Psalms 6:9 -- On Prayer

"The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer."
Psalms 6:9


I really like this conclusion, which starts earlier in the Psalm, pleading for mercy. And in the end the Lord hears and grants the petition. ... It doesn't seem a long process to us, getting there in a short number of verses, but the author was clearly agonizing over it.

I think this is the same thing that happens in our lives. Life can be scary and hard sometimes, and we reach out for God and sometimes he is hard to find, because of our own mistakes or because we need to learn something, or perhaps for a reason we will only discover later. I think, like in Lehi's dream, the darkness and the storms will come, and we won't be able to see the way ahead, but if we cling to what the Lord has given us... scriptures, prayer, church, etc., eventually we will get to the same conclusion. The Lord loves us, and he will listen and grant us mercy.

Today, let's remember not to give up. Answers don't always come on the first try. Some answers take much longer, and some few might not even be answered in this life. But still the Lord hears, and if we persist and continue to ask in faith, the Lord will grant our petitions, or help us understand that he has something better in store.

Leviticus 6:2-4 -- On Making Things Right

"If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the Lord, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein: Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found,"
Leviticus 6:2-4


I like the idea here of making things right after we are in the wrong. This is part of the old law which Christ fulfilled, so it doesn't have to be followed to the letter anymore, but the same idea of repentance remains. We usually have to figure out for ourselves, in concert wtih God, what we should do to make up for our mistakes, but often it is similar... we have to do what we can to make up for our mistakes. It isn't always possible, feasible, or wise in our individual circumstances, but healing where we have harmed is still a good ideal.

Today, let's think about repentance and what we can do to fix our mistakes, and how to change into better people. Where we can't fix our mistakes, God will make up for it, of course, but the efforts we make can help improve human relationships, our relationship with God, and also soothe our own consciences, as well as injecting a bit of humility, which we need sometimes, so we don't keep making the same mistakes over and over again. :)

1 Corinthians 10:10-12 -- On Spirit and Will

"To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ."
1 Corinthians 10:10-12


What struck me today was the phrase "as he will" ... which I think I have always interpreted before as God's will or the Spirit's will, but today it seemed to be our will... each person's will. ... Since God treats us like people and not just numbers, it makes sense to me that how the Spirit works in our lives could be tailored a little bit to us, and what we want. Not above God's will of course, just part of the algorithm perhaps. :)

Bolstering this idea is that God asks us to seek the best gifts, and he says that if we knock he will open... so whatever we are going after, if it is good (and also God's will), that is what he delights to give us.

Today, let's remember that we shouldn't sit back and wait for God to shower us with abundance, but instead to be out there, seeking good. As we do, God will help us find it. :)

John 19:8-11 -- On Choices in Context

"When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin."
John 19:8-11


This seems like a situation with a lot of underlying emotion. I imagine that Pilate is worried that this person is important, perhaps divine, not to be touched, and he seems to want to help Jesus here... to have an excuse to let him go. And I imagine that Jesus understands this, and doesn't want to die of himself, so a hard situation for him too. He's been betrayed, and he knows that he could say the right things and have this man release him, or alternatively really just walk out with the assistance of however many angels. He is who he says he is, and the people around him *should* be afraid because they have no idea what kinds of consequences they are heaping on their heads.

... And yet, the Father's will is that he humble himself and submit to this atrocity, so he keeps his mouth shut. I think when he does speak he is acknowledging that Pilate is trying to help, but putting to rest the illusion of power. And I feel like it's a lesson about who really has power and working within that framework. We know, reading this, that Christ is going to die, and that was the plan all along... but the choices and actions that are happening within the framework of God's will still matter, and trying to do the right thing, or failing to do the right thing still matters to your soul... as it is in our lives as well. God knows how the chapters go. He wrote them. The world ends, and the wheat and the tares are separated, and the field burned... and renewed, and the happy ending waiting for those willing to accept the gift and walk on the path that leads to it.

Today, let's remember how much our choices matter even when we know the overall plot. :) Let's acknowledge the Lord's hand, but still work as hard as we can for good, making the world better rather than worse, and having a positive impact on the people whose lives we have touched.

John 10:9-10 -- On Doors and Thieves

"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
John 10:9-10


I like the idea of Christ being the door. He is the good shepherd and the sheep belong to him... he cares about them, and everyone else that comes in another way is a thief. It's a good analogy because it reminds us that Christ is the legitimate voice that we should be listening to, and that when other voices call out and try to turn us aside, they aren't doing that for our good... Christ is the one leading us to the happy ending.

Today, let's make sure that we are siding with God, who loves us, and is trying to help us live a more abundant life. Let's be wary of thieves and work on knowing and loving God, who is our great protector.

John 5:42 -- On the Love of God

"But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you."
John 5:42


I know this is out of context, but all by itself it made me think about the difference the love of God makes in our lives... not just feeling it from God, which is the best feeling there is, but learning is, and having God bless us with a portion of it in our lives, so that we can feel it for others.

If we don't have any part of it, now, in our lives, then our eternity might end up without it either, and that hole that we sometimes feel in our lives that just gapes open and nothing seems to fill it... because the only thing that actually does work is that same love of God. It's a God-shaped hole.

Today, let's think about how we can learn love a little better, and pray and ask God to teach us, so that we don't end up like this, without the love of God in us.

John 5:39 -- On Searching The Scriptures

"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
John 5:39


A good reminder today that we should search the scriptures and learn all we can of God and his gospel. The more we learn, the more God has to build upon as he helps us progress. :)

2 Nephi 2:2 -- On Afflictions

"Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain."
2 Nephi 2:2


I really like the idea that afflictions count for us. Rather than considering them an enemy, we can look at them as beneficial. Not fun, by far, but valuable, necessary.

Today, let's try looking at affilictions through the lens of what we have learned, and work with God to be able to see the positives, and to trust him on the benefits of a life developed through adversity.

2 Nephi 9:18 -- On Joy Being Full Forever

"But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever."
2 Nephi 9:18


I love the idea of our joy being "full forever," and the whole idea that (as Joseph Smith said) "happiness is the object and design of our existence," or 2 Nephi 2:25... "men are, that they might have joy." It's the reason for everything. :) I think perhaps we need to focus on joy a little bit more in our lives, lessening not just the negative voices that we let in, but also the negative messages that we send out.

Life isn't always positive, and we shouldn't ignore the bad and pretend it doesn't exist, but I think we focus/dwell/wallow a little too much sometimes, forgetting that all of this is meant to bring us to joy, and that we can learn to be happy NOW (Mormon 9:14 "He that is happy shall be happy still"), and that is the whole reason for our lives, to learn happiness.

Today, let's pray and ask God to teach us happiness a little bit better... and let's work on having more trust and faith in the long-term goal... the happy ending that is always coming, even if this chapter has some challenges and scares.

Mark 10:24 -- On Objects of Trust

"And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!"
Mark 10:24


Trusting in riches is part of the pride cycle, that endless loop of being righteous, prospering, forgetting God and trusting in our prosperity, and then not prospering. Behind it I think it is because God isn't the object of our trust anymoe. Instead it is money, or ourselves, because when things are going well, we think we don't need God. ... And yet we do, and when things start falling apart, we remember that.

Today, let's make sure our trust is in the Lord. Let's break the cycle, and humble ourselves, trusting in God, no matter how many blessings we have. He is the way and the truth, and even at our very best, we still need his help. Let's make sure that is our center.

Mark 6:4-6 -- On Belief

"But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching."
Mark 6:4-6


It's interesting how much our agency plays into everything around us. Choosing to believe or not believe seems here to affect what God can do for us. Not really sure why, but could be the power of faith, could be because God wants to respect our ability to choose... could be a pearls before swine type thing, that the miracles would be wasted on people who would only mock and ridicule.

In any case, it seems to be better to be open to God's power. :) Also, even if we grew up with someone, let's try not to discount their inherent divinity, and disrespect who they are or who they can become. Prophets are real people too, but they are also chosen of God. We all have the potential to recieve revelation in our individual lives and to someday with God's help to be perfected. Let's follow that divine path, and respect the people that walk with us. Let's believe in people and do all we can to help them. Let's believe in God and know that he can do anything and that he wants to help.

Mark 5:35-36 -- On Reassurance and Fulfilled Promises

"While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe."
Mark 5:35-36


I love this picture of Christ reassuring someone. People are telling the father that his daughter is dead already, but Christ basically says that things will work out, not to worry. And the coolest thing is here is that it isn't an empty platitude. Christ can reassure perfectly because he knows.

He can reassure us as well... and even when bad things happen, God is certain when he promises that there is still a happy ending to be had, our loved ones restored, and live renewed, and hope shining, obliterating the darkness. Christ promises us this and brings it to pass, offering it to everyone who is willing to follow him. Today, let's be his followers and work towards that hope.

D&C 86:5-6 -- On Growing Towards the Light

"Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are crying unto the Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields;
But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also."
Doctrine and Covenants 86:5-6


I'm glad of the delay in destroying the wicked, not because I like to see evil in the world, because I do not--and I am sure that God and his angels do not either, but because it gives us a chance to decide to be, and to work towards, being wheat rather than tares. The difference is proven as we grow, and at least while we are alive on this earth, we have some say in how we grow, whether it is towards the light or not.

Let's be thankful for some extra time to get it right, and also for others, because people we may think are clearly tares could turn out to be wheat... we can't know which at this point. Let's therefore treat everyone kindly, with gentleness and encouragement... helping them to choose wheat. If they do not (or we do not), then the fate is written... but it may be for them (or us), that we will turn out good after we grow a little. It is definitely not time to give up. It is time to grow. :)

D&C 83:4-6 -- On Providing for Physical Needs

"All children have claim upon their parents for their maintenance until they are of age. And after that, they have claim upon the church, or in other words upon the Lord’s storehouse, if their parents have not wherewith to give them inheritances. And the storehouse shall be kept by the consecrations of the church; and widows and orphans shall be provided for, as also the poor. Amen."
Doctrine and Covenants 83:4-6


I like the idea here that the Lord cares about children, and of course all of us even after we are grown up, not just providing for us spiritually and teaching us to be better and how to care for others, etc. He wants us to provide for each other physically as well, and people can fall back on the church when they have no other recourse. ... I think everyone needs a safety net like that, and one of the biggest problems there is to solve in the world is to help people who currently don't have one, or don't know where to find it even if it exists.

Today, let's reach out to God and his church if we need help, and let's also take God's purposes to heart and do what we can for the people around us.

D&C 80:3-4 -- On Exact Instructions versus Spiritual Guidance

"Wherefore, go ye and preach my gospel, whether to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west, it mattereth not, for ye cannot go amiss.
Therefore, declare the things which ye have heard, and verily believe, and know to be true."
Doctrine and Covenants 80:3-4


I like the "cannot go amiss" part here. I had a companion on my mission once who had been called to a different mission, but after struggling with the language was given a call to a new place. She was at peace with it, but it seemed like a hard thing to me... so much of me was wrapped up in wanting to be exactly the place I was "meant" to be.

Other things as well. Opportunites lost, choices made. Things you can't just go back and undo. I'm not saying that God is telling all of us that we can't fail, because sure we can. We do all the time. But I think that this verse perhaps illustrates that God's plan is flexible in that it allows for mistakes and repentance, and making one mistake (or many more than one) never locks us out of his plan, or out of heaven.

However we got here, to where we are now, God's path is still before us, and we may still walk it, and find success and joy and even perfection in time, as we continue to make an effort and learn from God how to follow him better. As we learn to follow the spirit, it really doesn't matter where we go, because the spirit will go with us and help us know in the moment how to act, and we will be able to do whereever we are.

Today, let's work on doing God's will, worrying less about exact instructions and more about taking advantage of the opportunities all around us to help and love and strengthen.