Today's Favorite Verse: Haggai 1:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Haggai 1:7
"Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways."

I know Haggai said this when calling the people to repentance for not rebuilding the temple as the Lord asked. However, this wasn't what I chose to ponder on though. It made me think about how individual verses can have meaning in other ways. Today, I saw a post a friend made on social media. Then one of their friends ripped at them for their position and asked them to have a change of heart. It was a rather interesting comment that had a lot of irony given what they had said in their diatribe. Rather a mote and beam moment. I wasn't tempted to comment, but if I was so inclined I would have told them they needed to look at changing their own heart. Now when I read the words of the Lord saying "consider your ways" that would have fit right in. There really is much wisdom in considering our ways when we aim to chastise another person.

Day 4047

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 8:20

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 8:20
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

President Oak recently BYU Devotional spoke on four ways to draw closer to the Savior. The third one was to seek help from others. He then gave this warning.

"Remember, to survive spiritually, you will need the constant influence of the Holy Ghost. An abundance of speculation and false information in podcasts and on social media surround us. Some may protest or question the truth of Church doctrine, without knowing or even understanding the fulness of that doctrine.
Don’t be persuaded by false or inaccurate information. Discuss your concerns with faithful, well-informed friends, and always take those concerns to the Lord."
(Dallin H. Oaks, "Coming Closer to Jesus Christ", BYU Devotional, 10 Feb 2026)

I really try to monitor who I listen to on social media and podcasts. I'm pretty good at spotting those preaching false doctrine and turn away from them. What I have noticed that seems infectious is those that speculate. They speculate on implied meanings in any talk or video released from leaders of the church. I swear some of them are even into astrology and numerology. The focus is always on how it applies to how close the second coming is. They give their opinions in a way that sounds like its fact, sadly what they are not aware of is they have crossed into false information. The speculation becomes such a focus that the gospel principle or doctrine that was discussed is completely overlooked.

My list of podcast and videos that I watch grows smaller and smaller. Mainly because those that start out good, seem to get swallowed up in it becoming their livelihoods and being sensational is a way to grow it. I cannot go wrong if I stay inside church websites.

President Ezra Taft Benson gave us three tests in "Be Not Deceived" (Oct 1963 General Conference).
1. What do the standard works have to say about it?
2. What do the latter-day Presidents of the Church have to say on the subject—particularly the living President? 
3. The third and final test is the Holy Ghost—the test of the Spirit. By that Spirit we ". . . may know the truth of all things"  (Moro. 10:5) This test can only be fully effective if one's channels of communication with God are clean and virtuous and uncluttered with sin. 

During President Benson's time frame we didn't have podcasts. What President Oaks is warning about is the dangers of how quickly false information and speculation can over take us. I am trying to be much more intentional on what I listen to in my down time. I'm grateful for the guidance of a living prophet to warn me what needs to be removed from my list.

Day 3972

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 10:12

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 10:12
"For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."

Interesting. I've heard it spoken of several times during General Conference that we need to not compare ourselves with others. Social media can be such a trap and give others a false sense of reality. Unhealthy comparisons can lead to depression. Looks like this was an issue for the early saints as well. One such talk was given by Elder Gary E. Stevenson.

"Two additional risks related to social media are idealized reality and debilitating comparisons.Many (if not most) of the pictures posted on social media tend to portray life at its very best—often unrealistically. We have all seen beautiful images of home decor, wonderful vacation spots, smiling selfies, elaborate food preparation, and seemingly unattainable body images. Here, for example, is an image that you might see on someone’s social media account.

However, it doesn’t quite capture the full picture of what is actually going on in real life. Comparing our own seemingly average existence with others’ well-edited, perfectly crafted lives as represented on social media may leave us with feelings of discouragement, envy, and even failure."
(Elder Gary E. Stevenson, "Spiritual Eclipse", Oct 2017 General Conference)

Day 1661

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 7:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 7:2
"The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net."

As I was reading the news this morning I thought about the privacy of the people in the stories. Some I was down right sad to see the sport over their situations. When I read this part of the verse, "they hunt every man his brother with a net" it made me think of the people being chased in order to sell sensational news stories. Mercy and forgiveness are foreign concepts now.

Then I reflected on my childhood and my attempts to catch little white butterflies with a net. The butterflies fluttered all over in an attempt to avoid being caught in my net. It was exhausting and I was often frustrated in my attempts. When one was finally caught it was placed in a jar with air holes poked into the top. Then I would sit quietly and watch the butterfly. The butterflies never lasted long once confined in that jar. I was always trying to find new ways to make the butterfly last. In my attempts I added all types of twigs and leaves for it to feed on. Basically dead food. But I never found something to make them last. Sadly those butterflies were my experiments, for nothing equaled them living free as they should have.

What is the net? It is a device used to take away the freedom or agency of another. They can be used against those that have given away their agency by their actions, or the innocent that are captured for the pleasure or gain of another. What it all boils down to is wanting to take away the agency of man. There are many means by which man has devised to capture his brother in a net. 

Day 1475

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 5:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 5:3
"O Lord, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return."

This made me think of a video I saw the other day. Basically, it was the first time after a devastating event that I heard a person say with so much anger "Don't say I'm in your thoughts and prayers." It offended them, the very suggestion that such a thing would help them. To them those words had no meaning. Then I saw that same day the news media mocking people that say they are praying for anyone. I was just dumbstruck that people were so spiritually debased now to be offended by prayer. The very thing they need they are angry and mock now. It was really chilling to me, more so than the terrible event they had been through.

Day 1325

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 52:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 52:11
"Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord."

My heart was so broken today. I had been on the 10 day social media fast and I am ready to go back on it. I read the news and it broke my heart. At least 4 really bad stories on the same day. I am grieving for the children. Am I really seeing what I am seeing?  Is this even real?  My social media fast cleansed me and healed me and I put myself right back into the dirt of the world. Or maybe this fast made me more sensitive to its decay. I know I need to be in the world and not of the world, but I'm so ready to be out of the world and be in Zion right now.

I have never needed to sit and feast upon the scriptures more than I did this night. I know the Lord has a plan and he is in control, even if it means hard things happen to try to wake people up. I read the scriptures and they heal me and bring me peace. Strengthen me to go on for Him. I don't have the answers on what to do about reading the news. I guess just skim, skim, the surface? Can't I just not read it at all? I pray I will know what is the right thing to do, because I really want to be clean.

Day 1306

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 3:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 3:9
"The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves."

It doesn't take much looking in social media to know this prophecy has been fulfilled. There is no shame or guilt for breaking God's laws. Morals are gone but for a few. I am saddened each time I see how casual and common place sin is that it is promoted like a badge of honor and celebrated in the streets.

Day 1257

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 118:24

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 118:24
"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

There have been times I wished I lived in a different age. I've always loved history and could easily live in the past. But, just yesterday when I was traveling in the car I thought about how grateful I was to live in this day. It is my day and I am glad of it. I'm sure that is why this verse stuck out to me in this chapter. The Lord made no mistake in the timing of my coming to earth.

I was made for this day. Living now is exactly what I need. Even when I see the wickedness and craziness in the world. I have to turn my face from them, even when I'm looking right at them. I just finished my 7 day social media fast and started to read posts and comments again on Facebook. I really am learning something about myself in being able to walk away from the multitude of voices. Not sure what I am seeing, but I know connections are forming. It's rather exciting when I know I am ready to be taught if I just listen, ponder and observe. These are exciting times to live in. The Lord is blessing his saints richly with the spirit. If we just turn to Him.

Day 1171

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 110:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 110:3
"Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth."

I listened tonight to the Worldwide Youth Devotional with President Russell M. Nelson and Sister Wendy W. Nelson. It was amazing. This is a chosen generation and they are being prepared for the second coming of the Lord. Priesthood power is upon the earth and we must be clean and holy. This verse just seems to speak of our day. President Nelson asked the following of the youth.

To Enlist in the Lord's Youth Battalion to Gather Israel
1. Seven day social media fast
2. Weekly sacrifice of time to the Lord - 3 weeks in a row give up something you like to do, to help gather Israel
3. Keep on the covenant path
4. Pray daily for all to receive blessings of the gospel
5. Stand out. Be different. Be a light
Prayerfully read the book "For the Strength of Youth"

The hardest one for me on the list is to disengage with social media for a week.

This is what President Nelson asked.

"Disengage in a constant reliance on social media by holding a seven day fast from social media. If you are paying more attention to feeds from social media then you are to the whispering of the spirit then you are putting yourself at spiritual risk, as well as the risk of intense loneliness and depression... Give yourself a seven day break from fake... This social media fast can just be between you and the Lord. It will be your sign to him that you are willing to step away from the world in order to enlist in his youth battalion."

At first I thought of reasons why I can't do it. Part of my work involves monitoring social media. I also feel I am taking part in sharing the gospel by posting my favorite verse.

I want to be obedient but I also need to work and serve. I have sat here since the broadcast wondering what I should do. Quietly I knew what was needful for me. For my personal life I need to disengage and put social media away. I am starting my social media fast today. I will post my favorite verse but I won't be checking any of my feeds, comments or friends posts. I know where my issues lie. I waste to much time checking the latest news stories. Google News on my phone is the worst for me. I have been trying to break this habit and now is my chance. Instead of looking for an excuse I now am excited for the opportunity for change.

I may not be a youth, but in the scheme of the eternities I'm just a babe. I want to be part of the youth battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel. The greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on the earth today. Senior missionaries are needed too! I can do it!

Day 1163

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 70:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 70:2
"Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt."

I pondered on how I have been seeing this time and time again on social media. Someone tries to destroy or spread hate and the tables just turn on them. Quite a messy war I see going on. Effectively them seem to take themselves out. Wouldn't it be lovely if the word would simply read the scriptures and learn what behavior does and doesn't work.

Day 1123