Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 11:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 11:5-6
"And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do."

These verses made me think about how at the ending of our world man is developing a common language, that will not restrained by their imaginations. It's interesting how quickly AI is being developed. Like all creations it can be used for good or evil. We have to control how it is used and how much we let it influence us. I do see it as a tool needed in the millennium, as we all work to build a record of humankind and the family tree.

Day 3749

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 27:7-8, 21

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 27:7-8, 21
"And behold the book shall be sealed; and in the book shall be a revelation from God, from the beginning of the world to the ending thereof.
Wherefore, because of the things which are sealed up, the things which are sealed shall not be delivered in the day of the wickedness and abominations of the people. Wherefore the book shall be kept from them.
Touch not the things which are sealed, for I will bring them forth in mine own due time; for I will show unto the children of men that I am able to do mine own work."

How I wish it would be in my day that the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon comes forth. All I can do is live worthy to receive it, love, appreciate, and study what we already have.

"Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke of scriptures yet to be revealed, especially those from the Book of Mormon: “Many more scriptural writings will yet come to us, including those of Enoch (see D&C 107:57), all of the writings of the Apostle John (see Ether 4:16), the records of the lost tribes of Israel (see 2 Nephi 29:13), and the approximately two-thirds of the Book of Mormon plates that were sealed: ‘And the day cometh that the words of the book which were sealed shall be read upon the house tops; and they shall be read by the power of Christ; and all things shall be revealed unto the children of men which ever have been among the children of men, and which ever will be even unto the end of the earth’ (2 Nephi 27:11). Today we carry convenient quadruple combinations of the scriptures, but one day, since more scriptures are coming, we may need to pull little red wagons brimful with books” (A Wonderful Flood of Light [1990], 18)."
(Book of Mormon Student Manual, Chapter 12: 2 Nephi 25-27)

The little red wagon won't be needed as Elder Maxwell once envisioned. How grateful I am for the "radio in the pocket" David O. McKay foresaw, where I can carry around the scriptures with room enough for more.

“We should improve the means of communication until with radio in our pockets we may communicate with friends and loved ones from any point at any given moment.”
(David O. McKay, "Zion Shall Flourish"; Address delivered at the Leadership Assembly of the Brigham Young University, Jan. 29, 1935; Improvement Era, Apr 1935, pg 227)

Day 3398

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."

I found some really good quotes on comparing ourselves to others, even to the point it is the sin of pride.

"Comparison apparently is not just a sign of our times but was in times past as well. The Apostle Paul warned the people of his day that “they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”

With so many appropriate and inspired uses of technology, let us use it to teach, inspire, and lift ourselves and to encourage others to become their finest—rather than to portray our idealized virtual selves. Let us also teach and demonstrate the righteous use of technology to the rising generation and warn against the associated hazards and destructive use of it. Viewing social media through the lens of the gospel can prevent it from becoming a spiritual eclipse in our lives.

(Gary E. Stevenson, "Spiritual Eclipse", Oct 2017 General Conference)

“When the Lord measures an individual, He does not take a tape measure around the person’s head to determine his mental capacity, nor his chest to determine his manliness, but He measures the heart as an indicator of the person’s capacity and potential to bless others”

(Elder Marvin J. Ashton, “The Measure of Our Hearts,” Oct 1988 General Conference)

Sister Patricia T. Holland, “My greatest misery comes when I feel I have to fit what others are doing, or what I think others expect of me. I am most happy when I am comfortable being me and trying to do what my Father in Heaven and I expect me to be.

“For many years I tried to measure the ofttimes quiet, reflective, thoughtful Pat Holland against the robust, bubbly, talkative, and energetic Jeff Holland and others with like qualities. I have learned through several fatiguing failures that you can’t have joy in being bubbly if you are not a bubbly person. It is a contradiction in terms. I have given up seeing myself as a flawed person because my energy level is lower than Jeff’s, and I don’t talk as much as he does, nor as fast. Giving this up has freed me to embrace and rejoice in my own manner and personality in the measure of my creation” (Jeffrey R. Holland and Patricia T. Holland, On Earth as It Is in Heaven [1989], 69–70).

“At its core, pride is a sin of comparison, for though it usually begins with ‘Look how wonderful I am and what great things I have done,’ it always seems to end with ‘Therefore, I am better than you.’

“When our hearts are filled with pride, we commit a grave sin, for we violate the two great commandments [see Matthew 22:36–40]. Instead of worshipping God and loving our neighbor, we reveal the real object of our worship and love—the image we see in the mirror.

“Pride is the great sin of self-elevation. …

“This sin has many faces. It leads some to revel in their own perceived self-worth, accomplishments, talents, wealth, or position. They count these blessings as evidence of being ‘chosen,’ ‘superior,’ or ‘more righteous’ than others. This is the sin of ‘Thank God I am more special than you.’ At its core is the desire to be admired or envied. It is the sin of self-glorification”

(President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Pride and the Priesthood,” Oct 2010, General Conference)

Which brings me back to Paul's words, "But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

(2 Corinthians 10:17)

Day 3247

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 43:18-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 43:18-19

"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."

This made me ponder on "new things". I think the greatest change man saw was the fulfilling of the law of Moses, and the ending of animal sacrifices in a similitude of Christ's redeeming sacrifice. He came and fulfilled the law, and now we live a higher law. There have been changes to programs and instructions over the years, which I have been able to witness. There are changes still to come.

I also read in the Old Testament Institute manual where LeGrand Richards spoke of a literal fulfillment of Isaiah's words:

“Isaiah said: ‘Behold, I will do a new thing,’ and as far as my understanding of this scripture is concerned, that new thing was the great principle of irrigation. It is true the Saints had to make the canals, they had to make the ditches, they had to put in the dams, but the land might have remained arid had not the Lord put into their minds the inspiration to do this very thing, and that is what Isaiah saw that the Lord would do. He said:

“If you want to see the rivers in the desert, just go up through Idaho and see the great canals that come out of the Snake River. They are greater than many of the rivers of the land.

“So as you brethren gather in your crops by day in the harvest time, remember that it was the Lord God of Israel who did this new thing in this great wilderness to make it to prosper as a rose and to be a land that would attract the attention of all the world.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1948, pp. 44–45.)

(Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi, "The God of Israel and the Nations (Isaiah 36-37)", section 16-27)

It does make me wonder on all the changes and new things that are to come.

Day 2881

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 31:1, 5

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 31:1, 5

"Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it."'

The fifth version made me think of the Iron Dome over Jerusalem and how it preserves their nation. I do believe that the Lord inspires man to use technology in wondrous way. The Iron Dome I believe is inspired and under the hand of God. Yet, the first verse reminds me that we are not to put our trust in horses, chariots and horsemen. This would be a warning that technology that was inspired is not to replace God. The moment a person or nation forgets that it will no longer be able to protect them.

Day 2869

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 84:62

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 84:62

"Therefore, go ye into all the world; and unto whatsoever place ye cannot go ye shall send, that the testimony may go from you into all the world unto every creature."

This was such a good chapter and very hard to decide on which of several things to ponder on. I finally settled on this verse. It made me think about the changes that happened to the missionary program due to the pandemic. "whatsoever place ye cannot go ye shall send".

Through the use of technology we are sending the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the whole world. It made me think of recent talks in General Conference.

"Meanwhile, the work of the Lord is steadily moving forward. Amid social distancing, face masks, and Zoom meetings, we have learned to do some things differently and some even more effectively. Unusual times can bring unusual rewards.

Our missionaries and mission leaders have been resourceful, resilient, and truly remarkable. Although most missionaries have had to find new, creative ways to do their work, many missions have reported doing more teaching than ever."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Moving Forward", Oct 2020 General Conference)

"Many of our missionaries are busier than ever. Many are teaching more people than ever. There is an increased connection between members and missionaries.

In the past, we might have been so tied to traditional approaches that it took a pandemic to open our eyes. Perhaps we were still building with sandstone when granite was already available. Of necessity, we are now learning how to use a variety of methods, including technology, to invite people—in normal and natural ways—to come and see, come and help, and come and belong."

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "God Will Do Something Unimaginable", Oct 2020 General Conference)

Day 2087

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 80:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 80:3

"Wherefore, go ye and preach my gospel, whether to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west, it mattereth not, for ye cannot go amiss."

This is such a beautiful reminder that it does not ultimately matter where a missionary serves, for there are people everywhere that need to hear the gospel message. When the missionaries had to be called home at the beginning of this pandemic, there were still ways they could serve from their homes. The net can be cast even further with the miracle of technology. I also pondered how this applies to each member of the church. For all over the world there is always someone that we will come in contact with that is ready to hear the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Day 2083

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 13:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 13:15
"And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed."

As I have been watching the development of Artificial Intelligence and the advances that it is making, I do wonder what the Lord will use it for, and what Satan will do with it? For that seems to be the element behind technology. It can be used for good or evil. If machines can learn to speak and interact with humans, and they have no heart or soul, I wonder if that is part of the miracles Satan will use to control them? I cannot help but think that because Satan and his angel could not obtain a body, why they would not want to create them for themselves.

There is much we don't have an answer for. I know whenever I imagine how prophesy could be fulfilled it doesn't appear that way once it has. But, for now I am watching where this technology is going and how it is being used. It troubles my soul to think of the "social credit" system being adapted by governments in different parts of the world. There are people that are being penalized by systems determining among other things what they can buy or sell. It is pure evil to allow a system to decide if you have value and worth. 

Day 1753

Today's Favorite Verse: Nahum 2:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Nahum 2:3-4
"The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with the flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken.
That chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like lighnings."

These verses are describing when the preparation for the second coming of the Lord will be. It's not hard to visualize Nahum attempting to describe a modern day automobile in the last verse. I can picture him standing at a street corning watching cars line up at a traffic light. I can also see him standing on a bridge at night overlooking a modern day highway. But this can even go a little further back in time in the industrial age. Prior to the automobile there were trains, that could also run at incredible speeds.

Nahum prophecy was written between 660-606 BC. The first steam locomotive was built in 1804. It wasn't until 1830 that the first public railway was open in the United States. Those dates are rather interesting to look at. Lehi and his family left Jerusalem in 600 BC so Nahum could have been a contemporary. Joseph Smith was born 1805 and the restoration of the gospel and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon happened in 1830. It was this modern age and coming forward that Nahum prophesied of. This is the time when the gospel was restored in preparation of the Lord's second coming. Even 100 years prior to the restoration of the gospel the imagery in Nahum prophesy would not be understood.

Day 1477

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 19:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 19:5
"They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:"

This is so horrific, to think of people burning their children in a fire as an offering to Baal. Yes, there are a lot of sick people out there but as a people we don't accept people burning their children. So how could I liken this to something people do find acceptable today?  Immediately I thought of parents with bowed heads worshiping over their cell phones and tablets, totally ignoring their children. Yes, we have idols in our day and we sacrifice our children to them. That I am sure does not please God, for we are teaching our children to worship them too.

Day 1339

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 19:8-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 19:8-10
"The fishers also shall mourn, and all they that cast angle into the brooks shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish.
Moreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave networks, shall be confounded.
And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof, all that make sluices and ponds for fish."

When I read verse 9 about fine flax and weave networks I immediately had the internet with its fiber optic cables and web come to mind. I sat and thought about it possibly being some sophisticated cybercrime and computer hacking that is exposed and taken down. It's not beyond the imagination in my day because data breaches are happening all the time. I decided that these verses are ones that will be made totally clear and understandable when it all comes to pass. For Isaiah is to be understood completely in the last days as prophesy is fulfilled. I'm ok with having the beginning of an idea form with the symbolism spoken of, but wait for full understanding to come.

Interesting how some other words lead to the internet.
Angle = fish hook = hooks are used in programming. Predefined points in code where additional logic maybe inserted or behavior overriden or altered. Can be used to run malicious programs and steal control of the computer from another.
Sluices = Iranian hackers compromised New York dam's sluice gates

Day 1273

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 115:4, 8

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 115:4, 8
"Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them."

In between these two verses the idols are described with mouths that don't speak, eyes that don't see, ears that don't hear, noses that don't smell, hands that don't feel, feet that don't walk, and they don't speak through their throat.

I think the key is what happens to the person with the idols, they become like them, dead to all anything that is real. Which made me think of Elder Bednar 2009 BYU-Idaho talk "Things as They Really Are", and later printed in the June 2010 Ensign.

He gives an apostolic voice of warning, with much pleading and concern on a subject with immediate and eternal implications. He exposes the tactics of the adversary in our day. This statement really struck me.

"If the adversary cannot entice us to misuse our physical bodies, then one of his most potent tactics is to beguile you and me as embodied spirits to disconnect gradually and physically from things as they really are. In essence, he encourages us to think and act as if we were in our premortal, unembodied state. And, if we let him, he can cunningly employ some aspects of modern technology to accomplish his purposes."


Day 1168