Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 26:15-16

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 26:15-16
"And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;"

I pondered on how the Lord does not appear to man unless there is a purpose. The purpose for Paul was to be a minister and witness of Him. What a powerful testimony it was because Paul as Saul was the complete opposite of who you would have thought to do so. It makes his conversion and testimony all the more powerful.

Day 4168

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 21:4, 11, 13

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 21:4, 11, 13
"And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

I pondered on why Paul still went to Jerusalem when it clearly says by the Spirit he was at least told twice not to go? Did he have a death wish? Then I reflected on how much was gained by Paul actually going to Jerusalem, eventually he testified before king Agrippa. Yes, Paul would suffer, but he was determined to do God's will at whatever cost it meant. That is a powerful witness of Jesus Christ.

Day 4163

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 5:39-40

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 5:39-40
"And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying."

I pondered on laughing and ridiculing things that require faith. The Savior put them all out. They could not be present while he performed a miraculous miracle. It would be like casting pearls before swine. In some ways they were no different than the legion cast into the swine. Spiritual they had cast themselves into the deep and drown. They would not witness Jesus raising Jairus' daughter from the dead. Then he charged those that attended that no man should know what had happened. How many times do we miss miracles happening around us because of not only our lack of faith but our mocking of it too?

Day 4086

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 18:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 18:16
"But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established."

This verse reminded me of Elder Neil L. Anderson's recent BYU-Idaho Devotional. He spoke on a warning President Russell M. Nelson and then President Dallin H. Oaks both gave and then quoted President Henry B. Eyring on the law of witnesses, and authorized witnesses. We need to listen when warnings are repeated. I had been meaning to look at the talk by President Eyring. First, I wanted to find more scriptures on witnesses. After that I have President Eyring original quotes from his talk, and finally repeating Elder Anderson from his talk on all of them. How grateful I am to have authorized witnesses upon the earth and to be able to hear them.

"This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."
(2 Corinthians 13:1)

"And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of God and also his word, of which the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record—and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day."
(Ether 5:4)

"One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established."
(Deuteronomy 19:15)

"It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true."
(John 8:17)

"There seems to be no end to the Savior’s desire to lead us to safety. And there is constancy in the way He shows us the path. He calls by more than one means so that it will reach those willing to accept it. And those means always include sending the message by the mouths of His prophets whenever people have qualified to have the prophets of God among them. Those authorized servants are always charged with warning the people, telling them the way to safety.
One of the ways we may know that the warning is from the Lord is that the law of witnesses, authorized witnesses, has been invoked. When the words of prophets seem repetitive, that should rivet our attention and fill our hearts with gratitude to live in such a blessed time."
(Henry B. Eyring, "Finding Safety in Counsel", April 1997 General Conference)

"President Oaks began one part of his message by saying, "I feel." Whenever a prophet says, "I feel," our ears stand up. We start listening. We listen all the time, but we especially listen when he says, "I feel." And he said to emphasize the warning President Russell M. Nelson issued to us. This warning was given in April 2018. President Nelson's first general conference address after becoming the president of the church. He spoke of the conditions of our world with a very solemn warning that was repeated by President Oaks 12 days ago. And I know many of you know these words. They've been repeated many times. Here they are.
In the coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.
Now I wondered when it was first said, “in the coming days.” That was eight years ago. Have the coming days come? It seems possible. Today these powerful words stand as two bookends. April 1st, 2018, February 10th, 2026.
Now having been spoken by two beloved prophets of God in the past eight years, this serious warning has been repeated 13 times in general conference including five times by members of the first presidency and quorum of the 12. They have been spoken 19 times in BYU Idaho devotionals.
How many knew this citation, this quotation of President Nelson that President Oaks said last week? How many knew that before President Oaks said it last week? Yeah, it's been with us, hasn't it?
Think of it. This specific warning has been a part of the Lord's teaching to you if you're 20 years old. How many here are 20 years old right now? Raise your hand. Some of you are much older. If you're 20 years old, it's been with you since you were 12 years old at teaching.
Nearly 30 years ago, President Henry B. Eyring, who was then a member of the quorum of the 12, said something in general conference that I have not forgotten. Here's what he said: "One of the ways we may know that the warning is from the Lord is that the law of witnesses, authorized witnesses, has been invoked. When the words of the prophets seem repetitive, that should rivet our attention and fill our hearts with gratitude to live in such a blessed time."
The words that have been pressed upon my mind are the law of authorized witnesses. When repetitive, they should rivet our attention.
After quoting President Nelson 12 days ago, President Oaks issued a more sobering counsel. He said, "One of the many reasons you will need the constant influence of the Holy Ghost is that you live in a season in which the adversary has become so effective at disguising truth that if you don't have the Holy Ghost, you will be deceived. Many obstacles lie ahead. The distractions will be many."
(Elder Neil L. Andersen, "President Oaks and the Law of Witnesses", BYU-Idaho Devotional, 22 Feb 2026)

Day 4071

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 18:15, 18-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 18:15, 18-19
"The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him."

I thought I knew that the prophet to be raised up would be Jesus Christ himself. It made me wonder how I knew that and where I would find that? So I looked, and here are the verses that I found. As I was looking them over from the New Testament, Pearl of Great Price, and Book of Mormon it made me think of the law of witnesses. "In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." (2 Corinthians 13:1)

"For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people."
(Acts 3:22-23)

"In addition to these, he quoted the eleventh chapter of Isaiah, saying that it was about to be fulfilled. He quoted also the third chapter of Acts, twenty-second and twenty-third verses, precisely as they stand in our New Testament. He said that that prophet was Christ; but the day had not yet come when “they who would not hear his voice should be cut off from among the people,” but soon would come."
(JS History 1:40)

"And now I, Nephi, declare unto you, that this prophet of whom Moses spake was the Holy One of Israel; wherefore, he shall execute judgment in righteousness."
(1 Nephi 22:21)

"Behold, I am he of whom Moses spake, saying: A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass that every soul who will not hear that prophet shall be cut off from among the people."
(3 Nephi 20:23)

Day 3802

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 14:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 14:8
"And it shall come to pass, that if you shall ask the Father in my name, in faith believing, you shall receive the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance, that you may stand as a witness of the things of which you shall both hear and see, and also that you may declare repentance unto this generation."

Our family has spoken together recently on being witnesses. There isn't much we can comment on to others about world events because we are trying to be non-contentious as the prophet asked. That leaves us as standing as witnesses of what is happening. We are in the later part of the last days and prophesy is being fulfilled. The Lord's coming to his saints is drawing near. It's so important to have the Spirit to always be with you, with eyes that see and ears that hear and know and understand. I pray for that daily. Just like I pray for forgiveness and repent daily. I just don't want to leave anything undone. I don't know if sharing my daily favorite verse counts as declaring repentance to others. I just hope it touches anyone's heart that needs to turn back to God. If you need to repent I hope you feel it and do it.

Day 3603

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 11:3

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 11:3
"And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him; wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to prove unto them that my words are true. Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word. Nevertheless, God sendeth more witnesses, and he proveth all his words."

As I pondered over the law of witnesses I recalled a quote on how the teaching of the doctrine is not obscure. Witnesses are there for a reason and to teach us. I finally found the quote.

"A few question their faith when they find a statement made by a Church leader decades ago that seems incongruent with our doctrine. There is an important principle that governs the doctrine of the Church. The doctrine is taught by all 15 members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. It is not hidden in an obscure paragraph of one talk. True principles are taught frequently and by many. Our doctrine is not difficult to find."
(Neil L. Andersen, "Trial of Your Faith", Oct 2012 General Conference)

I have found that every time the spirit teaches me greater understanding I will then go back and find were it has been already taught. I just didn't understand it at the time. When we learn something new there are always witnesses. If it cannot be confirmed by the Lord's witnesses then I would question it.

Day 3382

Today's Favorite Verse: Book of Mormon: Title Page & Witnesses

Today's Favorite Verse: Book of Mormon: Title Page & Witnesses
"Concerning this record the Prophet Joseph Smith said: “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”

I am excited to once again read the Book of Mormon. I read from it every day. It's so interesting that for my favorite verse that I share I am starting the Book of Mormon. In my personal reading I am nearing the end of the Book of Mormon, and with my family we are nearing the middle of the Book of Mormon. Needless to say it doesn't bother me in the least to be reading it three times in one day for I love this book. It has brought me nearer to God. I have found that if I don't read from the Book of Mormon before I begin other scripture study that my mind does not open up to understand what I am reading. I invite you if you are not already reading the Book of Mormon or just curious to learn more about it that you share this journey with me. You can download a copy of the Book of Mormon here.

Day 3349

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 11:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 11:3
"And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth."

Where am I, or the righteous in this chapter? I want to recognize these two witnesses when they appear and listen to what they are saying. So many want to see the miracles they perform, but I want to know what are they saying? I can imagine it is a very exciting time for the saints of God to see this final prophesy happening. I may not be where the two witnesses are but I'm pretty sure I will see this event streamed live. Especially, when it says the people of the earth will rejoice over them when they are slain. I won't rejoice like them, only sit in anticipation of what is to come. The true rejoicing is when the Lord comes.

I try not to setup in my mind exactly how prophesies are fulfilled. I believe if I treasure up the word of God that I will recognize it when it happens. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.". (Isaiah 55:8) Tonight, I was reading in the Book of Mormon where the Savior appears to the Nephites and explains how they were the sheep of another fold he mentioned to his disciples in Jerusalem (John 10:16) and they understood him not. That was because they assumed incorrectly of whom He was speaking of.

"And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles; for they understood not that the Gentiles should be converted through their preaching.
And they understood me not that I said they shall hear my voice; and they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice—that I should not manifest myself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost."
(3 Nephi 15:21-23)

Day 3337

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 16:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 16:11

"And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not."

I wondered if I had heard Mary Magdalene say she saw the risen Lord, would I have believed her too? I like to think that I would have. I can only sit here having heard this story in the scriptures many times and knowing that it's true. This was the first time anything like this would have taken place. It would have seemed impossible for them. I cannot compare our reactions since my story is so different being able to look backwards.

"President James E. Faust (1920–2007) of the First Presidency explained why it may have been so difficult initially for the disciples to believe that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead:

“Perhaps the Apostles should not be unduly criticized for not believing that Jesus, having been crucified and buried in a tomb, had come back to earth as a glorified being. In all human experience, this had never happened before. It was completely unprecedented. This was a different experience than the raising of Jairus’ daughter, the young man of Nain, or Lazarus. They all died again. Jesus, however, became a resurrected being. He would never die again. …

“Said President David O. McKay of this experience: ‘The world would never have been stirred by men with such wavering, doubting, despairing minds as the apostles possessed on the day of the crucifixion.“

‘What was it that suddenly changed these disciples to confident, fearless, heroic preachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ? It was the revelation that Christ had risen from the grave. His promises had been kept, his Messianic mission fulfilled. … On the evidence of these unprejudiced, unexpectant, incredulous witnesses, faith in the resurrection has its impregnable foundation.’ (Treasures of Life, comp. Clare Middlemiss, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1962, pp. 15–16.)

“Like the Apostles of old, this knowledge and belief should transform all of us to be confident, settled, unafraid, and at peace in our lives as followers of the divine Christ. It should help us carry all burdens, bear any sorrows, and also fully savor all joys and happiness that can be found in this life”

(Elder James E. Faust, “The Supernal Gift of the Atonement,” Oct 1988 General Conference)

Day 3132

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 28:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 28:2-3

"And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:"

The footnotes for "the angel" and "His countenance" both reference two angels. I had always thought it two angels and not just one. It made me curious to see how the other accounts were recorded.

"And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted."

(Mark 16:5)

"And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:"

(Luke 24:4)

"And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain."

(John 20:12)

As I was reviewing these accounts I noticed they were not all identical, they had variations. I realized these recordings are like any witnesses of a traumatic event, each person sees things a little differently. I thought of my own experience of filling out a police report. How hard it was to recall the order of how things exactly happened. I knew what happened but it was emotionally hard to recall exactly the sequential order of the events. This made me very grateful that Matthew, Mark, Luke and John recorded each of their versions the way that they did. This was an extremely emotional time for all of them, and I cannot fault them for the variations on the telling. In fact it feels more authentic for it. From these witness accounts we can begin to see truth.

The next question I had was why was it import that the Joseph Smith translation clarify there were two angels and not one? I immediately thought of the law of witnesses.

"But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established."

(Matthew 18:16)

The angels witnessed and participated in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There needed to be two to testify of this to others. Then there needed to be multiple witnesses of the angels words, and their own witness of seeing the resurrected Lord. When I look at all these recordings and what the Lord said before, the evidence confirms there were at least two angels there to witness the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Day 3116

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 17:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 17:5

"While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."

This records when Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James and John. There appeared Moses and Elias, and the Father bore witness the Jesus was His Son. I pondered on the times The Father has born witness of the Son, and we have been commanded to #HearHim.

Peter relates his experience on the mount of transfiguration

"For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

(2 Peter 1:17)

Luke records what Peter, James and John witnessed

"And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him."

(Luke 9:35)

When Moses was transfigured.

"But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever."

(Moses 4:2)

When Jesus was baptized of John the Baptist

"And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

(Matthew 3:17)

John relates his experience after baptizing Jesus.

"And I, John, bear record, and lo, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove, and sat upon him, and there came a voice out of heaven saying: This is my beloved Son."

(Doctrine and Covenants 93:15)

When Christ appeared to the people in North America after his resurrection.

"Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him."

(3 Nephi 11:7)

When Heavenly Father and Jesus appeared to the prophet Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove.

"It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"

(Joseph Smith-History 1:17)

Day 3105

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 4:11, 14

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 4:11, 14

"Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?

Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth."

The interpretation of the olive tree and candlestick is given. It is the two anointed. More is given in Revelations on the roll of these two special witnesses.

"And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth."

(Revelation 11:3-4)

These two witnesses will be raised up to the Jewish nation in the last days. They will prophesy and be given the sealing power of the priesthood. They will be able to shut the heavens, have power to turn water into blood, and smith the earth with all plagues. Eventually they will be killed and their bodies will lie in the streets for three and a half days. The people of the earth will rejoice over their deaths and give gifts to one another. Then a great voice will be heard saying "Come up hither" and these two witnesses will ascended up to heaven. This will be the end times prior to the Savior's second coming.

What amazes me as I review this part of Revelations is that the people of the earth rejoice over their deaths. It seems pretty clear on what is happening when you see these two witnesses and the signs that are given. How could you mistake who they are? Why is it not a wake up call as they witness them using their priesthood power? I suppose its pretty strong delusions that make you believe a lie. Looking around our world right now I can see how that's possible.

Then I remember Elder Renlund's BYU Education Week talk this year. How we cannot always believe what our eyes see, we need to use reason and faith.

“Observation, reason and faith facilitate revelation and enable the Holy Ghost to be a reliable, trustworthy and beloved companion.”

“These elements will be key factors in producing ‘spiritual momentum in our lives,’ helping us move ‘forward amid … fear and uncertainty.’”

Day 3074

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 1:4, 24-28

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 1:4, 24-28

"Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah,

Eber, Peleg, Reu,

Serug, Nahor, Terah,

Abram; the same is Abraham."

Even though this chapter doesn't give the ages when each father begat a son, and how long they lived, I finally sat and worked it out by other places in the scriptures. Until today, I had never thought about the fact the Noah was still alive when Abraham was born. I knew Shem was alive, but now realize he didn't die until after Abraham's grandson Jacob was born. What incredible things Noah witnessed and heard. His grandfather Methuselah heard Adam's testimony, witnessed his father Enoch and the city of Zion being translated, and didn't die until right before the flood. He would have heard about all these things directly from grandfather who was an eyewitness. Noah witnessed the flood and then lives to see Abraham and the covenant that God will make with him. I am struck on how important families and witnesses are to God.

Day 2498

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 19:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 19:15

"One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established."

It's the law of witnesses again. I have found when the spirit teaches me anything that it is never an original thought, only original to me. That I will find witnesses that testify of the same thing. It always amazes me how my eyes open up to see these other witnesses after I have been taught. The important thing is to know what witnesses you are looking at. Are they men of God or people also being deceived. You can receive personal revelation by a false spirit if not careful. Through time and personal experience we come to know which spirit and witnesses we are listening to. One thing is for sure the prophet and apostles will never lead me astray.

Day 2331

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 17:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 17:6

"At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death."

This is the law of witnesses. It has always been a part of the Lord's work on the earth, and still is today.

"This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."

(2 Corinthians 13:1)

"And now, behold, I give unto you, and also unto my servant Joseph, the keys of this gift, which shall bring to light this ministry; and in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."

(Doctrine and Covenants 6:28)

Until I read this I hadn't realized the August 12, 2021 First Presidency letter came from three witnesses. When the pandemic first hit we heard from only one witness, the prophet President Russell M. Nelson. Now we are hearing from three. I would take the counsel given in that letter very seriously.

"The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent the following message on Thursday, August 12, 2021, to Church members around the world:

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We find ourselves fighting a war against the ravages of COVID-19 and its variants, an unrelenting pandemic. We want to do all we can to limit the spread of these viruses. We know that protection from the diseases they cause can only be achieved by immunizing a very high percentage of the population.

To limit exposure to these viruses, we urge the use of face masks in public meetings whenever social distancing is not possible. To provide personal protection from such severe infections, we urge individuals to be vaccinated. Available vaccines have proven to be both safe and effective.

We can win this war if everyone will follow the wise and thoughtful recommendations of medical experts and government leaders. Please know of our sincere love and great concern for all of God’s children."

The First Presidency

Russell M. Nelson

Dallin H. Oaks

Henry B. Eyring

Day 2329