Matthew 25:29 -- On Abundance

"For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath."
Matthew 25:29


When I first read this a while back I kind of thought it was mean... the guy was scared, he wasn't sure what to do, so he just didn't spend the money so he could give it back. It did seem like failure, but to me, kind of understandable failure out of confusion and fear to do something wrong.

As I've learned more about the Lord, I have come to realize that God is a lot more merciful and a lot less scary than I thought he was. These parables show us lines and lessons, but God gives us every chance, and helps us in every way possible. Most of us aren't the person with 10 talents multiplying them everywhere... those people are awesome. But most of us are *also* not the person with one talent hiding it away. We're learning and growing, little by little. I don't think we become that guy unless we choose to turn away and do nothing, learn nothing, and just stay as we are.

Today, if we're scared, let's go to God and tell him about our fear, and humbly ask him to help us with it... help us manage it and find a way to work through it to learn anyway. Not all fears are easily overcome, but there are so many paths to learning and growth, God will show us a path, even if it isn't straight through the fear, maybe we can work on the edges of it, pushing it back a little at a time. Just like with Nephi, there is always a path to success, even if it isn't the way we planned. If we keep trying, we will not be that one talent guy. God will help us succeed, and grant us abundance.

Matthew 23:23 -- On the Weightier Matters

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."
Matthew 23:23


This is a good reminder (as is the whole chapter) about focusing on the details rather than on the overall principle. I think we do that too often today as well... get into speculation and exactness with tiny things, but omit or forget "the weightier matters."

Today, let's focus on the important things (specifically judgement, mercy, and faith which are called out here) and get the big things down before we start stressing over the smalller details. Let's counsel with God and get our priorities straight, so that we can stand with clear consciences before Christ when we meet him again.

Matthew 21:14-15 -- On Being Displeased with Miracles

"And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,"
Matthew 21:14-15


Christ was healing people as they came to him, which is so amazing, but this group was unhappy with those miracles. It seems inconcievable on one level, and yet, I think that we sometimes are displeased with God's kindness and generosity as well, wanting things to change in some way. Today, perhaps that is something to be wary of. When we find anything about God or his gospel irritating or unpleasant, let's take the time to examine those feelings and to talk to God about them, so that he can help us understand our hearts and change them for the better.

Matthew 18:7 -- On Opposition and Avoiding Offense

"Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!"
Matthew 18:7


I like the acknowledgement here that offenses are a necessary aspect of mortal life--the whole opposition in all things idea. Without opposition there wouldn't be real choice, or real progress/improvement. And the warning... even though opposition is necessary, the bad and the good, let's make sure that we aren't rejoicing or fighting for the bad. There is going to be plenty of opposition in our lives naturally. We don't have to purposely draw more in, or promote it. :) Today, let's be sure that we aren't the roadblock or the stone of stumbling in anyone's life.

Matthew 10:22 -- On Enduring

"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."
Matthew 10:22


In this verse, Christ was trying to prepare his disciples for the scary things that were going to happen to them later. And at first something like this seems overwhelming. Hated by everyone, and just having to endure it? Yikes. But Christ tells them specifically (verse 16) that he is sending them out like sheep among wolves, and to trust him... and I think that is the same thing that these verses can help us do as well.

God isn't locking up the sheep to keep them away from danger... he's sending them in to save each other. In verse 16 he explains that they need to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" ... what he asks us to do is challenging, but it is something that he will help us do. We have to set an example of of solidity and safety in the midst of the storm... to show that there is joy, even if we are "troubled on every side" (2 Corinthians 4:8).

Today, let's be the faithful "underground" ... spiritually ferrying people to safety and helping them escape from sin. Let's endure in happiness as we work for God to preserve goodness and hope.

Matthew 8:7-8 -- On Trusting God

"And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed."
Matthew 8:7-8


This is a really cool story, and I like these verses because it shows not only the centurion's love for his servant, but the kind of faith that the centurion had in Christ. And I wonder if we all could use a lot more of that kind of faith in our own lives... the kind where we truly trust the Lord, as a little child, and don't need to have it proven to us anymore, because we have that deep certainty that the Lord keeps his word, and if it says it, that is enough.

Today, let's think about how our lives might be different if we had more trust in God. And if there is a difference, and it might improve our lives, then let's try to live that way a little bit more... trusting God to do what he has promised. And when we don't understand, or aren't sure, let's practice prayer, as always. As we reach out to God, and also do what we have promised, God will teach us to understand and to trust. Even if we don't start out with the faith of the centurion, we can get there with practice and patience.

Matthew 7:12 -- On The Way We Act Towards Others

"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
Matthew 7:12


This is such an interesting, and important, rule from God. We complain sometimes about the way the world is, and a lot of that has to do with the way things are, and interactions. I like the idea that the change begins with us... if we want things to be different, then we need to act differently, the way we want things to be. Our societies evolve to be the way that we choose them to be, people react to the way they are treated and the examples that we set, and eventually all things are restored to us, including the way we treat others, so presumably heaven will be spent with other people like ourselves.

And, if that is true, are we the types of people we want to hang out with forever... or should we perhaps step up our game and be a little kinder, so we have a kinder eternity ahead? :) I can only speculate about what heaven is like, but I definitely need to step up my game since I would love to be able to meet God and have it be a joyful thing rather than feeling ashamed about anything at all in his presence. Today, let's work on behaving towards others the way we want others to behave... the first step to a better world.

Matthew 6:14 -- On Forgiveness

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."
Matthew 6:14


Always a good reminder, and a good motivation to learn to forgive. We all make mistakes, and probably also all have intentionally stepped over the line of what is appropriate to God. Through Christ we can repent and effectively remake those choices, changing ourselves in the present and becoming new people who wouldn't make those same choices again. ... Other people deserve that chance to change as well. Today, let's forgive and allow Christ's grace to work in other people's lives without throwing the past back in their faces.

(This isn't to say that we should remain in abusive situations. Getting out of situations that are endangering us is important... to us and to God. He wants us to be safe. Once we are though, then let's do our best to let go of bitterness and hate which are also harmful to our hearts and our spirits, and leave judgement in the hands of God.)

Matthew 4:4 -- On More Than Bread

"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
Matthew 4:4


I like the idea here that nourishment comes from the Lord... which doesn't mean we should give up eating or anything, but more along the lines of how Christ is using it here... God can make up for whatever we lack, so we don't have to be driven by any other need. THe fact that God provides for us gives us more freedom and more choices, because we don't have to be desperate for that bread, or whatever else. We can direct all our essential needs to the Lord and he can help us fulfil them in appropriate ways, or, in some cases, help us learn that specific needs are there imperfectly masking a deeper void that can only be healed and filled by God.

Today, let's take a step back from our impatience and desperation and turn to God for help handling our needs and our wants, and doing things his way, which is the way to true happiness.

2 Samuel 5:23-24 -- On Guidance from the Lord

"And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the Lord go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines."
2 Samuel 5:23-24


Earlier in this chapter, David asks the Lord if he should go up against the Philistines, and the Lord says yes. This time he told him not to go immediately, but to wait. It's cool to me that David waited, and followed God's instructions.

I think sometimes we get caught in a pattern, expecting answers to our prayers to be what we have heard before, or what we expect, and overwhelmingly what we want... but all of those expectations can interfere with hearing the Lord. Too often, we're listening for what we want to hear rather than what the Lord actually has to say.

Today, let's be open to the answers that the Lord is giving us, rather than just what we want to hear. Sometimes it's time to wait by the mulberry trees, and that's okay. If we wait on the timing of the Lord rather than our own, less-perfect timing, then we'll have his support in the challenges of life.

Proverbs 1:19 -- On Life and Greed

"So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof."
Proverbs 1:19


This is an interesting idea... that greed destroys life. Perhaps it is because when we are focused on gain, or perhaps other things that we value too highly, we are focused on that to the exclusion of other, more important, things. Greed can displace friends, family, and even God in our lives... and things that we treat like that naturally become our modern-day idols. We don't usually think of them as objects of worship, but that is the place they take in our lives.

Today, let's eschew greed, and embrace Christ, and the ideals that he demonstrated for us of selflessness, generosity, mercy, and love. Let's try to walk his higher path and pray for help when we falter. :)

Alma 7:20 -- On God's Straight Path

"I perceive that it has been made known unto you, by the testimony of his word, that he cannot walk in crooked paths; neither doth he vary from that which he hath said; neither hath he a shadow of turning from the right to the left, or from that which is right to that which is wrong; therefore, his course is one eternal round."
Alma 7:20


I love the fact that God cannot walk in crooked paths... that everything about him is true and good and honest and ... infallible. No questioning or wondering what is right, just certainty and infallibility. I want that... and I need that kind of guidance in my life. When I'm clueless, God always knows the way. When something is wrong between us, I know it's me, and it is something I need to figure out. That certainty and solidity is important in our world of ambiguity.

Today, let's avoid the crooked paths and find our surety in God. He can help us through the confusion and darkness, as we hold fast to his word.

Words of Mormon 1:8 -- On Prayers for the Future

"And my prayer to God is concerning my brethren, that they may once again come to the knowledge of God, yea, the redemption of Christ; that they may once again be a delightsome people."
Words of Mormon 1:8


This prayer is cool. I am not sure how much experience Mormon had of his people being righteous, but it was enough to raise an amazing son and to have enough hope that he could listen to and become converted to the Lord. This is a prayer of hope in a time of little hope, because God blessed Mormon to be able to see with a little bit of His perspective, seeing the vastly long view of a future when his people would return to the Lord.

I think the Lord can bless us similarly, to see the hope through time and the goodness in the tree that might currently be producing bad fruit. He can bless the future that we cannot reach. Today, let's let God guide our prayers, and let us pray and work for the future that we long to see.

Jarom 1:7 -- On the Ways of the Lord

"And it came to pass that they came many times against us, the Nephites, to battle. But our kings and our leaders were mighty men in the faith of the Lord; and they taught the people the ways of the Lord; wherefore, we withstood the Lamanites and swept them away out of our lands, and began to fortify our cities, or whatsoever place of our inheritance."
Jarom 1:7


I really like the idea/acknowledgment here that the ways of the Lord are what we need to learn for success in any enterprise. Hopefully today we aren't facing a war, but when we are facing that or anything equally challenging, let's turn to the Lord for guidance and strength. Doing things the Lord's way will always lead us to the happy ending, no matter what lies between now and then. :)

Jacob 6:5-6 -- On Choosing Life

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts.
Yea, today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts; for why will ye die?"
Jacob 6:5-6


I like the simple message here. Often I think we overcomplicate the gospel, adding in complexity and shades of gray and confusing ourselves, when the core choice is fairly simple. As presented here, why would we ever choose to die? If we trust God and follow his directions, we can get home. Today, let's open ourselves to hear his voice, and be willing to change and improve and become better than we are... God offers us life--a better life than we could ever imagine or attain on our own. Let's reach for it--for him--and choose Life.

3 Nephi 6:5 -- On Prospering Continually

"And now there was nothing in all the land to hinder the people from prospering continually, except they should fall into transgression."
3 Nephi 6:5


I like this idea that they were set up to succeed, as long as they didn't get in their own way. There are times when things happen that are beyond our control, but I think that the majority of our lives are like this. God has set us up to succeed, and the worst threats to that are ourselves.

Today, let's be humble and prayerful, and turn to God when we need guidance. Let's try to avoid getting in the way of our own success, and follow God's plan that will lead us to happiness and love and becoming our best selves.

Judges 9:52-56 -- On Avoiding Evil Choices

"And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech’s head, and all to brake his skull.
Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.
And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.
Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren."
Judges 9:52-56


Abimelech was already a pretty bad guy before these verses, killing his family so he could rule, but in the last moments of your life to worry about who killed you, rather than the state of your soul or your loved ones... seems kind of scary. We're probably not enmeshed in the same things that Abimelech was, but there are things in all of our lives that we can care too much about and start making bad choices. He cared more about ruling than he did his family, and cared more about his "manly" reputation than he did about anything else there at the end.

Today, let's not be evil like Abimelech, and in trying to avoid his fate, let's be especially careful not to value anything in our lives more than God. That way, we have a solid core that will support us, and we'll still have access to God's perfect advice and assistance. :)

Moses 7:32-33 -- On Gifts and Guidance

"The Lord said unto Enoch: Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency;
And unto thy brethren have I said, and also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father; but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood;"
Moses 7:32-33


I like this insight into the creation and the reasons for it. God gave us agency, an amazing gift that brings with it the opportunity to become much more than we are now, but unfortunately we often choose other things besides God with that gift, even though God has prepared a way for us to succeed, and offers us continuing reminders. Today, let's remember our gifts from God, and let's work with him to stay on his path so that we may someday return to him.

Isaiah 5:4 -- On Wild Vines

"What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?"
Isaiah 5:4


The vineyard analogy that is used here is also used in other parts od the scriptures. I like the idea of being plants cared for by God. It makes the rebellion seem all the more strange I think, since in the analogy we know that the master of the vineyard used the "choicest vine" and did everything he could for the plants. All the elements of success were there.

I think all the elements of success are there for us as well. God is providing opportunities for us to grow and learn and thrive. Let's not grow wild, but take advantage of the help that God is offering, and learn to be the best we can be. :)

Jacob 4:8 -- On Revelation

"Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God."
Jacob 4:8


I like that God being mysterious and unknowable here is not an excuse for not learning about God, but rather a reminder not to take him for granted. Even people start out as strangers, and we aren't likely to know everything about them either, at least in this lifetime, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't start the process. :)

Today, let's remember that God is amazing and partially beyond our current comprehension. Let's be grateful for those things that the Lord reveals from his vast knowledge, and enrich ourselves thereby. :)

Luke 18:1-7 -- On Persistent Prayer

"And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?"
Luke 18:1-7


I like the story of the widow that got justice through persistence, even though the judge didn't really care about that aspect. By contrast, God cares enormously for us, and he is more likely than the judge to bless us with what we ask for, if we are persistent, and don't ask for destructive things. :)

Today, let's be diligent and persistent in prayer, thanking God for all that we have, and asking for those things that we need... learning to recognize God in our lives, and grow closer to his spirit.

Luke 12:15 -- On Taking Heed and Finding Out

"And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."
Luke 12:15


This is a hard thing to remember sometimes in this hyper material world, where it sometimes seems that almost all motivations are about money, but it's true... that isn't what life is about. :) Today, let's take heed, and try to step back from the profit motivation. With God's help we can figure out what our lives do consist of, and who we are beyond material concerns. God can teach us about things that matter far more... let's find out.

Mosiah 3:8 -- On Christ

"And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary."
Mosiah 3:8


There are so many cool things in the scriptures, but this is critical. Christ is the central figure in everything we read, and is the one who makes the difference in our lives, giving us the chance at mercy and hope through his atonement. Everything leads to him, because through him we find peace, and the power to overcome our weaknesses, and to do everything that we are asked to do in this life. None of it is impossible, because we have his help.

Today, let's remember the atonement and all that God has done for us to bring us back home. Let's remember that his intention is to save us, and he will help us get there, even through the hardest parts. Even when we don't deserve his help. Because he loves us. Let's not give up. :)

Alma 41:13 -- On Restoration

"O, my son, this is not the case; but the meaning of the word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish—good for that which is good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is merciful."
Alma 41:13


This whole chapter is amazing. The verse I selected is in the context of talking about people being judged by God after being resurrected. The idea of restoration is similar to the informal definition of karma: the idea that what we send out will return to us, although in the gospel it is thankfully mitigated by repentance, so that we can, with Christ's help, not suffer for all the mistakes that we have made, as we learn to be better people.

Today, let's remember that in a way, we're judging ourselves as we live our lives. The choices we make, the good or bad we do, the way we treat others, the degree to which we live what we believe, all of that will come back to us, as a reward. We'll still be the people we learned to be, based on the way that we lived, except now all of that will be a little bit more permanent because we have made it a part of who we are over our lifetimes. ... Let's do better. :)

Isaiah 12:1-3 -- On Trusting God and Finding Joy

"And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation."
Isaiah 12:1-3


These verses are talking about the Millenium, when Christ will reign personally upon the earth. I love the mentions of comfort, trust, and joy here. I also think that we can have some of this now, if we can get into the right mindset. We know that God has a happy ending in store for us, and that he will do everything he can to help us get home, so maybe like a book or a movie where we already know the ending, we can enjoy the journey rather than worrying about the outcome.

We can trust the Lord to turn away his anger as we repent. We can trust the Lord to comfort us and help us face hard things. We can trust his strength, and we can trust the joy that he has waiting for us... so why not trust now, and find joy now? If we believe and trust those promises, let's not act like we don't. Let's live the gospel and learn from God and do his will, and know with certainty that everything will work out according to his will, and turn out great. Wells full of joy. :)

Promised lands aren't automatically paradises. We usually have to put in a lot of work to make them that way... but when we know they are promised, and that God is leading us to something great, then it is easier to put in the effort, because we know it won't be wasted. That same idea works between now and the Millenium as well, right? Every tiny effort we make to grow closer to God and to bring ourselves and others happiness, those are things that are leading us all to joy... and reasons that we can feel extra joy now too, in anticipation of that better future.

Isaiah 11:6-9 -- On the Knowledge of the Lord

"The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."
Isaiah 11:6-9


I love the idea of no hurting or destroying, and that the change is because of the knowledge of the Lord, changing even animal natures, and filling the earth. ... I think how amazing it would be to experience that, but then I think that maybe we can have a taste of that kind of peace and wonder in our own lives, if we learn more of what God has been trying to teach us. We can gain some of that knowledge of the Lord if we seek it diligently from God.

Today, let's not only look forward to the day when the Earth is at rest, but also learn as much of God's ways as we can now, and, as we learn more, let's spread that knowledge and that peace as widely as we can. :)

Isaiah 5:20-21 -- On Relying on the Lord of Truth

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!"
Isaiah 5:20-21


The combination of these two verses is interesting. When Isaiah talks about people calling evil good and good evil, it seems like those people are being intentionally deceptive, but with the next verse you stop and wonder. Do they really believe that? ... Do *we* really believe that?

Warnings like this make it clear how important it is to trust in and rely on God, who cannot lie, and is the source of all truth. He can help us see clearly... past the confusion and darkness to the light and hope, and to know what truly matters.

Today, let's not trust only in our own wisdom and sight, but rely on God's higher perspective and ability to see truths that might decieve us. Let's pray for clarity, and then act on it, even when it is hard to admit that we were wrong. Let's choose God's path and not wander off on our own.

D&C 19:23 -- On The Path to Peace

"Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me."
Doctrine and Covenants 19:23


The idea here seems to be to immerse ourselves in Christ... learning about him, listening to his words, walking meekly so that his Spirit will remain with us, and that is the path to peace.

I think sometimes our lives are not peaceful, and we look for ways to find that. Maybe too often we look elsewhere, when God has already told us the way, many times and in many ways. Today, let's stop trying the World's answers and turn to God. Let's try Christ's recipe, and really immerse ourselves in God and his gospel, and find the peace and joy that come from taking action and moving in God's direction. :)

D&C 11:4-5 -- On Taking Action

"Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God.
Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you."
D&C 11:4-5


The idea here seems to be that God will help us as we reach out... as we take action and move in that direction, the Lord will clear the way for another step. I feel like part of what God is trying to get across with telling us the field is white, in the verse before this and elsewhere, is that there are opportuniteis everywhere. If we notice them and take action... not just with missionary work, but with everything that pertains to the gospel, which is as much as our lives as we allow it to be.

The gospel encompasses everything, because everything is part of God's creation, and we can serve God wherever we are... the challenge to us is to figure out how... what our individual contribution could be, and then go for it, knowing that God is on our side and will help us in every righteous cause. As we counse with him in prayer, he will direct our paths and show us the best way to go. This includes missionary work, of course, and he can also help us with knowing when and how to advocate for him, how to show our religion and set good examples, and really, everything. The more we talk to God about our plans and show our willingness to follow him, the better he can help us and the people around us to find happiness and salvation.

D&C 8:7 -- On Power

"Behold, there is no other power, save the power of God, that can cause this gift of Aaron to be with you."
Doctrine and Covenants 8:7


I really like the idea here that the gift of Aaron (the Aaronic priesthood) can only be given by the power of God. So many of our governmental, societal... and lots of fictional constructs are based on the idea that power can be used for good or evil, which is true for the most part in our imperfect world. But isn't it an amazing idea that you just can't use God's power for evil? In D&C 121:37-38 it's even more clear. If the priesthood is used for anything against bad, then zap, it's gone, and we are left to ourselves.
Today, let's remember to do good and be good, and as we do, and learn more, God will grant us power to become forces for good in the world.

John 8:3-11 -- On the Opportunity to Change

"And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."
John 8:3-11


I was thinking about this parable today and wondering how the woman felt at being in the middle of this whole discussion about bring stoned. Her life must already have been in pieces, being caught in the "very act" couldn't have been a positive thing for her, and then to come before Christ at that point... wow. And yet, even though he was the only one in the room without sin, he also chose not to condemn her, and granted her life. He wasn't telling her that she could do whatever she wanted and it was okay, but he was giving her a chance, just like he gives us a chance, at repentance and starting over and changing our lives. And you have to hope that she took that opportunity after that brush with death, and moved on and changed. Let's also take the chance that we are given to repent and change... to do better and to use our gift of life from God well. Let's find our way to less guilt and more happiness, not through ignoring the commandments, but by working with God to master them, little by little over time. :) That's the way we practice for heaven. :)