Mark 5:35-40 -- On Being There for the Miracle

"While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying."
Mark 5:35-40


When Christ tells them that she is just asleep, he might have been explaining that she was in a coma or just unresponsive, rather than being dead, but it has little to do with the miracle. We can't know the actual medical condition of this girl, but whatever it was, at this point she would have been mourned and buried. It reminds me of Victorian era "safety coffins." Scary. Christ restored her life, either way.

What really struck me here was not the statement that she wasn't dead though, it was how carefully he chose his companions, and put everyone else out. The people laughing and scorning weren't able to be present for the miracle, perhaps because he needed concentrated faith, or maybe just because they were distracting from the serious spiritual event.

I wonder how many miracles we miss out on because we are incredulous and disbelieving. How many spiritual moments do we miss because of mockery? Today, let's work at keeping our doubting mouths shut and our physical and spirital senses open, and see if we can participate a little more in the spiritual glory of the universe and hear God's voice echoing through everything around us.

Job 42:5-6 -- On Realization

"I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes."
Job 42:5-6


Job's reaction to seeing God is amazing. The fact that he was brave enough to address him is already huge, but he did really well, and it is telling that all the things that he had gone through were as nothing compared to encountering the Lord. He knew instantly that all of his complaints were misplaced. I don't think that means we have to hate ourselves, but the comparison would make us feel like something we don't want to be.

Today, let's remember that God is more wonderful and amazing than we imagine. Let's stop treating him like a more powerful version of ourselves, and remember that he is so far beyond us that we can't imagine how glorious he really is. Let's prepare to meet him again by praying and listening to God's advice through his prophets and scriptures.

Mark 2:3-5 -- On Faith, Healing, and Working Together for Good

"And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee."
Mark 2:3-5


What strikes me today about this is that Jesus saw "their" faith, as a group. In other healing situations he asks if people believe, or tells them that their faith has played a part, helping us to understand that faith is part of the process, and that we can't just passively wait for God to change us. We have to be believing in, and willingly participating in the change. This goes further and helps us to understand our power as united believers. The power of the faith of many, working together... the power of prayer, not just one voice, but many united in faith and action. These friends of the sick man were also part of the process, their physical actions to get their friend there AND their belief that Jesus was the answer and the cure were both integral to the process.

The other awesome thing I noticed especially is that Christ healed him spiritually first, and as they discuss later, this was the more important healing. In the verses that follow, the man is also physically healed (verses 9-11), but this group faith helps in spiritual as well as physical ways. Not against the will of God, of course... God is the core part of the process. Faith moves mountains, but it happens through the willing participation of God. It can't do anything without that partnership of us and God together.

Today, let's apply our individual and our group faith to things that matter, and that will make things better. Let's talk to God, and consider the spiritual needs as well as the physical needs of those we serve and help. Let's pray for help, strength, and even for miracles, always remembering to allow room for the Lord's will to be done rather than our own. Faith involves God, and welcomes all, and it can make a difference in the world, as we work together for good. :)

Ephesians 3:17-19 -- On Love and Fullness

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."
Ephesians 3:17-19


I really like that consistently, the scriptures and the teachings of Christ are "grounded in love." Satan gets us with a parody of love sometimes, and tries to convince us it is the real deal, but the love of God is so much more than the counterfeits. It truly "passeth knowledge," and just a taste of how much God loves us can banish everything else from the mind as we realize that is what truly matters. Today, let's pray to feel that love from God, and to also feel it for others, so that we can share it with them and lift them up and help them understand what life is really about. Let's turn to God who is the only one who can fill us so that there is no more emptiness.

1 Nephi 16:20 -- On Murmurs and Mornings

"And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael did begin to murmur exceedingly, because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; and also my father began to murmur against the Lord his God; yea, and they were all exceedingly sorrowful, even that they did murmur against the Lord."
1 Nephi 16:20


I think we are all tempted to murmur at times, when things are hard. It seems easier to believe in God when he is blessing and prospering us than when he is allowing us to experience hardship. The conditions of our lives don't change the reality of God though. No matter what we go through and how bad it gets, we can never be harmed more than God has the power to heal. He will swallow up every bit of our sorrow with his joy, as we continue on the path. The road sometimes look bleak in chapter 5, but let's keep reading. The destination that God has set for all of us still leads to a happy ending, with joy beyond imagining. Let's remember that "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." It's not always literally one night, but it's the promise that joy always comes again. We're not stuck in the darkness. With God there is always hope, and a new sunrise coming.

1 Nephi 8:33 -- On Strange Buildings and Sticking With God

"And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of scorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not."
1 Nephi 8:33 This is from Lehi's dream, talking about the people who went to the great and spacious building, described here as "strange," and who mock the people who are dedicated to Christ. ... Reading this today, I think we need to be careful of not becoming those people. Spacious buildings and large friend groups seem cool, and maybe that is the draw, being popular or cool, or fitting in, or feeling competent and superior. Problem is, we're trying to fill an emptiness in ourselves, longing for love, acceptance, importance, and none of those things can actually come from the world in a satisfying way. We are trying to fill a God-shaped hole with inadequate duct tape and painful things like barbed wire. Let's take a look at our lives and step back from criticizing, scorning, or mocking others, no matter how much we think they deserve it. Instead, let's talk to God about what we need and want, and let him fill us and help us to be better than we have been. And when misguided people mock us for belief in the greatest thing in the universe, let's smile and move on, letting our example and our love be the return message from God, inviting them in as well.

Romans 9:33 -- On Stumbling and Shame

"As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."
Romans 9:33


We see a variation of this in the next chapter, which says "Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed" (Romans 10:11), and there are messages about being ashamed in lots of other places. Isaiah tells us "ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end" (Isaiah 45:17). We also hear "my people shall never be ashamed" (Joel 2:26), "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ" (Romans 1:16), "hope maketh not ashamed" (Romans 5:5), and "the people of the Lord shall not be ashamed" (2 Nephi 6:13). Some of them are from God's perspective, as in "God is not ashamed to be called their God" (Hebrews 11:16), and some are definitely from our side, like in Lehi's dream where it says that some people "after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost" (1 Nephi 8:28).

This particular verse talks about laying a stumblingstone and a rock of offense, perhaps indicating that this is an expected obstacle and test. Staying on the Lehi's dream theme, just like the rod of iron gets us through the mist of darkness when we can't see, in order to make it to the tree, and the mist of darkness isn't something that we can just avoid by walking around it, so also is mockery and people attempting to shower us with shame for believing in and following Christ. In Lehi's dream, the people in the great and spacious building were mocking the people at the tree (1 Nephi 8:27), which perhaps to us seems like a minor part of the story, but to those enduring the mockery, that can be just as large of a trial as the dark and dreary wilderness or the mist of darkness.

God's message to us is multilayered. He is saying "Do not be ashamed," but also "I won't let shame harm you" and "I will not be ashamed of you." God is telling us that yes, we do need to feel bad when we do something wrong, and repent, but none of that impacts our *worth* as His children. We are glorious beings of light, and he loves us and will do all things for us to save us. All we have to do is hang in there and keep trying. We are of infinite worth, and each of us is vitally important to God, as we should be to each other.

Today, let's do our best not to stumble because of the rocks that are strewn in our path, and when we do stumble, let's remember that it happens, and it is okay, and that we can get back up and keep going. Let's pay attention to where we are going, and hold tightly to God's word when the darkness comes. Let's remember our goal, and in whom we trust. God will help us, as we turn to him rather than letting the world drag us down. He will lift us up, heal us, and walk with us.

Romans 8:37 -- On Walls and Love

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."
Romans 8:37


The surrounding verses here give some examples of things that could get in the way or separate us from the love of God, but none of them can... Christ's love can defeat anything that comes between us. The only thing that can possibly separate us is our specific choice to walk away. And even then, Christ's arms are continually reaching for us, welcoming us back if we turn around. God's whole plan is built around making it possible to bridge the gap that separates us, so that we can return home, better.

Today, let's not turn away from God, but allow him into our lives. Existence is infinitely better with God in it. The day goes better if it starts with a prayer. Life goes better when God is there to help and heal us, and give us good advice, and teach us. Let's work on breaking down the walls, and the attitudes, that are standing between ourselves and Christ, so that we can be our best selves, and be reunited with the love that makes all else worthwhile.

Joseph Smith--Matthew 1:37 -- On Not Being Deceived

"And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived, for the Son of Man shall come, and he shall send his angels before him with the great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together the remainder of his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."
Joseph Smith--Matthew 1:37


What strikes me about this verse is the idea that if we treasure up the word of God, we won't be deceived. That's a huge and very important promise in these days where AI voice and video have gotten to a point where in many cases, people honestly cannot tell the difference. Stories online are often fictional, or partly fictional, even when presented as factual news, not always intentionally, but that too.

Today, let's cling to the word of God and treasure it, trusting God to show us the way through the falseness and ground us in a higher truth, so that we know how to help others survive in our new reality. :)

Leviticus 21:18-23 -- On Blemishes and Perfection

"For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded, Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken; No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the Lord made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God. He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy. Only he shall not go in unto the veil, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not my sanctuaries: for I the Lord do sanctify them."
Leviticus 21:18-23


There are a lot of things that are difficult to understand in the Old Testament, and the seeming exclusion of everyone with a physical blemish or abnormality seems like it could be concerning, if we thought that God could be discriminating and love one group a little less. Thankfully, I think this is all just about symbolism. Sacrifices were sybolically a type of Christ, and Christ, as a symbol, needs to be pure, whole, and a symbol of perfection.

It's clear that others were allowed into the temple from the "eating the bread of his God" part, and to confirm that God wants us all with him, we have only to pray. I think the prayer sincerely asking whether we are loved is one of the more reliably consistent questions we can ask. It obviously still depends on faith and sincerity, and God's timing... but he wants us to know that we are loved, and that there is always a place for us with him. Let's trust in that, praying for understanding and remembering that God will raise us all with perfect bodies in the resurrection.

Alma 42:23 -- On The Fall, and After

"But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice."
Alma 42:23


Was thinking about this verse today and how it says that the resurrection brings us back into the presence of God... which is basically a reversal of the Fall (verse 6) in the Garden of Eden. The fall brought a separation of us from the presence of the Lord, which gave us agency and the chance to choose for ourselves, but also brought about death. The resurrection solves that, while still giving us time on Earth to learn and become and choose. The resurrection also triggers judgement/restoration, which is where God restores to us what we have chosen.

Today, let's look forward to the resurrection with hope, and remember repentance, which Christ grants us so that we can let go of our sins before they are delivered back to us at the restoration. :) Let's take advantage of that gift, and work to change and improve.

Alma 42:27-29 -- On Restoration and Repentance

"Therefore, O my son, whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto him according to his deeds.
If he has desired to do evil, and has not repented in his days, behold, evil shall be done unto him, according to the restoration of God.
And now, my son, I desire that ye should let these things trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance."
Alma 42:27-29


I really like this chapter... so many great things. It goes very deep into the plan of redemption--why death is necessary, why repentance is required, etc. as Alma explained it to his son Corianton. This summary is compelling, explaining that we get to choose, but whatever we choose will be restored to us. Today, let's let our sins / those things that we don't want restored to us / trouble us to the extent that we are willing to repent and change and work with God to clear those things from our lives and we can move forward again without those burdens. God can help us if we ask for his help.

John 4:48 -- On Signs and Wonders

"Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe."
John 4:48


Christ was merciful to the man that he said this to, and healed his son... and the man and his household believed. And Thomas believed when he saw Christ as well (John 20:29), but we're told that we're more blessed if we believe without the proof in front of our eyes. Perhaps because the proof prevents us from learning and exercising faith. Faith is powerful, and combined with hope, and rooted in God, it can change our lives and allow us to experience miracles.

Today, instead of demanding that God show us proof, let's flex our faith a little bit, and learn that belief and trust and faithfulness to God that will help us through the rough patches. Let's reach out and explore who we are and what we believe without constant reassurance... which isn't bad, of course, but if we keep looking for that constantly then we are stuck there, revisiting our initial testimony rather than strengthening and deepening it. Let's build on what we know of God and trust that it will remain true as we continue to walk the path and develop our partnership with God to face the terrors of life and to find joy and peace, even in the midst of trial.

Alma 40:12,23 -- On Death and Resurrection

"And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.
-----
The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame."
Alma 40:12,23


These verses are separated by a lot of other discussion, which is very worthwhile, but what struck me today is the progression. The first verse is talking about "the state of the soul between death and the resurrection" (verse 11), and the final verse is talking about the resurrection itself. I love that when we die we go home to "that God who gave [us] life" (verse 11), and the peace and rest promised, which I think is what so many people is the end result after life, but there is so much more. Eventually, we will be resurrected in a "proper and perfext" body, and that's just the beginning of another, more infinite story. Today, let's look forward to an awesome, glorious future. God can help us get there, and prepare for meeting Him on that judgement day, if we look to him and learn from his words.

Matthew 14:13-16 -- On Solutions and Support

"When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat."
Matthew 14:13-16


Reading this today it reminded me of the Brother of Jared going to God with a problem. There was no light or way to refresh the air in the barges (Ether 2:19). He expected instructions, and he did get some... a way to solve the air problem. But for the light problem, the Lord turned the problem back over to the Brother of Jared. He asked "What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels?" and helped him by telling him a couple of things that would not work... no windows, no fire (Ether 2:23). God was helping him to think outside the box, to exercise his faith and come up with whatever solution he could imagine. And the solution that the Brother of Jared came up with was sixteen clear stones. And although it was inadequate without God's intervention, God made it work. Here, similarly, Jesus turns a problem back to the disciples. The conventional solution of making the multitude all go buy something wasn't going to work, so that solution was out. What else could they think of? And they tried what they could think of as well, coming up with the sum total of five loaves and two fishes. And God, again, made it work.

Today, as we are endeavoring to do God's will, and we encounter a problem that doesn't have a simple solution, let's turn to the Lord, and remember that sometimes God is going to turn it back to us to think about. He isn't always going to give us the answer, but as we consider the resources that we do have, in conjunction with the miraculous power of God, he will help us with the solution, as we keep working on it to find a way.

Matthew 13:34-35 -- On Parables

"All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world."
Matthew 13:34-35


I like the idea of Christ speaking in parables and providing analogies that the people could think about / we can think about. Nephi gloried in plainness, and some parables are full of that simplicity and clarity that he loved, but some of them have layers of meaning, like poetry, where we can ponder and learn more, as long as we have the Spirit to guide us. This helps God speak to all of us in individual ways as we read and listen and notice different ideas and aspects of the scriptures. Simple, profound truths and deep, thoughtful truths that we can ponder and learn more about. Today, let's remember that reading through the scriptures once never gleans all of their meaning. They are rich and varied and full of truth, and God will lead us to more and more of it as we study and open our hearts to learn.

Leviticus 19:9-13 -- On Simple Truth and Lighting the Path

"And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.
And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.
Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.
And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord.
Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning."
Leviticus 19:9-13


I like reading about The Lord teaching the Children of Israel about the gospel because it reminds us of how much we also need to learn the gospel and learn some of these basic truths... don't hoard your stuff, but what you have left over, give to others. Don't be miserly... share. Don't steal or lie or deceive others (fiction/parables are okay. Just make sure others know that your stories aren't literally true when you spin them.). Don't risk using God's name inappropriately. Don't defraud or rob others, and pay people quickly.

It goes on with so much more to learn... but maybe we haven't even mastered this much yet, so we should stop, and pause, and ponder before moving on to more verses. :) I think maybe in this new age of not being able to tell what is true because it is so easy to fake voices and video with modern "AI" algorithms, it is so much more important that we are faithful and true, and provide a spot of authenticity and sanity to others. Let's be certain that we are not passing on internet lies or half-truths. Let's be careful and kind when we speak to others, especially if we disagree. Let's be worthy of being called disciples of Christ, and his holy people. With prayer and study and a lot of God's help, let's be the light and clarity to a darker and more confusing world.

1 Peter 5:8 -- On Avoiding Lions and Finding Happiness

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
1 Peter 5:8


This is a good reminder not to let ourselves become bait by playing near the lion's den. God will help us to find safe places to be, and safer activities to engage in. God's way is also the more joyful and interesting and fun way as well, despite the lies. Let's talk to God about what we really want in life, and be open and honest as we commune with him. There is a path to God for all of us, and yes, sometimes it requires great sacrifice and trust, but God never gives us something worse for something better. Moving towards God is always a step up towards a brighter, happier future.

Luke 21:37-38 -- On Hearing the Lord

"And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.
And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him."
Luke 21:37-38


I like this little insight into how Christ lived, and how the people found him. Today, let's remember to take time out of our schedules for Christ, to hear him. As we make that our priority, we will be able to carry that Spirit throughout our day, and it will make all of our more mundane obligations and interactions that much better, because we are starting with our minds and our hearts in the right place.

D&C 46:11-26 -- On Gifts and Interdependence

"For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.
To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.
To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.
To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.
And again, to some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know the differences of administration, as it will be pleasing unto the same Lord, according as the Lord will, suiting his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men.
And again, it is given by the Holy Ghost to some to know the diversities of operations, whether they be of God, that the manifestations of the Spirit may be given to every man to profit withal.
And again, verily I say unto you, to some is given, by the Spirit of God, the word of wisdom.
To another is given the word of knowledge, that all may be taught to be wise and to have knowledge.
And again, to some it is given to have faith to be healed;
And to others it is given to have faith to heal.
And again, to some is given the working of miracles;
And to others it is given to prophesy;
And to others the discerning of spirits.
And again, it is given to some to speak with tongues;
And to another is given the interpretation of tongues.
And all these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of God."
Doctrine and Covenants 46:11-26


A few verses before this, God encourages us to "seek ye earnestly the best gifts" (verse 8), and to remember for what they are given. I love the overall idea here of spiritual gifts that God gives us to help us through life, but not just for us individually... the idea is that we use them to help "that all may be profited" (verse 12). So they are things that give us strength that can help the community, helping us grow together and assist each other. We're working out our own salvation, but we're also doing all we can for others as well. Having something to contribute, and knowing that we need things that others can contribute, helps us to learn love and interdependence--the weaving that brings us all into the grand tapestry of God's kingdom.

Today, let's seek the best gifts, using our own gifts to bless others, and seeking out others who have gifts that we need, so we can learn and grow all together in the Lord, lifting each other up, and including God in all that we do.