Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 34:1-3 "Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left. For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images."
I enjoyed reading about Josiah and what a righteous and good king he was. I was surprised at his youth. He was only 8 years old when he came to reign. Amazing considering Amon was his father, and he didn't learn to be righteous from him. When he's 16 years old he seeks after God and by 20 he's removing idolatry from among them. He's learning and cleansing Judah and Jerusalem. By 26 he's repairing the house of the Lord. When Hilkiah the priest finds the law of the Lord given to Moses and it is read to Josiah the king mourns that they have not worshipped as they should. Josiah has the book read to the people. Then he covenants to walk after the Lord, and the words written in the book. Not only was Josiah righteous he cared that his people were taught of the Lord and the served God. It made me think of the youth and what promise.
"And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book." (2 Chronicles 34:31)
Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 39:21 "For the time is at hand; the day or the hour no man knoweth; but it surely shall come."
I often hear people quoting this verse and the one in Matthew 24. That no man will know the day or hour of the Lord's coming. However, as I have pondered on these verses I note that He did not include the month or the year with that. We are promised to know the season. "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." (Matthew 24:32-33)
The Lord will do nothing but he revealeth it to his prophets. The following quote from Joseph Smith, Jr. confirms this.
"Of the Savior’s words that no man knows the day or the hour of the coming of the Son of Man (see Matt. 24:36), the Prophet asked: “Did Christ speak this as a general principle throughout all generations? Oh, no, He spoke in the present tense. No man that was then living upon the footstool of God knew the day or the hour. But He did not say that there was no man throughout all generations that should not know the day or the hour. No, for this would be in flat contradiction with other scripture. For the prophet says that God will do nothing but what He will reveal unto His servants the prophets. Consequently, if it is not made known to the prophets, it will not come to pass.” (Grant Underwood, "The Prophet Joseph Smith's Use of the Old Testament", Ensign, Aug 2002)
"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7)
Starting in my youth we were called the promised generation. We have witnessed many things in our day as we prepare for the second coming. After us every generation of youth have been told the same thing. I hear people say "Oh, I've heard that for ages and it hasn't happened yet." As if that means because it keeps being repeated its somehow void. My thought is "You're not dead yet!" I know this is still the generation, and every generation of youth after us are part of it. Here are some interesting quotes. The first one is particularly interesting given the current First Presidency, President Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring were all alive when it was written. Another point of interest is satellite communication hadn't been invented yet. It isn't until around 1966 when we start to see references to a particular generation.
"Some now living may see Second Coming. The day of the coming of the Lord is near. I do not know when. I am not looking, however, upon the coming of the Son of Man as I looked once upon the day when men would speak from city to city and throughout the land without the aid of wires, and would be heard -- as something that may come in some far distant time — because I sincerely believe it will come in the very day when some of us who are here today [April 5, 1936] will be living upon the face of the earth. That day is close at hand. (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie [1955], 3:2)
"You, our youth today, are among the most illustrious spirits to be born into mortality in any age of the world. Yours is a noble heritage and a wonderful opportunity. Dedicate your lives to a new resolve. Gird yourselves with the armor of righteousness, having as your weapons the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Be guided to fulfill your highest destiny. Be prepared to become leaders in that glorious millennial day when Christ himself will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords." (President Harold B. Lee, card given to all the youth of the church, 1973) (O. Leslie Stone, "Essentials for Success", BYU Speeches, June 26, 1973)
"Our duty is to raise up a generation of men and women worthy to receive the coming of the Lord. For he will come—to Jackson County, Missouri, to be sustained as King of Kings—and he will come also to Israel to be hailed as Lord of Lords. Then his millennial reign will be ushered in. You young, strong, and faithful men and women will bear the burden of the kingdom of God upon the earth as these days of destiny come." (Russell M. Nelson, “Four Lessons from One Life”, Brigham Young University devotional, May 14, 1974, speeches.byu.edu.)
"For the Strength of Youth was published almost two years ago, under the direction and approval of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I announced this revision in the opening session of general conference in October 2022. President Russell M. Nelson, our dear prophet, whom we all love and admire, concluded his message with these words: "One crucial element of this gathering is preparing a people who are able, ready, and worthy to receive the Lord when He comes again, a people who have already chosen Jesus Christ over this fallen world, a people who rejoice in their agency to live the higher, holier laws of Jesus Christ." And then he added, "I call upon you, my dear brothers and sisters, to become this righteous people." My dear young friends [pause], I believe that For the Strength of Youth is an ideal resource to help us become that kind of people. This guide for making choices is a call to set aside negative worldly influences and let God prevail in your lives. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Devotional with Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf", 2024 Utah YSA Conference Aug. 4, 2024, broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. ISH)
The most recent quote was Feb 13, 2025 with Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Elder Clark G. Gilbert, of the Seventy, Commissioner of the Church Educational System.
Elder Gilbert: I’d just say, you know, to all of us who love and admire and work with young adults and youth, trust them. President [Russell M.] Nelson has told the young adults first, and then he told the whole Church, “Take charge of your testimony.” In fact, use the word “plead.” And we always pay attention when the Prophet says, “I plead with you.” And he said to the young adults in his worldwide message to them, “I plead with you to take charge of your testimony. Work for it. Own it. Feed it, and feed it. Nurture it so that it will grow.” And I have so much confidence in this generation. It is hard. What they're facing is hard. But the Lord is pouring out blessings, resources and His Spirit, in unprecedented ways. And we see that happening. And it's inspiring. The Lord's doing something powerful. He’s hastening the work, and one of the ways He's doing it is through the future of this Church, which are youth and are young adults. Elder Christofferson: Our time as general authorities, we are doing everything we can to invest in them, and to help them succeed. They have a crucial role to play in all that is happening in the Lord's plan in this dispensation. And as we are hastening toward the end, toward the conclusion of that, they are crucial. Their role is crucial. Individually, each one matters. We do all our ordinances one by one because everybody matters. And we don’t do a group baptism; we do one by one, name by name. Every person is infinitely valuable in the Lord's eyes. I know I speak for the First Presidency and the Twelve in saying this, that we pray for them, and in the name of Christ, we bless them. ("Trust the Youth," Church News, February 13, 2025, YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZBC1Y9hVlI)
Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 57:21, 27 "Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them. Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually."
This made me reflect on the youth of today, and how they were reserved for these latter-days. They are the Lord's battalion. I noted that not all the Nephite youth joined in this battle, as the sons of the people of Ammon did. It was only those that were obedient, performed commands with exactness, and lived by faith. Their minds were firm and they trusted in God continually. They remembered the oaths and covenants their fathers made and honored that.
This reminded me of Brother Steven J. Lund's interview on his call as Young Men's General President in April 2020. I watched this video over again. President Nelson told him, "It's important that you're here, and it's important that you understand this, because this is a very important time for the church. You know we're in the end of times here. This is a very important time for the youth of the church. I've called them, I've invited them, to serve in the Lord's battalions." Brother Lund said "Yes, President Nelson, I know that you have, and I know that they're listening." President Nelson said. "I hope so, I know that many are, because this is such an important time of gathering. And the opportunity for them to be engaged in that work of gathering has never been like this before." President Nelson spoke to him for about 10 minutes of this final work of the gathering and his deployment of the youth of the church to make that happen. "This thing that has been talked about by apostles and prophets for as long as there has been people on this earth. Looking forward to the end game, when the earth will be rolled up like a scroll, and the Savior will come again." Brother Lund said he "walked out that room with this intense understanding, and knowledge, confirmed to me by the spirit, that I share with you, and that is, that He's Coming! He really is, and it's imminent. I don't know what that means. All I know is that there is a sense of urgency about the brethren." (Steven J. Lund, "He is Coming. He really is and it's IMMINENT!", YouTube Channel, A Warning Voice, 28 Oct 2023)
Today's Favorite Verse: Revelation 4:10-11 "The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."
This made me think of praying. Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: “We will go on praising [the Lord] for ever and ever! … We will never need to be coaxed”. (Neal A. Maxwell, “From Whom All Blessings Flow, Apr 1997 General Conference)
I thought about my prayers, and how I would struggle to do that forever. It reminded me of a story President Steven J. Lund, (Young Men General President), told of President Nelson and how we need to teach the youth to pray. I need to apply this to myself.
"You must teach them to pray. To whom it is they pray and the language of prayer. I'm worried that we have become far to casual in the way that we approach the throne of God. If we really understood who it is on the other side of, "our Father in Heaven we ask thee", then we would bring the most elevated selves, elevated language, the most humble aspect that we could bring to that conversation imaginable. But, we don't see clearly who it is we are talking to. You must teach them to pray. To whom it is they pray and the language of prayer." (President Russell M. Nelson, "Teach them to Pray", related by Steven J. Lund , "A Day in The Life of the Young Men General President - President Steven J. Lund", YouTube, For All the Saints With Ben Hancock, min 5:58)
"Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled."
With the signs of the second coming appearing I have no doubt it will be with this generation. I was just noticing there is another worldwide devotional for young adults tomorrow. It is for ages 18-30, single or married. We never had such things when I was in that age group. I am so glad they are helping to strengthen the youth and young adults of the church. They need to be strong for what is ahead of us, and upon us. I had a discussion with someone this week about what we are seeing happening in the world and how we don't feel any fear, only peace, knowing God is in control. Twenty or thirty years ago that would not have been my reaction. I've had time to prepare my heart and to become fully converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I work daily at keeping my faith strong. This is why I don't feel fear. This is why our youth and young adults need to be prepared, because they have to become spiritual stronger faster than I had a chance. This is a remarkable generation, I have every faith that they will do it.
"My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction."
I was actually curious about this 3 year old heifer. The footnote says "IE Zoar should still have been young and vigorous".
"Isaiah recognized that Moab was a youthful, vibrant nation. “A three-year-old ox, is one that is still in all the freshness and fulness of its strength” In spite of Moab’s vigor and strength, Isaiah foretold that powerful forces from the north countries would destroy her only three years hence (see Isaiah 16:14). This prophecy was fulfilled with the Assyrian invasion under Sennacherib"
(Old Testament Student Manual, "A Voice of Warning to the Wicked (Isaiah 13-23)", 14-19)
"But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment."
Everyone born to this earth is given the light of Christ to know right from wrong.
"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal."
(1 Corinthians 12:7)
With this we still have our agency and can choose to be unwise. I have always loved to be around older people and learn from them. I had been taught to respect my elders and that they knew more than me. It wasn't until I was probably in my thirties that I shockingly realized some adults were not all wise and knowing and lacked understanding or judgment. They appeared stunted in their growth and did foolish things. That was so disappointing and heartbreaking to me. Once realizing this I vowed to not be that type of example to others. I have taken this verse to heart.
"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."
"These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.
But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.
For the Lord had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun."
At the start of the book of Numbers at Sinai all the males 20 years and older were counted. The total being 603,550. Now 40 years later on the plains of Moab near Jericho the count is 601,730. Of those originally counted only two, Caleb and Joshua, as promised remained alive. I marvel how close the numbers of those that were replaced now stands. The Lord's army is nearly the same, yet they are now younger and hopefully more obedient. I pondered on how important the youth would have been growing up in their generation.
"And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all - they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.
Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him."
This is a description of the sons of the people of Ammon, the 2000 stripling warriors. They could not have been any older the 15 years of age. For they were the children that never entered into a oath to lay down their weapons of war. Their parents could not fight to help the Nephites at this time, but they could send their sons. What a beautiful and inspiring group of young men they must have been. It would be wonderful if we could say all youth had these same qualities. The difference is what they had been taught in their homes, to always keep the commandments and walk uprightly before God.
Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 28:9
"Whom shall he teach knowledge?and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:"
In this chapter is speaks of an apostasy with false priests and prophets. When the gospel is restored who does God reveal it to? A youth. It made me ponder on the restoration of the gospel. Where Joseph Smith wanting to know which church was true went into a grove a trees to pray and ask of God. There the heavens were opened and a young man of 14 years of age saw the Father and the Son. It needed to be restored through someone innocent and untrained by man. Someone teachable and then he could be taught line upon line and precept upon precept.
I pondered on how it is the Lord's way to have us learn in our youth. It is also Satan's way, for in my day I see how desperately he is trying to destroy the innocent faith of youth. False doctrines of man are taught now even to kindergartners. It is so sad. It is more important than ever that parent teach their children correct principles and do not hand that responsibility over to someone else.
Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 110:3
"Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth."
I listened tonight to the Worldwide Youth Devotional with President Russell M. Nelson and Sister Wendy W. Nelson. It was amazing. This is a chosen generation and they are being prepared for the second coming of the Lord. Priesthood power is upon the earth and we must be clean and holy. This verse just seems to speak of our day. President Nelson asked the following of the youth.
To Enlist in the Lord's Youth Battalion to Gather Israel
1. Seven day social media fast
2. Weekly sacrifice of time to the Lord - 3 weeks in a row give up something you like to do, to help gather Israel
3. Keep on the covenant path
4. Pray daily for all to receive blessings of the gospel
5. Stand out. Be different. Be a light
Prayerfully read the book "For the Strength of Youth"
The hardest one for me on the list is to disengage with social media for a week.
This is what President Nelson asked.
"Disengage in a constant reliance on social media by holding a seven day fast from social media. If you are paying more attention to feeds from social media then you are to the whispering of the spirit then you are putting yourself at spiritual risk, as well as the risk of intense loneliness and depression... Give yourself a seven day break from fake... This social media fast can just be between you and the Lord. It will be your sign to him that you are willing to step away from the world in order to enlist in his youth battalion."
At first I thought of reasons why I can't do it. Part of my work involves monitoring social media. I also feel I am taking part in sharing the gospel by posting my favorite verse.
I want to be obedient but I also need to work and serve. I have sat here since the broadcast wondering what I should do. Quietly I knew what was needful for me. For my personal life I need to disengage and put social media away. I am starting my social media fast today. I will post my favorite verse but I won't be checking any of my feeds, comments or friends posts. I know where my issues lie. I waste to much time checking the latest news stories. Google News on my phone is the worst for me. I have been trying to break this habit and now is my chance. Instead of looking for an excuse I now am excited for the opportunity for change.
I may not be a youth, but in the scheme of the eternities I'm just a babe. I want to be part of the youth battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel. The greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on the earth today. Senior missionaries are needed too! I can do it!
