Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 4:5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 4:5
"Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God."

We are not to judge others, we cannot always see what the Lord sees. I think there are different types of judgment. One that is very wrong is deciding what type of glory or lack of it the person deserves. Judging them wicked to be case down to hell or outer darkness, that we should never do. Only God can judge that. We cannot take away a person's ability to repent.

I have also found over the years that I cannot judge someone righteous either. I've seen some that were righteous go off on the wrong path. So we do have to be careful to not judge someone righteous, and put them on a pedal stool and accept everything they say. I found I have to be careful especially of those online and what they teach. We are to be careful in this regard. It's not calling the teacher evil, but having wisdom that not everything is always 100% correct that someone says. We need to learn, ponder and pray about what we listen to. How grateful I am for living prophets and the guidance their teachings have set as my standard.

Day 4190

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 13:1-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 13:1-3
"There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

We cannot assume that when bad things happen that it was the judgment of God upon them for being wicked. Good people suffer along with the wicked. I think more disasters and wars are happening due to the overall wickedness of the people today, but those that fall in harms way can be of either persuasion. The Lord will call the righteous to him, and punish the wicked in the same breath. It is not us to judge, but for us to repent.

“To say that particular individuals slain in war, killed in accidents, smitten with disease, stricken by plagues, or shorn of their property by natural calamities, have been singled out from among their fellows as especially deserving of such supposed retribution is wholly unwarranted. It is not man’s prerogative to conclude in individual cases of suffering or accident that such has befallen a person as a just retribution for an ungodly course. … The Lord brings difficulties upon the most righteous of his saints to test and try them; persecution … is the heritage of the faithful.
“The real lesson to be learned from Jesus’ conclusion, ‘Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish,’ is that there was no difference in righteousness between the slain and the living, and that unless the living repent they would perish with the dead. … In a broader sense the thought is that as these have perished temporally so shall all perish spiritually unless they repent” (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:475–76).
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 17: Luke 9-14")

Day 4110

Today's Favorite Verse: Jonah 4:1, 5, 10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Jonah 4:1, 5, 10-11
"But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry."
So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.
Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:
And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

Jonah was called to preach repentance to the people of Ninevah. He first ran away from the calling, but the Lord found him and taught Him a lesson. Jonah entered the city and told the people in 40 days Ninevah would be overthrown if they did not repent. The king and his people believed and put on sack cloth and ashes, and fasted and repented. They did exactly as God asked. They turned from evil and God forgave them. God was not going to destroy them. That is a lesson for the ages. What I find interesting is that after all this Jonah is angry that the people of Ninevah are being spared. He sits outside the city to see what will happen to it. It made me think about how the Lord would feel looking at us, wishing he would come and destroy all the wicked. We should never wish the destruction of people. We should have more feeling for others than for a gourd.

Day 4041

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 51:6, 45

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 51:6, 45
"Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.
My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD."

What the Lord told Jeremiah is exactly what we are to do today, flee out of the midst of Babylon. Babylon represents the world and all its wickedness. We cannot serve two masters, the world and the Lord. We would hate the one and love the other. We are to flee, leave, come out of Babylon and turn to the Lord, and be healed. This is a decision only we can make for our own souls. It all comes down to where are hearts are and not our physical location.

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
(Matthew 6:24)

Day 4008

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 48:22

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 48:22
"There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked."

I thought about the scripture that "wickedness never was happiness". Oh, I'm sure the wicked have pleasure and think they are happy. But there is a longing the remains in the soul that is never truly satisfied. They will not have peace, nor will they understand the fullness of joy and happiness that comes from the Lord.

"Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness."
(Alma 41:10)

Day 3985

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:1,17

Today's Favorite Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:1,17
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work."

I don't always know where to find specific verses in the scriptures, so it always makes me happy when I come upon the familiar, especially when songs. I had to go listen to The Byrds "Turn! Turn! Turn!". That song was on the radio a lot when I was growing up. It helped me understand at an early again there would be seasons to my life. As I have gotten older I understand there is even purpose in the wicked among us. Even now they are fulfilling prophesy to all that was foretold before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Day 3963

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 26:27

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 26:27
"Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him."

I have thought of this one lately. How does a man dig a pit and fall in it? Or, roll a stone and it rolls back over him? How do they not see where things are headed. It is a spiritual blindness due to wickedness that overcomes them. They can no longer see that others can see things as they really are. Those with eyes that see and ears that hear, and hearts that understand know to get out of their way.

"And it came to pass that thus passed away the ninety and fifth year also, and the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen—"
(3 Nephi 2:1)

The other part is the wicked will destroy each other.

"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)

"And also that God hath set his hand and seal to change the times and seasons, and to blind their minds, that they may not understand his marvelous workings; that he may prove them also and take them in their own craftiness;
Also because their hearts are corrupted, and the things which they are willing to bring upon others, and love to have others suffer, may come upon themselves to the very uttermost;"
(Doctrine and Covenants 121:12-13)

Day 3961

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 11:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 11:5-6
"The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness."

I have been pondering last night and today over the need to see justice done for those wronged. In part this was triggered by Elder Ronald A Rasband's talk the other day at the MTCs.

“We should all thank Heavenly Father that we get to have a front-row seat to the fulfillment of ancient and modern-day prophecy,
To illustrate the Lord’s hastening of His work, Elder Rasband countered six false narratives from those who “cannot see or acknowledge what is happening."
"I feel that we are only scratching the surface of what the Lord has in store for us as He prepares the world for His Second Coming,”
“I feel that we are only scratching the surface of what the Lord has in store for us as He prepares the world for His Second Coming,”
“So buckle up, hold on tight, because I firmly believe that the best is yet to come.”
(Ronald A. Rasband, "'A remarkable time to serve’: At MTC, Elder Rasband testifies the Lord is hastening His work", Church News, 28 Jan 2026)

I have asked myself "Do I know what time it is? Am I really seeing what's happening?"

These are the last days, I'm not so sure justice will come by man.The wicked will consume the wicked. I do not need the chaos of the world to turn my focus and time away from what is needful. I need to put my focus on doing good things that cultivate the spirit to guide me. Work on my family history, attend the temple, seek knowledge, growth, ponder and prayer. Right now having the spirit as my guide is the best thing I can do to survive these days. Oh, I know what time it is, and I don't need to see all the gory details on the world's wickedness. My focus is the Lord is coming, I'm preparing for that day.

Deseret News

Day 3956

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: Psalms 140:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 140:11-12
"Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor."

Before I read in the Old Testament I was reading in the Book of Mormon. I was on the part where Alma and Amulek are speaking to the people in Ammonihah. Alma was sent to tell them to repent of their wickedness or that great city would be destroyed. They rejected the prophet and in one day the city was totally destroyed by the Lamanites. They fell upon the people so quickly that the Nephites could not come and defend them. I reflected on how we never know how God is going to fulfill His words, but he does. How long are evil men allowed to reign? We don't know, but eventually the sword of justice does fall on them. They cannot escape it, even in death.

As wicked as a people of Ammonihah became I found it interesting that is was the plot to destroy the liberty of the people that brought them under condemnation. This was before they even murdered the people of God.

"And behold, I am sent to command thee that thou return to the city of Ammonihah, and preach again unto the people of the city; yea, preach unto them. Yea, say unto them, except they repent the Lord God will destroy them.
For behold, they do study at this time that they may destroy the liberty of thy people, (for thus saith the Lord) which is contrary to the statutes, and judgments, and commandments which he has given unto his people."
(Alma 8:16-17)

Day 3949

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 91:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 91:7-8
"A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked."

This reminds me of having a bubble of protection around you. Those that trust the Lord will survive these last days. Oh, some will be called home early, for the timing is the Lord's. But only the good will survive the Lord's coming. I wonder if I will see the wicked receive their reward in this life or in the next? Will they fall in the pit they are digging for others? I have to trust that the evil men that avoid judgment have a purpose here, known by the Lord. They may think they get away with wickedness, but it won't always be so.

Day 3933

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 73:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 73:3
"For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked."

I sat and had to wack my brain on where I had heard a story about the wicked being prosperous. I knew it was rather recent. Then I recalled, it was at the funeral of President Jeffrey R Holland the other day by his son Matthew. This is a transcript of the parable his father had related to him and his family.

"Children, there was once a diligent farmer who tried to do everything right. He never worked on Sunday. He always paid his tithing. He regularly served others with kindness and generosity. But, come October, his fall harvest was paltry.
By contrast, his neighbor was a vain and worldly man. He worked every Sunday. He hoarded every dollar he ever made. He acquired additional lands through questionable means. Yet, come fall, the worldly farmer enjoyed a bumper crop.
In his vanity, the worldly farmer gloated about this to his poor neighbor.
At this point in the story, my father’s voice broke, and tears started to trickle down his face as he continued: “The righteous farmer replied, God does not settle His accounts in October.”
Whatever other virtues my father had, the greatest source of his sweeping, righteous influence was his faith—his deep, rock-ribbed conviction that Jesus Christ is always and forever the unimaginably generous “rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Nothing, absolutely nothing, could persuade him that God was anything other than a high priest of good things to come, and that the restored gospel was a true gospel of happy endings, particularly for those who do their best to keep the commandments, receive their priesthood ordinances, and honor their eternal covenants.
Such faith is the thing we all most need, and the thing he most wanted to share."

I just loved that phrase "God does not settle His accounts in October."

(Start at 43:30)

Day 3927

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 10:2, 6

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 10:2, 6
"The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity."

I pondered on why the wicked hated the poor? The poor would have no power over them. As I was going over this and other chapters I realized to see the poor is to fear being poor. That is why in their pride they say "I shall never be in adversity." They puff themselves up that they are better, and what better way to show that than to oppress the poor for their poverty. The wicked are also liars to themselves. They do not want to think that "there but for the grace of God go I."

Day 3906

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 12:14

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 12:14
"And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD."

It was the word evil that stood out to me this time. He was evil because not only did he not seek the Lord, his heart wasn't even in the condition to do that. Being obedient and loving the Lord was not even in the intent of his heart. I pondered on how there are many in this world that don't know God. They had not been taught of Him. That doesn't make them all evil, because they have not the law. With Rehoboam he was taught the law, he knew what was right. This was a conscience choice to not seek the Lord or do His will. That made him more than wicked, he was called evil. To be wicked you are morally wrong in a principle. To be evil you have a plan or passion to hurt someone. I can see in Rehoboam his story starts out with wanting to hurt people. They asked that his father's yoke be lightened. He was counseled by the old men to do so and they would serve him forever. Yet he ignored that and followed the counsel of the young men to make them suffer. It is evil when a person purposely hurts others.

"And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.
For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions."
(2 Chronicles 10:7, 11)

Day 3870

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 23:20-21

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 23:20-21
"Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand.
And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me."

Saul had 85 priests slaughtered, and then killed men, women, children, babies, and animals of the city of Nob, because they helped David escape. It made me ill that Saul dares to say to the person he sent to kill these people, "Blessed be ye of the Lord". It makes me sick when wicked people say words giving the impression their evil acts are righteous. Then Saul says "ye have compassion on me." Again it's all about Saul and no feeling for any of the innocent people they just slaughtered. None of these actions are of the Lord. I pondered on how we have to be so discerning about who we follow and support, even when they give an impression they are doing God's work.

Day 3831

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 19:1, 6

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 19:1, 6
"And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.
And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain."

I just don't understand Saul's hatred of David to the point he wants to kill him. Jonathan, seems to talk sense into him and then he turns around and is after David again. I don't think its so much a matter of revenge for anything David has done personally to him. I think it's Saul's pride, and he doesn't want anyone around that would appear better than him. David is victorious in battle and that is enough for Saul to throw a javlein at him. It is a terrible thing to have a wicked king with a very big ego, can't keep his word, and lives by revenge because he easily offended. The Lord has already rent the kingdom from Saul, but Saul is still king. Why is that? It is hard to get rid of an iniquitous king.

"And behold, now I say unto you, ye cannot dethrone an iniquitous king save it be through much contention, and the shedding of much blood."
(Mosiah 29:21)

Day 3830

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 9:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Ether 9:4-5
"And it came to pass that Jared was anointed king over the people, by the hand of wickedness; and he gave unto Akish his daughter to wife.
And it came to pass that Akish sought the life of his father-in-law; and he applied unto those whom he had sworn by the oath of the ancients, and they obtained the head of his father-in-law, as he sat upon his throne, giving audience to his people."

This story always make me think of this verse.

"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)

Jared sought the head of his father the king and he sent Akish to do it. Once Jared is king his now son-in-law Akish in turn kills him. The wicked will destroy the wicked. Sometimes I feel like an outsider looking in, as I watch this very thing happening in our world.

Day 3572

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 3:9,14-15

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 3:9,14-15
"And now, because of this great thing which my people, the Nephites, had done, they began to boast in their own strength, and began to swear before the heavens that they would avenge themselves of the blood of their brethren who had been slain by their enemies.
And when they had sworn by all that had been forbidden them by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that they would go up unto their enemies to battle, and avenge themselves of the blood of their brethren, behold the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying:
Vengeance is mine, and I will repay; and because this people repented not after I had delivered them, behold, they shall be cut off from the face of the earth."

Revenge, and vengeance when taken on by man is not of God. Anyone that feels vengeance and revenge is justified is also not of God. It is horrifying to think we have set up leaders out for revenge. This story will not end well for them.

"I, the Lord, am angry with the wicked; I am holding my Spirit from the inhabitants of the earth.
I have sworn in my wrath, and decreed wars upon the face of the earth, and the wicked shall slay the wicked, and fear shall come upon every man;
And the saints also shall hardly escape; nevertheless, I, the Lord, am with them, and will come down in heaven from the presence of my Father and consume the wicked with unquenchable fire."
(Doctrine and Covenants 63:32-34

Day 3557

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 10:4-6

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 10:4-6
"O ye people of these great cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Jacob, yea, who are of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you.
And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, who have fallen; yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem, as ye that have fallen; yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not.
O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart."

I hadn't realized until now that the Lord is speaking to both sides of the veil. To those that were now deceased and those that were spared. The deceased spirits must still be lingering around them. The time of repentance is now past for them. They had willfully rebelled and did not turn to the Lord when he called them in this life. Those that are still alive are told the Lord's arms will still gather them. They can still repent and turn with full purpose of heart to the Lord. It is important to not procrastination our day of repentance.

"Brothers and sisters, now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority."
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024 General Conference)

"Obstacles will come. Let us not wait for things to get hard before turning to God. Let us not wait until the end of our mortal lives to truly repent. Instead, let us now, no matter which part of the covenant path we are on, focus on the redemptive power of Jesus Christ and on Heavenly Father’s desire for us to return to Him"
(Elder Jorge M. Alvarado, "Embrace the Lord's Gift of Repentance", Oct 2024 General Conference)

Day 3533

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 9:11

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 9:11
"And because they did cast them all out, that there were none righteous among them, I did send down fire and destroy them, that their wickedness and abominations might be hid from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints whom I sent among them might not cry unto me from the ground against them."

I had wondered about the righteous being a causality of destruction that happened after the Lord was crucified. I know there were wounded among them for the Lord healed them. In this verse I see that cities destroyed were due to the wicked casting them out. Being persecuted and cast out would have been a trial for the righteous to endure, but in the long run it moved them to places of refuge from the coming storm. Those whose blood were spilt at the hands of the wicked were claimed by the Lord and his. I can see that this was also a fulfillment of prophesy given by Samuel the Lamanite.

"But blessed are they who will repent, for them will I spare. But behold, if it were not for the righteous who are in this great city, behold, I would cause that fire should come down out of heaven and destroy it.
But behold, it is for the righteous’ sake that it is spared. But behold, the time cometh, saith the Lord, that when ye shall cast out the righteous from among you, then shall ye be ripe for destruction; yea, wo be unto this great city, because of the wickedness and abominations which are in her."
(Helaman 12:13-14)

Day 3532