Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 17:34-37

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 17:34-37
"I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together."

I love the Joseph Smith Translation of these verses for it explains how the saints will be gathered.

"I tell you, in that night there shall be two in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Two shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord, shall they be taken?
And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is gathered, or in other words, whithersoever the saints are gathered, thither will the eagles be gathered together, or thither will the remainder be gathered together.
This he spake, signifying the gathering of his saints, and of angels descending and gathering the remainder unto them, the one from the bed, the other from the grinding, and the other from the field, whithersoever he listeth.
For verily, there shall be new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
And there shall be no unclean thing; for the earth becoming old, even as a garment, having waxed in corruption, wherefore, it vanisheth away; and the footstool remaineth sanctified, cleansed from all sin."
(JST Luke 17:34-40)

The gospel is being proclaimed to every nation, tongue and people, and the saints are gathering to the stakes of Zion and temples around the world. Yet, at the very end that very last gathering will be assisted by angels to a place of refuge among the saints. How can you fear what is to come with a promise like that. Angels will come for you just like they did for Lot and his family. .

"And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth."
(Doctrine and Covenants 115:5)

Day 4114

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 125:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 125:2
"Verily, thus saith the Lord, I say unto you, if those who call themselves by my name and are essaying to be my saints, if they will do my will and keep my commandments concerning them, let them gather themselves together unto the places which I shall appoint unto them by my servant Joseph, and build up cities unto my name, that they may be prepared for that which is in store for a time to come."

I pondered on how the saint were once called to gather to specific places like, Kirtland, Nauvoo, and later Utah. Then the prophet would call people to expand into other areas. Now our gathering is in the lands that we live. We are assigned to local wards or branches within stakes or missions. This whole process has been nothing but inspiring.

"As the Church grows, it is very important that we build solidly and well, and that our prospective stakes have the basic ingredients that are necessary for success and that existing stakes work tirelessly for full stakehood in the sense of spiritual achievement. These stakes are to be the gathering spots for the Zion of today, and they need to be spiritual sanctuaries and to be self-sufficient in as many ways as is possible.
The stakes and districts of Zion are symbolic of the holy places spoken of by the Lord where His Saints are to gather in the last days as a refuge from the storm. You and your children will gather here to worship, to do sacred ordinances, to socialize, to learn, to perform in music, dance, drama, athletics, and to generally improve yourselves and one another. It is often thought significant that our chapels have on them a steeple, with spires toward the heavens symbolic of how our lives ought to be ever moving upward toward God.
The Book of Mormon prophet Nephi foresaw the day when the Saints would be scattered in stakes all over the world. He saw the time when the Lord would extend His protection to them when menaced by storms of destruction that threatened their existence. Nephi prophesied: “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.” (1 Nephi 14:14)
Through revelation we know that there will be perils, calamities, and persecution in the latter days, but through righteousness the Saints may be spared. The promise of the Lord in the Book of Mormon is sure: “He will preserve the righteous by his power.” (1 Nephi 22:17)"
(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson, "Chapter 23: Strengthen Thy Stakes", [2014])

Day 3714

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 115:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 115:6
"And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth."

As of April 2024 there were 3,500 stakes and districts, and some 30,000 wards and branches of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world. When we lived back East it took us almost an hour to get to our stake center. Where we live now it's two blocks away. I do feel it's a place of refuge every Sunday when I go there and take the sacrament. How grateful I am that political discussions don't pierce my ears there. Even when I was young I knew we didn't talk politics at church. We don't speak bad about other religions either. I feel like this long standing counsel has been a defense and a protection to me. The spirit hasn't been compelled to leave. Especially, now when people are so divided. The focus is on Jesus Christ and becoming saints.

“A defense” implies help in resisting or protection from attack, “a refuge” refers to a place of safety or shelter, and “the storm” can refer to tumultuous or frightening surroundings, attacks from enemies of the Church, or Satan’s temptations. The Lord also promised that those who gather to the stakes of Zion would be protected “from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth” before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ"
(Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, "Chapter 45: Doctrine and Covenants 115-120")

Day 3704

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 82:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 82:14
"For Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments."

This revelation was given in 1832. How must they feel now to see the stakes of Zion around the world, and temples dotting the earth? We are living in the day the Lord spoke of.

"President Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) explained: “The rule by which the people of God must live in order to be worthy of acceptance in the sight of God is indicated by [D&C 82:14]. This people must increase in beauty before the world; have an inward loveliness which may be observed by mankind as a reflection in holiness and in those inherent qualities of sanctity. The borders of Zion, where the righteous and pure in heart may dwell, must now begin to be enlarged. The stakes of Zion must be strengthened. All this so that Zion may arise and shine by becoming increasingly diligent in carrying out the plan of salvation throughout the world” (“Strengthen the Stakes of Zion,” Ensign, July 1973, 3).
(Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, "Chapter 30: Doctrine and Covenants 81-83")

Day 3671

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 57:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 57:3-4
"And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is wisdom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the center place; and a spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the courthouse.
Wherefore, it is wisdom that the land should be purchased by the saints, and also every tract lying westward, even unto the line running directly between Jew and Gentile;"

I think every saint waits for the day a temple is announced for Independence Missouri. Even if its just turning the visitor center into one. After the saints were driven from that area we have slowly worked towards purchasing the necessary land again. What was dedicated as the temple lot site is not even owned by the church. It was a surprise one day to find the Community of Christ sold us the Kirtland temple. That makes the possibility of one day owning the land in Independence feel even closer. Even though the headquarters of the church will move to this center place I don't feel all the saints will gather there too. Just like Salt Lake City, Utah is the center place today and not all saints live here. It was just yesterday, I happened to say to my family that I feel like I will be in my home during the millennium, and my place to gather to Zion is down the street in my stake house. That is where my place of refuge is. My place to see the Lord is in the temple on the hill.

"And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth."
(Doctrine and Covenants 115:6)

"For the day of my visitation cometh speedily, in an hour when ye think not of; and where shall be the safety of my people, and refuge for those who shall be left of them?"
(Doctrine and Covenants 124:10)

Day 3646

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 1:4

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 1:4
"And it came to pass that in the commencement of the ninety and second year, behold, the prophecies of the prophets began to be fulfilled more fully; for there began to be greater signs and greater miracles wrought among the people."

This verse reminded me of my favorite quote of President Nelson.

"Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Revelations for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", Apr 2018 General Conference)

We can expect the same miraculous things that happened before the Savior's birth to happen before His Second Coming. Tonight I heard of one during the evening session of our Stake Conference. Elder Hans T. Boom, General Authority Seventy, spoke to us. He spoke of the enabling power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. We can do all things through Christ, there is no limitation if we put our trust in him. He then told us of President Nelson exercising his faith in Jesus Christ. He said, "In our last meeting with him two weeks ago, he walked in without his chair. I thought WOW! and it was not a short walk. He came walking in, President Oaks and Eyring came walking in. I think the three of them thought, "Let's show these guys how it really works." That alone was enough for us. We didn't need anything else because that was relying on the Savior, Jesus Christ."

I had been told in June of this year that President Nelson was not doing well. His body was shutting down, and he was only able to drink water. Up until his 100th birthday in September we did not hear from him. I was actually surprise that he looked as well as he did then. Then I was surprised again to see him at General Conference. Now I know I am not the only one. The preservation of President Nelson is a living miracle in our day.

Day 3524

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 20:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 20:3-4
"And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?
Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."

I have heard those that don't believe in God speak of fear of where things are possibly headed. Yet, they don't want you speak of how God's arms are stretched out still to them. There is comfort, peace, help and a refuge for God's people even in the midst of a storm.

"For the day of my visitation cometh speedily, in an hour when ye think not of; and where shall be the safety of my people, and refuge for those who shall be left of them?"
(Doctrine and Covenants 124:10)

"For it is ordained that in Zion, and in her stakes, and in Jerusalem, those places which I have appointed for refuge, shall be the places for your baptisms for your dead."
(Doctrine and Covenants 124:36)

"And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God;
And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion."
(Doctrine and Covenants 45:66-67)

"And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth."
(Doctrine and Covenants 115:6)

Day 3391

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 26:20-21

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 26:20-21

"Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain."

I read several quotes where Brigham Young, John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff were all referring to the saints in Utah being safely in the chambers of the mountain. I pondered on how it is no longer possible for saints worldwide to gather in the valley of these everlasting mountains.

"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."

(Revelation 18:4)

Our places of refuge are now the stakes of Zion, temples, and our homes. We really did shut our doors when the pandemic first began. These events may have been for "a little moment", but all of it has been for our profit and learning, to be guided by a prophet of God.

"And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth."

(Doctrine and Covenants 115:6)

Day 2864

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 22:2

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 22:2
"Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes;"

I saw this happen today. For some blessed reason my stake was invited to a devotional with church headquarters. From my home I listened to Elder David A. Bednar, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Elder Terence M. Vinson, Presidency of the Seventy, and his wife Kay Vinson; Elder Craig C. Christensen, Utah Area President, and his wife Debbie Christensen. In unity they strengthened this stake of Zion and me.

I have had so many things come to my mind as I have pondered their words this Sabbath day. I wanted to share what I took notes on and stood out to me, but I can't. Not that anyone said I couldn't, its just that they are so deep inside of my heart and welding together it just isn't time yet. There is one thing I will share, the apostolic blessing that Elder David A. Bednar left us with.

"I invoke a blessing upon you that according to your desire and your diligence, that you may be blessed to have eyes to see and ears to hear, the remarkable lessons that can be learned through the constraints that we would not want to experience, but we are now experiencing. I express my love to you. I declare my witness and I invoke these blessings upon you in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen." 
(David A. Bednar, "Apostolic Blessing", Utah American Fork (South) - Member Devotional, Sunday, August 9, 2020)

I realize that what I have experienced after this blessing is that my eyes and ears are beginning to see and hear, and learn. What a strength this has left this little grain of sand in the kingdom. I have been so blessed.

Day 1959

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 21:12

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 21:12
"And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth."

This made me think of Ensign Peak where the saints placed a ensign to the nations when they first entered the Salt Lake Valley. They were outcasts and yet from here the gospel would be preached to the four corners of the earth, and the saints would be gathered into its stakes and branches. It also made me think of this quote from Elder Boyd K. Packer.

"We speak of the Church as our refuge, our defense. There is safety and protection in the Church. It centers in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Latter-day Saints learn to look within themselves to see the redeeming power of the Savior of all mankind. The principles of the gospel taught in the Church and learned from the scriptures become a guide for each of us individually and for our families.

We know that the homes we establish, and those of our descendants, will be the refuge spoken of in the revelations—the “light,” the “standard,” the “ensign” for all nations, and the “refuge” against the gathering storms."
(Boyd K. Packer, "A Defense and a Refuge", Oct 2006 General Conference)

"Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations;
And the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth."
(Doctrine & Covenants 115:5-6)

I listened to the hymn "High on the Mountain Top."


High on the mountain top
A banner is unfurled.
Ye nations, now look up;
It waves to all the world.
In Deseret’s sweet, peaceful land,
On Zion’s mount behold it stand!

For God remembers still
His promise made of old
That he on Zion’s hill
Truth’s standard would unfold!
Her light should there attract the gaze
Of all the world in latter days.

His house shall there be reared,
His glory to display,
And people shall be heard
In distant lands to say:
We’ll now go up and serve the Lord,
Obey his truth and learn his word.

For there we shall be taught
The law that will go forth,
With truth and wisdom fraught,
To govern all the earth.
Forever there his ways we’ll tread,
And save ourselves with all our dead.


Day 1806

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 28:25-26

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 28:25-26
"Thus saith the Lord God; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob.
And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the Lord their God."

At first I thought of the Jews around the world gathering to Israel. Then I thought of the gathering taking place throughout the world to the stakes of Zion. Then I thought of the saints gathering in their homes to be taught of the Lord. There is safety within our homes as we dwell in confidence before the Lord. We are His people, he is gathering his sheep. 

"And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth."
(Doctrine and Covenants 115:6)

Day 1405

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 115:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 115:6

"And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth."

This verse made me think of the preppers I have seen that are looking for safe places to be when hard times come. They are stock piling food and guns, trying to stand totally independent. I realized how foolish that was, because no place will be safe, only Zion and her stakes. It made me think of meeting twice a year with my stake for conference. Not everyone in the stake comes, simply because they feel it's a day off from church. Myself, I feel it's one of the best days for church. The talks are so amazing, and I am feed spiritually. Being feed spiritually strengthens me and helps build my defense from the troubles of the world. I feel I can rest and there is safety among the saints. Even as a child I loved it when we traveled an hour to our stake conferences. Coming home from stake conference I just felt different, there was a renewal. I also feel that same way when LDS General Conference happens twice a year. This time of year is even more special to me, for I sit at the feet of the prophet and the apostles and feast upon their words. What more can I ask for? I just had to sit and think how blessed I am for the Stakes of Zion and how one of the gathering places is just down my road. 

Day 534