Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 16:3, 28, 41

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 16:3, 28, 41
"And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?
And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind.
But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD."

There is a lot of death happening in this chapter. The earth opened and swallowed three families up, fire consumed 250 men, and then plague killed 14,700. I looked for what offense was given that caused God to do this. It appears it started with some that thought they should have the priesthood and leadership roles and were against Moses and Aaron because of it. They also took it upon themselves to perform these priestly roles. They didn't understand it was God's will and not Moses and Aaron. Then the congregation murmured against Moses and Aaron and said they killed the people. Which is again not recognizing the life, death and callings are of God and not that Moses and Aaron could do of their own will. It made me ponder on how I have seen application of this in my day and where spiritual death has happened.

Day 3790

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 4:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

I always wondered about that two edge sword, it just seemed so violent. It can cut going in and coming out. Then I thought on how it is used to divide the soul and spirit, and it can discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. I had a memory come back to me of when I was young and we would harvest our chickens. My father would rock the chicken asleep by placing its head under its wing. Then he would stretch out its neck on the chopping block, and with a quick wack of the axe he would chop its head off. He would then throw the chicken and us kids had to chase after them. They would run all over the yard and into the fields without their heads. One time we had a chicken bounce up the ladder and onto the roof. I also remember helping my mother pluck the chickens. We would dip them in boiling hot water and then pluck the feathers out. I can remember sitting there and looking at the little dismembered chicken heads. They would blink their eyes and open and close their beaks. These chickens had no idea they were already dead. They ran around really fast with no heads, and opened and closed their eyes and beaks with no heart attached. Then once slaughtered and defeathered my father would finish dressing the chickens. As he removed the inners he would explain the process and the importance of the order. He always took great care in removing the bile duct. Seeing the inside of the crop and gizzard and what it contained was always so fascinating to me. We saw everything and knew that chicken inside and out by the time the harvest was done.

I pondered on how all this applies to spiritual death. The separation of soul and spirit. When you're spiritually dead you can be running around here and there, to and fro, and not even realize you are already dead. Even though the person may appear alive by blinking their eyes and moving their mouths its a lie. There is no way to hide the truth from someone that has eyes that see and knows and understands. The master knows you intimately inside and out. He knows the thoughts and intents of your heart. It is the power of discernment.

How did they get into this condition? Because they turned away from the word of God, his commandments, and kept not their covenants. They lost their souls. The division is so quick and powerful you don't realize that its happened. You cannot hide your condition from the man of the harvest. His house is a house or order, and no unclean thing can live there.

Day 3296

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 14:38

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 14:38

"Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak."

The Savior spoke these words to Peter, James and John at one of the greatest events of this world. At the Garden of Gethsemane where He would make the infinite atonement, for all our sins. He tells them to watch and pray, so they will not fall into temptation. What they did instead was fall asleep. It made me think of a ripple I have been seeing lately. Those that are "taking a break" from church and the gospel. It's interesting how these unconnected people use that same phase "taking a break". They are not just taking a break, they are sleeping. I marvel at how they could even think that's a good idea right now, especially with all that is going on in the world. The signs are greater now, more than ever, that we are in the midst of these winding up scenes. The prophet is warning us that we need to be closer to the spirit more than ever, or we won't survive.

"But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", April 2018 General Conference)

"The baseless notion that we should “eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us” is one of the most absurd lies in the universe."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Think Celestial!", Oct 2023 General Conference)

Day 3130

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 16:20

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 16:20

"Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter,"

I don't like to admit it but when I saw this chapter speaking against the high places and playing the harlot I thought, not again! Boy, did I learn my lesson about what was really, really bothering the Lord. It wasn't anger over them not worshipping Him, it was really all about how this behavior harmed others. They killed children!!! That is the most offense thing a person can do. It was no small matter.

"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."

(Matthew 18:6)

When you lose your love of God, and worship other things in his place, the adversary becomes your master. That can lead you down a path that is beyond horrible. The agency of man, the right to choose right from wrong, God protects. When you destroy the innocents ability to make good choices, by teaching them that evil is good and good is evil you are in essence taking away their agency to choose. God looks at the physical and spiritual death of a child at our hands as most abominable. I think that is ultimately when He says enough.

Day 2977

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 21:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 21:8

"And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death."

I pondered on how this message has not changed. It is always the choice we are given. We can choose eternal life or spiritual death. The counsel given by a prophet points us in the way that leads back to Christ, and it is our choice on if we will follow that counsel. The decision has eternal consequences.

"Every intelligent being has the right to choose for himself whether he will have the man Christ Jesus or Satan to rule over him. He will certainly have one or the other! Just as sure as he is a living being, the Lord Almighty will be his leader, dictator, director, and counselor, or the devil will. We cannot live without them. We were brought here; we did not bring ourselves. We were created, formed, fashioned, and made independent of ourselves. We are under this law and we cannot get from under it. But the Lord has given us intelligence, and He has set before us life and death, and has said, “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.” Which shall we take? I will take the Lord Jesus every time. Why? Because his doctrine is so pure and holy. I love it, because in it there is life; because it will endure; while all error, falsehood, lies and liars will be cast into hell; and when they shall be utterly destroyed and wasted away, truth will live and it will endure forever.

(Brigham Young, "Preaching the Gospel - The Principles and Spirit of the Same", JD 13:209)

Day 2925

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 8:20

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 8:20

"The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved."

Such a simple verse with repercussions that last an eternity. The harvest, the time for gathering people into the fold is over. Summer has ended and now comes death. If you were not saved before this period ends, there will spiritual death that lasts the eternities.

"And again I say, hearken unto my voice, lest death shall overtake you; in an hour when ye think not the summer shall be past, and the harvest ended, and your souls not saved."

(Doctrine and Covenants 45:2)

"Wo unto you rich men, that will not give your substance to the poor, for your riches will canker your souls; and this shall be your lamentation in the day of visitation, and of judgment, and of indignation: The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved!"

(Doctrine and Covenants 56:16)

“If it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!”

(Doctrine and Covenants 18:15-16)

"It is written in the eternity of our God that every soul must progress that does not retrograde. Therefore, make good use of the time you have. Now is the time of your probation, now is the time of harvest, now is the summer of your days. Let it not be said, the harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved. But let us bear in mind that now is the probation that God has given us. Let us make use of it by doing the works of righteousness, by keeping the commandments of God, by having our eye on the mark of our high calling in Christ Jesus; which may God grant in the name of Jesus. Amen.

(George Q. Cannon, "Spirits in Prison", JD 26:77)

Day 2912

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."

I could not help but think of what happened yesterday. My son went out to the mailbox and slipped on the icy driveway. We heard his screams and looking outside I immediately thought, "I can't help him up by myself", so I told my husband to come help. But, first I got my walker, not only so I could safely walk out to the ice to help him, but also so he could use it to help pull himself up. Between the walker and my husband and I lifting him under his armpits, we were able to get him to his feet. Then with the injured knee and foot he could use the walker to support himself as he made his way back into the house. From there we could assess the damage, get him crutches to walk with and administer ice and pain meds. He was waited on the rest of the day to give the injuries time to rest. Only time would tell if he needed more attention than that. Thankfully, he is able to walk on it fully today. I am so grateful we were home to hear his cries. In this cold winter weather it would not take long for someone to freeze to death.

There is another type of death that family members can help prevent, and that is spiritual death. Our daily family scripture study not only helps us to grow spiritually, it can prevent spiritual death in each other.

Day 2822

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 79:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 79:1-2

"O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth"

I read of the destruction of the temple, city and people by the heathens right after reading this in the Book of Mormon.

"And now it came to pass that after the people of Ammon were established in the land of Jershon, and a church also established in the land of Jershon, and the armies of the Nephites were set round about the land of Jershon, yea, in all the borders round about the land of Zarahemla; behold the armies of the Lamanites had followed their brethren into the wilderness.

And thus there was a tremendous battle; yea, even such an one as never had been known among all the people in the land from the time Lehi left Jerusalem; yea, and tens of thousands of the Lamanites were slain and scattered abroad.

Yea, and also there was a tremendous slaughter among the people of Nephi; nevertheless, the Lamanites were driven and scattered, and the people of Nephi returned again to their land."

(Alma 28:1-3)

The thoughts of both made me cry and mourn for them. I don't like to think how it applies to my day, because it's to real that our world is ever darkening. What is the light or hope of these things? The true sorrow is the state of the people when they died. Where were their hearts and how are they greeted by the Lord. Those that are left to mourn can be comforted when they know their loved ones are in the arms of their Savior, Jesus Christ.

"And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing—sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life."

(Alma 28:14)

Day 2716

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 17:2, 5, 8

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 17:2, 5, 8

"Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers, of all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods: write thou every man’s name upon his rod.

And it shall come to pass, that the man’s rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you.

And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds."

I pondered on how this miracle was setup by the Lord in such a way that none could deny they had a fair chance for their rod to blossom. As I pondered on why those that murmured needed to witness a new miracle I realized it wasn't for them.

"And the Lord said unto Moses, Bring Aaron’s rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not."

(Numbers 17:10)

Aaron's rod was as a testimony for those that came after them. It was always meant for the believer, not for those that rebelled. Spiritual death is always a risk for those that murmur.

Day 2293

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 10:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 10:1-2

"And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not.

And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord."

This chapter actually answered a question I had, regarding those in apostasy that do things inside the temple that would pollute it. I wondered if the temple would have to be rededicated in such a case? In this, I see it is the offender that dies, at least spiritually. I have seen that happen so the cleansing is the removal of the person from the temple. Not that they had power to make the house of the Lord defiled and unusable for those that remain faithful. That actually gives me great peace.

Day 2259

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 8:25-26

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 8:25-26
"For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies; even that same liar who beguiled our first parents, yea, even that same liar who hath caused man to commit murder from the beginning; who hath hardened the hearts of men that they have murdered the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning.
Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have no more power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved."

Moroni is speaking of secret combinations and how they are of the devil and result in the destruction of nations. The Lord said when we "shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation." I do believe that the land is ripe with secret combinations.

As I ponder on this I realize that just because there are secret combinations destroying the land it does not mean it should destroy me. Joseph Smith said "The devil has no power over us only as we permit him; the moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil takes power." The real issue is if we get so caught up in secret combination that we lose sight of God, and his prophets. We can fight the wrong battles and decide different things are secret combinations when all along that was Satan's plan to get us off track. The awakening that needs to take place when we see these things is to spiritually strengthen ourselves and stay ever closer to the Lord and his prophets. There are worse things than the death of the body or the loss of your liberty and lands.

Day 1985

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 3:15-16

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 3:15-16
"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."

I remember when I had need to recall this verse. I was at a conference that was church related and not church sponsored. Believe me I am not drawn to those anymore. I was visiting the vendor hall during a class period so I pretty much had it to myself. I stopped at a unattended vendor table to look at some books. I had recognized the name of the author as someone that had once been excommunicated from the church for some of those very books. Since then he had returned to the church, but I was surprised that they were still selling these books.

A man came up beside me and started a conversation. He was knowledgeable on the books and shared different things with me. As he talked I felt something different about him. I kept trying to put my finger on it. Then to my surprise I discovered he was the actual author of these books.  I hadn't expected the vendor/author to be on my side of the table. Then he slowly started to tell me his background. I learned things about him I had never heard before, but he himself told me these things. I really wasn't interested in buying his books. I remained talking to him because I was still trying to figure out what it was about him that was so different. I just couldn't put my finger on it.

I remember finally saying to myself he's neither hot, nor cold. Then it dawned on me HE was lukewarm. Spit him out! It was this verse in Revelation that had came into my mind. I had never met a lukewarm person in my life. It was truly a disturbing thing. Yes, I did quickly end the conversation and leave. Recently, I found out that he was again on the apostasy side of the church. Lukewarm people can be so spiritually deceptive. There is something about them that makes you listen to them way longer then you should. You get drawn in trying to figure them out. No good comes from sitting on the fence. If they were hot or cold you would know how much attention you should be giving them. A lukewarm person is very dangerous, they have the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. They can poison the soul. 

Day 1743

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 2:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 2:10
"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."

I pondered on "ye shall have tribulation ten days". The number ten represents completeness. As we drawn closer to the second coming of Jesus Christ there will be tribulation, and it will be complete, just as the Lord told us. What gives me comfort is there is a time frame and an end to the suffering. Not in it meaning ten days, for I do not believe it is only ten days of suffering. What I believe it is saying is hold on, and be faithful, this will seem but a brief moment in the eternities. Those that fought against the Lord and his saints will have no end to their suffering. The devil and his angels will have eternal damnation. Those that are faithful through tribulation will have eternal life. The fear is not the death of the body, but the death of the spirit. That is what must be safeguarded at all cost.

Day 1742

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 5:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 5:3
"But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?"

I've always been fascinated with this story. Ananias and then his wife Sapphira both fell dead after having lied to Peter on the sale price of their land. Why did they even consecrate it if they didn't want to do that? Now I've understood the part of this story about honestly and spiritual death for lying but I thought there was more. I found this wonderful Oct. 1992 General Conference talk on consecration by Neal A. Maxwell, "Settle This in Your Hearts".

"Likewise it is only fair to warn that any determination to seek greater consecration will soon expose what we yet lack, a painful but necessary thing. Remember the rich, righteous young man who was told by Jesus, "One thing thou lackest"? Ananias and Sapphira, otherwise good members of the Church, "kept back" a portion instead of consecrating their all. Some would never sell Jesus for thirty pieces, but they would not give Him their all either!

Unfortunately, we tend to think of consecration only in terms of property and money. But there are so many ways of keeping back part. One might be giving of money and time and yet hold back a significant portion of himself. ..One might hold back from kneeling before God’s throne and yet bow to a particular gallery of peers. One might accept a Church calling but have his heart more set on maintaining a certain role in the world.

Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus! Consecration is the only surrender which is also a victory... Heavenly Father is only asking us to lose the old self in order to find the new and the real self. It is not a question of losing our identity but of finding our true identity!

Increased consecration is not so much a demand for more hours of Church work as it is for more awareness of Whose work this really is! For now, consecration may not require giving up worldly possessions so much as being less possessed by them."

Day 1596

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 28:19-20, 22

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 28:19-20, 22
"He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him."

This made me look at one of the warnings in Elder M. Russell Ballard's October 2017 General Conference talk "The Trek Continues!" a little differently.

"Do not listen to those who entice you with get-rich schemes. Our members have lost far too much money, so be careful."

I thought it was warning to save the person from becoming a victim of financial disaster. Actually its a warning against sin. For getting into get-rich schemes shows an "evil eye". They are not the innocent victim they may play to be. What has happened to them? They have lost the spirit and are on the path of ruin and destruction in more ways than one. Truly when I have been in tune with the spirit I have known to walk away from such things. I can see right through the sales pitch and the slippery words. The spirit brings the strength and courage to walk away. It is when the heart turns to riches that the spirit flees and all direction and guidance is gone, and they are left to themselves.

Day 1231

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 7:25-27

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 7:25-27
"Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death."

This chapter is not only speaking of temptation and immorality in the mortal body. It speaks of unfaithfulness to God and spiritual death.

I often search for scriptural references. Stories or quotes that I recall and want to read again. In my search I seem to find the websites of the apostates. They are like the harlot that entices with the quotes that I seek but their price is to high. They cause the spirit to flee when I enter their house. I must and do walk away. For I will not have them soil pure doctrine. They are not the instructors that I seek. For I am looking for messengers of the Father, his prophets and apostles that speak the words of Christ. I must find other sources, and when I do I am rewarded beyond measure. I can drink deeply when I am at the right well.

Day 1210

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 24:24

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 24:24
"They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn."

Job is referring to the wicked that do prosper. In the scheme of the eternities it is but for a little while. Though like everyone else they will one day die, and then they will be brought low.

What I pondered on is spiritual death. They felt the effects of that even before a physical death. Even though one day they will be resurrected, they will remain spiritually dead, forever separated from God. While in the physical state they could have repented and overcome a spiritual death. This second death, a spiritual death, would always have a shadow of death over them. Maybe this is what Job meant in verse 17.

"For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death."
(Job 24:17)


Day 1035

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 17:3, 5

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 17:3, 5
"And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;
Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die."

I thought about how we don't stone people any more for going after "other gods". The Savior taught a higher law, and fulfilled the law of Moses. Yet, this was still a type and shadow of something for my day. The pains people suffer for worshiping false gods is a spiritual death. So interesting that worshiping the heavenly bodies and constellations are a part of this warning. To much star gazing for signs cannot be a good thing, for we could miss the mark. The emphasis needed is to look towards Christ with the spirit as my guide, otherwise I could become lost.

I pondered on what it means to serve other gods. I think it would not only be a practice you would be guilty of, but you would bring others to these false gods too. Leading others astray can have eternal ramifications.

The other thing that can happen to a person that teaches false doctrine that leads others astray, is excommunication from the church. Then all the blessings you have received will be removed. Your baptism and temple ordinances become void. This chapter did talk about having an inquiry and witnesses before passing judgment of death. Maybe excommunication is really what this is pointing to in my day. Not only have they spiritually died. The saving ordinances are gone now too.


Day 745