Daily Ponderings: There Is None That Understandeth

Romans 3:11

There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

I should seek wisdom and understanding from Him to guide my path.

Daily Ponderings: Peace, to Every Man That Worketh Good

Romans 2:10

But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

I should do the good works He asks of me so that I can feel His peace. But even if I struggle in the works, I can still feel His love.

Daily Ponderings: By the Will of God to Come Unto You

Romans 1:10

Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

I should seek who He wants me to find.

Daily Ponderings: Therein Is the Righteousness of God Revealed, from Faith to Faith

Romans 1:17

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

I should take next small steps through empowering beliefs, and I will be given more power to step further.

Daily Ponderings: The Centurion Delivered the Prisoners

Acts 28:16

And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

I should be obedient (like the Centurion) and reap the blessings thereof

Daily Ponderings: There Stood by Me

Acts 27:23

For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

He is always with me, and I should never hesitate to ask for His help in any matter, large or small.

Daily Ponderings: Sanctified by Faith

Acts 26:18

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

I should act on empowering beliefs, that I might be blessed.

Daily Ponderings: Festus Declared Paul's Cause Unto the King

Acts 25:14

And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

I should declare His word, and I will receive the support of those who hear it.

Daily Ponderings: So Worship I, Believing All Things Which Are Written

Acts 24:14

But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

I should read His word and use its empowering beliefs to strengthen me.

Daily Ponderings: Paul the Prisoner Called Me unto Him

Acts 23:18

So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.

If I am about His work, He will prompt those to whom I talk to listen to the message and be blessed.

Daily Ponderings: While I Prayed in the Temple

Acts 22:17

And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

I should take the opportunity to pray in the temple.

Daily Ponderings: Calling on the Name of the Lord

Acts 22:16

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

I should ask for His help and direction in all that I do.

Daily Ponderings: That Thou Teachest All the Jews

Acts 21:21

And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

I should bring the blessings of Temple and Family History work to all of His covenant people.

Receive the Blessings

From Mark E. Peterson's October 1982 "Believers and Doers":

"It is no easy matter to live the gospel as we should. But unless we do , we connot receive the blessings."

I should have the courage to live the gospel, so that He can shower me with blessings.

It Requires Doing

From David B. Haight's October 1982 "Love All"

"'Love is a verb.' It requires doing - not just saying and thinking."

I should love, by action, those to whom I seek to bring the blessings of Temple and Family History work.

God Accomplishes His Purposes Heart to Heart

From David B. Haight's October 1982 "Love All"

"As taught by the Master, they went among other men and by act and word passed on the new ideals, by love unfeigned and by friendship, not by force; and so the work spread. God accomplishes His purposes heart to heart."

I should teach one person at a time.

Daily Ponderings: We Ceased, Saying the Will of the Lord Be Done

Acts 21:14

And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

I should accept His will in my life, and find as much joy as I can with that being how things are.

Amor Fati

"Love the tears. Love the path."

Daily Ponderings: I Have Not Shunned to Declare Unto You

Acts 20:27

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

I should declare unto those, whose lives would be blessed, the counsel of God.

Daily Ponderings: I Kept Back Nothing That Was Profitable to You

Acts 20:20

And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,

I should share all truth that I have that can bless the lives of others with peace, power, or happiness.

Daily Ponderings: After I Have Been There, I Must Also See Rome

Acts 19:21

After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

If I listen to Him, He will tell me where to go.

The Task of the Leaders

From Gordon B. Hinckley's October 1982 "What This Work Is All About":

"Here is a great key to reactivation of many of those who have fallen by the wayside. Each has a talent that can be employed. It is the task of leaders to match those talents with needs, and then to offer a challenge."

I should prayerfully consider talents, needs, and challenges.

Daily Ponderings: Look Ye to It

Acts 18:15

But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

I should feel confident that I am capable of making decisions on matters over which I have stewardship.

Daily Ponderings: Be Not Afraid, But Speak; I Am With Thee, and No Man Shall Hurt Thee

Acts 18:9-10

9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

He can help me push past the fear I feel, which is often presented to me as "caution", but which "caution" comes not from Him.

Daily Ponderings: He Preached Unto Them Jesus

Acts 17:18

Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

I should tell the truth about what I know.

Daily Ponderings: Received the Word with All Readiness of Mind, and Searched the Scriptures Daily

Acts 17:11

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

I should pray for an open mind and heart before reading scriptures, so that I can hear what He wants to tell me.

Daily Ponderings: Teach Customs

Acts 16:21

And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

I should teach things to other people that will bless their lives.

Daily Ponderings: Being Read in the Synagogues Every Sabbath Day

Acts 15:21

For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

I should ponder His words and hear Him regularly. Daily. Every hour can be my sabbath day. Consecrated and set apart for Him.

Daily Ponderings: Turn from These Vanities unto the Living God

Acts 14:15

And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

If I shun pretendings and ebrace truth more deeply, I will feel happy.

The Beam in My Own Eye

From Jacob de Jager's April 1983 "Higher Spirituality":

"The faults and shortcomings we see in the members of our own ward or branch are of less consequence to us than one of the smallest in ourselves."

I should observe myself with at least as harsh a light as I observe others. The shortcomings I find in others are just a reflection of the shortcomings I hate most in myself. When I find these shortcomings, I should recognize them and ask for His help to improve them.

Patience

From Jacob de Jager's April 1983 "Higher Spirituality":

"Patience is learning to hide your impatience"

I should learn to be patient.

Daily Ponderings: Whosoever Among You Feareth God

Acts 13:26

Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

I should take God's laws to be the ultimate standard, and I will prosper by following them.

Daily Ponderings: Peter Knocked, a Damsel Came to Hearken

Acts 12:13

And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

I should come to people and invite them to do something, so that they can choose to accept, and feel the blessings of the Spirit.

Daily Ponderings: Then Remembered I the Word of the Lord

Acts 11:16

Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

I should recall to my mind the things I've read in and learned from the scriptures.

Daily Ponderings: As Peter Was Coming In, Cornelius Met Him

Acts 10:25

And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

As I go where He asks, the people I need to see will come to me.

Daily Ponderings: Saul Increased the More in Strength

Acts 9:22

But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

I should listen to Him, because He will make me stronger, so that I won't feel any burdens.

See Also: Mosiah 24:15

And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they coud bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

Daily Ponderings: Thy Heart Is Not Right in the Sight of God

Acts 8:21

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

The goal is less about what to do than it is about who I need to be to accomplish His work. I should make sure my heart is in the right place, then my hands will follow.

Daily Ponderings: God Is Able of These Stones to Raise up Children Unto Abraham

Matthew 3:9

And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

He can do His work with whomever is given unto Him to work with. This is Him qualifying the called. I can be enough, and whoever else is called can be enough, too.

Daily Ponderings: He Drew Near and the Voice Came Unto Him

Acts 7:31

When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,

As I draw near to Him, I will hear His promptings and know how to make progress in my life.

The Goal Isn't to Hold Meetings

From Dale G. Renlund's 2019 "Ward Temple and Family History Leadership Patterns, Coordination Meetings, and Plans"

"The goal isn't to hold a meeting; the goal is to coordinate temple and family history work in the ward."

"It takes an awfully good meeting to be better than no meeting."

Daily Ponderings: Full of Faith and Power

Acts 6:8

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

I can choose empowering beliefs, and I will be given the power to change and make progress.

Daily Ponderings: Found Them Not in the Prison

Acts 5:22

But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,

If I listen to Him, I don't have to be stuck and I can make progress.

Daily Ponderings: Hearken Unto God More

Acts 4:19

But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

Given the choice between listening to man or God, I should choose to listen to His voice and do as I am prompted so that I can receive the blessings He has to offer.

Daily Ponderings: Desired a Murderer to Be Granted Unto You

Acts 3:14

But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

Sometimes I desire things that aren't in my best interests. I should ask for help to desire something else.