Alma 29:4-5 -- On Desiring Goodness

"I ought not to harrow up in my desires the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction.
Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men; he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience."
Alma 29:4-5


Reading about how God grants people according to their desires, on one hand it seems crazy for anyone to want destruction or remorse of conscience... but then again, thinking about our own lives, sometimes that's exactly what we are choosing, knowing ahead of time that there will be consequences and choosing it anyway, and even sometimes trying to talk ourselves into something bad by disparaging God's offers, saying that being good is boring or ... whatever it is that we tell ourselves to block the knowledge that this is wrong and we need to go the other direction.

But goodness isn't boring, and being bound to Satan with self-forged chains is infinitely worse than being chosen in the family of our Father, with access to oceans and worlds of knowledge, and his infinite and abiding love--the one thing that can actually fill the emptiness. We think sometimes that we can't change, that through nature or habit our minds and/or bodies are firmly set on the path to hell, or somewhere besides heaven, which is essentially the same thing. But there is no depth into which God cannot reach to save us, if we are willing to change. He can change our hearts. He can help us be the people we want to be rather than the people that we are. It is not too late. Today, let's reach out to him and listen to his advice, and take a step towards God rather than away. If God is going to give us what we most desire, let's let him help us change our desires into something that will make us truly happy rather than eternally miserable.

Alma 34:4 -- On Moving Forward with Christ

"My brethren, I think that it is impossible that ye should be ignorant of the things which have been spoken concerning the coming of Christ, who is taught by us to be the Son of God; yea, I know that these things were taught unto you bountifully before your dissension from among us.
And as ye have desired of my beloved brother that he should make known unto you what ye should do, because of your afflictions; and he hath spoken somewhat unto you to prepare your minds; yea, and he hath exhorted you unto faith and to patience—
Yea, even that ye would have so much faith as even to plant the word in your hearts, that ye may try the experiment of its goodness."
Alma 34:4


I like Amulek's words here in support of Alma, pulling all the threads together for his listeners. I also love that God is willing to show us the truth and to answer our prayers, allowing us to "experiment" on God's words. Alma 32:28 is where Alma compares the word to a seed, and is an excellent read. As Amulek moves past this experiment stage with them he centers on Christ, because us mortals aren't the power or doing any of the convincing here. It is all God, who speaks to us all, proving his words, and convincing our hearts... and as we ask, giving us power to accomplish anything that he asks of us, as we seek to know him in humility, patience, and faith. Today, let's start where we are, and seek the Lord, who will help us believe, build on our testimonies, and help and serve others.

Helaman 3:31-32 -- On Peace, Rejoicing, and Interest

"And in this year there was continual rejoicing in the land of Zarahemla, and in all the regions round about, even in all the land which was possessed by the Nephites.
And it came to pass that there was peace and exceedingly great joy in the remainder of the forty and ninth year; yea, and also there was continual peace and great joy in the fiftieth year of the reign of the judges."
Helaman 3:31-32


I like the mentions of the times of peace. Usually when we hear news or read history (including the scriptures), the focus is on something dramatic and "newsworthy," but it is good to read about times of rejoicing and peace as well, knowing that is what we are striving for... trying to make those times last, through remaining dedicated to God. In the next verse we read about the pride that starts the downward spiral, but here I love that there was just rejoicing and peace for a couple of years. Learning peace is also important, if we are to become peacemakers. We have to learn how to be okay with peace, and not be always in need of, or instigators of, drama. :)

That doesn't mean that life has to be boring. I don't think for a second that God wants us to be boring, or that heaven is boring. It just means that the kind of excitement that the Lord offers is different than the kind that Satan offers. Instead of conflict or prideful comparison, maybe we'll be learning walking on water, the mysteries of the Jaredite stones or the Liahona, or mountain-moving. We can dedicate our attention and interest to buiding something amazing that lasts, rather than something destructive and temporary. Perhaps today in talking with God, we can come up with some good ideas.

Daniel 4:27-31 -- On Heeding God's Warnings

"Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee."
Daniel 4:27-31


This is a good reminder to heed God's warnings. God warns us when we are going astray. We don't always hear it, or take it seriously, but he cares, and he wants us to have a chance to turn around. When God helps us out with such a warning, let's listen. Unlike Nebuchadnezzar, unlike Pharoah, unlike Laman and Lemuel... let's learn from their mistakes and change course. Let's develop some humility, and avoid the really bad consequences of thinking that ignoring God is a good idea. He is trying to help and save us from worse.

Psalms 120:1-7 -- On Inner Conflict and Changed Selves

"In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.
Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.
What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.
I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war."
Psalms 120:1-7


I love the poetry of this. It reminds me of John Donne's Holy Sonnet 14, where he asks the Lord to "batter [his] heart" and force his way in, because he was trying and failing to drop his defences and let him in himself... basically, his reason conflicting with his faith. Here, David expresses a similar emotion... that part of him (in this case his tongue and his lips) are rebelling against what he truly wants.

This echoes back to a scripture we talked about recently, where Christ tells us that if our hand or foot offend us, then cut them off. Not I think telling us to intentionally maim ourselves, but to force us to confront our choices with that alternative in mind. If the alternative is getting rid of our reason, or our tongue and lips, or whatever it is that is within us that is blocking what we say we want... then we have to choose. If we want God, we have to accept him completely, and not hold out. We have to convince our reason... we have to tame our mouths. Sometimes we do have to let go of part of our self-definition, and it can feel like an amputation. God can help us through it, if we truly choose him.

C.S. Lewis explained a similar necessity for choice in his introduction to his book The Great Divorce. He says "I do not think that all who choose wrong roads perish; but their rescue consists in being put back on the right road. A wrong sum can be put right: but only by going back till you find the error and working it afresh from that point, never by simply going on. Evil can be undone, but it cannot "develop" into good. Time does not heal it. . . . It is still "either-or." If we insist on keeping Hell (or even earth) we shall not see Heaven: if we accept Heaven we shall not be able to retain even the smallest and most intimate souvenirs of Hell."

Today, let's cry to the Lord in our distress... and let's be willing to set whatever is holding us back on the altar, offering it to the Lord, either to purify or to consume. In Alma 19 when Lamoni and his household are converted, they explain that their hearts had been changed. They had no more desire to do evil. God does that for us, if we go to him in humility, willing to let go of all of our "souvenirs of Hell." It isn't easy, and it isn't painless, but it is the way to happiness and peace. God will strengthen us, be with us, and protect us as we sincerely choose Him, even over our own body. He will help us be at peace within ourselves if we open our hearts to him and let him change us. Instantly, or little by little, in God's time and not ours... choosing Christ is always the answer.

Psalms 119:32 -- On Dependence and Choice

"I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart."
Psalms 119:32


This struck me today because it seems to show our dependence on God really well. We depend on him even to help us keep his commandments... we need life and breath, and yes, a new perspective and greater love sometimes. All that we have is dependent on him. The one thing we have is choice. We can choose which direction we are going. We can choose whether to accept God or to reject him. Those things don't change the reality of God, but they greatly affect our ability to learn from him and to improve our lives because we're either willing to learn and change or we are stubbornly trying to do things our own way... or Satan's way... which will always fail in the end. God's way is the way that leads to happiness, AND to freedom and light, even though I know we can get that twisted around in our brains and think that God is leaving us in the dark and restricting our freedom. That's Satan talking. He's the one that is trying to bind us with our own habits and desires.

Today, let's pray for an expanded ability to love, to learn, and to see the truth. God is supporting us in every moment. Let's accept his help, and learn more.

Obadiah 1:15 -- On Compassion and Love

"For the day of the Lord is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head."
Obadiah 1:15


This is a verse after God has explained that people shouldn't have rejoiced in the calamity of his people, or taken advantage of their downfall. It's a good reminder perhaps that even if we aren't the actual people doing the evil things that are hurting others, we're still not supposed to rejoice in those bad acts or take advantage of the people that are in distress. It's not our doing, but if we embrace it rather than trying to help, then we face the same consequences that God offers to everyone: As thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee.

If we want compassion, understanding, and mercy, let's be sure to show those qualities to others. Let's take a step back and examine our lives and make sure that we aren't treating anyone in a way that we don't want to be treated, and that we are working on improving our love for all people, even, and perhaps especially, our enemies or people that we find it hard to relate to or understand. If we're having trouble feeling it, let's pray our hearts out, asking God to help us care and love, as we would hope others would do for us in similar circumstances.

Matthew 18:8-9 -- On Body and Spirit

"Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire."
Matthew 18:8-9


These verses seem extreme, I'm sure intentionally. Christ is trying to get our attention and make sure that we understand that our quest for heaven is more important than our bodies. God isn't actually asking us to maim outselves, but instead explaining that it's better to not have a body part than to let our bodies get in the way of our long-term happiness (both on earth and in the eternities because those concepts are tied together as we learn in Mormon 9:14). The best answer is to solve it a different way than maiming, but the maiming part is in here for those of us stubborn enough to argue that we can't. :)

Today, let's recognize when our bodies are getting in our way spiritually, and let's find a way, with God, to follow him anyway. I trust that, with God's help, we will be able to do that without harming ourselves. :)

Jonah 1:1-3 -- On The Word of the Lord

"Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord."
Jonah 1:1-3


Sometimes God asks us to do something and our first instinct is to run away or hide. Not that it works, of course, because there is no hiding from the Lord, but still we try. We don't want to do it... we're scared, or we have our own plans, or whatever it is. God's way though is always better, and listening to the Lord helps us to understand him in the future. Another ultra-important part is that God is leading us to happiness... no matter what he is asking us to do, or how much we're scared of it, it is always the way to happiness, because God doesn't lead us anywhere else.

Today, let's work on listening to the voice of the Lord and not running away from what he asks us to do. Let's stretch, rely on God for help, and do it anyway, so that God can continue to lead us where we need to go.

Obadiah 1:3-4 -- On Self-Deception and Help from God

"The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord."
Obadiah 1:3-4


This is a good reminder to beware of pride and self-deception, especially thinking that we are higher or better than other people, or God. Our thoughts and actions are not hidden from him, and at some point we will stand before him to account for our actions. Why not accept that humility now, while we have time to improve and change? Rather than being just our judge, God is willing to be our guide to help us learn to be different, and better than we are. He is willing to bless us with confidence based in the knowledge that with his help we have learned to be truly good, which can replace that inflated, and false, feeling of being "superior." Let's work with God on seeing others with love and a desire to lift and help.

Moroni 7:45 -- On Charity

"And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."
Moroni 7:45


In the verse after this we're told that "charity never faileth" even when "all things" fail, and so it seems worthwhile to take a closer look at the indestructible answer, which is pure, godly love. This verse gives us some excellent pointers on how to love, even our enemies, as Christ taught.

There are a lot of things here, but a couple that stand out to me right now are purity (thinking no evil) and hope. Maybe today we can work on these. Let's watch out for things that corrupt our minds and hearts. The things that we allow to play on the stage of our minds dictate so much of who we are and the actions we take, so let's start there and do a deep cleaning. And as we do, let's have hope.

We're never too far gone for the Lord. Like the prodigal son, he can help us escape from the consequences of our own actions and bring us home. That's what being saved means... if we repent and are willing to change and follow Christ, God can remake our whole selves and clean us from our sins. Let's turn to him and counsel with him, and learn of his love for us, and his love for other people. That love can fill our emptiness.

Alma 38:2-5 -- On Looking, Praying, and Trusting

"And now, my son, I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God; for as you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord your God, even so I hope that you will continue in keeping his commandments; for blessed is he that endureth to the end.
I say unto you, my son, that I have had great joy in thee already, because of thy faithfulness and thy diligence, and thy patience and thy long-suffering among the people of the Zoramites.
For I know that thou wast in bonds; yea, and I also know that thou wast stoned for the word’s sake; and thou didst bear all these things with patience because the Lord was with thee; and now thou knowest that the Lord did deliver thee.
And now my son, Shiblon, I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day."
Alma 38:2-5


I like the connection here between looking to the Lord and trusting him, and being delivered. I don't think that kind of faith is easy. It takes practive, and observation, and learning more about ourselves and about the Lord. It takes prayer and developing a relationship with the Lord. So, not making light of it like it was a genie and a lamp... but faith does work, if it is faith in the Lord and his gospel, and if we are working at it, like the man who asked Christ to help him with his unbelief. And it IS something that we can learn, if we don't feel like we have it.

God doesn't set us down here and give us commandments and make them impossible to fulfill. He also didn't make us as static beings that can never change. He gives us power, and the ability to change. So if we lack faith, let's pray for it and work for it. If we are awful at prayer, then let's try little by little to develop the habit. If we hang in there and keep working at it, our spiritual senses will develop, and we will feel that connection come.

Today, let's be steady and faithful and look to the Lord, and work with him.

3 Nephi 7:18-19 -- On Belief, Anger, and Real Change

"And it came to pass that they were angry with him, even because he had greater power than they, for it were not possible that they could disbelieve his words, for so great was his faith on the Lord Jesus Christ that angels did minister unto him daily.
And in the name of Jesus did he cast out devils and unclean spirits; and even his brother did he raise from the dead, after he had been stoned and suffered death by the people."
3 Nephi 7:18-19


This is Nephi, the son of Helaman, that the they are talking about. It's so interesting here that it was "not possible that they could disbelieve his words" ... but even though they believed him and knew he was right, they were just angry, and not realizing they were in the wrong, or repentant. Not willing to change. Just mad that they couldn't control him. It reminds me of Laman and Lemuel, still determined to have their way even after talking to an angel. Or Lot's Wife, still wanting to go back even when God was trying to save her from destruction. Or us, sometimes, right? Making the bad choice not because we are ignorant of the wrongness of it, but because we are actively choosing bad over good, trying to tell ourselves that we can make exceptions and avoid the consequences of evil, but then letting it bake into us rather than letting God prevail in our lives, and losing ground to Satan.

This chapter is from a time where things had gotten so bad that they had just destroyed the government by murdering the chief judge. They are starting to divide into tribes and spiraling down, and yet Nephi and his brother are out there preaching, trying to pull them back from the edge, calling people to repentance. Christ's coming, for them, is a mere four chapters away, and they are teetering on the edge. But it isn't an edge of ignorance. It is an edge of choice. And we, in our day, are on a similar edge, and God is trying to pull us back, to save us from hurling ourselves into the void. Let's be certain-sure that we are taking the knowledge that we have of God and doing something with it to change things, not just becoming angry. Let's listen to the truth and stop embracing evil. Let's make real changes in our lives and maybe even stop playing on the tops of cliffs in the first place? Let's turn to God, stay far away from cliffs, and do all we can to help others as well. :)

Helaman 5:9-10 -- On Remembering

"O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world.
And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins."
Helaman 5:9-10


I love that Nephi and Lehi, the sons of Helaman, are remembering these words as adults and looking back on what their father taught them from the scriptures. It alwo reminds me of Alma 37, where it talks about how the scriptures have "enlarged the memory of this people" which led many to salvation (verse 8). The scriptures help us know of God's dealings with our ancestors and the whole human family. They help us to enlarge our memories and to learn how regular people dealt with hardships and problems, and were helped by God in all of it. Today, let's remember, remember that Jesus Christ can, and will, save us, and work on our part, which is repenting, exercising our faith, and staying true to God's purpose by following his commandments to love everyone.

2 Corinthians 13:4 -- On Weakness and Power

"For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you."
2 Corinthians 13:4


The idea here seems to be that the crucifixion was possible because of the weakness of the body, but overcoming it was possible by the power of God. And that the same is true for us. Our weaknesses are also overshadowed by the power of God, no matter what consequences we see because of those weaknesses. Christ lives, though he died, and we are saved, though we have sinned... all because of God, and Because Christ died, for us. He gives us the power to change and to become more than our weaknesses. Today, let's work on rising above our limitations, through our connection to God's unlimited love and power, and on being part of his work to help and to strengthen others.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 -- On Weakness

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
2 Corinthians 12:9-10


We often are afraid of weaknesses... scared of failure, afraid of breaking and not living up to who we want to be and what others (including God) expect of us. I think that in that context, what God says here is very comforting. He knows our weaknesses, and his grace is sufficient for them... instead of taking Paul's weakness away, he strengthened him in other ways, and Paul's ability to manage despite his weakness showed God's hand in his life. Similar for us. God blesses us magnificently, but he won't take away 100% of our weaknesses and challenges. They are part of what life is meant to be. We learn to do God's will and to find happiness despite our limitations and the circumstances of our lives. We learn who we are, at least in part, because of the things that we endure.

Today, let's let our weaknesses make us humble, and more willing to invite God's Spirit into our lives. Let's learn to rely on God every day, rather than just calling upon him when we think we can't do it ourselves. Partnering with God on everything will make us better in all that we do. Our weaknesses will never exceed our Father's grace and love, and ability to help. Weak as we are, let's go forward confidently, knowing that God will help us as we look to him in faith and obedience.

Isaiah 24:14 -- On Voices in the Midst of Destruction

"They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the Lord, they shall cry aloud from the sea."
Isaiah 24:14 I like this bit of joy in the midst of darkness. Three verses before this, it tells us that "all joy is darkened" and four verses after it talks about the earth being broken down and "clean dissolved" ... both of which are individually terrifying for anyone who wants to live here. :) But in the middle is this little verse about the isles of the sea, and singing for the majesty of the Lord. It reminds me of third Nephi a little, with all the destruction and noise and darkness, but then in the middle of it all, a voice. God calling to his people. This is the other way around. God's creations calling to him. I think the idea of connection is the same though. Let's keep looking for the Lord in our lives, in times of darkness and times of light, and we will find him, reaching out to us as well.

Job 11:13-16 -- On Prepared Hearts and Stretched-Forth Hands

"If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;
If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear:
Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away."
Job 11:13-16


I love the idea of preparing our hearts and stretching out our hands to God. If we put iniquity away, then we don't need to fear God at all, and he will help us forget our misery... and even more promises after this, but in general, the message is clear and simple, and one we have heard many times. Repent and be saved. :) Today, let's see that message as an invitation and not a condemnation. Let's accept God's offer, prepare our hearts, and run to him with open arms.

Luke 12:16-21 -- On Barns and Building

"And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
Luke 12:16-21


The moral of this story is already laid out for us, and the lesson goes even further after this. The next verse is Christ instructing the disciples to "take no thought for your life," but to trust in the Lord and later to "seek ye the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you" (verse 31), and even to sell what we have to give to others (verse 33). Clearly, the things of God come before the things of man.

So I guess the question is then, is God asking us all to become spiritual nomads, and to not build barns at all? Certainly, that is how he lived during his ministry, with God preparing the way before him. Missionaries taste a little bit of this idea, moving from place to place and teaching rather than settling down and building anything. However, God through his prophets also asks us to be prepared, and to "prepare every needful thing" in order to build, not barns, but temples, and people in the scriptures didn't all live as spiritual nomads... many of the missionaries did in the Book of Mormon, for a time, but they eventually went home to preach and to raise families as well.

I think the point here is not to tear down all the barns, but to recognize that our physical wealth is ephemeral. We should take care of our bodies and our families, but not obsess over building up physical wealth. We need to focus on being rich towards God, and if we run into the situation in the initial verse where we have an abundance that we can't store, then instead of building bigger barns, we should realize that we have enough, and God has given us the abundance in order to help others. Everything that we have, we should be willing to give up for God (including relationships/people and even our own lives where necessary as in Luke 14:26-26-33), but just as with Abraham and Isaac, we aren't always called to give it up, but rather to care for others and to use any material wealth we have to further God's work.

So, perhaps yes on being willing and ready to be a spiritual nomad for God when he asks us to go on a mission or move to a new area or to do something we might not be ready for... leaving our loved ones behind and going out into the unknown. But we should also be ready to do anything else for him, which means preparing and building sometimes, including maybe building a barn or other storage as Joseph did in Egypt to save everyone from the seven years of famine. The bottom line is to always be ready and willing to do as God asks, and to build treasure that we *can* take with us by becoming truly good people. God loves us... he wants us to be able to live, and love, and pursue the things that we love as well. We just have to remember that sometimes we go the wrong direction, and just as Amulek did in Alma 10, we need to pivot when the Lord asks us to pivot, and build what *he* asks us to build.