Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 6:16-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 6:16-19
"These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."

I have to say this does remind me of someone. If I'm reading this correctly the Lord hates the first six but the seventh is an abomination to him. That would be sowing discord among brethren. It reminded me of when I looked at the difference between wickedness and evil.

To be wicked you are morally wrong in a principle. To be evil you have a plan or passion to hurt someone. With sowing discord among brethren it sounds like you have a plan and are working it. Its incredible how much discord one evil person can sow. We were warned about supporting and giving them power.

"Members should also study candidates carefully and vote for those who have demonstrated integrity, compassion, and service to others, regardless of party affiliation. Merely voting a straight ticket or voting based on “tradition” without careful study of candidates and their positions on important issues is a threat to democracy and inconsistent with revealed standards (see Doctrine and Covenants 98:10)."
(First Presidency Letter, "Political Participation, Voting, and the Political Neutrality of the Church", 1 Jun 2023)

"But, behold, the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed."
(Mormon 4:5)

Day 3954

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 2:6-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 2:6-10
"And thus they did assemble themselves together to cast in their voices concerning the matter; and they were laid before the judges.
And it came to pass that the voice of the people came against Amlici, that he was not made king over the people.
Now this did cause much joy in the hearts of those who were against him; but Amlici did stir up those who were in his favor to anger against those who were not in his favor.
And it came to pass that they gathered themselves together, and did consecrate Amlici to be their king.
Now when Amlici was made king over them he commanded them that they should take up arms against their brethren; and this he did that he might subject them to him."

I really, really, hope and pray that this election, history does not repeat itself. We've emulated enough of the downfall of the people in the Book of Mormon. There is a reason we study the Book of Mormon every four years in the church, which also happens to be during our presidential elections.

"O be wise; what can I say more?"
(Jacob 6:12)

Day 3446

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 29:26-27

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 29:26-27
"Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people.
And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land."

King Mosiah is speaking to his people about the dangers of having kings. He reminded them of wicked king Noah and how much damage one unrighteous king can do. He then suggests instead of having kings that they have judges, established by the voice of people. He then gives a warning that this works because it is common for the voice of the people to desire what is right. But if the majority of the people choose iniquity the judgment of God will come upon them. This is a warning for us today. The voice of the people will make their decision in our land this year. In many ways I see this as a question of free agency, and how much we allow others their agency or force them to conform to ours.

I could see this also in the response king Mosiah's people gave to him on enjoying their own rights and privileges.

"And now I desire that this inequality should be no more in this land, especially among this my people; but I desire that this land be a land of liberty, and every man may enjoy his rights and privileges alike, so long as the Lord sees fit that we may live and inherit the land, yea, even as long as any of our posterity remains upon the face of the land.
Therefore they relinquished their desires for a king, and became exceedingly anxious that every man should have an equal chance throughout all the land; yea, and every man expressed a willingness to answer for his own sins." (Mosiah 29:32, 38)

Day 3444

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 22:30

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 22:30

"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none."

I feel like that about politics. Who do you vote for when there is no one to vote for? I am not looking forward to this next election. As I reflected on this the thought occurred to me that I wasn't doing my part. I need to start praying that a humble man or woman of integrity and honor will decide to run for office.

Day 2983

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 95:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 95:5-6

"But behold, verily I say unto you, that there are many who have been ordained among you, whom I have called but few of them are chosen.

They who are not chosen have sinned a very grievous sin, in that they are walking in darkness at noon-day."

These verses made me reflect on what I have observed of late. There has been a lot of bad comments on posts that the church puts out. It has gotten to the point it doesn't even matter what the subject is. Recently something as innocent as congratulating President-elect Joe Biden on winning the election drove some members to tear up their temple recommends, and call church leaders corrupt over it. This simple statement by the church was nothing new or unique. It has been done after every election. It doesn't matter who the President is, it matters that we support the office of President of our nation. It was also something that President Oaks discussed in his recent general conference address.

"This does not mean that we agree with all that is done with the force of law. It means that we obey the current law and use peaceful means to change it. It also means that we peacefully accept the results of elections. We will not participate in the violence threatened by those disappointed with the outcome. In a democratic society we always have the opportunity and the duty to persist peacefully until the next election."

(President Dallin H. Oaks, "Love Your Enemies", Oct 2020 General Conference)

The whole situation was so sad. How could someone feel ripping up their temple recommend equates to who the president is or not? It seems fitting to apply "they are walking in darkness at noon-day". Truth can be right in front of you, but you can be so blinded by worldly agendas that you can no longer see where your passions are leading you.

Comment made on

Newsroom of the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints

Facebook page posted 14 Dec 2020

Day 2098

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 2:6-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 2:6-8
"And thus they did assemble themselves together to cast in their voices concerning the matter; and they were laid before the judges.
And it came to pass that the voice of the people came against Amlici, that he was not made king over the people.
Now this did cause much joy in the hearts of those who were against him; but Amlici did stir up those who were in his favor to anger against those who were not in his favor."

No good comes when an election is decided and the opposing side does not agree with it. Then those that lost try to remove the person from office. In this chapter we see it led to blood shed. In our nation we were on that path, but its seems to have taken a pandemic to distract us from it. Either way it's a loss of lives. Now I see anger happening among the people and that is never the way to do things. I think some very hard lessons are coming our way because of it.

Day 1860

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 26:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 26:2

"And all things shall be done by common consent in the church by much prayer and faith, for all things you shall receive by faith. Amen."

This is one thing I love about Christ's church the raising of my hand to sustain my leaders. I love making a covenant that I will support them. I also love how it lets me know who are new members in my ward or what new callings have been given. I have only felt the need to express my voice in opposition on a matter once in my life. Once I talked to the leader and told what I knew and needed clarification on I knew their decision was not on my head, and I would support them going forward. Which I had no problem doing after that. It reminded me of the phrase "speak now or forever hold your peace".  It was a good experience and I am grateful for it. 

I went through all the scriptures that were footnoted to this verse to try and understand common consent better. I read about it in the Old & New Testament, Book of Mormon and other sections in the Doctrine & Covenants. This has been a responsibility for God's children throughout the ages.  This one in Mosiah 29:26-27 really spoke to me.

"Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law - to do your business by the voice of the people.

And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land."

This verse was on electing judges, but I could see it also in Christ's Church. The voice of the people will chose what is right, until the time comes that they willfully choose iniquity. The members and nations both have this as a warning of coming destruction when they do that which is contrary to God's will and laws. Makes me realize even more my sacred responsibility in voting for righteous leaders, regardless of who wins. 

Day 445