Psalms 5:1 -- On Prayer

"Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation."
Psalms 5:1


I like here how God is asked not just to hear words, but also meditation. Prayer can also be unspoken, in our hearts and thoughts, but making the effort to verbalize it helps us to think through it, and helps us slow down and listen to what God is telling us as we do.

Today, let's have a conversation with God, both mentally and verbally, and even just emotionally for those things that are hard to put into words... but whatever way we do it, let's make the effort to pray and communicate with our Heavenly Father. He has a lot to teach us, and he offers comfort and strength as well, to help us through the tough times.

3 Nephi 12:4 -- Better is Coming

"And again, blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."
3 Nephi 12:4


It's interesting to say that people who mourn are blessed. The idea of sorrow turning into joy and mourning into comfort doesn't seem to be about preventing the emotion in the first place, but rather the idea that experiencing sorrow is a blessed thing, or in other words, learning is good. If we understand sorrow, perhaps that helps us to more fully understand and experience joy and comfort, which is like all of life. We're here to learn by the things that we experience, and we have to learn to choose good over evil. I don't think that we can do that without going through at least some sorrowful times... but that's just a small part of eternity, which maybe is part of the lesson. Learning to trust in God and his promises and know that better is coming, even when the day doesn't seem particularly hopeful.

3 Nephi 10:9-10 -- On Mourning and Joy

"And it came to pass that thus did the three days pass away. And it was in the morning, and the darkness dispersed from off the face of the land, and the earth did cease to tremble, and the rocks did cease to rend, and the dreadful groanings did cease, and all the tumultuous noises did pass away.
And the earth did cleave together again, that it stood; and the mourning, and the weeping, and the wailing of the people who were spared alive did cease; and their mourning was turned into joy, and their lamentations into the praise and thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer."
3 Nephi 10:9-10


I really like the idea here that mourning can turn into joy. Like the people here, who didn't have any idea if theyy were going to die, and probably wondered if the world was ending because of the greatness of the devastation, they were terrified for days, and then the shaking stopped and things calmed down, and it was over, and they lived through it. And even before Christ comes to talk to them, they are happy again... happy to be alive, to have survived the destruction, and to still have lives to live.

I think we might go through similar panic when we're scared or we don't know why something is happening. We don't know whether or not we will get through it and if there is a new "okay" on the other side, because whatever it is throws us off that much. It isn't a natural disaster, but mentally it might as well be because we're scared and panicking. ... And I think that part of Christ coming in the chapter after this was his coming to help people move on from disaster to life, to show that he keeps his word and loves them and that there is always light waiting for us, no matter how long the darkness. We can and will get through it with God's help.

Today, let's remember the hope that is in Christ, and commune with him and allow him to change our mourning into joy as well.

Helaman 13:7 -- On Glad Tidings

"And behold, an angel of the Lord hath declared it unto me, and he did bring glad tidings to my soul. And behold, I was sent unto you to declare it unto you also, that ye might have glad tidings; but behold ye would not receive me."
Helaman 13:7


I like the idea here that Samuel the Lamanite was preaching because he wanted other people to have the same glad tidings that he did, that brought his soul joy. Useful to keep in mind, I think, because so often our motivations can get crowded with other things. Today, let's turn back to the simple joy that the gospel brings, and let God show us the happiness that he has in store for us, even though we do go through tough trials at the moment. Let's be thankful for what we have rather than upset at what we don't have, and at least for today, enjoy some glad tidings.

Helaman 9:1-2 -- On Testing and Believing God's Word

"Behold, now it came to pass that when Nephi had spoken these words, certain men who were among them ran to the judgment-seat; yea, even there were five who went, and they said among themselves, as they went:
Behold, now we will know of a surety whether this man be a prophet and God hath commanded him to prophesy such marvelous things unto us. Behold, we do not believe that he hath; yea, we do not believe that he is a prophet; nevertheless, if this thing which he has said concerning the chief judge be true, that he be dead, then will we believe that the other words which he has spoken are true."
Helaman 9:1-2


This is an interesting selection, because it sounds very doubtful, but they actually took action and went to see if what the prophet said was true... and they were determined to believe all that he said if this one thing were true. Not ideal, but it seems like a tiny seed of faith... and later when they are released from prison they stand up for Nephi, so it sounds like they were actually converted, and stayed true to that determination.

Today, let's remember these 5 men, and have this much faith, even if we doubt. Instead of just blowing it all off, let's listen to God's words, and let's put in the effort to actually see if they are true... try the experiment. Pray, study, seek, learn... and if it is, then let's follow God and remember that God will be true not only in that one thing, but in all things.

Helaman 4:11 -- On the Consequence of Wickedness

"Now this great loss of the Nephites, and the great slaughter which was among them, would not have happened had it not been for their wickedness and their abomination which was among them; yea, and it was among those also who professed to belong to the church of God."
Helaman 4:11


It's interesting here to look back and see all the loss that they could have avoided had they been righteous. And although at that point, all they could do is move forward, perhaps that hindsight is useful to us, so that we can avoid similar things as well as we can by staying righteous, and ensuring that God can bless us and prosper our ways. As the scriptures say, "all things" work together for the good of those that love God... and if we're not in that zone and part of God's plan, making good things happen, then things seem to fall apart rather quickly.

This is not to say that bad things never happen to good people, because of course they do... and good things sometimes happen to bad people as well. Life is a trial, not a cake walk. But righteousness definitely offers some protections, and invites many blessings, so overall, it's still as much safety as we can get, and we will be close to God that way, and able to discuss with him everything else. :)

We know that the endings are just, and if we do good we will end up with good, and evil will end up with evil. The middle chapters don't always go that way because the hero has to have adventures and learn things, and become stronger through suffering... but eventually the hero triumphs and everything works out. God is the author, and he has told us how it ends. We just have to keep turning the pages. :) Let's be sure to do so, and keep being the heroes that we are meant to be and work with God towards that happy ending.

Acts 10:34-35 -- On Unity

"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."
Acts 10:34-35


I like this story, because it shows Peter learning that something he had been taught his whole life he needed to reconsider, and to be open to brotherhood with other nations and peoples... that God is God of all people. I think sometimes all of us fall into this mental trap, seeing only people similar to ourselves as righteous or chosen, when in truth, God has people scattered everywhere that we can help him gather.

Today, let's be open to people from other countries and backgrounds, remembering that God loves them as well as he loves us. Let's be united in turning to the Lord and being one people.

Acts 3:12 -- On the Source

"And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?"
Acts 3:12


I like how Peter deflects the observers from adoration of the people who used the priesthood to do a miracle here, and instead turns them to the source of the power. All of this comes from God, through his son Jesus Christ. Today, let's remember the source of the miracles in our lives and turn to God rather than any mortal, for our worship. God works through people, but he is the one we serve and the source of all we do. The reason the gospel works is that there is a perfect being in charge rather than all of us imperfect ones. :)

Zephaniah 2:3 -- On Seeking and Meekness

"Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger."
Zephaniah 2:3


The idea of meekness is interesting. I think some people see it as weakness or being a doormat, but God doesn't mean it that way at all. To be meek is to see reality--instead of assuming that we can do it all ourselves, we recognize our strengths, weaknesses, and our need for help from God, and our need for each other.

As we seek God and to follow his plan, we'll get the help that we need to succeed in an eternal sense, and we won't find ourselves growing up into tares. Today, let's put some effort into seeking and learning all we can about, and from, the Lord.

Moroni 7:33 -- On Power and Expedience

"And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me."
Moroni 7:33


There is so much possibility here. It isn't saying that we can have whatever we want, because sometimes we want things that aren't compatible with God's plan, or we want things in the wrong order or on our own timeline rather than God's. That seems restrictive to us sometimes, but how tiny those restrictions are when you consider everything that God offers us. If we consider Christ's life and the money in the mouth of a fish and the healing and the feeding and the continued miracles... God offers us the same. Not the exact miracles that Christ participated in, but the equivalent blessings and miracles tailored to our own lives. Not what we want always, but what God wants, which in the end is *always* better than what we wanted anyway.

Today, let's think of the abundance of things that the Lord offers us and the blessings that he wants to rain down upon us, rather than the non-expedient things that we are denied. And let's also remember that faith and effort go together, and that the Lord promises us power here, not a wrapped gift on our doorstep (although that can happen, as with the Liahona). We need to get out there and work for our blessings sometimes, but God gives us the power to make them happen. Sometimes after a few failures, or after many failures, but if it is God's will and we don't give up, it will come.

Let's pray and counsel with the Lord, and then have confidence and work for his will in our lives.

1 Corinthians 2:9 -- On Mystery Gifts

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."
1 Corinthians 2:9


I love the mystery gift idea here. The unknowing in context seems to suggest that the gift is beyond words... so great that we can't really comprehend it. "Worth the effort" seems accurate, but inadequate, because who we become through obedience to God and getting his advice and help is already worth it... I think stunning, beyond measure, perfect, ultimate happiness is probably closer, but still not even scratching the surface.

Today, let's trust in the mysterious abundance that God has in store.

Mosiah 8:13 -- On Interpreters and Other Miracles

"Now Ammon said unto him: I can assuredly tell thee, O king, of a man that can translate the records; for he has wherewith that he can look, and translate all records that are of ancient date; and it is a gift from God. And the things are called interpreters, and no man can look in them except he be commanded, lest he should look for that he ought not and he should perish. And whosoever is commanded to look in them, the same is called seer."
Mosiah 8:13


I love the idea of interpreters here that just require looking, and faith, rather than a deep knowledge of both the languages involved. That seems to me to be a huge miracle, on par with the Liahona, the brother of Jared stones, multiplying loaves and fishes, healing without any physical therapy or surgery, and walking on water. Things that seem out of reach, but that we know God did. This particular one might be getting closer for us, since we have things like Google Translate, but like so many things, our mortal attempts to duplicate what God can do fall short of the miraculous reality.

Today, let's remember how amazing God is, and all that he can do, and let's try to think outside our mortal limitations and trust that God has all power to keep every promise and fulful every prophecy. Let's be willing to believe in things that we might not understand yet, because we know God lives and we have faith in his gospel. He will help us understand as we ask and seek and study.

Mosiah 7:19 -- On Trust and Remembrance

"Therefore, lift up your heads, and rejoice, and put your trust in God, in that God who was the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob; and also, that God who brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, and caused that they should walk through the Red Sea on dry ground, and fed them with manna that they might not perish in the wilderness; and many more things did he do for them."
Mosiah 7:19


I like the way that the scriptures are used here to enlarge the memory of the people, to recall miracles that had taken place in the past in order to help them to trust and to believe in miracles to come. The scriptures help us in the same way, if we have trust and faith in God enough to believe that he can do for us what he has done for people throughout history.

Let's learn to trust God and to be worthy of his trust, and continue to be his people and witness to the miracles that he does in our lives, helping us learn and become all that we can be.

Mosiah 5:2 -- On Believing and Following Up

"And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually."
Mosiah 5:2


I really like this verse talking about the "mighty change" in their hearts that has them wanting to do good, and let go of evil. I think this is a common feeling when we hear truth and connect to it, and we get a glimpse of God's plan and how we fit into it. :) After this, the people go on to make a covenant with God that they will keep his commandments... and I think that is part of what this verse is about too. The awesome feeling isn't enough on its own. We have to make sure that change of heart stays with us, and that we incorporate that into who we are, and ask ourselves always, as in Alma 5:26 "if [we] have experienced a change of heart, and if [we] have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can [we] feel so now?"

Today, let's not just read the scriptures and feel briefly enlightened and changed, but let's make sure we keep that light in our lives and make that commitment to God to stick with him... to join his cause, to do his will, and to live in a way that we can retain his Spirit in our lives always.

Helaman 4:8 -- On Siding With God

"And thus those dissenters of the Nephites, with the help of a numerous army of the Lamanites, had obtained all the possession of the Nephites which was in the land southward. And all this was done in the fifty and eighth and ninth years of the reign of the judges."
Helaman 4:8


It's interesting (and sad) to me that so many can be swayed to the wrong side... and by wrong, I mean away from God, not any other worldly grouping. Away from the prophet, away from the gospel, so much so that they join a group that has hated them for centuries, let alone the symbolic joining with Satan who also hates us and craves our destruction.

I imagine that if the Lamanites had written a record it would sound very convincing... how they have been wronged, why they deserve to rule, how their evil was lesser than the Nephites evil... and at times, to be sure, the Nephites *were* more evil. Truth mixed with lies and a general misunderstanding of God's will. Something we should all be wary of, since it is easy to be deceived.

So Moronihah gets in there with the sons of Helaman, and as people begin to repent, they start to prosper and regain their lands. The lesson seems to be that the struggle isn't necessarily between groups of people who call themselves good and evil, but rather a struggle with ourselves to grow closer to, or wander farther away from, God.

Today, let's make sure we aren't on the wrong side, opposing God and hating our neighbors. Let's ask ourselves if what we believe is consistent with God's will, and remember that God is about love and not contention. Let's love our enemies, bless those that seem to curse us, and do good to them that hate us. Let's find some humility and allow the Lord to teach us where we are wrong... for we all are in need of improvement and repentance.

Mormon 8:22 -- On Trust and Faith

"For the eternal purposes of the Lord shall roll on, until all his promises shall be fulfilled."
Mormon 8:22


This is a good reminder that God always keeps his promises, and his plan will come to fruition. The happy ending that we are promised is there, waiting for us, and it is worth every effort. Today, let's trust in God and in his plan, and have the faith to dig in and work on what God asks of us personally and learning and doing God's will in lifting up others and making the world a better place.

2 Nephi 10:22-24 -- On Choosing God's Will

"For behold, the Lord God has led away from time to time from the house of Israel, according to his will and pleasure. And now behold, the Lord remembereth all them who have been broken off, wherefore he remembereth us also.
Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved."
2 Nephi 10:22-24


I love the encouragement here that we should cheer up, not only because the Lord remembers us, but because he allows us to choose for ourselves. We can choose to chase after life or death. Our choices have eternal consequences, leading us to one ending or another. Today, let's heed this advice, and through prayer and study and repentance, find a way to convince ourselves to choose the will of God, who offers us the path of life and hope and salvation. His is the happy ending, in which we triumph and find eternal joy.

Alma 15:18 -- On Helping Each other in Tribulation

"Now as I said, Alma having seen all these things, therefore he took Amulek and came over to the land of Zarahemla, and took him to his own house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord."
Alma 15:18


I know that the Lord loves effort, but I also like to see verses like this where prophets are able to take some time to recharge and recover. Even God rested on the seventh day, and it is a good thing to remember that we also need to take appropriate time for some sanity breaks.

Today, let's commune with the Lord and make sure we are taking care of other people around us that might need some mental health support. Emotional strain is important to recover from, just like physical strain.

Isaiah 59:13-20 -- On Christ Coming to Right our Wrongs

"In transgressing and lying against the Lord, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.
Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.
And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.
So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.
And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord."
Isaiah 59:13-20


Right before this selection it says "our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them" (verse 12) ... so I surmise that this is a list of some of our problems, as a world, before the coming of Christ. Right after this selection it says "As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord" (verse 21), which seems like God promising all of us that he sees and knows the evil out there (that we made), and that he is going to solve it.

This selection makes it clear that Christ is coming to save us from injustice and untruth... and I think that as more and more of these things are starkly true, as truth and equity fail, God's coming will be seen as needed and necessary... the destruction inextricably paired with the deliverance. A promise of power when there is no one to help the people in need and the ones who are trying to do the right.

Today, let's remember the word of the Lord, and even when it seems like "truth is fallen in the street" and that we are making ourselves prey for departing from evil... let's trust in him, repent, do good, love others, and keep doing the right things even when it is unpopular and causes us problems. God asks us to shine his light to the world, and he will stand up for us and fight the battles that we cannot, and clean up the mess that we made that we don't have the power to remove ourselves. Individually for now, but someday all of it. That is his promise to us, and he will unfailingly fulfil it.

Mosiah 2:15 -- On Conscience

"Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day."
Mosiah 2:15


The mention here of a clear conscience is cool. I'm thinking that would do wonders for anxiety and self-doubt as well. Let's take a page from King Benjamin today and work on the clear conscience goal through repentance and communinge with God. He can helps us clear our the cobwebs of guilt and help us think differently about ourselves and remember that we are meant for greatness. :)

Alma 10:6-7 -- On Being Called

"Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against God, in the wickedness of my heart, even until the fourth day of this seventh month, which is in the tenth year of the reign of the judges.
As I was journeying to see a very near kindred, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto me and said: Amulek, return to thine own house, for thou shalt feed a prophet of the Lord; yea, a holy man, who is a chosen man of God; for he has fasted many days because of the sins of this people, and he is an hungered, and thou shalt receive him into thy house and feed him, and he shall bless thee and thy house; and the blessing of the Lord shall rest upon thee and thy house."
Alma 10:6-7


I really like this admission by Amulek that he was called many times before he actually listened. And maybe those times were less clear and this was God finally getting his attention and giving him something specific to do, or maybe it was always that clear but finally he decided to act. Either way, totally cool of God to keep trying even when we have blocked him out in the past, and awesome and brave of Amulek to take that plunge in the right direction and give up so many other worldly things to finally listen.

I think our lives are this way as well, and it offers hope that God will keep trying with us, and that we can still choose God after ignoring his promptings in the past.

Today, let's listen to God calling us, and help support God's plan in whatever way we can.

Doctrine and Covenants 98:16 -- On Peace and Unity

"Therefore, renounce war and proclaim peace, and seek diligently to turn the hearts of the children to their fathers, and the hearts of the fathers to the children."
Doctrine and Covenants 98:16


A good reminder that as we "forsake all evil and cleave unto all good," and "live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God" (verse 11), we stand together, united in seeking peace, and unity not only with one another, but across the generations.

Today, let's remember to listen to God and to promote peace and unity, despite the division around us.

Proverbs 19:11 -- On Passing Over Transgression

"The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression."
Proverbs 19:11


I definitely don't think this is an easy thing to learn, but I like the idea here of letting go of anger and overlooking transgression, presumably against us. That's a hard thing when we feel cheated or taken advantage of, and of course isn't appropriate in all cases. Sometimes we need to get out of a situation or take legal action to protect others. Where is makes sense though, and conferring with the Lord, we should let go of our anger and give people grace, as the Lord grants us each day.

Today, let's pass over our feelings of anger and focus instead on the good things that we are thankful for and the things that bring us joy. Let's allow God to deal with the things that we can't change, and focus on the good that we can do in our lives to serve God and to help and lift others.

Proverbs 17:22 -- On Medicinal Hope, Humor, and Happiness

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Proverbs 17:22


A good reminder that a little dose of appropriate humor, and a positive attitude can brighten even the darkest times. Let's ask God to help us find the positive in our lives and to see the light in the midst of the darkness. The weight of eternity is serious, and we shouldn't ignore it, but it's okay to enjoy God's path... in fact, it might be necessary to our health. :) We need to experience sorrow from time to time, but joy is what we are made for. :) Today, let's work on finding the joy.

John 15:12-15 -- On Christ's Friendship

"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."
John 15:12-15


I love the idea here of friendship with God. I think it is something that God wants with us, and it puts a lot of things into perspective. When Christ talks about commandments here, he is showing the difference between the request of a friend and the request of a master. Though we owe him everything and he could certainly claim the title of Master and Lord, for that is who he is, instead, he claims friendship.

He laid down his life for us, because we are his friends. He loves us because we are his friends. He asks us to change our lives and to become better and to seek eternal life, because we are his friends and he wants us to be happy, and to have that friendship become stronger and better into eternity. He is in the smallest details of our lives, helping and lifting, as a friend.

Today, let's step back and consider how we are treating our relationship with Christ. Are we treating him as an external authority figure? If so, how would treating him as a friend change things? Let's talk to him as a friend today, and help that bond grow as we listen to his excellent advice. :)

Mosiah 25:7-9 -- On Stories of Wonder and Amazement

"And now, when Mosiah had made an end of reading the records, his people who tarried in the land were struck with wonder and amazement.
For they knew not what to think; for when they beheld those that had been delivered out of bondage they were filled with exceedingly great joy.
And again, when they thought of their brethren who had been slain by the Lamanites they were filled with sorrow, and even shed many tears of sorrow."
Mosiah 25:7-9


I love that the people were so moved by the scriptures/historical records that Mosiah presented to them. I think that is the power of knowing the stories behind the ideas. God doesn't just give us a list of commandments. He shows us how they work in the lives of real people... how they dealt with physical, mental, and emotional challenges, how they learned spiritual resilience, how they learned to trust in and rely on God, etc. God doesn't just give us a map and send us out into the world. He walks with us, his arm outstretched to support and help when we have need, and our stories contain that information.

Today, let's be thankful for the stories and the ability to reach out to God ourselves. Let's remember that everyone's stories are full of wonder and amazement, including our own, and that there are lessons and things to learn from everyone around us, if we accept God's help to find them and to understand. Let's open ourselves to the wonder and amazement found in the miraculous world around us.