Job 11:13-16 -- On Prepared Hearts and Stretched-Forth Hands

"If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;
If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear:
Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away."
Job 11:13-16


I love the idea of preparing our hearts and stretching out our hands to God. If we put iniquity away, then we don't need to fear God at all, and he will help us forget our misery... and even more promises after this, but in general, the message is clear and simple, and one we have heard many times. Repent and be saved. :) Today, let's see that message as an invitation and not a condemnation. Let's accept God's offer, prepare our hearts, and run to him with open arms.

Luke 12:16-21 -- On Barns and Building

"And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
Luke 12:16-21


The moral of this story is already laid out for us, and the lesson goes even further after this. The next verse is Christ instructing the disciples to "take no thought for your life," but to trust in the Lord and later to "seek ye the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you" (verse 31), and even to sell what we have to give to others (verse 33). Clearly, the things of God come before the things of man.

So I guess the question is then, is God asking us all to become spiritual nomads, and to not build barns at all? Certainly, that is how he lived during his ministry, with God preparing the way before him. Missionaries taste a little bit of this idea, moving from place to place and teaching rather than settling down and building anything. However, God through his prophets also asks us to be prepared, and to "prepare every needful thing" in order to build, not barns, but temples, and people in the scriptures didn't all live as spiritual nomads... many of the missionaries did in the Book of Mormon, for a time, but they eventually went home to preach and to raise families as well.

I think the point here is not to tear down all the barns, but to recognize that our physical wealth is ephemeral. We should take care of our bodies and our families, but not obsess over building up physical wealth. We need to focus on being rich towards God, and if we run into the situation in the initial verse where we have an abundance that we can't store, then instead of building bigger barns, we should realize that we have enough, and God has given us the abundance in order to help others. Everything that we have, we should be willing to give up for God (including relationships/people and even our own lives where necessary as in Luke 14:26-26-33), but just as with Abraham and Isaac, we aren't always called to give it up, but rather to care for others and to use any material wealth we have to further God's work.

So, perhaps yes on being willing and ready to be a spiritual nomad for God when he asks us to go on a mission or move to a new area or to do something we might not be ready for... leaving our loved ones behind and going out into the unknown. But we should also be ready to do anything else for him, which means preparing and building sometimes, including maybe building a barn or other storage as Joseph did in Egypt to save everyone from the seven years of famine. The bottom line is to always be ready and willing to do as God asks, and to build treasure that we *can* take with us by becoming truly good people. God loves us... he wants us to be able to live, and love, and pursue the things that we love as well. We just have to remember that sometimes we go the wrong direction, and just as Amulek did in Alma 10, we need to pivot when the Lord asks us to pivot, and build what *he* asks us to build.

Luke 6:22-23 -- On Hatred and Joy

"Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets."
Luke 6:22-23


As is often the case, here God is asking us to change our perspective. So much of how we see life and the world is about what we are focused on, and whose opinion we value. If we're focused on God, and his opinion, then there are so many times where what might seem like a tragedy from the world's perspective is actually a triumph and a reason to rejoice. ... Not that we should seek trouble or contention, or work towards being hated, for sure, but if we are hated for doing service to God or for loving him and acknowledging his existence, well... that's a reason to rejoice, because we stood up for God when it mattered, and we didn't back down from the truth because of the world's opinion.

It can be hard to be hated, and God does care. He loves us and will help us see the good and the reasons to rejoice as we ask him for help. Let's just make sure that if we are hated, it is for doing good, and being true to God. If those are the reasons, then we are in very good company, and there are crowds of people in the spirit world cheering us on. :)

Matthew 23:8-12 -- On Greatness and Service

"But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."
Matthew 23:8-12


This is a good passage to remind us that Christ is who we should be turning to for leadership, and for advice, rather than other people. The idea of becoming great by serving others is also amazing... and it is exactly what Christ did in his life. Everything for us. Today, let's do everything we can to help God in his still-ongoing work, to help everyone, lift them up, and help them understand where all joy and peace can be found--in Him.

Acts 12:5-8 -- On Following

"Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me."
Acts 12:5-8


I love this angel-assisted jailbreak. :) It's a good reminder that God is in charge, and no matter how we try to stop God's work, it will keep rolling forward. Today, let's work with God rather than against him, and we will therefore be on the side with the angels and the unstoppable good. It often seems to us in our limited mortal forms that evil is winning... but it never can. It can only have power in the middle chapters, but the story is the Lord's, and evil will never triumph. It's self-limiting, because it can only take advantage of others, and when it can't, it self-destructs. As we choose good, to follow the Lord and walk away from evil, we become part of a greater work and a greater power. In the end, God will triumph, and save us all. If it takes angel-assisted jailbreaks, or moving mountains, it will be done. Nothing is too hard for the Lord.

Matthew 21:6-11 -- On Praise and Preparation

"And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee."
Matthew 21:6-11


I really love this part of Christ's story, because in this brief moment of time, he is recognized and celebrated appropriately. The people love him and show him respect. His life wasn't lived for this purpose, but I think that it is very good that God granted him this triumphant moment during his mortal ministry, although it was just part of a longer-term preparation for the great work of his life.

I don't think that our lives are made for short-term praise and accolades either. This life is a test, and not an easy one. It takes sustained effort over a long time to learn the things that we need to learn and to actively choose to be more than we are, and to follow God's path to salvation. However, God grants us brief moments of understanding and celebration as well. Let's be grateful and thankful for the good times that help us endure and remember what we are striving for, and the long-term joy that is set before us. Let's choose joy in the hard times, helping others and knowing that God is teaching us and preparing us all for more, and better.

Luke 22:31-32 -- On Faith and Strength

"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."
Luke 22:31-32


I imagine that the Lord feels this way about each of us. Satan wants us, but Christ holds on, and prays for us, so that we can keep having faith and become coverted... and then when that happens, he still supports us, but asks us to join his work and support others as well. Today, let's be strong in faith, stay connected to God, and strengthen the people around us.

Alma 10:7 -- On Hearing the Lord

"As I was journeying to see a very near kindred, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto me and said: Amulek, return to thine own house, for thou shalt feed a prophet of the Lord; yea, a holy man, who is a chosen man of God; for he has fasted many days because of the sins of this people, and he is an hungered, and thou shalt receive him into thy house and feed him, and he shall bless thee and thy house; and the blessing of the Lord shall rest upon thee and thy house."
Alma 10:7


Reading this today made me wonder how flexible we are in changing our lives and our plans for the Lord. When the Lord asks us to do something, do we say no because it doesn't fit into our lives, or do we find a way to restructure so that we can do the Lord's will? Something to think about, and to perhaps plan around, today.

D&C 42:27 -- On Not Speaking Evil

"Thou shalt not speak evil of thy neighbor, nor do him any harm."
Doctrine and Covenants 42:27


I really like this. I am not saying I am good at it, but I love it as an ideal, and something I need to work towards. We usually align on the not being violent part of this, and condemn physical abuse, but criticizing is a whole different animal. And let's note that this scripture doesn't clarify that we can speak evil of our neighbor if it is true, but just not lie about it... the whole deception thing is definitely condemned, but that's a different commandment. This one is clear... don't speak evil. Which I think goes back to not judging, and learning to love our enemies.

I want to be this kind of person... one who recognizes faults in others, perhaps, but never judges or condemns them. Only jumps in to help, gently correcting when the Spirit whispers, but otherwise letting them realize in their own (and God's) time that they need to change--just as we are allowed to do in our lives, with our own faults. We need help and not judgement, and that is how we should treat others. One experience I think of as writing this... I've always loved to sing ever since I was very young, but I remember a time that a family member laughed at me because I was off pitch, which brought self-doubt into the equation, and I sang less, and less confidently from then on, wondering if I couldn't hear my own errors.

Later, after I had regained some confidence in singing, a person on my mission who claimed to have perfect pitch would cringe when I was singing, triggering the same doubts in me. Now, of course, I don't know if my singing is off, even now... but I occasionally get compliments that help me think that I am at least not breaking people's ears every time I try, so I keep trying. I think sometimes, unintentionally, we can crush people's hope and confidence in a similar way by mocking and criticizing what they are doing. Even when we can clearly hear that it is wrong, maybe they can't. Maybe they are doing their best. Wrong, perhaps, but slamming them because they are wrong isn't going to teach them why, or how to do better. God is working on that with them, and if we can't kindly help God with that, in a way that he approves, and with the Spirit, then let's back off. We probably already have plenty to do, working on our own faults anyway. :)

D&C 41:12 -- On the Words of God

"These words are given unto you, and they are pure before me; wherefore, beware how you hold them, for they are to be answered upon your souls in the day of judgment. Even so. Amen."
Doctrine and Covenants 41:12


This struck me today not as a warning about specific words in a specific section, but as more of a warning about how we treat the scriptures and the words of the prophets. Too often I think that we try to fit them into our lives when we should rather be trying to fit ourselves into God's sacred tapestry of life. If we look at these words as something that may or may not fit into our lives or work for us, then we aren't really getting what is going on here... God, inviting us and teaching us how to become who we need to be in order to thrive in a glorious eternity. If that doesn't fit into our plans, then I mean, they are the wrong plans.

Today, let's jump in and learn and listen and build and assist and magnify all that God has given us. Let's be aware of how carefully we are holding and using the words of God.

Alma 7:21-24 -- On Motivated Learning

"And he doth not dwell in unholy temples; neither can filthiness or anything which is unclean be received into the kingdom of God; therefore I say unto you the time shall come, yea, and it shall be at the last day, that he who is filthy shall remain in his filthiness.
And now my beloved brethren, I have said these things unto you that I might awaken you to a sense of your duty to God, that ye may walk blameless before him, that ye may walk after the holy order of God, after which ye have been received.
And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.
And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works."
Alma 7:21-24


This is some great advice. What struck me here was the idea of filthiness and somehow being stuck that way at the last day, which is a disgusting and horrible thought... the idea of being dirty and not being able to get clean, compounded by the idea of that not just physically but spiritually. Yikes. So, after that idea comes some advice on how to avoid that, which is welcome. Let's work on these things. Sometimes they are very difficult, but humility and patience, and all the rest... they seem very much worth learning in order to avoid the idea of eternal filthiness. :)

Malachi 3:13-18 -- On Blessings and Backstories

"Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?
Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts?
And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.
And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not."
Malachi 3:13-18


What I see here is a complaint that is focused on the current moment rather than long-term patience. God is basically saying "wait and see" because he knows all of those complaints are based on mortal short-sightedness. Which is understandable on one hand, because we are mortal and we can't see God's whole plan. But if we truly believe in God and his plan, then we have to look further. I use the analogy all the time I know, but it works. God is writing this story, and yeah, maybe the bad guys are winning in Chapter 5, but they do NOT win in the end. Let's keep that in mind as we navigate this day, and our lives in general. God is talking about the entire plot, not just this chapter, and we haven't read the rest yet, and we have no room to judge until we do. There is a difference, and we will see it in time.

I think it is also important to note that God is *not* saying that we just have to suffer... that our lives will be awful be we will rise in the resurrection and suddenly be happy. He says earlier in this chapter "Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Malachi 3:10). Mormon 9:14 reminds us that at the judgement that "He that is happy shall be happy still; and he that is unhappy shall be unhappy still." In the scriptures God gave people power to "submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord" even when they were mistreated slaves, and he will give us the same power if we turn to him. As Russell M. Nelson taught, "The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives."

Today, let's stop comparing ourselves with the bad guys, and focus on God, and on the good in the world around us. Let's make things better for others. Let's serve and love and reach out to bless others. As we do, we will find happiness, blessings, and purpose... we'll be able to find joy in fulfilling the Lord's plan for us individually and on making a difference where we are. These early chapters are the backstory of how we become the triumphant hero that we are destined to be in the end. :)

Genesis 50:19-21 -- On Forgiveness and God's Will

"And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them."
Genesis 50:19-21


This is after Jacob dies, and Joseph's brothers think that *now* he will take revenge on them for plotting to kill him, and instead selling him into slavery. But he doesn't, noting that it was God's will.

I think there are a lot of bad things that happen to us in our lives that are God's will and part of the plan, but we don't realize it until later. It doesn't make what Joseph's brothers did right, and it doesn't make the bad things in our lives automatically good... but God uses everything to bring to pass his righteous purposes and turn us to good. Even the worst things, like Joseph's brothers hating him and selling him into slavery. God helped Joseph get over that and move on without bitterness and hate filling him up, and he can help us similarly to move on and to forgive. Let's talk to God about our circumstances and our hearts, and be willing to change our hearts and our heads with God's help, so we can move onward, and upward, towards God and a happier, better life filled with a new purpose.

Ephesians 6:12-17 -- On Armor and Adventure

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"
Ephesians 6:12-17


This resonated with me today, I think because we can see similar things happening in our day, and we could probably use some armor. :) All of these things are good, don't get me wrong, but the ones that stand out to me right now are truth, faith, and the Spirit. Remembering and holding fast to the truth is so important in these days of deception. Our faith can protect us, but we need to maintain and strengthen it. And the Spirit, which is also the word of God, to cut through the darkness and the tangling vines of sin as we forge forward on our path.

It's interesting to compare a bit to Lehi's dream, where the word of God was represented by the iron rod that led to the tree, which was the Love of God. All of our armor and weapons and protections and helps and the way forward and our rearguard and even our cloak and clothing is all make of the same stuff... the light of Christ, the power of God, the sure promises of Salvation. These stories and dreams and symbolism help us to visualize it and hopefully internalize it, but it is all the same gospel, leading towards the same God, and ending in the same love and infinite joy, which is before us eternally. God has his arms open and extended to welcome us home, not to a boring eternity of sameness, but to an engaging, eternal adventure. Let's suit up and move towards those arms, and that goal... helping as many as we can along the way.

Genesis 46:2-4 -- On Comfort and the Word of God

"And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.
And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes."
Genesis 46:2-4


I like how God comforts Jacob here. Jacob is doing something scary and hard, and God reassures him and promises that things will be okay in the end. ... I think God does the same thing for us in our lives if we are open to it. Jacob's family grew into something huge, nurtured by the Egyptians, and God kept his promise to bring them out of there later and back to the land he had promised to their fathers. ... As he will keep his promises to us. Not in our time of course, but in His... all his words will be fulfilled. Which happens to be an excellent reason to study God's words, and to listen to them. Today, let's pray, and also study and learn of the word of God given to others throughout history.

Mosiah 24:10-12 -- On Pouring Out Our Hearts to God

"And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God.
And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he put guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death.
And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts."
Mosiah 24:10-12


I like the fact that prayer can't be stopped, since it can be out loud or silent, which is a good thing to remember here. Also though, the very first part where their afflictions were so great that they began to cry to God... I don't think they neglected to pray before that, but I think sometimes we do forget, and so another good thing to remember is to pray through all of it, the good times and the bad, because our relationship with God isn't just an emergency outlet... we need him all the time, even even though we don't always realize that need until things go wrong. Today, let's pray our hearts out to God and build that relationship so that prayer is like breathing... something that we just always do. As we get closer to that ideal, the more God can help direct our paths and lead us to happiness within, even when the circumstances we are in aren't exactly happy. :)

Mosiah 23:13-14 -- On Kings, Artificial Intelligence, and Trust

"And now as ye have been delivered by the power of God out of these bonds; yea, even out of the hands of king Noah and his people, and also from the bonds of iniquity, even so I desire that ye should stand fast in this liberty wherewith ye have been made free, and that ye trust no man to be a king over you.
And also trust no one to be your teacher nor your minister, except he be a man of God, walking in his ways and keeping his commandments."
Mosiah 23:13-14


Good reminder that systems have checks and balances for a reason, and king Noah was a great example of why kings can't be trusted. If they go off the rails, they take everyone else with them. The part that struck me today is the second verse of today's selection though... trust no one to be your teacher or minister, unless it is someone who follows God. Perhaps it is a strange thought, but my mind instantly went to AI. While AI can be an excellent *tool* ... it is definitely not something we can trust to teach or advise us in other ways.

Let's remember that for the real advice, we still need to go to God, and his servants who are following the commandments and have his spirit. What we are calling AI is trained to say yes to anything, and think that everything we come up with is a good idea. That is definitely not what we need when we have bad ideas and are getting off track... something that will just help us down the wrong path. God loves us... he will correct us, and get us facing the right way again, and so will anyone else who actually cares. AI does not care. Today, let's stick with God, and trust ONLY his spirit when we need real wisdom and truth.

Mosiah 22:1 -- On Planning for Salvation

"And now it came to pass that Ammon and king Limhi began to consult with the people how they should deliver themselves out of bondage; and even they did cause that all the people should gather themselves together; and this they did that they might have the voice of the people concerning the matter."
Mosiah 22:1


Reading this today I was impressed that the king gathered everyone together to get their ideas and make a plan. The situation required it, of course, but I still get the feeling that a king like Limhi's father would have just commanded and expected to be obeyed. Instead, Limhi and Ammon really want to hear what everyone has to say, and talking about it together seems to have gotten them to the plan that they had to leave and go back to the land of Zarahemla. Gideon comes forth and helps them figure out how to make that overall plan work, and they escape.

For this plan, everyone had to be in on it, and I think God had made them ready to do something really hard, through wars and bad treatment, and internal dissent... so many things in their recent history, until they were ready to escape. And how cool of God, honestly, to save these people as well as Alma's group that had already left when king Noah was in charge? Both groups went through different things, but they both returned to God and got to the same place eventually.

God does a really good job of gathering and saving us, wherever we are. Let's consult with him today and talk to him about how to get to where we need to be for the next step in our own story, and how to accept the gift of salvation that he offers to all of us.

Genesis 45:25-28 -- On Happy Endings

"And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,
And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob’s heart fainted, for he believed them not.
And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:
And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die."
Genesis 45:25-28


I love the last line where Jacob/Israel finally believes, and decides to go see his son before he dies. It's kind of like the story of Job, where everything gets taken away, and then restored... but better, because Joseph didn't die as he thought, but he is able to see him not just in the afterlife, but in the present. And everyone can see the truth at the end of the story... there is no question of Joseph's rulership anymore. No resentment from his brothers. Just understanding and forgiveness and the acknowledgment of the hand of the Lord.

Today, let's learn from this. Let's let the past be the past, and understand that God has taken us where we are for a reason. Let's let go of bitterness and see the underlying truth that God is in charge of all of it, and he blesses us with opportunities and relationships that we would never have without the good and the bad in our lives. Let's see the lessons and the hardships as a learning experience, and grow from there, and trust that God will bring us through all of it, just as with Joseph and with Jacob, if we trust him and follow him with all our hearts. And yeah, historically, this also set up a rough situation for the family's descendants, but they also, in turn, had their chance at their own happy endings as well... and on all the way to us. Let's not just believe IN God, but let's believe his teachings and his promises as well. As we do, he will lead us to happiness, now and later.

Genesis 39:1-3 -- On Prospering in Place

"And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.
And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand."
Genesis 39:1-3


So, here Joseph is a slave, but he prospers anyway. I think that we often hate our circumstances and let that poison the rest of our lives, but God always has a plan for us, in every circumstance, and will help us and guide us. Joseph went through a lot in his life, but his life shone as a light anyway, and he realized that God had sent him to this place, and to these circumstances, for a reason. Today, let's work on having the same kind of faith in our own circumstances. God is not punishing us--rather, he is putting us exactly where we need to be for a greater purpose. Let's shine brightly, wherever we are, and make the world better around us, any way that we can. Let's lighten burdens for others and call upon God for whatever help we need. He will guide us and help us, and if we need to escape, he will help us do that as well. Maybe it will be like Lehi, taking his family and finding a new land, or maybe it will be like Joseph, prospering and saving and leading his family to him... or any number of other plans that God has. Let's have patience and trust in God and his plan, and do as he asks, and we will be led to our happy ending. If we aren't happy yet, then it isn't the ending. Let's keep turning the pages, and God will get us there.

1 Nephi 8:21-23 -- On Mists of Darkness

"And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood.
And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.
And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost."
1 Nephi 8:21-23


This is just a small part of Lehi's dream, but I thought it was a good reminder for us today that the mists of darkness will arise. We want things to always be easy, but they aren't, and honestly, the always-easy way is Satan's plan, because that way we never change, or learn the things that we need to learn. In the dream, there was no way to dispel the mist of darkness, but you could catch hold of the rod of iron, and feel your way through it. Likewise, in our lives, sometimes we are going to feel confused and blind, and we won't see a way out, but God can guide us. The iron rod symbolizes the word of God, which we get through reading the scriptures and following the prophets. Even when we can't feel the Spirit in our lives in that moment, God still has guides to help us through the darkness. Today, let's pray, and read, and listen to the word of God, so that we can navigate the darkness and find our way through. God has promised us a happy ending. The darkness is just chapter 5, where things seem bleak. But if we keep turning the pages, the hero manages to escape, and with God's help, always triumphs. Let's be the hero, and stick with God, our author, who will lead us to an ending and then a continued series that is more glorious than we can imagine.

Luke 17:31-32 -- On Looking Forward

"In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
Remember Lot’s wife."
Luke 17:31-32


This is talking about the Second Coming, and letting us know that it will be a day where we need to remember Lot's Wife... so I assume, if the Lord says go, we go... thinking about what God asked rather than what we are leaving behind. And that's always the tough part, right? We worry about our stuff and we don't want to let it go, and we have a tendency to compare... oh, if I just had my soft bed, or the food we used to have, or our nice things. But that's exactly what got Laman and Lemuel and the Children of Israel into trouble.

Looking back and coveting, not just what others have, but what we used to have, is poison. It can distract us from now, and the path that God has asked us to walk. What we can do though is be prepared. Always good to have a bag packed with things that we need if we have to leave on short notice. Maybe we'll never use it, but it isn't just for that one event. Having a bag like that can help us be prepared for evacuations and natural disaster warnings and even for family emergencies. We can keep it in the car, or near the door or wherever, and hope that when we do have to move fast that we aren't on the roof already, and we can grab it on the way out. :) Today, let's look forward, and have a plan for when God warns us about anything. :)

Isaiah 28:21-22 -- On Strangeness and Mockery

"For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.
Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth."
Isaiah 28:21-22


I don't think that I understand all of this, but the part about mockery struck me... and I think that we can apply that lesson, because whatever God does, and asks us to do, is going to be strange to some. It's God though, and he knows infinitely more than we do. If it seems strange, the answer is not to mock or laugh at something that we think doesn't make sense, but rather to pray for understanding. We get enough mockery from people thinking that religion itself is some sort of delusion or joke... let's not add to the arrogance and pride by also mocking God. Today, let's try for some patience and humility and be open and willing to learn from the Lord about his timing and his ways. His works are sometimes unclear to us, but are are always perfect. As we cultivate the Spirit in our lives, we will also grow in understanding.

Genesis 19:17 -- On Escaping, and Looking Not Behind

"And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed."
Genesis 19:17


This is when God sent angels to tell Lot and his family to escape the destruction of their city, and they are instructed to not look behind. It reminds me of the similar stories of God telling Lehi to escape from his city, and God telling Moses to lead the Children of Israel out of their city. So many of those groups looked back, despite the danger and destruction behind them. They weren't turned to salt as Lot's Wife was, but there were similar devastating consequences in a longer-term way.

The lesson here, which is the same lesson that we experience in our own lives when God tells us to escape from sin, or to leave a city or a place and start over, is don't look back. Don't live in the past, but go forward with hope and build something new. Partner with God, start over, become the new, better person. Today, let's remember that Godly advice. Let's let go of the past, create an amazing present, and work towards the future that God has promised.

Mosiah 12:25-27 -- On Applying Our Hearts

"And now Abinadi said unto them: Are you priests, and pretend to teach this people, and to understand the spirit of prophesying, and yet desire to know of me what these things mean?
I say unto you, wo be unto you for perverting the ways of the Lord! For if ye understand these things ye have not taught them; therefore, ye have perverted the ways of the Lord.
Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise. Therefore, what teach ye this people?"
Mosiah 12:25-27


This is part of the story of King Noah and Abinadi. Here Abinadi is being questiond by the King and his priests (presumably including Alma at this point, which is how the story comes to us afterward). On the surface, it is a prophet turning a question back on his attackers, but since we know the larger story, we also see that it is God, carefully teaching a young, corrupt priest under the sway of a wicked king, the truth. Abinadai is asked about a scriptural passage in order to catch him contradicting himself, and instead he lays into them. For us, it is an excellent reminder that we need to apply our hearts to understanding, and do more with the scriptures than just skim them. If there is something we don't understand, then let's apply our hearts and our minds and look for the truth. Today, let's study and pray... including the Lord in all of our efforts, with this and with all else that we seek to understand. That is wisdom. Let's follow Alma out of darkness and into the light.

Isaiah 26:2 -- On Keeping the Truth

"Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in."
Isaiah 26:2


I'm not sure there is such a nation, at least now, but it's here in God's word, so I hope that there will be. Maybe it's something that the city of Enoch can claim, or a nation can claim in the future at the second coming. After all, the Nephites in 3rd Nephi managed to hold on to a fairly perfect society for a couple of generations. There is hope for us as well. :)

One thing we can work on today, to be sure that we qualify to be part of that future nation, is the truth. Truth is getting harder to discern in our society, with important people, companies, and governments lying, as well as chatbots that have been trained on less than 100% truth. They are also trained to agree with us, so they won't correct our bad information and make us rethink or recheck. We have to do that for ourselves. So let's check, read different perspectives, and study it out in our minds, and let's also cultivate the Spirit which can help us know the truth of all things.

Truth is much more important than our current society values it. Let's remember that God is a God of Truth, and hold to that ideal, and practice being truthful as well as kind, not sacrificing one for the other.

Luke 16:27-31 -- On Allowing Ourselves to Be Persuaded

"Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."
Luke 16:27-31


This reminds me a little of A Christmas Carol when Marley comes back. Here, a rich man asks Abraham to send a former beggar to comfort him in the flames of hell, and then when he learns that is impossible because of the gulf between then, asks for his family to be assisted to understand and believe. It's hard on one hand to understand why someone wouldn't repent after seeing someone come back from the dead, or after seeing an angel as we see with Laman and Lemuel, but on the other hand if we just look at ourselves and the obvious truths that we push aside for our own comfort or opinion, it is probably easier.

Perhaps another thing that comes into play here is God's involvement in our lives. He prompts us to listen and to turn to him. We have times in our lives where the voice is easy to hear, warning us or trying to save us... and then after, similar to Laman and Lemuel with the angel, we go back to our normal way of doing things rather than remembering that we need the Lord to save us every single day, not just in one crisis.

Today, let's remember that we have the scriptures and the prophets, and give them full sway in our lives. Let's remember the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. Let's remember prayer and God's hand in our lives. Let's be humble and remember how much we need God, every day, and include him in our lives and follow his path, and keep his commandments. And as we do, let's give everyone around us a chance to see and hear and know the truth as well, so we *and* they can avoid the "place of torment" the rich man is speaking from.

Isaiah 25:8-9 -- On Waiting and Working

"He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation."
Isaiah 25:8-9


The whole idea of victory over death is powerful. Being able to continue past that ending that seems permanent, and find that there are other stories and other chapters for us... that seems like the ultimate hope. Today, let's remember who offers that hope to us, and let's wait for the Lord's second coming and his salvation... and while we wait, let's work to do his will and make the world around us better and more loving than it was before, or than it is now.

Luke 16:12 -- On Learning Faithfulness

"And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?"
Luke 16:12


This one strikes me today, I think because I'm thinking about it from an employee perspective. You often have to work your way up and show that you are going to be diligent at your job, even if it isn't the ideal job, before you can move into something you love more... before people will trust you to do that other job that you are looking for.

It's also interesting from our perspective as children of God and essentially toddlers on the earth learning to share and to love at some basic levels. We're still growing and learning, but if we can't take care of our toys now, how will we graduate to "grown up" and the responsibilities of adulthood, especially when growing up with God as our father suggests that there will be a lot of earth-shaking power involved. If we can't learn to be good now, who is going to trust us with that kind of power?

The other thing flitting through my mind about this is relationships. If we can't learn to care about and love people now, how are we going to do with the myriads of people around us in a perfect society? Are we even going to want to be there if we can't open our hearts to others?

Definitely not saying give up... we can't be perfect in this life, and we have to take little steps, but we can be headed in the right direction. Let's partner with God and work on our faults, and try to be faithful, and learn to love better.

3 Nephi 6:12-14 -- On Inequality and Iniquity

"And the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning; yea, some were ignorant because of their poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their riches.
Some were lifted up in pride, and others were exceedingly humble; some did return railing for railing, while others would receive railing and persecution and all manner of afflictions, and would not turn and revile again, but were humble and penitent before God.
And thus there became a great inequality in all the land. . ."
3 Nephi 6:12-14


Later in verse 15, this same situation is called "iniquity" rather than just "inequality," which I think is something that we might want to ponder, considering how much our modern world resembles this. Clearly God wants us to be one, even going so far as to say "and if ye are not one ye are not mine" (D&C 38:27).

I'm not saying that humility and sharing and working on our attitudes and our actions towards others is easy, and the not turning and reviling again is a huge challenge. But these are also the same things that Christ asked in the Sermon on the Mount and in 3rd Nephi. To love even our enemies. To be the glue that holds the world together, rather than joining forces with Satan to tear it apart.

Today, let's learn more equality, more humility, and let's partner with God in doing everything we can to make the world better--for everyone, including our enemies.

Luke 11:23-24 -- On Sticking with God

"He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out."
Luke 11:23-24


The part about the unclean spirit is also in Matthew (12:43-45), which has a slightly different wording, and perhaps a slightly different lesson at the end, whereas what looks like this lesson in Luke comes before. ... I think the lesson here is that we have to stick with God and keep walking his path, every day. It can't just be a one time conversion (or exorcism), because if we don't keep it up, we'll fall back to our old ways, which will get us into the same hole that we were in before.

Today, let's make suer that we are with the Lord. Let's gather to him, and stay close, so that we can fall under his protection at all times. Protected even from the evil that we have invited in and embraced in the past. Sin is much like alcoholism... it hovers there on the periphery, and if we aren't careful, we can let it in again.

The cure is always God, who can help us feel safe and a million miles away from temptation. ... Let's work on staying there, in that safety, keeping the Spirit with us, so that we don't find ourselves in a worse situation than we started with (verse 26).

John 9:39 -- On Blindness and Improved Sight

"And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind."
John 9:39


This is an interesting statement, and at first I think it kind of makes you wonder... why would Christ want anyone to become blind? I don't think he really does, but blindness is the byproduct of him coming into the world and those people who believed that they were enlightened becoming blind because they couldn't see through their arrogance and belief in their own authority that the son of God was standing before them.

Others saw and either physically or spiritually gained their sight... in this particular chapter, both. And both is what we hope for as well, because God can heal our hearts and our minds and our spirits, helping us to live and understand, and to be filled with the Spirit, as we look to him in faith.

Both sight and blindness continue in our day, about Christ and all that he taught. We are often blinded by looking at the things the world teaches and placing those things as the focus of our lives, which blinds us to the bigger spiritual tapestry of all things interwoven in beautiful harmony. Today, let's work on seeing past today and talking to God about the bigger picture. That doesn't mean that we shouldn't live today and care about the people around us and our interactions... but let's focus on God and the bigger picture, which will help us to see the things immediately around us in a better way and from the proper perspective, where slights and setbacks can't get to the core of our peace, because God helps us to see farther and better, and know that all things work together and will be right in the end.

Mark 5:27-30 -- On Faith

"When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?"
Mark 5:27-30


This is part of the story of the woman with an issue of blood. What I think is interesting here is that Christ either really didn't know who had touched him (this isn't clear, but we know that he could know people's thoughts and that there was a donkey in a certain place and a piece of money in a fish, so it's definitely possible that he knew, or could have known from his Father), or he asked because he wanted a chance to both follow up with her, and teach the multitude that this sort of thing was possible. "This sort of thing" being having faith in God enough to obtain a miracle without having a specific blessing or hands laid on her. Perhaps it was arranged through prayer, of course, and obviously it was an application of God's power... but power that is available to all of us directly, if we have the faith.

I don't think it has to be a dramatic miracle, but I have seen this happen in my life as well. When you do all you can do, and the only way that things can work out is through God, and you know that it will work out somehow... and it does. Might not be mountains moving, but the more we trust God, the more that he can work with us in our lives. Today, let's learn to trust God a little more. It won't happen overnight, and sometimes we're going to have to ask God to help us with our unbelief (Mark 9:24), but as we strive to stay close to the Lord and to do as he asks, our faith and confidence in the Lord will grow.

4 Nephi 1:27 -- On Holding to the Word

"And it came to pass that when two hundred and ten years had passed away there were many churches in the land; yea, there were many churches which professed to know the Christ, and yet they did deny the more parts of his gospel, insomuch that they did receive all manner of wickedness, and did administer that which was sacred unto him to whom it had been forbidden because of unworthiness."
4 Nephi 1:27


This reminds me of Lehi's dream, and people going towards the tree that represented God's love and his gospel, and letting go of the rod, and wandering off the path, or in other words, letting go of the word of God (prophecy, revelation, personal prayer, etc.) and wandering off the path (not keeping the commandments, embracing sin, not helping others, etc.), and instead going to the great and spacious building... mocking and scorning and thinking of others as less than ourselves, etc.

I think it's really easy to fall into this trap... to just believe the parts of the gospel that don't interfere with our personal philosophy, and expecting God to change to suit us rather than the other way around. Thinking that we can do the love blackmail think with an eternal parent who has a deep and comprehensive knowledge of every trick in the book, and who will not ever encourage us to stay filthy with sin... but will instead always be helping us to come, and wash, and be clean. He welcomes us in, and will help us, even leaving the ninety and nine to come and find us, but we still have to be willing to be helped out of the gutter, not expect God to live there with us.

Today, let's make sure we're in tune with God... listening to him and his words through his prophets. Let's make sure we're actively seeking and doing and believing in good, rather than accepting evil. Let's not allow ourselves to drift away from God's word.

Mosiah 4:29-30 -- On Watching Ourselves

"And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them.
But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not."
Mosiah 4:29-30


I love King Benjamin, but he is also intense. I like earlier in this chapter where he mentions "it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength" (verse 27). He doesn't offer it as an easy out, but reminds us how much we owe to God, and that we need to be lifting and helping others, especially the poor, the hungry, the sick, etc., and encourages us here to do what we can... to watch ourselves, to be aware of what we are choosing rather than just coasting through. Today, let's not get overwhelmed, but let's commit to watching ourselves, and being sure that we are choosing to be who we want to be long term. Let's remember God and be aware of the needs of others, and do all we can to help. It's so easy to coast and not really pay attention, but let's make the effort and remember to include God in all that we do.

Mosiah 25:5-7 -- On Reading and Remembering

"And it came to pass that Mosiah did read, and caused to be read, the records of Zeniff to his people; yea, he read the records of the people of Zeniff, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla until they returned again.
And he also read the account of Alma and his brethren, and all their afflictions, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla until the time they returned again.
And now, when Mosiah had made an end of reading the records, his people who tarried in the land were struck with wonder and amazement."
Mosiah 25:5-7


This reminds me of Moroni 10:3, which asks us to "remember how mercifult he Lord hath been," which we can't really do unless we know the stories. I love that Mosiah shared the history with his people and it was a shared experience for them, and a way to remember the Lord and his goodness and grace to us.

Today, let's read, and remember, and ponder the goodness of God in our lives, but also in the lives of others throughout history, because that helps us to understand his dealings with the children of men, but also the potential that we all have to partner with God and to make a difference in our lives and the lives of the people around us.

Genesis 2:1-3 -- On Creation and Rest

"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made."
Genesis 2:1-3


I like the idea of a God that rests. He's obviously God and can do anything, so he probably doesn't *need* to rest, but he chooses to. God balances his life and takes time to rest when the work is done, and he made that a pattern for us, at least in part so that we don't kill ourselves with workaholic behavior and fray our nerves, but are able to find some ways to relax and manage our anxieties, and to enjoy the part of our lives that is outside of work.

Today, let's make sure we are taking time to balance our lives, and this weekend, let's also remember to honor the sabbath and take some time off from worrying about other things, and instead take some time to focus on God and be grateful for creation. :)

Mosiah 23:6-9 -- On Kings and Comparison

"And the people were desirous that Alma should be their king, for he was beloved by his people.
But he said unto them: Behold, it is not expedient that we should have a king; for thus saith the Lord: Ye shall not esteem one flesh above another, or one man shall not think himself above another; therefore I say unto you it is not expedient that ye should have a king.
Nevertheless, if it were possible that ye could always have just men to be your kings it would be well for you to have a king.
But remember the iniquity of king Noah and his priests; and I myself was caught in a snare, and did many things which were abominable in the sight of the Lord, which caused me sore repentance."
Mosiah 23:6-9


This is a good reminder that, unless you can be sure that all your kings will be good, that kings are a bad idea. Alma speaks to the recent experience they all had with King Noah, and reminds them that he was caught in the pride trap as well, thinking that he was better than others, and that he needed to repent of that.

It's easy to fall into the trap of comparing our strengths to others' weaknesses and thinking that we are super cool... also easy to compare our weaknesses to others' strengths and think that we're slime. I don't think that God wants either one of those, or the swings between thinking that we're great and thinking that we are awful. I think, instead, that God would like us to acknowledge that we are flawed and in need of help and guidance, but that we also have great power to choose and to make a difference. If we understand that God finds value in us, and wants to help us be even better... we are glorious beings of light, as President Uchtdorf mentioned last conference, and if we work with God, we can shine as a light to others as well.

Today, let's just compare ourselves to ourselves, and work on improving that, day by day. Let's pray and work and study with God and open our hearts to him so that we can grow in his light and become, and help others become, more amazing than we can imagine. :)

D&C 65:3-5 -- On Preparing the Way of the Lord

"Yea, a voice crying—Prepare ye the way of the Lord, prepare ye the supper of the Lamb, make ready for the Bridegroom.
Pray unto the Lord, call upon his holy name, make known his wonderful works among the people.
Call upon the Lord, that his kingdom may go forth upon the earth, that the inhabitants thereof may receive it, and be prepared for the days to come, in the which the Son of Man shall come down in heaven, clothed in the brightness of his glory, to meet the kingdom of God which is set up on the earth."
Doctrine and Covenants 65:3-5


The connection between preparing the way of the Lord and then the image of the Lord coming down to meet the kingdom of God is really a cool idea, that heaven and earth can meet like that. In the summary before the verses it says "The millennial kingdom of heaven will come and join the kingdom of God on earth," so this is something happening during the Millenium, but still a cool, enormous idea, and one that we can still work on. The ideal of keeping the Spirit with us, and turning our homes into temples, of thinking Celestial -- these are all variations on a similar theme. Live as close to God as we can, until someday we are able to meet Him again in person. Make our lives and the world around us better, more holy, prepare ourselves and others to meet Him. Christ has been on Earth. He knows how messy it is, and how imperfect we are. We don't have to get there overnight. He will help us as we pray and work with him. All of it is leading to this though... the meeting of Heaven and Earth. The restoration of the Lord to his people. All of us, together, never again to be divided through death or pain. Today, let's do what we can to pave the way.

Mosiah 16:12 -- On Choosing the Lord's Way

"Having gone according to their own carnal wills and desires; having never called upon the Lord while the arms of mercy were extended towards them; for the arms of mercy were extended towards them, and they would not; they being warned of their iniquities and yet they would not depart from them; and they were commanded to repent and yet they would not repent."
Mosiah 16:12


This is talking about people who are resurrected, but instead of endless happiness they are raised to endless damnation (verse 11). We see again that the difference here is choosing our own will rather than choosing the Lord's way. I think this is the fundamental error that we make in almost everything. When we forget to take God into account in everything that we do, we veer off course. God's way is better than our way... we will get farther and be happier, and be more than we could ever dream in mortality. He is the way to transcend our own frailties, mistakes, and limitations. Through him we can be purified and whole and, someday, perfect. That isn't even close to possible alone. ... Today, let's remember God, and repent, and listen, and learn his ways. He wants more for us, and if we walk his path, we can be more than we are, and we can help others to become so as well.

Mosiah 11:2 -- On Walking the Wrong Direction

"For behold, he did not keep the commandments of God, but he did walk after the desires of his own heart. And he had many wives and concubines. And he did cause his people to commit sin, and do that which was abominable in the sight of the Lord. Yea, and they did commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness."
Mosiah 11:2


This is talking about King Noah, who followed Zeniff to the throne (of the Nephite offshoot that went back to live near the Lamanites). What is scary about this verse is the idea that he walked after the desires of his own heart, and how deeply that destroyed him. And I think that danger is probably there in all of us... things that we want that will destroy us, unless we work with God and allow him to change our hearts, and work at walking God's path rather than the one that we make for ourselves.

It's sometimes hard because we hear "trust your heart" (or your gut) so often, but unless our hearts are in tune with the spirit, that could be a really bad idea. However, if we are listening to the Spirit, and we are letting God have full sway in our hearts, then that could be the perfect thing. If we can't tell, then let's study and pray and practice listening to the Spirit more, so that we can be more confident in knowing when God is with us and when we are going astray. And of course, we have the scriptures and commandments to help us out, which we should absolutely follow unless the Spirit tells us otherwise. There are exceptions, like Nephi and Laban, but we shouldn't decide something is an exception unless we're certain. Let's remember how King Noah's heart betrayed him, and stay far away from that possibility.

Mosiah 7:33 -- On Deliverance

"But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage."
Mosiah 7:33


Earlier in the chapter it explains the bondage mentioned, and that they have great reasons to mourn. It's a great story about how they got there and how God delivers them, but I wanted to step outside the story for a moment because this verse is a true message to each of us, in whatever kind of bondage we find ourselves in. Sometimes it is the trap of negative thoughts, or it could be having to live with poor health or the glaring absence where a loved one used to be. It might be lack of imagination or motivation that limits us, or like the Nephites here, some other individual or group that is threatening us in some way.

God's promise is to all of us. If we will turn to him with full purpose of heart, serving him and putting our trust in him with all the sincerity and faith we have to give, he will deliver us. His timing, and his way, but the promise is sure. Today, let's listen and obey, and be ready to go when the Lord tells us to go.

D&C 64:23-24 -- On Today and Tomorrow

"Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.
For after today cometh the burning—this is speaking after the manner of the Lord—for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, for I am the Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon."
Doctrine and Covenants 64:23-24


The way that God talks about "today" and "tomorrow" here is interesting... harking back to the creation story and the idea that God's day is a lot longer than ours. :) Although, I am not sure about the time period or the background idea because God also tells us that time is only measured unto man (Alma 40:8), and that at some point there shall be time no longer (Revelation 10:6, D&C 88:110). Maybe we just need these measurements until the final judgement and everything is upgraded to "Eternal" or something, but I can't pretend to really understand what that means, or what it would be like. :)

What does seem clear is that tithing is important, not as a monetary thing, but as part of the idea of sacrifice. A commitment to God that is well beyond the surface layer, where we are honestly committed and all in, and willing to do or give anything to the cause. We don't usually think of ourselves are that committed to anything, but sometimes we lapse into workaholism or other kinds of addictions, or hobbies, relationships, or even family commitments that consume us. The idea here is that God is the right place to pour all of that energy and time, and as we do, other things will fall into place, rather than the way we do it with other things, where so many other things are just left to rot or wither.

I think also the idea of sacrifice here is about how committed that we are going to have to be in order to survive spiritually. Nothing less than all in is going to work, as we get closer to the end. Today (in both senses of that word), let's learn more about God and study his ways so that we know enough to make such a committment.

Matthew 13:18-23 -- On Receiving and Understanding

"Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
Matthew 13:18-23


I found it interesting while reading this today that one of the big differences here is understanding, specifically mentioned in verses 19 and 23, or the beginning and end of the excerpt above. There are a lot of things that can get in the way of our acceptance and committment to the word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ, but understanding doesn't have to be one of them. If we want to understand, we can study and also ask God, and he will help us. He gave wisdom to Joseph Smith, and he offers it to us all.

Today, let's apply our hearts to understanding "the word of the kingdom." We can start with the footnotes available online (LINK if you want to look up today's excerpt). There are study helps and many related materials there, and we can also pray, and God will help us understand a principle in our everyday life. Not always immediately, but over time, he'll help us know it so well that it will soak in and become part of who we are. Let's work to keep the word alive in our hearts.

Luke 17:17 -- On Thankfulness, Faith, and Wholeness

"And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?"
Luke 17:17


This is a good reminder of the need to be thankful, but reading today I was thinking that it isn't just about thankfulness, but also about retaining the healing or cleansing... if we want to not just have the change of heart, but to feel so now. If we want to be not just healed, but whole... not just cleansed of a bad spirit, but protected from one returning. Two verses later Christ says "thy faith hath made thee whole," perhaps not just talking about the healing process but also the thankfulness--the recognition that God has done this. And that is a recognition that we need in our lives always. That constant reminder that God is what is holding us, and all of it, together, and that he is the author and the reason there is a happy ending coming.

We want to feel good about ourselves and think that we accomplished a lot of this, and avoiding self-loathing is a very good thing. :) So is humility, and the recognition of truth though, so let's not hate ourselves, but today let's recognize God's hand in our lives and that he is the source of goodness and truth, and that we desperately need his help and healing in our lives. As we are thankful for his help and recognize his hand in our lives, he can not just heal us, but coupled with our participation and faith and patience, he can make us whole, in every way.

Helaman 14:29-30 -- On Choice, Condemnation, and Consolation

"And this to the intent that whosoever will believe might be saved, and that whosoever will not believe, a righteous judgment might come upon them; and also if they are condemned they bring upon themselves their own condemnation.
And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free."
Helaman 14:29-30


The title is kind of heavy, and the idea here follows that. Any condemnation that happens to us is condemnation that we bring on ourselves... the verse previous to this explains that that's why God shows us signs and provides wonders... so that there won't be a cause for unbelief and so that everyone will know and have responsibility for his or her own condemnation. It's talking about a period of time before Christ appeared to the Nephites, but I think we all have space in our own lives where we don't actually know, and as we learn more then we become more responsible for our choices. God knows where that line is... and he also provides repentance, so that we never have to despair or give up, because as long as we live, at least in mortality, we have that chance to change.

It's both scary and enlightening to read that we perish unto ourselves and do iniquity unto ourselves... that just like when we do good, we do it unto God, when we do evil we're also doing it to ourselves. We don't have the luxury of doing things that don't have consequences and that don't affect others. God gives us the power to choose for ourselves, but he doesn't want us to harm ourselves by making bad choices. He wants us to realize that we are part of a whole, that the people around us are family, that we are part of a large whole with God at the head. When we realize that, and feel it through the Spirit, then that is God teaching us to not have a mind to injure one another (Mosiah 4:13, Romans 12:16, 1 Peter 3:8), but to be united--not only avoiding causing others pain, but saving *us* pain, which is really part of what God has been trying to help us with from the beginning. Some pain is necessary, but not the extent that we cause it to ourselves, much too often. Today, let's listen and learn from God how to live more in tune, to cause less pain to ourselves and to others, and also how to heal ourselves and others, even of things that we didn't cause. :) God will help us and console us as we choose to avoid bringing ourselves condemnation.

Luke 12:54-57 -- On Making Better Calls and Choosing the Right

"And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.
And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.
Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?
Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?"
Luke 12:54-57


Christ (of course) makes a really good point here about why we aren't making better calls in our lives, and choosing what is right. I think it is easy to get into a mindset where we blame bad calls on something else like evolution or emotions or even just telling ourselves that we don't know what to do.

Here's God though, asking us to find out... to think about it, and work it out in our minds. In the scriptures, over and over he offers to help us with this process. He offers wisdom, confirmation, reassurance, and even outright revelation, depending on what we need. We're asked not to judge others, but we are absolutely asked to judge for ourselves and choose the good, the strait and narrow, to do what is right, and we are also given the tools.

Today, instead of choosing ignorance or blinding ourselves so we can do something we know isn't right, let's study and learn and pray, and make better choices. We can learn, and change, with God's help, which he is offering us even now. If we will pray in faith, sincerely seeking his help, we will find him, and the help we need.

Jeremiah 31:33-34 -- Written in Our Hearts

"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
Jeremiah 31:33-34


This is talking about something that is at least starting to happen now in the last days: the new covenant. God offers us his law written in our hearts, and asks us to come to him and become his people. He wants to welcome us back and embrace us as in the story of the prodigal son. He forgives us and asks us to return.

As we turn to him, he will teach us of his ways and help us grow closer to him. No mortal can convince us or give us that solid, internal, lasting testimony of the truth, but God can. We support and help each other (and should continue to do so), but the real transformation of belief and conversion... that only comes from God. And apparently, perhaps when we get to the Millenial day, there will be no need to teach each other that basic knowledge of the Lord at all, because God will be written so indelibly in our hearts and we won't so easily forget.

Let's work towards that today, stuffing our hearts full of the word of God and internalizing his law and a constant prayer connection to him so that the first thing we think of when something goes wrong... or right, is Him, for help, strength, thanks, praise, and everything else. He loves us more than we can imagine. Let's return that love, and go forward with Him, always.

Alma 5:40-41 -- On Taking Sides

"For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil. Therefore, if a man bringeth forth good works he hearkeneth unto the voice of the good shepherd, and he doth follow him; but whosoever bringeth forth evil works, the same becometh a child of the devil, for he hearkeneth unto his voice, and doth follow him."
Alma 5:40-41


I think sometimes we resist taking sides, which can be good with human things sometimes... not getting involved in the conflicts or trying to work for good and be pro what you believe in rather than anti-something. I think where it is bad is what these verses explain. On Earth, we are effectively children compared to God, and in spiritual areas, we have to choose sides. We can't stay on the fence. If we aren't working for God, we really are working against him. We have to commit to doing good and helping others, or we are effectively voting for Satan.

Today, let's choose the Lord. He's the one that gives us the freedom to choose other things rather than trapping us in chains of our own making. God will help us to safety if we need it. Let's turn to him for a new chance, and a new and better life.

Alma 5:18-19 -- On Looking Up to God

"Or otherwise, can ye imagine yourselves brought before the tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse, having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect remembrance of all your wickedness, yea, a remembrance that ye have set at defiance the commandments of God?
I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?"
Alma 5:18-19


This is sort of scary, but also a good thing to think about. When we get to that last day and we consider the sum total of our lives, standing in front of God, what would we like to be able to say? I think we all want to be able to say that we helped more than we hurt, and that we improved. We won't be perfect, but God's mercy goes a long, long way, as long as we are trying and working to help others. Today, let's make sure that we aren't going to fail that test. Let's let go of the things that we have done wrong and our bad desires, and let's let our spirits have more of a say. Let's commit to work towards our meeting with God by purifying our hearts, and then using them to make better calls. Let's ask God to change our hearts and to help us learn to love others the best that we can.

As we work with God and listen to him daily, our goodness and confidence will grow, and we will be on our way to being able to look up at God that day with joy and gratitude rather than fear, happy in who we are and what we have accomplished with God's help.

1 Nephi 8:10-12 -- On The Tree of Life

"And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.
And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.
And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit."
1 Nephi 8:10-12


I love Lehi's dream, and this description of the tree of life. :) It's a dream, so symbolism is to be expected, and I just love the idea of looking at a tree, and knowing that the fruit will make you happy. And maybe looking at Christ and the gospel is like that sometimes too. We might not be sure exactly why all the time, but our souls are shouting at us that this is the exact thing that will make us happy. And that inner voice, strengthened by the Spirit, always points to Christ. We can corrupt our own voices, or smother them, but the Spirit will always be pointing to the tree, not to the great and spacious building. Today, let's listen to the Spirit, and go to the tree, no matter what the world says.

2 Nephi 25:4 -- On Plainess and Clarity

"Wherefore, hearken, O my people, which are of the house of Israel, and give ear unto my words; for because the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy. But I give unto you a prophecy, according to the spirit which is in me; wherefore I shall prophesy according to the plainness which hath been with me from the time that I came out from Jerusalem with my father; for behold, my soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn."
2 Nephi 25:4


I like the idea here that Isaiah is only complicated because we don't know the context in which he was writing... and I think that is true of a lot of writing. We refer to things that everyone will know, saying things like "during quarantine" that other generations would think of as a totally different time period or not understand. I also like the implied idea here that God wants us to understand. It might take a little effort, especially with Isaiah, but God invites us in, and teaches us what we need to know, as we read with the Spirit. ... And I think having the Spirit/Holy Ghost is key to every other experience in life as well. The Spirit can teach us all things and help us remember anything we've learned. Let's work on following God and keeping that Spirit in our lives, to help us understand and see the things that seem confusing to us now.

Alma 12:3-5 -- On Thoughts and Plans

"Now Zeezrom, seeing that thou hast been taken in thy lying and craftiness, for thou hast not lied unto men only but thou hast lied unto God; for behold, he knows all thy thoughts, and thou seest that thy thoughts are made known unto us by his Spirit;
And thou seest that we know that thy plan was a very subtle plan, as to the subtlety of the devil, for to lie and to deceive this people that thou mightest set them against us, to revile us and to cast us out—
Now this was a plan of thine adversary, and he hath exercised his power in thee. Now I would that ye should remember that what I say unto thee I say unto all."
Alma 12:3-5


I like this confrontation with Zeezrom, maybe in part because I know that later he repents and changes, and maybe this helped him. It's good to remember that God knows us inside and out and that our thoughts are not hidden. He knows when we are lying to others, and to ourselves, and of course, it is impossible to decieve God. ... The other part that is really important here is that when we do lie or decieve that it isn't some clever tactic that we found to get ahead... it's actually just us following the plan of the devil. Today, let's remember Zeezrom, and be willing to recognize and acknowledge our faults, and to change. Let's work for God rather than the devil, and help others rather than manipulating and trying to take advantage.

Alma 12:10-11 -- On Hearts and Knowing

"And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell."
Alma 12:10-11


The idea of losing knowledge is scary, but it makes sense. When we stop practicing something, we can lose abilities... playing an instrument, speaking a language, participating in a sport, etc. If we aren't actively doing it, then we get rusty and it is difficult to restart. Perhaps, as the scripture suggests, we could even get to the point of knowing nothing because we haven't tried something since childhood. That seems like a really good motivator to not harden our hearts and to make sure we're staying in tune with God.

Today, let's remember that we have to keep working at our faith and our testimonies and our connection with God, every day. Let's not lost the progress that we've made, or forge our own chains. Rather, let's look to God, who can help us get through anything, and who is the one that can perfect us and help us learn to be our best selves... better than we can imagine. Let's go all in with God, and keep at it--keep learning, and knowing, and becoming.

Helaman 14:11-13 -- On Belief and Repentance

"And ye shall hear my words, for, for this intent have I come up upon the walls of this city, that ye might hear and know of the judgments of God which do await you because of your iniquities, and also that ye might know the conditions of repentance;
And also that ye might know of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and that ye might know of the signs of his coming, to the intent that ye might believe on his name.
And if ye believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits."
Helaman 14:11-13


I like the direct connection here between belief and repentance. If we believe we will repent... which I think should probably make us all take a step back and think about what we really believe. Today, let's turn to God and learn the "conditions of repentance," and if we really do believe, let's show it by acting on it, and changing our ways and letting go of past sins. Let's become new, changed people endeavoring to walk in the light of Christ.

Helaman 7:4-8 -- On Wanting and Working

"And seeing the people in a state of such awful wickedness, and those Gadianton robbers filling the judgment-seats—having usurped the power and authority of the land; laying aside the commandments of God, and not in the least aright before him; doing no justice unto the children of men;
Condemning the righteous because of their righteousness; letting the guilty and the wicked go unpunished because of their money; and moreover to be held in office at the head of government, to rule and do according to their wills, that they might get gain and glory of the world, and, moreover, that they might the more easily commit adultery, and steal, and kill, and do according to their own wills—
Now this great iniquity had come upon the Nephites, in the space of not many years; and when Nephi saw it, his heart was swollen with sorrow within his breast; and he did exclaim in the agony of his soul:
Oh, that I could have had my days in the days when my father Nephi first came out of the land of Jerusalem, that I could have joyed with him in the promised land; then were his people easy to be entreated, firm to keep the commandments of God, and slow to be led to do iniquity; and they were quick to hearken unto the words of the Lord—
Yea, if my days could have been in those days, then would my soul have had joy in the righteousness of my brethren."
Helaman 7:4-8


I like this story where Nephi is praying in his garden (which is by a busy street), and the people gather together to find out why he is so upset. God definitely had a hand in that, and in what happens later. And I think it shows that God can work with us even when we are sad or going through really hard things, if we are open to the Spirit.

Nephi wanted to live in a different time, when things were better. And I think we, too, sometimes wish that we could live in a time or place where there wasn't so much corruption and greed, or where there were more people who listened to God and did good things.

The thing is, I think part of it is looking back with rose-colored glasses. We've read about the time that he is wishing for, and I think he might be overlooking the fact that Nephi had to flee with a bunch of others so that his brothers wouldn't murder him. It's similar with us. We long for different things, but every time and place in mortality has its challenges, and its difficult work.

The other part of that longing I think is for something we all want, but is something we partially have to build and something that is also waiting for us in the resurrection... a united, faithful, group that we can be part of. People who lift each other up and help each other succeed. This is something we can have in families and friendships, and in wards and branches as we work for them. We can spread good, and lift others, and we can make a difference in the world as we do good to others, no matter how they treat us in return.

Today, let's direct our longings into building good and uplifting relationships and spaces. Let's listen to God as he whispers in our hearts about what we can do and build and be. Let's make a difference despite the wickedness in the world, and be God's hands to help others and make things better.

Mark 1:14-20 -- On Being Called

"Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him."
Mark 1:14-20


It's really cool that so many of Christ's diciples came just because Christ asked them... leaving their regular lives and jobs behind for his sake. They made a huge committment well before they understood all that it would require.

The Lords calls us similarly. We don't always know what God will require of us ahead of time, but we willingly follow. Whether or not God asks us to leave our jobs and families behind for a particular mission, he always asks that we leave the philosophy of the world behind, in order to learn a new and better way of thinking and being.

Today, let's hear God's call, and desert our bad habits and sins, and learn a new way. Let's learn how to love and serve each other rather than buying into the selfishness and heartlessness of the world. Let's hear God's call to be peacemakers and to shine as lights and examples of goodness. We won't know how at first, but as we talk to God, he will teach us of his ways, and we will learn to walk his path.

Matthew 25:31-33 -- On Sheep and Goats and Reaching Out to Help

"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left."
Matthew 25:31-33


The difference between sheep and goats in this parable is the way that they treated each other, for as Christ says later in the parable, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (verse 40), and tellingly, "Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me" (verse 45). The idea is taking care of the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked (presumably because of poverty), the sick, and the incarcerated. All too often these are exactly the people that we dismiss, even when it is people close to us, because we are uncomfortable when things get messy.

God doesn't expect us to become sheep superheroes overnight, but today, maybe we can shed some of our goat tendencies, and take more time to consider the people in the world around us. Let's work on finding ways to help, because we help God when we are helping his children. As we find ways to reach out to others to assist, we'll look less and less like goats, and hopefully find our way into God's sheepfold on that great day referenced above.

D&C 60:7 -- On Holiness

"And in this place let them lift up their voice and declare my word with loud voices, without wrath or doubting, lifting up holy hands upon them. For I am able to make you holy, and your sins are forgiven you."
Doctrine and Covenants 60:7


This comes a few verses after God explains that if we hide our talents because of the fear of man, they can be taken away (similar to the parable of the talents), and with that context this seems to be a message of hope... that God has our back and that we don't need to be afraid. When God tells us to do something, he will help us find a way to do it (as we learn with Nephi as well). I love the line "I am able to make you holy" ... recognizing that we are afraid of our own imperfections and failings, but God can forgive us and make us holy, if we stick with him and make the effort to do his will. Today, let's find a way to do what God asks, despite our fears and worries.

Helaman 3:35 -- On Sanctification

"Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."
Helaman 3:35


All of this is good of course, but what struck me today is the idea that sanctification (to purify or make sacred) comes through yielding our hearts to God. The whole idea of sending us into the world in one way is to create individuality... to give us physical presence and the ability to make choices that are not overly influenced by God. Unforced individuality... the ability to do whatever we want to do, and realize who we are, separate from other voices. And yet we, like mortal children, can make so many mistakes that put us in physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual danger. We're flailing about here, often not understanding fully the consequences of our own actions, and so easily influenced by other things. God keeps us free, which I am sure is a crazy balancing act keeping Satan out to the extent that we can still choose. Mortality puts us purposely out of Eden, and heaven, and encourages us to be independent and learn to be individual people.

Sanctification though... sanctification is the point where we realize that we want back in. It's us learning to be like God, not because he forced us into it, but because we have experienced individuality, and learned to make our own choices, and knowing what we now know, we understand why God does what he does (at least to an extent), and why heaven is the ideal... a perfect society without all of the corruption of mortality. So the idea of sanctification in some ways is a return to the idea of an Eden-type paradise, but now with the understanding of why it is a paradise, and with sanctification replacing innocence, which is part of why it is Heaven rather than Eden that we strive for. We follow the example of Christ, who knows all things, and yet is pure and uncorrupted. Today, let's work on that for ourselves as well. Let's ask God how he does it, and listen and learn from him. Let's give him our hearts and discover what he can make of us, with our participation and blessing. We can be more loving and kind and good than we could become by ourselves, with God to show us the way. :)

Helaman 3:29 -- On the Strait and Narrow Bridge

"Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked."
Helaman 3:29


This verse makes the strait (strict/rigorous) and narrow path seem like a bridge over a vast gulf of something very bad... a symbolic ocean of misery, perhaps filled with the sharks of sin who can chomp us full of extra holes for the misery to get in. Thinking of that "everlasting gulf" makes the plan of happiness seem ever so much more important, when we know that ocean or cloud or fog or storm is ready to engulf us. Just like in Lehi's dream, we know that darkness and storms will come, but if we stick with God, holding to his word, we can get through the hard parts. Today, let's not play at straying off the path, but take it seriously and keep the guard rails up, knowing how dangerous it is down there underneath.

3 Nephi 12:23-24 -- On Unity with Each Other and with God

"Therefore, if ye shall come unto me, or shall desire to come unto me, and rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee—
Go thy way unto thy brother, and first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I will receive you."
3 Nephi 12:23-24


I think this makes the point very clearly that our relationships with each other are part of our relationship with God... we come to him together, and disunity and disharmony impede our ability to connect to the divine. Today, let's do as God asks and repair our relationships, and heal where we have hurt, as much as we can. It might not always be a clear before and after thing... more a during thing in some cases, but let's talk to God *and* each other, and do as much as we can to unite and pull together rather than tearing things apart, and therefore making it harder to feel the Spirit and feel God in our lives.

Alma 37:6-7 -- On Small Means

"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls."
Alma 37:6-7


This is a good reminder that when we are looking for God's hand in our lives, we shouldn't be looking for some of the dramatic miracles that we sometimes expect. The scriptures talk about large things, but even the large things didn't start out that way. Lehi had a dream well before they were led to the promised land. Abraham prayed for escape before he founded a family and nation. Moses was launched into the river, Joseph was thrown into a pit, Jonah ran away, Noah trusted the Lord and started building, the Brother of Jared had a question, Nephi prayed and knew that his father was directed by the Lord. Big things start from little things, and God is working with everything around us, as well as everyone who is willing to listen. Today, let's listen. Let's pray to be able to see the Lord's hand and discern his voice and his messages to us... and then let's act on them, as a small part of something infinitely great: the Lord's plan to help and save us all.