Mark 13:33-37 -- On Watching and Praying

"Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."
Mark 13:33-37


God asks us to watch and pray so that we can be ready for what is to come. I feel like that is really good advice, whether it is the foretold second coming, as in these verses, or just what is going to happen tomorrow. God can prepare us for both, and one leads to the other. Even in the parable of the ten virgins the lesson isn't just be prepared for a specific dinner, but be prepared in general. Always be ready, whether it is to go into the Lord's supper, or if it is just to respond to his promptings today.

Always being ready can seem stressful, like we're always expecting an emergency and freaking ourselves out, but I don't think that is what the Lord means here. I think it is more about habits and attitude--making sure that we always have a supply of oil for our lamps, and making sure that we're practicing how to be observant and notice spiritual signs and the hand of God in our lives. As we practice the small things that God is teaching us, we will be prepared for larger things. Today, let's watch and pray, as he suggests, and be ready for whatever the Lord has in mind for us. :)

Revelation 3:15-19 -- On Temperature and Perception

"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."
Revelation 3:15-19


This passage points out differences in how we percieve things and how the Lord sees things. The temperature part seems to be about commitment and action. Like the parable of the talents, we should be actively working to multiply what the Lord has given us... to increase and to become better, rather than burying our tiny treasure in the dirt trying to protect it. God's gifts and treasures are to be shared, given, multiplied with the giving, so that we all have more.

Which leads into the next part where we don't realize what we don't have. Even when we have an abundance of earthly things, we often are sorely lacking spiritual things, and should never consider that we're done or that we are not in need. We always, desperately, need the Lord, and have more to learn than we could fit into a lifetime.

Today, let's be active, committing to the Lord and sharing his gifts to us with whoever we can... and let's also be careful to avoid becoming complacent or prideful and thinking that we know it all. Let's stay humble, seek constant advice from the Lord, and keep improving.

John 10:32-38 -- On Potential

"Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him."
John 10:32-38


It is cool that even while people were in the process of stoning him, Christ was still teaching them, trying to get them to see past the mental blocks of tradition and human interpretation to the core truths of his gospel. Today, let's remember our potential as children of God, and follow Christ's example of good works and constant prayer, so that we too may learn and grow and become more than we now are.

D&C 93:23-25 -- On Truth

"Ye were also in the beginning with the Father; that which is Spirit, even the Spirit of truth;
And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come;
And whatsoever is more or less than this is the spirit of that wicked one who was a liar from the beginning."
Doctrine and Covenants 93:23-25


This definition of truth is amazing, and it makes my working definition of truth seem pale and sickly. The real truth that is in God is so much more than the truth that we work with every day... and by this selection, it being less makes it at least partially a tool of satan, because we just can't know the real truth without God's help. We think that we're doing our best with limited information, but God can help us do better than that, if we work with him and listen to his guidance. Today, let's lean on the Lord and trust him to help us know more about everything, and grow closer to the real truth underlying our limited knowledge.

Mosiah 3:10-12 -- On Honoring the Atonement

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


I really like this brief explanation of Christ's atonement, showing what Christ helps us with and what we need to do on our part if we intentionally rebel. The whole idea of a way to satisfy justice, but also offer mercy is an amazing one, and it seems to go along with the idea of God as our Father in Heaven really well, because parents are a good mortal model of the kind of sacrifice this is. Kids can't handle the full measure of justice for the mistakes they make sometimes, and so parents cover for them, paying the price so that they have the time to grow up and learn better. So God does for us... giving us time, and opportunities for learning how to grow into our eternal potential.

Today, let's honor our heavenly parentage and work towards being better than we are, little by little, at whatever pace we can sustain. God loves us, and as we go to him and inquire of him, he will help us grow and change and learn who we are and what our mission is. :)

Mosiah 2:38 -- On Our Dual Nature

"Therefore if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever."
Mosiah 2:38


The idea that our own immortal souls are what cause the "unquenchable fire," presumably what we understand as hell, is interesting, and cautionary. Coming to earth, we gained a body, and we gained the ability to choose, to determine who we want to be. Our souls are good, and were with God before all of this, and we'll remember that again after our bodies die, and if these two parts of ourselves are at odds, then we'll basically tear ourselves apart internally, only this time not in a short-term way that we might be able to dull with other obsessions or distractions. We will have a perfect knowledge then, of all of who we are, unable to shake it off or hide from ourselves. So today, let's take a look at where our self-unity is already fraying, and work on it. Let's turn to our heavenly Father and get his help. He knows us of old, and can assist us in staying true to ourselves as his children. Let's work out our problems here, while we have time to change and repent. :)

Mosiah 2:9 -- On Attention and Focus

"And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view."
Mosiah 2:9


I love the idea here of amazingly focused attention, to listen not just with ears, but with hearts and minds and spirits. A sermon from King Benjamin certainly deserves that, but I wonder how many other things in our lives would as well, if we chose to give them this kind of attention. Perhaps normal church talks and lessons would be transformed by that attention into spiritual feasts.

Today, let's work on giving every part of our attention to the Lord. As we do, I think we will feel the Spirit in more abundance, and notice goodness around us that perhaps we haven't been paying attention to.

Omni 1:12-16 -- On Journeys and Promises

"Behold, I am Amaleki, the son of Abinadom. Behold, I will speak unto you somewhat concerning Mosiah, who was made king over the land of Zarahemla; for behold, he being warned of the Lord that he should flee out of the land of Nephi, and as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord should also depart out of the land with him, into the wilderness—
And it came to pass that he did according as the Lord had commanded him. And they departed out of the land into the wilderness, as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord; and they were led by many preachings and prophesyings. And they were admonished continually by the word of God; and they were led by the power of his arm, through the wilderness until they came down into the land which is called the land of Zarahemla.
And they discovered a people, who were called the people of Zarahemla. Now, there was great rejoicing among the people of Zarahemla; and also Zarahemla did rejoice exceedingly, because the Lord had sent the people of Mosiah with the plates of brass which contained the record of the Jews.
Behold, it came to pass that Mosiah discovered that the people of Zarahemla came out from Jerusalem at the time that Zedekiah, king of Judah, was carried away captive into Babylon.
And they journeyed in the wilderness, and were brought by the hand of the Lord across the great waters, into the land where Mosiah discovered them; and they had dwelt there from that time forth."
Omni 1:12-16


The pattern of being called to leave a place and set up in a promised land somewhere else is a recurring theme in the scripture... especially the Book of Mormon, talking here about two such events. Interestingly, they resulted in these two different people of the Lord joining together.

I think this happens in the modern day as well. Sometimes it is refugees fleeing from persecution, and sometimes just people who have to go out on their own because of family trouble, like Nephi did. There are other reasons as well, but in each case God has prepared a place for us to go. He has a mission for us to do. In whatever circumstances we are in today, let's pray and have faith, and ask God to show us the way. He will lead us to our own promised land or purpose, and help us grow into our potential.

Proverbs 6:12-14 -- On Avoiding Deceit

"A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord."
Proverbs 6:12-14


A good reminder of some things to avoid. This includes being deceitful and mocking with others, in what we say and also in our gestures of disdain or secret/not well known signals to others that make fun of someone behind his or her back, or intentionally confuse and mislead. Today, let's avoid planting divisiveness rather than peace. Let's be honest and open with others, as guided by the Lord, and do things for their good, not to laugh at them.

D&C 52:14-19 -- On Patterns and Paths

"And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving the nations—
Wherefore he that prayeth, whose spirit is contrite, the same is accepted of me if he obey mine ordinances.
He that speaketh, whose spirit is contrite, whose language is meek and edifieth, the same is of God if he obey mine ordinances.
And again, he that trembleth under my power shall be made strong, and shall bring forth fruits of praise and wisdom, according to the revelations and truths which I have given you.
And again, he that is overcome and bringeth not forth fruits, even according to this pattern, is not of me.
Wherefore, by this pattern ye shall know the spirits in all cases under the whole heavens."
Doctrine and Covenants 52:14-19


The idea of a pattern in all things, and God as the source of creation, organization, and order is an interesting one. God seems to know that we need a plan, or else we typically just let things fall through the cracks. He helps us by giving us guidelines, instructions, and goals to reach for, since we often don't aim for those things ourselves, except with things we specifically love. :) ... Today, let's learn from God how to love more things, and pay attention to them more. Let's pray, and listen, and follow, and bring forth fruits of wisdom and good works, according to the pattern and path that God lays before us.

Proverbs 5:21-22 -- On the Cords of Sin

"For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.
His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins."
Proverbs 5:21-22


This reminds me of Scrooge's partner Marley, who was held by the chains of his greed in the afterlife, and came back to warn Scrooge. Fictional, of course, but perhaps a good symbolic representation of this real idea... that it is our sins that trap us and hold us back. We often get it wrong and think that God is holding us back, but the reality is that God is offering us everything, and we hold ourselves back from infinite potential and possibility with our obsessions, fears, and sins. What we should fear is anything that gets in the way of being able to connect with God and through his Spirit, being able to see the possibilities all around us.

Today, let's tune in to God, and break down the walls, and cords, that are holding us back.

Daniel 10:14-19 -- On Weakness Before the Lord

"Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me."
Daniel 10:14-19


I like the stories of mortals talking to angels and divinities and becoming weak, because I think it is a good reminder that heaven is different than it is here, and we aren't considering the differences enough. Maybe it helps keep us humble to remember that we are weak and as children before the Lord. Maybe it helps us open ourselves up for help when we see our own weakness and know that we can't do it alone. ... I also just really like the scene here where Daniel is strengthened. I think it shows how much the angelic visitors cared about him and wanted him to be okay. Today, let's turn to God in prayer, remembering that no matter how far along in mortality we are, we still have so much to learn. :)

Mosiah 2:17 -- On Serving God and Others

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."
Mosiah 2:17


This is a pretty well-known verse from the Book of Mormon, so maybe we've heard it enough that we gloss over it a little, but it bears thinking about. God wants us to serve him *by* doing good to other people. He's not in it for himself, but for us. As Christ so clearly showed in his atonement, this whole life is about saving us... about teaching us to be the kind of people that can live in heaven / Zion / a perfect society. Today, let's listen and learn, and do all the good we can.

Mosiah 1:5 -- On Understanding God's Mysteries

"I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct."
Mosiah 1:5


This is good advice about the importance of the scriptures, and also points out how easy it is to stray from God's path if we don't have a maintenance plan including prayer and scripture study. We don't examine our own traditions enough, and even when we do, we often completely miss the truth because we can't see God's perspective. Prayer and scripture study help us glimpse that perspective, and as we practice those things in our lives, the closer to the Spirit we become, and the more confident we will be in walking God's path. Today, let's take King Benjamin's advice to his sons, and believe in and value the scriptures, and ask God to enlighten our minds as we read, so that we can understand them better.

Mosiah 24:15 -- On Strength and Patience

"And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord."
Mosiah 24:15


This is a good reminder that even when God doesn't take our burdens away, he can make them lighter. If praying for elimination of all of our trials isn't working, we might need some of them to be able to grow. But we can still pray for strength and patience and a better attitude so that we can endure it well. :)

Today, let's remember that God has a plan and, depending on how our requests fit into that plan, he isn't always going to answer our prayers the way we want him to. Let's be creative today and remember that sometimes the answer is to run away... to a promised land perhaps, to get the strength to overcome or endure, or to have the faith and patience to wait until the miracle comes. Let's pray in faith, knowing that God knows the best way to answer our prayers and to help us to become better.

D&C 88:77-80 -- On Teaching and Preparing

"And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.
Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;
Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms—
That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you."
Doctrine and Covenants 88:77-80


I like the idea here that God wants us to learn it all... theory, principle, doctrine, law, heaven and earth, countries, kingdoms, perplexities, judgements... it's so much, but as far as it pertains to the kingdom of God, it's something to learn. Even war, which can definitely relate to faith and defense of home and family as we learn in the many war chapters of the Book of Mormon.

I do think this excludes some things. We don't need to learn evil and do a deep dive into ways of committing sin. We'll learn more than enough of that as we encounter it along the way in learning about God's Kingdom and his will for us on this earth.

Today, let's learn and teach about God's kingdom, and find out how everything around us relates to Him. As we do, we will be more prepared for our callings and missions in life, and for finding our place in eternity.

D&C 88:63-65 -- On Watching What We Want

"Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you;
And if ye ask anything that is not expedient for you, it shall turn unto your condemnation."
Doctrine and Covenants 88:63-65


This is a good thing to keep in mind--the idea that we should be careful what we ask for. If we ask for something bad for us, we might get it, and that could harm us. That's why part of the whole gospel idea is knowing and understanding God and his purposes for us. He knows who we are, but also who we can be, and he can help us reach for that better self, rather than us giving up and abandoning ourselves to our bad sides.

Today, let's draw near to God, welcoming his presence and voice in our lives, and seeking his advice. Let's ask for things that will help us and the world around us, and not ask for things that will make things worse.

John 16:22 -- On Promised Joy

"And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you."
John 16:22


Sorrow is part of our mortal journey, and it is by definition a hard thing to wade through. The cool thing though is that, just like a promised land and a promised new, better life that we have in store, we have joy promised to us as well. Not just in eternity, as in this life, but even here in this life, God will help us to see the good and to find the joy that surpasses all human understanding... and that is just a taste of what is waiting for us later, if we continue to choose it by choosing God, trusting him and following his instructions to help us get back to him. Today, let's learn of him in the scriptures, and pray and learn more of his promises, and let's live what we learn.

2 Nephi 12:2-4 -- On Learning the Lord's Ways

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, when the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it.
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.
And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plow-shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks—nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."
2 Nephi 12:2-4


I love the idea of getting to this place where we don't go to war, or even learn war, anymore. And I think the preceding verses tell us a little of how to do our part to get there... learn God's ways, and walk his paths. As we do, we will contribute to the good in the world, and help God's work go forward, and become more prepared for the days ahead. We're not beyond war yet as a society, but as we do God's will, and trust in him, someday we will be.

2 Nephi 4:4 -- On Prospering in the Land

"For the Lord God hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence."
2 Nephi 4:4


I love this promise. It doesn't mean that there will be no obstacles or challenges, but it does mean that we can, and will, prosper if we keep God's commandments... that there is always hope, and a way to overcome and succeed, if we persist and keep striving. Let's remember that there is always a way, if we stick with God. He wants us to succeed. Let's keep his commandments, which are designed to help us to prosper. :)

4 Nephi 1:15 -- On God's Love Dwelling in Our Hearts

"And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people."
4 Nephi 1:15


There are a lot of commandments and a lot of things to avoid, but perhaps one of the most important things that we can do to make ourselves, the world, and our relationships with God and others better is to learn to love as God does. His love is far above our selfish sort, which we often use to bargain or manipulate. God's love flows out to everyone... people we don't like or understand, people we look up to, people we look down on, sinners striving to be better, and even sinners not really striving at all. He asks us to love all people, to see in them the spark of greatness, and to cultivate it and help them to become more than they are... and he wants the same for us.

Today, let's pray to be filled with love, and when God helps us to feel it, let's act on it, rather than stifling it with our biases and judgements. Let's reach out to those around us and lift them up and love them extravagantly, as though our love will never run out... because it won't, and can't, if God is the source. Let's live well and keep loving, so that His love can dwell in our hearts always.

D&C 93:18 -- On Personal Investment in the Gospel, and More to Come

"And it shall come to pass, that if you are faithful you shall receive the fulness of the record of John."
Doctrine and Covenants 93:18


Sometimes we think we know everything about the gospel already... we know the Sunday School answers... read, pray, repent, etc. With things like this though, we realize that there is so much more to come. God waits for us to step up our game, to be faithful and diligent, to not just have a casual acquaintance with the gospel, but to dive deep and really know it, and internalize it, and become it. Today, let's not just do the bare minimum in our worship. Let's invest in the gospel fully. As we do, God will reveal more and teach us more on our path back to him. :)

Matthew 25:1-4 -- On the Oil of Testimony and the Flame of Good Works

"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps."
Matthew 25:1-4


The parable of the ten virgins is told immediately before the parable of the talents, seemingly to illustrate the same idea. And since it is illustrative of the last days, we could probably also compare with the allegory of the olive trees in Jacob 5. Pulling from both of these sources, the oil here could be symbolic of adding to the light that we have already recieved, and building on it... so increasing our testimonies, and also bringing forth good fruit, so doing good works... oil in storage, and actively burning oil, both nurturing our own faith, but also that of others.

As in the parable, these aren't things that we can give to others just for the asking. Testimony and good works build up over time, teaching and refining us, and bringing us closer to God. That's the challenge of "deathbed" repentance, or intentionally waiting to change... we teach ourselves the wrong things, and learn the wrong habits of mind and heart, placing our own desires before God, when God's whole goal is to help us, and his will will help us more than we could ever help ourselves.

That doesn't mean that it is too late for us now. :) Our lives are given us as time to repent and learn, and we still have time. Let's jump in and make some changes, and keep us with our "spiritual maintenance plan of personal prayer, regular scripture study, and frequent repentance" (Divine Helps for Mortality, Dallin H Oaks). Let's be ready with an inner flame when the Lord calls us.

Alma 62:48-51 -- On Stopping the Cycle of Pride

"And the people of Nephi began to prosper again in the land, and began to multiply and to wax exceedingly strong again in the land. And they began to grow exceedingly rich.
But notwithstanding their riches, or their strength, or their prosperity, they were not lifted up in the pride of their eyes; neither were they slow to remember the Lord their God; but they did humble themselves exceedingly before him.
Yea, they did remember how great things the Lord had done for them, that he had delivered them from death, and from bonds, and from prisons, and from all manner of afflictions, and he had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies.
And they did pray unto the Lord their God continually, insomuch that the Lord did bless them, according to his word, so that they did wax strong and prosper in the land."
Alma 62:48-51


The Book of Mormon is filled with warnings about the cycle of pride. When things are going well, we start forgetting God and glorying in our riches and thinking that we are better than each other, and then things go bad, until they are finally bad enough that we remember that we need God, and the cycle continues. It seems like an extremely regular, and sad, cycle that mortals seem trapped in. So, this is a nice hopeful message that it doesn't have to be that way. These people didn't get prideful. They remembered God and stayed humble, so they could prosper *AND* stay true to the Lord.

Today, let's remember how rare this is and watch ourselves closely. Let's turn to the Lord, whether our lives are going badly or going well. Let's not let our circumstances distract us from the core truth of God in our lives. Let's not assume we are beyond needing God and reminders of his gospel in our lives. Let's read, pray, attend church, and keep doing all of the things that God asks of us. Let's try to stop the cycle rather than rushing headlong into the next crash. :)

D&C 91:3-6 -- On Spiritual Priorities

"Verily, I say unto you, that it is not needful that the Apocrypha should be translated.
Therefore, whoso readeth it, let him understand, for the Spirit manifesteth truth;
And whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom;
And whoso receiveth not by the Spirit, cannot be benefited. Therefore it is not needful that it should be translated. Amen."
Doctrine and Covenants 91:3-6


This reminded me today that our curiosity doesn't always lead us to things that are needful, and interesting doesn't necessarily mean good. :) In addition to obviously evil traps, sometimes we go down good rabbitholes and get distracted from our main mission. :)

Today, let's stick to the Lord's plan, and work to keep his spirit with us. We can ask to understand other things, of course, and the Lord will help us understand everything eventually. Let's just make sure that we stick with the Lord's timing and don't get distracted from understanding the core of the gospel or doing what it is needful to do by investigating rabbitholes. :) As we cultivate the spirit in our lives, we will understand what is important and needful, and the rest can wait upon God's will. :)

Psalms 24:3-4 -- On Focusing on the Basics

"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully."
Psalms 24:3-4


Some more specific things to focus on here: purity, and avoiding vanity/pride and deception. Today, if we are feeling overwhelmed, maybe just double-down on these. Let go of the things that are corrupting our souls, let go of the things that are tempting us to compete or compare, and stop giving into the temptation to lie, exaggerate, or decieve in any way. Some lies might seem small, but rooting them out will help us stay on track as being committed to truth.

Psalms 23:1 -- On Wanting

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."
Psalms 23:1


I like the idea here... that the Lord is caring for us, and that we won't go without. That doesn't mean that we shouldn't be prepared and provide for ourselves and our families, as God directs, but it does mean that we don't have to feel anxiety for the unknown and uncontrollable future. God is our shepherd... he will cover the things that we can't. Today, let's fear no evil or unknown, and trust fully in the Lord.

Proverbs 6:16-19 -- On Things to Avoid

"These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
Proverbs 6:16-19


Lists are good sometimes, so that we can have something specific to focus on. Today, let's think about these and make sure we are avoiding these important things, like a tendency to lie, running to mischief, etc. Wicked imaginations are likely hard to define, but I think they are out there in our media already, and keeping our hearts and brains free of it is a good thing to work for. :)

Alma 4:8 -- On Scorn and Praying for Humility

"For they saw and beheld with great sorrow that the people of the church began to be lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and to set their hearts upon riches and upon the vain things of the world, that they began to be scornful, one towards another, and they began to persecute those that did not believe according to their own will and pleasure."
Alma 4:8


Scorn, according to Merriam-Webster, is "open dislike and disrespect or mockery often mixed with indignation," which seems to correspond very well with a sense of pride or self-righteousness. Perhaps the key to avoiding this trap in our lives is to remember how much we all need God in our lives.

It's scary to pray for humility, because humility doesn't allow us to feel superior, and it can hurt to feel our weaknesses and incompetence. Sometimes we need to do it anyway though, so that we don't fall into this trap, and start feeling like we are better than other people and that we're somehow making it all on our own. We all need God, desperately.

Today, let's examine our lives, and if we feel scorn for others, let's take that plunge and pray for humility. God will teach us how to be better people, if we open up and let him. It's hard, but worth it.

Jonah 1:10-12 -- On Tempests

"Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.
Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.
And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you."
Jonah 1:10-12


This is part of the story of Jonah, when he was trying to get out of what the Lord had asked him to do. I think sometimes there are tempests in our lives that turn us around as well, and they aren't fun, but they are designed to help. God could have let Jonah die when he was tossed overboard, but he not only sent the tempest, but he sent the salvation along with it... a way to endure and escape.

Today, whatever tempests come into our lives, let's remember that God builds in repentance and escape to everything, and if we turn towards God our lives will get better. They won't be without trials, of course, because that is how we learn, but with God we will be able to see the good, and find our way through any storm.

D&C 90:36-37 -- On Overcoming

"But verily I say unto you, that I, the Lord, will contend with Zion, and plead with her strong ones, and chasten her until she overcomes and is clean before me.
For she shall not be removed out of her place. I, the Lord, have spoken it. Amen."
Doctrine and Covenants 90:36-37


I like the idea here that God isn't going to give up, but persevere until Zion becomes clean. Even though the chastening sounds difficult and probably painful, isn't that what we all want--for God to keep at it, to keep helping us and teaching us until we finally get it, and are worthy to enter his kingdom? This is about a collective group rather than an individual, but it works for us as members of that group as well. As long as we don't stop trying, God will keep working with us and helping us to overcome.

Today, let's renew our determination to do God's will and to repent and change for the better. Let's lift others with a good example and hope for the future, and trust that God will not give up on us as long as we stick with him and keep trying.