#035: An Open Sepulchre

Reflection: Does this describe anything in our day?

9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.

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Old Testament | Psalms 5:9

#034: Destroying the Foundation of Liberty

Self-Reflection: Am I sustaining those who seek to destroy the foundation of liberty?

8 Thus we see how quick the children of men do forget the Lord their God, yea, how quick to do iniquity, and to be led away by the evil one.
9 Yea, and we also see the great wickedness one very wicked man can cause to take place among the children of men.
10 Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of cunning device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous' sake.

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Book of Mormon | Alma 46:8-10

#033: Companions of Thieves

Reflection: Do we see these descriptions in our political and judicial systems today?

23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

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Old Testament | Isaiah 1:23

# 032: Light or Darkness?

Self-reflection: What is the evidence in my life that I love light more than darkness?

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.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

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New Testament | John 3:19-21

#031: World Condition: Age After Age?

Reflection: Do we witness any of this in our day?

1 THE burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!
3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.
4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.

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Old Testament | Habakkuk 1:1-4

#030: Source of Praise?

Self-reflection: What is the source of praise that I seek?

43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

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New Testament | John 12:43

#029: Acts of Indulgence?

Reflection: Do I see this in the world? Can I see any of it in myself?

32 For those who did not belong to their church did indulge themselves in sorceries, and in idolatry or idleness, and in babblings, and in envyings and strife; wearing costly apparel; being lifted up in the pride of their own eyes; persecuting, lying, thieving, robbing, committing whoredoms, and murdering, and all manner of wickedness; nevertheless, the law was put in force upon all those who did transgress it, inasmuch as it was possible.

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Book of Mormon | Alma 1:32

#028: Works of the Flesh | Fruits of the Spirit

Self Reflection: What do my thoughts and actions reflect?

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.*

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*New Testament | Galatians 5:19-23

#027: God or Mammon?

Self-reflection: Am I trying to serve two masters?

13 ¶ No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.*

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*New Testament | Luke 16:13-15

#026: The Justice of God

Self-reflection: Do I consider this life as a probationary state?

10 Therefore, as they had become carnal, sensual, and devilish, by nature, this probationary state became a state for them to prepare; it became a preparatory state. ...
30 O my [child], I desire that ye should deny the justice of God no more. Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by denying the justice of God; but do you let the justice of God, and his mercy, and his long-suffering have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust in humility.*

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*Book of Mormon | Alma 42:10, 30

#025 : Saint or Sinner?

Self-Reflection: Can I honestly evaluate myself?

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.*

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*New Testament | Luke 18:9-14

#024: Our Own Judges

Self-reflection: How much of my life is contrary to the nature of God?

7 These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea, these are they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless night of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil. ...
11 And now, my [child], all men that are in a state of nature, or I would say, in a carnal state, are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; they are without God in the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness.*

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*Book of Mormon | Alma 41:7, 11

#023: Choosing Salvation?

Self-Reflection: How much do I hearken?

26 And yet, notwithstanding his mighty works, and miracles, and proclamation of the truth, in great power and authority, there were but few who hearkened to his voice, and rejoiced in his presence, and received salvation at his hands.*

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*Doctrine and Covenants | Section 138:26)