Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Jeremiah 1

Speaking of the His grace and enabling power of the atonement of Jesus Christ, the Lord tells Jeremiah -

"Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.
9 Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth."  (Jeremiah 1:8–9)

His grace is an enabling power to lift, strengthen and overcome.

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Isaiah 66

As Isaiah speaks of the consequences and blessings of the wicked and righteous, he speaks of what the Lord looks for -

"For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word."  (Isaiah 66:2)

In my mind, it is to these that the power of His grace is justified.

Monday, October 29, 2018

Isaiah 65

During the Millennium, Isaiah wrote the words of the Lord -

"...they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.
22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands."  (Isaiah 65:21–22)

In my mind, this would suggest no compulsory social justice or socialism.

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Isaiah 64

I was touched this morning by the promise -

"For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him."  (Isaiah 64:4)

That's a motivator

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Isaiah 63

In His second coming, the Savior will be asked -

"Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?"  (Isaiah 63:2)

His answer will be -

"I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart..."  (Isaiah 63:3–4)

I believe vengeance meaning justice.  I also note that this justice will -

"...will bring down their strength to the earth."  (Isaiah 63:6)

which says to me that all nations of the earth will be humbled or confess that He is Christ.

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Isaiah 62

My interpretation of Isaiah may not be correct but I noticed this morning having listened to President Nelson strong direction on the name of The Church, the Lord said speaking of Zion -

:For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.
2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name."  (Isaiah 62:1–2)

Of which the mouth of the Lord said in modern day -

"...for thus it shall be called, and unto all the elders and people of my Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 115:3)

Monday, October 22, 2018

Isaiah 61

In the last days, the Lord says to the saints -

"...ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves."  (Isaiah 61:6)

Boasting -

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."  (Isaiah 61:10)

Sounds much like the temple experience

Friday, October 19, 2018

Isaiah 60

In the last days, Isaiah writes -

"The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord.
7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory."  (Isaiah 60:6–7)

These words suggest to me that even many in the middle east will be converted to the Lord

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Isaiah 59

After Isaiah condemns the wicked he then turns to the blessings of the atonement of Jesus Christ -

"And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.
21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever."  (Isaiah 59:20–21)

What a marvelous promise concerning the righteous and their posterity.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Isaiah 58

As the Israel complains that they are not receiving blessings from their fasts, the Lord explains -

"Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high."  (Isaiah 58:3–4)

Obviously, the purpose of their fast was improper as was their actions for -

"Is it such a fast that I have chosen?"  (Isaiah 58:5)

Isaiah then outlines the purpose of the fast and the way it is to be done including fast offerings.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Isaiah 57

After warning the immoral idol worship of Israel which will draw no protection or blessings, Isaiah teaches -

"...but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;
14 And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.
15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."  (Isaiah 57:13–15)

I note that those that will receive the His power of salvation are those of a "contrite and humble spirit" and a contrite heart.  Which follows the laws of justification and sanctification.

Monday, October 15, 2018

Isaiah 56

Even in in the days of Isaiah, the Lord, speaking of all people or -

"...the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people."  (Isaiah 56:6–7)

Exaltation and salvation are available to all.

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Isaiah 55

Using an analogy, as we hearken to the words of the Lord, the promise is that we will be blessed -

"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."  (Isaiah 55:10–11)

If you want to prosper (does not necessarily economically), in faith, follow the word of the Lord.

Tuesday, October 09, 2018

Isaiah 54

In my mind, speaking spiritually, Isaiah  prophesied concerning Zion in the last days -

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord."  (Isaiah 54:17)

I note that this is a promise to "the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness".

Monday, October 08, 2018

Isaiah 53

As Isaiah saw the life of the Savior, he writes -

"...by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many..."  (Isaiah 53:11)

In my mind, by His knowledge and power, He can make weak things become strong as His people humble themselves and have faith in Him.

Friday, October 05, 2018

Isaiah 52

Isaiah is promised in the last days -

"Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I."  (Isaiah 52:6)

What a comforting promise.

Thursday, October 04, 2018

Isaiah 51

Speaking to Isaiah, the Lord said to Israel -

"Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.
2 Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him."  (Isaiah 51:1–2)

The Lord reminds of our lineage and the covenants  promised to that lineage.

Wednesday, October 03, 2018

Isaiah 50

The Savior speaks to Israel concerning Himself and the Father -

"He is near that justifieth me..."  (Isaiah 50:8)

For -

"The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned."  (Isaiah 50:4)

Thus fulfilling the law of justification for -

"...the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."  (Luke 2:40)


Monday, October 01, 2018

Isaiah 49

Isaiah explains -

"And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him..."  (Isaiah 49:5)

Of such responsibility, the Lord -

"...said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth."  (Isaiah 49:6)

It is a requirement for exaltation.