Ecclesiastes 1

 In reading Ecclesiastes, David J. Ridges explains - 

"An important key to understanding Ecclesiastes is the word “vanity,” as used in one form or another five times in chapter 1, verse 2, and at least thirty-two times elsewhere within the book. If you define the word as “pride,” or “self-aggrandizement,” you will not understand Ecclesiastes. However, if you correctly understand that in Ecclesiastes “vanity” means a state or situation that is “temporary,” “transitory,” or “fleeting,” (see Bible Dictionary, under “Ecclesiastes”), and thus means “the temporary or transitory nature of mortality,” then you will get much more out of it. In fact, look at verse 2 of chapter 1 right now. What it is saying, in effect, is that everything associated with mortal life is fleeting and temporary."  (Ridges, David J. The Old Testament Made Easier Part 3)

We see this in - 

"2 Vanity of vanities [fleeting and temporary], saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities [temporary and fleeting]; all is vanity [everything in mortality is temporary]."  (Ridges, David J.. The Old Testament Made Easier Part 3)

For everyone that experiences opposition in all things, it all has its eternal purpose in all things.

Proverbs 31

 In Proverbs we read - 

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."  (Proverbs 31:10)

The following verses describe such a woman - 

"The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all."  (Proverbs 31:11–29)

The verses conclude - 

"...a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."  (Proverbs 31:30–31)

As I read these verses, I couldn't help but think of my mother and my dear wife.

Proverbs 16

 

Two proverbs caught my eye this morning -

"...the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."  (Proverbs 4:18)

And - 

"Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established."  (Proverbs 16:3)

These two proverbs may not be popular in talks but true.

President Russell M. Nelson - Now Is the Time

Concluding general conference, our Prophet Russell M. Nelson promised - 

"Positive spiritual momentum increases as we worship in the temple and grow in our understanding of the magnificent breadth and depth of the blessings we receive there. I plead with you to counter worldly ways by focusing on the eternal blessings of the temple. Your time there brings blessings for eternity."

Proverbs 3

 Though there are more popular quotes of wisdom in Proverbs 3, I note two that impressed me - 

"Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones."  (Proverbs 3:7–8)

And - 

"Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly."  (Proverbs 3:34)

Humility seems to be a requirement of God's health, wisdom, and enabling power.

Psalm 118

Of the atonement of Jesus Christ, Jacob explained - 

"Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement..."  (2 Nephi 9:7)

In the 118 Psalm, in my mind, the psalmist repeats over and over the same concept = 

"...his mercy endureth for ever."  (Psalms 118:2)

Psalms 119

 A precept is defined by - 

"a general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought:"

The 119 Psalm touch my mind concerning precepts - 

"I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts."  (Psalms 119:100)

"Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way."  (Psalms 119:104)

 

"I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me."  (Psalms 119:93)

"I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts."  (Psalms 119:45)

"Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness."  (Psalms 119:40)

"Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works."  (Psalms 119:27)

"I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways."  (Psalms 119:15)

We acquire knowledge as we live God's precepts.

Psalm 102

I enjoyed the words of the Psalmist - 

"Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.

14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.

15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.

16 When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory."  (Psalms 102:13–16)

We all look forward to His second coming.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf - Our Heartfelt All

 After telling the story of the widows mite, Elder Uchtdorf taught - 

"With this simple observation, the Savior taught us how offerings are measured in His kingdom—and it’s quite different from the way we usually measure things. To the Lord, the value of the donation was measured not by the effect it had on the treasury but by the effect it had on the heart of the donor."

After comparing a "balanced" life to riding a bike and the lift on a jet airplane he explained - 

"What does this mean for us as disciples of Jesus Christ? It means that if we want to find balance in life, and if we want the Savior to lift us heavenward, then our commitment to Him and His gospel can’t be casual or occasional. Like the widow at Jerusalem, we must offer Him our whole souls. Our offering may be small, but it must come from our heart and soul."

"Balance and lift come as we “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.”"

He summarizes - 

"My dear brothers and sisters and my dear friends, there will be times when you wish you could do more. Your loving Father in Heaven knows your heart. He knows that you can’t do everything your heart wants you to do. But you can love and serve God. You can do your best to keep His commandments. You can love and serve His children. And your efforts are purifying your heart and preparing you for a glorious future."

Psalms 78

 In my mind, the 78th Psalm is very impressive with the instruction to parents - 

"we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:

6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:

7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God."  (Psalms 78:3–8)

The writer then to proceeds to present an extensive summary of all the miracles the Lord showed to the Israelites.

Psalms 69

 It seems to me in the later Psalms after David and the Bathsheba affair that David is more concerned about his own protection...just a thought.  Even though, he did write - 

"But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.

30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

31 This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

32 The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God."  (Psalms 69:29–32)

Humility is essential with repentance.

Psalms 63

 David testifies - 

"...unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work."  (Psalms 62:12)

Good works is a requirement for exaltation.

Elder Ulisses Soares - In Awe of Christ and His Gospel

 Elder Soares taught - 

"My brothers and sisters, when we truly are in awe of Jesus Christ and His gospel, we are happier, we have more enthusiasm for God’s work, and we recognize the Lord’s hand in all things. Additionally, our study of God’s words is more meaningful; our prayers, more intentional; our worship, more reverent; our service in God’s kingdom, more diligent. All these actions contribute to the Holy Spirit’s influence being more frequent in our lives.5 Thus, our testimony of the Savior and His gospel will be strengthened, we will keep Christ alive in us,6 and we will live our lives “rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, … abounding therein with thanksgiving...”"

He warned of the trap of spiritual apathy - 

"Such apathy is characterized by the gradual loss of our excitement to engage fully in the Lord’s gospel. It generally begins when we are feeling that we have already attained all the necessary knowledge and blessings for our happiness in this life. This complacency, so to speak, causes us to take the gospel gifts for granted, and from then on, we run the risk of neglecting both our regular immersion in the essentials of the gospel of Jesus Christ8 and the covenants we have made. Consequently, we gradually distance ourselves from the Lord, weakening our ability to “hear Him,”9 becoming indifferent and insensitive to the greatness of His work. Doubt regarding the truths we have already received may enter our mind and heart, making us vulnerable to the enemy’s temptations."

He concluded - 

"Therefore, as we genuinely and continually strive to learn of the Savior and follow His example, I promise you, in His name, that His divine attributes will be written in our minds and hearts,30 that we will become more like Him, and that we will walk with Him."

Psalms 51

 Even with the law of Moses, David understood - 

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."  (Psalms 51:17)

Psalms 33

 A Psalm that has great meaning today - 

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance."  (Psalms 33:12)

President Dallin H. Oaks - Divine Love in the Father’s Plan

 President Oaks reviewed the love our Father in Heaven has for "all the children of God".  First he teaches - 

"...In the Final Judgment each of us will be judged according to our deeds and the desires of our hearts..."

Of those that qualify for exaltation he states - 

"The covenants made and the blessings promised to the faithful in the temples of God are the key. This explains our worldwide building of temples, about which the choir has sung so beautifully. Some are puzzled at this emphasis, not understanding that the covenants and ordinances of the temple guide us toward achieving exaltation. This can be understood only in the context of the revealed truth of three degrees of glory. Because of our Heavenly Father’s great love for all of His children, He has provided other kingdoms of glory—as Elder Quentin L. Cook explained yesterday—all of which are more wonderful than we can comprehend."

All others with few exceptions will obtain a level of glory.  Thus - 

"The teachings and policies of the Lord’s restored Church apply these eternal truths in a way that can be fully understood only in the context of our Heavenly Father’s loving plan for all of His children.

Thus, we honor individual agency. Most are aware of this Church’s great efforts to promote religious freedom. These efforts are in furtherance of our Heavenly Father’s plan. We seek to help all of His children—not just our own members—enjoy the precious freedom to choose."

He continues to explain - 

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is properly known as a family-centered Church. But not well understood is the reality that our family-centeredness is not limited to mortal relationships. Eternal relationships are also fundamental to our theology. The mission of the restored Church is to help all the children of God qualify for what God desires as their ultimate destiny. By the redemption provided through the Atonement of Christ, all may attain eternal life (exaltation in the celestial kingdom), which Mother Eve declared “God giveth unto all the obedient.”14 This is more than salvation. President Russell M. Nelson has reminded us that “in God’s eternal plan, salvation is an individual matter; [but] exaltation is a family matter.”"

Adding - 

"That is also why the Lord has required His restored Church to oppose social and legal pressures to retreat from His doctrine of marriage between a man and a woman, to oppose changes that homogenize the differences between men and women or confuse or alter gender.

The restored Church’s positions on these fundamentals frequently provoke opposition. We understand that. Our Heavenly Father’s plan allows for “opposition in all things,”18 and Satan’s most strenuous opposition is directed at whatever is most important to that plan. Consequently, he seeks to oppose progress toward exaltation by distorting marriage, discouraging childbearing, or confusing gender. However, we know that in the long run, the divine purpose and plan of our loving Heavenly Father will not be changed. Personal circumstances may change, and God’s plan assures that in the long run, the faithful who keep their covenants will have the opportunity to qualify for every promised blessing."

Thus he teaches - 

"In many relationships and circumstances in mortal life, each of us must live with differences. As followers of Christ who should love our fellow men, we should live peacefully with those who do not believe as we do."

Psalms 32

 King David writes - 

"I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin..."  (Psalms 32:5)

Adding - 

"Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee."  (Psalms 33:22)

This follows much of the counsel of our present Prophet...repent daily.

Psalms 19

 A definition of a token is "a thing serving as a visible or tangible representation of a fact, quality, feeling, etc.".  Synonyms would include sign, emblem, symbol, etc.  

I have recently been pondering God-given tokens as I have read the scriptures.

In Psalms we read - 

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."  (Psalms 19:1)

I consider the heavens by definition to be a token.

Psalm 1

 The very first Psalm states - 

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."  (Psalms 1:1–2)

That blessing being - 

"...he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."  (Psalms 1:3)

In other words, the righteous will be blessed.