Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Thessalonians 3:13

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Thessalonians 3:13
"But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing."

Elder Neal A. Maxwell gave some good advise on how to not weary in well doing. As much as we can tell ourselves to not weary, there are actual things we can do to prevent it. I have had times where to assist others I needed to pray for strength greater than mine own to accomplish it. Those prayers have been answered, but that is only for short bursts. It's the long sustained acts of service that we need to be realistic about ourselves and what those limitations are.

"The urgings for us not to weary in well-doing contain prescriptions to avoid such weariness. We are to work steadily, but realistically, and only expect to reap “in due season.” We are to serve while being “meek and lowly” avoiding thereby the wearying burdens of self-pity and hypocrisy. We are to pray always so that we will not faint, so that our performance will actually be for the welfare of our souls, which is so much more than just going through the motions."
(Neal A. Maxwell, "Lest Ye Be Wearied and Faint in Your Minds", Apr 1991 General Conference)

Day 3278

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Thessalonians 2:11

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Thessalonians 2:11
"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:"

I think of this often as I see lies sold as truth and people believe it. This really is a season of strong delusions. The number of people under strong delusions seems to be growing at an unprecedented rate. You can speak truth, giving undeniable facts, and yet they will hold to a lie. Because they reject truth and the testimony of God's servants, strong delusion are sent to them, which causes them to believe a lie all the more. They harden their hearts and lose compassion and charity for others. Money, power and position increases their pride. They become arrogant in feeling they know better than the prophets which leads to spiritual blindness. They become driven and motivated by anger instead of establishing peace. They are embolden to mock and ridicule others. These are the ones that will embrace false doctrine and philosophies of men, establish idols and set men up to be their gods. They seek their will and not God's will. Then when they give the adversary power they will see signs and lying wonders in their life. They have strong delusions on what is real. God sending strong delusions happens because its what they asked for. They want to believe a lie and profit from it. The danger is if you refuse to accept truth long enough you lose the opportunity to receive it.

Day 3277

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Thessalonians 1:10

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Thessalonians 1:10
"When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day."

I don't think I could really glorify the Lord at his coming if I did not glorify him now. We read tonight in family scriptures one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon. I love hearing Nephi say "I glory in my Jesus". That is so deep in my soul.

"I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell."
(2 Nephi 33:6)

Day 3276

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, 6

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, 6
"For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."

What struck me this time was the mention of people saying "peace and safety" and then the Lord's coming will over take them, with no escape. I know I am promised peace in the midst of trial. That holy places will be a place of refuge and safety, but it gives me pause that the world feels a sense of peace and safety too. Then I though of how in the days of Noah man was marrying and giving in marriage. The flood would have taken them unaware during the midst of every day events. The only thing I can think of is the wicked have grown so custom to their wickedness, that they are at peace and satisfied with how they are living. They have a false sense of security that things have gone exactly as they desired. A feeling that they have won. Even in the Book of Mormon when their society broke down into tribes, they had a worldly peace for a while. Its interesting to think that while the world may feel a sense of peace that they are in fact blinded to their awful condition. It does make me think a little differently on the world feeling at peace.

"And it came to pass in the thirty and first year that they were divided into tribes, every man according to his family, kindred and friends; nevertheless they had come to an agreement that they would not go to war one with another; but they were not united as to their laws, and their manner of government, for they were established according to the minds of those who were their chiefs and their leaders. But they did establish very strict laws that one tribe should not trespass against another, insomuch that in some degree they had peace in the land; nevertheless, their hearts were turned from the Lord their God, and they did stone the prophets and did cast them out from among them."
(3 Nephi 7:14)

Day 3275

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:11
"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;"

I feel like "study to be quiet" is the season of my life right now. I'm getting much better at being quiet. First, I had to learn the hard way that sharing spiritual experiences can open them up to being attacked, or stifled, even by those you trusted. It can also cause you to not follow the promptings received. Because of this you may lose out on once in a lifetime opportunities, that can never be called back.

"I unreservedly testify of and attest to the reality of God and the miracles in the everyday life of countless people from both the low and high stations of life. True, many sacred experiences are rarely spoken of, in part because of their divine origin and the resulting possibility of ridicule by some who do not know better."
(Christoffel Golden, "Preparing for the Second Coming of Christ," October 2021 General Conference)

Joseph Smith: “Let us be faithful and silent, brethren, and if God gives you a manifestation, keep it to yourselves” (History of the Church, 2:309).

Brigham Young: “Should you receive a vision or revelation from the Almighty, one that the Lord gave you concerning yourselves, or this people, but which you are not to reveal on account of your not being the proper person, or because it ought not to be known by the people at present, you should shut it up and seal it . . . as secret as the grave. The Lord has no confidence in those who reveal secrets, for he cannot safely reveal himself to such persons” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 43-44).

Boyd K. Packer: “I have learned that strong, impressive spiritual experiences do not come to us very frequently. And when they do, they are generally for our own edification, instruction, or correction. . . . I have come to believe also that it is not wise to continually talk of unusual spiritual experiences. . . . I heard President Marion G. Romney once counsel mission presidents and their wives . . . I do not tell all I know; . . . for I found out that if I talked too lightly of sacred things, thereafter the Lord would not trust me. We are, I believe, to keep these things and ponder them in our hearts, as Luke said Mary did of the supernal events that surrounded the birth of Jesus.” (Boyd K. Packer, "The Candle of the Lord", Ensign, Jan. 1983, 53)

Day 3274

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 3:7

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 3:7
"Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:"

You don't like seeing anyone suffer or be in distress. Their pain grieves you at the same time. Yet, it is true when you see someone go through trials and hold onto their faith, and speak of the Lord supporting them, it gives you strength too.

Day 3273

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 2:2

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 2:2
"But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention."

I can't imagine Paul taught the gospel with contention. The spirit would withdraw it that was the case. I looked for clarification because that didn't sit right with me. .

"Paul wrote that he and his missionary companions had preached the gospel to the Thessalonians “with much contention”. This phrase does not mean that Paul was contentious or argumentative in his preaching; instead, it implies that he taught the gospel in the face of contention and opposition. In Thessalonica, resistance to the gospel message came from both antagonistic Jews and Gentiles. Missionaries today inevitably face similar trials, but those who continue to preach despite opposition find, as did Paul, that their work is “not in vain”.
(New Testament Student Manual, Chapter 46: 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians)


Day 3272

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 1:5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 1:5
"For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake."

That power comes from priesthood authority. Paul was an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Those same keys were given to this dispensation.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:“The true gospel consists of two things: The Word, and The Power. Anyone can have the word; the books in which it is written are universally available. But the power must come from God; it is and must be dispensed according to his mind and his will to those who abide the law entitling them to receive it. The word of the gospel is the spoken or written account of what men must do to be saved. …“But actual salvation comes only when the power of God is received and used; and this power is the power of the priesthood and the power of the Holy Ghost. These must operate in the lives of men; otherwise their souls cannot be cleansed; they cannot be born again; they cannot become new creatures of the Holy Ghost; they cannot put off the natural man and become saints; they cannot be sanctified by the Spirit”
(Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1965–73], 3:42–43).
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 46: 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians")

Those priesthood keys were restored by heavenly messengers to the prophet Joseph Smith. First, came John the Baptist and the restoration of the Aaronic priesthood. Then came Peter, James and Johns to restore the Melchizedek priesthood. Followed by Moses committing the keys of the gathering of Israel, Elias the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, and Elijah with the sealing power. All I know is belonging to a church that holds these priesthood keys. I am so grateful for the blessing it has brought into my life.

Day 3271

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Thessalonians 3:5
"And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ."

The footnote for direct is "Divine Guidance". I pondered on how spiritual growth and love of God comes line upon line. Each person's path is unique for them. We are all directed and guided if that is what we seek.

Day 1692

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11
"Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:"

One delusion people can have is that Satan doesn't have any power, or that he doesn't exist. He can create lying wonders and deceive. God will allow it if what they are seeking is not the truth. I pondered on why it's important to seek truth, and the word of God. To stand in holy place and be not moved. To have the spirit always to be with me.

"Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen."
(Doctrine and Covenants 87:8)

Day 1691

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8
"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."

I thought upon the word rest, having rest in the midst of trouble, and even while the wicked are destroyed at the Lord's coming. It made me look for a quote by President Joseph F. Smith that I found in the Book of Mormon Student Manual on Moroni 7:3. This is the preparation one needs to prepare for the Lord's coming.

"The scriptures often speak of “the rest of the Lord.” After quoting Moroni 7:3, President Joseph F. Smith (1838–1918) wrote:

“This is a very significant passage. The rest here referred to is not physical rest, for there is no such thing as physical rest in the Church of Jesus Christ. Reference is made to the spiritual rest and peace which are born from a settled conviction of the truth in the minds of men. We may thus enter into the rest of the Lord today, by coming to an understanding of the truths of the gospel. … Not all need to seek this rest, for there are many who now possess it, whose minds have become satisfied, and who have set their eyes upon the mark of their high calling with an invincible determination in their hearts to be steadfast in the truth, and who are treading in humility and righteousness the path marked out for the Saints who are complacent followers of Jesus Christ. …

“I thank our Father that I have come to a knowledge of this truth, that I know that Jesus is the Christ, in whom alone there is rest and salvation. As God lives, they are deceived who follow men and their philosophies; but happy are they who enter into the rest of the peaceable followers of Christ, obtaining sufficient hope from this time henceforth until they shall rest with him in heaven” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 126, 128).

Day 1690

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 4-5
"For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief.
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness."

Well I had a new thought with these verses. It's funny how you can hear a verse quoted so many times and not really understand it. How many times have I heard the Lord would come as a thief in the night. It comes with the often quoted "but of that day and hour knoweth no man". (Matthew 24:36)

The key word I realized was "night". It speaking of those that are in darkness. To them the Lord's coming is as a thief. They are caught unaware. Those that are righteous are not in darkness. The day [Lord] will not come upon us unaware or as a thief. We are then told to not sleep, but watch and be sober. The reason the Lord coming is not as a thief is because we are waiting for him. If I was watching for a thief that was coming, I wouldn't be caught unaware at his arrival. I would be prepared and ready for it. Doesn't matter when he comes, the point is to be ready. The Lord's coming will be in full light with those watching prepared to meet him.

Day 1689

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:11
"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;"

Wise counsel and advice both in and out of the church. One in which would make you a valuable employee. It would also make one a faithful members of the church.

Day 1688

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 3:12
"And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:"

When I awake in the morning I will often lay there and read my scriptures, which will take me on an amazing journey. Now I wish I could retrace the footsteps I took today. For I had landed on a scripture that spoke of the need of unity and love one for another. As I traced the footnotes I saw it was in preparation in becoming a Zion people. For quite a while tonight I sat here pondering on what it was I read and where?  I know I will stubble on it again for that is the way is usually happens.

What is so interesting to me is that when men's heart start to fail them, and love and unity is lacking the most in this world, that this is when the Lord calls us to it now more than ever. It will not be found in the world, but will be found in those not of the world.

Day 1687

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 2:4

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 2:4
"But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts."

In Relief Society today we went over President Dallin H. Oaks, Oct 2019 General Conference talk "Two Great Commandments". This was such an excellent talk, and it grieved me as I witnessed those online oppose him while he spoke. As I read the talk in preparation for attending class, I took note that he referenced President Russell M. Nelson 9 times, Jesus Christ once, President Spencer W. Kimball once, and the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the time same-sex marriage was declared legal in the United States, once.

What this showed me is that President Oaks was not speaking of his own opinion. He was speaking on gospel truths. Just like Paul mentioned, what an apostle has to say is not always pleasing to man. It is not by choice they say hard things, it is because it is God's law. These quotes from the talk help me to see that charge.

"This Church was restored so that families could be formed, sealed, and exalted eternally."

"President Nelson reminded all of us that "our commission as Apostles is to teach nothing but truth. That commission does not give [Apostles] the authority to modify divine law." Thus, my sisters, the leaders of the Church must always teach the unique importance of marriage between a man and a women and the related law of chastity."

"The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us to love and treat all people with kindness and civility - even when we disagree."

Day 1686

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 4

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 4
"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God."

I pondered on my prayers for the prophet and leaders of this church. I was watching a video the other day on President Nelson and he acknowledged that people come to see them because they honor the office that they hold. That is a very important distinction. I know they are elect, being called of God.

Day 1685