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"HIPY PAPY BTHUTHDTH THUTHDA BTHUTHDY"

The Berenstain Bears lived in a tree. Papa Bear was an idiot and Mama bear was the sensible one. King of the Hill was one of the few television shows where the Dad was not idiot.

Happy birthday @mirkwood!

It might be one of the most relatable stories about caring for the poor and needy out there. Joseph Smith loved it, and it's been a favorite of the saints ever since. Plus:

Also My Spotify playlist for the day.

The washing of feet was an ordinance. That is completely not understood by wider Christianity—by pretty much anyone who is not a Latter-day Saint—though it's glaringly obvious to us. They turn the washing of feet into a cheap trope for treating strangers nicely. But even beyond that, a point that it's hard to hold non-LDS responsible for missing, the commercial is a disaster on many levels. It's condescending, filled with leftist tropes, unchallenging, hippie-Jesus, about as tasty and satisfying as overcooked pasta with no sauce or butter. Matt Walsh had what I consider to be a very good take on this.

Every verse starts with a sad situation and ends in triumph. How is that depressing? Verse 7 may be the ultimate lesson of the hymn, but in a way, I think the end of verse 6 is: This is what it means to "overcome" - and we're all here to learn to overcome, to train our free spirit to tell our weak flesh and chill blood to get over it, cuz we're doin' this.

As I embarked on this week's scriptural journey through Exodus 20-40 and Leviticus 1-10, I found myself deeply immersed in the rich tapestry of laws, rituals, and divine instructions that form the bedrock of Israel's covenant with God. This passage of scripture, dense with directives from the Mount Sinai encounter to the meticulous liturgical commands of Leviticus, provided me with a profound perspective on obedience, sanctity, and our personal relationship with the Divine. In Exodus, the Ten Commandments are not merely ancient laws; they are timeless principles that speak to the heart of our relationship with God and with one another. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3) struck a particular chord with me. In a world teeming with modern "idols" – be they our careers, material possessions, or even our egos – this commandment calls us back to the foundational truth of divine priority in our lives. As I pondered this, I recognized the subtle ways in which my own priorities may have inadvertently shifted away from this central command. This realization has inspired me to reassess my daily choices and realign them with the principle of placing God first, above all. Leviticus, with its detailed sacrificial system, initially seemed distant and unrelated to contemporary life. Yet, as I delved deeper, I understood its underlying message of atonement, purity, and the seriousness with which we should approach our relationship with God. Leviticus 1:4, "And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him," reminded me of the profound sacrifice of Christ, our ultimate atonement. It underscored the importance of acknowledging our sins and the need for repentance and redemption. This scriptural journey has been a call to mindfulness in my spiritual practice, to reverence in my approach to God's laws, and to a deeper appreciation for the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It has challenged me to live a life of greater holiness, to cherish the sacredness of my relationship with God, and to be more deliberate in my obedience to His commandments. As I reflect on these ancient texts, I am reminded of the timeless nature of God's word and its relevance to our daily lives. I am inspired to continue exploring these divine teachings, seeking ways to incorporate their wisdom into my everyday actions and thoughts. The journey through Exodus and Leviticus has been one of discovery, conviction, and renewal—a spiritual expedition that I am eager to continue. I welcome any insights or reflections you might have on these chapters. How do you find relevance in these ancient laws and commandments in your own life?

It appears that when they were in bondage in Egypt for all those many years idolatry was not a problem. It was only when they had been freed and felt they no longer needed the Lord did they forget Him. I am reminded of the early days of the Church when the Lord had this to say when the saints were enduring great persecution: D&C 101:8 In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me. I wish I could say that this hasn't been an issue in my own life. I imagine the dilemma that God must face, wanting to bless us with everything a loving parent can bestow upon a child but knowing that blessing may become a curse.

This is the type of question, at least to me, that doesn't change the fact that God said no, and then said yes ( @laronius beat me to it). This happened also in the Old Testament when the children of Israel asked for a King. The prophet and God said no, but after time God finally said give them what they want with further light and knowledge as to what would happen, and it happened. The original version still answers the questions just fine.

For the first 2 - 3 years a common branch activity was for people to come to church, bring their phones & chargers, and try to track everyone down. Each person would be given a segment of the directory showing everyone who was supposed to be there, and they would be tasked with calling the number listed on the registry to ask and see if the person in question was still at that listed residence. After that, everyone just kind of gave up.

I read Numbers 21 this morning and noted some similarities between Joseph Smith's multiple inquiries of the Lord on behalf of a friend and Balaam's several inquiries to the Lord on behalf of Balak. That incident might provide further context for interpreting/understanding what happened with Joseph and Martin.

I like his insight and it does bring some clarity but I don't completely agree with his conclusion. Saying that God said No, No, and then Yes might be oversimplifying it but that is in essence what He said, conditional though it may have been. And yes, God will eventually give us what we want, even contrary to His will if we persist long enough. Just recently I had felt to take a certain action that I kept finding excuses not to, when in one of my doubting prayers the Spirit in essence said "Then don't do it." Sensing the Lord growing weary with me I quickly humbled myself and acted on the original prompting. In both instances the Lord's "Yes" isn't signifying approval of the act (or in my case lack of action) but rather the Lord not willing to subvert agency by applying too much pressure. If we want to do things our way He won't stand in the way but will be waiting for us on the other end of those poor choices to encourage us back onto the right path.