1 Corinthians 15:34-38 -- On Awaking to Righteousness

"Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body."
1 Corinthians 15:34-38


I like the idea of awaking to righteousness, like sin is just a bad dream, and righteousness is the reality. :) I also like the interesting idea here comparing the resurrection to growing a new plant, where the seed has to die in order to grow something new.  

It's a similar idea to awaking to righteousness not only because we have to die first, but because our bodies are a pattern rather than a set thing... we don't become not ourselves if we lose part of our bodies, or when we get old, and interestingly after these verses it also mentions that our bodies will get better (see verses 40-43).  ... We won't be resurrected with the same sicknesses and problems that our bodies have now, but our resurrected bodies will still be our bodies, just in a perfected state... awakening to righteousness not just in a spiritual way but in a physical way, an incorrupt, perfect temple for our spirits.

Today, since God has the physical perfection thing covered, let's trust in that future hope, and work on spirits to match.  Let's truly awake to righteousness, and "awake from the slumber of death" (Jacob 3:11), letting go of the nightmare of sin, and walking into the dawn of hope in who we can be when we walk in God's way.

Ezekiel 36:33-36 -- On Ruin and Restoration

"Thus saith the Lord God; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.
And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by.
And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.
Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the Lord build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the Lord have spoken it, and I will do it."
Ezekiel 36:33-36


This chapter is about the last days, and it is talking about cleansing the Lord's people. Verses 26-27 are great about giving us new hearts and spirits, but then in verse 32 it says "Not for your sakes I do this, saith the Lord," which made me wonder... okay, why not?, and these verses are the beginning of the answer.

God isn't saying he doesn't care about us, but his purpose here is that he wants the people outside the gospel to understand how he takes care of his people, so that they will understand and want to be part of us as well... he is trying to bring in the prodigal son. :)  They will see that the Lord can take the ruined and desolate places and people and restore them to life... turn them into the very image of perfection, like the garden of Eden.

The end of the answer is in verse 38 where God explains "... and they shall know that I am the Lord."  So much of his effort is just to get us (everyone) to realize that, to understand that he is who he says he is and that he is trying to help, lift, guide, and bless us.  Today, let's accept his love in our lives, and let's also understand his need to show love and to help the people around us, through our example.  Let's be an example of the believers and a positive force in the lives of others.

Mosiah 3:10-12 -- On Resurrection and Repentance

"And he shall rise the third day from the dead; and behold, he standeth to judge the world; and behold, all these things are done that a righteous judgment might come upon the children of men.
For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned.
But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God! For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ."
Mosiah 3:10-12


The idea of resurrection is a hope that transcends everything in our lives I think... no matter what tragedy or failure in this life, knowing that there is a greater life to come can help us see past mortality and into further potential and possibility.

That doesn't mean, of course, that this life doesn't matter, or that we should blow it off and wait till later to repent or to try.  Indeed, many places in the scriptures urge us to do the opposite, since this is the time when we have the opportunity to make decisions and choices that will carry over into that next life.

I think we all mess up those decisions sometimes and fall down into the third verse here with the "wo, wo" warning.  We don't have to stay there though.  Repentance and faith are incredible blessings that can help us apply the atonement to our lives again, and come again under Christ's mercy and grace.

Today, let's refine our decisions, repent, and choose more wisely, looking forward to the life and hope that Christ offers us through his triumph over sin and death.

Matthew 8:19-20 -- On Commitment to Christ

"And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."
Matthew 8:19-20


These verses hit me today because it seemed to me that Christ was not rejecting the scribe's offer, but instead making sure that he knew what it meant, so his choice was informed.  Kind of like the answer he gave to the rich man who asked him what he should do to inherit eternal life (Mark 10:17-22).  Sometimes we want to take the next step in our discipleship, but we don't understand what it will really require of us.  And sometimes we understand what it requires, and it seems like too much to give up.  That means, of course, that we are putting something before God in our lives and our priorities need to be straightened out in order to take the next step on the path... but that doesn't necessarily make it easier to do.

Christ is merciful and kind.  He knows that we are still learning and growing.  That's why he allows us to "Go, and sin no more" (John 8:11), and responds when we plead "help thou mine unbelief" (Mark 9:24).  At every stage of our spiritual journey though, he wants to make sure we know exactly what we are getting into and that we are choosing that commitment openly.  If we aren't, then our next step is to figure out how to want to take that next step, because doubt and resentment aren't part of the plan.

Here, the scribe wanted to follow Christ, but perhaps didn't realize that following him carried so much uncertainty and seeming instability.  And we have times in our lives like this as well, where we like the idea of following God, but the reality of it hits us in the face... finding out that the promised land is just more empty wilderness is sometimes difficult because it is hard to see the glorious potential through the mountain of effort in the way. :)

Today, as we move forward on the gospel path, let's ensure that we talk to God about what we're getting into, and that we're ready to make that commitment.  Perhaps setting our priorities in order will require a mighty change of heart (Alma 5:12, Mosiah 5:2), but that's another thing that God can help us with, if we are willing. :)

Psalms 119:165 -- On Great Peace

"Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."
Psalms 119:165


Peace seems like a really good thing to work for, and I like that it is a byproduct of loving the Lord's law, which makes sense... the whole purpose of the law is to help us find happiness, so peace seems like a natural consequence there.  

The whole "nothing shall offend them" part when I first read it seemed a little odd, and perhaps even a bigger promise (maybe because it is more specific?).  As I think about it though, it seems like peace and not being offended are almost the same thing... that the kind of peace that God wants us to have isn't something that anyone external CAN disturb.  

The peace that God offers us is a byproduct of living his way and trusting him... it is confidence in the happy ending that he has promised us, so that even when the bad guys have us trapped, we know it is only some middle chapter, and this isn't the way that the story ends.

When we are in that peace zone and have confidence in God, then people can try to push our buttons, or treat us poorly, but even when people act offensively, we aren't offended because they can't touch our peace.  That calmness and love and higher perspective is from God and beyond their reach.

Now, of course, we're not going to get there overnight, and we're not always consistent, so maybe right now we do let it get to us now and then... but God is also the way of letting it go.  We can find our way back to the spirit and the peace that God offers as we practice loving and living his law, and we will find it easier to let go of resentments and anger, and to move forward in peace.  Today, let's work towards the great peace that God offers us.

1 Nephi 7:10 -- On Forgetting the Lord

"How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord?"
1 Nephi 7:10


I think this applies to all of our lives because, even if we haven't specifically seen an angel, we have had other spiritual experiences, and unfortunately way, way too often we discount or even forget them as we let the cares of the world block spiritual things out, or even purposely block things out (as Laman and Lemuel did) because we want to do something we know the Lord won't approve of.

We can forget what the spirit feels like, forget how it feels to talk to God, and the certainty that we have gained that walking with God is the right way, and the primary thing that makes our lives better.  We need that reminder... the "can ye feel so now" (Alma 5:26) moment where we realize that we need to get that spirit back.  

The scriptures are full of verses asking us to remember, and giving us stories and lessons that help us to remember... but we have to work at it as well.  It's way too easy to let other things get in the way.  That's why church, prayer, scripture study, etc. are always "Sunday School" answers, because they help us remember, and they matter in our effort to keep that spirit alive in our lives, so that we can remain in touch with God.

Today, let's take some time and remember "how merciful the Lord hath been" (Moroni 10:3) unto us, and get back in the frame of mind where we can reach out to God and feel his presence in our lives.

Acts 3:19-21 -- On Repentance, Refreshing, and Restitution

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."
Acts 3:19-21


I love the idea of our sins being blotted out through Christ, and luckily it sounds like that happens *before* the restitution of all things, because we likely do not want our sins dumped back on our heads.  Instead, we'll get some of the nice things dumped on our heads, which gives us some excellent motivation to be nice. :)

Today, let's repent and look forward to the times of refreshing. :)  And maybe, let's up our game on doing good so that we have some solid foundation left after our sins are gone. :)

D&C 7:8 -- On Choice and Desire

"Verily I say unto you, ye shall both have according to your desires, for ye both joy in that which ye have desired."
Doctrine and Covenants 7:8

I was thinking about choice and preference here... I knew a homeless guy in New York once and I remember buying him a toothbrush one day, and it took quite a while because he didn't want one that looked "girly" and most of the toothbrushes were in bright colors that didn't seem to make the grade. :)  I also remember my own personal prayer for a very specific stuffed turtle, which was miraculously answered even though there were probably billions of things that would have been better to pray for.  God still heard, and loved, and answered.

Perhaps we've all heard the phrase "beggars can't be choosers," but haven't we also heard Christ's words, "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself"?  We allow ourselves preferences, and choices between things that we don't like and things that we do like.  I also think God goes out of his way to honor our choices and preferences in our lives, and provide a path to happiness that is both straight and narrow *and* customized for each of us in our individual personalities and desires.

This isn't to say that we shouldn't make do with what we have, because we often need to... and we certainly need to be careful to be grateful for what we have.  I'll readily agree that if I am dissatisfied with anything but a nine hundred million dollar mansion on a private island, perhaps I need to step back and rethink my perspective, and put more emphasis in my life on spiritual things rather than material.  And the same goes for physical things.  We need to learn to temper our desires and make sure that God always comes first and we are letting our spiritual desires be ascendant over our physical desires, because letting our physical desires rule our lives can get us really messed up.

That said though, I think it is okay, and kind, to think about others and the specific things that make them happy.  Not everyone needs to like the same things in order to be a good person.  Let's give to others according to their desires when we can.  Let's not dismiss others' preferences any more than we dismiss our own.

Today, let's remember how much God loves us, and how well he answers our prayers even when they are deeply personal and may not matter at all to someone else.  Let's train ourselves to desire better things, but also remember to honor individual choice and encourage thoughtful opinions and decision-making as we all learn who we are, and how to choose and become.  Most of all, let's try to love as God loves, respecting what individually brings us joy. 

Alma 30:12-16 -- On Evidence Beyond Sight

"And this Anti-Christ, whose name was Korihor, (and the law could have no hold upon him) began to preach unto the people that there should be no Christ. And after this manner did he preach, saying:
O ye that are bound down under a foolish and a vain hope, why do ye yoke yourselves with such foolish things? Why do ye look for a Christ? For no man can know of anything which is to come.
Behold, these things which ye call prophecies, which ye say are handed down by holy prophets, behold, they are foolish traditions of your fathers.
How do ye know of their surety? Behold, ye cannot know of things which ye do not see; therefore ye cannot know that there shall be a Christ.
Ye look forward and say that ye see a remission of your sins. But behold, it is the effect of a frenzied mind; and this derangement of your minds comes because of the traditions of your fathers, which lead you away into a belief of things which are not so."
Alma 30:12-16


These are the words of an antichrist, so please don't be framing these verses and hanging them on your wall or anything. :)  I think it is instructive to read this (perhaps like the Screwtape Letters) though, to be able to see the lies, because we encounter similar mockery in the modern world.

Korihor tells us that our hope is foolish and vain, that we can't know anything that we don't see, and that we are frenzied and deranged, believing blindly in things that we've been taught that are clearly false.  Satan has many tactics, but this is a popular one, claiming that there is no evidence beyond sight, or at least one of the five senses.

God encourages us to trust in our spiritual senses, learning to love and to feel spiritual guidance.  Korihor was wrong then, and his modern-day advocates are wrong now.  Perhaps emotional and spiritual truth is harder to grasp, and takes more patience and practice to understand, but just like we can clearly feel love, we can clearly know that God exists, that he has prophets on earth, and every other part of the gospel... we don't even have to rely solely on the evidence of accounts in the scriptures, because God invites us to ask him, and tells us that through the Holy Ghost we "may know the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:4-5).

Science isn't bad or evil of course... it's a good, methodical way to think and learn about a lot of things, and God asks us to embrace truth wherever it is found (Philippians 4:8).  But we aren't taking everything into account if we deny the emotional/spiritual aspects of our lives.  Elisha's servant learned that when Elisha asked God to open his eyes (2 Kings 6:17), and as Moroni instructs us, "dispute not because ye see not" (Ether 12:6).

Today, let's not be discouraged by ignorant mockery that professes to challenge all that we believe, including God.  Let's pray and trust in what we know to be right and true.  Let's try the experiment laid out in Alma 32:27 and reach out to God with sincerity and faith.  He will manifest the truth to us if we seek him, and if we have had the truth manifested to us already, then let's build on that rather than listening to someone who hasn't had that witness claim that it is impossible.  If we want to know the truth of God, let's go directly to him in prayer, not listen to some rando who thinks Korihor is a good role model.

Moses 5:31 -- On Secrets and Lies

"And Cain said: Truly I am Mahan, the master of this great secret, that I may murder and get gain. Wherefore Cain was called Master Mahan, and he gloried in his wickedness."
Moses 5:31


Honestly, the whole murder/evil-for-profit thing doesn't seem like a big secret, but that's likely because it isn't new to us as it was to him.

What it does make me think of though is how "the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell" (2 Nephi 28:21).  Whether it is something obvious (to us), as with murder, or more subtle, as in trying to convince us that everything is golden and we don't need to do anymore work on our souls, or on the world, the devil seems to have an eternal grudge and seeks our misery.

I think the worst thing that the devil does is deceive us.  Cain didn't get the gain that Satan promised him, and although others who trade in evil might get some temporary benefit, the true end of all such effort is basically a black tar pit of sucking destruction that it is incredibly difficult to escape.

Today, let's be sure to not listen to the lies that tell us that we can prosper through harming others.  Instead of competing and trying to get what others have, let's do our best to lift others and give to them, helping rather than hurting.

And if we have harmed others, let's redouble our efforts to heal rather than hurt, becoming new creatures through Christ and being better examples than we have been.  Let's listen to God's truth and find our way to lasting happiness and peace rather than temporary gain and eternal regret.

Psalms 16:8-11 -- On Priorities and the Path of Life

"I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
Psalms 16:8-11


I like the idea of being able to rest in hope. :) Also, I like the idea that setting God at the center of our lives brings happiness. And although the later verses make it clear that it isn't always immediate happiness, it does seem like a very thorough happiness, of heart and flesh and glory... perhaps emotional, physical, spiritual? Either way, the last verse's "fulness of joy" also seems very comprehensive.

Although we've likely experienced, and may in the future experience, some level of pain and suffering as a result of our sins, often called the "pains of hell" (Psalm 116:3, Alma 36:13, Jacob 3:11, etc.), as long as we set the Lord before us, that pain is finite.  We can endure it, and get through it... repent and move on and become better people who wouldn't do those things anymore.  Things will get better.

Today, let's make the Lord the top priority in our lives, and not let that priority be moved out of place by any other matter.  Let's seek unto the Lord for him to show us the path of life, and let's walk that path towards the presence of God and the fulness of joy that we are promised.

Alma 46:18 -- On Support in Doing Good

"And he said: Surely God shall not suffer that we, who are despised because we take upon us the name of Christ, shall be trodden down and destroyed, until we bring it upon us by our own transgressions."
Alma 46:18


This is part of the story of Captain Moroni hoisting the Title of Liberty, and this particular verse caught my eye because I like the idea here that God won't let us be trodden down and destroyed for doing the right thing... not that bad things never happen to good people, of course, but that we have claim to some protection from God when we are in pursuit of a righteous goal.

Today, as we run into obstacles, let's first make sure that we are doing good, and if we are, then let's plead to the Lord to support and protect us in pursuing our righteous goals.  The Lord tells us that he will "clear away the bad according as the good shall grow" (Jacob 5:66), so let's be that good influence, lifting the people around us and making the world better, and God will support our efforts.

Luke 11:5-9 -- On Asking, Seeking, and Knocking

"And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
Luke 11:5-9


I think that the lesson here is interesting--God isn't necessarily telling us that we should bother our friends at midnight, but he seems to definitely be telling us that we should ask for what we need. Several chapters after this we read the story of the unjust judge, who avenges a widow, not because he cares about justice, but because she just kept asking him.  The lessons in both stories seem to be that we should ask for what we need, and keep asking until we get it.

That's an interesting lesson in our society where we're often taught that part of being polite and kind is to not ask for things, not ask questions, and not to put anyone out by asking for more.  Yet God tells us to ask, seek, and knock.  He's telling us to go out there and be bold, reaching for what we need and that if we persist in doing so, he will help us get what we seek.

Of course, in the context of the gospel God means righteous goals and desires.  He isn't encouraging us to ask for things that are bad for us, although unfortunately we also often get bad things that we seek, and our lives are worse for that kind of seeking.  What God is asking us is to forge our own lives, to be "anxiously engaged" (D&C 58:27) in building our lives and our selves into something that we love and we want to be, sharing the goodness we gain with all around us.

I really love that God doesn't want us to just avoid the world, but to remember that it is our classroom... to be in it and learn from it, but not be of it... to also remember that our true home is above.  Today, let's talk with and ask him for what we truly want... and then let's work for it.  Let's dedicate our lives to asking, seeking, and knocking, moving forward and seeking more and more good in our lives, and knowing God is with us, helping us to learn and develop opinions and find hobbies and work on our talents.  He wants us to be our best selves, gloriously individual and always loved.

Genesis 11:1 -- On God's Way

"And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech."
Genesis 11:1


This is the beginning of the tower of Babel story, and it's interesting that being of one language and one speech got the people into trouble here.  In our modern world there are all sorts of problems because of our different languages, cultures, and diversity, but this is an interesting perspective that seems to show that a unified language and culture wouldn't solve our problems, but instead just encourage us to get into a different kind of trouble.

Perhaps our big problem as humans is that we start identifying with definitions and causes that take us off course from the goal of heaven, and following the Lord's path.  Not always because the cause is wrong or unjust, but primarily because we place whatever it is in front of the cause of God.  Ezra Taft Benson said “When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives” (April 1988 General Conference, "The Great Commandment"), and I think we often let things take over our lives that might be important, but not as important as we are making them out to be... not important enough to base our whole identity or lives around.

I kind of think that's where the Tower of Babel people went wrong.  Trying to get to heaven isn't a bad goal... it's really a great goal, but instead of walking the Lord's path to get there, they thought they could just build a tower high enough that they could just walk there on their own... all the paradise, none of the spiritual effort.

We do similar things, trying to get what we want, or to find happiness, but not by the Lord's path, and unfortunately, like the Tower of Babel (and all spiritual shortcuts), it doesn't work that way.  Today, let's walk God's path, and put him first, and then it will be okay to share language, and to want to get to heaven, and all the other righteous things that we want, because we'll be seeking them the right way.  And maybe God's way isn't always exactly what we expect, but it is always what we need, and better than we could possibly do alone--or even with a whole society that speaks the same language. :)

Jeremiah 29:11-13 -- On Seeking and Finding the Lord

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:11-13


I love this idea of God thinking of peace, not evil, and telling us how to find him.  Seeking with all of our hearts isn't an easy thing to do, but we're able to see God through all of the distractions if we work on it and talk to him about it... practice, rather than just expecting it to be instantly there.

Today, let's work on getting to our expected end/happy ending by seeking the Lord with all of our hearts. :)

Ether 10:20-28 -- On Blessed People

"And they built a great city by the narrow neck of land, by the place where the sea divides the land.
And they did preserve the land southward for a wilderness, to get game. And the whole face of the land northward was covered with inhabitants.
And they were exceedingly industrious, and they did buy and sell and traffic one with another, that they might get gain.
And they did work in all manner of ore, and they did make gold, and silver, and iron, and brass, and all manner of metals; and they did dig it out of the earth; wherefore, they did cast up mighty heaps of earth to get ore, of gold, and of silver, and of iron, and of copper. And they did work all manner of fine work.
And they did have silks, and fine-twined linen; and they did work all manner of cloth, that they might clothe themselves from their nakedness.
And they did make all manner of tools to till the earth, both to plow and to sow, to reap and to hoe, and also to thrash.
And they did make all manner of tools with which they did work their beasts.
And they did make all manner of weapons of war. And they did work all manner of work of exceedingly curious workmanship.
And never could be a people more blessed than were they, and more prospered by the hand of the Lord. And they were in a land that was choice above all lands, for the Lord had spoken it."
Ether 10:20-28


I like the way this tells us about all these cool things, leading to the conclusion that there could never be a people more blessed. :) And if we, from our different perspective, recognize these signs of a blessed people in the world around us, then I think that it shows how blessed we also are.

Today, let's take a step back and recognize the amazing blessings that surround us.

Proverbs 3:1-2 -- On Moving Towards Peace

"My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee."
Proverbs 3:1-2


I like the emphasis here that keeping the commandments is coupled with positive outcomes.  I think we occasionally think that God gives us commandments just to assert his authority or to play games with our lives, but in this, as with all other things, the designs of God are to help us to find happiness.

Commandments are like the boundaries of the road that leads to joy and peace, and sure we can veer off the road, take an exit, drive the wrong way on the road and all of the other things that we unwisely do to "express our freedom," but our real freedom comes from being able to find our way on the road that God created for us to be able to reach our glorious destination.

Today, let's keep moving towards our goal, remembering that God gave us commandments to help us find our way, not to harm or restrict us.  As much as we can, let's let go of the distractions and move towards the life and peace that he offers.

James 3:10-13 -- On Blessing and Cursing

"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 like the idea here that we need to be consistent and focused on good, making sure we are always on the blessing side rather than the cursing side... loving rather than hating.  Not saying it is easy, for sure, or that we're not going to make mistakes, but definitely something to strive for.

In James 1:8 it says that a "double minded man is unstable in all his ways," and I think that is generally the same idea we're talking about here.  Just like we can't serve two masters, or keep second guessing our testimonies, we also can't commit to love our neighbors and then choose some to love and the rest to curse... or say that we love people and then curse at them all the time.  Trying to be two people is just confusing the issue--trying to head towards heaven, but take vacations in Hell.  Spoiler: doesn't work out.

Today, let's work on showing our goodness by focusing on doing good, not just occasionally, but exclusively.  As we get better at that, we'll be learning wisdom and meekness, and getting closer to heaven. :)

Romans 12:17-21 -- On Overcoming Evil With Good

"Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12:17-21


I like the idea here that instead of returning evil for evil, we should overcome evil with good.  It's a much better answer to the chaos and destruction created when we choose to answer evil with evil, and just make the world, and ourselves, worse.

Honestly, the idea that good can and will triumph is something that is worth believing in, and acting on.  We too often despair, thinking that the world is just melting down around us and that everyone is getting worse, and we don't pay attention to the good, or support it and reinforce it.

Today, let's think of ways that we can do good and help to overcome evil with good.  God will help us in this effort, as he mentions in the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees (Jacob 5:57-59).  We just have to do our part and grow some good branches. :)  Let's be the good in the world, and always look for the good around us.

Doctrine and Covenants 20:30-34 -- On Taking Heed

"And we know that justification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true;
And we know also, that sanctification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength.
But there is a possibility that man may fall from grace and depart from the living God;
Therefore let the church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptation;
Yea, and even let those who are sanctified take heed also."
Doctrine and Covenants 20:30-34


Overall this scripture is talking about the atonement, and that Christ works to save us all, but that we still need to be careful to repent and not to reject Christ's gift.

If we break it down a little bit more, it is talking about two parts of the atonement, justification and sanctification.  Justification is basically the removal of sin, and sanctification is purification and perfection.  I think it is very similar to how we talk about another view of the two parts of the atonement... overcoming physical death and overcoming spiritual death.  The first is a basic truth... God can pardon our sins (pardoned meaning forgiven without removing the law, but acknowledging that we broke it) because he paid the price for us and has power over death.  The second is an opportunity for us to rise from that sinless state and to build on that foundation and do more, learning to love and to become the type of people that can live in a perfect society, and as we learn that lesson, then we will gain the opportunity to actually become part of one, in the Millennium or afterward in heaven.

I think it is especially important to heed the last warning, that even if we think we're already sanctified and ready for that kind of society, we still need to be careful not to be overconfident in our own righteousness.  A little pride has ruined a lot of perfect societies of the past, and be need to be extra careful of that.  Today, let's believe in Christ's atonement with everything that we are, and work towards sanctification and eternal life, working to be able to return to the presence of God, and careful not to fall into temptation.

Jeremiah 42:1-3 -- On Accepting the Lord's Will

"Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near,
And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the Lord thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:)
That the Lord thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do."
Jeremiah 42:1-3


These people approached the prophet, pleading with him to talk to God and give them some direction about what they should do. The prophet agreed, and they in the next few verses promise to follow God's will, whatever it is. Unfortunately, after God told them what to do, warning them specifically against a different course of action, they pursued that course of action anyway.

I feel like this is the story of all of us, in a way.  We often ask God to confirm our opinions and feelings, to tell us that we are right, and to back up our interpretation of events.  Unfortunately, when we're wrong and God asks us to go a different direction, we refuse to listen, not seeing how God's way could ever work, and so we ignore his will, choosing our own instead, and thereby run into the consequences that God warned us about ahead of time.

Today, let's try being more honest with God.  If we really want something to go a certain way, let's just admit it, and then let's work harder on trusting God and being willing to do HIS will rather than our own.  God will help us get there if we ask for his help. :)

Moroni 7:29-30 -- On Firm Minds

"And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men.
For behold, they are subject unto him, to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness."
Moroni 7:29-30


The idea of a "firm mind" is interesting here, and it is also mentioned in Jacob 3:2: "O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever."

I think we waffle a lot, mentally.  We have an experience and know something for sure, but then later we start doubting, and we can talk ourselves out of rock-solid certainty, if we let it happen.  It happens with purchases (buyer's remorse), and unfortunately with relationships as well.  A "firm mind" is required so that we don't end up regretting every decision we make and constantly rethinking... wondering if we should have chosen differently, if there is something better out there, etc.  It's called commitment, and although we often run from it, it is also a key component in maintaining sanity... making choices and sticking to them.

I'm not saying doubt or questioning is evil.  Everyone needs to learn for themselves, and we shouldn't fake faith or pretend a relationship with God.  God will work with each of us so that we understand on our level and have the opportunity to accept the truth of his gospel, if we go before him with an open mind and heart.  What I am saying is that after we have had that witness and we know that it is true, we need to retain that knowledge and stick with that commitment rather than waffling back and forth, asking for more and more proof and needing a new witness about every aspect of the gospel.  It's like praying about marrying someone, and then rethinking that confirmation every time we meet someone new and attractive.  We weaken the relationship and our commitment to it by reintroducing doubt over and over again.  And the same goes with our relationship with, and commitment to, God.

Today, let's work on having firm minds, and on building on the foundation of faith and trust we already have rather than tearing it down and trying to start over.  If we have concerns, let's go to God with them rather than taking a long slide down into darkness and questioning his existence over again.

Psalms 102:16-22 -- On Lost Sheep

"When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord.
For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth;
To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
To declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord."
Psalms 102:16-22


I like the mention of the destitute, prisoners, and people that are going to die here. In other scriptures the Lord mentions widows, orphans/fatherless, and the oppressed. ... I believe the overall message is that God values everyone, even the people that society often ignores or fails, and that he specifically wants to help those people that feel bereft, abandoned, and helpless.  Since I've felt that way before, as perhaps we all have at times, I really appreciate that focus, and know how important it is that the Lord is concerned about the lost sheep.

Today, I was thinking that we could help God in his efforts in a couple of ways.  One, by expanding our comfort zones and reaching out to people who are struggling or who feel alone, without judging, but just sincerely trying to lift and support.

The other way we can help is by standing firm and going forward and doing what we can to keep ourselves and others from becoming lost in the first place.  Let's help our neighbors before they become destitute, and our friends before they wind up prisoners.  Let's study and learn and get to know God rather than becoming (spiritually) lost ourselves.

1 Samuel 3:3-10 -- On Recognizing the Lord's Voice

"And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.
And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.
Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth."
1 Samuel 3:3-10


I like this story because I think that it helps us understand that knowing and understanding inspiration and even revelation is something that we need to practice and learn, and we aren't always going to understand at first, and we don't need to feel guilty about that... rather, we need to ask, learn, and pay attention so that we can gain understanding of how God talks to us in our lives. Samuel is definitely not the only person in the scriptures who didn't understand God at first. Another example is Christ speaking to the people in Bountiful (3 Nephi 11:3-6), and I think we have probably all had times in our own lives when we weren't sure whether we were hearing the voice of the Lord or not.

Today, let's remember the lesson of Samuel, and work on learning to hear the Lord, and answer when he calls.

Mark 13:34-37 -- On Watching For the Lord

"For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."
Mark 13:34-37


Waiting upon the Lord seems to be about faith and patience, but here we're asked to watch.  I think that implies some amount of waiting, but it adds the idea of being constantly prepared, because we don't know the duration of our waiting.

It's the same idea as the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)... that we need to be prepared for the Lord's timing.  I think that means don't procrastinate our repentance (Alma 13:27, Alma 34:33, Helaman 13:38), but not just that.  Preparation to see the Lord again is a large part of our lives, but he isn't just talking about death, but also life.  What can we do to "be ready always" (1 Peter 3:15) to do God's will?  I think part of that is the daily pattern of our lives.  If we read, study, and think about the scriptures, then God's word will start filling us up, and we'll have those answers ready when the time comes that we need them.  Isn't that part of the symbolic oil that some of the virgins needed to go buy?  And scriptures of course is just an example... the idea is to keep the spirit with us, and be listening for inspiration all the time, and if we get into that pattern, then we won't be left unprepared when God calls us to speak, or help, or anything at all that is needed.

Today, let's commit to not only wait, but watch for the Lord, staying ready to do his will so that we won't be unable to do as he asks when the time is right.

Psalms 37:5-9 -- On Waiting Upon the Lord

"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth."
Psalms 37:5-9


We're told in many scriptures to wait on the Lord (Isaiah 40:31, Zephaniah 3:8, 2 Nephi 6:7, etc.), and I think this verse helps to clarify what that means--basically to be patient and not get upset when the Lord does things according to his timing, even when that sometimes interferes with our plans. If we commit our way to the Lord, he'll help us get what we need and want, but it won't always be immediately. In the interim it might seem like sin is a winning strategy... but that's not true even a little bit. If we have patience, that will become abundantly clear.

The more I think about it, the more I think that patience is a superpower.  With it, we could solve so many problems in our lives.  We'd save ourselves from a lot of anxiety and pain... but waiting on the Lord, even more than regular patience, would bring us peace, because with that little bit of faith and patience, we would know that things were going to work out for the best, and that we didn't need to judge, or get so worked up about temporary setbacks... mentally and emotionally we could take a step back and trust and wait rather than worry and demand. :)

Today, let's cultivate that superpower, and learn to wait upon the Lord. :)

Psalms 103:8-12 -- On Mercy and Grace

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."
Psalms 103:8-12


I like the "he hath not dealt with us..." line here.  I think it is very clear that God has treated us much better than our sins deserve.  It reminds me of Jacob 5 and the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees, and the servant saying "Spare it a little longer."   And the Lord does spare the trees, symbolically us, partially because the servant (Christ) asks it, partially because he made promises to our ancestors, but I think mostly because he loves all of us, and wants to give us a chance to change and become better.

Today, let's be grateful for his mercy... not just to us, but to everyone.  We ask sometimes in selfishness why bad things happen to good people, but the answer is in front of us.  Bad things happen because God is tolerating the bad things from us temporarily so that we can learn.  Everyone gets that chance--all of us, and we need to learn to work around the mistakes of others, even as others have to work around ours.  Let's be willing to let God make those decisions so that we have that extra time to get our heads on straight, and allow others that grace as well.

Ether 2:24 -- On Crossing the Great Deep

"For behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea; for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth.

And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come. Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?"
Ether 2:24


This is part of a conversation between the Lord and the Brother of Jared, and there are a ton of really cool things in this story, but this verse struck me today because, even though I know it is talking about them traveling in their barges, it seemed like a larger symbolic message.

Aren't our lives often like crossing the great deep?  We frequently just have no idea where we're going... not saying that planning things out isn't a good idea, but nothing ever sticks to the plan entirely.  Those mountain waves are going to "dash" us when we don't expect it, and we can't see where they are going to take us... but God can see those patterns, and he can help us and prepare us against these things.

Today, let's stick with God who can help us through even when we're utterly lost, and give us light and hope even when we're swallowed up in the depths the sea. :)

Ezekiel 7:6-9 -- On Endings and Cleansings

"An end is come, the end is come: it watcheth for thee; behold, it is come.
The morning is come unto thee, O thou that dwellest in the land: the time is come, the day of trouble is near, and not the sounding again of the mountains.
Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and accomplish mine anger upon thee: and I will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all thine abominations.
And mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will recompense thee according to thy ways and thine abominations that are in the midst of thee; and ye shall know that I am the Lord that smiteth."
Ezekiel 7:6-9


Most of the time I like to emphasize the longsuffering nature of God and the fact that he gives us so many chances to start over, it is like a video game... as long as we put in the effort and change up our tactics when we make mistakes, we can keep restarting until we win.

This verse is not that kind of a scripture.  This one is a reminder that life is in fact, not a video game, and at some point we have to realize that the consequences are real and that we can't keep sinning and expecting God to ignore it forever.  God *is* going to return and make things right, and if we haven't repented and we are still wallowing in sin (or have chosen to become decidedly evil) then, despite all of his warnings and guidance and help, then making things right is going to remove us from the equation.

God isn't making this choice lightly... he's given us zillions of chances and warnings.  Even in this verse he is warning us to repent.  At some point though, it has to happen, because the world has to be cleansed and the fruit of the vineyard has to be gathered, and at least the mortal part of the story has to have a conclusion--so that the way can be cleared for the Millennium and, like a phoenix perhaps, the world can rise again and finally become the paradise that it should be.  We know this part of the story too, and we want what comes after this... the lamb dwelling with the lion, the children growing up without sickness to the age of a tree... the society based on righteousness with no poor (not because they are excluded, but because everyone loves and helps each other).  Unfortunately, before we can get there, there has to be an end to evil... including within us.

Today, let's work on flushing the evil out of our systems now, so we don't have to fear being recompensed according to our ways.  The morning will still come as it says, not just an echo of trouble but the real thing... but if we are prepared, and have heeded the Lord, we need not fear this end, or being judged, because the Lord will be with us and will save us, despite whatever calamities occur.

Revelation 11:7 -- On Death and Happy Endings

"And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them."
Revelation 11:7


This chapter discusses the last days, and two prophets that will testify in Jerusalem. before the second coming.  ... As this verse explains, they will then die.

Sometimes God saves us from impossibly hard situations, as he did Abraham and Isaac.  Sometimes he lets people tie us up or sell us into slavery... Nephi and Joseph could tell you about those situations.  Sometimes he saves us from a fiery death, like Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, But sometimes, like Abinadi, not.  That doesn't mean of course that Satan wins, or that God's will is thwarted.  It just means that isn't the way it is going to play out, but God knows all of it, and it is all provided for in his plan.  Not everyone gets saved in this life... but everyone *does* get saved.  Some of the chapters in our life are going to be sad, but the ending is still happy. :)

I think that is part of what God means when he says "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it" (Matthew 10:39).  If we focus on now, and put our life above God, then we might lose out on the eternal possibilities of a way better life--but if we focus on that future life and live for that, then even if we do lose our lives now, we'll have that eternal life always.

Today, let's work towards that eternal life  and happy ending, and trust in it, and in God, as we work through some of the fun and less-fun parts of our lives and setting our priorities along the way.

Psalms 138:6-8 -- On the Process of Perfection

"Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands."
Psalms 138:6-8


I love all of this, but I think my favorite part is "the Lord will perfect that which concerneth me" ... the idea that even though we are flawed and lowly, the Lord can raise us up and perfect us.

That doesn't mean that it is easy of course, but I feel like just the fact that perfection is possible for each of us, as flawed as we are, is unbelievably amazing.  God loves us and wants to help us, no matter what kind of hole we've dug for ourselves, no matter how far we are away from who we want to be... he can bridge that gap, and help us still get there.

Today, let's walk with God and follow his path.  As we do, he will help us work through the process of perfection, little by little, and he will never give up on us even when we're really slow to catch on. :)