Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:2

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:2

"Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:"

Being called saints is truly what the Lord intended for his people. Christian is what the world calls the followers of Christ. This week I had a friend on Facebook post this quote of President Nelson.

"The word Christian appears in only three verses of the King James Version of the Bible. ...

In contrast, the term saint (or saints) appears in thirty-six verses of the Old Testament and in sixty-two verses of the New Testament. ...

Despite its use in ninety-eight verses of the Bible, the term saint is still not well understood. Some mistakenly think that it implies beatification or perfection. Not so! A saint is a believer in Christ and knows of His perfect love. The giving saint shares in a true spirit of that love, and the receiving saint accepts in a true spirit of gratitude. A saint serves others, knowing that the more one serves, the greater the opportunity for the Spirit to sanctify and purify."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Thus Shall My Church Be Called", April 1990 General Conference)

I posted a reply about the origin of the use of Christian vs Saints. I wanted to give a longer reply because I had researched itr, but left a simple statement instead. Seeing mention of it again I will share my longer response written earlier on when the name of Christ's followers as Christians was given. It is found in both the New Testament and Book of Mormon. It wasn't until I read these verses in the Book of Mormon that I realized something.

"For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church of God, called by those who did not belong to the church.

And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come."

(Alma 46:14-15)

"And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians."

(Alma 48:10)

The name Christian was given to the followers of Christ by their enemies. Curiously very similar to how Latter-day Saints were given the nickname "Mormons" as a derogatory, and disrespectful name by those not of the faith. It appears in both cases these nicknames were later adopted by Christ's followers, including used as a reference by apostles. In the case of the nickname "Mormon" the prophet, Russell M. Nelson, has emphasized that we need to stop using that name. We need to refer to the full name of the church and that we are latter-day saints. I realize now that to refer to myself as a Christian would be taking the name Christ's enemies gave to his followers. So interesting the name Christian is once again being used in very derogatory ways by society.

I then looked for the name "Saint" or "Christian in the Doctrine and Covenants. Christian is no where to be found. Christ refers to us multiple times as saints. It is used 100 times in the Doctrine and Covenants.

"For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

(Doctrine and Covenants 115:4)

Never, once does the Lord, Jesus Christ refer to his followers as Christians. We are His saints. If I take upon me the name of Christ then I should refer to myself as a the name he gave his followers, saint. Latter-day Saints is now used, not only because Christ gave us that name, but it shows which dispensation I am in. So as I am pondering this I realize it's totally ok for other Christians to not refer to me as a Christian. Because that is not the name Christ wanted to be used by his followers. I am a latter-day saint, a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of His Restored Church. There is a lot of power in that name.

Day 3222

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 16:17-18

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 16:17-18

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."

I like the advise to avoid those that cause division and offences. I can't tell you how many YouTube channels I have purged from my list over the years. They started out good and then just go off on some tangent and lose their way. If you stick with the scriptures, church resources, and the words of the prophet and apostles, in particular the living prophet, you can't go amiss. In Paul's day he knew there would be an apostasy. In our day we know the restored church will stand when Christ comes again. The church as a whole will not apostatize, but some members will. I work hard to not be among the apostate ranks. There is safety if you know where to look for it.

"In many other places Paul also warned us against the deceivers who would come even before his departing (Rom. 16:17-18) And they have continued to come, and they are among us today. The authorities which the Lord has placed in his Church constitute for the people of the Church a harbor, a place of refuge, a hitching post, as it were. No one in this Church will ever go far astray who ties himself securely to the Church Authorities whom the Lord has placed in his Church. This Church will never go astray; the Quorum of the Twelve will never lead you into bypaths: it never has and never will. There could be individuals who would falter; there will never be a majority of the Council of the Twelve on the wrong side at any time. The Lord has chosen them; he has given them specific responsibilities. And those people who stand close to them will be safe. And conversely, whenever one begins to go his own way in opposition to authority, he is in grave danger. I would not say that those leaders whom the Lord chooses are necessarily the most brilliant, nor the most highly trained, but they are the chosen, and when chosen of the Lord they are his recognized authority, and the people who stay close to them have safety."

(Spencer W. Kimball, "Be Valiant", Apr 1951 General Conference, pg. 104)

Day 3221

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 15:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 15:4

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

I reflected on the peace and comfort that fills my heart as I read the scriptures. If I was to write a prescription for anyone that is troubled it would be to read the scriptures. Sit in a quiet place and say a little prayer, that the spirit would be with you and teach you. Then just read the scriptures. You don't have to grasp everything you read. Just follow the spirit and reflect on what stood out to you. When this process is repeated daily it will develop into the highlight of your day.

Day 3220

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 14:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 14:1

"Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations."

All I can think of when I read this is "keep your mouth shut". If what you want to contribute is not edifying, helpful, or matters in the scheme of the eternities, then keep your mouth shut. If someone is trying to live the gospel but doing somethings wrong, does it really need to be you to correct them? If what you are doing causes another to contend or take offense, then leave it alone. Instead of picking your battles is it better to simply lay down your weapons of war? As President Nelson has said "be a peacemaker".

Several years ago I had to temper myself on Facebook and other social media channels. Inspired by the thirteenth Article of Faith, I took this as my mission statement.

"If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, I seek after these things."

Day 3219