Numbers 22:27-28 -- On Open Mouths and Motivation

"And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?"
Numbers 22:27-28


This is just part of a story about Balaam, but I like this part of it because I love that God opens the mouth of an animal to give feedback to Balaam after she saves his life three times. I think it is interesting that he opens her mouth, and I wonder if all animals had their mouths opened like this what kind of feedback we would get from them.

I also think these verses are a huge reminder that we need to stay close to the spirit. Balaam was tempted to use his position as a prophet to gain riches and honor, and God reminds him that would be unwise. But sometimes we do similar things, not thinking about it too much, or at least trying to avoid thinking about it too much. Perhaps Balaam thought it wasn't a really big deal if someone made his life a little easier in return for some prophecy. God's angel rebuked him for going for the wrong reasons, but then told him to do it anyway, this time for the right reasons... to actually do God's will, and his alone. Motivation matters. Desire matters. We become who we want to be, and we're making that decision all the time.

Today, let's think about our motivation, and make sure we aren't betraying God in order to get something for ourselves. ... And let's be kind to animals, who might have something to say about it. :)

Romans 5:1-5 -- On Tribulation, Tragedy, and Triumph

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
Romans 5:1-5


I like the idea of all of these things being interconnected, and really what this makes me think is that just like faith, tribulation, and hope, even tragedy and blessing are intertwined. The missed plane tragedy for one person is a blessing of being able to move to a new seat, or to make a plane for someone else. The blessing of a new home for us might have been a tragedy of losing a job and not being able to afford a home for someone else... the whole world is a tapestry of bad and good shuttling back and forth, and "all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28) in the end. ... Yes, even the bad things, because they are part of God's creation, and his plan. Anything that doesn't get solved in what we can see of God's design will be solved before the entire pattern is revealed. Yes, death and pain exist, but Christ triumphed over them, and they can never win.

Today, let's remember that tribulation and faith are part of each other, and that God's pattern is a mixture of good and bad for a reason. If we stick with God, everything will work out for good in the end. Let's "rejoice in hope" and in everything good that God has in store, even if we have to go through some tribulation to get there.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 -- On the God of All Comfort

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."
2 Corinthians 1:3-4


I really like the idea of "the God of all comfort" ... that God is not only interested in comforting us, but that all comfort comes from him, and that once we get that reassurance ourselves and regain our confidence, then we can pass comfort on to others. It seems like a brilliant system.

I guess the other thing that strikes me... and I should know this, but good to remember... is that God doesn't want us to suffer.  He wants us comforted, confident, and faithful... okay with ourselves and others and able to move forward.  Maybe sometimes we get into the habit of thinking that this life is a trial (which it is) and that we just have to suffer through until things are better (after we're dead or thereabouts).  ... And that just isn't true, even though perhaps it feels true sometimes.

In truth, God wants us to be "happy now" (Mormon 9:14), and the idea of enduring to the end is not the same as suffering until death.  We're going to go through hard things, but there is relief, and there is comfort... Christ promises us "I will not leave you comfortless" (John 14:18).  Today, let's take hold of that promise, look to him for help when we need it, and pass on the comfort that we receive to others. :)

Joel 2:21-26 -- On Overwhelming Good

"Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things.
Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed."
Joel 2:21-26


This chapter is about the Second Coming.  I like how the land, the beasts, and the people are addressed in turn here, and my favorite part is the idea of restoring the bad years... I think that captures everything that God has in store for us, and the whole meaning behind the Second Coming.  To make things better, and wipe out the evil days and the evil things through overwhelming good. :)

Today, let's try imagining how we could inject some overwhelming good into the world, and then let's try. :)

Amos 9:13-14 -- On Scarcity and Abundance

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.
And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them."
Amos 9:13-14


This chapter is talking about the scattering and gathering of Israel overall. The part I found intriguing here is the idea of the plowman overtaking the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth the seed... imagining how that could be so. To me, it sounds like amazing, wild growth... maybe a return to a Garden-of-Eden type of environment where there is abundance, and no weeds or other impediments to growth... so things are growing more than they are being harvested, and there is more than we need.

There's a double meaning here as well, because the last verse talks about planting people, which will "no more be pulled up out of their land" (verse 15), so the idea includes abundance in plants/food *and* in people. That seems like the Millenium to me, although it's unclear here if more than one time is being spoken of, since the gathering of Israel, the waste cities, and then the restoration of everything are all spoken of in different ways and different places. For today though, let's rest in the hope of that future day when the plowmen will overtake the reaper, and there will be enough for all. :)

I love that idea, that we will be able to work from a place of abundance rather than worrying about scarcity. ... And it makes me wonder if, in God, that is the way it always is, and scarcity is the illusion. Today, let's trust in God's abundance and look unto him in our need.

2 Corinthians 5:6-10 -- On Confidence and Walking by Faith

"Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."
2 Corinthians 5:6-10


I like the idea here that we can be confident in the Lord, walking by faith and not sight. It's hard to walk that way... hard to trust things that don't match our perception of the world, but when we can work with God that way, even just a little bit, we see miraculous things happen.

Another cool idea here is the idea that death isn't something to be afraid of, and it is actually something that will bring us closer to God. It's an idea that helps us to focus on using this life to prepare to return to God. Definitely not advocating anything that would shorten our normal lifespans of course... I believe that God wants us to use our time wisely. I do think though that letting go of some of the fear of death can help us to focus more on what really matters... eternity, and the knowledge and relationships that we can take with us, rather than things that we can't. :)

Today, let's work on walking by faith, unafraid of death. It doesn't mean we have to wear a blindfold everywhere, take life-threatening risks, or that we shouldn't be making good decisions in our lives based on normal evidence. :) It just means that we should remember that God is real, and a God of miracles, and that the more we can trust him, the better he can guide us to amazing blessings that we can't yet see. Let's work on developing confidence in God. :)

Acts 16:25-30 -- On Miracles for Other People

"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
Acts 16:25-30


This is an interesting miracle where Paul and Silas were in prison, and their feet were in stocks, and then suddenly they were free, and the doors were opened.  ... and, were I in prison, and praying at that moment, I think I probably would have been like, okay, this is a definite sign.  Earthquake alone might open all the doors, but for these stocks to be loosed, that seems like clear divine intervention.  ... And so it was, of course, but nobody ran, and Paul's concern was with saving the jailer and assuring him that the prisoners were still there.

It was still truly a miracle, but not the one I selfishly would have assumed it was.  Rather, it helped the jailer and his whole household to be converted.  And maybe the message to us here is that God works in mysterious ways, and we should think of other people before ourselves, even in the most trying situations.  ... In fact, perhaps if we are focused on how we can help others, our situations become easier to bear, and we find that (like Joseph in Egypt, or Esther), God has actually placed us a difficult situation "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14).

Today, before we complain about our situation, let's look around and see if God has placed us here to help someone else.  Sometimes there isn't anything immediate that we can do, but later the experience helps us to assist others who are going through something similar.  Let's work with God to find the meaning behind the miracles, remembering that often it really isn't about us. :)

Matthew 18:23-27 -- On Forgiveness

"Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt."
Matthew 18:23-27


This is the beginning of the parable of the unforgiving servant (or unmerciful servant).  This first part symbolizes God as the king, and us as his servants... the debt is sin.  And ten thousand talents is astronomical.  Pretty much a debt that you're never going to be able to pay under normal conditions.  And yet, God forgives us the debt.

This is talking about the atonement and God's mercy towards us in accepting much less than justice demanded of him, and allowing us time to meet the requirements of heaven rather than sacrificing that chance because we don't measure up right now.

The first part of the parable here helps us to understand the second part, which goes on to tell how the servant that was forgiven such an immense debt went on to torture another servant who owed him almost nothing, and because he didn't pass on the mercy that was shown to him, the king withdrew it.

I think the main message in the overall parable is that if we want to be forgiven, we need to forgive.  This is much the same as being willing to love others and to treat them the way we would prefer to be treated.  The first part of the parable helps us to understand the humility of our own situation.  We aren't kings, granting or withholding our largess as we see fit.  God is in that position.  He is rich, being without sin.  We are in debt to him already, and rather than pridefully refusing to forgive those who have wronged us, if we understand our own sins/debt... perhaps we will be able to have compassion enough to forgive the shortcomings of others as well.  It's certainly not easy... either to repent or forgive, but today, let's work on it, and live in thanks that God is willing to lift that burden from all of us.

Job 5:2 -- On Deadly Emotions

"For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one."
Job 5:2


Some good reminders today about being wary of wrath and envy.  We all feel those things at time, but we don't have to let them destroy us.  If we work at it, and get God's help, we can let go of those emotions and turn to something more productive, and emotions that will hopefully cause less harm, to others as well as ourselves.

Today, let's take a look at our lives and work to let go of any lingering anger and jealousy so that those things can't poison our lives further.  Let's turn to God for help with overcoming the strong feelings that we are having a hard time purging from our hearts and for help in filling ourselves with love instead, working to help and lift rather than to harm in any way.

Jeremiah 23:10-11 -- On Avoiding the Profane

"For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.
For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the Lord."
Jeremiah 23:10-11


These verses struck me today I think because of how lightly we take swearing and profanity, and how seriously it is mentioned here along with other serious sin. In Matthew we're told "let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil" (Matthew 5:37). I wonder if that is because anything that is more elaborate often has some other motive... to look good to others, to shade the truth, to curry favor, or many other things. We can use words to manipulate, threaten, and the subtext can get so thick that saying anything in some circumstances seems scary. :) God encourages plain speaking, letting people know that we agree or disagree rather than dressing up our opinions as political effigies or symbols of our edgy and cool rebelliousness... or whatever else we are trying to show off that day. :)
I don't know all the reasons that it is important not to swear, but perhaps it also overextends ourselves as we talk ourselves into a corner, or commit more to our opinions than we should, so it is hard to come back and refine or reject an opinion once we find that we are in error. Speaking of profanity only, I find that when I am around people who are using bad words a lot, they more easily pop into my mind as well, and I don't want them there... I feel like it distracts from the spirit and is making me a worse person, not a better one. That might not be how you are affected in a similar circumstance, but for me, that's another reason. All of the gospel seems tied together and the more we accept impurities into our lives, the harder it is to feel the spirit, and to hear God in our lives. Today, let's avoid the profane and work towards the good and the pure, so that we can hear, and feel, God more clearly in our lives.

Proverbs 3:5-6 -- On Leaning on a Higher Wisdom

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Proverbs 3:5-6


It's hard to "lean not" on our own understanding, because you know... we live there right now. :)  The verse after this asks us not to be wise in our own eyes, and I think that is generally the same idea... rather than trusting that we are wiser than everyone else, especially God, we should "consider [our]selves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility" (2 Nephi 9:42).

Many of the problems we get into in life are rooted in pride... thinking that we know best, that we know how to handle things, that what we think is always the right thing, the best opinion, the answer to everything.  As we grow in wisdom I think we learn to listen more to others and to see things from different perspectives, and incorporate those perspectives into our decision-making.

Christ suffered for all of us, and gained a unique perspective where he can see things as we do... he actually knows what it is like to stand in our shoes, and to suffer our individual temptations.  He loved us enough to learn what it is like to be us, and his compassion is without equal, as is his advice, because unlike us, he knows the way out of our problems just as well as he knows what it is like to be in them.

Today, let's lean on God's understanding more than our own.  An honest look at our own lives will show us that we make some really bad calls, and Christ can help us with that, and teach us to do better, but first we have to be willing to hear him and not drown out the spirit with our own internal bellows of thoughtless selfishness.  Let's work on tuning in to a higher wisdom.

Alma 36:2 -- On the Context of God

"I would that ye should do as I have done, in remembering the captivity of our fathers; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it was the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he surely did deliver them in their afflictions."
Alma 36:2


Sometimes I think we forget the larger context of our lives, getting caught up in only what is in front of us, and not seeing how our immediate reality fits together with everything else. That's one of the reasons for the scriptures, because they have "enlarged the memory of this people" (Alma 37:8), and will continue to do so, if we pay heed to them.

Remembering the stories, of captivity, of hardship, of faith, of triumph--all of these help us realize that there is precedent for hope and faith, even in the worst circumstances.  They help us remember that we are not alone, that God listens to and delivers his people, that he loves us and makes a way for us if we are careful to walk in it as he instructs.

Today, let's remember the captivity of our fathers, and the power and deliverance of our God, who is able help us out of our afflictions just as he delivered them.  Let's read and enlarge our memories and put our lives in the context of God.

Alma 45:16 -- On Cursing, Blessing, and Justice

"And he said: Thus saith the Lord God—Cursed shall be the land, yea, this land, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, unto destruction, which do wickedly, when they are fully ripe; and as I have said so shall it be; for this is the cursing and the blessing of God upon the land, for the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance."
Alma 45:16


This is an interesting curse... I think it is the phrase "when they are fully ripe" that indicates both a "cursing" and "blessing" here, because it delays justice, which allows harm, but also provides for mercy.  This enables all of us to escape the untempered justice we would otherwise face for our sins, making room for the atonement of Christ and for repentance.  Perfect justice will still happen, but all of us have a little bit of breathing room to give us a chance to change and repent before it happens, and for those sins that we commit and are able to clear from our souls, Christ bears the burden.

So, cursed and blessed, the land allows both evil and good, but like the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees (Jacob 5:3-77), when the evil is fully ripened, it will be destroyed/cast into the fire (Jacob 5:37, 58).  God cannot allow sin, but like the woman taken in adultery, he gives us room to change (John 8:11) before justice makes its claim.

Today, whether we feel blessed or cursed by delayed justice, let's remember that it is also the price of mercy, and also that justice is still surely coming.  Let's work to avoid destruction through repentance, and help others to do the same, before that inevitable time.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 -- On Proving All Things

"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."
1 Thessalonians 5:21


This reminds me of Alma 32 and "experiment upon my words" (verse 27).

God wants us to find our for ourselves.  Talking about tithing, he says "prove me now herewith," asking us to try the principle and let him show us how it works.  He tells us that "by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:5), so he's definitely not limiting us to one principle, but asking us to reach out and try... "even if ye can no more than desire to believe..." (Alma 32:27), he tells us to plant that seed of faith and watch it grow until we know more.

Today, let's go with the spirit.  Let's go before God with our questions and our desires and ask God everything we want to know.  It might not come in a single lightning bolt of knowledge... but then again, it might.  God wants us to ask him, and he wants to help us believe.  Let's be bold and faithful enough to try.  And then, when we know, let's hold on to that testimony and never let it go.

Romans 12:21 -- On Overcoming Evil

"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12:21


Not saying it is easy, but this is excellent advice, and (as with all things that God asks us to do), possible.  We can get feeling overwhelmed and feel like we can't fight the evil, that we can't do anything about it, either in the world or in our own lives... but the message God is sending us is that we can.  If the scriptures overall are about anything, they are about the power of one person to make a difference when we listen to God and follow his way.

With God's help, we have the power not to be overwhelmed by evil, but to push back the other way, letting God (and good) prevail in our lives, and using our example and influence for good in the world around us.  Today, let's do so, remembering that we won't succeed every time we try, but that if we press forward trusting in God that we will eventually succeed because God will make a way forward.

Exodus 6:9 -- On Anguish and Hope

"And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage."
Exodus 6:9


This is part of the story of Israel being delivered from slavery in Egypt, after Moses tried to get Pharoah to let everyone go, and instead he made their burdens greater. So, when Moses promises them again that God will deliver them, it's hard to believe. So far, things seem worse. It's a similar story to Nephi and his brothers going back for the Brass plates, and Laban stealing everything they own and trying to kill them... I mean, it's hard to keep believing after you try to do what God asks and fail repeatedly, and end up worse than before. You wonder if you heard wrong, or you're doing it wrong, or something is just inherently wrong with you spiritually.

I think sometimes the bad chapters in our lives are because God is trying to give other people the chance to do the right thing too.  He loved Pharoah and he loved Laban, and wanted them to have that chance to soften their hearts and listen to the spirit before escalating... but even though the bad chapters are disheartening, having faith in the Lord is remembering that he is leading us to a happy ending.  If we keep reading and trusting and turning those pages, doing whatever we can to push the plot forward, in the end everything will work out for good.

Today, let's remember that the discouraging times are only the middle chapters, and that the hero isn't ever meant to fail.  Each of us can be the hero, as we turn to Christ and walk with him on the path he shows us.  Let's listen when God promises to deliver us, because no matter how dark the dungeon of our lives, the sun will rise and our God will always come to save us. :)

Psalms 37:7-11 -- On Anger and Peace

"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.
For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."
Psalms 37:7-11


It's hard sometimes to believe that God's way is the right way, because we see unfairness and inequality around us, and we know it isn't right. We see people profiting from other people's pain and desperation, and we see injustice that God allows to happen.

God reminds us here (and elsewhere) that the imbalance and evil in the world are temporary things, and that justice will catch up with everyone.  This is our small space in which we can repent and change, before it catches up with us... and everyone else has that same chance.

If we're meek and understand God's plan, then we can have faith and "fret not" and let go of our concern about temporary injustice, knowing that God will make everything right in the end.  ... Not to say that we shouldn't try to solve problems of injustice in the world, of course, because we should always be anxiously engaged in God's work and making the world a better place, and a place where *everyone* has a chance at life and peace.  God is just saying that we don't have to hold anger and resentment about how evildoers have better lives than we do, since it will truly all work out in the end.

Today, let's rest in the Lord and forsake our wrath.  Instead of blaming God or others for the injustices that we see, let's do what we can about it, helping rather than harming, and what we can't solve, let's trust God to make right--as he assures us that he will.  In the meantime, let's also repent of our own portion of evil, thankful for the space and mercy God has granted us to cleanse ourselves before his judgement and our eventual abundance of peace. :)

Deuteronomy 12:7-8 -- On Commandments for the Promised Land

"And there ye shall eat before the Lord your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the Lord thy God hath blessed thee.
Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes."
Deuteronomy 12:7-8


Here, God is describing a little of what he expects when he leads the Israelites to the promised land, and I love that one of the things is rejoicing.  Pretty cool commandment. :)

He also says that we shouldn't do whatever we feel like doing according to our own personal code, and a few verses later he mentions that we need to follow his commandments... basically the same laws for everyone.  Which seems fair, right? :)

Today, in our individual lands of promise, let's remember to rejoice, and that we're also part of a community, where we need to work together, following the same rules, in order to help each other and do God's will.  ... And then let's remember to rejoice again, because I think we get distracted from that one way too often. :)

Jacob 2:35 -- On Causing Harm

"Behold, ye have done greater iniquities than the Lamanites, our brethren. Ye have broken the hearts of your tender wives, and lost the confidence of your children, because of your bad examples before them; and the sobbings of their hearts ascend up to God against you. And because of the strictness of the word of God, which cometh down against you, many hearts died, pierced with deep wounds."
Jacob 2:35


As unproductive and pointless as it is, we have a tendency to compare sins. We think to ourselves, well, yes, I did something bad, but at least I didn't do [insert some other sin here].  That's not a very good way to think about sin, especially as it encourages us to judge other people by their sins, which is not a flattering way to look at anyone, and likely not have we want anyone looking at us. :)

Interestingly though, Jacob makes a sin comparison here that kind of turns the idea on its head.  In the next chapter he explains further about the Lamanites following the commandments with regard to their wives and children (Jacob 3:5-7), and in verse 9 mentions that their filthiness came because of their fathers--basically it seems that this hatred against the Nephites that they had learned from their fathers (and the resultant attempts to kill the Nephites) was easier for God to forgive than the "whoredoms" of the Nephites.

Obviously comparison doesn't justify hatred, murder, or whoredoms.  We shouldn't ever tell ourselves that it is okay to do one thing because it isn't "as bad" as another.  However, I think this story tells us one thing clearly--that mental and emotional damage is at least as harmful as physical damage, in the eyes of the Lord.  Today, let's make sure that we are bending over backwards to avoid harming others, in any way.  Let's think about what we say and do and do everything we can to heal rather than hurt... as Christ did, and does, for us.

Genesis 38:24-26 -- On Harlots and Hypocrisy

"And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.
When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.
And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more."
Genesis 38:24-26


This is part of a crazy story (at least from a modern perspective) where Judah's oldest son dies, and he gives the wife to his second son, and he dies too, and so he says wait, and I'll give you to my third son when he grows up a little. (The whole passing-on-the wife thing was traditional then, it seems.)

So, he doesn't give her to his third son, because he apparently thinks that she is the reason his sons keep dying, and Tamar is left alone.  So, one day Tamar hears that Judah is going to a place nearby... so she dresses up like a prostitute and waits in the road.  Sure enough, he approaches the supposed prostitute and she asks for a pledge from him (the ring, bracelets, and staff mentioned above).  That's when these verses come in, where Judah orders her burnt, and she is able to talk him out of it by showing that he is the father.

The conclusion "she hath been more righteous than I" isn't a given for us because we're outside of the cultural context, but it seems like he was responsible to make sure she had the opportunity to have children even after her husband died, and so she had essentially tricked him into making it right, despite his refusal to do it the traditional way.

For us, I'm not sure any of the actions here are ones that we want to emulate, but perhaps a good lesson for today is don't be a hypocrite.  Let's not order other people to be burnt or condemned for things that we are also participating in.  ... I mean, staying away from burning other people entirely is actually better, but you know... symbolically, let's take a step back and apply commandments to ourselves rather than others, and let God make those drastic decisions about who is still capable of repenting and changing and who isn't, and whose actions are justified in every bizarre situation.  We have enough to worry about trying to perfect our own lives.

Helaman 15:3 -- On Chastening and Love

"Yea, wo unto this people who are called the people of Nephi except they shall repent, when they shall see all these signs and wonders which shall be showed unto them; for behold, they have been a chosen people of the Lord; yea, the people of Nephi hath he loved, and also hath he chastened them; yea, in the days of their iniquities hath he chastened them because he loveth them."
Helaman 15:3


The idea of chastening out of love, when used by corrupt or misled mortals, can be a twisted thing of manipulation, guilt, and even abuse--hurting someone because you love them isn't an eternal truth that I am trying to pass on to all of you, I promise, and of course abuse is never what God is about.

As a perfect being, God can chastise without manipulating or harming us.  We don't have to doubt his intentions, and it is easier to understand that he means establishing boundaries, reminding us of our promises, and holding us responsible for our actions.  He is always encouraging us to become better.

Sometimes those things hurt, especially when we realize how badly we've messed up our lives or affected other people negatively.  One thing that God offers at the same time as chastisement though is repentance ... the opportunity and ability to change, to wash away the bad and to start to fill ourselves with good.  Like a good coach, teacher, or parent, he corrects us so that we can do better on our next attempt, but unlike mortals, he never risks going too far or pushing too much.  He knows us perfectly, and loves us enough to encourage without toppling us over into despair or hopelessness.

Today, let's also remember that love doesn't mean permissiveness and over-indulgence, but that true love involves helping us to be our best selves.  God doesn't abandon us to our own choices, but keeps offering us better ones. :)  Let's turn to him and make some changes.

Psalms 11:4 -- On How God Sees Us

"The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men."
Psalms 11:4


This is a good reminder that God is truly in charge and that he sees all that we do and are. The thing that I find interesting about this verse is the part about eyelids. All the bible commentaries (at least on Bible Hub) say that the eyelid part is about the contraction of the eye when it is intently studying something.  They're probably right, but I was also thinking that because of our perception, it might be a trial to us if we think that God blinks or rests and thus misses something.

That's of course thinking of him as fallible, which as God he is not.  Because Christ has a body and has eyelids, we might therefore assume that his physical body does blink, and we are told that God rested during the creation.

We also read, however, that we need to look past the "outward appearance" (1 Samuel 16:7, 2 Corinthians 10:7) as God does.  And clearly, just in reading about Christ's life, he could see much farther spiritually than his physical eyes were able to reach.

Today, even when we are tempted to think of God as mortal and fallible, because of his eyelids or any other factor, let's remember that he is the creator of the universe, that his throne is in heaven, and that he sees us completely and individually... and then let's be glad of that--of our perfect friend who knows us perfectly and loves us anyway, who is willing to do all good things for us, to help and save us from ourselves and lead us to a better place. :)

Mark 4:23 -- On Hearing the Lord

"If any man have ears to hear, let him hear."
Mark 4:23


Interestingly, Christ says this soon after explaining the parable of the sower. Thinking about the lesson of that parable, that we need to be the good ground for the seeds of the gospel, it seems that this phrase is explaining something similar... just as the gospel is always good and it is our ground and weeds that can be an impediment to growth, so too is God *always* speaking to us, always reaching out and offering us his Spirit to help guide and gladden our lives.  And it is up to us to hear him... to tune into that frequency through prayer and study, and being willing to listen and learn and do as he asks.

Today, let's have ears to hear him.  As we develop in this way, God will be able to communicate with us more and more, granting us more joy and more guidance.

3 Nephi 8:3-6 -- On Destruction and Preparation

And the people began to look with great earnestness for the sign which had been given by the prophet Samuel, the Lamanite, yea, for the time that there should be darkness for the space of three days over the face of the land.
And there began to be great doubtings and disputations among the people, notwithstanding so many signs had been given.
And it came to pass in the thirty and fourth year, in the first month, on the fourth day of the month, there arose a great storm, such an one as never had been known in all the land.
And there was also a great and terrible tempest; and there was terrible thunder, insomuch that it did shake the whole earth as if it was about to divide asunder."
3 Nephi 8:3-6


These verses strike me as kind of an illustration of what was going on at the time on two different levels.  There was this inner turmoil among the people, and this gigantic external turmoil in nature... cataclysmic events on the nature side, I mean--several cities completely drowned, at least one covered up by a literal mountain, along with other tornadoes and earthquakes.  Unbelievable destruction all packed into three hours (verse 19).  And yet, spiritually, the inner and interpersonal turmoil mattered more because it's the last time most of those people had to make any change in their lives or to choose anything at all, and even for the people left alive, it was the very last time they had to prepare before the division described in 3 Nephi 9:12-13.

Three days after this, the people left alive have the opportunity to meet Christ, and if they had known that, perhaps they would have made different choices and prepared differently.  It makes me wonder if we're focusing on the right things in our lives.  So often we zoom in on external cataclysms, and I am totally not saying that those things don't matter, but perhaps what matters more is what is going on inside and between us--the choices we are making, and the people that we are becoming.  Maybe in the end that is the lesson of the story of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), and all the stories of the Second Coming--to get us to focus on preparation rather than destruction.  We only have very vague ideas about when the bridegroom is going to show up for the wedding, and so being prepared with extra oil in our lamps really matters.  Nothing says a shut door (Matthew 25:10) like what happened here.  Too late was "everlastingly too late" (Helaman 13:38).

Today, instead of worrying about external things, let's take some time to examine the state of our souls and think about what we would do differently if we knew that we would meet Christ in three days.  We likely have longer--not predicting doom, of course--but we don't ever know what time we have, so let's make sure we are as prepared as possible well ahead of time, and then we won't need to worry about how late is too late ever again. :)

Isaiah 25:7-9 -- On Veils

"And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations.
He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation."
Isaiah 25:7-9


When it talks about "the covering cast over all people" and refers to it as a "veil," it's interesting wording, because there are a lot of scriptures that talk about veils.  Some have kind of a negative connotation, like symbolic darkness from Satan in Moses 7:26, or the veil that blinds us to truth in 2 Corinthians 3:14.  We also read about "the dark veil of unbelief" (Alma 19:6) which can be cast away through conversion.

The Brother of Jared "could not be kept from beholding within the veil" (Ether 3:19), and hope is "an anchor of the soul . . . which entereth into that within the veil" (Hebrews 6:19).  We also read that if we are able to strip ourselves of jealousies and fears and are humble that "the veil shall be rent" and we will be able to see and know God (D&C 67:10).

This verse tells us about some amazing things that will happen when "the veil" is destroyed, some of which we also read about in Ether 4:15, D&C 38:8, and D&C 101:23.  Presumably this is the same veil which we know from modern revelation is also what separates us from our premortal memories and our postmortal relatives (many, many references, but examples: "Our Message to the World by Robert E. Wells October 1995, "The Power of God's Love" by John H Groberg October 2004, and "O Remember, Remember" by Henry B. Eyring October 2007).

In all cases the term seems to symbolize our separation from the light and truth and even the actual presence of God, and so when this verse, and all the rest, talk about the veil being rent or destroyed or people being able to see past it, is is a joyous thing... none perhaps more joyous than this one though, talking about death and tears and shadow being put behind us, and finally getting what we all have been waiting for all of our lives, to be able to stand in God's presence and know that he is here to save us. :)  No more veils.  Today, let's look forward to that day, and through study and prayer and fasting, let's make the veils in our lives as thin as we can, so we can bask in God's love even now. 

2 Corinthians 3:17 -- On Spirit and Liberty

"Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."
2 Corinthians 3:17


Liberty, here, seems to be based on something we don't usually associate with it.  Typically we think that liberty or freedom is the absence of rules, or the freedom to do anything we want to do... and often assume that includes a lack of consequences, because we think that we shouldn't have to suffer for our freedom.

Here though, liberty is associated with the Spirit, basically saying that true freedom comes from having the Spirit with us.  That makes sense to me because when we have the spirit we are free from so many negative things... sin, despair, doubt, addiction... I mean, it seems like every negative thing is gone, or at least gets put on hold, when we are feeling the spirit--that conduit connecting us to the Lord allows us to be filled with light and hope and love and everything good, and the freedom to feel those things and not be trapped in our own doubts and fears... that certainly seems like liberty to me. :)

Today, let's go before the Lord with all that we are struggling with and feel his presence.  Instant partial relief, and maybe even permanent relief if we follow through and repent and practice and keep that spirit with us.  And that's the idea.  Heaven is when we learn it well enough that we can have that all the time.  Let's keep at it. :)

Psalms 4:4-5 -- On Communing With Our Own Hearts

"Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord."
Psalms 4:4-5


Some good advice here about standing in awe of God, sinning not, and trusting God. I thought the "commune with your own heart" part was interesting, and maybe something we don't think about all that often. Part of the gospel, and our purpose in life, I think it to figure ourselves out, which we have to do in order to make choices and commitments that we won't go back on... like our covenants with God.

I also think that the phrase "the sacrifices of righteousness" is interesting... because it is a sacrifice, or at least it feels like one when we run up against the places where our will and God's will don't mesh.  We have to sacrifice our pride and our rebelliousness, and join Christ in saying "not my will, but thine, be done" (Luke 22:42)... which can be super hard.

Today, let's commune with our own hearts and determine the obstacles and walls that we've built to keep God out... and then let's work to take those walls down as part of our sacrifice for the Lord, and also part of our individual purification... the idea with all the sacrifices we make for God is that we are giving up things that are holding us back from being our best selves.  It feels vulnerable to take down our barriers, but God is worthy of our trust, and will bless us with hope, joy, and peace as we do so.

Psalms 71:4-5 -- On Hope and Deliverance

"Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth."
Psalms 71:4-5


A good reminder today that no matter what happens in our lives or in the world around us, God is always there, with an arm outstretched to help us.  Deliverance in the short term won't always happen, but in the long-term it is *certain.*

Today, let's see the hope even through the challenges, and turn to God in our need.

Psalms 90:12 -- On Numbering Our Days

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."
Psalms 90:12


I know this kind of sounds like the familiar phrase "your days are numbered," used as a threat in old westerns, but I think that the idea here is more along the lines of "seize the day," or at least a reminder that we should be using our time on things that matter... as though we had a very limited time to be alive and wanted to fit a lot of important life things in. :)

I don't think that it means to focus only on today and ignore future consequences, of course.  God usually advocates for long-term thinking and making sure that we focus on what will help us from an eternal perspective.  I also don't think it means that relaxing, hanging out with friends and family, or taking time to manage our stress and anxiety is "wasted" time.

Perhaps the idea here is that we often spend too much time on things that don't matter, and too little time on things that do, and if we watched our time a little more closely, we'd probably be able to make time for cooler things and projects that we've wanted to move forward on, but which we haven't planned into the schedule.

Today, let's think about what we want to do and be, and let's talk to God about some of those long term plans... and then set aside a little time each day to follow those dreams, and make them reality.  As we learn to number our days just a little bit more, perhaps we'll find our way to more wisdom and a greater sense of accomplishment in our lives.

Alma 12:13-16 -- On Crawling in the Right Direction

"Then if our hearts have been hardened, yea, if we have hardened our hearts against the word, insomuch that it has not been found in us, then will our state be awful, for then we shall be condemned.
For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence.
But this cannot be; we must come forth and stand before him in his glory, and in his power, and in his might, majesty, and dominion, and acknowledge to our everlasting shame that all his judgments are just; that he is just in all his works, and that he is merciful unto the children of men, and that he has all power to save every man that believeth on his name and bringeth forth fruit meet for repentance.
And now behold, I say unto you then cometh a death, even a second death, which is a spiritual death; then is a time that whosoever dieth in his sins, as to a temporal death, shall also die a spiritual death; yea, he shall die as to things pertaining unto righteousness."
Alma 12:13-16


Spiritual death sounds super scary.  "Die as to things pertaining unto righteousness" ... like, forgetting them, letting ourselves harden to the point where they just have no place within us anymore, and we are totally bad all the way through?  ... Not because we started out that way, but because we *made* ourselves that way.  Yikes.  To choose something like that seems horrible and dramatic, but I think in actuality it is easy, because it happens little by little, just a tiny bit every day, and we don't see the line that we are crossing away from God, because we're walking just a tiny bit at a time... but it is still towards our own doom.

I think that's the way we become righteous/perfect as well.  Nothing that comes out of the blue like a lightning bolt, but slowly learning to make good choices, to find happiness and goodness even in the midst of so many choices to do otherwise.  Slowly crawling towards paradise. :)

Today, let's make sure we notice if we are slowly corrupting ourselves.  Let's take a step back and really examine ourselves and if we're going in the right direction.  God doesn't expect us to move faster than we have strength, but let's at least make sure we're crawling in the right direction. :)