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: Micah 2:6, 11

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 2:6, 11

"Prophesy ye not, say they to them that prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, that they shall not take shame.

If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people."

What Micah had a concern of in his day is what we see in our day. People will reject the prophet unless its something they like. It reminded me of how happy people were to go to two hour church. Then when more is required they reject him. This is something we witnessed this week, the words President Nelson spoke last general conference were ignored and proved deadly.

"If a friend on social media has strong political or social views that violate everything you believe in, an angry, cutting retort by you will not help. Building bridges of understanding will require much more of you, but that is exactly what your friend needs."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Peacemakers Needed", Apr 2023 General Conference)

People that reject the Lord's prophets, will blindly follow those that speak lies. That give them only what they want to hear. To the point they will set them up as the prophet of the people and follow him.

"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 30:10)

Day 3054

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 62:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 62:6

"I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,"

This made me think about something I saw today. There is only 23 more days until General Conference. This is when I listen to the watchmen upon the wall. They are a voice of warning, counsel, and good advice. I love this time of the year. I do not want someone to feed me only smooth things, I want to hear truth.

"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:

Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us."

(Isaiah 30:9-11)

"Sadly enough, my young friends, it is a characteristic of our age that if people want any gods at all, they want them to be gods who do not demand much, comfortable gods, smooth gods who not only don’t rock the boat but don’t even row it, gods who pat us on the head, make us giggle, then tell us to run along and pick marigolds."

(Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Cost-and Blessings-of Discipleship", Apr 2014 General Conference)

“How we respond to the words of a living prophet when he tells us what we need to know, but would rather not hear, is a test of our faithfulness”.

(Ezra Taft Benson, “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet”, BYU Devotional, Feb. 26, 1980)

Day 2900