"And king Mosiah went and inquired of the Lord if he should let his sons go up among the Lamanites to preach the word.
And the Lord said unto Mosiah: Let them go up, for many shall believe on their words, and they shall have eternal life; and I will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites."
Mosiah 28:6-7
It seems so natural in context, I think maybe we don't stop and consider what a big deal inquiring of the Lord is. It says that his sons pleaded with their father many days about this, so I imagine that at first his answer was no, that he wouldn't even consider it... but after they persisted, he decided to ask the Lord.
To truly inquire of the Lord, we have to first consider that the answer might not be exactly what we want it to be. We have to let go of the sense that we, of course, know what is best, and open ourselves to God's will. We have to let go of pride and adopt a little bit of humility to even get to that point... and then there are further impediments because being able to truly listen to the Lord and get an answer requires study, patience, and practice.
Today, whatever our experience with prayer and the Spirit, let's work on our ability to inquire of the Lord, and listen to his answers. Let's familiarize ourselves with the scriptures and the words of Christ. Let's pray and know how it feels to connect to God. Let's keep God in our hearts as we go throughout our days and include him in our lives and thoughts. Let's work on getting to the point where we can both ask and hear the answers God has for us... and as we practice, we will see God's hand in our lives and everyday miracles all around us.
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Mosiah 1:4 -- On Scriptures, Memory, and Preparation
"For it were not possible that our father, Lehi, could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to his children, except it were for the help of these plates; for he having been taught in the language of the Egyptians therefore he could read these engravings, and teach them to his children, that thereby they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the commandments of God, even down to this present time."
Mosiah 1:4
In context, this is a good explanation of why Nephi and his brothers needed to obtain the plates from Laban. I think it is instructive for us as well, to recognize that God's commandments are important and necessary, and also the history of our lives, which live in the memories of the people around us, but not for long if they aren't written down. Our memories and our lives are short, compared to God's overall plan that encompasses all of human history, and our collective human future.
Also, just as a thought... perhaps if we only have a copy of the scriptures on our phones, we should get a physical copy for a backup? It's always good to be prepared if we get called to go on a long journey, in the wilderness or across an ocean. :)
Mosiah 1:4
In context, this is a good explanation of why Nephi and his brothers needed to obtain the plates from Laban. I think it is instructive for us as well, to recognize that God's commandments are important and necessary, and also the history of our lives, which live in the memories of the people around us, but not for long if they aren't written down. Our memories and our lives are short, compared to God's overall plan that encompasses all of human history, and our collective human future.
Also, just as a thought... perhaps if we only have a copy of the scriptures on our phones, we should get a physical copy for a backup? It's always good to be prepared if we get called to go on a long journey, in the wilderness or across an ocean. :)
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
2 Chronicles 36:11-13 -- On Stiff Necks and Hard Hearts
"Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the Lord.
And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the Lord God of Israel."
2 Chronicles 36:11-13
The idea of pride is shown here both in "humbled not" and in "stiffened his neck" ... not willing to give reverence or honor to God or his prophets, and of course hardening the heart indicating that he resisted compassion and love and the softer emotions that God helps us feel so that we can relate to others and learn empathy.
Today, let's make sure that our necks are pliable and able to bend in humility. Let's make sure that our hearts are softened and open to feeling the Spirit as God shows us how to love.
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the Lord.
And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the Lord God of Israel."
2 Chronicles 36:11-13
The idea of pride is shown here both in "humbled not" and in "stiffened his neck" ... not willing to give reverence or honor to God or his prophets, and of course hardening the heart indicating that he resisted compassion and love and the softer emotions that God helps us feel so that we can relate to others and learn empathy.
Today, let's make sure that our necks are pliable and able to bend in humility. Let's make sure that our hearts are softened and open to feeling the Spirit as God shows us how to love.
Monday, June 8, 2026
Helaman 5:51 -- On Laying Down Hatred
"And as many as were convinced did lay down their weapons of war, and also their hatred and the tradition of their fathers."
Helaman 5:51
I really like the idea that these people were converted all the way through. They didn't just change their actions, they changed their hearts and feelings as well. Thay laid down their weapons AND their hatred. Throughout the Book of Mormon, even just to this point, we have seen the Lamanites lay down their weapons and depart with a covenant of peace, only to have them, or their descendants, come back later because their whole society is still teaching hatred... but this group stopped hating.
That's often the solution to our own troubles too. We definitely should put down our weapons, or whatever we are using to fight those we hate. Our voices or our keyboards sometimes. It doesn't mean that we shouldn't speak the truth or participate in respectful political discourse (if we can find the respectful kind), but what is does mean is that we have to let go of our hate. We have to realize that hate never helps, or succeeds. It only poisons. The solution is always going to be Christ, and love.
In the chapter above, in the very next verse, the Lamanites give up the lands that they won in the many wars, and give them back to the Nephites. Not in a war, not even in a treaty negotiation. Just because they let go of their hatred. What would our lives look like if we let go of hatred? ... Remember, not just going silent and seething in private. What if we actually just let it go completely? Today, let's find out. Let's ask God to fight the battles that need to be fought, but to help us purge any hatred from our hearts so that we can serve and love and be part of the solution... like these people were. Let's remember that we are on God's side, and that's the only side we need.
Helaman 5:51
I really like the idea that these people were converted all the way through. They didn't just change their actions, they changed their hearts and feelings as well. Thay laid down their weapons AND their hatred. Throughout the Book of Mormon, even just to this point, we have seen the Lamanites lay down their weapons and depart with a covenant of peace, only to have them, or their descendants, come back later because their whole society is still teaching hatred... but this group stopped hating.
That's often the solution to our own troubles too. We definitely should put down our weapons, or whatever we are using to fight those we hate. Our voices or our keyboards sometimes. It doesn't mean that we shouldn't speak the truth or participate in respectful political discourse (if we can find the respectful kind), but what is does mean is that we have to let go of our hate. We have to realize that hate never helps, or succeeds. It only poisons. The solution is always going to be Christ, and love.
In the chapter above, in the very next verse, the Lamanites give up the lands that they won in the many wars, and give them back to the Nephites. Not in a war, not even in a treaty negotiation. Just because they let go of their hatred. What would our lives look like if we let go of hatred? ... Remember, not just going silent and seething in private. What if we actually just let it go completely? Today, let's find out. Let's ask God to fight the battles that need to be fought, but to help us purge any hatred from our hearts so that we can serve and love and be part of the solution... like these people were. Let's remember that we are on God's side, and that's the only side we need.
Sunday, June 7, 2026
1 Nephi 17:2-3 -- On Wilderness and Strength
"And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us, that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings.
And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness."
1 Nephi 17:2-3
I think it would be hard to talk about "great blessings" when you were wandering in the wilderness for years and eating raw meat... but perhaps that is part of the point. God strengthened them to not feel like complaining... which I think is a lot stronger than we often are in easier circumstances.
So the lessons I am seeing here are first, that when God leads us to a cool, promised land, often that means hardship along the way, and starting from scratch. The Jaredites, the Nephites, Abraham and later Moses with the Israelites, the Pioneers, and we should probably count Noah in here as well. They all went from something established to unknown and really starting from scratch starting over. No existing homes to buy, no sewer hook ups.
And second, that the first part doesn't matter. The hardship factor of being led to a promised land is nullified by the strength that the Lord gives us so that we can tackle the new situation that we're thrown into.
We don't have to be in the wilderness literally to face the scary and the new and sometimes our hardships come in different ways. Our world is a wilderness sometimes, not because there are trees and wild animals, but because of the new things that we have to face and the new ways that evil is trying to attack us. AI has made it very, very easy to fake voice, video, or anything written. The internet is becoming increasingly fictionalized. Truth is harder to come by, and many prominent companies and personalities are boldly lying to the public about different technologies in order to enrich themselves.
Today, let's keep the commandments of the Lord and look to him for strength to live in our day. He can help us navigate the wilderness of our modern day challenges, and feeling the Spirit is one of the only ways that we are going to be able to truly know truth from deception as we move forward. Let us put our trust in God above all, and he will strengthen us and "provide means for us" as we sojourn in this wilderness.
And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness."
1 Nephi 17:2-3
I think it would be hard to talk about "great blessings" when you were wandering in the wilderness for years and eating raw meat... but perhaps that is part of the point. God strengthened them to not feel like complaining... which I think is a lot stronger than we often are in easier circumstances.
So the lessons I am seeing here are first, that when God leads us to a cool, promised land, often that means hardship along the way, and starting from scratch. The Jaredites, the Nephites, Abraham and later Moses with the Israelites, the Pioneers, and we should probably count Noah in here as well. They all went from something established to unknown and really starting from scratch starting over. No existing homes to buy, no sewer hook ups.
And second, that the first part doesn't matter. The hardship factor of being led to a promised land is nullified by the strength that the Lord gives us so that we can tackle the new situation that we're thrown into.
We don't have to be in the wilderness literally to face the scary and the new and sometimes our hardships come in different ways. Our world is a wilderness sometimes, not because there are trees and wild animals, but because of the new things that we have to face and the new ways that evil is trying to attack us. AI has made it very, very easy to fake voice, video, or anything written. The internet is becoming increasingly fictionalized. Truth is harder to come by, and many prominent companies and personalities are boldly lying to the public about different technologies in order to enrich themselves.
Today, let's keep the commandments of the Lord and look to him for strength to live in our day. He can help us navigate the wilderness of our modern day challenges, and feeling the Spirit is one of the only ways that we are going to be able to truly know truth from deception as we move forward. Let us put our trust in God above all, and he will strengthen us and "provide means for us" as we sojourn in this wilderness.
Saturday, June 6, 2026
Isaiah 30:18 -- On Waiting and Changing
"And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him."
Isaiah 30:18
I feel like this is the reason that the Lord doesn't judge us instantly... why sometimes the bad guys get away with it, but remembering that the bad guys are sometimes ourselves. Because he is giving us grace and space... time to get our heads on straight and our lives cleaned up. Time to change so that he won't have to come down in wrath during our judgement, but so that he can give us mercy and forgiveness instead. He longs to purify our hearts and welcome us, but he can't do that in the middle of us being rebellious and causing harm to others. ... Today, let's reach out to him and learn, so that when it is time for that judgement, we will be better than we are, and able to embrace the Lord without shame and fear of who we are.
Isaiah 30:18
I feel like this is the reason that the Lord doesn't judge us instantly... why sometimes the bad guys get away with it, but remembering that the bad guys are sometimes ourselves. Because he is giving us grace and space... time to get our heads on straight and our lives cleaned up. Time to change so that he won't have to come down in wrath during our judgement, but so that he can give us mercy and forgiveness instead. He longs to purify our hearts and welcome us, but he can't do that in the middle of us being rebellious and causing harm to others. ... Today, let's reach out to him and learn, so that when it is time for that judgement, we will be better than we are, and able to embrace the Lord without shame and fear of who we are.
Friday, June 5, 2026
Isaiah 30:9-10 -- On Smooth Lies and Difficult Truth
"That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord:
Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:"
Isaiah 30:9-10
How often do we do this to ourselves, I wonder. Sometimes we say we want the Lord to guide us, but we're actually not really open to his will. Instead, we're only open to a single answer where we win or prosper in some way, or get the particular answer that we want. Other answers that make things harder for us we don't want, and perhaps we really would rather be lied to, and told "smooth things" that don't necessitate change.
God's way isn't easy. None of the people that he led to their own "promised land" (Jaredites, Nephites, Israelites, etc.) had an easy time of it, and they didn't arrive to catered meals and hotels. They got to the particular promised land and they had to overcome challenges, and in many cases start from scratch. But it was still promised, and they were meant to be there, to begin so many things, and to further God's plan. We too may have to face hard things in our lives... storms and darkness come to everyone. But God will be with us if we cling to him, and help us through, and help us to do good works and further his plan of happiness as well. Let's join with him and do good even in hardship, rather than reaching for and desiring lies.
Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:"
Isaiah 30:9-10
How often do we do this to ourselves, I wonder. Sometimes we say we want the Lord to guide us, but we're actually not really open to his will. Instead, we're only open to a single answer where we win or prosper in some way, or get the particular answer that we want. Other answers that make things harder for us we don't want, and perhaps we really would rather be lied to, and told "smooth things" that don't necessitate change.
God's way isn't easy. None of the people that he led to their own "promised land" (Jaredites, Nephites, Israelites, etc.) had an easy time of it, and they didn't arrive to catered meals and hotels. They got to the particular promised land and they had to overcome challenges, and in many cases start from scratch. But it was still promised, and they were meant to be there, to begin so many things, and to further God's plan. We too may have to face hard things in our lives... storms and darkness come to everyone. But God will be with us if we cling to him, and help us through, and help us to do good works and further his plan of happiness as well. Let's join with him and do good even in hardship, rather than reaching for and desiring lies.
Thursday, June 4, 2026
1 Samuel 3:8-9 -- On Connecting with the Lord
"And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.
Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place."
1 Samuel 3:8-9
This is some excellent advice from a priest, familiar with the voice of God, to the new prophet Samuel, who didn't yet understand that the Lord was speaking to him. I think it can also be instructive to us as well, to think about whether the Lord is speaking to us in ways that we might not expect. God wants to communicate with all of us, but we don't always hear him, or understand yet how to listen. Today, let's pray and talk to the Lord, and then work on staying open to the Spirit as we go througout our day, paying attention to how the Lord might be communicating to us. It doesn't always take words, but God is always reaching out his hand to us, ready to connect. Let's tear down the walls on our side, and reach out to him as well.
Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place."
1 Samuel 3:8-9
This is some excellent advice from a priest, familiar with the voice of God, to the new prophet Samuel, who didn't yet understand that the Lord was speaking to him. I think it can also be instructive to us as well, to think about whether the Lord is speaking to us in ways that we might not expect. God wants to communicate with all of us, but we don't always hear him, or understand yet how to listen. Today, let's pray and talk to the Lord, and then work on staying open to the Spirit as we go througout our day, paying attention to how the Lord might be communicating to us. It doesn't always take words, but God is always reaching out his hand to us, ready to connect. Let's tear down the walls on our side, and reach out to him as well.
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
1 Samuel 2:12 -- On Prepared Miracles
"Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord."
1 Samuel 2:12
I think it is interesting here how the earnest desire of Hannah for a son (in chapter 1) coincided with a desperate need for some new priests... and of course, it wasn't truly a coincidence, but rather "all things working together for good" (Romans 8:28), but it is still so interesting how all of God's creation is woven together so that a prayer over here solves a problem over there, etc.
I think the same thing is going on in our lives. Sometimes our needs lead to other people's blessings. Things that seem completely disconnected are often connected through the Lord making a way to provide what is necessary. Even things that seem awful at the time... say we break an arm or a leg, but then after we're healed up, the mobility aids that we needed are given away and come to bless someone's life that is desperately in need of exactly those things. Just an example, not a personal story, but that sort of thing happens every day with the Lord directing all of it. The whole world is connected by things like that, which is how Christ could do amazing things like tell Peter to get a piece of money out of a fish, or direct his disciples to go find a donkey. All of it is known to the Lord, and we often find that when we need something most, God has provided something that is miraculous, but the miracle isn't it appearing out of thin air, but rather God preparing it slowly for years ahead of time.
Today let's remember that God really does know the end from the beginning and there are miracles all around us, in everything we say and do, in everyone we meet. Let's join with the Lord and follow the Spirit, and be part of the interconnectedness of it all. :)
1 Samuel 2:12
I think it is interesting here how the earnest desire of Hannah for a son (in chapter 1) coincided with a desperate need for some new priests... and of course, it wasn't truly a coincidence, but rather "all things working together for good" (Romans 8:28), but it is still so interesting how all of God's creation is woven together so that a prayer over here solves a problem over there, etc.
I think the same thing is going on in our lives. Sometimes our needs lead to other people's blessings. Things that seem completely disconnected are often connected through the Lord making a way to provide what is necessary. Even things that seem awful at the time... say we break an arm or a leg, but then after we're healed up, the mobility aids that we needed are given away and come to bless someone's life that is desperately in need of exactly those things. Just an example, not a personal story, but that sort of thing happens every day with the Lord directing all of it. The whole world is connected by things like that, which is how Christ could do amazing things like tell Peter to get a piece of money out of a fish, or direct his disciples to go find a donkey. All of it is known to the Lord, and we often find that when we need something most, God has provided something that is miraculous, but the miracle isn't it appearing out of thin air, but rather God preparing it slowly for years ahead of time.
Today let's remember that God really does know the end from the beginning and there are miracles all around us, in everything we say and do, in everyone we meet. Let's join with the Lord and follow the Spirit, and be part of the interconnectedness of it all. :)
Monday, June 1, 2026
Ruth 1:1-5 -- On Bitter Beginnings
"Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth-lehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband."
Ruth 1:1-5
This part doesn't get much into the story of Ruth, but what it made me think of today is how God designs our lives for good. Naomi's life up to this point is severely truncated. We don't know the joys and the sorrows of moving to a different country to escape the famine, or the courtship and joy of the sons and their marriages. In a way though, the lack of detail helps us to see the overall design a little bit better. This is a story partly about the genealogy of Christ, but also about virtue and faith, and adoption and conversion into the gospel. This chapter of Naomi's life seemed bitter to her because she lost her loved ones. But it had meaning and purpose still, which she and Ruth find later. It's a good reminder that even when things seem bleak, God is still ordering all things for our good, leading us towards the happy ending that he still, and always, promises, for those who keep working and don't give up on the story. :)
And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband."
Ruth 1:1-5
This part doesn't get much into the story of Ruth, but what it made me think of today is how God designs our lives for good. Naomi's life up to this point is severely truncated. We don't know the joys and the sorrows of moving to a different country to escape the famine, or the courtship and joy of the sons and their marriages. In a way though, the lack of detail helps us to see the overall design a little bit better. This is a story partly about the genealogy of Christ, but also about virtue and faith, and adoption and conversion into the gospel. This chapter of Naomi's life seemed bitter to her because she lost her loved ones. But it had meaning and purpose still, which she and Ruth find later. It's a good reminder that even when things seem bleak, God is still ordering all things for our good, leading us towards the happy ending that he still, and always, promises, for those who keep working and don't give up on the story. :)