Jacob 6:5-6 -- On Mercy, Death, and Hearts

"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 the day, harden not your hearts.
Yea, today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts; for why will ye die?"
Jacob 6:5-6


I like this reminder/encouragement. In asking "why will ye die" it reminds us that any permanent sort of death is a choice, since Christ overcame death and sin. Physical death is temporary for everyone... we will all be resurrected because of his great gift, but an even better gift is ours to accept or reject, and that is the overcoming of spiritual death.
Christ paid the price for our sins so that, in his mercy, we don't recieve a full dose of restoration/karma for all the things that we repent of. We also don't lose the capacity to return to God immediately upon sinning... that decision is delayed until resurrection and judgement, giving us the time and the space that we need to change and learn as well as we can to overcome our own flaws. As God tells us in D&C 82:27 though, judgement will eventually catch up with us if we don't repent: "And now, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, will not lay any sin to your charge; go your ways and sin no more; but unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return, saith the Lord your God."

Our judgement will be as merciful as Christ can make it, but mercy cannot rob justice (Alma 42:25), which for us basically means that we can't just do whatever we want and expect Christ to change us into good beings that we never chose to be. We are given agency and this life is our chance to choose to be whoever we want to be. At the judgement day that choice will have become permanent, and whatever we have chosen will return to us... or really just basically who we have become (including hard hearts if that is what we choose) will be formalized as our choice of what kind of afterlife we want.

So, today, let's not harden our hearts. Instead, let's soften them and be humble and willing to repent and change and listen to God's advice... let's begin now to live the way that we want to be always, before we harden our hearts and our selves into someone we don't want to be, and don't have the will anymore to change.

Mark 10:42-45 -- On Servant-Leadership

"But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
Mark 10:42-45


I like the whole idea here of servant-leadership... turning what could have been the beginning of a power struggle into more of a customer service competition instead, encouraging his followers (including, ultimately, us) to work at being good at something that matters, rather than worrying about who was the most powerful or important. He asks all of us to serve each other... to care for the flock that we are a part of, rather than struggling with our fellow-servants.

Today, let's think about ways that we can help others, distinguishing ourselves through service. As we do, I think we'll understand God's perspective more, and be able to follow him more closely.

James 5:13-16 -- On Prayer and Healing

"Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
James 5:13-16


There are some cool ideas in here. First, that prayer is the answer to affliction, as singing is to happiness... an expression of emotion that does our hearts good, gets the emotion out there in a positive way, and helps us progress to addressing what is next... where to go and how to improve things from here.

I really like the idea here that confessing our faults and praying for each other also helps us heal... not only physically, but spiritually, as it mentions sin as well as sickness. Maybe the selflessness of humility and the other-focus required to seek the good of others helps us escape the pride that so often leads to sin and error.

Today, let's pray, and sing, and confess, and pray for each other... let's trust in God that all of these things will lead to better things for all of us.

Mark 4:24 -- On Measuring and Hearing

"And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given."
Mark 4:24


I like this idea of sort of a self-service life. As we take actions in our lives, we will have those types of actions returned. General restoration/Karma idea there. What we give out comes back to us. The additional idea here is that the more we learn, the more additional things we will unlock to be able to learn. This is a familiar idea as well, basically that we need foundational knowledge before we can move on to the more complex ideas... 101 classes, then 201, or elementary school before high school... in 2 Nephi the Lord tells us "I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more..." (2 Nephi 28:30), I think cementing the idea that eventually we will be able to learn high spiritual things like parting waters, moving mountains, walking on water, but that we have a lot of basics to learn before we get there. :)

Now, of course, when I say self-service I don't mean to leave God out of our lives. He set up the laws of this life/world, and those laws will still work to a certain extent without his direct intervention. We can all learn and build up karma--but of course prayer and scripture study, both basic forms of communication with God, are also on the list of things to learn and good things to build up. The more that we learn about God, and learn *from* God, the more potential there is for additional lessons and better returns, as we learn to give more, we will be able to get more... really to *be* more, and to give more to the world.

Today, let's measure more good and hear more truth... learn and be and grow in our connection with God, so that we can grow "in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:52; 1 Samuel 2:26).

Jeremiah 29:4-7 -- On Painful Truth and Pleasant Lies

"Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon;
Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;
Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.
And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace."
Jeremiah 29:4-7


This is an interesting selection because it is a prophecy that the people didn't want to hear. They wanted to be delivered from their captivity immediately, rather than in the 70 years that the Lord told them the captivity would last. God tells them in verses 10-11 that he will deliver them to their "expected end," but ... not yet. And of course there were people who wanted to believe in their own way badly enough that they went on to falsely prophesy and tell the people what they wanted to hear, rather than what the Lord had to say on the matter. I imagine none of us would want to quietly accept being dragged away from our homes and what we thought was our future either.

I think we get similarly frustrated in our own lives when the Lord's answer is "not yet," and that can be dangerous to us, because we are also going to be tempted to listen to voices that claim to be from God that tell us what we *want* to hear, rather than what God actually has to say to us. It is important that we actually listen to God and what he has to say through his prophet, rather than getting distracted by other voices that tell us pleasant lies.

Today, let's trust in God even when he is giving us an answer that we don't necessarily like. Let's listen to the prophet and not anyone who is trying to be an authority in his stead and telling us something that we would prefer to believe. God's truth and timing are better for us, and for the world, even when our own timing might seem temporarily more pleasing, and God will indeed deliver us, in his own time and in his own way, if we are patient and faithful and refuse to be decieved.

2 Corinthians 11:27-30 -- On Glory and Suffering

"In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities."
2 Corinthians 11:27-30


Paul is talking here of suffering that he has endured because he chooses to follow Christ, which is what makes the suffering seem worthwhile and joyous--he doesn't just enjoy suffering for its own sake. I think when we look at our lives, maybe we can see his point. All of us are going to go through trials and some suffering, so perhaps by the quality of our suffering, or rather the reason for it and how well we endured it, we can find some joy. If we could look back as Paul could and realize that we suffered for a good cause like standing up for Christ, rather than say, because we made several gigantic mistakes or something, it seems like it could be a sign of a well-lived life. :)

If that isn't why we have suffered in life, that's okay... God isn't planning on rubbing it in. I think the idea is just that even in our suffering, there are upgrades that God can make in our lives. Belief in and love of God can transform everything... not just our happiness level, which certainly goes up, but our satisfaction with ourselves even in the bad spots... and that seems like something to "glory in" and strive for. If following God can make us happy, even with the tough parts, that seems like an amazing life. Now of course, a life like that doesn't happen just because we say that we believe, but if we are doing our best and are truly dedicated to the Lord's cause, then a life like that follows naturally... the joyful times more joyful, the regular times happier, and even the bad times relativesly better, even if only through the absence of regret. I think it is something we don't even normally notice because we aren't living each day comparing happiness levels, but maybe something we notice after the fact. Today, maybe a good project is to really notice... if we do good things, does it improve our lives? For instance, reading scriptures and praying. If we do those things in the morning, are our days better than when we do not do those things. Let's make the experiment, and talk to God about it. As we do, I think we'll find that everything is better with God than without him.

Helaman 14:8 -- On Life and Belief

"And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall believe on the Son of God, the same shall have everlasting life."
Helaman 14:8


The message prophesying the birth of Christ is the same throughout time... belief in Jesus Christ has the power to change our lives for the better, eternally. Today, let's pray and ask for his grace and power in our lives.

Matthew 1:20-25 -- On Questions and Answers

"But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS."
Matthew 1:20-25


This is some interesting background before Christ's birth, and it emphasizes I think the way we are more open to the spirit when we have questions, and we're thinking about how to solve problems. At those times, we're most open for any type of learning, because we have need of it, and it gives God a chance to get through so that we will listen. In this case, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and taught him what he should do about his difficult situation, even though the solution wasn't the one that he had been leaning toward. Joseph listened, and obeyed, and it made a world of difference.

We too can get the answers to our questions and the resolutions to our problems, if we'll keep our minds open to the Lord's influence, and follow his promptings that lead us to the answer... even if it isn't the solution we were planning on. Today, let's be thankful that Joseph listened, and learn from him to listen as well, when we are faced with difficult choices and are trying to figure out what to do... let's turn to the Lord for our answers, and follow him wherever he leads.

Enos 1:22 -- On Prophets

"And there were exceedingly many prophets among us. And the people were a stiffnecked people, hard to understand."
Enos 1:22


I love the fact that there were "exceedingly" many prophets. Perhaps that was because of the stiffneckedness that he explains after that statement, but it still reminds me of Moses saying "Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord's people were prophets" (Numbers 11:29), which also reminds me of Nephi whose father was a prophet, but he wanted to know for himself, and it was granted to him.

Obviously there needs to be order in God's kingdom and everyone can't lead the church... but if we learn and seek, we can all recieve revelation in our own lives to help move God's kingdom forward. That's what Moses wanted, and I think that is also what God wants for each of us... to learn to be close enough to him to have that spirit in our lives to help guide our path, and assist others in theirs as needed. And as many as will listen are invited because it isn't about divisive direction and our own wills... if we are truly prophets, then we all follow the will of God, helping to unite the world in pursuing God's plan of happiness.

Today, let's be less stiffnecked and more understanding, and let's also make a real effort to grow closer to the Spirit and understand that we all have a real potential to know for ourselves and to be guided in God's paths, if we work to strengthen that connection.

Exodus 21:22-25 -- On Justice

"If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe."
Exodus 21:22-25


This is a very specific (and often-quoted) part of the laws given to Moses, which is a very justice-oriented set of laws. Where it can, it requires a punishment that is equal to the crime, exacting very specific and deliberate harm in return for harm... and I think that justice is something that we all want, except when we are are the one that caused harm. Justice is the "fairness" that we all claim to want when we see things that are unbalanced and inequitable. Reading this today reminded me that Christ fulfilled this law. He paid the price that this law, and all others, demand... but he didn't destroy justice in the process. Instead, he grants mercy now, and a chance to repent and change, so that when justice does catch up with all of us, it will give us a full measure of who we are then, at the judgement day, when we are "fully ripe" rather than killing us before we have a chance to repent for or balance out any harm we have caused or had a chance to work to do and become good.

In Alma 41:3-7 we see something similar, talking about people being judged according to their works, and being raised to endless happiness or endless misery depending on what they desired: "good according to his desires of good; and the other to evil according to his desires of evil," and concluding that in essence "they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil." Justice will assuredly have its day at that point, but how grateful we should be that we aren't instantly punished for our actions, but that Christ effectively says to *all* of us "Go, and sin no more" (John 8:11, D&C 82:7), granting us mercy and further time to get our lives in order before we face justice for our lives and actions.

Today, let's remember that mercy cannot rob justice (Alma 42:24-25), but that Christ, through the great sacrifice and gift of his atonement, offers us time and space to repent and change, so that maybe when we meet justice in the end, we'll get along rather than being at odds. Let's take advantage of this grace-given time and make amends for whatever evil we've done, and work to do good, so that we don't end up condemning ourselves unnecessarily and throwing away Christ's incredible gift.

Zechariah 4:6 -- On Spirit over Power

"Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts."
Zechariah 4:6


I like the idea here that the Spirit trumps both might and power... and that is a good reminder in our lives when we have a tendency to think that we can't accomplish anything because we don't have the power, or when the other side is stronger than we are. Those aren't the determining factors, even though the world teaches us so. God and his spirit are always the determining factors, and prayer can do more good than raising an army, if the Lord's will is so.

Today, let's stay in touch with the Lord, and petition him for good things, in the world as well as in our own lives. God is the author of the story and it is his call... not the call of the strongest or the most influential. Let's join God in seeing and doing and being the good in the world.

Proverbs 10:12 -- On Love and Hatred

"Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins."
Proverbs 10:12


This is a good reminder. Sometimes we blow off simple messages like this because we already know... hate is bad, love is good, okay, we understand. But maybe we don't... or at least not deeply enough to avoid the pitfalls of hatred or to really examine and purge it from our lives.

We get it into our heads that it is okay to love our friends and families, but that people outside our circle of understanding or acceptance are okay to hate. People who are philosophically opposed to our positions, or people who trespass against the Lord because they sin differently than we do. People who are stirring up evil or actively harming us or other people... surely, they are okay to hate, right?

But no... God asks us to love even our enemies (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27, 35; 3 Ne. 12:44). This is obviously challenging, but if we think about it, we can find ways to love people who we are opposed to in some way. We can pray for them, we can avoid disparaging them publicly or privately, we can learn more about them and seek more understanding... all these things depend on the situation of course, but God will help us learn to love even the hardest people to love... after all, he loves them, and he loves us, even when we are difficult to love.

Today, let's do our best to embrace love and to avoid hatred. Let's speak of others in a loving way rather than in a hating way, to begin with, and then look to God for ways to improve from there. :)

Psalms 120:1 -- On Prayer

"In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me."
Psalms 120:1



I think this is remarkable. Prayer might seem mundane to us at times, or obvious, but the fact that God is there and that he hears us when we call upon him is amazing. It's something that it is hard to understand or believe until we've had that experience, and it is a connection to the divine... to a being whose power and knowledge is beyond our current ability to understand, but who is also personal and willing to communicate with us on an individual basis. This verse isn't about answers to prayer at all, only listening, but the fact that we have a God who listens to us and who cares about us enough to do so... that matters, and can make a difference in all of our lives.

Today, let's have enough faith to go before God and tell him our joys and our struggles... and when we're up to it, let's also return the favor, and be willing to listen to his advice.

Jacob 5:3-5 -- On Trees and Tameness

"For behold, thus saith the Lord, I will liken thee, O house of Israel, like unto a tame olive tree, which a man took and nourished in his vineyard; and it grew, and waxed old, and began to decay.
And it came to pass that the master of the vineyard went forth, and he saw that his olive tree began to decay; and he said: I will prune it, and dig about it, and nourish it, that perhaps it may shoot forth young and tender branches, and it perish not.
And it came to pass that he pruned it, and digged about it, and nourished it according to his word."
Jacob 5:3-5


I like the whole story/allegory in Jacob 5, but what struck me today is showing what a long term project this is for the master of the vineyard, who is a representation of God. There are widely varying reports of the olive tree's lifespan, but even the most conservative estimates place the average at 500+ years, while others claim lifespans in the thousands of years or even that olive trees never die, at least not of natural causes. So when we're thinking of this project we have to remember that this is a massive undertaking and every part of the process could consume decades or even centuries. I think that puts an interesting spin on the story, because already, knowing these are olive trees we're talking about, the reader can deduce that the man and his servant who are observing the growth and growing and caring for the trees have to be functionally immortal, or seem so compared to the reader. That gives us a great background where we can see the parts of the vineyard as the world and the trees in it as different populations within it.

I also like the idea that these are trees growing in a vineyard... known and cared for by the owner, and that this one specifically is "tame." In modern terms if we talk about a tame forest, we mean one that is useful to humans in some way... if for lumber, it is watched over and thinned out to give space for new trees to grow and for old trees to be harvested, although in this story it isn't about lumber but the fruit of the trees that is useful. Some of it is, and some is not. This helps us to know about part of the story as well... the end goal isn't about just extending the lifespan of the tree, but to harvest the good fruit, with the fruit I think representing us as individuals coming out of the populations and lands where we grew and proving to be good or evil... not for eating in this case, but we are the fruit as in the culmination of the project... the whole point of the exercise. The trees are loved, but the end goal is the good fruit, which is why later in the story branches are grafted in and out of other trees in order to get better fruit, no matter whether they originated in the tame tree or not. Today, if you haven't read the whole story, maybe give it a read. It is an excellent one. And either way, let's remember that the Lord is taking care of us, moving things around and changing the world in order to give us a chance to be good. Let's take that chance and with his help, learn to be our best selves and help others to do the same.

Doctrine and Covenants 61:20-22 -- On Anger and Apathy

"I, the Lord, was angry with you yesterday, but today mine anger is turned away.
Wherefore, let those concerning whom I have spoken, that should take their journey in haste--again I say unto you, let them take their journey in haste.
And it mattereth not unto me, after a little, if it so be that they fill their mission, whether they go by water or by land; let this be as it is made known unto them according to their judgments hereafter."
Doctrine and Covenants 61:20-22


I like the first statement here that the Lord was angry, but his anger is turned away. That seems to happen to us typically with people that we care about... we can't stay mad at them very long, because we still care and are concerned for their welfare. I like that reassurance that God loves us, despite our mistakes, and is willing to forgive us.

I also really like the "it mattereth not unto me" part. Because God is powerful and has rules, sometimes we think he is trying to control every part of our lives, but he often really doesn't care/want to intervene as far as what we want to do with our lives... he is willing to support us in whatever good thing that we choose, and help us towards our righteous desires. I like this reminder that God wants us to have our freedom to choose the path of our lives and where our interests lie, the exact methods we take to get there aren't a big deal, as long as we are being good. Who we are and want to be is still up to us, but whatever way we go, calling upon the Lord can help us. And the Lord does care about us as far as helping us every moment... he wants us to look unto him in every thought. It is more like a child. Mom and Dad don't care what Johnny grows up to be, as long as he makes good choices and is well and happy... they want him to be successful in whatever he chooses to do rather than forcing their own choice upon him. God cares, he just leaves those choices to us, counseling us instead on things that will interfere with our eternal happiness.

Today, let's move forward, trusting in our forgiving and loving God who is there to support and guide when needed, but also to encourage our freedom of choice and to rejoice in our efforts towards good works. Let's remember that what sometimes looks like anger and apathy from God is really deep and profound love from our Father, as he forgives and supports us in our efforts to improve and choose righteously.

Helaman 13:38 -- On Not Waiting Too Long

"But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head."
Helaman 13:38


This seems to be talking about the state of our souls if we don't take the opportunity to repent in this life, although it could also be talking also about a specific curse. Usually this verse makes me think about the idea of seeing happiness in doing iniquity, which just doesn't work, but today what struck me is the "everlastingly too late" line. ... I don't think that this is true for *anyone* reading this, so please don't panic or give up. :) What I do think though is that the whole idea is really scary... God gives us chance after chance, always reaching out his arm of mercy to help us come back to him, and the idea that someday that won't be there anymore is frightening, and is perhaps a good motivation for us all to repent soonest.

Today, let's take advantage of the life and the time that we have been given to learn and to change and to repent and improve. Let's reach out to God and accept his mercy and love, welcoming him into our lives, and taking his advice and instruction to heart. Let's change while we have the chance, and not risk waiting too long until we become hardened and unchangable in our minds and our hearts.

Matthew 16:24 -- On Self-Denial and Transformation

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
Matthew 16:24


I think there is something interesting about self-denial being essential to salvation... the idea of sacrifice encompassed in the atonement but also in so many things leading up to that, and since. The symbolic blood sacrifice of animals was one representation, but moved on to a sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit (see 3 Nephi 9:19-20)... and I don't think that we really grasp that idea very often.

Most of us are enormously selfish people, thinking that we should get our way with everything, and we have a hard time admitting our faults, let alone giving up our own desires and plans in order to serve others or serve God. Intellectually we might understand that doing so will bring us closer to our own personal ideal, or the greatest potential that we have, but another part of ourselves wants the world's answer that we shouldn't have to give up anything, and that we can have whatever we want or go with whatever we feel in the moment... that compromise is archaic nonsense and that if God isn't "meeting our needs" that we should shuffle off elsewhere.

The truth, of course, is that God is teaching us not only salvation, but love. He sacrificed for us, and we sacrifice for him... that's not some sort of broken masochistic brainwashed dishrag crawling that we have to stand up and shed in order to truly live. That's love, and learning how to stretch our boundaries and accept others as part of ourselves. Christ didn't want, at least there for a moment, to complete the atonement. It was his Father's will that he went through with, not his own. Likewise, as we follow him, we aren't always going to want to. Sometimes going to church might feel like a chore, or fulfilling a calling, or reading our scriptures, or praying, or whatever commandment or principle we're currently butting our head against. :) ... Or harder things. But even with the hardest, as we persevere, we learn why those things are asked of us. We enlarge our hearts and our minds and become better people, have better relationships, live better lives.

In the end, what we give up, no matter how enormous, will be made up for by the joy and happiness and *better* things on the other side. God asks for self-denial, not self-erasure... improvement, not obliteration. Prioritizing God's will over our own might make some things fall out of our lives, yes, but not the core of who we are. He will add and build up as well, only cutting away the parts that are holding us back. Today, let's listen to him and not the world. Let's let go of our own desires enough to open ourselves to his teaching and his transformation.

Psalms 107:28-30 -- On Storms and Havens

"Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven."
Psalms 107:28-30


I like this one literally and symbolically. We know that the Lord can calm the sea, because he did so for his disciples during his earthly ministry. I think this works for all of us though, even if the storm is just within our minds and/or hearts. We cry unto the Lord in our trouble, and he delivers us from our distress... physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual... he is always there offering safety and quiet in the middle of the storms. And even though we often desire different havens, he helps us to shore in our own individual lives, and helps us find what we see as a place of safety.

Today, let's look to the Lord for help in the midst of our storms, and have faith that he can calm them and see us through to our desired haven. :)

Isaiah 8:11-14 -- On Fears and Stones

"For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,
Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.
Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem."
Isaiah 8:11-14


There are some cool things in here. One of them is the idea that we shouldn't fear what the world fears. A "confederacy" seems like the Old Testament way of saying secret combinations or conspiracy theories... note that the scripture doesn't make a statement about whether they exist or not, but does say that we shouldn't be afraid of them... there were actual secret combinations in the Book of Mormon, so some could be real and some might be imaginary, but it comes down to the same thing--if certain ones don't exist, then there is no point in fearing them, and if they do exist, then the Lord is in charge, no matter who else is trying to manipulate events, so we still don't need to fear them. :)

I don't think the statement about letting God be our dread means that he wants us to obey out of fear or anything, but rather than all that emotion that we are pouring into our fears and anxieties we should instead pour into our relationship with God... and if we need something to fear, let's worry about losing touch with God.

I like the last part where God is a sanctuary, but *also* a stone of stumbling and a snare. In this, God isn't the one doing the changing, but we can either shelter behind the rock of his strength, or we can trip over it or get caught under it, depending on *our* actions.

Today, let's dedicate the mental energy we usually use for fear and anxiety to God, and establish some healthier emotions in that space. Let's also shelter under God's protective stone tablets/commandments rather than shattering ourselves trying to get him to change his mind and agree with us instead.

Jeremiah 13:10 -- On Symbols and Decay

"This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing."
Jeremiah 13:10


So, before these verses God had Jeremiah go buy a really nice linen girdle (a sash or low belt in those days), wear it for a while, and then he had him go hide it in a cave. When he went to retrieve it, it was ruined. Then God explains that this is the same way he is going to ruin the pride of his people. I like the way that the Lord taught Jeremiah by giving him a representation of what he meant, so that people could have a visual aid to their understanding of what the prophet was saying. Perhaps the idea that, just as getting a gift from the Lord and then neglecting it can ruin the gift, we can also destroy ourselves and our relationship with God by turning elsewhere.

Today, let's listen to God and sustain that relationship rather than letting it, or ourselves, decay as Jeremiah's girdle did.

Mosiah 2:21-24 -- On Relationships and Power

"I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.
And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.
And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.
And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?"
Mosiah 2:21-24


King Benjamin is amazing. I'm sure there are much more comforting (and equally true) ways to talk about our relationship to God, where love and hope are emphasized, but King Benjamin lays it on the line, reliving us of any illusions we had that God needs our worship or that we are in some mutually-beneficial business-type relationship with him where we have room to negotiate our position. Instead he is clear that we are children before the Lord... valued, loved, and with great potential, yes, but extremely unprofitable in a business sense... God is sinking all of his effort into our development, and we are returning (and can return) nothing to him that he has not already given us. There is zero point in playing power games when we have no power. :)

Today, let's be cognizant of our relationship to God... we don't have to think of it in such stark terms as profitability, but let's retain the idea of it, that we desperately need God, and that he is sustaining us and preserving us "from day to day." I think that might help us with our humility and remind us that God loves us and is heavily invested in our success. :)

Psalms 10:2 -- On Devices

"The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined."
Psalms 10:2


What struck me today about this verse is the idea of being taken in our own devices. If we set traps or try to take advantage of others, this seems like a very appropriate consequence... for us to get caught in our own snares. I think, because of Matthew 25:40 and 25:45, this likely also works in the opposite way. If we help the poor rather than persecute them, and we plan for good things to happen to others, then likely we will be caught up in those devices as well.

Today, let's think about how we treat other people, and what our plans are for them. If we're going to get taken in our own devices, then let's make sure those devices are intricate plans for the good of others, rather than the other way around. :)

Job 20:4-5 -- On Lasting Joy

"Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth,
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?" Job 20:4-5


This is a good reminder that there is only one way to true, lasting joy, and that is through Christ. We do see temporary joy in other things, and by other means, but none of that lasts. Getting new stuff might be cool, and dloing things that we know are illegal or forbidden might be exciting for a time, but none of that lasts, and these substitutes for true joy will eventually be gone, leaving us without that source of joy, and often with regret and pain instead.

Today, let's move forward seeking the true and lasting joy that comes from God.

Proverbs 22:4 -- On Humility and Unity

"By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life."
Proverbs 22:4


This one is interesting, because probably a lot of people want the things promised here (riches, honor, and life), but humility seems an unlikely way towards those goals.

Because the immediate way to connect the behavior with the goal isn't clear, it requires faith to follow this path and to trust that God rewards us for doing the right things, even when sometimes in the world it looks like the bad guys are winning by gaining rewards from sin. Humility can be difficult, because by its very nature it requires the sublimation of our will in favor of the will of God and the welfare of others. ... I think though, that as we work at it, and the will of God becomes our will, that it turns out to not be a burden at all. When what God wants and what we want are the same, then there is no longer a burden, but rather a unity of purpose and a dedication to the things of God which naturally brings blessings.

Today, let's work on humility, not just by acting meek and going through the motions, but also by really thinking through what God wants and why, and how that differs from what we want, so that we can eventually understand and embrace God's perspective, joining with him and his purpose rather than just bowing to it as superior to our own. God's intention is not to have us discontent forever, wanting things that we can't have, but rather for us to learn to want better things, and finding fulfilment and joy in rising above our unworthy desires and replacing them with desires that are far superior in every way.

Helaman 3:35 -- On Strength and Yielding

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


I like the idea of being able to be strong in humility... and how tied in that strength is to yielding our hearts to Christ. I know that I have a huge pride problem, and it gets in my way all the time. Maybe I think of it the wrong way though... humility is clearly a strength, not a weakness, and yielding to God isn't giving up the self at all, but rather allowing God to work with us to make everything better. Some part of me feels differently about those things, but that part is clearly just defensive and dreaming. :)

Today, let's work to learn how to become strong in humility, and in yielding our Hearts to God. ... And if that hurts a little at first, that's okay. Humility will help purify us and help us come closer to the joy and consolation that the verse above talks about, as well as teaching us to yield our hearts to the one person in the universe who will actually protect them from harm. :)

Luke 7:6-10 -- On God's Word

"Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick."
Luke 7:6-10


This is part of a cool story about a Roman centurion who wanted Christ to save a servant that he cared a lot about. I like his faith that if Christ just said it, that it would happen. It reminds me of the whole creation sequence and "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3, Moses 2:3, Abraham 4:3). I think we get used to it NOT being that way because of our own rebelliousness, and God's design of this world to give us space to learn and make choices and become more like him. God can say anything, and the forces of nature bend to his will... and we would do the same if he chose to force us, but he does not. He wants us to learn to be ourselves, and how to make things happen.

Today, let's have the faithfullness to believe that God is there and directing things, even if we can't see his hand making each specific change. Let's have the deep understanding of this centurion to trust in God's word alone, and not demand to have everything proven to our satisfaction before we are willing to listen or obey.

1 John 2:15-17 -- On Focusing on Forever

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."
1 John 2:15-17


I was teaching the Primary kids in church today about one of the visions of the afterlife, so when I came across this later, it made me wonder about how things will be after we are resurrected. We know that there won't be temptations anymore, so the absence of lust and pride and other sinful emotion makes sense, but it also raises other questions about whether that all happens automatically from a physical change (like what happened to the three Nephites), or whether it is because we are now purer and thus above that. Have we graduated past emotion at that point? 

I don't think so, because God talks about having emotion in the scriptures, so perhaps is it that our souls and bodies are correctly fused together and there is no more threat of an imbalance and allowing our bodies to trump our spirits? ... I'm not sure, but it does seem kind of cool that such large things that sway our lives in so many ways just won't have any bearing in the next world, and maybe it is a good thing to ponder... if those things didn't exist, would our lives be any different? ... I feel like mine would be. Imagining myself without pride, for instance, I see someone who makes a lot less mistakes and starts a lot fewer arguments over my silly ego issues. :) ... And if we can see a difference without some aspect of sin, why not work for that now instead of waiting for the afterlife to rip it away? Maybe it won't hurt if we work to be whole without those things now.

Today, let's think about eternity and focus on the "forever" parts of our lives... the love of God and other people, learning and wisdom, self-improvement, and other good things that will last rather than allowing temporary and sinful emotion to rule our lives.

John 11:47-48 -- On Fear-Motivated Mistakes

"Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation."
John 11:47-48


It's interesting that this council attributes their actions to fear of the Romans, predicting the fall of their society. Was that a valid fear as far as the reaction of the Romans? I don't know. Even if so though, if you have someone who can talk to God and do miracles like that, then, just a thought, why not ask him about how to avoid such a tragedy? This is classic fearing man more than God (D&C 3:7)... and because they did, they made some vastly wrong choices... as will we, if we choose to do the same.

Today, let's fear the loss of God in our lives much more than we fear any other consequences. Let's put God first, and if we're worried about something else, then let's talk to God about it rather than putting that worry first, and ignoring God. Let's not repeat the massive mistakes of the past, and get our priorities mixed up so much that we could follow our fears into unthinkable actions.

Ezekiel 34:20 -- On Shepherds, Cattle, and Ducks

"Therefore thus saith the Lord God unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle."
Ezekiel 34:20


Part of this chapter denounces the evil shepherds that have neglected and abused the flock, but here it talks specifically about the flock, mentioning later that they have struggled and harmed one another... and obviously some have selfishly prospered at the expense of others.

I remember going with my family to a small "Santa's Village" type place when I was younger, but what I remember about that place wasn't anything about the Christmas decorations or the fun activities, whatever they were... it was the ducks. Captive in that small place, and despite the seemingly abundant food that they would get from tourists, some of the ducks had fought amongst themselves so often that some of the duck's bills were worn away almost completely, while others looked normal. I remember being overwhelmed by the sadness and the brutality of that whole thing... why would some of them gang up on others and maim each other like that? ... It wasn't until today that I realized that we, figuratively, *are* those ducks.

Whatever our circumstances, and whatever the sins of the shepherds, when we treat the people around us badly in order to "get ahead" of them, struggling for title and position... or whatever it is that we covet or lust for... we're the cattle that are going to be judged, and the ducks that are unbelievably cruel as seen by an observer. We might also, if we have any authority over others, have a shepherd problem because we aren't taking care of the people entrusted to us and providing for their needs and ensuring their safety... but either way, we have a cattle problem.

Let's remember that we're in this together, and we need to take care of each other rather than playing power games and stepping on other people trying to fight our way to the top. Let's not be mindlessly cruel as cattle or ducks, but work to protect the vulnerable people around us, find the lost, and nourish the lean. Let's be good shepherds even if we feel like we have no authority at all... we can be our brothers' keeper and an assistant shepherd for God if we choose to be, helping the abused and the forsaken. Whatever we do today, let's do everything we can to help rather than harm.

Alma 32:13-16 -- On Humility and Belief

"And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved.
And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the word?
Yea, he that truly humbleth himself, and repenteth of his sins, and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed—yea, much more blessed than they who are compelled to be humble because of their exceeding poverty.
Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is he that believeth in the word of God, and is baptized without stubbornness of heart, yea, without being brought to know the word, or even compelled to know, before they will believe."
Alma 32:13-16


This is interesting, talking about the different ways that we get to humility. Sometimes we choose it, and sometimes we are forced to it, and even though both accomplish what is needed... getting us to learn that humility that we need in our lives, perhaps the lessons stick better when we choose it rather than are forced to it, and thereby we are blessed more, because we likely stay humble longer that way, before starting over with our own personal pride cycle.

The last verse seems to imply that it is the same with belief... if we learn without being forced to learn, then we are going to be more blessed as well. Perhaps because those lessons stick longer, being internal rather than external. Not that we can't also choose after the fact of course. I mean, contrast Saul/Paul and Alma the Younger... or even even Zeezrom's experiences with Laman and Lemuel or Korihor. All of these were forced to belief in a way by angels or circumstance, but some of them chose to change and others definitely did not.

Today, let's be proactive with our humility and our belief. We know that every knee shall bow (Isaiah 45:23, Romans 14:11, Mosiah 27:31, D&C 88:104) in the end, but let's get ahead of the game and bow now. Let's learn the lessons before we need to be forced to them by circumstance. Let's pray, and listen to the Spirit, and read God's word, and repent and find mercy now, before the rush. :)

Alma 31:38 -- On Strength and Joy

"And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith."
Alma 31:38


These are some pretty cool blessings. It is interesting to me though that God gave these missionaries strength and joy to overcome their afflictions, but didn't take them away. He took away hunger and thirst... and sometimes he does that in our lives too, just removes obstacles and solves problems for us. But other times, they are still there, and they aren't going away, and in those cases, he offers us strength and joy instead so that we can bear our burdens with ease and find joy even in the midst of enduring trials and suffering afflictions.

Today, when our trials are the sticky kind, let's remember this story and pray for strength and joy, to be able to endure and find joy anyway. :)

1 Kings 3:5-14 -- On Humble Requests

"In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days."
1 Kings 3:5-14


This is a great story, and I love that Solomon prayed for an understanding heart to be able to help people, and to make sure that he was doing good. This also reminds me of James 1:5, the verse that inspired Joseph Smith to pray about what church to join: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

The Lord likes it when we are humble and ask for the discernment that we lack, and for the ability to make better decisions and help others, rather than praying selfishly for riches or fame or triumph over our foes.

Today, let's learn from Solomon how to humbly ask for what we truly need rather than praying through a gift list. :) Let's think about our lives and about the things that are getting in the way of our worship or our service to others, and let's pray for those things rather than others.

God largely gives us what we ask for, provided we don't ask for things that are going to make the world or our lives worse, or things that might be against his will for a larger reason... so if God is willing to give us things that go along with his will, let's really think about what things we need that coincide with God's will. That, along with being more midful and grateful for what we have, might get us thinking along the right track to things that will make us holier, and better able to serve God and other people.

Psalms 23:4 -- On Rods of Comfort

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
Psalms 23:4


This is a pretty well-known verse with some excellent symbolism. What I was thinking about today while reading it was the rod and the staff mentioned. In the hands of a shepherd, the traditional crook can be both rod and staff... a rod to fight with, or a staff for support. So those are some good things ... the Lord will defend and support us... but I think there is more. Often in the scriptures a rod is symbolic of authority, of Christ himself, and then there is the rod of iron in Lehi's dream which is symbolic of his word... perhaps part of what comforts us in our dark times is the power of God and his guidance that is offered through reading the scriptures and through answers to prayer.

Today, let's remember even in the dark times that we don't have to fear evil when God is in our lives. We can have him there through the Spirit, through study and prayer, and we too often forget those basic things because they seem too simple and we're addicted to drama. :) But reading our scriptures and praying to God are simple and sure ways that we can have more peace and more happiness in our lives... let's allow the Lord to comfort us in the darkness by reaching out to him and inviting his spirit into our lives by doing those simple things, even just a little, and then lets observe the results and watch how those simple things can make a difference.

Psalms 30:11-12 -- On Being Girded with Gladness

"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever."
Psalms 30:11-12


I like the idea of turning mourning into dancing, and changing clothes from the traditional garb of mourning into wearing figurative robes of happiness (being girded with gladness). And I think that the Lord does that for all of us, if we are open to it. It is hard to see things that way when we are in the midst of sadness, and it is sometimes hard to let go of our pain because we think that in some way it is like a badge of honor, to remember all that we have lost. I think though that with time and prayer, God can and will turn all of our sorrows into joy. Maybe not all in this life, but all eventually... and enough now that we can find the good and the gladness even in the middle of a world well-stocked with tragedy and sorrow.

Today, let's make the effort to change out of our sorrow sackcloth, and gird ourselves with the gladness that the Lord offers us.

Alma 19:16-17 -- On Abish and Making a Difference

"And it came to pass that they did call on the name of the Lord, in their might, even until they had all fallen to the earth, save it were one of the Lamanitish women, whose name was Abish, she having been converted unto the Lord for many years, on account of a remarkable vision of her father—
Thus, having been converted to the Lord, and never having made it known, therefore, when she saw that all the servants of Lamoni had fallen to the earth, and also her mistress, the queen, and the king, and Ammon lay prostrate upon the earth, she knew that it was the power of God; and supposing that this opportunity, by making known unto the people what had happened among them, that by beholding this scene it would cause them to believe in the power of God, therefore she ran forth from house to house, making it known unto the people."
Alma 19:16-17


I love several things about this story. I love Abish. I love that she was used to the Spirit enough that it didn't make her collapse like the others... I mean, also I love that the spirit was so strong that it made the Nephites do that a lot it seems. :) I love that Abish was filled with hope that this event would convert everyone. And it did, some of them, even though it didn't work out exactly as she had hoped. :) I wish I knew what her father's vision was, because that seems like it would be a good story, but whatever it was, I am glad that Abish also believed, and was here at this time and place to help... I'm sure as part of God's desigh. :)

Today, let's remember what a big difference that one person can make--that WE can make--just by believing and living our lives according to God's will. It might not seem glamourous or out of the ordinary, but our small actions and our faith can make a difference, just as Abish's did. Let's listen and believe, and do as we are directed by God, and God will help us to find those moments when we can make a difference.

Doctrine and Covenants 138:50-52 -- On A Meaningful Future

"For the dead had looked upon the long absence of their spirits from their bodies as a bondage.
These the Lord taught, and gave them power to come forth, after his resurrection from the dead, to enter into his Father’s kingdom, there to be crowned with immortality and eternal life,
And continue thenceforth their labor as had been promised by the Lord, and be partakers of all blessings which were held in reserve for them that love him."
Doctrine and Covenants 138:50-52


This whole topic is interesting I think. Maybe anything that talks about life before we were born or after death seems like a big revelation because knowledge about that is definitely out of reach through other means. Specifically for this selection though, I love the idea that Christ organized things in the spirit world and taught the spirits of the dead, and that part of what he taught them was not just about eternal reward/eternal rest, but about eternal labor... not in a never-ending slave work camp way, though "eternal labor" sounds a little like that when you first say it, but more in a "meaningful future" way, where there is always something to occupy your mind and heart... no sitting around getting bored playing a harp on a cloud (although if you find joy in playing the harp, maybe you *will* get that job?). :)

I think that afterlife work makes sense, because God has a work that he does, and that obviously gives his existence meaning, and so when we are resurrected then we will also be able to engage in meaningful work that isn't just busywork, but that also brings us joy... and I actually love that idea. Something we work at and need to rest from, just like God rested after he made the earth. :) I would almost think of it as a hobby, because it doesn't seem like something obligatory in order to earn heavenly rent (no such thing, surely), but more of something that we do because we love it. Although, for God all of this is way more than hobby in terms of how seriously he takes it, so maybe that isn't the perfect word either. Work that you love, in any case. And who knows if we will also get planet-making classes and/or duties, but whatever it is, I think it will be cool to do something that matters with all that eternity that we are getting. :)

Today, let's look forward to a non-boring future of interesting and meaningful work rather than expecting to be bored out of our skulls. :)

Jonah 2:9 -- On Thanksgiving from Hell

"But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord."
Jonah 2:9


This is the last verse before God has the fish release Jonah from his trial within its "belly of hell" (Jonah 2:2), and what strikes me here is that Jonah came around to thankfulness, even in that horrible situation. He was thankful to still be alive and able to repent (Jonah 2:6). He remembered to call upon the Lord, admitting that he was wrong, that he didn't deserve the mercy that he was asking for (Jonah 2:8), but that he was again willing to fulfil the covenants that he had made with the Lord.

The sacrifice here I think is Jonah's ego... his pride in thinking that he could do whatever he wanted to do in going against the Lord's will, and yet still enjoy the blessings of being in the Lord's favor. I think that is probably the same sacrifice that we often come up against in our lives. We rebel against God, but still want his blessings... or we want so much for things to be a certain way, and get angry with God when things don't work out the way *we* wanted them to... but in truth, and as we frequently learn after the fact, God knows best, and his will is always a better way than ours, and will lead us to happiness far greater than we could find alone.

Today, on this day of Thanksgiving, let's remember Jonah in his personal hell, and learn his lesson. Let's look to the Lord, who wants to save us and to bless us, but also needs us to do our small part and learn, and repent. Let's be thankful to God who saves our lives and gives us another chance, and who helps us become better people than we ever thought that we could be, if we trust him and work with him to improve.

1 Peter 5:6-7 -- On Humility, Patience, and Trust

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
1 Peter 5:6-7


This is another good reminder to be humble, which is hard for most of us I think, but supremely valuable to learn. The keys here are patience (allowing for God's timing in that exaltation), and trust (knowing that God cares for us and that things will work out). If we have those two things, then humility is easier, because we don't need to have our way now, or instead of God's way... his way is better than our way, and it will come in due time. Today, let's try to trust in God rather than just ourselves... as we learn to do so, our lives will improve, and we'll also be less stressed, because we'll have a clearer picture of what things are our responsibility and what things God will take care of, and we won't get those things mixed up so often. :)

Proverbs 15:1-3 -- On Soft Answers and Wise Use of Knowledge

"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
Proverbs 15:1-3


The first verse here is a very popular one that a lot of people have likely come across before, but combined with the others here I think it gives a slightly different message than when it is pulled out individually... not that the message is bad either way of course. Just I also like it in context.

The first verse seems to talk about how to deal with conflict... avoiding yelling and bitterness perhaps, but when we add in the next verse, it becomes not just about anger and arguments, but about everything we say, and thinking before we speak. Using knowledge aright means there is definitely a wrong way to use it as well... and in combination with the first verse, presumably one of the wrong ways is arguing and in anger. It seems worthwhile to explore the question "What are good ways that we can use knowledge?" in our lives, and to remember that there *are* bad ways.

The last verse of the selection reminds us that God is always watching. I don't think this is meant in a 1984/Big Brother way, or even in a Santa/"He sees you when you're sleeping" way, but only as a reminder that there is evil and good in EVERYTHING we do, and we need to be as careful of how we express ourselves as we are of who we express ourselves to, and what we say. If we wouldn't say a certain thing or use a certain tone with our boss, or our grandmother, or whoever it is that we respect, then we should probably recheck the way we are saying or expressing ourselves to those we don't respect. God's laws are for everyone, not just those that we like.

Today, let's try to incorporate soft answers into our lives more, and use our knowledge in right, good, and positive ways.

Job 11:13-18 -- On Lessons from Zophar

"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:
And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.
And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety."
Job 11:13-18


I like what Zophar, one of Job's friends, has to say here. All of it is good, but three specific things stand out to me. The idea of preparing our hearts, the idea of forgetting our misery, and the idea of being secure because there is hope. :)

The idea of preparing our hearts is a cool one because it reminds us that there is more involved in reaching out to God than just the physical reaching. We have to do some spiritual work as well... some self-evaluation, some repentance and change, and prepare our hearts to accept what God has to say. Too often I think we go to God only willing to accept one answer, and that inhibits communication... that is us putting our will before his and not being ready to actually listen to his wisdom. If we ask for help with something, God loves us and he will help in that way if it is wise, but sometimes we ask for things that we shouldn't have for some reason, or to intervene in other people's lives, or to save someone from death when God knows that it is that person's time to graduate into the next life.

Forgetting our misery is an important concept because sometimes we make it the central point of our lives and believe that the bad times are going to last forever, and that if God really cared he would save us from whatever it is... but we aren't seeing the whole picture there, and that God *will* save us from every single thing that we go through in this life, and it will all fade into the background and not be dramatic to us anymore. We will get past it, and things will be okay... it gets better. :) The story moves on, and there is a happy ending. A good thing to remember, and though it can be hard to believe when we are in the middle of the hardest thing that we have ever faced, it is still true. God will wipe away all tears from our eyes, and someday he will wrap us in his arms, and it will be okay.

Being secure in hope is important to me because this is something we can have right now, if we trust God. Even though things around us are uncertain and scary, because God is our anchor, we can know and trust that things are going to work out. That doesn't mean that we don't have to do our part to prepare our hearts, or that things are going to necessarily work out the way that we want or expect... but they will work out according to God's will, and things will be okay in the end... and because they will be okay *then,* we can also have joy *now,* trusting rather than fearing, and finding the positive things in the world around us even when they are hard to pick out. God's presence in our lives allows us to rise above the darkness and find the light in the world around us.

Today, let's remember what Zophar taught us. To prepare our hearts for God's will, and trust in it, to know that there is hope and peace and joy waiting for us, and that our trials will someday be forgotten, and to be sucure in hope and able to find the goodness and light even in the darkest pits of our lives.

Mosiah 27:18-24 -- On Conversion

"And now Alma and those that were with him fell again to the earth, for great was their astonishment; for with their own eyes they had beheld an angel of the Lord; and his voice was as thunder, which shook the earth; and they knew that there was nothing save the power of God that could shake the earth and cause it to tremble as though it would part asunder.
And now the astonishment of Alma was so great that he became dumb, that he could not open his mouth; yea, and he became weak, even that he could not move his hands; therefore he was taken by those that were with him, and carried helpless, even until he was laid before his father.
And they rehearsed unto his father all that had happened unto them; and his father rejoiced, for he knew that it was the power of God.
And he caused that a multitude should be gathered together that they might witness what the Lord had done for his son, and also for those that were with him.
And he caused that the priests should assemble themselves together; and they began to fast, and to pray to the Lord their God that he would open the mouth of Alma, that he might speak, and also that his limbs might receive their strength—that the eyes of the people might be opened to see and know of the goodness and glory of God.
And it came to pass after they had fasted and prayed for the space of two days and two nights, the limbs of Alma received their strength, and he stood up and began to speak unto them, bidding them to be of good comfort:
For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit."
Mosiah 27:18-24


This is a pretty dramatic conversion story, and there are a few similar ones in the scriptures, though this level of drama is rare, and as we know from Laman and Lemuel, even an angel doesn't always make a difference.

My question on this topic though is, does the drama change anything? I think sometimes we see Alma's conversion as some sort of shortcut, and thinking about it today, I don't think it was. Sometimes we get overwhelmed by angels and sometimes we don't, but is the conversion process really different? We still need to learn to see ourselves in a different way, to want to change, to realize that God is real and that we desperately need him in our lives. Like Lamoni's father, we need to ask "what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and recieve his Spirit?" (Alma 22:15). We have to become new, and that is painful, and a long-term process, whether it is triggered in this dramatic way, or only triggered by our own consciences. Indeed, it might be worse in this compressed period of time, because later Alma (talking to his son) explains part of what was going on, and he says "for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul" (Alma 36:16). We need to have those same realizations that Alma did, knowing that we have "rebelled against [our] God, and that [we have] not kept his holy commandments" (Alma 36:13), but maybe those realizations over time are less dramatically painful than the "sin coma" that Alma seems to have fallen into.

Today, let's repent and change... whether it is a dramatic moment or not... and then let's follow through with that change over time. Alma needed to live differently over the course of his life, even after his dramatic conversion, and so do we. Conversion is ultimately pointless if it doesn't last... if we wander off the path and go back to living without God, then the conversion didn't reach as far into our souls as it needed to, and we haven't fully realized our standing before God as Alma did. And if it is hard, and we feel like it is too much and that we're just not good enough, then that's when we should turn back to God for strength. He will give us the power to stay true to him if we ask for it, and really want that... let's trust in that promise, and in the joyful eternity that God offers us (as an alternative to the crappy eternity that we always end up building for ourselves when left to our own devices).

D&C 50:23-25 -- On Chasing Away the Darkness

"And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness.
That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.
And again, verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you;"
Doctrine and Covenants 50:23-25


What I liked about these verses today was the reason. The last verse of the selection tells us that one of the reasons we are being told this is so that we can chase away the darkness. I never really noticed that before, but I love it. If there are things in our lives that edify and that are of God, bringing us closer to him, then let's embrace them... but if not--if some things are dragging us down, and away from God, then those things need to be kicked to the curb and chased down the street.

This advice also helps us to look at our own actions in a different way as well--are we contributing to light or to darkness? Are we edifying the people and the world around us, or dragging things down? Are we totally pro-God, or are we pulling away, and perhaps influencing others in the same direction? If so, let's work on that... not saying we don't need to work through our questions. We do, and we should make time for that because it is high priority to figure out ourselves and our relationship with God. But just like Lehi needed God to find his way out of the "dark and dreary wilderness" (1 Nephi 8:4), we also clearly need to get that negative spirit out of our lives in order to see clearly, and find the light, hope, and joy that God is offering us. Being able to chase away that cloud of darkness will help us figure things out more than accepting the darkness ever could.

Today, let's embrace the light and chase away the darkness.

Alma 58:20 -- On Whatever It Takes

"And it came to pass that when the Lamanites had passed by, or when the army had passed by, Gid and Teomner did rise up from their secret places, and did cut off the spies of the Lamanites that they should not return to the city."

 Alma 58:20

Military strategies are covered extensively in the Book of Mormon, and sometimes people wonder why they are there. I've had different ideas over time... I think one of the reasons is to show the history, maybe the difference between the wars here and the ones in the Old Testament. Also probably there are some lessons about God approving of defending ourselves, but not in being the aggressor, which is mentioned several times. Perhaps also helping us to see that God's hand is in our lives, no matter what circumstances we are in.

I like the trickiness of some of the things that Helaman, Gid, and Teomner do here, working to win and to follow God despite being outnumbered and low on provisions. When God tells us that all things work together for good to them that love God (Roman 8:28, D&C 90:24, 98:3, 100:15, 105:40), all things include these things. God inspired Nephi and the Brother of Jared to build boats, but he also inspired Joshua and Captain Moroni to win battles... and he inspires us in our lives in totally different ways as well. Not everyone's path is the same in our earthly lives, even when we are walking the same spiritual path, towards God. :)

Today, let's remember that when we're walking God's path, he will inspire us to do whatever it takes to move forward and to do his will. Normally that isn't war, or anything similarly violent, but sometimes it is... and even then we need to make sure that we are putting God first, and acting in his way. As we do, we'll be okay, and no matter what, things will lead to the happy ending that God promises all of us.

Isaiah 26:19-21 -- On Resurrection and Judgement

"Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain."
Isaiah 26:19-21


This is an interesting prophecy of the resurrection, focusing not as much on the cool live-forever-with-no-pain-and-sickness thing, but instead on the probably equally cool justice thing, which isn't usually what the focus is when we talk about resurrection, but it is definitely worth mentioning.

I like the idea that no murder can ever be truly hidden, not only because God knows everything, but because the murdered people themselves are going to come back. Everyone will, and nothing that we desperately want hidden is going to stay that way. This is a good thing by the way, because as much as those hidden things might shame, embarrass, or pain us, getting all of that out in the open is going to make us better, healthier people... if it is known, then it can be overcome. Even our worst sins will be shown, and then we can be judged and have that part of our life taken care of rather than poisoning us for eternity.

This is also a good thing for us today... because we can plan and prepare for a resurrection and a judgement to come. We can know that nothing will remain truly hidden, which might help us admit our faults and get help sooner. We can keep in mind that eternity is coming, and that we shouldn't only live for today, but also consider our long-term, eternal happiness.

Psalms 8:3-4 -- On Considering the Heavens

"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"
Psalms 8:3-4



This is an interesting and deep question... one that, luckily, God has answered for us. "For behold, this is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." We are his children, the work of his hands, and he glories in helping us and lifting us to him.

We know who we are to God, but we have yet to determine who he is to us, and what priority he takes in our lives. Today, let's work on dedicating our lives to him, or at least at carving out a little bit more space for him as we work towards that vitally important further goal.

2 Kings 13:15-17 -- On Personal Communication and Guidance

"And Elisha said unto him, Take bow and arrows. And he took unto him bow and arrows.
And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king’s hands.
And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the Lord’s deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them."
2 Kings 13:15-17


The symbolism of this prophecy is interesting, and how it was presented to the king. Although it is easy to think that this was an Old Testament thing and isn't done anymore, I think maybe that's not true. God still uses whatever communication is at hand to communicate with us, and presents individual lessons in ways that we will understand, using symbolism that we will recognize. We still don't always get it, but the feelings, dreams, warnings, visions, messages, or other insight is still there. God is doing everything he can for us without violating our free agency... which honestly wouldn't be a help at all, because then we would learn nothing, destroying the whole point.

Today, let's pay attention to the ways that God might be speaking to us. It likely isn't through a bow and arrows, but there is always a message that God is sending, and a lesson there for us to learn. As we pray and work to have the Spirit in our lives, that communication between ourselves and God will become clearer, and we'll be able to see his hand guiding us just as Elisha's hand guided the king's in this story.

James 3:10-13 -- On Choosing

"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom."
James 3:10-13


I think that this touches on something that we often try to do in our lives... play both sides. Indulge the body and still protect the soul... ride the fence, try to be one person with our friends and another with authority figures. We embrace the whole split-personality thing that is part of mortal existence, but instead of working towards wholeness and correct balance, or even an unbalanced choice focusing only on one side or the other, we try to have it all... to play both sides and avoid the consequences, thinking we can juggle it all. Here and elsewhere (Matthew 6:24 for instance), God tells us that we can't. We have to make a permanent and lasting choice, and when that choice is to put God first, then everything else falls into its proper place (or out of our lives).

This verse is talking about what we say... which matters, not so much because of how it affects other people, although of course that is important on one level, but because of how it affect US, and who we are. We aren't committing and becoming heavenly people if we are clutching desperately at our souvenirs of Hell. We have to let go of one side or the other if we want to start moving again... and to be clear, letting go of Hell is the correct choice--it absolutely matters which direcetion we are heading.

Today, let's stop continually poisoning ourselves with evil, and determine to let it go. Let's start cleaning up our conversation and our contentions and conflicts and really dedicate ourselves to loving God and other people. Let's make the choice that we need to make in order to move forward and become the better people that we need to be.

Psalms 112:7 -- On Fixing our Hearts

"He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord."
Psalms 112:7


This is one of the features of a good man according to the Psalm, and since goodness is something we are striving for in general, "fixed hearts" seems like a good goal. Not that it is easy to be calm in the face of bad news/evil tidings, but if we can learn to fix our hearts as described, that kind of consistency and solidity is an amazing strength to the people around us, and something that will also bring us a lot of peace, because no matter comes, we'll know that the Lord is in charge and we don't have to stress about whatever evil tidings the world can throw at us.

Today, let's think about this idea of trusting God so much that no matter what news comes to us it doesn't shake us from our resolve. It's hard to overcome fear, and it is normal to be a little reactionary when we hear about bad things, and to worry. Overcoming that is a lesson that it takes a long time to learn, but the reward from learning it is inherent--incredible peace and the ability to be steadfast and rock solid even amidst the worst storms of life. Let's work towards that kind of goodness. :)

Galatians 6:7 -- On Planting Good

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
Galatians 6:7


I think this is the scriptural version of "you can't get something for nothing." Even though we like the idea of skipping all the hard work and being insta-rich and insta-famous, and even insta-good sometimes, it isn't the surprise inheritance, the chance meeting with a talent scout, or even the dramatic conversion that makes us who we are. Instead, it is the things that we put into life... the actions that we take every day, making things better, or worse, for the world around us and especially for other people. We can't do bad things and get a good future, or any other sneaky permutation of it. There is only one way, and that's the Lord's way.

Today, let's remember that we can't reap what we don't sow, and let's get out there and plant some good. :)

Acts 7:2-5 -- On the Promised Future

"And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.
Then came he out of the land of the Chaldæans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.
And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child."
Acts 7:2-5


This is a good summary that helps us understand the faith that Abraham had to believe in God's promises even when there was no external evidence. Sometimes we face similar things. God offers us promises of the future to give us hope in the present, but some of that is difficult to believe... just like Abraham was promised posterity as the stars in the heaven when he had no children, and promised empires worth of lands, when he didn't own any land at all. Our gifts from God are rarely pre-assembled, and they require some effort to piece together, but as unlikely as they may seem, God always keeps his promises and fulfils his word.

Today, let's work on trusting God and working for the future that he guarantees is possible, as impossible as it might seem to us right now.

2 Kings 9:1-3 -- On Running Away

"And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead:
And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber;
Then take the box of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, Thus saith the Lord, I have anointed thee king over Israel. Then open the door, and flee, and tarry not."
2 Kings 9:1-3


This is an interesting story. We don't usually hail the virtues of running away, although it does happen several times in scripture. I like this because it shows both the importance of doing God's will, but also shows that running away from a situation is sometimes the right thing to do.

God warns people about things, and sometimes that warning is to run away. For instance, he told Joseph to get Mary and the child Jesus out of town (Matthew 2:13) and he told Lehi to get out of Jerusalem with his family (1 Nephi 2:2). Although it is also inspiring to read about people who stood up for their beliefs and were saved from fire and burning, like Daniel or Shadrach, sometimes they stand up and they aren't saved, like Abinadi, so when God warns us to run, we should do so.

Today, let's think about "standing up" for our beliefs a little bit differently. The overall idea is to do God's will, and while we of course should never compromise our testimonies, that doesn't always mean that we have to stand up and fight either. Doing God's will rarely conforms to our expectations. Nephi wanted to burst his bonds, and instead the Lord just loosened the ropes. God *can* help us fight our battles, but he also can make sure we're safe by encouraging us to run away. Whatever we do, let's do it unto the Lord, and he will direct our paths... whether that is towards, or away from, our enemies. :)

Proverbs 2:1-5 -- On Searching for Hidden Treasure

"My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God."
Proverbs 2:1-5

I like the idea that there are things that we can do to work towards "the knowledge of God." Even though so much relies on the Lord in our lives, there are the smaller parts that rely on us... small enough that we can contribute and learn and make choices in order to determine our path. I also love the hidden treasure idea. If we really dedicated ourselves to God that way, how much could we learn and know?

Today, let's not feel overwhelmed by everything that we can't control, but accept things as they are and do what we can to make them better. Let's incline our ears and apply our hearts, cry after knowledge and apply our hearts to understanding. Let's seek for the things of God as though they were hidden treasure. :) As we search diligently, God will help us understand and find all that he offers us.

Genesis 40:5-8 -- On Dreams and Direction

"And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.
And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad.
And he asked Pharaoh’s officers that were with him in the ward of his lord’s house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day?"
And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.
Genesis 40:5-8


This is a little side story in the overall story of Joseph in Egypt. Two imprisoned servants of Pharoah have dreams about what will happen to them, and Joseph interprets the dreams for them (through the inspiration of God), and he is correct. Later, when Pharoah has a dream that needs interpreting, this is remembered and results in Joseph's freedom and promotion to a high position.

What I like about this is the idea that God blesses us with dreams to help us. There are a lot of instances of dreams being mentioned in the scriptures... God warns people to flee, calls them as prophets, shows them things to come, blesses them with inspiration, and teaches them the truth. God doesn't do all of these things *only* through dreams, but it seems to be a fairly common medium. The ones that required an interpreter all seem to be God getting someone to listen to a prophet, so that might be more of a plot device than an actual requirement. For instance, Lehi's dream was clear to Lehi, and Nephi was able to obtain the interpretation by asking God.

In my life it isn't usually dreams, but more flashes of insight about something, or a scene that seems weird and that I rarely actually think will happen, but then, often years later, I'll be in that scene, and have a flashback to when I saw it the first time... reminders from God that he knows *way* better than I do what is in store, and sometimes promises that I will get through this challenge, by showing me a scene from after. :)

I think the point is that God is trying to help and prepare us all for the future, through the things that we learn and that we go through, and sometimes through other things like flashes of insight, or dreams, or random conversations or interactions with other people. I mean... I decided to go to graduate school through a conversation I had with a gentleman working in the garden center at a large store, and I know that God inspired that man to talk to me that day, and leads me forward in other ways as well. I believe that he does this for everyone... not necessarily in the same way, but in a way that we can learn to recognize if we take the time and work on our communication with God. Today, let's work on that, trusting in God that he knows the way forward and wants to help us get there. Let's pay attention and have faith, and God will lead us along.

3 Nephi 28:38-39 -- On Perfection and Preparation

"Therefore, that they might not taste of death there was a change wrought upon their bodies, that they might not suffer pain nor sorrow save it were for the sins of the world.
Now this change was not equal to that which shall take place at the last day; but there was a change wrought upon them, insomuch that Satan could have no power over them, that he could not tempt them; and they were sanctified in the flesh, that they were holy, and that the powers of the earth could not hold them."
3 Nephi 28:38-39


This is some pretty cool stuff, talking about the change that happened to the three Nephites who wanted to stay. It's interesting that it is a different "level" of body than when we are resurrected, but it still is so far beyond what we have that it seems incredible... no pain, no sorrow, and no temptation. Wow, right?

I think this emphasizes the fact that God could have made us all immortal from the beginning, but that death is baked into the whole idea of coming to earth... death makes it possible for us to have a "probationary" (Alma 12:24, 42:4, etc.) space where we could sin but then change and repent and try again before we inherit our far more permanent bodies and futures. Where Christ's atonement could affect us, overcome death, and give us all another chance... which is why we are all here, because we need a few extra tries to get it right. :) (Okay, more than a few.)

I am not sure exactly how it works, but what I imagine is that it is the separation of spirit and body that makes all of this possible, and when we actually get resurrected those get permanently fused together, which will be amazing in lots of ways... no more internal struggles between spirit and flesh, plus all the things mentioned here, and likely more. Maybe we'll be able to walk on water, just naturally. :) ... But in terms of what we're trying to accomplish here also a couple of down sides. I think that being fused like that makes us like God in the respect of being permanent and unchangable--which means this life is it. Whoever we learn to be here, that is who we are going to be--always. Which is awesome, but also scary if we don't especially like ourselves right now. That's why God is trying to help us change and grow and become and make the choices that turn us into the people that we want to be--because after this, we're not malleable anymore. Our figuratively clay selves will be fired and hardened and perfected into solid, permanent beings. Not ones that can't do cool things or learn more stuff, but ones that are whole and happy and not looking to be different or resolve internal conflict anymore. There won't be a conflict. We'll just be who we are.

Anyway, don't take that last paragraph as eternally true, since it is just my idea, not scripture. Either way though, today, let's take advantage of our probationary time and repent and change the things that we want to change, for "this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors" (Alma 34:32).