Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 25:4, 16

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 25:4, 16
"But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents."

I focused on two parables in this chapter, the parable of the ten virgins and of the talents. I looked at them to see if there was a pattern. The wise virgins had oil in their lamps. In my notes I had written they had a testimony and conversion. Those that were foolish may have had a testimony but they were not converted. We cannot share our conversion for it is gained dropped by drop. So I asked myself what would the increase in the talents? Would it be those that received a testimony and were converted and then shared it with others? The increase being more converted followers of Jesus Christ. The servant with one talent just buried it. His testimony didn't grow from usery for himself or for others. Not only must we gain a testimony and be converted, we must in turn share the gospel with others to help them grown.

Day 4078

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 12:8-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 12:8-12
"And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days."

I added this note to these verses in my scriptures.
Is this timing a major coincidence or has prophecy just been fulfilled? 

At the end of day on March 25, 2020 the temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints closed due to Covid. Israel was attacked on Oct 7, 2023 at 6:30 a.m. Which would be the end of the day Oct 6 for the United States, making it 1,290 days later. 
If you read Daniel 12:10 it tells you who will understand.

When I realized the timing I didn't feel fear but awe and wonder of it all. It makes me wonder what else we are seeing but not knowing what we see. When the resurrected Christ appeared to his apostles he expounded all the scriptures that testified of him. We will more than likely experience the same thing when He comes again. Then go, "Awe, I didn't realize that was a sign". Things just happen so natural and organic.

The next question is when are we to start counting the 1,335 days? For blessed is he that waiteth. Was it from the date the temple closed I wondered? That would have made is 20 Nov 2023. I didn't note anything special on that day. If the count begins after the 1290 days then it would be 2 June 2027.

I'm not marking that date as something wondrous, like the second coming, is happening. I have my eye on that date but am fine to wait and see. For it is through the waiting we are blessed. For me waiting means to stay in place and be ever ready. It echoes the parable of the ten virgins to me, and being blessed for keeping their lamps filled. Now is not the time to take a break from living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Day 4030

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 133:2, 10

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 133:2, 10
"The Lord who shall suddenly come to his temple; the Lord who shall come down upon the world with a curse to judgment; yea, upon all the nations that forget God, and upon all the ungodly among you."
"Yea, let the cry go forth among all people: Awake and arise and go forth to meet the Bridegroom; behold and lo, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord."

The parable of the ten virgins was a theme and focus this past general conference. The message being to prepare for the second coming. Whenever I see the Bridegroom mentioned it stands out to me now. When I read verse 10 the thought came, "Where do we go to meet Him?" Like in the parable of ten virgins the cry was made "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." (Matthew 25:6) Where would I go to meet the Lord? My answer, I cannot go wrong if I was at His House, the House of the Lord. The place where I am told he will suddenly come. Since general conference I have thought of the oil like a temple recommend. I can't share it with someone else. I cannot hurry and go get one when the call is made. Being prepared is also being ever ready to enter the House of the Lord.

Day 3722

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 130:14-17

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 130:14-17
"I was once praying very earnestly to know the time of the coming of the Son of Man, when I heard a voice repeat the following:
Joseph, my son, if thou livest until thou art eighty-five years old, thou shalt see the face of the Son of Man; therefore let this suffice, and trouble me no more on this matter.
I was left thus, without being able to decide whether this coming referred to the beginning of the millennium or to some previous appearing, or whether I should die and thus see his face.
I believe the coming of the Son of Man will not be any sooner than that time."

The reminded me of another quote of Joseph Smith, Jr.

"Of the Savior’s words that no man knows the day or the hour of the coming of the Son of Man (see Matt. 24:36), the Prophet asked: “Did Christ speak this as a general principle throughout all generations? Oh, no, He spoke in the present tense. No man that was then living upon the footstool of God knew the day or the hour. But He did not say that there was no man throughout all generations that should not know the day or the hour. No, for this would be in flat contradiction with other scripture. For the prophet says that God will do nothing but what He will reveal unto His servants the prophets. Consequently, if it is not made known to the prophets, it will not come to pass.”
(Grant Underwood, "The Prophet Joseph Smith's Use of the Old Testament", Aug 2002 Ensign)

President Nelson also spoke of not knowing the hour or day of the second coming.

"Regular worship in the house of the Lord increases our capacity for both virtue and charity. Thus, time in the temple increases our confidence before the Lord. Increased time in the temple will help us prepare for the Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We do not know the day or the hour of His coming. But I do know that the Lord is prompting me to urge us to get ready for that “great and dreadful day.”
(Russell M. Nelson, "Confidence in the Presence of God", Apr 2025 General Conference)

Then in General Conference we have at least 4 talks that spoke of the parable of the ten virgins. You know what I find interesting? That in Jesus' time the bride and the virgins didn't know the day or the hour that the bridegroom was coming, but they knew the season. It would be after the harvest and the father of the bridegroom said it was time. The reason the virgins are waiting is because they knew the time was close the harvest was ending. Like a woman with child, they knew the month and the year the child is coming.

Another interesting thing about Matthew 24:36 is what comes after it.

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."
(Matthew 24:36-37)

I asked myself how long was Noah building the ark? I find that some scholars say it between 55 to 75 years. Other scholars consider it was up to 120 years. Now how long has The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint been restored and waiting for the second coming? The 200th anniversary is in 2030. We've been preparing longer than it took Noah to build the ark. What also happened to Noah before the rain came? The Lord told Noah to take all his house into the ark. (It was their temple.) The Lord shut the door, and it was seven days later that the rains started. You cannot tell me that a prophet of God won't know how close we are to the second coming, if the Lord told us it would be like the days of Noah.

Day 3719

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 113:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 113:7-8
"Questions by Elias Higbee: What is meant by the command in Isaiah, 52d chapter, 1st verse, which saith: Put on thy strength, O Zion—and what people had Isaiah reference to?
He had reference to those whom God should call in the last days, who should hold the power of priesthood to bring again Zion, and the redemption of Israel; and to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood, which she, Zion, has a right to by lineage; also to return to that power which she had lost."

There were some questions that Joseph Smith and others had on the writings of Isaiah. This chapter has questions they asked and the answers received. I love these question and answer sessions. I really do wish they had asked more. This is verse in Isaiah the question was about.

"Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean."
(Isaiah 52:1)

This is talking about us. With the phrase "put on thy beautiful garments" it makes me wonder why, of all times, would an endowed member want to find excuses to stop wearing them? I don't really want to understand their reasoning. I truly feel they are on shaky ground and may not know it yet. That thought makes me really, really sad. It also makes me think of the five foolish virgins. Could you imagine them asking the five wise virgins to give them their garments because they don't have any with them? There is a reason we are told to be covenant keeping, temple going people.

"I am so grateful for the privilege of wearing the garment of the holy priesthood to remind me that the Savior and the blessings of His infinite Atonement constantly cover me throughout my mortal journey. It also reminds me that as I keep the covenants I have made with God in the house of the Lord, I have symbolically put on Christ, who Himself is an armor of light. He will protect me from evil, give me power and increased capacity, and be my light and guide through the darkness and difficulties of this world.
There is deep and beautiful symbolic meaning in the garment of the holy priesthood and its relationship to Christ. I believe that my willingness to wear the holy garment becomes my symbol to Him. It is my own personal sign to God, not a sign to others."
(Sister J. Anette Dennis, "Put Ye On the Lord Jesus Christ", April 2024 General Conference)

Day 3702

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 72:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 72:4
"For he who is faithful and wise in time is accounted worthy to inherit the mansions prepared for him of my Father."

After this general conference my quest has been to study the parable of the ten virgins. Having at least four talks mentioning this parable during general conference, I figure it's pretty important to understand right now. In my quest I have also been trying to understand Hebrew marriage customs. The mansions being prepared made me think of this. After the betrothal the bride and groom lived separately for a year. During this time frame they both had important work to do in preparation of the marriage feast. The bridegroom lived with his father, and worked on building a home to bring his bride to. No one knew the hour or the day when the bridegroom would come for his bride. Only the father of the bridegroom knew because he alone would determine when the house was ready. The bride knew the year and the season which was usually after the harvest. That is why in the parable the ten virgins attending the bride are waiting, for they did not know the exact day or hour of the bridegroom's arrival, but they knew it was any day now.

What I find interesting is what the Lord said to his apostles leading up to his death and resurrection.

"In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
(John 14:2-3)

After Jesus Christ's death and resurrection he literally went to His Father's house, and as the bridegroom has been preparing a place for all of us.

What is also interesting is in the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord doesn't mention he's preparing a place anymore, instead it says He has prepared them.

"For those that live shall inherit the earth, and those that die shall rest from all their labors, and their works shall follow them; and they shall receive a crown in the mansions of my Father, which I have prepared for them."
(Doctrine and Covenants 59:2)

"Let not your hearts be troubled; for in my Father’s house are many mansions, and I have prepared a place for you; and where my Father and I am, there ye shall be also."
(Doctrine and Covenants 98:18)

That makes me wonder if the homes are prepared what are we waiting for? It must be finishing the harvest before the wedding feast can begin. Which is exactly what we have been told to busy ourselves with.

Day 3661

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 71:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 71:5-6
"Now, behold this is wisdom; whoso readeth, let him understand and receive also;
For unto him that receiveth it shall be given more abundantly, even power."

I pondered on the great messages during general conference. There was a theme of the parable of the ten virgins. I need to make a study of this parable. The prophet also spoke of charity. I reminded me of the last words of Mormon, that his son Moroni records in the Book of Mormon. He spoke on charity, and their desperate need to have charity, right when their civilization was being destroyed. That is exactly what we were counseled to obtain. I know these words were wisdom for us right now. I need understanding and to put it into practice.

Day 3660

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 63:54

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 63:54
" And until that hour there will be foolish virgins among the wise; and at that hour cometh an entire separation of the righteous and the wicked; and in that day will I send mine angels to pluck out the wicked and cast them into unquenchable fire."

I had an interesting experience yesterday. I was talking to someone that withdrew their membership from the church. Their rules are that I do not speak of the second coming or Jesus Christ. They want nothing to do with the church or religion. So, I can't say anything. They were telling me how scared and almost in a state of panic they were over what was happening in the world. Their fears in most cases are legitimate, in others they border on paranoia. As they talked I thought about the peace I had because of my faith in Jesus Christ. Words I could not say to them. Instead I said, "I wish I could give you what I have." They replied that they wished I could too. We both knew it was something they had to obtain on their own, which they rejected the process.

Since then I have reflected on the parable of the ten virgins. How I have seen it first hand. Those that wanted oil in their lamps need to obtain it on their own. I cannot give you my oil for it was obtained one drop at a time through the precious blood of my Savior. That is how I know Him, and have peace through him come what may.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
(John 14:27)

Day 3652

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 33:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 33:17
"Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom—"

I cannot help but think of the parable of the ten virgins when I read this verse. When I think of all the signs showing how close we are to the second coming of Jesus Christ there is no time to slack. I need to continually pray, keep my lamp trimmed and burning, and oil with me. I cannot afford to run low on the gospel fuel that feeds me spiritually.

"World-class athletes and university doctoral students spend hours and days and weeks and months and even years of preparation. Daily drops of preparation are required of them to come out on top. Likewise, those who wish to qualify for exaltation in the celestial kingdom are expected to live a higher standard of obedience that comes by practicing the virtue of obedience day by day and drop by drop.As we consistently and diligently add oil, drop by drop, to our spiritual lamps, doing these small and simple things, we can have our lamps “trimmed and burning” with astonishing preparation."
(Linda K. Burton, "Prepared in a Manner That Never Had Been Known", Oct 2014 General Conference)

Day 3622

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 19:7-9

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 19:7-9
"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God."

I want to be at the marriage feast. This is when the Lord as the bridegroom claims his bride, or the church. Only the faithful who watched will be ready. Reminds me of the ten virgins and only half were ready when the bridegroom came. It was to late for them to acquire oil in their lambs at that point. The key is to always be ready no matter what.

This also reminded me of Elder Bednar's Oct 2022 General Conference talk "Put on Thy Strength, O Zion" on the wedding feast found in Matthew 22. It ended with a quote from the Joseph Smith Translation of the bible.

“For many are called, but few are chosen; wherefore all do not have on the wedding garment.” (JST Matthew 22:14)

“Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?“Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men.”
(Doctrine and Covenants 121:34-35)

"Those who keep the commandments of the Lord and walk in His statutes to the end, are the only individuals permitted to sit at this glorious feast. … Reflect for a moment, brethren [and sisters], and enquire, whether you would consider yourselves worthy [of] a seat at the marriage feast”
(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], p. 165-66)

Day 3345

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 15:8-9

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 15:8-9

"Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?

What knowest thou, that we know not? what understandest thou, which is not in us?"

How do you share faith with someone that has no faith? How do you tell them to trust the Lord when they neither know how to trust or who the Lord is? I reflected on the parable of the ten virgins. There were five virgins with oil in their lamps and then to spare, yet they could not share it. There are somethings you cannot share because it is not understood until you seek for it yourself. If there in nothing inside, then it will seem a mystery.

"And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves."

(Matthew 25:8-9)

Day 2610

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 35:21

 Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 35:21

For they will hear my voice, and shall see me, and shall not be asleep, and shall abide the day of my coming; for they shall be purified, even as I am pure."

The Lord is speaking to the "salvation of mine own elect". What really stood out to me in this verse is they "shall not be asleep". The reference is to Matthew 25:5 "While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept". I pondered on how important it was to not be asleep. What would keep me awake? It would be to keep busy. What would I be busy doing? Making ready for the Lord's coming. This made me think of President Russell M. Nelson's recent General Conference talk when he spoke of "Never stop preparing".

"Even when things went well, Captain Moroni continued to prepare his people. He never stopped. He never became complacent.

The adversary never stops attacking. So, we can never stop preparing! The more self-reliant we are—temporally, emotionally, and spiritually—the more prepared we are to thwart Satan’s relentless assaults."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Embrace the Future with Faith", Oct 2020 General Conference)

Being complacent would be part of being asleep. President Nelson continued...

"Please, keep going! Your vigilance in safeguarding your homes and instilling faith in the hearts of your loved ones will reap rewards for generations to come.

My dear sisters, we have so much to look forward to! The Lord placed you here now because He knew you had the capacity to negotiate the complexities of the latter part of these latter days. He knew you would grasp the grandeur of His work and be eager to help bring it to pass.

I am not saying that the days ahead will be easy, but I promise you that the future will be glorious for those who are prepared and who continue to prepare to be instruments in the Lord’s hands."

This is such a wonderful promise, if I never stop preparing, and don't fall asleep.

Day 2038

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 33:13, 17

 Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 33:13, 17

"And upon this rock I will build my church; yea, upon this rock ye are built, and if ye continue, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you.

Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom-"

What wonderful blessings if we remain faithful and ever ready to meet the Lord. What a small price is asked in order to receive such great promises. Both of these themes were mentioned during the recent General Conference. Elder David A. Bednar talk "We Will Prove Them Herewith" in particular came to mind so I sat and listened to it.

Day 2036

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 2:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Colossians 2:8
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately on the parable of the ten virgins and have really come to feel I am seeing it happen right now. It grieves me to see saints being lead away by the false doctrine of men, and a spirit of apathy in doing what the prophet has counseled, in particular reading the scriptures daily with their families. They will not have oil in their lamps when they need it the most, which is actually right now in the day we are living.

"And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.
For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived - verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day."
(Doctrine and Covenants 45:56-57)

I wish I had saved the link to a post I read this morning. A mother related how she told the story of Noah and the ark to her child, and the little one asked "What happened to all the children?" The mother replied "Their parents didn't make sure they were on the boat." Isn't that just the saddest thought! I had never pictured little children dying in the flood due to the foolishness of their parents. It's made me think of that comment all day long. Right now if we are not doing everything in our power our children won't get on the boat. They won't know to put oil in their lamps or even have one. At the very least we should do what the prophet asked for them.



Day 1682

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 21:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 21:1-2
"The word which came unto Jeremiah from the Lord, when king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashur the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseaiah the priest, saying,
Inquire, I pray thee, of the Lord for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; if so be that the Lord will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us.

Interesting how earlier they didn't want to listen to the Lord. Now that king Nebuchadrezzar is coming against them they want to hear the council of the Lord. At least they are pretending well by trying to flatter Him. The Lord knows their hearts and it will not go well for them.

This made me think of something I recently read in the Church News "The 'powerful witness of the Savior' that Elder Cook gave Church members in Europe", 19 Nov 2018

"He spoke about some of the history of the areas. However, a common theme to the members was that those who follow the new prophetic home-centered teaching will be blessed. He prophesied that 20 years from now those families that have listened to the prophet will weather the coming storms.”

In 20 years will members run to hear the prophet's council after ignoring or mocking it all that time, just to be given safety from the storms? If history repeats itself they will left as virgins without oil in their lamps, unprepared for when the bridegroom comes, and no time left to prepare.

Day 1341

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 53:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 53:1
"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good."

Had an interesting conversation with my family during scripture reading this week. We got onto the subject of apostasy and destroying another's faith. Who would be at fault, the one that lead the person away, or the one lead away? Honestly I have no idea on a person's heart or knowledge that they had prior to being lead away, but I think both are accountable for their actions. I hope I never stand in the shoes of either individual. All I can work on is myself and my personal relationship with my Savior.

This scripture makes me ponder on that again. For I think the heart of the matter is corruption had to be in both places. I have my agency, and no one can take from me my faith, unless I let them. If I stop working on my testimony or let pride or sin overcome me, then I am ripe for corruption. I am one of the five foolish virgins without oil in my lamp. 

Day 1106

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 11:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 11:9-10

"And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.

Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased."

The children of Israel are tired of eating manna for so long that they begin to complain. I recalled my recent lesson in complaining. Sunday we had a Stake Women's Fireside, a musical parable of The Ten Virgins. It was a performance I have wanted to see for a very long time. I was tired after church that morning, so I decided to take a nap. The fireside was at 5:30 pm, so I set my alarm for 5:00 pm giving me 1.5 hrs to sleep. Surely I wouldn't sleep that long. As soon as my head hit the pillow I was sound asleep. Next thing I knew I woke up without hearing any alarm. I looked towards the clock and it was 5:34 pm. How did I miss that alarm? I knew the spirit had woken me, but as I rushed to get to the church at the end of the street I chided the spirit, "Why couldn't you have awoken me at least in time to be there before it started?" In fact I was a little mad that it hadn't. All the while thinking to myself I really should be grateful the spirit woke me at all. I was totally conflicted.

I walked in late with the presentation already started. The only seat was in the very back, behind a very tall head. I spent a lot of time focusing on my distractions. What did I miss? This is hard I can't see. It took a while for my soul to calm down. I actually closed my eyes to listen to the words and songs to stop the noises in my head. That made things a little better. It was a beautiful presentation.

Afterwards talking with friends I found out I came in just as it started. So I really didn't miss much. I then came home to read my scriptures and something wasn't right. I couldn't focus on what I was reading. Then I thought of my chiding the spirit for what I had considered not waking me in time. I had to stop and admit how wrong I was in what I had done. I needed to express my gratitude to the Lord, for he did actually wake me in time. Left on my own I could have slept through the night and missed the whole thing. Hadn't I learned by now his timing is better than my own, and he will take care of me? It is only with the spirit of gratitude, for what the Lord has blessed me with, that I can be ready to receive more. With that spirit now I was ready to read and ponder the scriptures, and put oil in my lamp. 

Day 703