Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 13:30

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 13:30
"Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done."

I looked at the verses that are referenced in the footnotes.

"Verily, I say unto you, This generation, in which these things shall be shewn forth, shall not pass away until all I have told you shall be fulfilled."
(JST Matthew 24:35 & Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:34))

"And it shall come to pass, that this generation of Jews shall not pass away until every desolation which I have told you concerning them shall come to pass."
(Doctrine and Covenants 45:21)

I do believe this is the generation that will not all pass away before the Savior, Jesus Christ will come again. I remember being told this in my youth. Some say well they've been saying that for years. Well no one said we would be the youth of the day when it happens. Many generations are alive on the earth at the same time. Yet, I do feel the youth today are being prepared for the second coming for very good reason. They are the Lord's youth battalion, we are so close.

Day 4094

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 57:21, 27

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)

Day 3501

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 1:45-46

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 1:45-46

"So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel;

Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty."

Moses and Aaron are commanded to number all the men twenty years old and upward. The count is broken down by tribes. As I was reading all these numbers I thought how each person was a unique individual to God. That they all mattered. As I reflected on this I thought of President Nelson invitation to the young woman and young men between the ages of 12 and 18 in the church to enlist in the youth battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel. Where will the youngest be in 8 more years when they are twenty? The 20 year old of Israel would be in their 60's before Israel was allowed in the promised land. Of these men only 2 were allowed to enter.

Day 2277

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 110:3

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!

Day 1163