Revelation 21

 Two scriptures that I found interesting -

"...the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it."  (Revelation 21:23–24)

And again - 

"And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever."  (Revelation 22:5)

I also note that at the Savior's birth - 

"...at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came."  (3 Nephi 1:15)

Revelation 18

 John said the angel declared as - 

"...he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities."  (Revelation 18:2–5)

It appears to me that this will take place before and during His second coming.  The warning to the saints is to "come out of her".

Revelation 10

 As John is give a "little book" or his mission or calling, he is instructed to - 

"...Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey."  Revelation 10:9)

From my experience, so it is with most callings in the Church.

Revelation 9

 We are not sure exactly how John saw the vision in his revelation, but I'm sure he described it the best he could in his day. as he saw - 

"...they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.

10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men..."  (Revelation 9:9–10)

You can almost picture military equipment of our day.

Revelation 8

 John writes by revelation - 

"The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up."  (Revelation 8:7)

I note that some of the revelations of Isaiah referred to mankind as trees and grass.

Revelations 7

 In his revelation, John understood the truth saying - 

"...one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them."  (Revelation 7:13–15)

Revelation 1

 John reveals of his vision - 

"The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches."  (Revelation 1:20)

The Prophet Joseph Smith wrote that the 

"...The seven stars are the servants of the seven churches..." (JST Revelation 1:20)

or in other words, the presiding officers in the churches.

I think it is significant and he held the stars or His servants in his right hand.

3 John 1

 John stated a most profound truth -

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."  (3 John 1:4)

Elder Quentin L. Cook - Be Peaceable Followers of Christ

 Elder Cook explained - 

"The scriptures are clear: many will succumb to an “eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die” approach.8 Other nonbelievers retreat to somber enclaves of like-minded participants who advocate for the next “new thing”9 and philosophies of men.10 They know not where to find the truth."

"Peaceable followers of Christ do not follow either path. We are warm, engaged members of the communities where we live. We love, share, and invite all of God’s children to follow Christ’s teachings.12 We follow the counsel of our beloved prophet, President Nelson: we choose the role of “a peacemaker, now and always.”13 This inspired approach is consistent with both the scriptures and proFor those of us in the Church striving to be peaceable followers of Christ, a brighter day awaits us as we focus on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Trials are a part of mortality and occur in everyone’s life throughout the world. This includes major conflicts between countries and individuals."

"Church leaders are frequently asked, “Why does a just God allow bad things to happen, especially to good people?” and “Why are those who are righteous and in the Lord’s service not immune from such tragedies?”"

"We do not know all the answers; however, we do know important principles that allow us to face trials, tribulation, and adversities with faith and confidence in a bright future that awaits each of us."

"Our Father’s plan of happiness for His children includes not only a premortal and mortal life but also a potential for eternal life, including a great and glorious reunion with those we have lost. All wrongs will be righted, and we will see with perfect clarity and faultless perspective and understanding."

"Church leaders have compared this perspective with someone walking into the middle of a three-act play.22 Those without knowledge of the Father’s plan do not understand what happened in the first act (or the premortal existence) and the purposes established there; nor do they understand the clarification and resolution that come in the third act, which is the glorious fulfillment of the Father’s plan."

1 John 4

 John seems to focus on one thing - 

"...for God is love."   (1 John 4:8)

God, Godship, Godhead...it is all about love.

As children, sons, daughters of God, we are learning how to love God, people and righteousness.

1 John 1

 John teaches some great truths - 

"If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:"  (1 John 1:6)

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."  (1 John 1:8)

"...hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."  (1 John 2:3–6)

It is clear that a belief only is not sufficient.

2 Peter 3

 Peter reminds us even some 2000 years ago - 

"...the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?"  (2 Peter 3:10–12)

I feel much like Alma - 

"...Would to God that it might be in my day..."  (Alma 13:25)

President M. Russell Ballard - Praise to the Man

 As I listened to President Ballard in general conference, I thought several times, this is his "swan song".

He closed with - 

"May our Heavenly Father watch over us now and bless all the proceedings of the conference. And may we have the Spirit of the Lord well up in our hearts, and may our love for the gospel of Jesus Christ—our beloved Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ—increase as we strive to serve Him and keep His commandments and be more like Him as a result of our attending general conference. Wherever you are in this world, may God bless you. May the Spirit of the Lord be with us. May we feel the power of heaven as we worship together in this session of conference.

I leave you my witness and testimony that I know that Jesus is the Christ. He is our Savior, our Redeemer. He is our best friend. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."

2 Peter 2

 As Peter warned those that were apostatizing and teaching false doctrine, he reasoned -

"For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment..."  (2 Peter 2:4)

In my suggesting that justice will prevail for those that do not repent.

Adding - 

"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished,,,"  (2 Peter 2:9)

This also suggests that the Lord will do everything in His plan to deliver those that will repent, justice will still prevail.

He doesn't mix words.

1 Peter 4

 According to the translators, Peter taught - 

"...above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."  (1 Peter 4:8)

But the Prophet Joseph Smith clarified a more, obvious truthful translation - 

"...above all things have fervent charity among yourselves; for charity preventeth a multitude of sins."

(JST 1 Peter 4:8)

1 Peter 3

 Peter taught to husbands - 

"...ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it."  (1 Peter 3:7–11)

What great counsel

Elder Ulisses Soares - Brothers and Sisters in Christ

 Elder Soares taught - 

"The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches that we are all begotten spirit sons and daughters of heavenly parents who truly love us2 and that we lived as a family in God’s presence before we were born on this earth. The gospel also teaches that we were all created in the image and likeness of God.3 Therefore, we are equal before Him,4 for He “hath made of one blood all nations of men [and women].”5 Therefore, we all have divine nature, heritage, and potential, for there is “one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in [us] all.”"

"As disciples of Christ, we are invited to increase our faith in, and love for, our spiritual brother- and sisterhood by genuinely knitting our hearts together in unity and love, regardless of our differences, thereby increasing our ability to promote respect for the dignity of all the sons and daughters of God."

"...The world in general is polarized by strong divisions, accentuated by racial, political, and socioeconomic lines. Such divisions sometimes end up influencing people’s way of thinking and acting in relation to their fellow beings. For this reason, it is not uncommon to see people characterizing the way of thinking, acting, and speaking of other cultures, races, and ethnicities as inferior, making use of preconceived, mistaken, and often sarcastic ideas, generating attitudes of contempt, indifference, disrespect, and even prejudice against them. Such attitudes have their roots in pride, arrogance, envy, and jealousy, characteristics of a carnal nature,22 which are totally contrary to Christlike attributes. This conduct is improper for those who are striving to become His true disciples.23 In fact, my dear brothers and sisters, there is no place for prejudiced thoughts or actions in the community of Saints."

"I testify to you that as we continue to flow this way during our mortal life, a new day will begin with a new light that will brighten our lives and illuminate wonderful opportunities to value more, and be more fully blessed by, the diversity created by God among His children.29 We will surely become instruments in His hands to promote respect and dignity among all His sons and daughters..."