John 9:39 -- On Blindness and Improved Sight

"And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind."
John 9:39


This is an interesting statement, and at first I think it kind of makes you wonder... why would Christ want anyone to become blind? I don't think he really does, but blindness is the byproduct of him coming into the world and those people who believed that they were enlightened becoming blind because they couldn't see through their arrogance and belief in their own authority that the son of God was standing before them.

Others saw and either physically or spiritually gained their sight... in this particular chapter, both. And both is what we hope for as well, because God can heal our hearts and our minds and our spirits, helping us to live and understand, and to be filled with the Spirit, as we look to him in faith.

Both sight and blindness continue in our day, about Christ and all that he taught. We are often blinded by looking at the things the world teaches and placing those things as the focus of our lives, which blinds us to the bigger spiritual tapestry of all things interwoven in beautiful harmony. Today, let's work on seeing past today and talking to God about the bigger picture. That doesn't mean that we shouldn't live today and care about the people around us and our interactions... but let's focus on God and the bigger picture, which will help us to see the things immediately around us in a better way and from the proper perspective, where slights and setbacks can't get to the core of our peace, because God helps us to see farther and better, and know that all things work together and will be right in the end.

Mark 5:27-30 -- On Faith

"When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?"
Mark 5:27-30


This is part of the story of the woman with an issue of blood. What I think is interesting here is that Christ either really didn't know who had touched him (this isn't clear, but we know that he could know people's thoughts and that there was a donkey in a certain place and a piece of money in a fish, so it's definitely possible that he knew, or could have known from his Father), or he asked because he wanted a chance to both follow up with her, and teach the multitude that this sort of thing was possible. "This sort of thing" being having faith in God enough to obtain a miracle without having a specific blessing or hands laid on her. Perhaps it was arranged through prayer, of course, and obviously it was an application of God's power... but power that is available to all of us directly, if we have the faith.

I don't think it has to be a dramatic miracle, but I have seen this happen in my life as well. When you do all you can do, and the only way that things can work out is through God, and you know that it will work out somehow... and it does. Might not be mountains moving, but the more we trust God, the more that he can work with us in our lives. Today, let's learn to trust God a little more. It won't happen overnight, and sometimes we're going to have to ask God to help us with our unbelief (Mark 9:24), but as we strive to stay close to the Lord and to do as he asks, our faith and confidence in the Lord will grow.

4 Nephi 1:27 -- On Holding to the Word

"And it came to pass that when two hundred and ten years had passed away there were many churches in the land; yea, there were many churches which professed to know the Christ, and yet they did deny the more parts of his gospel, insomuch that they did receive all manner of wickedness, and did administer that which was sacred unto him to whom it had been forbidden because of unworthiness."
4 Nephi 1:27


This reminds me of Lehi's dream, and people going towards the tree that represented God's love and his gospel, and letting go of the rod, and wandering off the path, or in other words, letting go of the word of God (prophecy, revelation, personal prayer, etc.) and wandering off the path (not keeping the commandments, embracing sin, not helping others, etc.), and instead going to the great and spacious building... mocking and scorning and thinking of others as less than ourselves, etc.

I think it's really easy to fall into this trap... to just believe the parts of the gospel that don't interfere with our personal philosophy, and expecting God to change to suit us rather than the other way around. Thinking that we can do the love blackmail think with an eternal parent who has a deep and comprehensive knowledge of every trick in the book, and who will not ever encourage us to stay filthy with sin... but will instead always be helping us to come, and wash, and be clean. He welcomes us in, and will help us, even leaving the ninety and nine to come and find us, but we still have to be willing to be helped out of the gutter, not expect God to live there with us.

Today, let's make sure we're in tune with God... listening to him and his words through his prophets. Let's make sure we're actively seeking and doing and believing in good, rather than accepting evil. Let's not allow ourselves to drift away from God's word.

Mosiah 4:29-30 -- On Watching Ourselves

"And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them.
But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not."
Mosiah 4:29-30


I love King Benjamin, but he is also intense. I like earlier in this chapter where he mentions "it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength" (verse 27). He doesn't offer it as an easy out, but reminds us how much we owe to God, and that we need to be lifting and helping others, especially the poor, the hungry, the sick, etc., and encourages us here to do what we can... to watch ourselves, to be aware of what we are choosing rather than just coasting through. Today, let's not get overwhelmed, but let's commit to watching ourselves, and being sure that we are choosing to be who we want to be long term. Let's remember God and be aware of the needs of others, and do all we can to help. It's so easy to coast and not really pay attention, but let's make the effort and remember to include God in all that we do.

Mosiah 25:5-7 -- On Reading and Remembering

"And it came to pass that Mosiah did read, and caused to be read, the records of Zeniff to his people; yea, he read the records of the people of Zeniff, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla until they returned again.
And he also read the account of Alma and his brethren, and all their afflictions, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla until the time they returned again.
And now, when Mosiah had made an end of reading the records, his people who tarried in the land were struck with wonder and amazement."
Mosiah 25:5-7


This reminds me of Moroni 10:3, which asks us to "remember how mercifult he Lord hath been," which we can't really do unless we know the stories. I love that Mosiah shared the history with his people and it was a shared experience for them, and a way to remember the Lord and his goodness and grace to us.

Today, let's read, and remember, and ponder the goodness of God in our lives, but also in the lives of others throughout history, because that helps us to understand his dealings with the children of men, but also the potential that we all have to partner with God and to make a difference in our lives and the lives of the people around us.

Genesis 2:1-3 -- On Creation and Rest

"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made."
Genesis 2:1-3


I like the idea of a God that rests. He's obviously God and can do anything, so he probably doesn't *need* to rest, but he chooses to. God balances his life and takes time to rest when the work is done, and he made that a pattern for us, at least in part so that we don't kill ourselves with workaholic behavior and fray our nerves, but are able to find some ways to relax and manage our anxieties, and to enjoy the part of our lives that is outside of work.

Today, let's make sure we are taking time to balance our lives, and this weekend, let's also remember to honor the sabbath and take some time off from worrying about other things, and instead take some time to focus on God and be grateful for creation. :)

Mosiah 23:6-9 -- On Kings and Comparison

"And the people were desirous that Alma should be their king, for he was beloved by his people.
But he said unto them: Behold, it is not expedient that we should have a king; for thus saith the Lord: Ye shall not esteem one flesh above another, or one man shall not think himself above another; therefore I say unto you it is not expedient that ye should have a king.
Nevertheless, if it were possible that ye could always have just men to be your kings it would be well for you to have a king.
But remember the iniquity of king Noah and his priests; and I myself was caught in a snare, and did many things which were abominable in the sight of the Lord, which caused me sore repentance."
Mosiah 23:6-9


This is a good reminder that, unless you can be sure that all your kings will be good, that kings are a bad idea. Alma speaks to the recent experience they all had with King Noah, and reminds them that he was caught in the pride trap as well, thinking that he was better than others, and that he needed to repent of that.

It's easy to fall into the trap of comparing our strengths to others' weaknesses and thinking that we are super cool... also easy to compare our weaknesses to others' strengths and think that we're slime. I don't think that God wants either one of those, or the swings between thinking that we're great and thinking that we are awful. I think, instead, that God would like us to acknowledge that we are flawed and in need of help and guidance, but that we also have great power to choose and to make a difference. If we understand that God finds value in us, and wants to help us be even better... we are glorious beings of light, as President Uchtdorf mentioned last conference, and if we work with God, we can shine as a light to others as well.

Today, let's just compare ourselves to ourselves, and work on improving that, day by day. Let's pray and work and study with God and open our hearts to him so that we can grow in his light and become, and help others become, more amazing than we can imagine. :)

D&C 65:3-5 -- On Preparing the Way of the Lord

"Yea, a voice crying—Prepare ye the way of the Lord, prepare ye the supper of the Lamb, make ready for the Bridegroom.
Pray unto the Lord, call upon his holy name, make known his wonderful works among the people.
Call upon the Lord, that his kingdom may go forth upon the earth, that the inhabitants thereof may receive it, and be prepared for the days to come, in the which the Son of Man shall come down in heaven, clothed in the brightness of his glory, to meet the kingdom of God which is set up on the earth."
Doctrine and Covenants 65:3-5


The connection between preparing the way of the Lord and then the image of the Lord coming down to meet the kingdom of God is really a cool idea, that heaven and earth can meet like that. In the summary before the verses it says "The millennial kingdom of heaven will come and join the kingdom of God on earth," so this is something happening during the Millenium, but still a cool, enormous idea, and one that we can still work on. The ideal of keeping the Spirit with us, and turning our homes into temples, of thinking Celestial -- these are all variations on a similar theme. Live as close to God as we can, until someday we are able to meet Him again in person. Make our lives and the world around us better, more holy, prepare ourselves and others to meet Him. Christ has been on Earth. He knows how messy it is, and how imperfect we are. We don't have to get there overnight. He will help us as we pray and work with him. All of it is leading to this though... the meeting of Heaven and Earth. The restoration of the Lord to his people. All of us, together, never again to be divided through death or pain. Today, let's do what we can to pave the way.

Mosiah 16:12 -- On Choosing the Lord's Way

"Having gone according to their own carnal wills and desires; having never called upon the Lord while the arms of mercy were extended towards them; for the arms of mercy were extended towards them, and they would not; they being warned of their iniquities and yet they would not depart from them; and they were commanded to repent and yet they would not repent."
Mosiah 16:12


This is talking about people who are resurrected, but instead of endless happiness they are raised to endless damnation (verse 11). We see again that the difference here is choosing our own will rather than choosing the Lord's way. I think this is the fundamental error that we make in almost everything. When we forget to take God into account in everything that we do, we veer off course. God's way is better than our way... we will get farther and be happier, and be more than we could ever dream in mortality. He is the way to transcend our own frailties, mistakes, and limitations. Through him we can be purified and whole and, someday, perfect. That isn't even close to possible alone. ... Today, let's remember God, and repent, and listen, and learn his ways. He wants more for us, and if we walk his path, we can be more than we are, and we can help others to become so as well.

Mosiah 11:2 -- On Walking the Wrong Direction

"For behold, he did not keep the commandments of God, but he did walk after the desires of his own heart. And he had many wives and concubines. And he did cause his people to commit sin, and do that which was abominable in the sight of the Lord. Yea, and they did commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness."
Mosiah 11:2


This is talking about King Noah, who followed Zeniff to the throne (of the Nephite offshoot that went back to live near the Lamanites). What is scary about this verse is the idea that he walked after the desires of his own heart, and how deeply that destroyed him. And I think that danger is probably there in all of us... things that we want that will destroy us, unless we work with God and allow him to change our hearts, and work at walking God's path rather than the one that we make for ourselves.

It's sometimes hard because we hear "trust your heart" (or your gut) so often, but unless our hearts are in tune with the spirit, that could be a really bad idea. However, if we are listening to the Spirit, and we are letting God have full sway in our hearts, then that could be the perfect thing. If we can't tell, then let's study and pray and practice listening to the Spirit more, so that we can be more confident in knowing when God is with us and when we are going astray. And of course, we have the scriptures and commandments to help us out, which we should absolutely follow unless the Spirit tells us otherwise. There are exceptions, like Nephi and Laban, but we shouldn't decide something is an exception unless we're certain. Let's remember how King Noah's heart betrayed him, and stay far away from that possibility.

Mosiah 7:33 -- On Deliverance

"But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage."
Mosiah 7:33


Earlier in the chapter it explains the bondage mentioned, and that they have great reasons to mourn. It's a great story about how they got there and how God delivers them, but I wanted to step outside the story for a moment because this verse is a true message to each of us, in whatever kind of bondage we find ourselves in. Sometimes it is the trap of negative thoughts, or it could be having to live with poor health or the glaring absence where a loved one used to be. It might be lack of imagination or motivation that limits us, or like the Nephites here, some other individual or group that is threatening us in some way.

God's promise is to all of us. If we will turn to him with full purpose of heart, serving him and putting our trust in him with all the sincerity and faith we have to give, he will deliver us. His timing, and his way, but the promise is sure. Today, let's listen and obey, and be ready to go when the Lord tells us to go.

D&C 64:23-24 -- On Today and Tomorrow

"Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.
For after today cometh the burning—this is speaking after the manner of the Lord—for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, for I am the Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon."
Doctrine and Covenants 64:23-24


The way that God talks about "today" and "tomorrow" here is interesting... harking back to the creation story and the idea that God's day is a lot longer than ours. :) Although, I am not sure about the time period or the background idea because God also tells us that time is only measured unto man (Alma 40:8), and that at some point there shall be time no longer (Revelation 10:6, D&C 88:110). Maybe we just need these measurements until the final judgement and everything is upgraded to "Eternal" or something, but I can't pretend to really understand what that means, or what it would be like. :)

What does seem clear is that tithing is important, not as a monetary thing, but as part of the idea of sacrifice. A commitment to God that is well beyond the surface layer, where we are honestly committed and all in, and willing to do or give anything to the cause. We don't usually think of ourselves are that committed to anything, but sometimes we lapse into workaholism or other kinds of addictions, or hobbies, relationships, or even family commitments that consume us. The idea here is that God is the right place to pour all of that energy and time, and as we do, other things will fall into place, rather than the way we do it with other things, where so many other things are just left to rot or wither.

I think also the idea of sacrifice here is about how committed that we are going to have to be in order to survive spiritually. Nothing less than all in is going to work, as we get closer to the end. Today (in both senses of that word), let's learn more about God and study his ways so that we know enough to make such a committment.

Matthew 13:18-23 -- On Receiving and Understanding

"Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
Matthew 13:18-23


I found it interesting while reading this today that one of the big differences here is understanding, specifically mentioned in verses 19 and 23, or the beginning and end of the excerpt above. There are a lot of things that can get in the way of our acceptance and committment to the word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ, but understanding doesn't have to be one of them. If we want to understand, we can study and also ask God, and he will help us. He gave wisdom to Joseph Smith, and he offers it to us all.

Today, let's apply our hearts to understanding "the word of the kingdom." We can start with the footnotes available online (LINK if you want to look up today's excerpt). There are study helps and many related materials there, and we can also pray, and God will help us understand a principle in our everyday life. Not always immediately, but over time, he'll help us know it so well that it will soak in and become part of who we are. Let's work to keep the word alive in our hearts.

Luke 17:17 -- On Thankfulness, Faith, and Wholeness

"And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?"
Luke 17:17


This is a good reminder of the need to be thankful, but reading today I was thinking that it isn't just about thankfulness, but also about retaining the healing or cleansing... if we want to not just have the change of heart, but to feel so now. If we want to be not just healed, but whole... not just cleansed of a bad spirit, but protected from one returning. Two verses later Christ says "thy faith hath made thee whole," perhaps not just talking about the healing process but also the thankfulness--the recognition that God has done this. And that is a recognition that we need in our lives always. That constant reminder that God is what is holding us, and all of it, together, and that he is the author and the reason there is a happy ending coming.

We want to feel good about ourselves and think that we accomplished a lot of this, and avoiding self-loathing is a very good thing. :) So is humility, and the recognition of truth though, so let's not hate ourselves, but today let's recognize God's hand in our lives and that he is the source of goodness and truth, and that we desperately need his help and healing in our lives. As we are thankful for his help and recognize his hand in our lives, he can not just heal us, but coupled with our participation and faith and patience, he can make us whole, in every way.

Helaman 14:29-30 -- On Choice, Condemnation, and Consolation

"And this to the intent that whosoever will believe might be saved, and that whosoever will not believe, a righteous judgment might come upon them; and also if they are condemned they bring upon themselves their own condemnation.
And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free."
Helaman 14:29-30


The title is kind of heavy, and the idea here follows that. Any condemnation that happens to us is condemnation that we bring on ourselves... the verse previous to this explains that that's why God shows us signs and provides wonders... so that there won't be a cause for unbelief and so that everyone will know and have responsibility for his or her own condemnation. It's talking about a period of time before Christ appeared to the Nephites, but I think we all have space in our own lives where we don't actually know, and as we learn more then we become more responsible for our choices. God knows where that line is... and he also provides repentance, so that we never have to despair or give up, because as long as we live, at least in mortality, we have that chance to change.

It's both scary and enlightening to read that we perish unto ourselves and do iniquity unto ourselves... that just like when we do good, we do it unto God, when we do evil we're also doing it to ourselves. We don't have the luxury of doing things that don't have consequences and that don't affect others. God gives us the power to choose for ourselves, but he doesn't want us to harm ourselves by making bad choices. He wants us to realize that we are part of a whole, that the people around us are family, that we are part of a large whole with God at the head. When we realize that, and feel it through the Spirit, then that is God teaching us to not have a mind to injure one another (Mosiah 4:13, Romans 12:16, 1 Peter 3:8), but to be united--not only avoiding causing others pain, but saving *us* pain, which is really part of what God has been trying to help us with from the beginning. Some pain is necessary, but not the extent that we cause it to ourselves, much too often. Today, let's listen and learn from God how to live more in tune, to cause less pain to ourselves and to others, and also how to heal ourselves and others, even of things that we didn't cause. :) God will help us and console us as we choose to avoid bringing ourselves condemnation.

Luke 12:54-57 -- On Making Better Calls and Choosing the Right

"And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.
And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.
Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?
Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?"
Luke 12:54-57


Christ (of course) makes a really good point here about why we aren't making better calls in our lives, and choosing what is right. I think it is easy to get into a mindset where we blame bad calls on something else like evolution or emotions or even just telling ourselves that we don't know what to do.

Here's God though, asking us to find out... to think about it, and work it out in our minds. In the scriptures, over and over he offers to help us with this process. He offers wisdom, confirmation, reassurance, and even outright revelation, depending on what we need. We're asked not to judge others, but we are absolutely asked to judge for ourselves and choose the good, the strait and narrow, to do what is right, and we are also given the tools.

Today, instead of choosing ignorance or blinding ourselves so we can do something we know isn't right, let's study and learn and pray, and make better choices. We can learn, and change, with God's help, which he is offering us even now. If we will pray in faith, sincerely seeking his help, we will find him, and the help we need.

Jeremiah 31:33-34 -- Written in Our Hearts

"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
Jeremiah 31:33-34


This is talking about something that is at least starting to happen now in the last days: the new covenant. God offers us his law written in our hearts, and asks us to come to him and become his people. He wants to welcome us back and embrace us as in the story of the prodigal son. He forgives us and asks us to return.

As we turn to him, he will teach us of his ways and help us grow closer to him. No mortal can convince us or give us that solid, internal, lasting testimony of the truth, but God can. We support and help each other (and should continue to do so), but the real transformation of belief and conversion... that only comes from God. And apparently, perhaps when we get to the Millenial day, there will be no need to teach each other that basic knowledge of the Lord at all, because God will be written so indelibly in our hearts and we won't so easily forget.

Let's work towards that today, stuffing our hearts full of the word of God and internalizing his law and a constant prayer connection to him so that the first thing we think of when something goes wrong... or right, is Him, for help, strength, thanks, praise, and everything else. He loves us more than we can imagine. Let's return that love, and go forward with Him, always.

Alma 5:40-41 -- On Taking Sides

"For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil. Therefore, if a man bringeth forth good works he hearkeneth unto the voice of the good shepherd, and he doth follow him; but whosoever bringeth forth evil works, the same becometh a child of the devil, for he hearkeneth unto his voice, and doth follow him."
Alma 5:40-41


I think sometimes we resist taking sides, which can be good with human things sometimes... not getting involved in the conflicts or trying to work for good and be pro what you believe in rather than anti-something. I think where it is bad is what these verses explain. On Earth, we are effectively children compared to God, and in spiritual areas, we have to choose sides. We can't stay on the fence. If we aren't working for God, we really are working against him. We have to commit to doing good and helping others, or we are effectively voting for Satan.

Today, let's choose the Lord. He's the one that gives us the freedom to choose other things rather than trapping us in chains of our own making. God will help us to safety if we need it. Let's turn to him for a new chance, and a new and better life.

Alma 5:18-19 -- On Looking Up to God

"Or otherwise, can ye imagine yourselves brought before the tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse, having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect remembrance of all your wickedness, yea, a remembrance that ye have set at defiance the commandments of God?
I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?"
Alma 5:18-19


This is sort of scary, but also a good thing to think about. When we get to that last day and we consider the sum total of our lives, standing in front of God, what would we like to be able to say? I think we all want to be able to say that we helped more than we hurt, and that we improved. We won't be perfect, but God's mercy goes a long, long way, as long as we are trying and working to help others. Today, let's make sure that we aren't going to fail that test. Let's let go of the things that we have done wrong and our bad desires, and let's let our spirits have more of a say. Let's commit to work towards our meeting with God by purifying our hearts, and then using them to make better calls. Let's ask God to change our hearts and to help us learn to love others the best that we can.

As we work with God and listen to him daily, our goodness and confidence will grow, and we will be on our way to being able to look up at God that day with joy and gratitude rather than fear, happy in who we are and what we have accomplished with God's help.

1 Nephi 8:10-12 -- On The Tree of Life

"And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.
And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.
And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit."
1 Nephi 8:10-12


I love Lehi's dream, and this description of the tree of life. :) It's a dream, so symbolism is to be expected, and I just love the idea of looking at a tree, and knowing that the fruit will make you happy. And maybe looking at Christ and the gospel is like that sometimes too. We might not be sure exactly why all the time, but our souls are shouting at us that this is the exact thing that will make us happy. And that inner voice, strengthened by the Spirit, always points to Christ. We can corrupt our own voices, or smother them, but the Spirit will always be pointing to the tree, not to the great and spacious building. Today, let's listen to the Spirit, and go to the tree, no matter what the world says.

2 Nephi 25:4 -- On Plainess and Clarity

"Wherefore, hearken, O my people, which are of the house of Israel, and give ear unto my words; for because the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy. But I give unto you a prophecy, according to the spirit which is in me; wherefore I shall prophesy according to the plainness which hath been with me from the time that I came out from Jerusalem with my father; for behold, my soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn."
2 Nephi 25:4


I like the idea here that Isaiah is only complicated because we don't know the context in which he was writing... and I think that is true of a lot of writing. We refer to things that everyone will know, saying things like "during quarantine" that other generations would think of as a totally different time period or not understand. I also like the implied idea here that God wants us to understand. It might take a little effort, especially with Isaiah, but God invites us in, and teaches us what we need to know, as we read with the Spirit. ... And I think having the Spirit/Holy Ghost is key to every other experience in life as well. The Spirit can teach us all things and help us remember anything we've learned. Let's work on following God and keeping that Spirit in our lives, to help us understand and see the things that seem confusing to us now.

Alma 12:3-5 -- On Thoughts and Plans

"Now Zeezrom, seeing that thou hast been taken in thy lying and craftiness, for thou hast not lied unto men only but thou hast lied unto God; for behold, he knows all thy thoughts, and thou seest that thy thoughts are made known unto us by his Spirit;
And thou seest that we know that thy plan was a very subtle plan, as to the subtlety of the devil, for to lie and to deceive this people that thou mightest set them against us, to revile us and to cast us out—
Now this was a plan of thine adversary, and he hath exercised his power in thee. Now I would that ye should remember that what I say unto thee I say unto all."
Alma 12:3-5


I like this confrontation with Zeezrom, maybe in part because I know that later he repents and changes, and maybe this helped him. It's good to remember that God knows us inside and out and that our thoughts are not hidden. He knows when we are lying to others, and to ourselves, and of course, it is impossible to decieve God. ... The other part that is really important here is that when we do lie or decieve that it isn't some clever tactic that we found to get ahead... it's actually just us following the plan of the devil. Today, let's remember Zeezrom, and be willing to recognize and acknowledge our faults, and to change. Let's work for God rather than the devil, and help others rather than manipulating and trying to take advantage.

Alma 12:10-11 -- On Hearts and Knowing

"And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell."
Alma 12:10-11


The idea of losing knowledge is scary, but it makes sense. When we stop practicing something, we can lose abilities... playing an instrument, speaking a language, participating in a sport, etc. If we aren't actively doing it, then we get rusty and it is difficult to restart. Perhaps, as the scripture suggests, we could even get to the point of knowing nothing because we haven't tried something since childhood. That seems like a really good motivator to not harden our hearts and to make sure we're staying in tune with God.

Today, let's remember that we have to keep working at our faith and our testimonies and our connection with God, every day. Let's not lost the progress that we've made, or forge our own chains. Rather, let's look to God, who can help us get through anything, and who is the one that can perfect us and help us learn to be our best selves... better than we can imagine. Let's go all in with God, and keep at it--keep learning, and knowing, and becoming.

Helaman 14:11-13 -- On Belief and Repentance

"And ye shall hear my words, for, for this intent have I come up upon the walls of this city, that ye might hear and know of the judgments of God which do await you because of your iniquities, and also that ye might know the conditions of repentance;
And also that ye might know of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and that ye might know of the signs of his coming, to the intent that ye might believe on his name.
And if ye believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits."
Helaman 14:11-13


I like the direct connection here between belief and repentance. If we believe we will repent... which I think should probably make us all take a step back and think about what we really believe. Today, let's turn to God and learn the "conditions of repentance," and if we really do believe, let's show it by acting on it, and changing our ways and letting go of past sins. Let's become new, changed people endeavoring to walk in the light of Christ.

Helaman 7:4-8 -- On Wanting and Working

"And seeing the people in a state of such awful wickedness, and those Gadianton robbers filling the judgment-seats—having usurped the power and authority of the land; laying aside the commandments of God, and not in the least aright before him; doing no justice unto the children of men;
Condemning the righteous because of their righteousness; letting the guilty and the wicked go unpunished because of their money; and moreover to be held in office at the head of government, to rule and do according to their wills, that they might get gain and glory of the world, and, moreover, that they might the more easily commit adultery, and steal, and kill, and do according to their own wills—
Now this great iniquity had come upon the Nephites, in the space of not many years; and when Nephi saw it, his heart was swollen with sorrow within his breast; and he did exclaim in the agony of his soul:
Oh, that I could have had my days in the days when my father Nephi first came out of the land of Jerusalem, that I could have joyed with him in the promised land; then were his people easy to be entreated, firm to keep the commandments of God, and slow to be led to do iniquity; and they were quick to hearken unto the words of the Lord—
Yea, if my days could have been in those days, then would my soul have had joy in the righteousness of my brethren."
Helaman 7:4-8


I like this story where Nephi is praying in his garden (which is by a busy street), and the people gather together to find out why he is so upset. God definitely had a hand in that, and in what happens later. And I think it shows that God can work with us even when we are sad or going through really hard things, if we are open to the Spirit.

Nephi wanted to live in a different time, when things were better. And I think we, too, sometimes wish that we could live in a time or place where there wasn't so much corruption and greed, or where there were more people who listened to God and did good things.

The thing is, I think part of it is looking back with rose-colored glasses. We've read about the time that he is wishing for, and I think he might be overlooking the fact that Nephi had to flee with a bunch of others so that his brothers wouldn't murder him. It's similar with us. We long for different things, but every time and place in mortality has its challenges, and its difficult work.

The other part of that longing I think is for something we all want, but is something we partially have to build and something that is also waiting for us in the resurrection... a united, faithful, group that we can be part of. People who lift each other up and help each other succeed. This is something we can have in families and friendships, and in wards and branches as we work for them. We can spread good, and lift others, and we can make a difference in the world as we do good to others, no matter how they treat us in return.

Today, let's direct our longings into building good and uplifting relationships and spaces. Let's listen to God as he whispers in our hearts about what we can do and build and be. Let's make a difference despite the wickedness in the world, and be God's hands to help others and make things better.

Mark 1:14-20 -- On Being Called

"Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him."
Mark 1:14-20


It's really cool that so many of Christ's diciples came just because Christ asked them... leaving their regular lives and jobs behind for his sake. They made a huge committment well before they understood all that it would require.

The Lords calls us similarly. We don't always know what God will require of us ahead of time, but we willingly follow. Whether or not God asks us to leave our jobs and families behind for a particular mission, he always asks that we leave the philosophy of the world behind, in order to learn a new and better way of thinking and being.

Today, let's hear God's call, and desert our bad habits and sins, and learn a new way. Let's learn how to love and serve each other rather than buying into the selfishness and heartlessness of the world. Let's hear God's call to be peacemakers and to shine as lights and examples of goodness. We won't know how at first, but as we talk to God, he will teach us of his ways, and we will learn to walk his path.

Matthew 25:31-33 -- On Sheep and Goats and Reaching Out to Help

"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left."
Matthew 25:31-33


The difference between sheep and goats in this parable is the way that they treated each other, for as Christ says later in the parable, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (verse 40), and tellingly, "Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me" (verse 45). The idea is taking care of the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked (presumably because of poverty), the sick, and the incarcerated. All too often these are exactly the people that we dismiss, even when it is people close to us, because we are uncomfortable when things get messy.

God doesn't expect us to become sheep superheroes overnight, but today, maybe we can shed some of our goat tendencies, and take more time to consider the people in the world around us. Let's work on finding ways to help, because we help God when we are helping his children. As we find ways to reach out to others to assist, we'll look less and less like goats, and hopefully find our way into God's sheepfold on that great day referenced above.

D&C 60:7 -- On Holiness

"And in this place let them lift up their voice and declare my word with loud voices, without wrath or doubting, lifting up holy hands upon them. For I am able to make you holy, and your sins are forgiven you."
Doctrine and Covenants 60:7


This comes a few verses after God explains that if we hide our talents because of the fear of man, they can be taken away (similar to the parable of the talents), and with that context this seems to be a message of hope... that God has our back and that we don't need to be afraid. When God tells us to do something, he will help us find a way to do it (as we learn with Nephi as well). I love the line "I am able to make you holy" ... recognizing that we are afraid of our own imperfections and failings, but God can forgive us and make us holy, if we stick with him and make the effort to do his will. Today, let's find a way to do what God asks, despite our fears and worries.

Helaman 3:35 -- On Sanctification

"Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."
Helaman 3:35


All of this is good of course, but what struck me today is the idea that sanctification (to purify or make sacred) comes through yielding our hearts to God. The whole idea of sending us into the world in one way is to create individuality... to give us physical presence and the ability to make choices that are not overly influenced by God. Unforced individuality... the ability to do whatever we want to do, and realize who we are, separate from other voices. And yet we, like mortal children, can make so many mistakes that put us in physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual danger. We're flailing about here, often not understanding fully the consequences of our own actions, and so easily influenced by other things. God keeps us free, which I am sure is a crazy balancing act keeping Satan out to the extent that we can still choose. Mortality puts us purposely out of Eden, and heaven, and encourages us to be independent and learn to be individual people.

Sanctification though... sanctification is the point where we realize that we want back in. It's us learning to be like God, not because he forced us into it, but because we have experienced individuality, and learned to make our own choices, and knowing what we now know, we understand why God does what he does (at least to an extent), and why heaven is the ideal... a perfect society without all of the corruption of mortality. So the idea of sanctification in some ways is a return to the idea of an Eden-type paradise, but now with the understanding of why it is a paradise, and with sanctification replacing innocence, which is part of why it is Heaven rather than Eden that we strive for. We follow the example of Christ, who knows all things, and yet is pure and uncorrupted. Today, let's work on that for ourselves as well. Let's ask God how he does it, and listen and learn from him. Let's give him our hearts and discover what he can make of us, with our participation and blessing. We can be more loving and kind and good than we could become by ourselves, with God to show us the way. :)

Helaman 3:29 -- On the Strait and Narrow Bridge

"Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked."
Helaman 3:29


This verse makes the strait (strict/rigorous) and narrow path seem like a bridge over a vast gulf of something very bad... a symbolic ocean of misery, perhaps filled with the sharks of sin who can chomp us full of extra holes for the misery to get in. Thinking of that "everlasting gulf" makes the plan of happiness seem ever so much more important, when we know that ocean or cloud or fog or storm is ready to engulf us. Just like in Lehi's dream, we know that darkness and storms will come, but if we stick with God, holding to his word, we can get through the hard parts. Today, let's not play at straying off the path, but take it seriously and keep the guard rails up, knowing how dangerous it is down there underneath.

3 Nephi 12:23-24 -- On Unity with Each Other and with God

"Therefore, if ye shall come unto me, or shall desire to come unto me, and rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee—
Go thy way unto thy brother, and first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I will receive you."
3 Nephi 12:23-24


I think this makes the point very clearly that our relationships with each other are part of our relationship with God... we come to him together, and disunity and disharmony impede our ability to connect to the divine. Today, let's do as God asks and repair our relationships, and heal where we have hurt, as much as we can. It might not always be a clear before and after thing... more a during thing in some cases, but let's talk to God *and* each other, and do as much as we can to unite and pull together rather than tearing things apart, and therefore making it harder to feel the Spirit and feel God in our lives.

Alma 37:6-7 -- On Small Means

"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls."
Alma 37:6-7


This is a good reminder that when we are looking for God's hand in our lives, we shouldn't be looking for some of the dramatic miracles that we sometimes expect. The scriptures talk about large things, but even the large things didn't start out that way. Lehi had a dream well before they were led to the promised land. Abraham prayed for escape before he founded a family and nation. Moses was launched into the river, Joseph was thrown into a pit, Jonah ran away, Noah trusted the Lord and started building, the Brother of Jared had a question, Nephi prayed and knew that his father was directed by the Lord. Big things start from little things, and God is working with everything around us, as well as everyone who is willing to listen. Today, let's listen. Let's pray to be able to see the Lord's hand and discern his voice and his messages to us... and then let's act on them, as a small part of something infinitely great: the Lord's plan to help and save us all.

3 Nephi 12:28-29 -- On Protecting our Hearts

"But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman, to lust after her, hath committed adultery already in his heart.
Behold, I give unto you a commandment, that ye suffer none of these things to enter into your heart."
3 Nephi 12:28-29


This reminds me of "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). Christ helps us to understand that it isn't just actions that we have to avoid... it's the way we think. He's teaching us to be good, inside and out, not just behaviorally. If we avoid actions that we want to do, we build up resentment. But if we learn why the actions are necessary, and how our lives and our minds and hearts improve when we take God's advice, then we get on board with the whole thing and we become different, better people, becoming good rather than just acting it out.

Today, let's protect our hearts by learning why, and understanding what God asks. Let's unify our hearts and our minds, embracing God's will and realizing that God is trying to help us every minute of our lives, to become the heavenly beings that he can welcome home. It doesn't have to be all at once, and it's okay to start with behavior, but let's remember that we need to be whole and good, and keep moving forward towards that. And if we just can't, let's also remember that God *can.* He can change our hearts, if we ask. Let's pray, and ask, and become.

3 Nephi 12:4 -- On Mourning and Comfort

"And again, blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."
3 Nephi 12:4


This is part of a much larger sermon, and the whole thing is amazing. I just wanted to pull this one out of context a little bit because I guess I've never really understood it. I wonder if it is saying something like "It is good to suffer because you also learn relief." If so, it might fit in with the whole Garden of Eden idea of partaking of the tree of knowledge and also triggering death, because knowledge and death were essential to learning happiness and finding eternal life. Seems like a deep philosophy... very cool, but probably not all that comforting when we are actually in the midst of suffering. Perhaps a more immediate lesson is that pain is temporary, and happy endings will come. That's a comfort for all of us, if we can have faith in it. Joy cometh in the morning, and God's promises WILL be fulfilled, no matter what it seems like in the moment. Today, let's "Think Celestial" and focus on long-term thinking, not failing to be present in our relationships and interactions, but still planning ahead and making decisions that will benefit us over time, not trigger consequences that we will come to regret. Let's live as though we were the awesome eternal beings that we are still becoming. :)

D&C 1:1-2 -- On Hearkening

"Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the voice of him who dwells on high, and whose eyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say: Hearken ye people from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together.
For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated."
Doctrine and Covenants 1:1-2


This reminds me of the idea of a voice crying in the wilderness, or the idea of the Spirit speaking in a still, small voice. God doesn't speak to us in an earth-shattering voice most of the time. Instead, he talks through prophets and scriptures and the people around us sometimes... urging us to listen with the Spirit, and recognize his voice, wherever it is coming from. Eventually everyone will see, and hear, and feel, and know. But he still asks us to hearken. Today, let's listen and learn now, and not wait until God has to make it more obvious, and when we might have fewer choices or opportunities to run with the knowledge. :)

D&C 46:13-14 -- On Belief and Knowledge

"To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.
To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful."
Doctrine and Covenants 46:13-14


The gap between believing and knowing seems very wide sometimes, but I think less so when we think about it. We think we know a lot of things that we just believe. COVID taught us to doubt some things perhaps that we expected to remain the same long-term, and death, illness, aging, natural disasters, etc. do the same. Scientific theories get updated with more information, and people surprise us. A lot of what we go on is faith. Faith that a stray meteor won't hit us, that a solar flare won't knock out all of our communications, that a stray politician won't press the big red button that destroys us all, or that the fabled aliens won't have a shoot-out with the Earth caught in the middle. :) Faith is something you believe so much that you act as though it were fact... and we have a lot of that in our lives. Some of that faith might be based on a false assumption, but with Christ, it is rock solid, and so people who know and people who believe can live their lives identically (in that aspect), and both look forward to resurrection and eternal life, etc. Today, wherever we are on the belief <----> knowledge spectrum, let's remember that faith is the key. Let's act on our beliefs, and life our lives based on the foundation of Jesus Christ, and as we do, we will come to know, more and more strongly until it is alive within us constantly.

Mosiah 2:17 -- On Service

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."
Mosiah 2:17


I like the idea here that serving each other and serving God are actually the same thing... part of the whole. God wants us to love and treat each other with respect and gentle patience. That definitely isn't always easy, but it is part of worship... we are part of each other, and we don't stand or fall alone. Today, let's do what we can for the people around us, remembering to pray and keep God in our thoughts, so we can be prompted and guided to help where God sees needs as well as where we see them.

3 Nephi 11:37-38 -- When God Repeats Things

"And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things.
And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God."
3 Nephi 11:37-38


The repetition here is interesting, and if you notice, it says again even the first time, so it clearly isn't the first time it was said. It seems to be something that God wants us to understand, and is emphasizing. Today, let's think about these verses, even if we have pondered these ideas before. Let's recognize God's emphasis here and examine ourselves. Let's think about repentance, and becoming as a little child, and being baptized. Let's remember that these are ongoing efforts, not one time things... even baptism, because we renew those covenants each time we take the sacrament, and Alma asks us "Can ye feel so now?" (Alma 5:26), suggesting that even a mighty change of heart is something we need to maintain. :) Let's ponder, and pray, and talk to God about how we can do better in these obviously important areas.

3 Nephi 11:29-30 -- On Doing Away with Anger and Contention

"For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.
Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away."
3 Nephi 11:29-30


Always a good reminder, and something to think about. If we're angry with each other, then Satan is in the mix somewhere. Not saying that there aren't reasons, but God clearly wants us to do away with "such things" ... anger poisons us. God asks us to forgive, and to repent, and to even love our enemies. If we're consumed by some anger that we can't let go of, today let's pray, and talk to God about it, and see if God will help us remove it from our hearts. It might not happen overnight, but if we want to be healed, God can help us heal from anything.

D&C 136:23-27 -- On Preserving

"Cease to contend one with another; cease to speak evil one of another.
Cease drunkenness; and let your words tend to edifying one another.
If thou borrowest of thy neighbor, thou shalt restore that which thou hast borrowed; and if thou canst not repay then go straightway and tell thy neighbor, lest he condemn thee.
If thou shalt find that which thy neighbor has lost, thou shalt make diligent search till thou shalt deliver it to him again.
Thou shalt be diligent in preserving what thou hast, that thou mayest be a wise steward; for it is the free gift of the Lord thy God, and thou art his steward."
Doctrine and Covenants 136:23-27


I like this set of verses, which seem to be talking about different things, but underneath I think they are all about preserving. Preserving the peace, preserving relationships, preserving happiness, and preserving our homes and belongings and not wasting what the Lord has given us. Preserving meaning take care of, not that we should be miserly and ungenerous. :) Today, let's take a step back and think about whether we are not being good stewards... with people or with things, and let's pray and talk to God about how to be better, and definitely where necessary, in small, measured steps so that we don't get overwhelmed. :) Perhaps the first step is just to think about being a person who preserves, and what that means, and how we might do better at that, just today.

D&C 101:16 -- On Stillness and Trust

"Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God."
Doctrine and Covenants 101:16


I like this. I think it is God's way of asking us not to freak out. There are so many things in life to worry about... none of us are perfect yet, and we have weaknesses, which means we sometimes do more harm than good. We screw things up. But if we're repenting as we go, and headed in the right direction, that's what we can do. The rest is in God's hands, and as he mentions above... it's God, after all. He can handle it.

Not to say that we shouldn't do what we can, of course. Let's be out there spreading love and hope, and pointing out the good... publishing peace. Let's improve ourselves and the lives of the people around us. Let's take responsibility and make the situations and interactions in our lives the best we can. Let's dream big and work on huge, life-changing projects where we can... bringing to pass good and righteousness, saving people from fear and famine. ... But as we do, let's not worry about the other things that we can't control. We shouldn't carry the burdens of the whole world. Christ already did that. Those are his to take care of. Today, let's think and talk to God about what we should be working on, and leave the rest in his competent, caring, magnificent hands.

3 Nephi 17:3 -- On Pondering, Praying, and Preparing

"Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again."
3 Nephi 17:3


This is a verse from the end of the first day that Christ visited the Nephites, and he tells them that he understands that they are weak and that they can't understand everything that the Father has asked him to say (verse 2). This weakness and incomprehension though, he doesn't see as a permanent or insurmountable problem. He doesn't call them stupid or useless. He just asks them to think about it, and pray about it, and prepare for more... which I love.

We all have weaknesses and things that we don't understand. God doesn't mock us for it, and we shouldn't mock each other for it. Instead, we should ponder, pray, and prepare. Those three things will help us to overcome our lack of wisdom and knowledge. They will help us to build on the foundation that we have, and reach for more. Maybe this is something that we should do daily. :) But today, at least, let's step back and ponder what Christ is teaching us today. Let's pray to the Father to understand, and let's prepare our minds for tomorrow, when Christ will teach us more. :)

1 Corinthians 12:7 -- On Gifts and Talents

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal."
1 Corinthians 12:7


This is talking about spiritual gifts, which could also be the symbolic talents that Christ talked about in that parable. Here it says that every person gets some, and in the parable, even the person who buried his got one, so we know that we have spiritual gifts and talents... all of us. They aren't the same ones, but we get different ones that work together when we help each other.

The other thing that I was thinking about this today is the other scripture that says "seek ye earnestly the best gifts" (D&C 46:8), because like the people in the parable of the talents, God offers us more. If we work at things and try to perfect them, with God's help we can not only gain the expertise that comes through practice, but he can grant us the spiritual side as well... the feel for it or the sense of it. He asks us to seek, and is willing to give, if we put the work in.

Today, let's work on seeking, and developing, our gifts and talents, and use them for the benefit of others and the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 14:6-8 -- On Gifts and Purpose

"Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?"
1 Corinthians 14:6-8


I like this clarification about speaking with tongues, explaining that God is about helping us understand each other rather than confusing us. He helps people to learn languages, or to speak in other tongues when that will help someone understand us. Lots of cool miracles around this one in the New Testament, but also the modern day. As with all gifts though, it's for helping and edification (verse 3) rather than just showing we can do it. The Brother of Jared moved a mountain, and Moses parted the Red Sea, but both used the power of God and did it for a purpose, rather than just getting a cool terrain adjustment tool to use at will. :)

Today, let's remember that our gifts are for a purpose and to help, and let's work with God to use them for good. :)

3 Nephi 8:9-10 -- On Being Prepared

"And the city of Moroni did sink into the depths of the sea, and the inhabitants thereof were drowned.
And the earth was carried up upon the city of Moronihah, that in the place of the city there became a great mountain."
3 Nephi 8:9-10


This is around the time of Christ's death, perhaps preparing the way for Christ's visit to the Nephites. What strikes me today is the enormity of these events... whole cities being swallowed up by the ocean, and mountains piling on others. It makes me think that we don't really fathom what a true natural disaster can be.

My purpose isn't to scare us all, but rather just help us remember that we can't predict the future, or the enormity of change, but God can. :) Perhaps we can think about the things that God has asked us to do as far as emergency planning, and work on getting some food storage and knowing where things are and what we would need to take with us in an evacuation... a 72 hour kit. Or what things others need to know in the event of our own deaths. These aren't things that we need to dwell on, but we often think that life will go on the way it is forever, when it won't. God knows more than we do, and he has asked us to be prepared. So, today, like the 10 wise virgins, let's put a little thought into it, not just symbolically and spiritually, but also literally and physically.

Alma 42:9-10 -- On Preparation

"Therefore, as the soul could never die, and the fall had brought upon all mankind a spiritual death as well as a temporal, that is, they were cut off from the presence of the Lord, it was expedient that mankind should be reclaimed from this spiritual death. Therefore, as they had become carnal, sensual, and devilish, by nature, this probationary state became a state for them to prepare; it became a preparatory state."
Alma 42:9-10


I like this explanation of the fall in this chapter, not as an accident, but as part of a larger plan. And within that plan was Christ's atonement, but also this in between time, between birth and death that we call our lives, where we could prepare. Because saving us from the fall guarantees us life, but not happiness. Happiness is the Lord's plan for all of us so that we can prepare for eternity, becoming the people that we want to be, changing ourselves through repentence and practice and study, and becoming people that we actually like, and would like to hang out with for eternity. :)

Today, let's put some effort into preparation, thinking about who we want to be, compared to who we are, and then let's make a change... not a giant change that we are going to give up on in a few weeks and feel bad about ourselves, but a small change. Reading a few verses of scripture, say. Or saying a prayer. Let's fit something in that we didn't before--something that will help us grow closer to the Lord, who is our coach in all of this, and our friend, and our all-powerful father who can and will help us change and progress, and eventually find the joy that we seek.

Alma 37:34 -- On Rest for the Soul

"Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls."
Alma 37:34


Rest for the soul might be just as good as chicken soup. :) I really like the idea here that if we move past some mental and physical exhaustion, and keep working and stay humble, that we will be blessed with spiritual rest, which seems like it could cure any of the rest of it. :) We worry about so many things, but God is what matters. Today, let's work on ... working for him, not ourselves or others. Let's do as he asks and try to bring light into others' lives. As we do, our own light will be strengthened and nourished, and over time, brightened. :)

3 Nephi 4:30 -- On Protection in Righteousness

"And they did rejoice and cry again with one voice, saying: May the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, protect this people in righteousness, so long as they shall call on the name of their God for protection."
3 Nephi 4:30


Things don't always happen the way we want, and there are a lot of lessons in life that we don't want to learn, and pain that we don't want to go through. I like though, this verse and the whole idea that through it all, God is there to protect us. The same general idea as Nephi's "I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (1 Nephi 3:7). We're here to be tested and to learn, but despite the trials, God is still watching over us, and if we ask for help, he will give it. Some things in life are not easy, for certain, but the Lord is there, helping us and guiding us, and protecting us as long as we are working our way towards him. If we walk away from him and choose our own trouble, then, like the prodigal son, we may fall into bad situations, but he is there instantly to welcome us home when we turn back to him. Let's trust and have faith in God rather than dismissing the miracles in our lives as coincidence. Let's pray, and ask, and listen, and love. God will help us, and lift us so that we can also help others. Let's be part of the good, and when it gets hard, let's ask for the protection that God promises.

Alma 17:13 -- On Trusting in the Lord and Making the Effort

"And it came to pass when they had arrived in the borders of the land of the Lamanites, that they separated themselves and departed one from another, trusting in the Lord that they should meet again at the close of their harvest; for they supposed that great was the work which they had undertaken."
Alma 17:13


I like the idea of trusting the Lord to help them meet again. This was before any technology that helped people keep in touch, so leaving each other was breaking contact. And they were going into potentially hostile territory to proselytize, which was bound to be unpopular.

We probably aren't going into quite as dangerous circumstances today, but the idea of trusting God to get us through it, out the other side, and back to the people we love still stands. And, like these men, we might even gather new friends along the way. Let's go forward with open hearts and minds and a determination to love other people, and trust in God to get us through. :) With God helping us, our effort will not be wasted.

Genesis 22:2 -- On Heart-Wrenching Trials

"And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of."
Genesis 22:2


There are a lot of things in the scriptures that seem challenging. This one seems similar to the killing of Laban early in the Book of Mormon. Clearly something that God has commanded people not to do, and yet, in these instances God commands it. When Peter who had remained kosher all his life was commanded to go and eat with strangers, I think it was a similar situation. All of these people had lived their lives in a certain way, obeying God, and then when God asked them to do something that was an exception to those rules, they had to examine themselves and figure out if they believed in the commandment or the living God who was really the only person who could make exceptions.

We know more details about why this would be a challenge for Abraham... because God had saved him from being sacrificed himself. That salvation was the beginning of his dedication to the Lord. He likely had stong feelings about sacrifice and perhaps about his father who had allowed it to happen. And then God asks him to betray his own son... his only son... in a similar way. And in a way that could make it seem like all God's promises were empty. He had been promised posterity numberless as the sand, and yet this was his only son.

We know, well after the fact, that this was a symbolic sacrifice, representing the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We can see that it was a test for Abraham, something that rocked him to his core, but that solidified his relationship with God, and that showed God's mercy, and made Abraham think about whether he believed that God would keep his promises. But in the moment, it was still an awful trial that he want through, getting there, proving his devotion, and being blessed with a Ram to sacrifice instead.

I think we all run into things in life that are heart-wrenching--that make us look at our lives and really test what we believe and what we know. I think it is necessary to have things like that in our lives to help us solidify who we are and what we want. We can choose to believe God only in the good times, and walk away when things seem tough, but if we do, or when we do, we don't realize who God really is. Sometimes we want him to be a sweet grandparent who ignores all of our weaknesses and loves us anyway, or a not-very-good friend who glories in our weaknesses and reinforces them, encouraging bad behavior. But God loves us much, much more than that. He loves us enough to purge us from our sins, despite the intense paid of it. He loves us enough to get us real help to save us from our addictions. He loves us enough to teach us self-restraint and to correct our cruelty.

Today, let's stay true to God, who is the only one who can teach us true goodness and pure love. Let's learn from him the difficult lessons as well as the sweet ones. As we do, we will learn to be the amazing, loving, stalwart, and deeply good people that God knows that we can be. It isn't easy to go through trials like that, but as always, joy cometh in the morning (Psalms 30:5).

Alma 10:19-22 -- On Preservation, Prayer, and Goodness

"Yea, well did Mosiah say, who was our last king, when he was about to deliver up the kingdom, having no one to confer it upon, causing that this people should be governed by their own voices—yea, well did he say that if the time should come that the voice of this people should choose iniquity, that is, if the time should come that this people should fall into transgression, they would be ripe for destruction.
And now I say unto you that well doth the Lord judge of your iniquities; well doth he cry unto this people, by the voice of his angels: Repent ye, repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Yea, well doth he cry, by the voice of his angels that: I will come down among my people, with equity and justice in my hands.
Yea, and I say unto you that if it were not for the prayers of the righteous, who are now in the land, that ye would even now be visited with utter destruction; yet it would not be by flood, as were the people in the days of Noah, but it would be by famine, and by pestilence, and the sword."
Alma 10:19-22


Interesting contrast here between iniquity/destruction and righteouness/preservation. It reminds me of Abraham pleading with the Lord to spare the city if there are 50 righteous, and "bargaining" him down to only ten (Genesis 18:24-32). Just a few righteous people would have spared the city, but there weren't enough, and so God tells the few righteous people (Lot and his family) to flee. Today, let's make sure our voices are not choosing transgression, but instead lifted up in prayer, choosing righteousness... not just because we want to choose preservation over destruction, but also because it's all part of that same idea of building and helping and growing... working with God to make things better. Let's be part of the good, looking to God and accepting his help to improve and working with him to help promote his plan of goodness.

Isaiah 52:2-3 -- On Rising from the Dust

"Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
For thus saith the Lord, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money."
Isaiah 52:2-3


I love this, but it is also very telling. Symbolically this daughter of Zion represents the Lord's people, but his people in the dust, in bondage. We're (if we are his people, as we are all invited to be) presented as having sold ourselves in return for nothing, which sounds spot on for every single time we try to negotiate with the world rather than with God. God pleads with us to renew our spirits and free ourselves from the slavery that we ourselves have chosen... to become clean, to come back to him. And he promises redemption, forgiveness, even though the idea here is that we walked away from God and chose slavery over him.

These are verses about the last days, and there is so much more that is great in this chapter, but this opening image struck me because I think that is maybe where we are. We are in the dust, so consumed with the intricacies of the world that we forget who we are, and that we *can* stand up and free ourselves, and choose and do better. Today, let's turn to the Lord, and trust in his strength, and free ourselves to serve him instead, and to improve ourselves, our lives, and the world around us through remembering who we are as children of God, and believing in the glorious future that God has mapped out for us, if we will only follow his guidance.

Alma 6:5 -- On the Privilege of Hearing the Word of God

"Now I would that ye should understand that the word of God was liberal unto all, that none were deprived of the privilege of assembling themselves together to hear the word of God."
Alma 6:5


Reading this made me smile today, at the reference to "assembling" or going to church as a privilege. It definitely is that, but we so often think of it otherwise, as an obligation or a chore. The fact that God shares his word with all of us, and that we can freely meet with others and share notes about striving for perfection and offer support and strength to each other... that's amazing, and an opportunity to cherish and avail ourselves of. Today, let's remember what a blessing it is to be able to attend church and to find fellowship there, and thank God for that and so many other ways that he brings his word into our lives. :)

Alma 3:24 -- On the Work of Peace

"And then they returned again and began to establish peace in the land, being troubled no more for a time with their enemies."
Alma 3:24


This verse comes after a battle, but it strikes me today that this work of peace is not just something we do after a war, but it is the work of our lives. The wars are the exception, the times when we have confrontation or huge burdens, anxiety, fear, tragedy, etc. But God always brings us back to the work of peace... the in between time where we can choose better, can build things that last, can lift and help others, and learn to love and live in happy, productive communities. Today, let's look around us and work to establish or to promote or to enlarge peace, and love, and everything good. Let's be part of God's work.

Genesis 11:4-6 -- On Unity

"And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do."
Genesis 11:4-6


This is really interesting because a lot of what we do in the modern world is work on communication. We now have the internet and can talk remotely to almost any populated area on the planet, but we are far from unified. And I think sometimes we have this idea that if we were unified that it would be great... practically paradise. And yet, here God explains the problem. If we are unified in anything outside of God's influence, we're going to end up harming ourselves and others... so he steps in.

I think the important lesson here is that unity is awesome... IF we're unified with God, on his side. Unity anywhere else is just scary... like Gadianton Robbers/Organized crime scary. Today, let's make sure we are gathered together with God, and aren't following anything that leads us away from him.

Genesis 6:17-18 -- On Covenants and Happiness

"And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.
But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee."
Genesis 6:17-18


I like the idea of covenants here, that the agreement that God offers us, for him to be our God and for us to be his people, and the obligations on both sides, is available to us, if we can learn to follow God and not to just go after the desires of our hearts all the time, which are often evil. ... I think that's where we go wrong, by thinking that our hearts are the source of truth and right, rather than God. Unfortunately, we want things that are very bad for us, quite often. God is the one with the better perspective, and he guides us as a good Father, helping us to learn to choose the right and the good, and to temper our desires with wisdom. We also learn better desires from God as we discover all that he has to offer us, and that what he can help us become is so much better than what we can make of ourselves. God will give us the desires of our hearts, as we learn better desires, and desire things that will actually make us truly, eternally, happy.

Isaiah 48:17-19 -- On Peace and Other Side Effects of Keeping the Commandments

"Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.
O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:
Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me."
Isaiah 48:17-19


It's cool that the Lord promises us peace and profit, and even posterity, as we hearken to his commandments. Sometimes we think of the commandments as a burden, especially when we are contemplating breaking them, but the commandements are there to protect and help us... to get us to a place where the Lord *can* bless us with showers of blessings from heaven, as he wants to do. Today, let's talk to God, and reexamine our adherence to his will, and as we do, we will see blessings, both immediate and long-term. God wants to help and gather us. Let's be willing and work for that as well.

Genesis 1:31 -- On Seeing the Good

"And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day."
Genesis 1:31


I like the idea of God stepping back and observing everything and making sure/seeing that it was all good. Or, perhaps more likely, including this for our benefit because he already knew it was good, but reassuring us that everyting starts out good. I think that knowledge helps us a lot, because sometimes it seems like we're surrounded by evil, but we never fully are. There is good if we look for it, and ask God to help us escape the "dark and dreary waste" (1 Nephi 8:7). Today, let's look for the good, and hold fast to it.

Genesis 1:1 -- On the Beginning

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."
Genesis 1:1


Usually at the beginning of a regular novel, you start out letting the reader know the setting. In non-fiction that's usually just setting the stage for the ideas or the philosophy yoy are talking about. Fiction gets a bit more challenging because sometimes that involves a lot of changes to the world that we are used to. This beginning starts out trying to answer the question of what came before our timebound mortality, and this first verse tells us almost all of it. God was before, and he made everything.

Maybe today, we can try to take that in a little bit, and recognize God's hand in everything, everywhere, and realize what that means for us as His children.

Alma 2:1-4 -- On Beginnings, Prayer, and Effort

"And it came to pass in the commencement of the fifth year of their reign there began to be a contention among the people; for a certain man, being called Amlici, he being a very cunning man, yea, a wise man as to the wisdom of the world, he being after the order of the man that slew Gideon by the sword, who was executed according to the law—
Now this Amlici had, by his cunning, drawn away much people after him; even so much that they began to be very powerful; and they began to endeavor to establish Amlici to be a king over the people.
Now this was alarming to the people of the church, and also to all those who had not been drawn away after the persuasions of Amlici; for they knew that according to their law that such things must be established by the voice of the people.
Therefore, if it were possible that Amlici should gain the voice of the people, he, being a wicked man, would deprive them of their rights and privileges of the church; for it was his intent to destroy the church of God."
Alma 2:1-4


I like how the Book of Mormon is filled with so many things, from a personal and a national level, public and private, illustrating "applied religion" or how the gospel works as part of life, and not just something we talk about on Sunday. Here, in the beginning of a year, a political movement starts a war, but it is eventually solved through prayer (and of course a lot of effort). A good reminder, in "the commencement" of our year, that God is always the solution. We need to work at it of course, mentally and physically, but we succeed when God is with us, and when we are putting him and other people first. Prayer + Effort ... a good scriptural strategy to face the day with. :)

Philippians 1:5-11 -- On the First Day

"For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."
Philippians 1:5-11


This is part of a great opening for a letter, and it seems to be a good opening for the new year as well. Let's start on this first day united in fellowship. Let's let our love abound in knowledge and judgement. Let's approve things that are excellent, being sincere and without offense. :) As we do, God will fill us with the rewards of righteousness, and we will grow in thankfulness and love, unto the glory and praise of God, who is our hope and the light ahead of us as we sail into the new year. :) May it be great as we trust in the Lord and move forward with hope, determination, and pure goodness. :)