Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 6:21

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 6:21
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

I asked myself what my treasure is? Treasure is probably not the right word, for that makes me think of riches and material things and I'm not so big into that. I found it better to think about what I give most of my time and effort too. Where is my attention focused? Do I have a good balance pleasing to the Lord? It made me think of my family history, that really is my top "treasure". This year I will mark my 50th year since I officially took my first genealogy class. That really is a good treasure to mark my life's work. This is part of the Lord's work gathering Israel on both sides of the veil. I have had so many spiritual connections around it. My testimony of the Lord and his love for each of His children has been cemented to my heart. I can not only take this life work with me on the other side, but I can continue it there. I had already planned I was going to do some research after reading my scriptures tonight, now I can't wait! There are more family members to find and eventually greet on the other side.

Day 4059

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 101:64-66

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 101:64-66
"That the work of the gathering together of my saints may continue, that I may build them up unto my name upon holy places; for the time of harvest is come, and my word must needs be fulfilled.
Therefore, I must gather together my people, according to the parable of the wheat and the tares, that the wheat may be secured in the garners to possess eternal life, and be crowned with celestial glory, when I shall come in the kingdom of my Father to reward every man according as his work shall be;
While the tares shall be bound in bundles, and their bands made strong, that they may be burned with unquenchable fire.

Most unfair chapter to pick a favorite. So may wonderful verses to ponder on. I selected this one because it gave me a new thought. As I pondered on the wheat being gathered and secured in the garners it made me think, "They are in the temples. They are in the House of the Lord." We must be a temple going people.

"Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places;
And prepare for the revelation which is to come, when the veil of the covering of my temple, in my tabernacle, which hideth the earth, shall be taken off, and all flesh shall see me together."
(Doctrine and Covenants 101:22-23)

Day 3690

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 21:7, 9, 13-14, 19

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 21:7, 9, 13-14, 19

"Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.

They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.

Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.

Job acknowledges the wicked sometimes prosper in this life. It isn't until final judgment that they face God's wrath and receive their reward. I also found it interesting how this chapter also acknowledges there is a chance to know God after death and before resurrection and judgment. The gospel will be preached to them on the other side, but there are those that will still reject it.

Day 2616

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 6:15-17

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 6:15-17

"And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."

I pondered on how grateful I was for this experience that the servant had with Elisha. So many times over the years I have thought of the words "for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." Even though I've never faced an army ahead of me ready to destroy, I have had moments that I know people on the other side of the veil are there to strengthen me and those that I love. Whether the confirmation comes by the spirit or not I still know I'm never alone.

These are the moments when we show we're not a doubting Thomas.

"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

(John 20:29)

Day 2478

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 34:29-30, 33

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 34:29-30, 33

"And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.

And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.

And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a veil on his face."

When I read how Moses face shown after speaking with the Lord on mount Sinai for 40 days, and he had to wear a veil over his face afterwards, it makes me think of Abinadi in the Book of Mormon. After king Noah sought Abinadi's life the first time he prophesied, he was gone for two years. During that time frame Abinadi also spoke with the Lord and was told what would happen to the people if they did not repent, just like Moses did. When Abinadi reappears he is said to be in disguise, but when he spoke to them his face shone like Moses. I think his disguise was a simply veil like Moses that covered his face.

"And it came to pass that after the space of two years that Abinadi came among them in disguise, that they knew him not, and began to prophesy among them, saying: Thus has the Lord commanded me, saying - Abinadi, go and prophesy unto this my people, for they have hardened their hearts against my words; they have repented not of their evil doings; therefore, I will visit them in my anger, yea, in my fierce anger will I visit them in their iniquities and abominations."

(Mosiah 12:1)

"Now it came to pass after Abinadi had spoken these words that the people of king Noah durst not lay their hands on him, for the Spirit of the Lord was upon him; and his face shone with exceeding luster, even as Moses' did while in the mount of Sinai, while speaking with the Lord."

(Mosiah 13:5)

This is not the only time people that spoke with the Lord faces shone.

"And it came to pass that he turned him about, and behold, he saw through the cloud of darkness the faces of Nephi and Lehi; and behold, they did shine exceedingly, even as the faces of angels. And he beheld that they did lift their eyes to heaven; and they were in the attitude as if talking or lifting their voices to some being whom they beheld."

(Helaman 5:36)

Day 2243

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 27:21

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 27:21

"In the tabernacle of the congregation without the veil, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the Lord: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel."

I thought about the veil over our eyes that keeps me living by faith. I could not gain a testimony by faith if I did not live my life without the veil. That is the way all of us live this earth life, so we are fully tried and tested.

Day 2236

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 49:33

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 49:33

"And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people."

Jacob blesses his sons and prophesies what will befall them in the last days. These are the twelve tribes of Israel. At the end Jacob dies and is "gathered unto his people". I thought then that this chapter speaks of the gathering on both sides of the veil. That gathering is taking place right now.

Day 2208

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 110:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 110:1

"The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened."

This is one of the amazing chapters in all of the Doctrine and Covenants. This is where the Lord himself appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland temple, April 3, 1836. Followed by Moses, Elias, and Elijah coming to committed the keys of their dispensations to this the fullness of time. What it would have been like to witness these events.

I always try to ponder on something different when I read the scriptures. This time the first verse stood out to me. It made me think of Elder Bednar's apostolic blessing to have eyes that see, and ears that hear. That having this gift of the spirit would come first before the veil could be lifted and understanding opened up to you. I may not see what Joseph and Oliver saw, but having the eyes that see, ears to hear and understanding that follows, is something I can obtain. "Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his ears opened that he may hear;" (Doctrine and Covenants 136:32) "And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken." (Isaiah 32:3) "By the power of the Spirit our eyes were opened and our understanding were enlightened, so as to see and understand the things of God -" (Doctrine and Covenants 76:12)

Day 2113

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 3:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 3:4-5
"And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea.
Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men."

After the brother of Jared had gone to the Lord to inquiry on how they will light the vessels as they travel upon the waters, the Lord said "what will ye that I should prepare for you.."  meaning the brother of Jared had to study this out and come back specifically asking for the Lord to do something to light the vessels. The brother of Jared did study it out and prepared 16 white clear stones that appeared as transparent glass. He then asks the Lord to touch them to make them shine to light their way. What happened then because of his great faith the brother of Jared saw the finger of the Lord as He touched each stone. Then the Lord shows His full spirit body to him because Jared's brother could not be kept within the veil. After this the brother of Jared is shown all things until the end of the world. He was commanded to write them and seal them up. Someday we will be worthy to receive them. 

As I was reflecting on this and the brother of Jared's perfect knowledge of the Lord, these verses held more meaning. The next verse begins, "And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these words..." These were important words, it showed the brother of Jared's faith in the Lord's ability to do anything. Jared's brother is baring his testimony before God of the Lord's great power. There is so much humility in the full dialog leading up to this miraculous event.

It made me ponder on how often I skip this part in my prayers. I need to do better at this. I'm great at asking and thanking but weak in acknowledging before God how powerful He and His Son are. It made me think how often when you are filled with the spirit and bare your testimony of the truthfulness of a gospel principle, how you come to understand it more deeply yourself. Acknowledging who God is before God would make your testimony even stronger. I have memories of doing this at times, why haven't I done this more?

Day 1980

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 15:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 15:15
"And O how beautiful upon the mountains were their feet!"

Such a simple verse but it unlocked a stream of tears and such longing to go to the temple. I have been very good and obedient this whole time I have been unable to go to the temple, attend church or leave the house. My home has been a place a refuge from the storm. I have had no sense of loss or feeling of being deprived. Tonight I feel the loss. It's been 37 days since I last step inside the house of the Lord and oh how I wish tonight my feet could stand there. Truly if there was one reason I could leave the house it would be to go there. Then this beautiful thought comforted me. There are those on the other side of veil wanting so badly to have their saving ordinances done in the house of the Lord. They need me there. They are praying for this day and night too. This condition will be but a small moment in time.

"She Will Find What is Lost"

 by Brian Kershisnik

Day 1844

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 2:9-10
"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."

Spiritual discernment and revelation. Man cannot comprehend the things of God. But, through the Spirit with much searching and pondering on the deep things of God it will be made know. That is an amazing promise. It made me think of Joseph F. Smith's vision of the redemption of the death, found in Doctrine and Covenants 138. I took the time this Sabbath day to watch the video on BYUtv.org "I Saw the Hosts of the Dead".

Day 1637

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 45:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 45:15
"Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour."

Why does man not see God? Would it not make things easier if everyone could just see him?  Why must I take the words of a few that testify of Him?  Why? Because there is no other way to have faith. For even the Jews of old, seeing mighty miracles, did not believe Jesus was the son of God when they looked upon him. Learning to live by faith, with a veil in place, is the purpose of our earth existence.

"But behold, verily, verily, I say unto you that mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me;"
(Doctrine and Covenants 28:7)

"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismay: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
(Joshua 1:9)

I have come to realize that wanting to see God, because I think it will some how make the relationship deeper, is not to realize he's already there. At that point it's important to ask, "Do I want to see so I can believe?" For to believe with real faith in Christ the deep relationship is already there. It would make no difference to see Him with my eyes. For I already know Him. Many, many times I have thanked Heavenly Father for allowing me to have a veil over my eyes and letting me live by faith. This is such a beautiful plan. It is to hard to walk on this earth without a veil in place.

Day 1299

Today's Favorite Verse: Song of Solomon 7:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Song of Solomon 7:3, 12-13
"Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins.
Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves.
The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved."

I believe this is speaking of working in the Lord's vineyard on both sides of the veil. The Song of Solomon has repeated the use of doubles, twins, and breasts. As the Church of Jesus Christ is upon the earth it is also organized and functioning on the other side of the veil. Making ready for our beloved's return.

The Eternal Family Through Christ by Judith Mehr

Day 1253

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 1:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 1:11
"There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after."

What is this talking about?  I believe it is the veil that is placed over my eyes and memory when I left my heavenly home to come to earth. Here I am able to freely be tried and tested with such a veil in place. I have come to love the veil. After my near-death experience I understood the importance of having the veil and needing to walk by faith. It took a while to come back and it rightfully needed to. Now the words of the blessing I was given in the hospital are true. "It would seems as if it were all a dream."  In ways it is and I am grateful. You cannot walk this earth with a foot still in the other. 

I also do not need to see my future. I know I did, but its not meant to remember it. There is beauty in this journey of faith. I have often reflected on Nephi and how much harder that walk back alone to Jerusalem to obtain the brass plates from Laban would have been. It was right that he did not have all the details. 

"And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do."
(1 Nephi 4:6)

Walking in faith he could do the Father's will when called to slay Laban. There is mercy in the Father's plan of having me walk in faith. I am never alone for the spirit will guide and the Lord will be by my side all the way. Through faith I am made stronger. It is as it should be.

Day 1235

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 81:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 81:3

"Therefore, verily I acknowledge him and will bless him, and also thee, inasmuch as thou art faithful in counsel, in the office which I have appointed unto you, in prayer always, vocally and in thy heart, in public and in private, also in thy ministry in proclaiming the gospel in the land of the living, and among thy brethren."

Frederick G. Williams is called to be a counselor to Joseph Smith. The header explains that this chapter describes what a counselor does and how it is now called the First Presidency. The phrase "land of the living", really stood out to me. The Lord is talking about Frederick G. Williams mission on this side of the veil. I take that to mean there is also organization and order on the other side of the veil. Does what follow "and among thy brethren" speak of Frederick G. Williams mission in the spirit world?  At this point they had no idea about the 138th chapter of the Doctrine & Covenants. I love how the Lord is explaining things little by little and laying the foundation for greater light and knowledge. 

Day 500