Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 3:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 3:4
"For although a man may have many revelations, and have power to do many mighty works, yet if he boasts in his own strength, and sets at naught the counsels of God, and follows after the dictates of his own will and carnal desires, he must fall and incur the vengeance of a just God upon him."

The made me think of pride and humility. I have often thought that the only tool the adversary has to crack the shell around a righteous man is to tell him he is so righteous. It is the loss of humility that will crumble him. The proud care more about what others think of them than God's judgment. Part of what Joseph needed to learn was spiritual maturity, something that must be experienced first hand to learn from.

"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
(Proverbs 16:18)

"We are here on earth to gain experience we can obtain in no other way. We are given the opportunity to grow, to develop, and to gain spiritual maturity. To do that, we must learn to apply truth. How we face challenges and resolve difficult problems is crucially important to our happiness."
(Richard G. Scott, "Learning to Recognize Answers to Prayers", Oct 1989 General Conference)

Day 3592

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 142:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 142:4-5

"I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.

I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living."

This made me think of being spiritually self-reliant. It also made me think of this part in the Book of Mormon, were people lifted up in pride persecuted others, and those being persecuted turned to God.

"Some were lifted up in pride, and others were exceedingly humble; some did return railing for railing, while others would receive railing and persecution and all manner of afflictions, and would not turn and revile again, but were humble and penitent before God."

(3 Nephi 6:13)

The only way the people that were humble could endure these times were to be spiritually self-reliant. Which made me think of President Nelson's warning that the time to prepare is now.

"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", Apr 2018 General Conference)

Elder Hales speaks of how we become spiritually self-reliant.

"As our spiritual desires increase, we become spiritually self-reliant....We become converted and spiritually self-reliant as we prayerfully live our covenants—through worthily partaking of the sacrament, being worthy of a temple recommend, and sacrificing to serve others."

(Robert D. Hales, "Coming to Ourselves: The Sacrament, the Temple, and Sacrifice in Service", Apr 2012 General Conference)

Day 2779

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 2:12,17, 23-24

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 2:12,17, 23-24

" Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.

Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.

Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD’s people to transgress."

These sons of Eli served in the temple as priests. I could not help but think of the interview I heard of those that used the temple unworthily, even sharing false doctrine with others there. Thankfully though not temple workers. I would not want to stand in the shoes of these individuals. I think the important thing to remember is the role I need to play. I need to be mindful and watchful because throughout time there have been those that want to pervert and abuse ordinances and doctrine and lead people astray. Just like the sons of Eli those that work in darkness eventually are brought to light. It made me think of the importance of spiritual self-reliance. One cannot afford to be without it.

"Spiritual self-reliance is essential to our eternal well-being. When we are spiritually self-reliant, our testimonies do not depend on the testimonies of others. We seek our own spiritual experiences through praying daily, studying the scriptures, and exercising faith in Jesus Christ. We turn to our Heavenly Father for His help to resolve our own difficult problems. We are also able to strengthen others in their times of spiritual need."

(Sunday School: Come, Follow Me, Youth 2017, November: Spiritual and Temporal Self-Reliance, "How can I become spiritually self-reliant?")

Day 2397

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 86:6-7

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 86:6-7

"But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also.

Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned."

I know we are right here in time. The shifting among the saints may come in my lifetime. I have no idea what will finally sift us. If fulfillment of prophecy has taught me, it's nothing I ever envisioned. So I cannot picture even what would cause it to happen. Instead of focusing on what is a tare I thought I would focus on what it means to be a wheat.

The faith would have to be strong to be a wheat. One would have to be fully matured spiritually to stand out against the tares. For when the wheat is mature it bows down, and the tares stand straight and proud. So, I would need to work on what is needful to strengthen my faith. There is a purpose for wheat and tares to grow together. I pondered on how my testimony has been strengthened as I have interacted with tares among the wheat. For it has caused me to turn to the Lord for guidance and support, and learning to forgive and place things in His hands. It has taught me a lot about the plan of salvation. I will be eternally grateful for what living among tares have taught me. I wonder if the separation comes because there are no more lessons for the wheat to learn from living among the tares?

Day 2089

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 8:8-10, 19

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 8:8-10, 19
"And the city of Zarahemla did take fire.
And the city of Moroni did sink into the depths of the sea, and the inhabitants thereof were drowned.
And the earth was carried up upon the city of Moronihah, that in the place of the city there became a great mountain.
And it came to pass that when the thunderings, and the lighnings, and the storm, and the tempest, and the quakings of the earth did cease - for behold, they did last for about the space of three hours; and it was said by some that the time was greater; nevertheless, all these great and terrible things were done in about the space of three hours - and then behold, there was darkness upon the face of the land."

As I reflected on the great destruction that came upon the Americas when Christ was crucified and died I thought about now no one could ever prepare for such a level of destruction. The earth was in chaos and there was no fleeing from destruction. In fact with the earth shaking for three hours I doubt you could have even gotten up and ran. This was something all of them had to pass through. It was only in the hands of God if you lived or died.

Then I pondered on how the only preparation that could get one through this was a spiritual preparation. The earth may have been left in darkness for three days, and fear may have filled their hearts, but if you had faith in Christ you knew he would be resurrected and light would return. It must have been a great and terrible day. Terrible for those not spiritually prepared for it. A great day for those that knew prophesy was fulfilled. The Savior was making the ultimate sacrifice to redeem them from their sins. It all depended on where your heart was and if fear filled your heart or not. I imagine that same will be said on Christ's Second Coming.

Day 1945

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 15:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 15:1
"And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God."

I have done a lot of thinking about the plagues of the last days. Yes, I do think it could be new pandemic diseases or even old ones that could bring massive death. But, what I have been pondering on is how some of these plagues could be of the mind. I have pondered on how after the law of Moses much now is inward. God looks upon our hearts. Why couldn't the plagues be inward as well? I see around me a growing epidemic of mental illness. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for children, teens, and young adults ages 10-24. It's the third leading cause of death for children 5-14. Those numbers are heart breaking. Why is society causing children to lose hope? It has to be what we are feeding them spiritually, physically and mentality. Why is any adult in their right mind telling a child the world will end before they can grow up?? And, they don't leave it there either, they are teaching them there is no God. Satan's most productive tool is confusion.

"And now, behold, this is the will of the Lord your God concerning his saints, that they should assemble themselves together unto the land of Zion, not in haste, lest there should be confusion, which bringeth pestilence."
(Doctrine and Covenants 63:24)

The saints were warned not to assemble in haste. I think of being panicked and not prepared. What that can cause is confusion. That is a tool of the adversary that we allow to creep in. When confusion reigns we are told it brings pestilence. Yes, it could be disease, but it can be the type of the mind too. Panic, fear, disappointment, despair, hopelessness, anger, depression, etc., etc. When confusion reigns everything can spiral out of control. Pestilence and plagues go hand in hand. One diseased mind, especially in a collective group think, can affect another. 

Following the word of God, having the Holy Spirit as my guide brings light and guidance. You don't need to have all the answers but faith in Christ and my trust in his plan for me brings hope and peace. That is what I need to seek. Not man's confusion, but inner peace that comes from God. The spiritual preparation is needed long before confusion reigns.

Day 1755

Today's Favorite Verse: James 1:12, 26

Today's Favorite Verse: James 1:12, 26
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain."

The footnote refers the tongue to gossip and profanity. I have to say the handling of these two situations expose many people and their commitment to their faith. Nothing grieves me more than to hear swearing, especially the Lord's name in vain.

Nothing pleases me more than to see one overcome the temptation to swear or speak ill of others. We are all tempted and it is through overcoming that temptation that spiritual maturity comes. The love of God becomes true, deep and abiding.

President David O. McKay said, “Spirituality is the consciousness of victory over self.” It is the sure knowledge that we are winning the struggle for the soul. Sensuality is the realm of self-indulgence. Spirituality is the realm of self-victory.
(Douglas L. Callister, "Seeking the Spirit of God", Oct 2000 General Conference)

Day 1720

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 31:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 31:10
"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."

I read all the characteristics of the virtuous woman and there is much for me to improve on. I have known such woman and deeply admire their quiet strength. With spiritually maturity I hope one day to become such a woman.

I have found Proverbs so moving. There is so much to ponder on in each single verse. The book of Proverbs is made to give pause, reflect and gain wisdom from. Many times as I have read each little nugget of truth I have realized the scriptures really do give instruction for my day to day life. I will turn more often to it when I looking for answers to the problems that I face. Wisdom never turns old, wisdom lasts for the eternities.

Day 1234

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 23:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 23:6
"Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;"

I pondered on if I felt courageous for keeping the commandments. I simply don't. When I was younger and there was peer pressure it was harder, and probably took more courage to do what was right. I reflected on a time when it took all my courage to stand up for my beliefs, but I learned after doing what was needed it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I gained a lot from that experience which I have shared with others to give them strength. Today I don't feel it takes courage at all to do what is right. I guess because I really don't care what others think about me. Their opinions are only that, their opinions and they have no baring on me. Just like what they do has no baring on me. There must be a physical and spiritually maturity that has taken place. I am grateful for both happening at the same time.


Day 785