karmakiro

Friday 7/8/16 – I have tried to visualize what Peter would be going through in this time of losing the Savior and being told he will deny Him three times. In Luke 22: 31 – 34 we read, “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. / And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. / And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.” I feel that a big clue to the situation is here in how Jesus introduced the command. He spoke of Satan desiring to sift him as wheat, the JST says sift the children of the kingdom as wheat. Either way this shows a desire to take them away and I feel this is even more literal at the moment. And the Savior is trying to save Peter from being sifted in a most dangerous moment. In Luke 22: 60-62 we read, “And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. / And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. / And Peter went out, and wept bitterly” What if we see the Lord letting Peter know he has done right and the bitter weeping is because Peter has done something he doesn’t want to do? I feel that we may have witnessed another example of strength, bravery, and sheer obedience rather than weakness and cowardice. The conversion the Lord mentions to Peter in verse 32 could very well be pointing out to Peter that as he learns and follows each new truth that will be coming his way, he must teach it to others. This is another fine example of the Lords love. He has provided a way and a command that allowed Him to do what He must and leave behind others that could teach what the Lord has been teaching. It must have been difficult for Peter, but the Lord wanted a servant to stay behind and teach, not one that would follow Him straight into death. He is not consumed in such self-service, but rather selfless service. The Lord wants us to always have those that can help others.

Friday 7/8/16 – I have tried to visualize what Peter would be going through in this time of losing the Savior and being told he will deny Him three times. In Luke 22: 31 – 34 we read, “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. / And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. / And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.” I feel that a big clue to the situation is here in how Jesus introduced the command. He spoke of Satan desiring to sift him as wheat, the JST says sift the children of the kingdom as wheat. Either way this shows a desire to take them away and I feel this is even more literal at the moment. And the Savior is trying to save Peter from being sifted in a most dangerous moment. In Luke 22: 60-62 we read, “And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. / And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. / And Peter went out, and wept bitterly” What if we see the Lord letting Peter know he has done right and the bitter weeping is because Peter has done something he doesn’t want to do? I feel that we may have witnessed another example of strength, bravery, and sheer obedience rather than weakness and cowardice. The conversion the Lord mentions to Peter in verse 32 could very well be pointing out to Peter that as he learns and follows each new truth that will be coming his way, he must teach it to others. This is another fine example of the Lords love. He has provided a way and a command that allowed Him to do what He must and leave behind others that could teach what the Lord has been teaching. It must have been difficult for Peter, but the Lord wanted a servant to stay behind and teach, not one that would follow Him straight into death. He is not consumed in such self-service, but rather selfless service. The Lord wants us to always have those that can help others.

Tuesday 7/5/16 – John 16: 7 brings to us an understanding that if Jesus were not to have left then we could not receive the Holy Ghost. As I was reading these chapters especially John 14 -16 I started to try to visualize what it must have been like during this final moment with the Savior. Some understood that it must be, while others seemed to fight the idea at every moment. What a comfort these words spoken as recorded in John 16 could have been. In John 16:12 – 14 we can see how this is a message of continued learning and guidance which is one thing so many feared would be lost. Jesus said, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. / Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. / He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” We will have the Holy Ghost, even the Spirit of truth, to look to for guidance that would be given us straight from the Lord. This brings even more light to why Jesus needed to leave us. He had much to do in the way of fulfilling His Father’s plan, even the atonement, but He is still a man of flesh and bone and cannot be with every person at every moment. The Holy Spirit, even the Comforter, is able to fulfill the omnipresence needed to guide us all and if we needed the sacrifice of the Lord to make that possible it needed to be done. Here is another beautiful reflection of the love that the Father and the Son have for us. Another way to feel of their charity. Jesus sacrificed Himself and went through all that He did that we may also have the Comforter with us at all times. He knew that He could not fulfill the omnipresent need Himself nor could the Father and that is why they made it possible for the Holy Spirit to be that part of the God Head; that we may have the guidance we need to work our way back to the Father. We may also be able to be part of that charity and bring it to the world as we follow the guidance of the Spirit of truth and perform service for those around us. As we perform that charity, we and others (not even aware) can feel of that love continually being spread throughout the world as part of that omnipresent gift of the Holy Ghost.

Tuesday 7/5/16 – John 16: 7 brings to us an understanding that if Jesus were not to have left then we could not receive the Holy Ghost. As I was reading these chapters especially John 14 -16 I started to try to visualize what it must have been like during this final moment with the Savior. Some understood that it must be, while others seemed to fight the idea at every moment. What a comfort these words spoken as recorded in John 16 could have been. In John 16:12 – 14 we can see how this is a message of continued learning and guidance which is one thing so many feared would be lost. Jesus said, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. / Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. / He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” We will have the Holy Ghost, even the Spirit of truth, to look to for guidance that would be given us straight from the Lord. This brings even more light to why Jesus needed to leave us. He had much to do in the way of fulfilling His Father’s plan, even the atonement, but He is still a man of flesh and bone and cannot be with every person at every moment. The Holy Spirit, even the Comforter, is able to fulfill the omnipresence needed to guide us all and if we needed the sacrifice of the Lord to make that possible it needed to be done. Here is another beautiful reflection of the love that the Father and the Son have for us. Another way to feel of their charity. Jesus sacrificed Himself and went through all that He did that we may also have the Comforter with us at all times. He knew that He could not fulfill the omnipresent need Himself nor could the Father and that is why they made it possible for the Holy Spirit to be that part of the God Head; that we may have the guidance we need to work our way back to the Father. We may also be able to be part of that charity and bring it to the world as we follow the guidance of the Spirit of truth and perform service for those around us. As we perform that charity, we and others (not even aware) can feel of that love continually being spread throughout the world as part of that omnipresent gift of the Holy Ghost.

Wednesday 6/28/16 – In John 13:20 we see a flagged message from Jesus Christ warning us, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” This is definitely letting us know that as we follow disciples of Christ, even His prophets, we will be following the Son and the Father. The footnotes guided me to 1 John 4:6 (1-6) which talks of discerning messengers of God from antichrists. This culminates in 1 John 4:6 “ We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” Now I wanted to go further and cover 1 John 4:7 – 13 (even though the whole chapter is amazing and further exemplifies my point) “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. / He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. / In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. / Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. / Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. / No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. / Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.” We learn so much here that brings us full circle to the fact that as we follow Christ and His disciples we will receive the Father. We also get to learn of the importance of charity to bring us closer to the Father. God is love and we get to know of that love because He sent His only begotten Son that willingly and full of love Himself gave His life that we may be saved. Because of that love, even charity, we must also show that love to everyone and as we do we can feel the presence of God in us through His Spirit perfecting us as God also feels us with Him. We are so blessed to have this gospel as it works to show us the never ending power of the God Head and how we can be part of that power even here on Earth as we act in full faith as disciples of Jesus Christ. Charity is the all-encompassing grip in which the Father holds us and as we reflect that love we will be able to help even more feel that grip in which they are already held.

Wednesday 6/28/16 – In John 13:20 we see a flagged message from Jesus Christ warning us, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” This is definitely letting us know that as we follow disciples of Christ, even His prophets, we will be following the Son and the Father. The footnotes guided me to 1 John 4:6 (1-6) which talks of discerning messengers of God from antichrists. This culminates in 1 John 4:6 “ We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” Now I wanted to go further and cover 1 John 4:7 – 13 (even though the whole chapter is amazing and further exemplifies my point) “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. / He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. / In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. / Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. / Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. / No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. / Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.” We learn so much here that brings us full circle to the fact that as we follow Christ and His disciples we will receive the Father. We also get to learn of the importance of charity to bring us closer to the Father. God is love and we get to know of that love because He sent His only begotten Son that willingly and full of love Himself gave His life that we may be saved. Because of that love, even charity, we must also show that love to everyone and as we do we can feel the presence of God in us through His Spirit perfecting us as God also feels us with Him. We are so blessed to have this gospel as it works to show us the never ending power of the God Head and how we can be part of that power even here on Earth as we act in full faith as disciples of Jesus Christ. Charity is the all-encompassing grip in which the Father holds us and as we reflect that love we will be able to help even more feel that grip in which they are already held.

Tuesday 6/28/16 – John 13: 5 -17 allows us to see the message that if we are to be true disciples of Christ and leaders then we will always remember to serve everyone, even those we lead. This whole moment where Jesus washed the apostles’ feet was a powerful moment reminding us that the Lord is also here to wash us clean that we may return to the Father. Still in verse 16 we see that as Jesus is explaining the principle he flags the next part as very important. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him” We see Christ as a great leader to us and He did as stated in verse 15 give us a great example to live by, but He also wants us to know that without a doubt He is in no way greater than the Father. This also reminds us as we follow in Jesus’ path He is the one that has guided us in what to do and we must not think ourselves greater than Him. With verse 17 I feel this is still part of the flagged message He states “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” We are totally guided by the love of Jesus Christ to spread His love and charity to all that we meet. As we follow the commandment to love one another we can feel that charity in our lives building us up and providing an indescribable joy and happiness.

Tuesday 6/28/16 – John 13: 5 -17 allows us to see the message that if we are to be true disciples of Christ and leaders then we will always remember to serve everyone, even those we lead. This whole moment where Jesus washed the apostles’ feet was a powerful moment reminding us that the Lord is also here to wash us clean that we may return to the Father. Still in verse 16 we see that as Jesus is explaining the principle he flags the next part as very important. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him” We see Christ as a great leader to us and He did as stated in verse 15 give us a great example to live by, but He also wants us to know that without a doubt He is in no way greater than the Father. This also reminds us as we follow in Jesus’ path He is the one that has guided us in what to do and we must not think ourselves greater than Him. With verse 17 I feel this is still part of the flagged message He states “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” We are totally guided by the love of Jesus Christ to spread His love and charity to all that we meet. As we follow the commandment to love one another we can feel that charity in our lives building us up and providing an indescribable joy and happiness.

Thursday 6/23/16 – Mark 13:11 struck me because I always find it amazing that our faith can help us know what we need to say about the gospel when the time is right. And this is a gift we receive through the Holy Spirit. Mark 13:11 reads “But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.” This refers to times nearing the end of days, but the principle is there so I followed the footnotes to Matthew 10:19-20 which from Matthew 10:18 – 20 reads, “And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. / But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. / For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” I included verse 18 because even though this matches up on being scourged as followers of Jesus Christ, it is still an opportunity to share the Gospel and reach even one. I think of Abinadi as he was imprisoned by King Noah and is priests. Abinadi never gave up speaking as a disciple of Jesus Christ and was able to reach Alma (the older) whether he realized it before his death or not. Through Alma the Church of Christ had one of the most significant growths in the land of the Nephites. The footnotes in Matthew 10:19 lead us to D&C 24:6 where the Lord is commanding Joseph Smith to translate, preach and expound the scriptures. It reads, “And it shall be given thee in the very moment what thou shalt speak and write, and they shall hear it, or I will send unto them a cursing instead of a blessing.” Yet again we see that as we do what we are commanded we will be given what is needed this time we see it as a message to Joseph Smith, but it goes even further as the footnotes lead us to D&C 84:85 where The Church receives direction that we are to go forth as missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ and spread His gospel. We read, “Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.” and it is here that we can see how the Spirit will help us in times of great tragedy such as mentioned in Mark 13:11. We must always act in faith by studying our scriptures and treasuring up what it is we learn. One way to do this is to pray continually and gain a deeper knowledge of what we are studying. This is another blessing of the charity, even pure love of Jesus Christ. He has continually guided us to how we may serve Him best and bring to pass the building up of the Kingdom of the Lord. As we do so we will be blessed in this life or the next. We can know this because it is promised us. The road map is laid out for us. There may be difficulty, but we can know that it is all worth it.

Wednesday 6/22/16 – Matthew 24:9 – 13 shows us that if we endure all the trials of being followers of Christ even unto death then we shall be saved. “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. / And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. / And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. / And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. / But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” The word endure was labeled in the footnotes with the topical guide as steadfastness and perseverance. We can look to the topical guide to find other scriptures to give us a deeper understanding of endure. The first scripture under perseverance to catch my eye was Luke 18:1 “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” Coupled with John 8:31 – 32 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; / And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” we see that we must always pray to the Lord and follow his commandments, even those we receive as we continually pray. This perseverance even endurance will make us free and that freedom is our salvation. As we add an understanding of steadfastness we come to 1 Peter 1:23 which tells us of the endurance of the word of God. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” This is a reason why we must always follow the word of God, because it lives forever and in so following we live forever. 1 Peter 5:8 – 10 gives us an understanding that if we are vigilant and steadfast then it is Christ’s atonement that will embrace us and make us whole unto salvation. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: / Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. / But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” Through our endurance Jesus can show us His charity and bless us with all that He has to offer that we may live with the Father again in His kingdom. We are so blessed to know that through prayer and endurance to all commandments we can be saved from our weakness. We must always press forward and remember that pure love from Christ and the Father. We can take this as another example to always help others on their path as we are all brothers and sisters in this trial through mortality.

Thursday 6/23/16 – Mark 13:11 struck me because I always find it amazing that our faith can help us know what we need to say about the gospel when the time is right. And this is a gift we receive through the Holy Spirit. Mark 13:11 reads “But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.” This refers to times nearing the end of days, but the principle is there so I followed the footnotes to Matthew 10:19-20 which from Matthew 10:18 – 20 reads, “And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. / But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. / For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” I included verse 18 because even though this matches up on being scourged as followers of Jesus Christ, it is still an opportunity to share the Gospel and reach even one. I think of Abinadi as he was imprisoned by King Noah and is priests. Abinadi never gave up speaking as a disciple of Jesus Christ and was able to reach Alma (the older) whether he realized it before his death or not. Through Alma the Church of Christ had one of the most significant growths in the land of the Nephites. The footnotes in Matthew 10:19 lead us to D&C 24:6 where the Lord is commanding Joseph Smith to translate, preach and expound the scriptures. It reads, “And it shall be given thee in the very moment what thou shalt speak and write, and they shall hear it, or I will send unto them a cursing instead of a blessing.” Yet again we see that as we do what we are commanded we will be given what is needed this time we see it as a message to Joseph Smith, but it goes even further as the footnotes lead us to D&C 84:85 where The Church receives direction that we are to go forth as missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ and spread His gospel. We read, “Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.” and it is here that we can see how the Spirit will help us in times of great tragedy such as mentioned in Mark 13:11. We must always act in faith by studying our scriptures and treasuring up what it is we learn. One way to do this is to pray continually and gain a deeper knowledge of what we are studying. This is another blessing of the charity, even pure love of Jesus Christ. He has continually guided us to how we may serve Him best and bring to pass the building up of the Kingdom of the Lord. As we do so we will be blessed in this life or the next. We can know this because it is promised us. The road map is laid out for us. There may be difficulty, but we can know that it is all worth it.

Thursday 6/23/16 – Mark 13:11 struck me because I always find it amazing that our faith can help us know what we need to say about the gospel when the time is right. And this is a gift we receive through the Holy Spirit. Mark 13:11 reads “But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.” This refers to times nearing the end of days, but the principle is there so I followed the footnotes to Matthew 10:19-20 which from Matthew 10:18 – 20 reads, “And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. / But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. / For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” I included verse 18 because even though this matches up on being scourged as followers of Jesus Christ, it is still an opportunity to share the Gospel and reach even one. I think of Abinadi as he was imprisoned by King Noah and is priests. Abinadi never gave up speaking as a disciple of Jesus Christ and was able to reach Alma (the older) whether he realized it before his death or not. Through Alma the Church of Christ had one of the most significant growths in the land of the Nephites. The footnotes in Matthew 10:19 lead us to D&C 24:6 where the Lord is commanding Joseph Smith to translate, preach and expound the scriptures. It reads, “And it shall be given thee in the very moment what thou shalt speak and write, and they shall hear it, or I will send unto them a cursing instead of a blessing.” Yet again we see that as we do what we are commanded we will be given what is needed this time we see it as a message to Joseph Smith, but it goes even further as the footnotes lead us to D&C 84:85 where The Church receives direction that we are to go forth as missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ and spread His gospel. We read, “Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.” and it is here that we can see how the Spirit will help us in times of great tragedy such as mentioned in Mark 13:11. We must always act in faith by studying our scriptures and treasuring up what it is we learn. One way to do this is to pray continually and gain a deeper knowledge of what we are studying. This is another blessing of the charity, even pure love of Jesus Christ. He has continually guided us to how we may serve Him best and bring to pass the building up of the Kingdom of the Lord. As we do so we will be blessed in this life or the next. We can know this because it is promised us. The road map is laid out for us. There may be difficulty, but we can know that it is all worth it.

Wednesday 6/22/16 – Matthew 24:9 – 13 shows us that if we endure all the trials of being followers of Christ even unto death then we shall be saved. “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. / And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. / And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. / And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. / But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” The word endure was labeled in the footnotes with the topical guide as steadfastness and perseverance. We can look to the topical guide to find other scriptures to give us a deeper understanding of endure. The first scripture under perseverance to catch my eye was Luke 18:1 “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” Coupled with John 8:31 – 32 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; / And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” we see that we must always pray to the Lord and follow his commandments, even those we receive as we continually pray. This perseverance even endurance will make us free and that freedom is our salvation. As we add an understanding of steadfastness we come to 1 Peter 1:23 which tells us of the endurance of the word of God. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” This is a reason why we must always follow the word of God, because it lives forever and in so following we live forever. 1 Peter 5:8 – 10 gives us an understanding that if we are vigilant and steadfast then it is Christ’s atonement that will embrace us and make us whole unto salvation. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: / Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. / But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” Through our endurance Jesus can show us His charity and bless us with all that He has to offer that we may live with the Father again in His kingdom. We are so blessed to know that through prayer and endurance to all commandments we can be saved from our weakness. We must always press forward and remember that pure love from Christ and the Father. We can take this as another example to always help others on their path as we are all brothers and sisters in this trial through mortality.

Wednesday 6/22/16 – Matthew 24:9 – 13 shows us that if we endure all the trials of being followers of Christ even unto death then we shall be saved. “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. / And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. / And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. / And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. / But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” The word endure was labeled in the footnotes with the topical guide as steadfastness and perseverance. We can look to the topical guide to find other scriptures to give us a deeper understanding of endure. The first scripture under perseverance to catch my eye was Luke 18:1 “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” Coupled with John 8:31 – 32 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; / And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” we see that we must always pray to the Lord and follow his commandments, even those we receive as we continually pray. This perseverance even endurance will make us free and that freedom is our salvation. As we add an understanding of steadfastness we come to 1 Peter 1:23 which tells us of the endurance of the word of God. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” This is a reason why we must always follow the word of God, because it lives forever and in so following we live forever. 1 Peter 5:8 – 10 gives us an understanding that if we are vigilant and steadfast then it is Christ’s atonement that will embrace us and make us whole unto salvation. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: / Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. / But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” Through our endurance Jesus can show us His charity and bless us with all that He has to offer that we may live with the Father again in His kingdom. We are so blessed to know that through prayer and endurance to all commandments we can be saved from our weakness. We must always press forward and remember that pure love from Christ and the Father. We can take this as another example to always help others on their path as we are all brothers and sisters in this trial through mortality.

Thursday 6/16/16 – I found myself really wanting to understand the actions of the Pharisees more in Luke 20:1 – 8 where we read about them trying to trip up Jesus by asking who gave Him authority to do what he does. His answer is beautiful as He asked them by what authority did John the Baptist do all that he did. This put the Pharisees in an interesting position that I really wanted to visualize even better. They discussed with themselves how to answer the question. John the Baptist was revered as a prophet among the people so this put the Pharisees in a big predicament. If they say that John has his authority from God, then what prevents that same authority from being Jesus’ and if they say it is given from man then the people in which they want to maintain their power and influence over would stone them. They end up saying that they know not where the authority came from. As I really put myself in this spot I see their fear of man and not God in two ways. First, they fear losing man’s praise of them because they would be giving up their power by claiming that God could have given Jesus authority, it would mean admitting the King has come and they no longer need to be in the position they have. Second, they fear the wrath of man because if they say that John’s authority comes from man then the people will see them as the blasphemers they are and will stone them to death. In both ways they fear man over God and by doing so then Jesus is able to return the same answer to them and they have no fodder for their efforts to catch Jesus in His words. We can see this fear in ourselves, but we must overcome it. The Lord gives us many opportunities to overcome and that is another example of His love that we must reflect into the world. People will make mistakes even towards us and we need to be able to forgive and then give them opportunities to regain trust. We can be wise in the ways we approach this and give them opportunities through ways that won’t hurt us as much or at all if they fail, but charity comes from maintaining that love to give everyone chances to repent(change).