Doctrine and Covenants 122:9

"Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever."
Doctrine and Covenants 122:9


This is God speaking to Joseph Smith when Joseph was in Liberty Jail, and was going through a lot. There is a lot of explanation and comfort in this section about why we suffer, and then this verse. I really like this because it is what God always does for us. After feeling with us, telling us why, or offering comfort in our distress... he always, when we're ready, stands us back up on our feet, dusts us off, and says... okay, try again. I think this message is to all of us, and about whatever we're going through. ... Keep going. God isn't going to take away our blessings, and God won't let our enemies go past the limits he has set. No one can change the destiny that God has for us. Today, let's go forward, unafraid of any consequences that don't impact us spiritually. Let's work with God to become who we have the potential to be.

Doctrine and Covenants 105:38-40

"And again I say unto you, sue for peace, not only to the people that have smitten you, but also to all people;
And lift up an ensign of peace, and make a proclamation of peace unto the ends of the earth;
And make proposals for peace unto those who have smitten you, according to the voice of the Spirit which is in you, and all things shall work together for your good."
Doctrine and Covenants 105:38-40


I love this. It is so easy to become contentious in this life and want to fight back or prove that we're in the right, or show the injustice in what is going on. But even here, when several groups were harming people, and many others had threatened to, God asked them to seek peace. We might not have people threatening to murder us or burn down our homes (hopefully), but sometimes it is still hard to hear God's message of peace to all people. There's usually at least one person that we don't particularly want to be at peace with. And so it is cool to hear God's message and kind of his vision of the way the world should be. Peace everywhere. I love the idea of us being at peace with the whole earth, and being able to visit with or talk with anyone without accusations or bad feelings just because of where we were born. ... I also love the last verse here. Basically... work for peace even with people who haven't chosen to work that way with us, and if we listen to the Spirit and work towards that peace, ALL things will work together for our good. What an amazing promise. Today, let's try to take hold of this promise and make it work in our lives. Let's choose peace over contention and offer peace to everyone across the whole earth.

Ezra 9:5-6

"And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the Lord my God,
And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens."
Ezra 9:5-6


This struck me today because I think we all feel this way sometimes. And our iniquities *are* increased over our head, and we're ashamed, and it is hard to feel good about anything because we don't know how to get out, and we start losing hope that we'll ever be able to overcome ... anything. Ourselves. And I think that these verses are amazing because they show us exactly what we should do during those points in our lives, when we feel completely overwhelmed and inadequate in facing our trials. ... We should get down on our knees, and tell God exactly what is going on. Sometimes we feel embarrassed or ashamed, and think that God won't listen to us. That's okay. Just tell him that too. We think that our trials and our iniquities reach the heavens and are insurmountable. That's okay too. Just say it to God. ... And when we are in a situation like that, it doesn't seem probable, or maybe even possible, but prayer works even then. God is always the way out of an impossible situation, and even if he isn't pleased with our behavior... he *always* wants to help us improve and come closer to him. If we go to him with sincerity and lay out what our concerns are, he'll always help. Today, whether we're feeling overwhelmed or not, let's lay our lives out in front of God and talk to him about our concerns. He's always willing to help, if we can be open to it.

4 Nephi 1:15

"And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people."
4 Nephi 1:15


This is pretty simple on the surface. These people... entire society full of people... got along. No fighting, no cruelty. Because they loved each other. ... Amazing. A little deeper now. The love of *God* did dwell in their hearts. It wasn't just the normal type of love that you get from knowing someone really well and learning to appreciate them. That totally rocks, and it helps us all when we take that kind of time to get to know one another... but they probably didn't all know each other personally, so this was even more than that. Their own love was enhanced by God, with his love and his personal knowledge of everyone, so that even if they didn't know someone personally, they could still love, and that love made a difference in their lives.
Our situation is different, yes, but I think this applies to us as well. It is really easy for us to dismiss people that we don't know, or who we see as different from ourselves. Say, immigrants, or Muslims, or democrats or republicans, or homosexuals, or polygamists, or felons, or the rich, or the poor. Sometimes we don't understand other people well enough to love them... or we think that the gap is too wide between who we are and who they are. God loves them though... every single one of them... every single one of us. We all have problems and things that we need to overcome, and no matter who we are, we're probably labeled in the media as *something* ... but we're still part of each other, no matter what we believe or how we live. Sometimes the individual differences are great, and hard to surmount, but this verse tells us how. Today, let's pray for God to grant us *his* love... so that we can love everyone we run into in person or through conversation or media. So that we can increase our ability to love. To see past labels and sins, and see hope and potential and greatness... in ourselves and in everyone around us.

3 Nephi 19:3

"Yea, and even all the night it was noised abroad concerning Jesus; and insomuch did they send forth unto the people that there were many, yea, an exceedingly great number, did labor exceedingly all that night, that they might be on the morrow in the place where Jesus should show himself unto the multitude."
3 Nephi 19:3


The background to this verse is that Christ appeared to a big crowd of people who had gathered near the temple in the land of Bountiful. After he left, they knew he would return, and so they told everyone, and people did whatever they could to get there to see him the next day.
I think this is incredible. Every time I read it I wonder what it would have been like to be there... either telling people about it, or hearing about it. When we read about Christ coming, we don't usually think of the details behinds it. Where and when, and who was there. Christ lived for many years in and around Jerusalem, but that was still a relatively small part of the world. And we do hear of a few people who heard about him and traveled a long way to see him. I think it is similar here, but somewhat more urgent, because he wasn't living there for years, and they didn't know how long he would stay. I think it is cool that they worked so hard to be near the Savior. And if we were there, what wouldn't we do, really, in order to be there the next day... even if we had to walk all night, or run all night... how could we not try?
Today, even though the situation is not identical, let's go forward with that same determination to be close to the Lord. Let's make that kind of amazing valiant effort to prepare ourselves to listen and learn from all that he has to say.

Philippians 1:27

"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel."
Philippians 1:27


I think that the more we become united, the more we become like this. Whether we're together or apart, we're still working for the same things, and making God our top priority. In so many ways, even if we haven't seen each other for years, we're still of "one mind" in how we approach the world and tapping into that "one spirit," listening to God and trying to do his will. Even when we feel isolated or alone spiritually, we can remember that there are other people that are part of us, even if they are physically distant. Today, let's do all we can to unite with God, and thereby with so many other people who are moving towards that same goal. Even if we're utterly alone, we can still be surrounded by that love, and part of that unity. Let's make our conversation match that oneness today, and not jar ourselves out of alignment with the whole by our words or actions.

2 Timothy 2:24

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,”
2 Timothy 2:24


I love this. I don't always live it, but I want to. Can you imagine the world... or even just our individual lives, if we stopped the strife, and were gentle and patient with each other? If we were always ready to share and teach rather than getting defensive or upset? I love that version of the world. :) Today, maybe we can try to get closer to it. Every time we're tempted to become angry... let's try to switch perspectives, and think of ourselves on the other side. Often, the people that we're talking to are trying to do their best as well, but we're just not seeing the whole picture. Today, let's be gentle and patient, no matter what comes at us. Even if it doesn't change the world or our lives immediately... it will change today. And that's always enough.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 -- On Resilience

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;"
2 Corinthians 4:8-9


I absolutely love these verses. I think they show how resilient that God can help us become. There are always going to be ups and downs in life. We're going to go through hard times, and things are going to confuse us and trouble us at times. But, if we stay connected to God, those things can hurt us, but not mortally. They can never creep into our souls and get us to give up or quit. Even the worst things will only be temporary setbacks. The world can bruise us, but never break us, because we have God on our side, and He loves us and helps us to endure, and to stand back up and try again. Today, whatever is going on in our lives, let's remember that we still, and always, have God on our side. He is the most solid, dependable, loving parent and friend that anyone could ever hope for, and he can get us through the self-doubt, the embarrassment, the confusion, the ridicule, and the sadness... and more. Be resilient today. :)

Zephaniah 3:12-13

"I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord.
The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid."
Zephaniah 3:12-13


This struck me today because of the similarity to the scripture that I wrote about earlier this week (3 Nephi 21:19). Previous to this, God talks about how he will take away people who rejoice in pride, so it seems like part of getting to this point is some massive humility. I think that we don’t usually learn humility unless forced by circumstance… being afflicted and poor perhaps. And maybe that is what helps them to that very cool and ideal point where no one lies and no one feels like they have to deceive, because they aren’t afraid anymore. I wonder what in our current society encourages us to lie, and deceive, and to do iniquity. Is it mainly fear? And if so, fear of what? Authority, relationships falling apart, social status, losing power? Maybe humility can help in those circumstances as well. I know it doesn’t always seem so, that humility in the face of a power struggle at work could help… or humility when faced with a cruel authority figure. Things like that feel sometimes like we should fight back and stand up for ourselves. And sometimes we should. But, often, humility is the better choice. Being able to let other people win, and to let the less important struggles go, even when we’re right… these are things that we all have to relearn frequently. :) And, maybe if we work on it now, today… we’ll be less afraid, less tempted to deceive, and better able to make the right decisions consistently.

3 Nephi 21:19

"And it shall come to pass that all lyings, and deceivings, and envyings, and strifes, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, shall be done away."
3 Nephi 21:19


This is the part of Third Nephi where Christ is speaking in person to the people that have gathered together in the land Bountiful. Right before this, and actually after as well, he talks about some of the signs that will happen in the last days... and lots of it is destruction type stuff that will happen if people don't repent. Cities being cut off, chariots destroyed, strongholds overthrown, etc. But then comes this part, and along with all the physical destruction things it seemed to stand out. All lyings and deceivings gone... all envying... ALL envying? No strife? No priestcrafts or whoredoms. ... Amazing stuff. To me, more amazing than cities and cars being defunct, living in a society where no one lies... where people don't envy each other... where there is zero strife? ...that's incredible. And, it's something that we can work towards. We can't start destroying cities in preparation (please don't try), but we can start cleansing our hearts of some of this stuff, so that we'll be able to live in a society like that. Today, let's look at our lives, and see if there are any of those things there. Do we envy people around us and want what they have, at work, at school, or at home? Do we envy them enough to try to take it, or manipulate ourselves into a similar situation? Do we lie or deceive? Do we have strife... with anyone, ever? Priestcraft (preaching for profit rather than belief), or whoredoms? ... if so, let's start working at cleaning those things out of our hearts. Let's work at being happy for other people who might have things or perks that we don't. Let's figure out why we're lying and find a way to stop. Let's work on lessening the strife that we're involved in until we can get it to zero, and we're only negotiating with no bad feelings. Whatever it is that is creeping into our hearts in a negative way, let's clean it out and make things better, so that someday we can be part of the incredibly cool society that Christ tells us will come.