John 12:14-16 -- On Spiritual Hindsight

"And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.
These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him."
John 12:14-16


The disciples here didn't know in the moment that scripture was being fulfilled, and that they were witnessing what so many prophets had foretold. Later though, they realized, and connected the dots, and wrote it down. Likewise, I think that there are times in our own lives that we don't understand fully until we look back (not in a Lot's Wife way, wanting to go back and away from God, but in a hindsight way, just using the past to learn from).

Today, let's look back on our lives and pay attention to God's hand in our lives... the times when he stepped in and changed our direction. I know that there are many times in my life where I had a strong feeling that I needed to do something, or not do something, and I didn't always realize that was the Lord, or even know that I knew how to recognize the spirit as something different from my own thoughts, and yet it was there, watching out for me, and teaching me the way that I should go.

Let's look back and be grateful for God's guidance and blessings... and then move forward with confidence, knowing and trusting that God will step in and help us, always, when we need it.

John 8:28-29 -- On Obedience and Spirit

"Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him."
John 8:28-29


Lots of times we see obedience as a burden or obligation, but Christ taught clearly here that it is a blessing. Christ did what the Father asked, and the Lord blessed him with the Spirit of his presence in his life, filling that God-sized hole that is a part of us, and that we only feel as a void when we are walking away.

Jesus is the Christ. We know this, as he predicted. And he taught us how to have God in our lives, guiding us and helping us to walk as he did. Let's notice and listen today, and do the work so that we can enjoy the blessings of obedience.

Alma 34:41 -- On the Temporary Nature of Afflictions

"But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions."
Alma 34:41


I really like this verse because it reinforces the temporary nature of afflictions (not just some, because the verse before specifies "all manner of afflictions"), and also lets us know that one day they will all be gone. Mortality is sometimes difficult, but even afflictions that last our whole lives will someday seem like the blink of an eye because *we* are not just mortal. We are eternal. We will survive death, and we will survive every one of our afflictions and trials, because God has a plan, and has provided for us. We will be resurrected as he was. We will prevail over the pains of mortality, and rise again to be judged for our actions. So today, let's work with God to make those actions better. Let's repent, and look forward with hope, seeing beyond our afflictions, and help others in their suffering and pain as well. Let's remember who we are as children of God, and work through the difficulties with patience and faith and a mind to help everyone else as well. ... I know sometimes it doesn't feel like we can handle it all, but there is an end, and there is hope. Let's trust in that promise from God.

John 4:25-26 -- On the Messiah

"The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he."
John 4:25-26


I love this whole conversation, but this is the best part I think, because Christ had been showing the woman at the well who he was, and that he knew her, and this is where she realizes, and has it confirmed, that he is the Messiah. Everything that she had been doing that day is immediately left behind and she leaves to go tell others, and bring them to him. She understands the impact and importance of what he is telling her, and acts on it immediately.

Today, let's also realize the amazing reality of having contact with the Savior of the World, and treasure it, and let it change not only our actions today, setting aside our own priorities for his, but let's also let it influence who we are, as we do his will to improve the world and make the lives of his children all around us better.

Mosiah 15:1 -- On The Founder of Peace

"And behold, I say unto you, this is not all. For O how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that is the founder of peace, yea, even the Lord, who has redeemed his people; yea, him who has granted salvation unto his people."
Mosiah 15:1


This is more Abinadi, who I just can't get over sometimes. All of this amazing thought was poured into a sermon to a hostile audience while he was a prisoner, basically waiting to be executed because they didn't like the truth. The reason it was recorded and we get to hear it is because he convinced one person, and from there it spread to whole nations. It's one of the many evidences in the scriptures that one person can make a difference.

That said, what I love about this verse is the idea of God as the one that brings good tidings, and who is the founder of peace. The idea of him being the good news in a world full of bad news, and the peace in the midst of turmoil is powerful, and something that he asks us also to do. We shouldn't be part of the argument / problem / conflict, but rather the problem-solvers, the peacemakers, and the people who are making things better.

Today, let's follow God (and Abinadi) in publishing good news, and promoting peace. Let's strengthen communities and build up other people. Let's be the good guys, and help God to make things right.

Mosiah 13:4-7 -- On Truth

"But I must fulfil the commandments wherewith God has commanded me; and because I have told you the truth ye are angry with me. And again, because I have spoken the word of God ye have judged me that I am mad.
Now it came to pass after Abinadi had spoken these words that the people of king Noah durst not lay their hands on him, for the Spirit of the Lord was upon him; and his face shone with exceeding luster, even as Moses’ did while in the mount of Sinai, while speaking with the Lord.
And he spake with power and authority from God; and he continued his words, saying:
Ye see that ye have not power to slay me, therefore I finish my message. Yea, and I perceive that it cuts you to your hearts because I tell you the truth concerning your iniquities."
Mosiah 13:4-7


In a discussion at work recently someone mentioned that trust had replaced truth, and that's what I thought of when reading this excerpt from the story of Abinadi today. The Lord preserved his life so that he could teach these men the truth, even though theoretically they were in positions where they should have been teaching the truth of God to the people. God steps in here to correct things, which causes all kinds of changes in their society, but the end result was a righteous people again. Today, in our world where it is harder and harder to find truth, or to know what we can trust, let's turn to God who is truth, for guidance. Let's read, study, and follow his word and rely on his guidance through his prophets to help us navigate, so that we don't get off track like King Noah and his priests.

Mosiah 4:8-10 -- On Doing

"And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there is none other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you.
Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.
And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them."
Mosiah 4:8-10


I like the advice here to come to God, and how to do that. Today, let's turn to God through thought and action, repenting and trusting in His word.

Mosiah 3:20 --On Thanks and Praise

"I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another—"
Mosiah 3:20


kind of an unfinished thought here, but today in Sacrament meeting we just had people choosing a verse of their favorite hymns, and then we sang them, over and over for the whole meeting. It was a great meeting, I think partially because we were all rendering "thanks and praise" with our whole souls. Today, let's take a moment and offer a prayer of thanks and praise to God, for all that he has done for us, and continues to do. :)

Helaman 4:13 -- On Mortal versus Godly Strength

"And because of this their great wickedness, and their boastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper, but were afflicted and smitten, and driven before the Lamanites, until they had lost possession of almost all their lands."
Helaman 4:13


A good reminder that we can't do it without God. God honors our hard work, and our effort matters, but it isn't enough--part of the whole reason why we need a Saviour. When we are left to ourselves, we lose so much that we can be, and we need to remember that God supports us in everything, so that we don't wrongly assume that it's all us, and that we don't need Him. Today, let's remember some humility, and pray to the Lord for his help in all things.

Psalms 143:6-10 -- On Thirst for the Spirit and Learning from God

"I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness."
Psalms 143:6-10


Some more cool scriptural poetry. I like the idea of thirsting for the Spirit, because we do... when our lives seem empty or meaningless, God is what we are missing. That is the hole that we feel in our lives from time to time, and that relationship with God is what can restore vibrancy and wholeness.

All of this is good, but I think my favorite part is pleading with God to teach us to do his will. As mortals it is hard to understand and to do, but God understands this, and he doesn't just leave us to figure it all out on our own. He loves and recognizes our efforts, but he is also willing to help us. Today, let's ask for that help. We can't fail if we work with him and take it in small steps. Let's keep working towards the future that God can see for us, which is better than any other.

Psalms 142:4-7 -- On Dealing Bountifully

"I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me."
Psalms 142:4-7


I like the poetry of this one as well as the ideas here. We start out with a desolate image of someone who feels very alone and ignored/abandoned. Realizing there is no help to be found in people, the person cries to the Lord, knowing that the Lord can overcome persecutors, prison, and really, any other obstacle. God can see us and help us even when we are trapped and alone. I love the idea of dealing bountifully as well. The supplicant here knows that the Lord will deal bountifully / give freely / provide loving assistance to those who call on him for help. I think that whole idea is something we can learn to incorporate in our lives as well. We can learn to treat others always as though they were our favorites... to go out of our way to help strangers just as we would our close friends or family. To be generous and deal bountifully with others sometimes makes us shrink because we are thinking in worldly ways. And I am not saying that we should squander or waste, or fail to prepare for the future, but I think that giving bountifully (like the widow's mite?) is always a good call. As we live in the Lord's sight, scarcity becomes an illusion. God provides for us, and the sacrifice of giving to others is almost no sacrifice at all, since we know that God will provide for us, and bless us for being generous and bountiful to others.

Job 10:1-3 -- On Complaints and Compassion

"My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.
Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?"
Job 10:1-3


The story of Job seems to be illustrative of our time in mortality. Things are normal/good, things are horrible/tragic, things are good again... and we learn. It's easy to say that outside of the cycle, looking in, when we're not in the middle of a crisis, and that is part of what I love about the way that God deals with us in our bad times. He knows that we will be okay in the end, and that complaints of injustice are unwarranted, but God doesn't hold them against us as betrayals. Instead, he comforts us in the moment, just as we would a young child who is full of incoherent rage, fighting against us. We know that the kid is tired and frustrated and doesn't see the whole picture. At those times, we hold the child, try to infuse some calm, and teach that this is a safe space, giving them time to adjust and learn some self-regulation.

God knows that even though we are adults, we're still mortals, and we can't see the bigger picture. As eternal beings, we're still young, and we can't see the bright future ahead, instead focusing on the obstacle right in front of us. God acknowleges what we are feeling, and sorrows with us. He doesn't discount our emotions, but he can see farther--past the current tragedy, and he wants to comfort and help us, if we can calm down and accept it. Christ overcame even death, and nothing is ever permanently lost.

Today, let's try to step back from our perspective of the world falling apart around us and let God strengthen us and take some of our pain. It might seem bad now, and like the bad guys are winning, but that isn't how the story ends. Let's take a moment, and a deep breath, trust in God, and keep turning the pages. Just as with Job, it will get gloriously better.

Mormon 9:9-10 -- On God and Miracles

"For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing? And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God of miracles."
Mormon 9:9-10


A good reminder that God is a God of miracles. There are miracles happening in our lives, no matter what else is going on. When things are tough, they might be hard to see, but even then we are being strengthened, assisted, protected, and even carried... although of course God's plan is to help us learn to be amazing and resilient, so he can't protect us from everything. Today, let's pray to have the spirit with us, so that we can see God's hand in our lives and the miracles all around us.

Mormon 9:4 -- On Celestial Comfort

"Behold, I say unto you that ye would be more miserable to dwell with a holy and just God, under a consciousness of your filthiness before him, than ye would to dwell with the damned souls in hell"
Mormon 9:4


This is interesting, and I think gives a good reason why we aren't going to all go to heaven... because some of us would be miserable there. Not because it isn't a great and amazing place, but because those people aren't "our people" and we wouldn't feel comfortable there. And I guess you could call that a reason not to choose to go, but instead I think it is a reason to walk God's path more fully and to learn how to be those Zion people that we are not yet.

Today, let's walk God's path, and if possible find some human role models, which can help supplement our heavenly ones because they show us what it is like to be imperfectly flailing about and slowly getting it, which helps us relate.

Let's remember that we aren't there yet, but that God invites us all, and will help us learn and change and become the type of people that are welcome AND comfortable in heaven. It takes work, of course, to repent and to live a better life, but we'll pick it up, with God's help, and a good church family to practice on. :) Let's trust God and try. :)

Mormon 8:12 -- On Greater Things

"And whoso receiveth this record, and shall not condemn it because of the imperfections which are in it, the same shall know of greater things than these. Behold, I am Moroni; and were it possible, I would make all things known unto you."
Mormon 8:12


I like Moroni talking directly to us, even though we are reading these words hundreds of years after he wrote his advice. It's really cool, the whole whispering or crying out of the dust thing (Isaiah 29:4, 2 Nephi 33:13). It shows the ability of scripture to make a difference, and the word of God to transcend time. I also like the advice here, to seek the greater things that are to be found in the scripture before us. God didn't ask these people, his prophets, to make these records just for fun. They exist for us, to help us and guide us in the right way. Today, let's search them, and look for those greater things that the Lord wants to tell us, and follow up with God in prayer so that he can guide our steps as we read, and as we walk through our lives, showing us the way.

Alma 40:2-3 — On Seeking

"Behold, I say unto you, that there is no resurrection—-or, I would say, in other words, that this mortal does not put on immortality⁠, this corruption does not put on incorruption—until after the coming of Christ.
Behold, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead. But behold, my son, the resurrection is not yet. Now, I unfold unto you a mystery; nevertheless, there are many mysteries which are kept⁠, that no one knoweth them save God himself. But I show unto you one thing which I have inquired diligently of God that I might know—that is concerning the resurrection."
Alma 40:2-3


I know this stops in a weird place if you want to know what is about to be revealed about the resurrection, but what I like here is actually just the part where God explains things to us when we diligently seek to know. I think that is amazing, and like so many things with God, it works according to our belief. If we believe that God can do miracles in our lives, then he will. Today, let's seek, study, believe, and pray, and trust that God will help us learn the things that week seek to understand.

Matthew 2:12-13 — On Dreams

"And being warned of God in a dream, that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him."
Matthew 2:12-13


This is talking about the wise men and Joseph all being instructed through dreams. There are many other accounts in scripture of God using this method of communication as well, which makes me wonder if we should be paying more attention to our dreams. They aren't all inspired, but perhaps it would be instructive to remember them a little more. Today, let's keep a journal near where we sleep so that we can record the ideas and possibly instructions that the Lord sends to us in dreams, and of course, let us pray for the wisdom to know what is inspired and what is not.

Mormon 7:5 -- On Redemption, Repentance, and Resurrection

"Know ye that ye must come to the knowledge of your fathers, and repent of all your sins and iniquities, and believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, and that he was slain by the Jews, and by the power of the Father he hath risen again, whereby he hath gained the victory over the grave; and also in him is the sting of death swallowed up."
Mormon 7:5


I like this. In the last chapter, Mormon witnesses his whole people being destroyed except for 24 people who survived the dead. Understandably upset, he mourns their loss. But then in this next chapter, he writes to the descendants of the people who killed all of his people, knowing that they are the remnant that will be left in the last days. And instead of raging against them, he instead talks to them of redemption and repentance, and here about resurrection. I think it must have been hard for him to take the long view here, but it's awesome that God gives him a taste of hope and an investment in the future even after such an immense tragedy, and in having him write to the remnant, God also reminds him that the sting of death is swallowed up, and that no one is lost forever. Because of Christ, we will see our loved ones again who have passed on. Today, whatever we are going through, let's hold onto our connection with God and let him show us the long view, and the good that is yet to come.

Alma 62:3-5 -- On Leaders and Liberty

"And it came to pass that Moroni took a small number of men, according to the desire of Pahoran, and gave Lehi and Teancum command over the remainder of his army, and took his march towards the land of Gideon.
And he did raise the standard of liberty in whatsoever place he did enter, and gained whatsoever force he could in all his march towards the land of Gideon.
And it came to pass that thousands did flock unto his standard, and did take up their swords in the defence of their freedom, that they might not come into bondage."
Alma 62:3-5


Most of the wars in the Book of Mormon are between believers and non-believers essentially, although I am sure that there were some of each on either side. In general though, the people divided themselves along those lines and the people who followed God fought the people who didn't, the people who didn't consistently being the aggressors.

This is an interesting departure from that, where they are divided along the lines of people who want a king and people who do not. It connects to the overall trend because the people who want a king make an agreement with the unbelievers that they will hold the central city/capitol, which they think will guarantee their success. And it does disrupt the whole nation a lot, ensuring that reinforcements aren't sent to the front lines in the greater war. This is just after the leader of the country asks the leader of the armies to step in and help him drive the king-men out. They have to solve this internal problem before they can drive out the unbelievers again.

In a way, the king-men were the unbelievers, because they wanted to set up a government that went against the laws that God had established, and of course their choice of allies was telling, but this was a difficult one for everyone. Pahoran didn't know whether it was justified to go against these people the same way they had gone against external threats. Moroni's letter solved that problem for him because God had instructed Moroni to solve the problem in the government, even though he didn't know what it was yet. :) ... It's a good lesson for us, perhaps because it is adds to the lessons on government we learn from the Old Testament (slavery is bad, follow God or you will lose, even Governments that God established will fall if they stop doing his will), and the New Testament (Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, follow God and do good even when they persecute and kill you for it). We have additional messages here. They can't contradict the lessons of Christ... (3 Nephi 12:39 "ye shall not resist evil, but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also) we are supposed to turn the other cheek and resist not evil individually. On the other hand, (Alma 61:10 "resist wickedness even unto bloodshed" and Alma 61:14 "whatsoever evil we cannot resist with our words, yea, such as rebellions and dissensions, let us resist them with our swords") God still is about freedom and agency and when he commands, then we shouldn't let a whole nation fall to tyranny. Just like he authorized Nephi's violence to prevent a whole nation from dwindling and perishing in unbelief.

... The whole idea of violence being the answer is a scary one. I don't think that any of us should be running around taking cities over like Moses and David did, killing people like Nephi did, or putting down rebellions like Moroni and Pahoran did here. They were justified, but would not be unless explicitly commanded. The overall rule should be what Christ preached, and practiced, in healing an ear rather than cutting it off. But let's remember the exceptions as well, because the real rule behind all of it is always to Follow God. The same lesson that Abraham learned on the mount as he was about to sacrifice his son. We have to learn on some deep, fundamental level that God knows what is best. He can see the whole picture when we cannot. As we put him first, he will help us solve our problems, big and small. The right side is always HIS side. Let's take that to heart today, and always, and pray to know what is right.

James 4:5-8 -- On Humility

"Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
James 4:5-8


This is a good reminder that it is easy for us to get envious, and that we have a tendency to think that way, which is good to know so that, with God, we can learn to recognize that and work to overcome it. Today, let's work on that humility and recognizing when we are making ourselves discontent by looking elsewhere and comparing, and instead focus on what we have been given, and be thankful for it. As we purify our hearts, God will help us be able to focus and become more than we could have dreamed possible. :)

1 Timothy 4:12-16 -- On Example

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee."
1 Timothy 4:12-16


I like the idea here of being a good example, and learning from the gifts of God and also reading and meditating on the word of God. I also like that it isn't just for us, but our examples can help others as well, as they see us growing up and changing into better people. :) Today, let's work on being good examples, not in a prideful way, but in a humble and loving way, lifting up and helping not only ourselves, but the people around us.

Helaman 5:10-11 -- On Redemption and Repentance

"And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins.
And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls."
Helaman 5:10-11


I like the idea here that Christ redeems us from, but not in, our sins... which means we have to get out of them. :) This is important because we aren't just being allowed into heaven with a waiver for our imperfection... we're being made perfect. When we get there we will be worthy of it, because Christ is giving us the b'zillion chances that we need to slowly, incrementally, improve to that level, of course with his essential help. We can't change on our own in a lot of cases. We desperately need his help, and his hope, and his forgiveness to keep going, and to eventually succeed. He can change our hearts if we ask him to, so even when we can't find it within us, he can help us.

Today, let's embrace repentance and stop assuming that we need to (or even can be) perfect alone. Let's accept Christ's help, and help others all that we can, so that we can all join together in the end, united and rejoicing.

2 Thessalonians 3:13 -- On Non-Drowsy Good Works

"But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing."
2 Thessalonians 3:13


I like the idea of being dauntless in doing good, and not getting tired of doing great things. Physically, we might get tired from time to time, but mentally I feel like it's more about what seems worthy of our time, and the rest we classify as "boring." Today, let's make sure that we aren't putting the things of God on that boring list, or spending so much time on trivial things that the good things get crowded out. Let's put God first by valuing and prioritizing good works, and letting other, lesser things be the trivial or boring things that we grow tired of. Just like our favorite activities, let's always have the time and a smile for the things of God. :)

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 -- On Being Called to Holiness

"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit"
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8


Interesting things here. That lust seems to be defrauding, for one, but lots to think about elsewhere too. I like the fact that God is the avenger, that we don't despise others because that attitude is always towards God and his creation of the object of our derision. Today, let's think about how we treat others, and work on answering God's call to Holiness.

D&C 128:8 -- On Writing and Connection

"Now, the nature of this ordinance consists in the power of the priesthood, by the revelation of Jesus Christ, wherein it is granted that whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Or, in other words, taking a different view of the translation, whatsoever you record on earth shall be recorded in heaven, and whatsoever you do not record on earth shall not be recorded in heaven; for out of the books shall your dead be judged, according to their own works, whether they themselves have attended to the ordinances in their own propria persona, or by the means of their own agents, according to the ordinance which God has prepared for their salvation from before the foundation of the world, according to the records which they have kept concerning their dead."
Doctrine and Covenants 128:8


The whole idea here of records existing in heaven if they are made here is cool... that the sealing power is more than just about marriages, but about connecting... families, but also heaven and earth, the living and the dead, the past and the future in a way. We already have a little of that, in reading the records and books of the past we connect with the people and authors from the past, and what we write, people in the future may be able to read, so we have that literary connection already in a way, but it is cool that the power of God can take that tenuous connection and solidify it. Moroni hiding the plates up unto the Lord and Joseph Smith being led to them become a sure connection, just as God has done with prophets of the past. One that springs to mind is Abinadi, whose words we would never know unless Alma wrote them down... testimonies of the past bringing us the belief and words of the past, where they teach and perfect us now. And the good words that we write can influence the future, as God wills.

Today, let's think about this, and write something for the future, just as we read of the past, as God endeavors to connect us all and make us perfect. :) In heaven, we'll all be there, past and present, finally able to meet. Let's bring something to that joyful meeting. :)

John 4:14 -- On Living Water

"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
John 4:14


I love the idea of never thirsting, especially in a spiritual sense, to never feel that emptiness or need for God, because we never break our connection to Him. The whole idea of something that doesn't run out... that's what God gives us, teaching us to look at the world with eyes and hearts of abundance, looking to share and give rather than out of need. :) Today, let's latch on to that idea, and drink deep of the water that will never fail.