells them they are puffed up. The reason for this is they thought they would not be affected by having this man around them. Leaving the man in his open sins would only bring them down morally. They should have mourned and helped him on the road to repentance. This is what Paul started for the man.

"Paul advised the Corinthian Saints “not to company with fornicators”. Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles expounded on this teaching, pointing out that even a good person cannot remain unaffected by unrighteous influences: “Do not company with fornicators—not because you are too good for them but, as C. S. Lewis wrote, because you are not good enough. Remember that bad situations can wear down even good people. Joseph had both good sense and good legs in fleeing from Potiphar’s wife” (“The Stern but Sweet Seventh Commandment,” in Morality [1992], 29).
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 38: 1 Corinthians 1-11")

Day 4191

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 8:35, 38-39

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 8:35, 38-39
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

I pondered on being fully converted to Jesus Christ. This would be the only way, relying on Him, that you could endure all these things and not be separated from him. We can separate ourselves from God by sin. His love for us is always there, but we may have hid it. Enduring to the end is my favorite part of the gospel. It is how we come to know Jesus Christ.

"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
(Isaiah 59:2)

Day 4178

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 2:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 2:3
"And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?"

Such a good question I need to ask myself when I wish to judge another. How do I know so well their sins? Because more than likely I have the same weakness. When you point one finger at another there are three pointing back at you.

Day 4172

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 2:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 2:15
"And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him."

I hadn't noticed the part of "they followed him". So that means the publicans and sinners in order to follow Christ would have repented. Would the Pharisees feel people could never repent and turn from their past sins?

"In the ancient Near East, sharing a meal with others meant much more than simply eating and drinking together. It was a sign of fellowship; it indicated that a bond of friendship and peace existed or was at least being offered. The Savior often used the occasion of sharing a meal to extend the invitation to repent and obtain forgiveness. On a number of these occasions, pious Jews criticized Jesus for dining in fellowship with people they regarded as sinners.
Those regarded by the pious Jews as “sinners” could have included not only people guilty of breaking commandments but also people who did not live in accordance with the Pharisees’ traditions—people whose daily work was considered unholy (like publicans) and people who were not Israelites (like Samaritans and Gentiles; see Acts 10:28)."
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 11: Mark 1-4")

Day 4083

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 3:1-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 3:1-4
"And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

Reminds me of things I learn in the temple. Joshua the high priest appears to be a good man for the angel of the Lord is before him. Satan is there to resist him. It would appear Joshua's garments are filthy not from his sins but from the sins of the world. He is being washed and cleansed from them, and put on a change of raiment. We likewise need to be cleansed from the sins of the world, and stand apart from it. Being in the world but not of it.

"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."
(John 15:19)

"And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better."
(Doctrine and Covenants 25:10)

"And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day;"
(Doctrine and Covenants 59:9)

Day 4048

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 1:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 1:2
"The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD."

I did wonder why a prophet would be told to take a sinful wife? As I read more I realized it's talking about the relationship between the children of Israel and the Lord. They have committed great whoredoms. The church is often referred to in the feminine. Hosea is being called as a prophet to lead them. In between that he does marry and have children.

Day 4031

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

When life is over that is the conclusion. Did we fear, or as I think of it, love God and keep his commandments. God will be the final judge on it. Nothing in our life is hidden from Him. He know all our little secrets, whether they are full of good acts or favorite sins we chose to not wash away.

Day 3966

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 6:16-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 6:16-19
"These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."

I have to say this does remind me of someone. If I'm reading this correctly the Lord hates the first six but the seventh is an abomination to him. That would be sowing discord among brethren. It reminded me of when I looked at the difference between wickedness and evil.

To be wicked you are morally wrong in a principle. To be evil you have a plan or passion to hurt someone. With sowing discord among brethren it sounds like you have a plan and are working it. Its incredible how much discord one evil person can sow. We were warned about supporting and giving them power.

"Members should also study candidates carefully and vote for those who have demonstrated integrity, compassion, and service to others, regardless of party affiliation. Merely voting a straight ticket or voting based on “tradition” without careful study of candidates and their positions on important issues is a threat to democracy and inconsistent with revealed standards (see Doctrine and Covenants 98:10)."
(First Presidency Letter, "Political Participation, Voting, and the Political Neutrality of the Church", 1 Jun 2023)

"But, behold, the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed."
(Mormon 4:5)

Day 3954

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 37:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 37:16
"A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked."

I have to agree with that. I would much rather have sufficient for my needs than untold money. For it is the love of money that can drive man to the sin of greed and pride so quickly. Of course there are wealthy people that have overcome that, and that I am sure is a great struggle for them and their families.

Day 3915

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 19:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 19:12
"Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults."

The words "secret faults" made me think of having favorite sins we don't want to let go of. How we have to be willing to do so in order to know God. I am reminded of Aaron teaching the gospel to king Lamoni, and then the king humbled prayed to give away all his sins.

"O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead."
(Alma 22:18)

During the time he appeared to be dead, he was sleeping in the Lord and came to have a powerful witness of Him. I am also reminded of the words of President Nelson

"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 3909

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 21:1, 3

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 21:1, 3
"Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.
Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?

As I read this I wondered if the sins of Saul would really fall on David and his people? Why was the famine not in Saul's time. Why would David have to atone for something Saul did? As I pondered this I read this in the Old Testament Student Manual.

"Did God Require the Sacrifice of Saul’s Sons to Alleviate the Famine in the Land?
“This terrible episode must have been done in [the] days of David’s spiritual deterioration. The law would have not permitted sons to be put to death for the guilt of a father or a forefather. It cannot have been a revelation from the Lord that either required or approved this deed done ‘to avenge the Gibeonites’—some of whom Saul had slain in spite of the ancient promise of Joshua that they might live in Israel.
“It is a pathetic picture to envision the innocent mother of innocent sons guarding their bodies from the birds and beasts; and it is repulsive to read that after all this was done ‘God was entreated for the land.’ This is apostate theology, comparable to that of the Canaanite-Baal religions.
“The text is somewhat corrupted too, and the name Michal must be a mistake for Merab, for it was Merab who married Adriel. If it is indeed Michal, David’s wife and Saul’s daughter, who is meant, this is a very bitter ending to their relationships as man and wife.” (Rasmussen, Introduction to the Old Testament, 2:40.)
(Old Testament Student Manual, "2 Samuel 13-24: The Price of Sin: Tragedy in the House of David")

"The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin."
(Deuteronomy 24:16)

"So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it."
(Numbers 35:33)

Day 3840

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 32:30-33

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 32:30-33
"And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.
And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book."

I pondered on what Moses meant by saying perhaps he could make an atonement for their sins. The only one capable of atoning for our sins is the Savior himself. Did Moses think there was someway for him to pay the price for their sins? Or was he going to make an animal sacrifice to cover their sins? I could not come to a conclusion on what this meant. What is clear is the Lord said those that sinned against Him names will be blotted out. They are individually accountable and will face any judgment themselves.

Day 3773

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 18:20-21

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 18:20-21
"And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know."

I wondered about the cry, who or what was crying? It reminded me of the earth that cries when the blood of the innocent is slain. Does the earth cry when the wickedness becomes to great for an area? I couldn't find an answer I decided then to search Sefaria to see if I could learn more. This is how Genesis 18 is translated.

Then יהוה‎ said, "The outrage of Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and their sin so grave!
I will go down to see whether they have acted altogether according to the outcry that has reached Me; if not, I will take note."
(The Contemporary Torah, JPS, 2006, "Genesis 18:20-21")

That made more sense to me. God heard the outrage because their sins were so grave. It made me think of how Heavenly Father hears our prayers to Him. It must be that same godly quality that can hear the level of sin taking place that need to be addressed.

Day 3751

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 4:26

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 4:26
"For behold, they saw that the strength of the Lamanites was as great as their strength, even man for man. And thus had they fallen into this great transgression; yea, thus had they become weak, because of their transgression, in the space of not many years."

The phrase "In the space of not many years" stood out to me. Probably because of Elder Bednar's recent general conference talk on this. As I looked at the footnote I find the book of Helaman repeats this several times.

"And it came to pass that all these iniquities did come unto them in the space of not many years, insomuch that a more part of it had come unto them in the sixty and seventh year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi."
(Helaman 6:32)

"Now this great iniquity had come upon the Nephites, in the space of not many years; and when Nephi saw it, his heart was swollen with sorrow within his breast; and he did exclaim in the agony of his soul:"
(Helaman 7:6)

"And thus in time, yea, even in the space of not many years, they became an exceedingly great band of robbers; and they did search out all the secret plans of Gadianton; and thus they became robbers of Gadianton."
(Helaman 11:26)

From the beginning of the book of Helaman to the 4th chapter it covers 20 years. I reflected on the last 20 years for us and yes I have seen a drastic spiritual and moral decline in people. Yet at the same time I do see a great spiritual increase in the true followers of Jesus Christ. Granted there seems to be fewer of them, but what is there are those preparing for the Lord's second coming. Just like those in Helaman's time are waiting for the sign of Christ's birth.

Day 3511

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 31:24-25, 35

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 31:24-25, 35
Now when Alma saw this his heart was grieved; for he saw that they were a wicked and a perverse people; yea, he saw that their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods.
Yea, and he also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride.
Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee."

Alma having heard that the Zoramites were perverting the ways of the Lord, has his heart begin to sicken. His heart is sorrowful for them. He gathers others to go with him to preach to the Zoramites. What they witness of the Zoramites manner of worship astonished them beyond all measure. Even though their gross wickedness grieves Alma he prays for them. He looks upon them as children of our Heavenly Father. They need to be saved. Alma does all that he can. I think that is a good lesson. That even though some people's sins may sicken us to our cores, we still pray for them. We still try to be there to turn their hearts. We don't mock, belittle, make fun or condemn them. We pray for them, and try to do what the Lord would have us do for them. Truly every soul is precious.

Day 3475

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 24:6, 19

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 24:6, 19
"Now there was not one soul among all the people who had been converted unto the Lord that would take up arms against their brethren; nay, they would not even make any preparations for war; yea, and also their king commanded them that they should not.
And thus we see that, when these Lamanites were brought to believe and to know the truth, they were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin; and thus we see that they buried their weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war, for peace."

I pondered on how this showed true conversion. The people of Ammon truly repented of all their sins. The honoring of the covenants they made, meant more to them than life itself. We should look at sin in the same way, for the death of the soul is greater than the death of the body.

Day 3468

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 22:15-18

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 22:15-18
"And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.
But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.
And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying:
O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead.

The key word here is "ALL my sins". The king was willing to give up all his sins, even his favorite sins to know God. This is what is required of us too.

"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 3466

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 4:22-23

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 4:22-23
"And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you but to God, to whom also your life belongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, nor repent of the thing which thou hast done.
I say unto you, wo be unto that man, for his substance shall perish with him; and now, I say these things unto those who are rich as pertaining to the things of this world."

As I read this chapter I cannot help but think of the man that I lent a large sum of money to and never repaid me. When they bragged about the money they had I asked for what was owed me and they twisted it all around and wouldn't repay me. Then they were so bold to claim they were planning on giving me money with their found wealth to help me "because I was so poor", but now they wouldn't because I didn't deserve it. Their behavior was beyond shocking. I turned them over to the Lord, so their sin would not be my sin. I needed to forgive them so it wouldn't sour me. May God have mercy on their soul.

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
(Roman 12:19)

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
(Matthew 6:14-15)

Day 3419

Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 2:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 2:2
"Now, my beloved brethren, I, Jacob, according to the responsibility which I am under to God, to magnify mine office with soberness, and that I might rid my garments of your sins, I come up into the temple this day that I might declare unto you the word of God."

This made me reflect on some hard subjects we had to hear during general conference. Some people didn't like several apostles because they would touch on subjects that called them to repentance, like pornography, sexual immorality, and other plagues of our day. I'm sure there were other subjects they would have loved to address with the saints, but their call and responsibility was not to coddle and speak of only smooth things. Their call was to guide us back to God, or our sins will fall on their heads. That is such a heavy responsibility.

"That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:"
(Isaiah 30:9-10)

"President Spencer W. Kimball spoke of the duty of prophets. He said:“I am sure that Peter and James and Paul found it unpleasant business to constantly be calling people to repentance and warning them of dangers, but they continued unflinchingly. So we, your leaders, must be everlastingly at it; if young people do not understand, then the fault may be partly ours. But, if we make the true way clear to you, then we are blameless” (“Love Versus Lust,” Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, Provo, Utah, 5 Jan. 1965, p. 6). I wish to speak today of unwanted messages. My purpose in doing so is to attempt to give strength against mistakes, suffering, heartache, and anguish."
(James E. Faust, "Unwanted Messages", Oct 1986 General Conference)

Day 3406

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 18:16-17, 19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 18:16-17, 19-20
"Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
"And when they shall say unto you: Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and mutter—should not a people seek unto their God for the living to hear from the dead?
To the law and to the testimony; and if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

I pondered on the contrast of two different groups of people. One will have obtained a testimony, wait upon the Lord and look for Him. These would be the people preparing and found ready at Christ's Second Coming.

The other group are following the ways of the world. I think of them as people that seek conspiracies and run in fear. The world will heal me and I don't need a prophet. Ever learning and never coming to a knowledge of the truth. It's not surprising how much culture is referencing the occult and devil worship. It seems harmless, its just a movie or a book, but there is no light there. If you follow darkness and let it entertain you long enough the things of God seem boring and don't hold purpose or value anymore. Then you are deceived.

"Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
(2 Timothy 3:7

"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
(2 Thessalonians 2:10-12)

Day 3389