1 Corinthians 16:13-14 -- On Strength and Love

"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Let all your things be done with charity."
1 Corinthians 16:13-14


I like the mixture of strength and love here. Our world seems to see toughness and manliness as the opposite of compassion sometimes, relationships not being anything more than physical attraction from one side and "weak" emotion from the other. But love isn't just a feminine attribute or something that makes anyone weak. It requires strength and endurance and a firm connection to God to weather the worst of this life and still be able to show love to the people around us.

Today, let's make sure that we are looking to God for the definitions of who we should be and not to the world. Let's be watchful, firm, and strong and filled with the love of God towards the people around us, lifting them up and helping them to weather the storms of life through the strength and power of God's love, which can stand up to anything.

Alma 33:11 -- On Afflictions, Sincerity, and Finding Joy

"And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son."
Alma 33:11


This is Alma quoting Zenos the prophet "of old." We don't have any other record of his words other than the Book of Mormon that I know of, but it might have been one of the prophets that were recorded on the brass plates. I like the phrase "in thee is my joy" a lot. We don't always see that, but it is so true. We look for joy in a lot of places that it can't be found, but it is always waiting for us when we return to God, even though we always seem to be surprised that it was waiting there all along. :)

Afflictions and sincerity seem to go together here. God hears us when we are sincere and afflicted... Christ has compassion for our suffering because he knows how it feels, and when we're honestly seeking him we can get closer to him. ... And sometimes I think that affliction really triggers that sincerity. When life is going great sometimes we blow off that important communication with God, but when we need him, then we are totally focused. I don't think it is a good thing that we are that wishy-washy, but it is at least something good that comes out of our afflictions. It helps bring us closer to God and helps us understand and rely on him more than when things are going fine.

Today, let's be thankful for Christ who is our advocate, and for the opportunity that we have to repent, to know God, and to find our joy in him.

Acts 2:6-8 -- On Speaking in Tongues and Individualized Instruction

"Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilæans?
And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?"
Acts 2:6-8


This is a pretty cool miracle. Although sometimes "speaking in tongues" is often misrepresented as spouting gibberish that no one understands, I feel like the miracle always has a purpose. In this case, there were people from all over, and God allowed them all to hear and understand the gospel in their mother tongue, and although I think part of the idea was impress everyone with God's power and help them recognize his reality, I think that maybe even a bigger reason was to personalize the gospel for these people and help them understand it in a way that would make an impact on them individually. God is the only one that can speak not only our language, but speak to the experience that each of us have in life, and grant us the blessings that we most value. He created everything, and yet his message is also personalized to each of us, helping us to understand from our unique perspective.

That doesn't mean that we shouldn't obey God's commandments when we don't think they match up with our lives of course. Personalized instruction doesn't mean we don't have to take the test or that we can just skip school... but it does mean that if we seek it, God will help us understand things in a way that will make sense to us. Today, let's be open to hearing the gospel in our context and resolve to follow God not just because we are impressed with his cool miracles and whatnot, but because we know and love him on a personal level as well. And if we're not there yet, then let's dive in and learn more rather than wandering off and thinking that it somehow doesn't affect us. It does matter in a really life and death way, and that is why God speaks to us individually, as well as through his prophets.

Psalms 57:7 -- On Anchoring and Repairing Hearts

"My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise."
Psalms 57:7


I like this because of the word "fixed." Here, it likely means fixed as in unmoving... a heart solidly focused on the Lord, and one that won't move away from him. But the word also means "repaired," and that is the meaning that crossed my mind first when I was reading it. I like that meaning too, because God is the one that can repair broken hearts. :)

Today, let's keep our lives/hearts anchored in and focused on God, and as we do, we can ask him to change and heal our hearts as well, to make sure that we are doing right and walking in his way.

Psalms 94:18-19 -- On Stability and Hope

"When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.
In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul."
Psalms 94:18-19


I like this, because these seem like two times when we really need the Lord... when we feel like we are falling (literally or figuratively), and when we feel overwhelmed by our own doubts/fears/internal diatribe. Both of those things can undermine our confidence and weaken our willingness to face our challenges, or even to get out of bed. God can help us when we are falling, and he can be the voice of hope and love even when we are telling ourselves or hearing externally that we are worthless.

Today, let's listen to the Lord not only in what he commands, but as he works to uplift and sustain us, giving us the stability and hope we need to carry on and continue improving ourselves and the world around us, even when our efforts seem trivial, or we make mistakes and mess things up. God is always going to be there to pick us up and dust us off, and help us try again... all we need to do is reach out to him, and he will help.

Jonah 1:17 -- On Choice and Knowledge

"Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights."
Jonah 1:17


The idea that the Lord had prepared this all ahead of time reminds me of how well He knows us, and how vast His knowledge is. God understands each of us on a level that is beyond our own ability to comprehend even ourselves and he really does, always, know how to save us and help us. I think maybe Jonah thought at the time that the choices he faced were different than the consequences that God could clearly see for each option... he prepared for Jonah's poor choice, but Jonah could have saved himself a lot of grief by listening to God in the first place.

So it often is with us. It is always better to listen to God the first time, but if not, God always prepares a way for us to come back to him. It isn't always a whale waiting to save us from our poor life choices, but if we can let go of our stubbornness and rebellion for a bit and reach out to God, he will be there to help.

Today, instead of getting ourselves into an impossible position by walking away from God, and having to live with the consequences (whale or not), let's take the lesson of Jonah to heart and make the choice to listen to God's wisdom in the first place. He knows every detail of the universe, and he knows what choices will bring us to happiness and to ruin. Let's stick with him and choose happiness, even if our own current desire is to sail away from our responsibilities. God knows the end of that journey and we do not. His option will always be better.

Alma 61:21 -- On Standing Fast in Liberty

"See that ye strengthen Lehi and Teancum in the Lord; tell them to fear not, for God will deliver them, yea, and also all those who stand fast in that liberty wherewith God hath made them free. And now I close mine epistle to my beloved brother, Moroni."
Alma 61:21


It is interesting here that God gave us liberty, but we have to hold to it. I think sometimes we treat that (and other things) lightly, thinking that it can't be taken away... and perhaps mentally it can't, but there are plenty of things that, even mentally, can cloud our judgement or lessen that freedom. We still have to do our part. The people in this chapter were planning on placing themselves in the control of a corrupt political leader who would become a king, but there are many other ways that we can lose our freedom as well, if we aren't careful.

Today, let's be careful to stand fast in our liberty, and honor the gifts that God has given us, not letting them go easily or lightly. Instead, let's take hold of our freedom and make our own choices rather than kicking back and letting someone else, or just circumstance, make them for us. Let's be the best we can be in the Lord, being sure that where we are traveling in life is where we want to go rather than just the path we couldn't manage to avoid. :)

Alma 52:37 -- On Being Willing to Lay Down our Weapons

"Now Moroni seeing their confusion, he said unto them: If ye will bring forth your weapons of war and deliver them up, behold we will forbear shedding your blood."
Alma 52:37


Today, I am surprised to find that I like the idea of surrender. The way I have thought about it before I think was about losing and failing. Today though, it seems a little like repentance. It is a chance to (as much as possible) take back something you regret, and change.

Although it is hard to admit it at times, I think we get it wrong a lot, and when God offers us the chance to lay down our arms and walk away rather than continuing to destroy ourselves... we should take it. Let's not let pride stand in the way of making a wise decision. Today, let's be willing to back down and make a change. And you know, even when we're right sometimes the best choice is to stop fighting.

Alma 8:14-15 -- On Rejoicing

"And it came to pass that while he was journeying thither, being weighed down with sorrow, wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul, because of the wickedness of the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to pass while Alma was thus weighed down with sorrow, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto him, saying:
Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from him. Behold, I am he that delivered it unto you."
Alma 8:14-15


I like here how God knew that Alma was sad and wanted him to rejoice. There were other reasons for sending an angel as well at this point, but the first message was effectively telling him that it was going to be okay, and why. We can perhaps learn something from this about basing our happiness in God and in the state of our souls rather than in other people's reactions to us, or their choices.

Defintitely not saying that such a thing is simple, but with God's support and help, we can cheer up our hearts and realize what a great cause we have to rejoice.

Luke 3:10-11 -- On Learning to Share

"And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise."
Luke 3:10-11


This is something that John the Baptist taught the people in preparation for Christ's ministry, and it reminds me of something that we're all taught as children... learning to share. Maybe it is a lesson that we need another dose of as adults. :) We can take a look at our lives and what we have an abundance of, and consider ways that we can share with others. Donating stuff to local charities, giving to people we know that are in need... and if we don't know anyone that is in need, we can ask God to show us the needs around us and how to help, and he will help us as we are striving to do his will.

Today, let's learn to share all over again, and work towards being more generous with the abundance that God has given us.

Matthew 5:46 -- On Loving Others

"For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?"
Matthew 5:46


This reminds me of an episode of Doctor Who where the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) is betrayed by his companion Clara (Jenna Coleman). He knows about it, and is still helping her, and she asks him why. He says "Do you think I care for you so little that betraying me would make a difference?" ... I like that because it hints at that unconditional love that we rarely see in life from anyone but God, though parents and some other good relationships sometimes reflect aspects of that as well. As we learn to love better, we are able to move beyond only reflecting love back to others, and are able to be the beacon of love ourselves, whether or not that love is returned.

Loving people who don't love us back can be hard and draining work. Treating people kindly when they are unkind is difficult (small reminder here that God doesn't require us to endure abusive relationships in order to prove our love, however). God doesn't ask us to love our enemies to torture us, but rather because he is trying to teach us and them what real love is. I think Satan twists the idea of love so that we often end up promoting/believing in false ideals of love, where love is something that just happens that we can't choose, or else watered down and disposable versions of love where we only love if we are getting something out of the relationship, manipulating others to prove their love, or kicking them to the curb and fitting another person into a vacant position like an interchangeable part.

The way that God loves us, and the true nature of love, are often beyond what we can imagine or emulate, but God has told us that if we "pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart" that he will fill us with this kind of love (Moroni 7:48). From there, we will be able to share that with others and learn better how to love the way that God does. Today, let's work on learning to love better from God, and how to love people even when they don't return the feeling.

Isaiah 65:2 -- On Walking After Our Own Thoughts

"I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;"
Isaiah 65:2


This seems to be a recurring theme in the scriptures... warning us against doing things our own way and trusting in ourselves or the "arm of flesh." I think for a long time that idea grated on me a bit, because God often seems distant, and an arm of flesh can seem more comforting. Even after we learn a lot about God and know of the very real comfort he can offer, as well as understanding our own imperfections quite well, it is still a challenge to place God first. Because we can't see all that the Lord does, it can be hard to step outside our own perspectives and thought patterns, and try to see things as the Lord does.

Today, let's work on trusting God, and remembering how fallible we are, and make sure that we are following God's perfect path rather than our own imperfect one. God loves us, and his way is the one that will lead us to the most happiness and personal satisfaction, even when we can't see that. Let's pray and ask God to help us understand where he is taking us, and how much better it is than the options that we are letting go of in order to get there.

D&C 38:25-27 -- On Esteem and Enemies

"And again I say unto you, let every man esteem his brother as himself.
For what man among you having twelve sons, and is no respecter of them, and they serve him obediently, and he saith unto the one: Be thou clothed in robes and sit thou here; and to the other: Be thou clothed in rags and sit thou there—and looketh upon his sons and saith I am just?
Behold, this I have given unto you as a parable, and it is even as I am. I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine."
Doctrine and Covenants 38:25-27


The way that God thinks about this topic is very different than the way that we as a society do. Somehow, as we are working towards our definition of equality, we are dividing and hating more, where God asks us to achieve oneness through the way that we think about other people, holding them in our esteem exactly as much as we value ourselves. Too often we believe that one person deserves our compassion and another doesn't, because they are on two different sides of some dividing line, and we have chosen the other one. "These ones, we say... these are our brothers, the people that care about _____." While the others are just wasting oxygen and polluting our world with their empty rhetoric. Instead, God asks us to achieve oneness by loving both sides of all of those dividing lines... old and young, rich and poor, political and nonpolitical, sinner and saint... specifically asking us to love our enemies, which are likely those on the other side of our favorite dividing line.

Today, let's work on taking a step back and reevaluating our perspective in this area... perhaps starting by considering the poor, which God offers as an example here, but also by thinking about labels and groups of people that we are diametrically opposed to, and figuring out how we can love them more and esteem them more like we value ourselves. It isn't an easy task, but placing ourselves on the other team in any of these cases isn't working either. Let's pray and work to reach out to those that we might not understand or currently even care about, but need to learn to love if our world is ever to achieve oneness, and become a Zion community. God will help us if we make a sincere effort and work to see things from his perspective. We are all brothers and sisters, even the people that disagree with us about important things.

Isaiah 13:9-11 -- On Desolation, Destruction, and Deliverance

"Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible."
Isaiah 13:9-11


There are a lot of scary predictions in the scriptures, especially about the last days (which we live in). Eventually, God is going to prune the trees of his vineyard, burn the bad branches and gather out the good fruit (see the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees in Jacob 5). It is important to note however that none of this removes God's promises to us, for instance that he will not leave us comfortless (John 14:18), or that if we are prepared we need not fear (D&C 38:30). We even have an amazing story in 3rd Nephi that prepares us for such a time, going through and telling us the story of a people who lived through massive turmoil and destruction, but who survived, gathered together, and became for a time an ideal society.

Today, let's remember that even through the darkest times in our lives, God is supporting us and leading us to his promised happy ending. Let's just make sure that we're on his side rather than becoming part of the evil that needs to be pruned away. If we stick with God, then no matter what happens in the interim, the Lord will deliver us to a better world and bless us all eternally with as much happiness as we can handle. :)

Isaiah 8:19-20 -- On the Living and the Dead

"And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:19-20 I like that God talks about this possibility. Even though the context of the verses is really to not seek spiritualists or magic users in the real world for something that God can help us with, it is kind of cool to know that God is redirecting those requests to himself, rather than just saying no. As with so many other things in life, there is a way to satisfy our needs righteously, if we are willing to work with God rather than trying to find a way to fill those percieved voids in ourselves alone.

Today, whatever we are seeking, let's look to the Lord. God can help us with our righteous desires, and he can help us overcome our unrighteous ones. If we always put him first, he will teach us to tell the difference and help us change our hearts, minds, and selves for the better.

2 Nephi 9:50-52 -- On Satisfaction and Happiness

"Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.
Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice."
2 Nephi 9:50-52


The first verse in this selection talks about being able to get water and food without money or price, likely symbolic of the water and the bread of life--in other words, Christ. So, then it progresses into saying that we shouldn't be spending money on things that are worthless and which can't satisfy us. I think this is talking about the fact that we often get acquisitive about "things" that we think will make us happy, but true happiness comes from God, not from things. And then, the last verse of the selection reinforces that point... if we want to find satisfaction and happiness in this life, the place to seek those things is with God.

Today, let's work on seeking the things that matter, through our connection to God, and adjust our perspective about the perishible things of the world that can't last and don't matter long term.

Ecclesiastes 3:14 -- On Forever

"I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him."
Ecclesiastes 3:14


The whole concept of eternity is difficult for us to grasp, being in a limited state ourselves, at least currently, but God does a lot of work with us to help us become long-term thinkers. The other idea here is permanancy, which is also hard for us, since things fall apart around us all the time. With God though, the ideas of eternal and permanent are alive and well... and they matter to us immensely, because that is where we are headed. Part of us in impermanent so that we can have this probationary period of life and figure ourselves out a little. After this though, with God's help, we will be resurrected into eternal, immortal bodies as well, and be permanent fixtures of the eternal realm. :)

Today, let's ease ourselves out of some of the short-term thinking that gets us into so much trouble, and lets think about God and his works which last forever... including us. This life is not the end, and shouldn't be the end that we consider in our decision-making. Let's think about who we are becoming as our eternal selves, and make sure that is a place we want to go, and a person we want to become, because we're building something permanent here... it is who we are going to be for eternity. Let's work on getting it right, and cleaning up, through God's grace, any mistakes that we have made.

Psalms 1:1-3 -- On Prospering

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
Psalms 1:1-3


I love "whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" here. There are obviously qualifications in the scripture as well, but it seems like a really hopeful idea, going along with the idea that all things work together for good if we are listening to the Lord.

Today, let's work on prospering. Although it sometimes seems like a passive thing where we should be able to sit back and just have good things come to us, it doesn't really work that way. We have to be working hard in our lives to avoid some of the pitfalls here, especially sitting in the seat of the scornful. Seems like it would be a totally different world if we all avoided scorn. Let's instead meditate on the law of the Lord a little bit more, and put some effort into prospering by doing some good works, so God has something to work with. :)

Psalms 69:5 -- On Foolishness, Sin, and Prayer

"O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee."
Psalms 69:5


This verse made me think today because it seems like a very humble and appropriate way to approach the Lord. Sometimes we go to the Lord in prayer just demanding things as though they are owed to us, or wheedling as though if we just say the right thing or are charming enough we can get our way. Those things work on regular people sometimes, but this seems a much more realistic way to approach the Lord, who does already know every embarrassing detail of our foolishness.

I think maybe one of the critical factors in learning how to pray and how to interact with the Lord is exactly this... realizing that our core selves are laid bare before him... that he can see through to the state of our soul where we can't even see ourselves. The masks and the image that we build for ourselves and hide behind when dealing with others are useless here, and this is the one person in the universe that truly knows us. Thinking of God that way... as a friend and someone we can be utterly honest and open with because he knows us already and loves us anyway... that is essential to our understanding of everything that the Gospel is about.

Today, let's approach the Lord in prayer with humility and openness, confessing all of our faults, and trusting that the Lord knows what to do even when we don't. Let's seek his guidance and take his advice to heart, acting on his commandments and working diligently to make ourselves and the world around us better. If we're having a hard day and need to vent, we can do that with God, who will wrap us "in the arms of his love" (2 Nephi 1:15) and comfort us, and then when we are ready, help us up to try again.

Psalms 7:1-2 -- On Trusting in God

"O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver."
Psalms 7:1-2


The image of someone tearing a soul in pieces is kind of scary and awful, so trusting in God in order to avoid that sounds pretty good. Today, let's trust in God and work for a better world with his guidance and help.

Psalms 3:1-3 -- On the Shield of God

"Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head."
Psalms 3:1-3


We probably all feel this way from time to time... like everyone is against us and that there is no way out. But those messages from the world aren't true. No matter who else is against us, God is always there... not "for us" in terms of supporting us as we work towards our best selves. He loves us ferociously, and is always there when we turn to him and need his advice and guidance.

Today, when the world turns hostile, let's turn to the Lord, lift up our heads, and trust in his shield.

Jeremiah 24:4-7 -- On Captivity and Working Together for Good

"Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good.
For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.
And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart."
Jeremiah 24:4-7


This is God explaining a vision that Jeremiah had with good and bad figs... this is the good part. Many of the people had been taken captive, and I like that the Lord talks about that happening for a reason, that it will be for their good, similar to all the times in the scriptures when we are told that all things work together for good if we are on the same page with God (Romans 8:28, D&C 90:24, etc.). It seems that this is true even with captivity, and I think that we can see that in some of the stories from the captivity. The Lord was still watching over his people.

I think the idea of God doing things for us and all things working together for good is very often applicable to our lives, even when we think that things are going badly. Maybe we lose a job, or a house, or an air conditioner, or even a loved one... and of course all of these things are awful, like being in captivity is awful, but part of the miracle of God is that he can turn all of it into good for us... teach us things, show us new opportunities, prepare us for something in the future that we couldn't possibly have predicted... and if we have faith that he is there, helping us and watching over us, then we can find the good in almost anything, because God is organizing everything in the world to work together, and whenever we do his will, we are playing a role in the larger plan, helping others and building that networks of good. :)

Today, let's trust God and be good, seek good, and do good, as God helps everything work together, including us if we are willing, for good.

Helaman 5:4 -- On Weariness and Iniquity

"And it came to pass that Nephi had become weary because of their iniquity; and he yielded up the judgment-seat, and took it upon him to preach the word of God all the remainder of his days, and his brother Lehi also, all the remainder of his days"
Helaman 5:4


The idea of being weary because of iniquity I feel like I get, but the quitting your job to preach full time because of it... that's a little bit harder. To me, it seems like that would just make him wearier, seeing it live and in person more often. ... Maybe though, the distance was the problem, and it was hard for him being in the judgement seat and not being able to do anything about it, so leaving that job he now could.

I think we can also get weary of our own iniquity, and perhaps that is good... it is an impetus to change, as long as we believe that is possible, of course. And here are the scriptures telling us stories about people changing right and left, including many that Nephi preached to. :) It is definitely possible. Today, let's work on making those changes, and becoming better than we are. Let's relieve that weariness because of iniquity and replace it with something more hopeful, having a determination to surface and stop drowning in our own past mistakes... breathing easy again because we trust that the Lord can help us find our way out of any mess we've gotten ourselves into, no matter how convoluted.

Helaman 1:31-33 -- On Departing in Peace

"And now, behold, the Lamanites could not retreat either way, neither on the north, nor on the south, nor on the east, nor on the west, for they were surrounded on every hand by the Nephites.
And thus had Coriantumr plunged the Lamanites into the midst of the Nephites, insomuch that they were in the power of the Nephites, and he himself was slain, and the Lamanites did yield themselves into the hands of the Nephites.
And it came to pass that Moronihah took possession of the city of Zarahemla again, and caused that the Lamanites who had been taken prisoners should depart out of the land in peace."
Helaman 1:31-33


At the end of this selection it says that the prisoners were allowed to depart out of the land in peace, which happens several times throughout the war chapters of the Book of Mormon, and which I kind of like. They don't just kill them all so they can't come back and fight them again, but show them compassion... even though their army came in and killed a lot of their own people. They didn't have to make a truce which the Lamanite government would probably not agree to anyway, but instead just let them go... perhaps with an oath that these individuals would not return and fight them again, if it was similar to other stories. They recognize their humanity, and they allow them to return to their homes.

Is that a smart way to run a war, or to handle your enemies? I don't know. But it does seem like a very Christlike thing to do... a way of both sides compromising and acting to end the conflict with no more loss of life. I wonder if we could treat our conflicts a little more like this... recognizing that there was a lot of pain and harm caused, but not forcing it to continue by extending the conflict, big or small, but instead surrendering, or releasing the prisoners, or whatever it takes to go home in peace and leave the war behind.

Today, let's try to resolve our conflicts, and let others go home in peace no matter how much they have hurt us. Doing things God's way is sometimes really hard, but it makes the world better, and heals our hearts much more than we can ever feel if we hold on to anger and the desire for revenge.

Psalms 118:13-14 -- On Strength and Salvation

"Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation."
Psalms 118:13-14


We might all have times in our lives when we felt like this. The Lord is our only sure hope of strength and salvation, and can deliver us even when hope seems lost.

Interestingly, hope often seems lost when we have rejected the Lord in some way, because trying to live without God in the world is just a minefield. So many things that God does for us, even just as far as helping us to stay calm and sane, let alone deal with larger issues. Today, let's be sure to work on mending any rift we feel between ourselves and God and do as he asks. His way is always the way to peace and safety and everything else our hearts desire in righteousness.

Luke 17:32 -- On Remembering and Not Repeating

"Remember Lot's Wife."
Luke 17:32


So, if you have ever had a goal of memorizing a scripture, this is a good one for that. :) It is very short, but packed with a lot of symbolism. Jesus is talking about the second coming and about turning back, and advises this. In other words, don't go back... don't look back. Not just to avoid tragedy and disaster, but also symbolically meaning leaving sin behind and our old selves, and turning towards God, never deviating from that committment and that path.

Today, let's leave the past in the past and move towards God. We don't have to go back and mourn or wallow, only move forward in faith and righteousness.

Jeremiah 42:1-5 -- On Accepting our Answers

"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.
Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard you; behold, I will pray unto the Lord your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, that whatsoever thing the Lord shall answer you, I will declare it unto you; I will keep nothing back from you.
Then they said to Jeremiah, The Lord be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the Lord thy God shall send thee to us."
Jeremiah 42:1-5


This story seems to be starting out really well because they are saying all of the right things, but later, even though Jeremiah tells them to stay in the land, and warns them about what will happen if they leave, they still go, and (of course) bad things happen. It almost makes you wonder why they asked God in the first place.

Except, this is something that we do as well, way too often. Hopefully on a lesser scale, but we turn to God in our distress and he gives us an answer that we don't expect, and often one that we don't want. We realize that we can't just give up, but that the Lord wants us to work at it... or we are super attached to something, and God wants us to give it up. Or, we want to stay or go and the Lord wants the opposite--so many things that could happen but what it comes down to is our will versus his will. In those situations, we should always let God prevail... his will is what should come first. But so often we get there and we either don't believe God that whatever he says is possible, or we realize that that isn't what we want to do, and so we bring ourselves into a situation where we are choosing our will rather than his, and that is never going to go well. His advice is by definition wiser than ours, and whether it is what we had in mind or not, part of faith is trusting that what God asks/suggests/commands is the right thing to do.

Today, let's try not to be like these people and turn to the prophet, but then refuse to listen. Let's not place our desires over God's will. Instead, let's listen to him and humble ourselves and realize that when there is a conflict like that, it is we that need to change, as hard as that is to accept sometimes. Let's get on our knees and plead for understanding and willingness and motivation to do as God asks, and then accept God's answers as the truth, and live by them.

Jeremiah 1:4-9 -- On God's Words

"Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.
Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth."
Jeremiah 1:4-9


I like how God makes being a prophet seem simple here... you just have to go where I send you and say what I command you. And then God touches him and grants him the gift of his own words. ... And maybe it is that simple for all of us on some level. We overcomplicate our lives trying to judge variations of gray sometimes, and worry excessively about different good choices. I'm not trying to trivialize our lives. It's good to make choices and figure out what we like and where we want to go, but on a fundamental level the important thing is putting God first, keeping the spirit with us... going where he sends us and saying what he wants us to say. The rest is icing. :)

Today, let's follow Jeremiah's example and keep it simple, working on putting God first and letting the rest rest in his hands. Let's obtain God's word by reading it and listening in prayer, and do God's work so we can become who he knows we can be.

Luke 5:36-39 -- On Newness

"And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.
And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.
No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better."
Luke 5:36-39


I was thinking about this today, and I think that God was talking about what he was trying to do... create something new. Thus we have a new church and a new law rather than just a continuation of the old one. The line about "the old is better" reminds me of what some people would say on my mission... that they had been baptized already, as though it was all the same, and it didn't matter. But it did matter, even for people in Christ's day who had been long time worshippers of the true God. It was a new covenant, and a new way to live, and they couldn't rely on what they already had.

We can't rely on what we already have either, or on promises that our parents and ancestors made. We have to individually make a committment and develop our own relationship with God, learning of his ways and walking his path. We have to become new people, living a new way, becoming new through baptism and a covenant with God. And even after that, we have to work on staying "new" through repentance and recommitment to those promises each week, plus the every day effort to put God first in our lives, to read the scriptures and pray and make sure that we're not reverting to old habits, old ways, and old selves. :)

Today, let's be new, and love and live God's law with the excitement of a new discovery, which it can be if we live in that newness, keeping the spirit with us, and taking God's commandments and suggestions to heart.

2 Nephi 12:3 -- On Visiting God

"And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."
2 Nephi 12:3


Thinking about this verse and how amazing it would be to be able to just plan a trip to go see God, listen to his words, drink in that spirit and learn more about how to follow him. And not to diminish the coolness of all of that... how could you, really? But it's worth thinking about the opportunities that we have to draw close to God right now that we don't always take advantage of. Things that seem easy when we imagine seeing him in person are still important even though there is physical distance.

Today, let's visit with the Lord through prayer. Let's ask and listen as he teaches us of his ways, and let us walk in his paths as we go throughour our lives, learning how to be the best people we can be and how to help the world around us.

Luke 11:9 -- On Praying, Asking, and Learning

"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 11:9


There is a lot of advice about what to ask for in the scriptures, and of course we need to be in touch with the spirit so that we are asking for blessings the Lord wants to give us rather than "that which is of no worth" (2 Nephi 9:51). The core principle here, though, is that God wants us to ask, which means prayer... and he is serious about that. It takes faith to talk to someone we can't see, and it takes faith to ask for blessings that we don't really know how do obtain on our own, and those two small particles of faith can teach us to have more, as we pray and ask and listen and learn. We start learning what kinds of things to ask for. We start understanding how loving and generous God is, and hopefully we grow more grateful. We start learning how to pray and how to listen and understand a little bit more about God and about ourselves.

It isn't all about acquisition, but we should be on our knees talking to the Lord about our lives every day, thanking him for all that he does for us, but also asking, seeking, and knocking... learning more about how God does things, being bold in asking the Lord to show us things and to help us understand as Nephi did, and as Joseph Smith did. Asking is important both in figuring out what we want, and in getting the answers that we desire. Asking questions that we don't know the answers to is the perfect time to learn, when our hearts and minds are open to knowing what we seek, and softened towards the Lord.

Today, let's do as God advises and ask, seek, and knock--trying to learn all that God has to teach us. We're not always going to get it exactly right, but the process is still important, and the more we pray and ask and seek, the more we will understand and the better we will get at all of it. :)