Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 1:4

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 1:4

"Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

We all have to pass through tribulation. As a world tribulation is ever increasing the closer we are to the Lord's second coming. There are people and nations in despair. I pondered on how in many respects it is a great missionary tool. For as we turn our hearts to the Lord we find comfort and peace during tribulation. Others are drawn to the peace within us as we comfort them. It is a marvelous work and a wonder as we embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ and bring others to that same peace and light.

Day 3238

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 127:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 127:2

"And as for the perils which I am called to pass through, they seem but a small thing to me, as the envy and wrath of man have been my common lot all the days of my life; and for what cause it seems mysterious, unless I was ordained from before the foundation of the world for some good end, or bad, as you may choose to call it. Judge ye for yourselves. God knoweth all these things, whether it be good or bad. But nevertheless, deep water is what I am wont to swim in. It all has become a second nature to me; and I feel, like Paul, to glory in tribulation; for to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all, and will deliver me from henceforth; for behold, and lo, I shall triumph over all my enemies, for the Lord God hath spoken it."

This chapter is an epistle from Joseph Smith as he was forced to flee from his enemies. In it he instructs the saints on the method of baptism for the dead. Instead what I focused on was his reference of "deep water is what I am wont to swim in. It all has become a second nature to me". It reminded me of Ezekiel 47 and the water that issued out from the house of the Lord at the south side of the alter. First there was water to the ankles, then to the knees, up to the loins and finally waters to swim in. What a difference there is to wade through water and then freely swim. Is that not how we immerse ourselves in the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is a struggle until you totally immerse yourself and reach deep water and swim.

Joseph had trials since he was a boy. He had finally reach the point that he could glory in tribulation because they did not weigh him down or let them hold him back. He had turned himself over freely to the Lord and trusted him. Joseph was now swimming in living waters. What he then goes on to instruct the saints in becomes temple ordinances and blessings for those on both sides of the veil. Blessings that will flow from the temples to heal families and give them life. Temples can help prepare us to swim in deep waters, and glory in tribulation.

Day 2130

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 58:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 58:4

"For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand."

When I woke this morning I decided to watch a video that a friend yesterday kept telling me I needed to watch. I was told "It was so scary." "It exposed what is really happening with this pandemic." I had no curiosity to watch it. But when I woke this morning the thought came to me to watch it, so I did. As I watched it two scriptures came to mind and I read them. Then I thought of President Nelson's recent conference talk and watched it. The pieces all fit together as I read this.

"My dear sisters, let us not just endure this current season. Let us embrace the future with faith! Turbulent times are opportunities for us to thrive spiritually. They are times when our influence can be much more penetrating than in calmer times."

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

I understood then that during turbulent times the adversary will use that opportunity to further his plan, and the Lord will do the same. What I learned, and not what the intent of this conspiracy video intended, was that Satan will further his plan by planting fear in the hearts of men. To the point they will be deceived and actually further his work. With fear instilled in their hearts it will only draw them further from the spirit and the voice of the Lord. Instead in turbulent times we are to further the work of the Lord. Grow spiritually and share the gospel to those that are prepared to listen. The lessons learned during tribulation indeed bring blessings that help us thrive spiritually. The decision is ours as to which opportunity and master we will help further their cause.

Day 2061

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 7:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 7:14
"And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

My new spiritual thought for the day and this verse reinforces it. When I go through trials and adversity, when I have suffered and had to endure, if I turn to the Lord to carry me his atonement will turn that suffering into sanctification. There is purpose in all of it. As I seek the Father's will and rely on my Savior my joy will be full with them.

Day 1747

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 2:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 2:10
"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."

I pondered on "ye shall have tribulation ten days". The number ten represents completeness. As we drawn closer to the second coming of Jesus Christ there will be tribulation, and it will be complete, just as the Lord told us. What gives me comfort is there is a time frame and an end to the suffering. Not in it meaning ten days, for I do not believe it is only ten days of suffering. What I believe it is saying is hold on, and be faithful, this will seem but a brief moment in the eternities. Those that fought against the Lord and his saints will have no end to their suffering. The devil and his angels will have eternal damnation. Those that are faithful through tribulation will have eternal life. The fear is not the death of the body, but the death of the spirit. That is what must be safeguarded at all cost.

Day 1742

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 5:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 5:4-5
"But now that Lord my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.
And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name."

I was thinking how blessed Solomon was to have had peace on every side of him. Then I realized that part of that purpose was in order to build a house of the Lord. I sat and pondered on the temple building today. How many temples have gone up in relative peace. I wonder if we will continue to build temples if unrest increases?  Now is the time for building temples, because when unrest comes the saints will need them more than ever. The temple is truly a place of rest for me. There is comfort and peace.


Day 871