Luke 4:33-34 -- On Knowledge and Trust

"And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God."
Luke 4:33-34


There is a lot going on in this chapter, with Christ visiting Nazareth and being driven out, devils identifying him, healing everyone that was brought to him, and people pleading with him to stay with them. It kind of gives you a picture of how hectic his life was, and how unusual it was. I think it can also give us a lot of hope... if Christ endured his hometown trying to push him off a cliff and devils calling him out in public, along with many more of the obvious and sometimes much worse things he dealt with, then we *know* he can help us with our problems. He gets us, and he loves us. Let's turn to him and trust him.

Ether 12:27 -- On Weakness and Humility

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."
Ether 12:27

Ether 12:27 It's hard to feel weak sometimes. Vulnerability can be scary, and we seem to instinctively build walls to protect ourselves. Sometimes the walls can be mostly good things, like a healthy hobby or a support system of people who care about us, but they can also be bad things, like pride or arrogance or thinking of other people as lesser, or wrong, or just too different from ourselves to even deal with. We can insulate ourselves with addictions or obsessions so we don't have to think about our weaknesses, failures, or potential failures. Even good things can keep us from learning things that we need to learn--if we stay sheltered in our coccoons forever, we never give ourselves the chance to develop into what God knows we can become.

Our best selves are glorious, beautiful, incredible beings of light and love. God is showing us the way to get there... but part of the way is weakness and vulnerability. It is scary, but as long as we are learning our lessons from the Lord, feeling that fear and anxiety also can teach us compassion and generosity and helps us to relate to other people who feel those things too (which is everyone at different times). Learning to deal with inability and broken selves helps us to appreciate and seek meaningful work and wholeness. Feeling vulnerable and at risk with other people helps us to identify bad relationship strategies and to help other people feel whole and safe. The key is to not seek to fill our broken hearts with something besides God... he is the only thing that can heal and fill us. If we look to him for our help, then we will learn and progress and develop and become. Let's make sure that we look to God and allow our weaknesses to teach us and the Lord to guide us, rather than thinking weakness means we are evil or awful and giving up. As God says above, his grace is sufficient for all of us, if we humble ourselves and have faith... he will teach us how to be everything that we long to be in righteousness. :)

Ether 12:18 -- On Miracles

"And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until after their faith; wherefore they first believed in the Son of God."
Ether 12:18


Was reading this today, and thinking about how important faith is... all tied in with belief, hope, action, and even love really. That idea of trusting in the future, and of course in the particular version of the future that God promises, but also just in general. Believing that this moment leads somewhere, that it is worth something, that we can make a difference through our actions and choices... being mentally engaged in our lives and choosing where to go rather than just drifting along. That all seems part of it to me. I think of the Brother of Jared talking to the Lord and the Lord asking him what he would have him do to get light in the ship. His imagination mattered there. He thought of something that he thought could work, and knew God could make it happen. And perhaps the Spirit was helping him think of things, which is good, but that mental work, figuring out what the whole thing might take... that mattered too.

Today, let's partner with God and work on our relationship with and trust in him. Let's really believe that he can do miracles in our lives, and as we learn to imagine it and accept it, God will be able to do bigger wonders in our lives than we have seen. Let's be open to miracles, and we will come across them much more often.

Ether 11:14 -- On Resisting Wickedness

"And it came to pass that Ethem did execute judgment in wickedness all his days; and he begat Moron. And it came to pass that Moron did reign in his stead; and Moron did that which was wicked before the Lord."
Ether 11:14


This is the "joke" verse with the punchline "Don't be a Moron," but it is also not a joke. Reading about whole civilizations destroyed here in the end of the Book of Mormon, it is a perfect time to step back and take a look at our own lives. God is willing to forgive, and bless, and help, and strengthen, and love... but we have to listen and follow his plan to help us not destroy ourselves. No matter what is collapsing in our own lives, God can help. Let's turn to him, and love him, and resist the wickedness and evil around us. Let's be the example on the hill that God asks us to be. Let's show love to others and be part of God's cure for to the ills of the earth.

Ether 7:23-26 -- On Warnings

"And also in the reign of Shule there came prophets among the people, who were sent from the Lord, prophesying that the wickedness and idolatry of the people was bringing a curse upon the land, and they should be destroyed if they did not repent.
And it came to pass that the people did revile against the prophets, and did mock them. And it came to pass that king Shule did execute judgment against all those who did revile against the prophets.
And he did execute a law throughout all the land, which gave power unto the prophets that they should go whithersoever they would; and by this cause the people were brought unto repentance.
And because the people did repent of their iniquities and idolatries the Lord did spare them, and they began to prosper again in the land. And it came to pass that Shule begat sons and daughters in his old age."
Ether 7:23-26


I like this selection because it is an example of when God warned the people and things turned out okay... even though they rejected them at first, because they were free to travel around and preach, eventually the people repented. So many other times in the scriptures, people reject the prophets and then they are lost.

I think this happens in our lives too, in a way. We read or listen or feel in another way what God wants us to do, or just the general good advice from the Lord, through his prophets or through the scriptures, or through more direct inspiration or revelation, and sometimes at first we ignore it or reject it. But over time, if we keep hearing it, we finally let it through... and I think that it is really fortunate for us that God gives us that time and space to repent and change.

Today, let's not drag our feet, but make changes in our lives now, remembering and listening and being grateful to God for his mercy to us so far. Life with God is SO much better than life without. Let's remember that, and take whatever steps we can to draw closer to him.

Ether 6:11-12 -- On Trusting God

"And thus they were driven forth, three hundred and forty and four days upon the water.
And they did land upon the shore of the promised land. And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them."
Ether 6:11-12


Earlier in this chapter, it explains that "the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind" (verse 5). It seems very trusting and faithful to throw yourself into that sort of uncertain situation and trust God to take you someplace good, and I think risking so much also is reflected in how thankful and grateful they were at the end of the journey.

Maybe it is that way for us as well... the more we trust God in our lives, the more capacity we have for gratitude and understanding the mind-blowing miracles that God does for us. If we stand on the shore and say no thank you to God's offer to lead us to a promised land, then not only will we not get to the promised land, but we will also not gain the depth of faith, trust, and even love and gratitude that we could have if we were willing to cast ourselves upon the water.

Today, let's trust in God, and let's think about whether we are holding ourselves back from learning something important by not trusting him just a little bit more.

Ether 3:12 -- On a God of Truth

"And he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie."
Ether 3:12


I love the idea that God can't lie. From events in Christ's life we know that doesn't mean he is incaple of fiction... his parables were fictional, but still taught truth--the lesson underneath the words. I think what it really means is that everything he does, he does to help us find truth and reality. Deception is Satan's game. God tells it like it is. Today, as we are looking for things to trust in a world full of deception, let's turn to the Lord who will never lie to us, but will always lead us to truth.

Ether 1:43 -- On Prayer and Persistence

"And there will I bless thee and thy seed, and raise up unto me of thy seed, and of the seed of thy brother, and they who shall go with thee, a great nation. And there shall be none greater than the nation which I will raise up unto me of thy seed, upon all the face of the earth. And thus I will do unto thee because this long time ye have cried unto me."
Ether 1:43


I like the mention here that the Lord is doing this for the brother of Jared because he stayed in communication with him, praying and crying unto God. It says earlier in the chapter that he was "highly favored of the Lord" ... so much so that when Jared has a plan and wants something from the Lord, he has his brother ask it for him. :) And from this, it seems that the core of that favor was prayer. Today, let's all seek favor from the Lord, not by false praise as so many practice in our society, but by sincere communication and just talking and developing a friendship with the Lord. God is not far away from us, if we seek him. I know it can be difficult to hear him sometimes over our own thoughts and desires, and there are times when we will think that our prayers are bouncing off the ceiling and never making it to our Father... but as we learn of him, combining our prayers with reading his words, taking his advice, and sincerely seeking his will, we will find it easier and easier to reach him, and to feel and know what he has to say to us.

Mormon 9:36-37 -- On the Triumph of Love and Hope

"And behold, these things which we have desired concerning our brethren, yea, even their restoration to the knowledge of Christ, are according to the prayers of all the saints who have dwelt in the land.
And may the Lord Jesus Christ grant that their prayers may be answered according to their faith; and may God the Father remember the covenant which he hath made with the house of Israel; and may he bless them forever, through faith on the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
Mormon 9:36-37


These verses, praying for his brethren, even though a bunch of those brethren had just wiped out his whole society, seem amazing to me. Moroni still knows that God will make everything okay, even though all the Nephites were wiped out... and he prays for the families and the descendants of the very murderers who destroyed them. Of course, he was realistic, knowing that his side was evil as well, and all his hope had to be in future promises, but I still love the idea that seems firm in his mind to love and hope and pray rather than hating. It would have been so easy to hate, and so many media messages in our current world tell us that it is okay to hate in circumstances like that... but God asks us to walk in love, no matter our circumstances, and that choice is part of what makes us, over time, more like he is. He can forgive us of the worst sins because he can see through to someone that he loves, and he wants more than anything to help us reach our better, shinier, whole and clean and bright potential.
He can see the hope in the future, and love and shine his light into the darkness to show others the way. Today, let us also try to make the right choices and to show love to all, even our enemies. We might need a lot of prayer and help, but with God, we can do it. :)

D&C 50:23 -- On Edifying

"And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness."
Doctrine and Covenants 50:23


Edifying means to uplift or improve, and I like that idea, that everything that God does is meant to make things better... to help, teach, assist, lift, and strengthen. The section continues, talking about light and truth as well... lots of great stuff here, but maybe today we can just go forward with that single idea, so we don't get overwhelmed trying too much at once. Let's lift, and help, and edify. Let's do all we can for others, making things better and not worse. If we can get that one thing right, we're on the right track, and we can tackle more as we master the simplicity of helping and not harming. :)

D&C 50:6 -- On Avoiding Deception and Hypocrisy

"But wo unto them that are deceivers and hypocrites, for, thus saith the Lord, I will bring them to judgment."
Doctrine and Covenants 50:6


I think sometimes it is hard to not be a deciever or a hypocrite. Those are really easy things to be, especially in our current society that seems to support such behavior. Today, though, let's work on honesty and sincerity... on behaving as we know that we should, and as God directs. As we do, we will become stronger and better able to be honest, sincere, and true to God and ourselves, inside and out. Let's work on being better examples of believers, and on walking God's path.

Doctrine and Covenants 5:7 -- On Frustration and Progress

"Behold, if they will not believe my words, they would not believe you, my servant Joseph, if it were possible that you should show them all these things which I have committed unto you."
Doctrine and Covenants 5:7


This is God reassuring Joseph, who was perhaps frustrated that he couldn't just show and prove to everyone that he really had seen an angel and obtained ancient records. Knowing that you are telling the truth and still having the majority of people disbelieve you... that would be frustrating for anyone. God doesn't tell him all the reasons, although many come up later in the overall story with the loss of the pages they had translated already. God does let him know that showing people everything isn't the answer in this case, and that if they won't listen to his words in another form, they wouldn't believe Joseph anyway. The Spirit is there either way, and people have the chance to feel and accept that and change, or not.

Today, let's try not to be frustrated that people don't understand, but let's go forward, trusting God that there are good reasons for the way things are, and working to help and love where we can. Let's give people the opportunity to hear God's word, and then as they (and we) bind those words more strongly to ourselves and use them to change and grow, we will see and know more and more, until the perfect day. :)

Isaiah 7:7 -- On the Best-Laid Plans

"Thus saith the Lord God, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass."
Isaiah 7:7


In context, this is God saying no to the plans that two other countries/kingdoms had to take over Judah, but I think it is a good reminder overall that plans come to nothing without the Lord's will. When we are walking with the Lord and we have his assistance and his approval, then plans will either go well, or they will go wrong in just the right way that may lead to a better opportunity or another open door. With God, even the worst things turn to good as we follow his will. Without God, even the best plans can fall apart and we might miss incredible opportunities because we aren't listening to the Spirit. Today, let's stay on the Lord's side as he is on ours, and trust in his knowlwsge, wisdom, and advice. Let's follow his plan, and keep his commandments, and we will be led in the right way... towards eternal happiness.

Proverbs 4:7-8 -- On Embracing Wisdom

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her."
Proverbs 4:7-8


A good reminder today about how important wisdom is, and of course God as the source of wisdom. Today, let's embrace wisdom and look to God for help and strength. :)

Doctrine and Covenants 45:62 -- On Great Things to Come

"For verily I say unto you, that great things await you."
Doctrine and Covenants 45:62


I love this one, and it is true in context and out of context, because God has great things in store for the world, and for us each individually. Sometimes we look at the world and just see the obstacles and the problems, but there are good and great things out there too... waiting for us to find them. With God there is always hope--hope for a better world, hope for a better self, and a hope for great things to come. :) Today, let's trust in God, turn to Christ, and repent and let his hope fill us and guide us.

Doctrine and Covenants 49:23-28 -- On Continuing in Steadfastness

"Wherefore, be not deceived, but continue in steadfastness, looking forth for the heavens to be shaken, and the earth to tremble and to reel to and fro as a drunken man, and for the valleys to be exalted, and for the mountains to be made low, and for the rough places to become smooth—and all this when the angel shall sound his trumpet.
But before the great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness, and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose.
Zion shall flourish upon the hills and rejoice upon the mountains, and shall be assembled together unto the place which I have appointed.
Behold, I say unto you, go forth as I have commanded you; repent of all your sins; ask and ye shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you.
Behold, I will go before you and be your rearward; and I will be in your midst, and you shall not be confounded.
Behold, I am Jesus Christ, and I come quickly. Even so. Amen."
Doctrine and Covenants 49:23-28


I like that God laid out some things that still need to happen before the Second Coming for his people, so that they didn't think it was imminent. I think it is helpful for us just as it was then, to realize and remember that there is still much to be done, and that we can be a part of it. As God has asked, let's repent and dedicate ourselves to his work, asking and knocking as we go forward on the Lord's business. He will help us and lift us as we work to do his will and build Zion.

D&C 45:66-67 -- On Glory and Terror

"And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God;
And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion."
Doctrine and Covenants 45:66-67


It's kind of cool, from a protection point of view, that God can be loving, and glorious, and so amazingly merciful, but at the same time also be absolutely good and just, and kind of scary to anyone thinking they can go up against him. A place of safety for followers of God, but not a place that anyone else wants to mess with... I like it. :)

Today, let's remember that glory and terror can be parts of the same thing, but if we stick with God and do his will, we don't have to be afraid. He is working to help us come home to him, and he welcomes the repentant. Let's learn to be better and turn to the Lord for help and protection from the things that are too big for us.

3 Nephi 26:19 -- On Dealing Justly

"And they taught, and did minister one to another; and they had all things common among them, every man dealing justly, one with another."
3 Nephi 26:19


I love the part here about dealing justly. Unfortunately that is often difficult to find in our world where lying, deceptions of all kinds, and profiteering can be seen as normal, commonplace, and even expected. In a world like that, sometimes we need that connection to God to even learn to understand what justice and/or fairness means, and I think that Christ offered us parables and examples partially for that reason. He showed us the difference between how the world sees things and how the Lord sees them.

Today, let's take some time to ponder how God sees the world, and do our best to be just, and kind, and loving, generous, and truly good as we deal with others and with ourselves.

3 Nephi 25:1-2 -- On Growing Up in Safety

"For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
But unto you that fear my name, shall the Son of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves in the stall."
3 Nephi 25:1-2


This is talking about the Second Coming, and as always there is scary imagery... burning as an oven we might joke about now because it is the middle of summer and hot hot hot, but even on the worst days, it isn't as bad as an oven, which is typically at least a couple of hundred degrees hotter than the worst summer. So, yikes. But for the righteous there is healing and safety. The image of calves in the stall for me isn't all positive. Some of it seems scary and trapped, but I don't think that is what the Lord was saying here. Comparing to Malachi 4:2, the words "grow up" in the original give more of a sense of playing and leaping... not being trapped. I think the core idea is protected from predators... led home to sleep, then led to pasture (food, freedom) and back again, safe from everything, the same way the image of Christ as our shepherd is meant to convey a sense of being taken care of and led the right way.

It requires a little bit of humility perhaps to connect with the sheep and calf imagery, and to understand the need for protection from God, but no matter how much we have learned, or how cool we are, we always need Christ in our lives. God is the one who can teach us what we need to know, and protect us from the scary stuff to come... when the imagery and the warnings are made real. Let's stick with Christ and listen to the Spirit so that we can guide our lives, help our loved ones, make the whole world better, and become our best selves. God only wants what is best for us, but that doesn't mean that obstacles, problems, and scary things won't happen. It just means that he will help us through them and help us learn and become so much more as we have faith in him and follow his guidance and commandments.

2 Kings 19:19-20 -- On Prayers and Answers

"Now therefore, O Lord our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God, even thou only.
Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard."
2 Kings 19:19-20


I like how Hezekiah prays to God in the temple and then Isaiah sends him a message with an answer. When we pray, our answers aren't often delivered by messenger, but if we pay attention, we will see that they are answered, and God will help us get through threats and oppression and other things that a more modern world challenges us with. Today, let's turn to the Lord and trust in his help and protection as we are faithful to him.