Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 23:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 23:6

"Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;"

One of the lessons I have learned during this pandemic is to stay the course. Follow the prophet and the mainstream of the church. Don't go right or left because either side will lead you astray. Stay the course right down the middle. That doesn't mean I straddle the fence. It means stay on the narrow path that is straight and sure. The Lord is there and will lighten the way through all that is ahead. I have to be like Peter and not get distracted by the storm going on around me, but keep my eyes on the Lord.

I have come to understand Lehi's dream of the tree of life with new eyes. The importance of staying on the strait and narrow path and not to take my hand off the rod of iron for a moment.

"And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world."

(1 Nephi 8:20)

That there will be others on the right and on the left that will mock at those that choose to follow the prophet.

"And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.

And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.

And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of scorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not."

(1 Nephi 8:26-27, 33)

Those that choose to not follow the prophet think they are wise, but sadly they will perish. Right now there is a real possibility they will perish physically, but more devastating is they are perishing spiritually.

"O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish."

(2 Nephi 9:28)

Sometimes, I wish I could literally shake people that say their "personal revelation" told them to set aside the counsel of a prophet of God. Can they not see who's plan they are following? They have become that verse.

"For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me."

(Doctrine and Covenants 132:22)

Day 2369

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 15:23-24

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 15:23-24
"And they said unto me: What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree?
And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction."

I pondered on what an amazing promise this is. If I just hold onto the word of God and in faith do as it says I will never perish. Satan will have no power over me to lead me astray. Being deceived is my greatest concern. I know plagues, earthquakes, floods, famines, and fires can only kill the body, but deception can kill the soul. That is what I guard more than anything. I love the scriptures, they are the rock that keeps me planted on solid ground. I love my Savior and want to follow him.

Day 1778

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 99:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 99:1
"The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved."

The mention of cherubims made me look up what was known about them in the scriptures. This is what the Bible dictionary says:

BD Cherubim: Figures representing heavenly creatures, the exact form being unknown. They are found in the Holy of Holies, on the Mercy Seat of the Ark, and in the visions of Ezekiel. In the account of the Fall, cherubim are represented as keeping "the way of the tree of life".

I read in some scriptures that they have hands under their wings. They had glory and were next to God. They must be very remarkable beings. What are they I wonder? They sound like they have intelligence so they are not animals.

Then I thought about what the Lord God said to Moses about the creation of worlds without number.

"And behold, the glory of the Lord was upon Moses, so that Moses stood in the presence of God, and talked with him face to face. And the Lord God said unto Moses: for mine own purpose have I made these things. Here is wisdom and it remaineth in me.
And by the word of my power, have I created them, which is mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth.
And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten."
(Moses 1:31-33)

God created the worlds for his own purposes. That purpose is only known to Him. He could put any being he wanted on those various worlds. They did not necessarily need to be in His image as we are. The cherubims must have come from an amazingly beautiful world. I can't wait to see them.

Day 1152

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 25:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 25:4-5
"Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day."

I pondered on how being instructed of the Lord is a journey of discovery. Line upon line I am taught. How at first it was tiny beams of light coming through a mist of darkness. If I wasn't careful I would miss it. Slowly the frequency increased. I'm talking years of studying and pondering the scriptures every day. At first I couldn't even read and comprehend. I had to listen to a recording as I read along, because my illness had robbed me of my comprehension. I just listened and kept at it. It healed me. Now I read and can feel power coming from the words. My soul if filled with joy and happiness. I attend the temple and see new things every time. I am excited about what I will learn new each day, as I wait on the Lord. Consistency and saying this is important to me, and I want to learn, has brought me to this beautiful place. For I know the Lord will teach me as I am ready and able to comprehend. The path he takes me on, if I let him, is perfectly designed for me. I wouldn't have it any other way.

"And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree." (1 Nephi 8:24)

"And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.
And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.
And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit." (1 Nephi 8:10-12)

Day 1078