Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 13:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 13:6
"And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends."

I find it interesting that the Jews did not recognize the prophesy and how crucifying Jesus Christ would give him these very wounds. Upon resurrection to a perfect glorified body Jesus retained these wounds in his hands and feet. The purpose is to testify that He is the Christ. The promised Messiah that would come into the world and redeem all mankind. He paid the price and earned every wound. When Jesus Christ appeared to his apostles after his resurrection he introduced himself and had them come and feel the wounds in his hand, feet and side. He did the same in the Book of Mormon when he appeared in the Americas. He will do the same when he appears to the Jews in Jerusalem. I am sure when I get to see Him he will also show me those wounds.

Day 4052

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 12:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 12:9-10
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."

It has only been more recently that I saw these verses a little differently. I used to think I would always stand with Israel, why would you not? Then with more recent events I realized what I think is happening is not always what is happening. There might be real reasons all the nations come against Jerusalem. Their leaders may behave politically really badly. They may be causing world wide unrest. Why would the Lord then destroy all those nations? Well it could be wickedness in them too. I think more likely though, that in the midst of Jerusalem being destroyed a miracle needs to happen. The Lord appears, showing mercy to them. They will recognize the hands, feet and side that were pierced because their fathers crucified the God of Israel. They will come to know Jesus is the Christ and mourn and repent.

Day 4051

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 8:16-17

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 8:16-17
"These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:
And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD."

I would love to live when this is true. If everyone would only speak the truth and be peaceful, then we would be a Zion people. One day that will come, because the Lord will come and reign over us. As I pondered on this further I thought about how we must be a Zion people before the Lord comes. This is to be lived today amongst God's people regardless. Truly to be honest and peaceful in all things, when you're in the midst of people that are not how much truer your conviction is.

Day 4050

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 5:2-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 5:2-4
"And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.
Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.
I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof."

I do love the question and answer session that Zechariah has with the angel. That is how the Spirit teaches me. While I am reading the scriptures questions come to my mind and then the spirit will open my eyes to understand or think about it in a different way.

What made me reflect in these verses is the seriousness of swearing and taking the Lord's name in vain. It is one of the ten commandments. Yet, how easily that falls from people lips now. It feels like an epidemic. When I picture that flying roll and how as a curse it's upon the whole earth it seem literally fulfilled. It reminded me of the story of President Kimball.

In the hospital one day I was wheeled out of the operating room by an attendant who stumbled, and there issued from his angry lips vicious cursing with a combination of the names of the Savior. Even half-conscious, I recoiled and implored: “Please! Please! That is my Lord whose names you revile.”
There was a deathly silence, then a subdued voice whispered, “I am sorry.” He had forgotten for the moment that the Lord had forcefully commanded all his people, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain” (Ex. 20:7).
Many people would excuse themselves for cursing by saying that the Ten Commandments were given millennia ago to a faraway people, but it must be remembered that he not only gave them with power to the Israelites but he also reiterated them with emphasis to the Jews in the meridian of time and even in our own dispensation has repeated them for our own benefit and guidance.
To the young man of Jerusalem who asked the way of salvation, Christ said, “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matt. 19:17).
(Spencer W. Kimball, “President Kimball Speaks Out on Profanity,” Ensign, Feb. 1981, 3)

Day 4049

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 3:1-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 3:1-4
"And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

Reminds me of things I learn in the temple. Joshua the high priest appears to be a good man for the angel of the Lord is before him. Satan is there to resist him. It would appear Joshua's garments are filthy not from his sins but from the sins of the world. He is being washed and cleansed from them, and put on a change of raiment. We likewise need to be cleansed from the sins of the world, and stand apart from it. Being in the world but not of it.

"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."
(John 15:19)

"And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better."
(Doctrine and Covenants 25:10)

"And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day;"
(Doctrine and Covenants 59:9)

Day 4048

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 14:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 14:4

"And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south."

I can actually picture the mount of Olives being cleaved in two. We had an example of that happening in February this year, during that devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The shaking was so violent that a canyon was created in the middle of an olive grove in Tepehan. It was 130 feet deep, 900 feet wide and more than a mile long. Another of God's warning voice to us.

Day 3084

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 13:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 13:9

"And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God."

I reflect back on my life today I see that it has only been through adversity, and the refiners fire that I have come to know God. They are but a small price to pay.

Day 3083

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 12:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 12:9-10

"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."

Zechariah is prophesying that when all nations come against Jerusalem the Messiah will come, but it will be for the second time. Then the Jews will mourn because they will realize the Holy Son of God was Jesus of Nazareth, whom their fathers rejected, pierced and crucified.

"And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends."

(Zechariah 13:6)

Day 3082

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 11:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 11:12-13

"And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.

And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD."

This was fulfilled when Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. When Judas realized what he had done he tried to give the money back. Then he hung himself. The money was considered blood money and with it was purchased a potter's field to bury strangers in.

"And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.

Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;"

(Matthew 27:6-9)

I wonder if this was one of the scriptures Christ opened up to the apostles understanding after His resurrection?

"And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,"

(Luke 24:44-45)

Day 3081

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 10:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 10:2

"For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd."

The other day I can't recall what I was listening to, but the person was talking about dreams, and I didn't agree that all dreams come from God. That you have to be just as careful to not be deceived by a dream, for it can come from the wrong source. This was my chance to study that thought further and find scriptures about it.

"Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord."

(Jeremiah 23:32)

"For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed."

(Jeremiah 29:8)

The other area we have to be careful is listening to the dreams of others. It's important to know who the shepherd is over the flock.

“As I say, it never ceases to amaze me how gullible some of our Church members are in broadcasting these sensational stories, or dreams, or visions, some alleged to have been given to Church leaders, past or present, supposedly from one person’s private diary, without first verifying the report with proper Church authorities.

“If our people want to be safely guided during these troublous times of deceit and false rumors, they must follow their leaders and seek for the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord in order to avoid falling prey to clever manipulators who, with cunning sophistry, seek to draw attention and gain a following to serve their own notions and sometimes sinister motives.” (Harold B. Lee, Oct 1972 General Conference)

“When visions, dreams, tongues, prophecy, impressions or any extraordinary gift or inspiration conveys something out of harmony with the accepted revelations of the Church or contrary to the decisions of its constituted authorities, Latter-day Saints may know that it is not of God, no matter how plausible it may appear. Also they should understand that directions for the guidance of the Church will come, by revelation, through the head. All faithful members are entitled to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit for themselves, their families, and for those over whom they are appointed and ordained to preside. But anything at discord with that which comes from God through the head of the Church is not to be received as authoritative or reliable. In secular as well as spiritual affairs, Saints may receive Divine guidance and revelation affecting themselves, but this does not convey authority to direct others, and is not to be accepted when contrary to Church covenants, doctrine or discipline, or to known facts, proven truths, or good common sense. No person has the right to induce his fellow members of the Church to engage in speculations or take stock in ventures of any kind on the specious claim of Divine revelation or vision or dream, especially when it is in opposition to the voice of recognized authority, local or general. The Lord’s Church ‘is a house of order.’ It is not governed by individual gifts or manifestations, but by the order and power of the Holy Priesthood as sustained by the voice and vote of the Church in its appointed conferences."

(First Presidency Letter [Pres. Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose] "A Warning Voice", 1913)

(Harold B. Lee, "To the Defenders of the Faith," April 1970 General Conference.)

There is a lot more on this subject, but I will let it suffice for tonight.

Day 3080

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 9:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 9:11-12

"As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.

Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;"

I wondered what it meant by "prisoners of hope". Hope cannot be a bad thing to be a prisoner of? I found this great explanation in the Old Testament Student Manual.

"Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained: “It was of these that Zechariah prophesied when as part of a longer Messianic utterance, he spoke of ‘prisoners of hope’; it was of these that he gave assurance that ‘the Lord their God shall save them.’ He gives the Messianic message in these words: ‘By the blood of the covenant’—that is, because of the gospel covenant, which is efficacious because of the shedding of the blood of Christ—’I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.’ (Zech. 9:11–16.) ‘Wherein is no water’—how aptly and succinctly this crystallizes the thought that the saving water, which is baptism, is an earthly ordinance and cannot be performed by spirit beings while they dwell in the spirit world. Did not Paul say in this same connection, ‘What shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?’ (1 Cor. 15:29.)” (The Promised Messiah, p. 241.)"

(The Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi, "Preparations for the Lord's Return in Glory (Zechariah)", (33-32) Zechariah 9:11-12. Who Are the Prisoners?)

It made me ponder on the redemption of the dead and the temple work we do in their behalf. They are prisoners of hope, that wait for their temple work to be preformed by proxy in the house of the Lord.

Day 3079

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 8:16-17

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 8:16-17

"These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:

And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD."

Paul said it so clearly, "Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;" (1 Corinthians 13:6) This is truly having charity.

"Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away." (1 Corinthians 13:8)

Without charity all the gifts of the spirit will vanish away. In turn so does society, for they lose their love one for another. Charity is the very last thing Moroni and Mormon wrote about as their civilization was ending. Why? because it was the most basic element that hold it together. This is the most basic thing we can gain and hold onto in our day.

"And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither can ye if ye have no hope."

(Moroni 10:21)

"But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him."

(Moroni 7:47)

Day 3078

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 7:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 7:5-6

"Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?

And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?"

Today is Fast Sunday and it felt like a good day to ponder on what these verses meant about fasting. I didn't know what the fifth and seventh months meant but that seems important. This is what I learned

"While the Jews were in captivity in Babylon, they celebrated four different feasts in remembrance of events that took place when Babylon attacked and destroyed Jerusalem.

Zechariah reminded the people that they had set up the feast days to remind them of tragedies, but not once did they remember the Lord through feasts while in captivity."

(Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi, "Preparations for the Lord's Return in Glory (Zechariah)", (33-26 Zechariah 7:5, 8:19. What was the Purpose of the Feasts)

It appears we cannot let rituals overtake righteousness. True remembrance of the Lord is required, and gratitude for all that he has given us. It seems more and more I fast in gratitude for what the Lord has done for me, then for anything I need for myself.

Day 3077

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 6:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 6:15

"And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God."

This made me reflect on the building of temples in our day. There are currently 315 temples in various phases or operation around the world. I wonder what will be announced this General Conference? What a blessing the temple is to the saints.

"By making and keeping temple covenants, we learn more about the Lord’s purposes and receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost. We receive direction for our lives. We mature in our discipleship so that we do not remain perpetual, unknowing children. Rather, we live with an eternal perspective and are more motivated to serve God and others. We receive increased capacity to fulfill our purposes in mortality. We are protected from evil, and we gain greater power to resist temptation and to repent when we stumble. When we falter, the memory of our covenants with God helps us return to the path. By connecting to God’s power, we become our own pororoca, able to go against the flow of the world, throughout our lives and into the eternities. Ultimately, our destinies are changed because the covenant path leads to exaltation and eternal life."

(Dale G. Renlund, "Accessing God's Power through Covenants", Apr 2023 General Conference)

Day 3076

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 5:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 5:3

"Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it."

This made me reflect on the ten commandments. The eighth commandment "Thou shalt not steal" is one of the most basic that anyone should understand. Even if you never heard of the scriptures or the ten commandments its one of the most basic laws of society. Yet, I am appalled how brazen people are that not only steal but proclaim their thefts from the house tops. They tout how they steal from their employers, or from companies and others. Bragging and instructing others on doing the same. It really does bring a curse upon us.

We don't even have to address the swearing part. The breaking of the third commandment "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain." is pretty much at pandemic levels now. Yes, Zechariah was seeing our day.

Day 3075

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