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.