Scriptures of the Day December 6, 2025

I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of  God, among those who are in darkness and under the bondage of sin in the grate world of the spirits of the dead.  

Doctrine and Covenants 138:57

For behold, Nephi was baptizing, and prophesyng, and preaching, crying repentance unto the people, showing signs and wonders, working miracles among the people, that they might know that the Christ must shortly come ---

Telling them of things which must shortly come, that they might know and remember at the time of their coming that they had been made known unto them beforehand, to the intent that they might believe; therefore as many as believed on the words of Samuel went forth unto him to be baptized, for they came repenting and confessing their sins.

Helaman 16:4, 5

Under God's plan, His highest blessings are given to those who promise in advance to keep certain commandments and who keep those promises. 

Divine Helps for Mortality
President Dallin H Oaks
April 2025 General Conference

Scriptures and Thoughts of the Day December 4, 2025 -- The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for Everyone

 Thus was it made known that our Redeemer spent his time during his sojurn in the world of spirits, instruction and preparing the faithful spirits of the prophets who had testified of him in the flesh;

Doctrine and Covenants 138:36

The Saving of most of mankind:

Your worth isn't tied to obedience.  Your worth is constant; it never changes.  It was given to you by God. and there's nothing you or anyone else can do to change it.  Obedience brings blessings; that is true.   But worth isn't one of them.  Your worth is always "great in the sight of God, no matter where your decisions have taken you.  

Address by Sister Tamara W. Runia
First Counselor in the General Young Women's Presidency
April 2025 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Remember that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. 

Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 

And if ye believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits . . . 

For behold, he surely must die that salvation may come; yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he dieth, to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the Lord.

Helaman 14:13, 15

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

Away in a Manger, Text Anon, ca 1883
Philadelphia

Wikipedia

Christmas Music -- Oh Holy Night and More

 One of my greatest joys at Christmas is listening to Christmas Music.  I love attending concerts, listening to songs on the radio as I drive about town, singing at church and with our family in our traditional Christmas Eve caroling after reading the story from Luke and before we hang our stockings and say our prayers and head to our beds with visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads.   I usually refrain from playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving, but I truly love the music of the whole month of December. 

This morning I came across this Youtube video of one of my favorite Christmas Songs, Oh Holy Night, one of the first Christmas songs ever sung on the radio:

And here's a version done by The King's Singers and The Tabernacle Choir:

And one more, just because.  

Angels from the Realms of Glory

The Piano Guys, Peter Holloms, and David Archuleta, December 2014

Scriptures for the Day December 3, 2023 -- Little Children and Christ's Restored Church

 And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven.

Doctrine and Covenants 137:10

Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God.  Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need to physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them; and the law of circumcision is done away in me.  

But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!

Moroni 8: 8, 12

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's New Testament Church  restored.

Address by Elder David A Bednar
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
April 6, 2025

Scriptures of the Day December 2, 2025

For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.  

Doctrine and Covenants 137:9

Those who reject God as the source of truth, or disavow any accountability to Him, in effect substitute themselves as their God. 

Worship
D. Todd Christopherson
April 2025 General Conference

Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.

Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth:  O wretched man that I am!  Yea, my heart sorroweth becaus of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.  

I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.  

And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.  

My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

2 Nephi 4:16-20

Today I also came across this interesting video of John Hilton discussing with Steven Jones of "Let's Get Real", the study of Stylometry, or the study of linguistic style, which shows that The Book of Mormon was not written by one person, but many different writers.  Part of the discussion centers around the portion of the 4th chapter of 2 Nephi commonly called "the Psalm of Nephi."  

Epidemic of Lonliness and Needing Love

This Morning I found this 2023 Interview between Scripture Central's Stephen Jones and LDS Young Men's leader Brad Wilcox.  This Youtube video is about why Brother Wilcox believes God's grace is the key to overcoming the current epidemic of loneliness, needing love, and not knowing where to find it.  He shares memories of his childhood in Ethopia and thoughts on love.   I found it well worth the time to listen:

Scriptures of the Day December 1, 2025

 Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying:  All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if thye had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God.

 Doctrine and Covenants  137:7

And these are those who have part in the first resurrection; and these are they that have died before Christ came, in their ignorance, not having salvation declared unto them.  And thus the Lord bringeth about the restoration of these ; and they have a part in the first resurrection, or have eternal life, being redeemed by the Lord. 

Mosiah 15:24

Lifelong discipleship of Jesus Christ begins in our homes -- and in Primary as early as 18 months of age.  We want our children to believe in Jesus Christ, belong to Jesus Christ and His Church through covenant, and strive to become like Jesus Christ.  

Thou Art The Christ 

By Sister Amy Wright
First Counselor in the Primar General Presidency