#108: “Turned into Fables”

Reflection: Is there a better description of our present culture?

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.*

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*New Testament | 2 Timothy 4:3-4

#107: Subjecting Themselves to the Devil

Self-Reflection: How have I been beguiled in my life?

3 For they are carnal and devilish, and the devil has power over them; yea, even that old serpent that did beguile our first parents, which was the cause of their fall; which was the cause of all mankind becoming carnal, sensual, devilish, knowing evil from good, subjecting themselves to the devil.
4 Thus all mankind were lost; and behold, they would have been endlessly lost were it not that God redeemed his people from their lost and fallen state.
5 But remember that he that persists in his own carnal nature, and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion against God, remaineth in his fallen state and the devil hath all power over him. Therefore, he is as though there was no redemption made, being an enemy to God; and also is the devil an enemy to God.*

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*Book of Mormon | Mosiah 16:3-5

#106: For the Sake of Appearance

Self-Reflection: Can I see any of these characteristics in myself??

46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
47 Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.*

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*New Testament | Luke 20:46-47

#105: The Reward of Their Works

Self-Reflection: What will be the reward of my works?

28 Therefore, prepare ye the way of the Lord, for the time is at hand that all men shall reap a reward of their works, according to that which they have been—if they have been righteous they shall reap the salvation of their souls, according to the power and deliverance of Jesus Christ; and if they have been evil they shall reap the damnation of their souls, according to the power and captivation of the devil. ...
30 And now, my beloved brethren, for ye are my brethren, and ye ought to be beloved, and ye ought to bring forth works which are meet for repentance, seeing that your hearts have been grossly hardened against the word of God, and seeing that ye are a lost and a fallen people.*

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*Book of Mormon | Alma 9:28, 30

#104: Hiding the Talent

Self-Reflection: Am I hiding the talent I have been given?

2 But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. Wo unto such, for mine anger is kindled against them.
3 And it shall come to pass, if they are not more faithful unto me, it shall be taken away, even that which they have.*

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*Doctrine and Covenants | Section 60:2-3

#103: This Is the Condemnation

Self-Reflection: Could this describe me?

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.*

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*New Testament | John 3:19-20

#102: Where is the Heart Set?

Self-Reflection: How do I answer these questions?

29 And again he said unto them: If ye teach the law of Moses why do ye not keep it? Why do ye set your hearts upon riches? Why do ye commit whoredoms and spend your strength with harlots, yea, and cause this people to commit sin, that the Lord has cause to send me to prophesy against this people, yea, even a great evil against this people?*

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*Book of Mormon | Mosiah 12:29

#101: Laying Aside All Malice, Guile, Hypocrisies, Envies ...

Reflection: Would we be asked to lay these aside if they did not exist?

1 WHEREFORE laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

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New Testament | 1 Peter 2:1-2

#100: “The Powers of Darkness”

Self-Reflection: Could I be classed amongst the tares? What can I do about that?

11 For all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men, in the presence of all the hosts of heaven—
12 Which causeth silence to reign, and all eternity is pained, and the angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned; and, behold, the enemy is combined.*

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*Doctrine and Covenants | Section 38:11-12

#099: “In the Way of Cain”

Self-Reflection: Can I see myself in any of this?

10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.*

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*New Testament | Jude 1:10-11

#098: “As a Wild Flock”

Self-Reflection: Do I ever flee from the Shepherd?

20 O how marvelous are the works of the Lord, and how long doth he suffer with his people; yea, and how blind and impenetrable are the understandings of the children of men; for they will not seek wisdom, neither do they desire that she should rule over them!
21 Yea, they are as a wild flock which fleeth from the shepherd, and scattereth, and are driven, and are devoured by the beasts of the forest.*

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*Book of Mormon | Mosiah 8:20-21

#097: “I Know Thy Works”

Self-Reflection: Could I be classed as lukewarm? What is the warning?

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:*

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*New Testament | Revelation 3:15-17

#096: “Wicked Practices”

Self-Reflection: How much of this do we see repeating in our day?

15 And now it came to pass that the people of Nephi, under the reign of the second king, began to grow hard in their hearts, and indulge themselves somewhat in wicked practices, such as like unto David of old desiring many wives and concubines, and also Solomon, his son.
16 Yea, and they also began to search much gold and silver, and began to be lifted up somewhat in pride.*

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*Book of Mormon | Jacob 1:15-16

#095: “Save It Be a Few”

Self-Reflection: Do I consider myself numbered amongst the few? What is my evidence?

4 And my vineyard has become corrupted every whit; and there is none which doeth good save it be a few; and they err in many instances because of priestcrafts, all having corrupt minds.

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Doctrine and Covenants | Section 33:4

#094: “No Place in Them”

Self-Reflection: What is the condition of my heart? What have I cast away?

2 But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.*

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*Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 33:2

#093: Speaking Villany

Reflection: How much hypocrisy do we see in our culture, masking evil with alleged good? Are we beginning to see the mask slipping as the arrogance of evil takes pride in its iniquity?

5 The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful.
6 For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.

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Old Testament | Isaiah 32:5-6

#092: “So Did Their Fathers”

Self-Reflection: If I only hear praise from my associates, should I take warning?

26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.*

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*New Testament | Luke 6:26

#091: “They Will Not Search Knowledge”

Self-Reflection: How much time do I spend each day searching for knowledge?

7 And now I, Nephi, cannot say more; the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men; for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be.

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Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 32:7

#090: The Nature of Many

Self-Reflection: Do any of these words describe me?

3 Behold, it is expedient that much should be done among this people, because of the hardness of their hearts, and the deafness of their ears, and the blindness of their minds, and the stiffness of their necks; nevertheless, God is exceedingly merciful unto them, and has not as yet swept them off from the face of the land.

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Book of Mormon | Jarom 1:3

#089: Divided Opinions

Reflection: In reviewing the divisive power of the COVID mandates, can we see a hint of what human nature might be capable of?

12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

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New Testament | Mark 13:12-13

#088: “Even as in Times of Old”

Reflection: Can we see secret combinations and priestcrafts in our day?

22 And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for he is the founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder, and works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever. ...
29 He [the Lord] commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.

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Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 26:22-29

#087: “False and Vain and Foolish Doctrines”

Reflection: Has this become the norm?

7 Yea, and there shall be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us.
8 And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.
9 Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark.

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Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 28:7-9

#086: “Taught by the Precepts of Men”

Reflection: Do we see these B.C. accusations any where in our A.D. churches?

12 Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted, and their churches are lifted up; because of pride they are puffed up.
13 They rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries; they rob the poor because of their fine clothing; and they persecute the meek and the poor in heart, because in their pride they are puffed up.
14 They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.

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Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 28:12-14

#085: “Mists of Darkness”

Self-Reflection: What are the mists of darkness that fog up my live?

17 And the mists of darkness are the temptations of the devil, which blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts of the children of men, and leadeth them away into broad roads, that they perish and are lost.
18 And the large and spacious building, which thy father saw, is vain imaginations and the pride of the children of men. And a great and a terrible gulf divideth them; yea, even the word of the justice of the Eternal God, and the Messiah who is the Lamb of God, of whom the Holy Ghost beareth record, from the beginning of the world until this time, and from this time henceforth and forever.

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Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 12:17-18

#084: “Unrighteous Decrees”

Reflection: Could these words from 700s BC describe, in part, many of the decrees of these past two-plus years?

1 WOE unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;
2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!

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Old Testament | Isaiah 10:1-2

#083: “Witness Against Me”?

Reflection: If called upon at any hour, would we be able to turn to the witnesses of our lives and ask these questions and receive this answer?

3 Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.
4 And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.

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Old Testament | 1 Samuel 12:3-4

#082: Corruptions?

Reflection: Do we see any corruptions in religious practice because men and women have chosen their own (more politically correct?) ways over the ways ordained by God?

3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.

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Old Testament | Isaiah 66:3

#081: “Exceeding Great and Precious Promises”?

Self-Reflection: Am I striving to escape “the corruption that is in this world”?

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

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New Testament | 2 Peter 1:3-4

#080: “Cunning Plan of the Evil One”

Self-Reflection: Have I fallen for the cunning plan?

28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men [and women]! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.
30 But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also.

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Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:28-30

#079: Changing the Truth of God Into a Lie

Reflection: Does this nigh 1000-year old observation indict our present world?

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

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New Testament | Romans 1:21-25

#078: Of the World or Not?

Reflection: Does the world love me or hate me? Am I a star? or a pariah?

18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

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New Testament | John 15:18-19

#077: “Why Are They Not Chosen?”

Self-Reflection: Do verses 35 and 37 describe me? If so, what are the consequences?

34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
38 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.

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Doctrine and Covenants | Section 121:34-38

#076: A Lost and Fallen State

Self-Reflection: What are my doings that might be found to be unclean?

6 Wherefore, all mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer. ...
20 Therefore remember, O man, for all thy doings thou shalt be brought into judgment.
21 Wherefore, if ye have sought to do wickedly in the days of your probation, then ye are found unclean before the judgment–seat of God; and no unclean thing can dwell with God; wherefore, ye must be cast off forever.

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Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 10:6, 20-21

#075: Waxing Gross

Reflection: Do these words from the past describe the ubiquitous gas-lighting that plagues our present narcissistic-affirming culture​?

25 ... Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

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New Testament | Acts 28:25-27

#074: Full of Idols

Reflection: Does this describe the alleged “most powerful” nation on earth today? 

7 Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots:
8 Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:
9 And the mean man boweth not down, and the great man humbleth himself not: therefore forgive them not.

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JST Old Testament | Isaiah 2:7-9 (JST corrections in bold.)

#073: Gross Darkness?

Reflection: Could these words apply to our present culture and medical experimentation?

23 Verily, verily, I say unto you, darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face.

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Doctrine and Covenants | Section 112:23

#072: Full of All Manner of Evil

Self-Reflection: Do we see any of these in ourselves? in our culture?

3 But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;

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Doctrine and Covenants | Section 105:3

#071: Strong in Their Perversion

Reflection: Have small pockets of perversion now become almost universal? How long till this describes our world if we do not stand strong against the perversions?

19 And they have become strong in their perversion; and they are alike brutal, sparing none, neither old nor young; and they delight in everything save that which is good; and the suffering of our women and our children [and our men] upon all the face of this land doth exceed everything; yea, tongue cannot tell, neither can it be written.

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Book of Mormon | Moroni 9:19

#070: “The Way to Judge”

Reflection: What is the judgment our present culture is making?

13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.
14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.
15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

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Book of Mormon | Moroni 7:13-16

#069: Trusting in Wickedness

Reflection: Could this assessment be levied against many of our “elites”? against ourselves?

10 ¶ For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me.

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Old Testament | Isaiah 47:10

#068: As your Fathers Did ...

Reflection: Do we really think human nature has changed over time?

51 ¶ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

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New Testament | Acts 7:51

#067: Evils and Designs in the Last Days

Self-reflection: How healthy is my diet? Do I count on Pharma to cover my food sins?

4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom [concerning foods and health] by revelation—

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Doctrine and Covenants | Section 89:4

#066: “Agents Unto Themselves”

Self-reflection: How am I exercising my agency?

48 And [Enoch] said unto them: Because that Adam fell, we are; and by his fall came death; and we are made partakers of misery and woe.
49 Behold Satan hath come among the children of men, and tempteth them to worship him; and men have become carnal, sensual, and devilish, and are shut out from the presence of God.
50 But God hath made known unto our fathers that all men must repent.
...
55 And the Lord spake unto Adam, saying: Inasmuch as thy children are conceived in sin, even so when they begin to grow up, sin conceiveth in their hearts, and they taste the bitter, that they may know to prize the good.
56 And it is given unto them to know good from evil; wherefore they are agents unto themselves, and I have given unto you another law and commandment.
57 Wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God, for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence; for, in the language of Adam, Man of Holiness is his name, and the name of his Only Begotten is the Son of Man, even Jesus Christ, a righteous Judge, who shall come in the meridian of time.*

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*Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:48-50, 55-57 (Bold emphasis added.)

#065: In the Beginning of the World ... unto the Ends Thereof

Reflection: Any déjà vu here?

27 And he heard a voice from heaven, saying: Enoch, my son, prophesy unto this people, and say unto them—Repent, for thus saith the Lord: I am angry with this people, and my fierce anger is kindled against them; for their hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off;
28 And for these many generations, ever since the day that I created them, have they gone astray, and have denied me, and have sought their own counsels in the dark; and in their own abominations have they devised murder, and have not kept the commandments, which I gave unto their father, Adam.
29 Wherefore, they have foresworn themselves, and, by their oaths, they have brought upon themselves death; and a hell I have prepared for them, if they repent not;
30 And this is a decree, which I have sent forth in the beginning of the world, from my own mouth, from the foundation thereof, and by the mouths of my servants, thy fathers, have I decreed it, even as it shall be sent forth in the world, unto the ends thereof.*

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*Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:27-30 (Bold emphasis added.)

#064: Secret Works Seeking for Power

Reflection: An I one of those refusing to acknowledge the repeating patterns of history?

14 And Seth lived, after he begat Enos, eight hundred and seven years, and begat many sons and daughters.
15 And the children of men were numerous upon all the face of the land. And in those days Satan had great dominion among men, and raged in their hearts; and from thenceforth came wars and bloodshed; and a man's hand was against his own brother, in administering death, because of secret works, seeking for power.*

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*Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:14-15 
Also: Lutes, Kenneth and Lyndell. Joseph Smith Translation (p. 34). Lutes Publishing. Kindle Edition. | JST-OT Genesis 6:13-14

#063: Loving Satan More Than God?

Self-Reflection: Can I recognize this same pattern in current events? Do I have anything carnal, sensual or devilish in my life?

12 And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters.
13 And Satan came among them, saying: I am also a son of God; and he commanded them, saying: Believe it not; and they believed it not, and they loved Satan more than God. And men began from that time forth to be carnal, sensual, and devilish.

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Pearl of Great Price | Moses 5:12-13 (JST Old Testament | Genesis 4:12-13)

#062: Destroying the Agency of Man

Reflection: Can we observe this agenda in our present culture and governments? Are we playing any part in resisting the destruction?

4 Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him; and also that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten I caused that he should be cast down, and he became Satan;
5 Yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive, and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice.

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Lutes, Kenneth and Lyndell. Joseph Smith Translation (p. 24). Lutes Publishing. Kindle Edition.  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 4:3-4 | JST Genesis 3:4-5 )

#061: Remaining in Sin?

Self-reflection: Do any of these describe something in my life?

30 But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also.
31 And wo unto the deaf that will not hear; for they shall perish.
32 Wo unto the blind that will not see; for they shall perish also.
33 Wo unto the uncircumcised of heart, for a knowledge of their iniquities shall smite them at the last day.
34 Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell.
35 Wo unto the murderer who deliberately killeth, for he shall die.
36 Wo unto them who commit whoredoms, for they shall be thrust down to hell.
37 Yea, wo unto those that worship idols, for the devil of all devils delighteth in them.
38 And, in fine, wo unto all those who die in their sins; for they shall return to God, and behold his face, and remain in their sins.

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Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:30-38

#060: “In the Pride of Their Hearts”

Reflection: Does we see this in our churches? In ourselves?

35 Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.
36 And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts.
37 For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted.
38 O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because of the praise of the world?
39 Why do ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by you, and notice them not?
40 Yea, why do ye build up your secret abominations to get gain, and cause that widows should mourn before the Lord, and also orphans to mourn before the Lord, and also the blood of their fathers and their husbands to cry unto the Lord from the ground, for vengeance upon your heads?

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Book of Mormon | Mormon 8:35-40

#059: Leaders Cause Them to Err

Reflection: Does this apply to our day? Am I one of those leaders or a servitor to such a leader?

16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.
17 Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
18 ¶ For wickedness burneth as the fire: ...

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Old Testament | Isaiah 9:16-18