Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 28:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 28:12
"While many thousands of others truly mourn for the loss of their kindred, yet they rejoice and exult in the hope, and even know, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are raised to dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of never-ending happiness."

Before I read scriptures tonight I was watching news on horrific hurricane Helene and its devastating path of destruction. I watched this one interview with a women who lost her parents and seven year old son. I was so moved on her and her sister's faith and belief in God and how he has and will get them through this. In their sorrow, they rejoiced in the Lord. It was so inspiring. I found the video again so I could share it.

"In the midst of the chaos, all I heard was God telling me to be still and to stop fighting the water," Drye recalled. "That was Him, that was prayers. That was prayers that told me to be still and to let the water carry me to where I needed to be rescued."
"When I did let go, I heard the voice say, 'You still don't fight the water' and then I ended up in between the two carriers that stuck with me the whole time," she said.
She was then spotted by a man and then tended to by a rescue team."
("Asheville mother recounts last moments with son before he was swept away by Helene floods: ‘He became my hero’, Fox Weather, October 1, 2024)

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."
(Psalms 46:10)

"Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God."
(Doctrine and Covenants 101:16)

Day 3472

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 15:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 15:1-2
"And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek were commanded to depart out of that city; and they departed, and came out even into the land of Sidom; and behold, there they found all the people who had departed out of the land of Ammonihah, who had been cast out and stoned, because they believed in the words of Alma.
And they related unto them all that had happened unto their wives and children, and also concerning themselves, and of their power of deliverance."

They found "all the people" that had been cast out of the land of Ammonihah. I thought about how they were gathered in a safe place. Yes, terrible things had happened to their families, but the Lord gave them each other and Alma and Amulek to bring comfort and the word of God to them.

"Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places;"
(Doctrine and Covenants 101:22)

"In conclusion, Latter-day Saints should be gifted, covenant-keeping people. Nonetheless, it remains for each of us to seek to exercise our spiritual gifts and then to invite and learn to recognize promptings of the Spirit. Four guiding principles to assist us in this crucial spiritual endeavor are:
1. Stand in holy places.
2. Stand with holy people.
3. Testify of holy truths.
4. Listen to the Holy Spirit."
(Gary e. Stevenson, "Promptings of the Spirit", Oct 2023 General Conference)

"True disciples love to submit themselves to the Lord with peace in their heart. They are humble and submissive because they love Him. They have faith to fully accept His will, not only in what He does but also in how and when. True disciples know that the real blessings are not always what they want but rather what the Lord wants for them.
True disciples love the Lord more than the world and are steadfast and immovable in their faith. They stay strong and firm in a changing and confusing world. True disciples love to listen to the voice of the Spirit and of the prophets and are not confused by the voices of the world. True disciples love to “stand in holy places” and love to make holy the places where they stand. Wherever they go, they bring the love of the Lord and peace to the hearts of others. True disciples love to obey the Lord’s commandments, and they obey because they love the Lord. As they love and keep their covenants, their hearts are renewed and their very nature changes."
(Massimo De Feo, "Pure Love: The True Sign of Every True Disciple of Jesus Christ", Apr 2018 General Conference)

Day 3459

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 123:1, 4, 6, 17

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 123:1, 4, 6, 17

"And again, we would suggest for your consideration the propriety of all the saints gathering up a knowledge of all the facts, and sufferings and abuses put upon them by the people of this state;

And perhaps a committee can be appointed to find out these things, and to take statements and affidavits; and also to gather up the libelous publications that are afloat;

That we may not only publish to all the world, but present them to the heads of government in all their dark and hellish hue, as the last effort which is enjoined on us by our Heavenly Father, before we can fully and completely claim that promise which shall call him forth from his hiding place; and also that the whole nation may be left without excuse before he can send forth the power of his mighty arm.

Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

The saints had an extermination order against them from the State of Missouri. They had been abused, raped, murdered, jailed and had property stolen and all such manner of things happen to them. They were a persecuted and suffering people and sought for redress. This chapter is the Lord's counsel to them. Basically to gather all the truth of what happened and record it. Publish it to the world and present it to government. Then stand still and leave it in God's hands. They were never told to fight for their rights. Instead they were told to be cheerful and trust God. I see the same counsel being given to us today.

Day 2126

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrew 3:6, 14

Today's Favorite Verse: Hebrew 3:6, 14
"But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;"

I just have to believe in Christ, and then stand firm and true to that unto the end. As I was reflecting on that I thought of the hymn that Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote, "I Believe in Christ". I found the Apr 1972 General Conference talk "The Testimony of Jesus" where he first read those powerful words. The hymn was amazingly first song by the Tabernacle Choir on the occasion that later became Elder McConkie's final general conference talk, April 1985, "The Purifying Power of Gethsemane" he passed just 13 days later. The witness by the Holy Ghost as he spoke was so powerful I shall remember and cherish the experience forever.

Afterwards, I listened to various renditions of the hymn song by the Tabernacle Choir on Temple Square over the years. I wanted to find the very best version of it. Then I remembered that I didn't hear if from them. In fact it happened this past July 2019 in New York City. The Millennial Choir and Orchestra were to perform in concert in Carnegie Hall and there was a major power outage. They took to the streets and sang the most amazing rendition I have ever heard. They sounded like angels truly testifying of Christ. People that would have never attended the show the Lord made sure they had a way of hearing these beautiful words. What a powerful moment.



Day 1709

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 89:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 89:9
"Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them."

This is a messianic psalm. "A song setting forth the mercy, greatness, justice, and righteousness of the Holy One of Israel - The Lord will establish David's seed and throne forever - God's Firstborn will be made higher than the kings of the earth."

As I read this verse I thought about the story of Jesus. Where he entered a ship with is disciples. As he slept a great tempest arose in the sea. They awoke him "Saying, Lord, save us: we perish"

"And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm."
(Matthew 8:26)

The story in Mark is slightly different with his disciples saying:

"Master, carest thou not that we perish?"
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
(Mark  4:37-40)



I pondered on all the raging seas I have faced in my life. Where life has just tossed me to and fro, I knew not when it would stop. It is only when I have turn to the Lord in faith, asking him to save me, that I have learned of his peace. He does care for me and the fears that I have, and will carry them for me if I but ask. He stills my soul and brings peace while the tempest are raging. Through this I have come to know and to love Him. He does rescue me.


Day 1142

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 46:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 46:10
"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

I have been reflecting a lot lately on the phrase "Be still, and know that I am God." I have witnessed a miracle and the healing of hearts. I am the "prodigal son's" mother and my child has come home. God told me to leave my child in His arms and let them fail. Then I had to stand still, and leave them alone. They would not want to hear from me until they were ready. I had to let God take care of them and do his work and not interfere. Three years later they were ready for me to love them once again. I have reflected on the reunion and how much my heart has changed while I learned to be still. Being still does not mean I do nothing. What I needed to do was know God. I had to seek His face, and trust him. Coming to know God has made me the mother my child needs. One day I hope they too seek God.

Day 1099

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 20:17

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 20:17
"Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you."

This made me think of so many battles I see raging and am told to stand still. Leave it in the hands of the Lord. The people will just fight amongst themselves, just like the enemies that came against Judah. I think many times I am just a witness of my day. Standing still can be a protection. The times I do need to speak, if I trust in the Lord the words do come.


Day 962

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 123:1, 10, 17

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 123:1, 10, 17

"And again, we would suggest for your consideration the propriety of all the saints gathering up a knowledge of all the facts, and sufferings and abuses put upon them by the people of this State;

Which dark and blackening deeds are enough to make hell itself shudder, and to stand aghast and pale, and the hands of the very devil to tremble and palsy.

Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

The early saints of the church suffered so much persecution, death and loss of property and this chapter describes some of it. Then they are told to gather statements and affidavits from those effected by these crimes. Search out the names of those that committed them if they can. Gather all the libelous publications, etc. and then present them to the heads of the government. This would be our last effort which is enjoined on us by our Heavenly Father, before we can fully and completely claim the promise that he would call them forth from their hiding places. I take that to mean do all we can legally, and when that fails it is left in the hands of the Lord. I wouldn't want to be left in the Lord's hands to be punished. That punishment would be far worse than anything a government can do. I wonder if that is why they did ultimately fail in this matter for redress. The punishment the devilish deserved was held in reserve by the Lord.

I had so many thoughts reading this chapter. I knew the LDS Church has the largest collection of anti-Mormon literature in the world. Literature written with the intent to persecute and destroy the Church. It's stored in the Church History Library. I had thought that rather odd when I first learned of it. This material is exactly what I've been counseled not to read. This chapter explains that we are to gather this material up, giving the type and how, basically from every source. So not only have we been commanded to keep a history of the Church, we are to also keep a history of those that persecute the Church. I think I know which collection I would want my name to be in. 

After all the persecution they are told to be cheerful in doing all in their power. I would think that a council of protection so their hearts do not become bitter. That can happen when you see those that committed crimes against you appear to go unpunished. After doing all, they are to stand still, I would think let the matter drop and know with assurance God will take care of the matter. I know what was asked had to be extremely hard, but I cannot help but think how easy it could be for a righteous person to lose their exaltation through bitterness and the desire for revenge. We need to leave matters in God's hands because his judgments are just. We are given this council to not canker our own souls. If Satan cannot destroy you one way, he can certainly try to destroy you in another. We just cannot afford to have him win any type of victory over us. Learning to stand still and leaving things to the Lord will bless our souls.

Day 542