Joseph Smith—History 1:43

"After this communication, I saw the light in the room begin to gather immediately around the person of him who had been speaking to me, and it continued to do so until the room was again left dark, except just around him; when, instantly I saw, as it were, a conduit open right up into heaven, and he ascended till he entirely disappeared, and the room was left as it had been before this heavenly light had made its appearance."
Joseph Smith—History 1:43


This is Joseph Smith's description of the departure of an angel he had been speaking with... or listening to, at least.  I am not sure how much dialogue went on.  I find his description of the light fascinating... his first vision account talks about a pillar of light descending gradually... and it reminds me of D&C 93 where it says "The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth" ... and that we all started out as intelligences.  I wonder if the angel is just so filled with light and truth that he shines. :)  In the Old Testament there is the story of Moses coming back from talking with the Lord and the Israelites were afraid of him because his face shone... (Exodus 34:28-35)... so, it could be that being around God makes you shine. :)  Anyway, it is interesting, and cool... someday we will probably all be filled with light and shine like that.  Won't that be amazing?

Doctrine and Covenants 130:22

"The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit.  Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us."
Doctrine and Covenants 130:22


This is a fact taken for granted by many of us who have grown up in the church, but it is fascinating in a lot of ways... primarily because it is so different from what many other people believe.  I think that it says a lot of things to us that help us to understand God better.  This tells us that God isn't some creature completely alien to our understandings.  Although he is vastly superior in knowledge and power, he is like we are on a basic level.  I think it makes calling him Father a lot more literal, a lot more real.  It helps us to understand Christ's command to "be ye therefore perfect."  ... we see and know that it is possible because God is perfect, and we are like him... and we have the potential to grow and become more and more like him and eventually reach perfection, as he has.  And I think that it makes the whole Godhead more comprehensible to know that they aren't intertwined, three personalities in one being in some mysterious way... but three distinct beings, who are united in a spiritual way, because they have the same desires, and are working toward the same goal... our salvation.  Off on a slight tangent, I was reading last night a quote from Joseph F. Smith that says that "we have nothing else to do save to keep in the narrow path that leads back to God our Father."  That we have no other job or mission in this world besides that... a single purpose, a single focus... and, really, a unifying perspective... because we are all working towards the same thing.  The Godhead is like that... one in purpose, focused on the same goal... wholly dedicated to teaching us and helping us to salvation.  And when we have that as our focus as well, then we join with them... Heaven and Earth both uniting to save and unite the human family, and bring them home.  ... I also like that God has arms because I'm hoping the first thing that happens after I die is that He gives me a huge bear-hug, welcoming me home. :)

Exodus 33:11

"And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle."
Exodus 33:11


I like the way that this scripture compares our relationship with God to the relationship that we have with our friends.  Moses and God talked to each other... not stiffly or militarily... but as friends.  I think that is a good thing to remember as we go throughout our lives.  We can talk to God as a friend... we can tell him everything that is going on, and admit that we don't always know what to do about it.  We can ask him for advice, or just keep a running commentary of our lives going. :)  We can laugh with him.  Even though the veil is drawn and we can't always see him with our physical eyes, God is there.  He is as close to us as any of our friends... and closer than most. :)  Let's take advantage of the most rewarding of all relationships, and communicate with him... we'll never have a more loyal and good friend than God.

Revelation 22:11-12

"He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."
Revelation 22:11-12


I think that this is interesting... when we think about heaven, do we think about being restored, like this scripture talks about, to what we have learned and become... or do we think of becoming instantly better than we now are? :)  There are scriptures like this throughout the scriptures, telling us "he that is happy shall be happy still; and he that is unhappy shall be unhappy still" (Mormon 9:14) and "with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." (Matthew 7:2).  And when I read all of these scriptures about restoration... receiving a reward according (exactly) to what I do in this life... I have to take a closer look at my life.  If God judges me the way that I judge others, will I come out okay?  Am I satisfied enough with who I am that I would like to be this way for eternity? :)  ... will I be able to stand before God the way I am... without flinching? :)  When God talks about giving to each of us according to our work, I get a little worried.  I think I am very unjust at times... and probably not diligent enough about ridding myself of filthiness (hmm, after this I think I will go take a long shower with a lot of soap...). :)
The thing is, even after this life, God *still* isn't going to compel us to be anything besides what we have chosen to be.  We don't have to do it alone... but we do have to want the help... and make an effort.

Doctrine and Covenants 38:7-8

"But behold, verily, verily, I say unto you that mine eyes are upon you.  I am in your midst and ye cannot see me;
But the day soon cometh that ye shall see me, and know that I am; for the veil of darkness shall soon be rent, and he that is not purified shall not abide the day."
Doctrine and Covenants 38:7-8


I think this is cool.  God is with us, and even though we can't see through the veil... can't remember through the veil, we can pray through it, and feel his presence.  He is watching over us all the time, and I like especially the part that says "the veil of darkness shall soon be rent."  ... Sincerely, that will be a great day.  I know that a lot of destructions and stuff are supposed to go along with it... but *nothing* can darken a day when the veil is rent and we are restored, whole... with intact premortal memories, when the veil of darkness is removed and our souls are filled with light. :)  That will be amazing.  It's a little scary of course when it says that if we aren't purified we won't abide the day... but that just means that we have to get purified. :)  Sometimes it seems a little daunting, but God can help us to do anything, and even make it way easier than we expect.
Imagine, just being able to remember the premortal world... remembering who you were and what you wanted from this mortal life.  I would give anything for that... and I suppose that is exactly the point.  God is asking us to give the effort that it takes to be purified, and to stand before him clean... so that we may abide the day, and the memories. :)  There are a lot of things that I don't really understand in life, and I look forward to when God reveals all of the mysteries, and restores us to our full selves. :)

Helaman 4:15

"And it came to pass that they did repent, and inasmuch as they did repent they did begin to prosper."
Helaman 4:15


God is so cool, it continually amazes me. :)  This is another scripture showing us that God matches our efforts with blessings, no matter where we are in the process.  Here, the Nephites were getting pretty wicked, and after this they get wicked again... but still, knowing that... as God knows all things... God blessed them.  As they repented, he helped them to prosper, and regain the lands that they had lost in the war.  As I read it this morning it reminded me that God recognizes and rewards *every* effort that we make... so no effort that we make is ever wasted.  As we continue through the ups and downs of life, God is continually beside us.  He rewards our efforts, and reinforces the positive things that we do.  Even if he knows that the current effort will be short-lived, he still reinforces our positive behavior... to the extent that if anyone looks back on their lives they can see the difference between the times that they were putting forth effort to improve and when they weren't.  He shows us, every day, that focusing on eternity is a good thing, and that we are happier when we are working to improve our daily lives.  We all have things to repent of... so today, try this experiment. :)  Repent.  ... and as you do, watch for God's hand in your life, matching your every effort. :)

3 Nephi 12:48

"Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect."
3 Nephi 12:48


Continuing on the expectations theme... I think that this is beyond cool.  God doesn't just expect us to be cool, he expects us to be perfect.  And that means that it is possible, and that we can be more amazing than we ever imagined that we could be.  God's dreams for us go so far beyond our dreams for ourselves that even if what we wanted for today, or even this year, doesn't happen... we know that something SO much better than we can imagine is in store.  And, you know... I don't even think that it is something that we have to wait to see until after we die.  I think that we can look at God's work in our lives and see that we are better people, even now, then we thought we could be at some point in the past.  God opens our eyes, and our imaginations... and instead of just learning to walk, we learn to soar... and if we can soar already, think of what else he could have in store. :)

Psalms 62:5

"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him."
Psalms 62:5


I think that this scripture is really interesting, the part about expectation from God.  I think that a lot of times we try to live up to expectations from everywhere else... wear what people think we should... eat what people think that we should, act like people think we should... and sometimes, if we have really good people around us, then we end up doing pretty good things, and sometimes it turns out pretty bad.  Either way though, we shouldn't be living up to, or even worrying about the expectations of other people, who are just as human as we are.  We should be living up to the expectations that God has for us.  He expects us to be heroic.  He expects us to be amazing and good.  He expects us to be a lot better than we think that we can be.  And, just like in most earthly situations, we usually are able to live up to what people expect from us. :)  Let's try not to listen to the voices that tell us that we aren't good enough, and listen to God... who knows that we are, and who can make us even better. :)

Psalms 5:3

"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up."
Psalms 5:3


This is a good scripture, not only for rejoicing first thing in the morning, but also as a kind of symbolic commitment to God... that, if we determine to put him first, we talk to him and look to him before we go about the rest of our days... it makes everything better. :)

Psalms 37:11

"But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."
Psalms 37:11


The footnote to Matthew 5:5 says "The Heb[rew] in Psalms 37:11 characterizes as the humble those who have suffered."  ... I found that to be very interesting, and so I thought I would include this as the scripture of the day for today. :)  I think that suffering probably teaches meekness... unfortunately, we don't usually choose meekness when we don't have to.  The cool thing about suffering is that, even after it is over, you retain the really deep and enduring lessons that it teaches.  If you have suffered hunger, you are very much less likely to take food for granted in the future, and you have an extra dose of compassion for those who suffer hunger now.  Hopefully, if we suffer humiliation, we will be less likely to humiliate others.  Suffering happens to everyone... it is part of our refining process, making us into wiser, more compassionate people.  We can't escape suffering in this life, but we can choose how to react to it... what lessons we learn, and how it changes the actions we take in the future.  Thankfully, no suffering is forever, and someday when we have learned our lessons well, we will inherit the earth... and delight ourselves in "the abundance of peace."  (Doesn't that sound cool?)  ... and we'll treasure it all the more because we have experienced so much non-peace in our lives.

Philippians 1:2-4

"Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.
Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy."
Philippians 1:2-4


In the spirit of "do unto others," this is a very cool way to begin a letter. :)  Later in the letter Paul tells the Philippians, "I have you in my heart." ... all of these things we rarely say to anyone, and even when we do, only to immediate (or potential) family members. :)  I think it is absolutely great that Paul was able to express love to the people in Philippi... and I think that perhaps, we should be more willing to express love to the people around us in general.  At church, we call each other "brother" and "sister" ... but how much do we really include those brothers and sisters in our lives?  Do we take the time to tell the people around us that we love and care for them?  ... Since we love it when people tell us how cool we are... maybe we should tell them more often. :)  I also love how Paul says that he makes his request with joy... he really loves these people, and their happiness makes him happy.  We all need people like that in our lives... and not just a few. :)  Today, let's get out there... expand those connections, talk sincerely and openly... tell people the things that you like about them, and how much you appreciate having them around.  We don't *only* have to mourn with those that mourn... we can laugh with them too. :)

Isaiah 61:1-3

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."
Isaiah 61:1-3


I love Isaiah.  I hope I get to meet him someday. :)  Yesterday we talked about the second coming... and today as well.  No islands fleeing or lost mountains today... but "beauty for ashes."  How amazingly cool is that?  Even in the midst of all that will be happening in the last days, God proclaims liberty, and opening of the prison... and comfort, and beauty, and joy.  The part about becoming trees of righteousness is cool too... lots of great symbolism. :)  It is amazing to me, that in the midst of all the chaos... both externally and internally... that the Lord can step in and create utter peace.  That is why Christ lived and died, but it still seems overwhelmingly amazing.  Even from the ashes of the destruction at the Second Coming, the Lord can show us beauty... make us beautiful.  Reminds me of Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis where a woman who has been ugly all her life is made beautiful... and also the story of the Phoenix, the bird that is born from the ashes...  Even when we, with our limited perspective, see only hopelessness, God can offer hope.  He can turn mourning into joy... and provide comfort even to those that seem inconsolable.  He has an answer for even the hardest questions, and a way to piece together even the most broken and ravaged of hearts... he *is* God, after all. :)  Today, let's be trees of righteousness... reaching up to God while granting shade and comfort to everything around us. :)

Revelation 16:20

"And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found."
Revelation 16:20


Verse 18 talks about an earthquake larger than man has ever seen... I'm not sure if that is the reason for the lack of islands and mountains, or an additional thing that will happen.  Either way, it is difficult to imagine our world without islands and mountains.  Like Nebraska... but everywhere. :)
Anyway, if you want to go rock climbing, go soon. :)  heh heh. :)  And, I guess it will be a lot easier to get to Hawaii.  Though, you know... it says that they will flee.  I don't know if that means that they will join the mainland, or if they will flee somewhere else.  Same for the mountains... will they not be found because they fled to the same place the islands went, or will they just distribute their mass because they are shaking so much?  It would be kind of cool if Greenland moved down a little and joined North America... :)  Anyway, I know... I am joking too much, but don't you think that a lot of these things, even though they are kind of scary... are also immensely fascinating?  I *love* mountains, but it will be interesting to see the geologic changes that make them unable to be found. Some of the things that it predicts in the scriptures are so hard to picture... but you know that they will happen, and I think watching it unfold will be awesome (as in filled with awe, not as in like, that is, like totally, like... awesome, dude...).  I wonder if it will all be because of the huge earthquake... and think of the massiveness of that if it is going to shake down the mountains.  ... If it can shake down the mountains, what of our modern society will it NOT shake down?  It was interesting to see, during the recent tragedy, how people came together in a lot of ways... past grievances forgotten, the unsealable rift in Congress temporarily forgotten in support of mutual enemies to our way of life... and you think of the people in Third Nephi who joined together at the temple and were there to witness Christ coming to the American continent.  Will we, when the islands flee and we can't find the mountains... will we join together, finally, as a world?

Moses 3:8-11

"And the woman said unto the serpent:  We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden;
But of the fruit of the tree which thou beholdest in the midst of the garden, God hath said--Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
And the serpent said unto the woman: Ye shall not surely die;
For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."
Moses 3:8-11


This is a really interesting insight into the nature of our test on this earth.  In order to forward the cause of man, God had to set up a real test, with opposing enticements.  I think one of the most clear evidences of this is just the fact that there WAS a tree in the garden that they couldn't eat from.  The serpent hissed out some half-truths... blatantly lying about death, and promising her the knowledge of good and evil... and she knew at that point that she needed more knowledge than she had... but how could she know, in her innocent state... really what she was in for?  Thus death was brought into the world... and Christ died, not only to save us from that physical death... but from the spiritual death that we experience as well when we choose evil over good.  By the same choice, a lot of good came (including ourselves hopefully), and is all around us in our everyday lives... but so is a lot of evil.  The choice was made, and both came into the world.  I guess our challenge, as Eve's descendants, is to choose the good that she made possible for us by her choice, and to reject the evil which she also made possible.  We know that both are all around us... and to build Zion communities, and to become like God... we need to choose the good.  Instead of letting the evil in this world corrupt us, and living in fear... or becoming evil ourselves... We need to do the sometimes difficult things that Christ taught us.  We need to forgive, and love, and pray ...even for our enemies.  We need to uphold the principles of God, no matter what it means to our immediate lives.  Adam and Eve triumphed, with the help of Christ's atonement and instruction from God, despite their transgression.  They talked to God about it, and he helped them choose good.  We can do the same things, and triumph despite the scary choices that we make.  Today, let's talk to God, and hold onto good wherever we can find it.

3 Nephi 10:9-10

"And it came to pass that thus did the three days pass away.  And it was in the morning, and the darkness dispersed from off the face of the land, and the earth did cease to tremble, and the rocks did cease to rend, and the dreadful groanings did cease, and all the tumultuous noises did pass away.
And the earth did cleave together again, that it stood; and the mourning, and the weeping, and the wailing of the people who were spared alive did cease; and their mourning was turned into joy, and their lamentations into the praise and thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer."
3 Nephi 10:9-10


In light of recent events, I just thought we'd all like a reminder that mourning *can* be turned into joy... that God is aware of us, and watches over his children.  Many bad things are happening, and unfortunately will continue to happen in this world.  We live in the last days.  Despite all this, peace and comfort can be found through Christ.  God knows every hair of our heads, and he knows without question the content of our hearts.  We are eternal beings, and whatever happens to us... hardship, pain, and even physical death... we will continue to exist, and our lives do, and will continue to, matter in the eternities.

Doctrine and Covenants 93:49

"What I say unto one I say unto all; pray always lest that wicked one have power in you, and remove you out of your place."
Doctrine and Covenants 93:49


You know, going along with yesterday's scripture... one thing that helps us cleave unto God is prayer.  In this section, God has been explaining that intelligence and the light of truth are basically the same thing... and since we were intelligences before we came here, that makes us made of the stuff of light and truth as well. :)  I think that we can recognize that in each other. :) ... and it also tells us something else about the scripture that follows that explanation.  "The glory of God is intelligence..." ... means us, not some random knowledge stored in the BYU library.  We are God's glory.  His children, his *beloved* children... and everything that we do and say and live... he hangs on every word, every day of our existence, because he loves us so much.  And then, the section progresses to this scripture, which gives us some good advice for hanging in there for the long haul... when it is hard to hear our Father, and the light within is getting a little fogged:  Pray.  Pray always.  When things start to go wrong, instead of picking up the phone and calling your best friend in Zimbabwe, Get on your knees and call your best friend in heaven.  (and THEN call your best friend in Zimbabwe.)  When things are going so right you just want to scream it to the universe, get on your knees and tell God about it... and then scream it to the universe. :)  God loves us... we are everything to him.  And even when we are having problems believing or understanding some of his instructions... who better will understand us?  Who better can explain?  Talk to God about it.  We are his glory... his focus, his most precious children.  When Satan starts to convince us that we are worthless and unloved... that there is no reason to get out of bed in the morning... when we don't think that our lifetimes are long enough to learn how to be good... whenever life slaps us in the face and we start believing that we deserved it... let's talk to God.  He knows better, and he will show us what amazing, worthwhile people we are... and the truckloads of hero potential just waiting to be written.  And, also, just think how much more interesting your conversation will be with your friend in Zimbabwe if you talk to God first. :)

Jacob 6:5

"Wherefore my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you.  And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of day, harden not your hearts."
Jacob 6:5


I like the use of the word "cleave" in this scripture... not used very much in the scriptures, just a little.  One is when God is talking about marriage, and it tells husbands to cleave unto their wives and none else.  Cleave means join... like if the the grand canyon were suddenly to close up... the earth would have cleaved together again. :)  And I like, a lot, the idea that God is cleaving to us... and that we just have to cleave to him in return.  I think that is the biggest thing that is coming across to me... that God loves us *so* much, and he is there, involved in every part of our lives... loving us, and teaching us, and leading us... cleaving to us.  and we don't have to match his power or his mercy or his perfection yet... but he *is* asking us to be as dedicated, as loyal, as inseparably connected to him as he is to us.  Maybe there is something we can do today that will help us to cleave unto God.  If so, let's do it. :)

Genesis 1:6-8

"And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
And God called the firmament Heaven.  And the evening and the morning were the second day."
Genesis 1:6-8


Okay, we know that God is unimaginably powerful, right?  ... this just kind of boggled my mind this morning (but, you know... my mind is kind of naturally boggled).  I have been kind of thinking about space the last few days (editing an Astronomy textbook), and so this morning when I read this, it struck me a little differently.  I mean, this whole day is about the heavens.  Water above, water beneath... and so, I guess it makes it easy to flood the earth at the time of Noah, since all he had to do was get rid of some of that excess water. :)  Seriously though... God created heaven right here... (ocean and dry land aren't dealt with until the *next* day, so this can't just be an earthly division) ... so what exactly does that mean?  Did he create the solar system for us?  The scriptures say a lot of things about all the stars falling from heaven at the second coming (one example D&C 29:14)... And I guess that for a long time the way that I have been thinking is that God is a part of our universe... just lives on a different planet really far away or something... but when you think that, maybe, all the stars that we can see... they all there purely for us... on this world, it makes you re-think.  And, how else *could* it be, if all of those stars are going to fall from the sky because of something that happens on our Earth?  Even in Abraham, where it talks about Kolob being the governing star... it talks about the stars being "in the firmament of heaven."  So... my little mind was whirring, thinking... what if the entire *universe* (as we know it) is there as our firmament of heaven?  So, God's mind-boggling power increases by 6 million percent (at least) if you think of it that way, rather than God being just another inhabitant of our universe. :)  ... and we know that God has created "worlds without number" ... and for each of these worlds as well, did he create a firmament, and divide the waters? :)  It's just beyond imagining.  I wonder sometimes whether we are going to return to dwell with God after we die and just laugh our heads off at how we actually thought we were figuring things out. :)  It will be cool though, when God explains it all.  That is something to look forward to. :)

1 Peter 2:11

"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul."
1 Peter 2:11


I think that we can get a little war going on within ourselves pretty easily.  ... or a BIG war, of course.  "Fleshly lust" can mean not only sexual addictions, but any addiction at all that drives you to an inner war.  ... And those wars don't happen because we are lazy or unnatural or stupid, but because, of course, a lot of the scarier addictions are trying to fill some of the more basic needs... human contact, love, meaning, etc.  We sometimes try to fill these needs through drugs or sex... or food, or sleep... :)  Whatever it is, whenever we try to satisfy a physical need in an inappropriate (as defined by God) way... then we throw ourselves into an inner turmoil, because our *spiritual* needs aren't being met... and when we try to fill our physical needs with something that doesn't really fill them (as above)... then our physical needs aren't being met *either.* ... Which can lead to a pretty scary war within, especially if we continue to solve our problems with more problems and fill our inner voids with emptiness.  It only exacerbates the problems, and makes the war more damaging.  Spiritual and Physical both crying out in pain, and more and more of whatever your chosen addiction to try to stifle the cries.  We may not know immediately how to fill the underlying need in a good way... but I think it is pretty plain that the addiction (whatever it is) is not the answer.  And, when we recognize that we are in an addictive cycle, then we can try to pull out of it.  Avoid attempting to solve our problems in a way that has never worked... and start praying our guts out for something that *will* solve them.  Instead of destroying ourselves from within, let us "Look to God and live." ... he has the answer to every question, and the cure for every ailment... as always. :)

2 Chronicles 32:17

"He wrote also letters to rail on the Lord God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand."
2 Chronicles 32:17


This is interesting to me, as it relates to life today.  It is easy to become disenchanted with religion when you read and see all of the conflicts and actual wars that are being fought over it.  Arabs and Jews, Serbs and Bosnians... and things all around us.  People being persecuted or discriminated against because they belong to one religion or another.  Or, religious people persecuting and discriminating against people who choose not to participate in a religion.  I remember one incident in my own life, meeting a woman who I thought was intelligent and funny.  We had a great conversation at work, and later she came over to my cubicle and started making fun of religious people.  Because she thought I was "smart," she just assumed that I didn't believe.  Unfortunately, that difference between us proved to be an insurmountable hurdle to developing a friendship. 
In this verse Sennacherib, king of Assyria, is speaking, and understandably, he doesn't believe that the Lord God of Israel will save the Israelites... none of the rest of the gods of the people he has conquered have come to save them.  But four verses later, he returns home in shame, unable to conquer the Lord God of Israel. :)  There is a difference. :)  ... And there should be also be a difference in our lives.  God will always save us if we are true to him.  ...As worshippers of the true God, there is no reason for us to rail on other gods or other people.  Instead of perpetuating persecution and discrimination, we can be broadcasting a different message, of love and peace to the world.  God loves everyone, whether they believe in him or not.  Today, let's show that. :)

Doctrine and Covenants 136:28-33

"If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful.
Fear not thine enemies, for they are in mine hands and I will do my pleasure with them.
My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom.
Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his ears opened that he may hear;
For my Spirit is sent forth into the world to enlighten the humble and contrite, and to the condemnation of the ungodly."
Doctrine and Covenants 136:28-33


This scripture was suggested by Jeff W, who has this to say:
If you read the chapter summary at the beginning, it lumps these verses together and says "the saints should sing, dance, pray and learn wisdom."  It's cool how these 4 things are put together. :)
What I think is interesting is that the verses talk about being happy and joyful... then say that we're here to be tried and have hardships, going from one to the other as if they were the same thing.  I think that what God's saying is that he knows that this life can be hard... but he wants us to be happy anyway.

[Me again] ... just one additional comment on the last verse.  I like the interesting idea that Jeff has about how the scriptures are grouped together.  I think that I sometimes see the separate verses as completely separate ideas and take them out of context.  But *in* context, verse 33 seems like a great summation of these ideas... be happy, enjoy your life... whether you are merry or sorrowful, look to God.  We have to be tried, and being tried is part of learning, and to learn we have to be humble and call upon God.  Then the summation.  It seems to me that God is kind of bringing back that happy feeling in the beginning... call upon God, because that is why my Spirit is *there* ... to enlighten the humble and contrite.  And I see enlighten here as being not only learning, but real light... and joy... pouring into us, as we are humble and repentant seekers of happiness. :)

Hosea 2:23

"And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God."
Hosea 2:23


This is so interesting.  I have come across this deal several times today... God says several times that if we will be his people, that he will be our God.  I think the original deal was that if we would obey his voice, that he would be our God and we would be his people.  The children of Israel (or the early church, our spiritual and sometimes literal ancestors) kind of broke that deal, and so they got punished... but you see, the punishment here isn't some horrible raining fire from the sky type punishment.  It's only... if we choose not to be his people, then he isn't our God.  That is a pretty hefty punishment in actuality... since living life without God is a very difficult and painful thing to do.  This chapter uses a powerful analogy of a woman (Israel) that left her first husband (the Lord) to seek other relationships... and finally, in the end, realizes that her life was much better with her husband, and wants to go back... and mercifully, the Lord takes her back, and renews the marriage.  ... basically the same deal.  If we choose not to honor our commitments to the Lord, then he isn't bound to the agreement either.  And, we are much better off having God as our God then we are anywhere else... and in the end, when we do realize this, and are serious about our commitments, then God will take us back... but the road is hard, and there is a lot of humility involved in asking the Lord to take us back after we have so thoroughly rejected him.  No matter how hard, however... having God in our lives is *so* much better than not having him... being the Lord's people is so much better than any alternative... it is good work for us to be doing.

Micah 6:7-8

"Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
Micah 6:7-8


We tend to get dramatic at times... we think that in order to get God's attention we need to fast for a month, or pay 50% tithing, or go to church for 9 hours... :)  This scripture was back in the days of animal sacrifice, and so thousands of rams and ten thousands of rivers of oil is about the same as going to the temple every hour it is open for a year or something. :)  ... and it even asks, should I give my firstborn for my transgression... I think the body/soul thing here is interesting too... how do physical sacrifices relate to spiritual needs?
But anyway, I think that it is interesting that the question is answered with some basic things... God doesn't need our drama.  We can't make up for not living well every day by living *super*-well for a week.  It doesn't work that way.  God has showed us what is good.  And he asks us to do some basic things.  They might not always be easy, but if we practice them every day, we'll get good at them.  Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. 
It seems to me that it is all about consistency.  Reading a few verses in our scriptures every day is better than reading the entire canon in a weekend, and then not reading again for a month.  Spirituality doesn't average out... we need God in our lives every day, and he wants us to walk with him every day.  When we get off track, instead of overcompensating and swerving out of control some other way... we would do well to just get back on the path, and keep moving towards the goal.

Mark 9:42-43

"And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: for it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched."
Mark 9:42-43


Now, just because I am talking about this scripture doesn't mean that I want anyone going in for elective amputations, okay?  And, suicide (even with millstones) is against the law, and we are supposed to "obey, honor, and sustain" the law... so, let's just talk about this for a minute before taking any rash action. :)  ... I think God here is teaching us how important it is to be obedient.  Comparing hurting a child to death in the first verse shows us the extreme nature of that sin.  ... if you might as well be dead, then that is pretty extreme, since life is when we have a chance to repent and make amends.  And then God goes on... this scripture that I have included about your hand offending you... and two more in subsequent verses about your foot or your eye offending you.  What I thought about first is that sometimes we make excuses for our actions... and God nips many excuses right there by telling us... if your hand is wandering... cut it off.  If your foot is taking you somewhere you shouldn't be... cut it off.  If your eye is looking places that it shouldn't, pluck it right out.  And I think that the big message here is not really to maim yourself... but that we shouldn't be using those excuses if we aren't willing to do something about it.  Controlling ourselves is a much better choice than cutting out the part that offends.  Becoming clean is preferable to cutting off all the dirty parts.  And not offending children is preferable to millstone-assisted suicide.  Today, let us remember the eternal nature of our existence, and that our actions now will have consequences that will stick with us for eternity.  We can make the choice to change.  No matter how drastic the action that it takes to become clean and pure before God... let's take it.  Because being clean, no matter the temporary, earthly pain the washing may cause... is better than an *eternity* of pain and regret.

Ether 12:13

"Behold, it was the faith of Alma and Amulek that caused the prison to tumble to the earth."
Ether 12:13


This is some great imagery.  This chapter talks a lot about faith... but this faith to make the prison walls fall is one of my favorites.  The incredible power that belief has over people.  When you believe something, it changes who you are and how you act... even if what you believe isn't true.  That is why lies can be so damaging.  And faith takes it to a whole other level.  Faith is (this is my definition, don't take it as gospel...) kind of a mixture of belief (in something true) and hope... the two together making this incredible bond that can't be shaken.  So that you believe and hope so much that you might as well know... and then you turn it into action... and you can walk on water and move mountains (literally) ... and be released from every bond... and make the prison walls, no matter how thick and threatening, fall down.  The two thousand stripling warriors had it, and despite overwhelming odds, none of them died in battle.  Belief alone isn't enough... we can believe wholeheartedly and still make a mess of our lives... but faith is different.  When you have faith you have taken that belief and mixed it together with hope and action, and it is something that you can't break or ignore.  Hope, so that you know that your obedience and goodness are leading you to a better place... Action, so that you are making a difference in your own life, and in the world... and that core of super-solid belief in something true... God, for instance, and in his promises to us. :)  God can do anything, and the simplest lesson he has for us here is that... so can we.  So can we.  When we believe, when we hope, when we act... when we have God on our side.  There isn't anything that we can't do or accomplish... or change about our lives, with his help.  Nothing is ever hopeless, nothing is ever lost... nothing is ever inescapable. Because God, and our faith in him... can make the walls of even the biggest and strongest prison (even if it of our own making) fall down... and we can walk out, free.  Today... let's try it. :)  Walk out of whatever personal Hell you are in today... turn off the lights, shut the door... and go on with your life.  No reason to stay there... none at all.