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DAILY DEVOTIONAL
January 2, 2018
Valiant
SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY
Doctrine & Covenants 115:5-6

"Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations; and that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth."

 
Ezra Taft Benson
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Ezra Taft Benson

"If you are to preserve your blessings, it is not enough for you just to be free and independent, to capitalize on your advantages so that they accrue to your well-being and prosperity. You must protect and safeguard the freedom you have. You must be wise and virtuous. You must govern your natures by the doctrines of his kingdom. You must be valiant in your testimony of Christ by keeping all his commandments" ("Prepare Yourselves for the Great Day of the Lord," BYU Devotional, April 14, 1981).
 
CONFERENCE: October 2017

The Lord Leads His Church
 
DAILY READING SCHEDULE 

Read the Book of Mormon and Old Testament in a year by following our Daily Reading Schedule.


TODAY IN CHURCH HISTORY
January 2

1830 - Abner Cole, editor of The Reflector, begins publishing pirated extracts from the Book of Mormon, which is in the process of being printed at the Grandin press building, the same building used by Cole to print his newspaper. This marks the first time Book of Mormon text appears in print.

1831 - During the third conference of the Church, held at Fayette, New York, the Prophet Joseph Smith receives the revelation known as Doctrine and Covenants 38, which reiterates the instruction for the Church to move to Ohio and promises them great blessings if they do so.

1837 - The Kirtland Safety Society is reorganized into a joint stock company under the title of the Kirtland Safety Society Anti-Banking Company.

1843 - The Prophet Joseph appeared in court in Springfield, Illinois, on whether he should be returned to Missouri at the order of the Governor of Missouri. The attorney-general of Illinois asked for a continuance until the next day. The rest of the day the Prophet spent with visitors and friends, expounding on and teaching the gospel. He also prophesied that the court would decide in his favor and that he would not return to Missouri, dead or alive. (History of the Church, 5:216-220)

1844 - The Prophet Joseph responds to a letter from John C. Calhoun who was running for President. The Prophet had written to him asking what his stand would be towards the Mormons if he were elected President of the United States. Mr. Calhoun stated that he would "strive to administer the government according to the Constitution and the laws of the union" and not interfere in religious beliefs. He also stated that he would not interfere in the Missouri affair as it "does not come within the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, which is one of limited and specific powers." Joseph, in his return letter, expresses his frustration over Calhoun's statements that the Federal Government cannot insure the rights of a religious group in a particular state, like Missouri, who drove the Saints out.

1882 - President John Taylor moves into the Gardo House built as the official residence of the President of the Church in Salt Lake City.

1954 - President David O. McKay leaves New York City for London en route to the South African, South American, and Central American Missions, making him the first President of the Church to visit these areas.

1985 - Brigham Young University's football team is voted number one in the United States by every major poll and is named the 1984 National NCAA Champion. The team had finished with a perfect 13-0 record.

1999 - The First Presidency announces that the Mormon Youth Chorus will be reorganized and renamed the Temple Square Chorale, and the Mormon Youth Symphony orchestra will be renamed the Orchestra at Temple Square, beginning in June.
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