365 Favorite Scriptures

By Gary B. Sabin

365 Favorite Scriptures is an easy way to daily learn from the teachings of prophets. Many of these prophets have seen our day so what better way to start our day than to learn from those who have seen the challenges we face. The scriptures, therefore, are like a road map through the future. When we embrace them we embrace light and truth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
• Release date: Nov 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9781489742711

Gary B. Sabin

Gary B. Sabin a General Authority Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was previously the founder and CEO of two New York Stock Exchange companies and the founder of Sabin Holdings, an international real estate firm. He is also the chairman of The Sabin Children’s Foundation which focuses on helping disadvantaged children. He has served on numerous public and non-profit boards prior to his call to serve as a General Authority. He has a love of the scriptures which have been a source of strength and inspiration in all aspects of his life.

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ISBN: 978-1-4897-4272-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4897-4273-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4897-4271-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022912522

LifeRich Publishing rev. date:  04/13/2023

CONTENTS

Preface

Introduction

The Old Testament

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Day 15

Day 16

Day 17

Day 18

Day 19

Day 20

Day 21

Day 22

Day 23

Day 24

Day 25

Day 26

Day 27

Day 28

Day 29

Day 30

Day 31

Day 32

Day 33

Day 34

Day 35

Day 36

Day 37

Day 38

Day 39

Day 40

Day 41

Day 42

Day 43

Day 44

Day 45

Day 46

Day 47

Day 48

Day 49

Day 50

Day 51

Day 52

Day 53

Day 54

Day 55

Day 56

Day 57

Day 58

Day 59

Day 60

Day 61

Day 62

Day 63

Day 64

Day 65

Day 66

Day 67

Day 68

Day 69

Day 70

Day 71

Day 72

Day 73

Day 74

Day 75

Day 76

Day 77

Day 78

Day 79

Day 80

Day 81

Day 82

Day 83

Day 84

The New Testament

Day 85

Day 86

Day 87

Day 88

Day 89

Day 90

Day 91

Day 92

Day 93

Day 94

Day 95

Day 96

Day 97

Day 98

Day 99

Day 100

Day 101

Day 102

Day 103

Day 104

Day 105

Day 106

Day 107

Day 108

Day 109

Day 110

Day 111

Day 112

Day 113

Day 114

Day 115

Day 116

Day 117

Day 118

Day 119

Day 120

Day 121

Day 122

Day 123

Day 124

Day 125

Day 126

Day 127

Day 128

Day 129

Day 130

Day 131

Day 132

Day 133

Day 134

Day 135

Day 136

Day 137

Day 138

Day 139

Day 140

Day 141

Day 142

Day 143

Day 144

Day 145

Day 146

Day 147

Day 148

Day 149

Day 150

Day 151

Day 152

Day 153

Day 154

Day 155

Day 156

Day 157

Day 158

The Book of Mormon

Day 159

Day 160

Day 161

Day 162

Day 163

Day 164

Day 165

Day 166

Day 167

Day 168

Day 169

Day 170

Day 171

Day 172

Day 173

Day 174

Day 175

Day 176

Day 177

Day 178

Day 179

Day 180

Day 181

Day 182

Day 183

Day 184

Day 185

Day 186

Day 187

Day 188

Day 189

Day 190

Day 191

Day 192

Day 193

Day 194

Day 195

Day 196

Day 197

Day 198

Day 199

Day 200

Day 201

Day 202

Day 203

Day 204

Day 205

Day 206

Day 207

Day 208

Day 209

Day 210

Day 211

Day 212

Day 213

Day 214

Day 215

Day 216

Day 217

Day 218

Day 219

Day 220

Day 221

Day 222

Day 223

Day 224

Day 225

Day 226

Day 227

Day 228

Day 229

Day 230

Day 231

Day 232

Day 233

Day 234

Day 235

Day 236

Day 237

Day 238

Day 239

Day 240

Day 241

Day 242

Day 243

Day 244

Day 245

Day 246

Day 247

Day 248

Day 249

Day 250

Day 251

Day 252

Day 253

Day 254

The Doctrine and Covenants

Day 255

Day 256

Day 257

Day 258

Day 259

Day 260

Day 261

Day 262

Day 263

Day 264

Day 265

Day 266

Day 267

Day 268

Day 269

Day 270

Day 271

Day 272

Day 273

Day 274

Day 275

Day 276

Day 277

Day 278

Day 279

Day 280

Day 281

Day 282

Day 283

Day 284

Day 285

Day 286

Day 287

Day 288

Day 289

Day 290

Day 291

Day 292

Day 293

Day 294

Day 295

Day 296

Day 297

Day 298

Day 299

Day 300

Day 301

Day 302

Day 303

Day 304

Day 305

Day 306

Day 307

Day 308

Day 309

Day 310

Day 311

Day 312

Day 313

Day 314

Day 315

Day 316

Day 317

Day 318

Day 319

Day 320

Day 321

Day 322

Day 323

Day 324

Day 325

Day 326

Day 327

Day 328

Day 329

Day 330

Day 331

Day 332

Day 333

Day 334

Day 335

Day 336

Day 337

Day 338

Day 339

Day 340

Day 341

Day 342

Day 343

Day 344

Day 345

Day 346

Day 347

Day 348

Day 349

Day 350

The Pearl of Great Price

Day 351

Day 352

Day 353

Day 354

Day 355

Day 356

Day 357

Day 358

Day 359

Day 360

Day 361

Day 362

Day 363

Day 364

Day 365

Endnotes

Expanded List of Favorite Scriptures

PREFACE

I wish to make clear that the opinions and views expressed herein are those for which I alone am responsible. This is not a publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has not been written under assignment of or at the request of the First Presidency or the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Therefore, the views expressed in this book do not represent the official position of the Church although every effort has been made to be consistent with Church doctrine as taught by the prophets.

I am grateful to the many individuals too numerous to mention, whose examples of faith have left an indelible spiritual imprint and fostered in me a spiritual quest to be like-minded; hence, this compilation of favorite scriptures which have been a source of truth, clarity, direction, comfort, and strength. Foremost among these individuals is my eternal companion Valerie, without whose example, encouragement, and support this work would not have been possible.

INTRODUCTION

The scriptures, when prayerfully read and pondered, are like a force field against the adversary: a great source of strength, guidance, and comfort. They provide clarity in an opaque and confusing world and are a gift from a loving Heavenly Father to illuminate our path back to Him. If, however, we do not avail ourselves of this gift, then we are voluntarily left to struggle and perhaps, even spiritually perish. Such was the fate of many of the children of Israel who, because of the simpleness of the way,¹ refused to look at the brazen serpent and live after being bitten by fiery serpents. We will feel very foolish when we cross through the veil and realize if we would have but looked, much of our heartache and confusion could have been avoided. We may not be threatened by fiery serpents, but we do have to contend with the fiery darts of the adversary in numerous ways and are all in need of a protective spiritual force field.

Herein, I have distilled 365 of my favorite scriptures from the standard works, each of which has resonated with me for some important doctrinal reason. Some are a single verse and others, several passages. Although we would each benefit from a more exhaustive study of the scriptures, it is my hope that individual faith and fortitude will be enhanced by daily pondering these doctrinal principles.

THE OLD

TESTAMENT

DAY 1

Genesis 1:27

WE ARE CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Fundamental to our happiness is an understanding of our divine identity and purpose. Perhaps no doctrine is more comforting than that declared in the very first chapter of Genesis: we are created in God’s image. This divine truth is the supreme evidence of Our Heavenly Father’s love for His children and of our divine heritage and potential. In all earthly families, children grow up to be like their parents; and yet, for some reason, the world cannot comprehend that possibility when it comes to the human family and our heavenly parents. When one loses sight of this pivotal truth, they are indeed blind. As Helen Keller once said, The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but no vision.² She had the moral authority to make such a statement since she was without sight and yet had the hope and comfort of knowing she was a child of God.

DAY 2

Genesis 13:8-9

LET THERE BE NO STRIFE BETWEEN ME AND THEE/ BRETHREN/UNSELFISHNESS

8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.

9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

We can learn a great lesson from the example of Abraham’s unselfish and charitable nature. So much of life’s heartache is caused by mankind’s greed and selfishness as we are often shortsighted when it comes to our own priorities. We would do well to remember that the things which matter most are those which last the longest, the things of eternity. Ultimately, we can only take three things with us into that eternal realm: relationships, character, and knowledge. Therefore, the sooner worldly cares cease to be our primary focus, the happier we will be.

DAY 3

Genesis 13:12

PITCHED HIS TENT TOWARD SODOM

Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.

Lot’s die was cast when he chose to pitch his tent towards Sodom, a stark contrast to those saints in King Benjamin’s day who pitched their tents with their doors facing the temple.³ It is important to note that our success and happiness here and hereafter are determined by a series of small, intentional decisions that continually point us to God. By choosing truth initially, we are choosing happiness eternally.

DAY 4

Exodus 19:4-6

LORD’S DELIVERANCE/PECULIAR TREASURE

4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.

5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Even as the world finds God’s people peculiar for not following their ways, God will deem His people a peculiar treasure above all others as we choose to become a kingdom of Priests, and an holy nation. And just as the Lord led the children of Israel out of Egypt against all odds, He will likewise watch over all who obey His voice and eventually lead them back to him.

DAY 5

Exodus 23:2

PEER PRESSURE

Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment…

President Thomas S. Monson has said, Do we have the moral courage to stand firm for our beliefs, even if by so doing we must stand alone?⁴ The longing to belong can often eclipse the will to obey, bringing with it much sorrow and regret. We need not seek the approval of others to have our self-worth validated if we understand our true identity and purpose. The antidote is found in knowing to whom we belong and understanding that we were bought with a price.⁵ It is far better to follow the Creator than the crowd.

DAY 6

Deuteronomy 4:9; *5:29; **6:5-7

BE DILIGENT AND REMEMBER/TEACH POSTERITY/HEART

9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;

*29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever!

**5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

**6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

**7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

One of the most important words in the scriptures is remember. From King David to many of the early apostles of this dispensation, history is replete with those who either let go of the iron rod or who fell away even after reaching the Tree of Life because they were ashamed,⁶ or had forgotten what they once knew. The consequence of this spiritual amnesia is that future generations suffer; our choices are never just about us, hence, the reference to thy sons and thy sons’ sons. Keeping our soul diligently and teaching our family to do likewise is a lifelong pursuit.

To receive the blessing the Lord has in store for us, we cannot be casual with our covenants or in our efforts to teach our loved ones. This is not a Sunday only church. In fact, teaching our children at church is never mentioned here; rather, we must create and take advantage of teaching moments within our family regularly throughout the day. The church supports us but gospel learning most effectively takes place in the home and must be born of love. The agency that leads to exaltation cannot be coerced but must be willingly chosen.

We often hear the lament, We have been obedient and tried our very best to teach our children, yet they do not always listen. I would suggest that their ultimate welfare is a matter of time and perspective as we trust in the Lord’s timing and promises. He, likewise, longs for the return of His children. We never fail in our efforts of righteous parenting unless we quit trying; so we pray on, loving, trying and trusting.

DAY 7

Deuteronomy 32:28-29,47

THE FOOLISHNESS OF IGNORING COUNSEL/PRIORITIES

28 For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.

29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!

47 For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

A sign of true wisdom is seeing and understanding the big picture, the real purpose of life, and living accordingly. Wise is the man who is willing to be governed by the counsel of the Lord and His prophets; the choice to do so not only affects us in the here and now but, more importantly, hereafter in our eternal latter end!

DAY 8

Joshua 3:5

SANCTIFY YOURSELVES/WONDERS

And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.

We need to pay the price required to receive the Lord’s choicest blessings by striving to live the commandments and humbly put our trust in God. Yielding our hearts unto God⁷ results in the blessing of sanctification and eventual exaltation.

DAY 9

Joshua 14:12; *17:18

GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN/

THE MOUNTAIN SHALL BE THINE

*12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.

*18 But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.

When God gives us instructions, it is good to remember the faith and courage of Caleb whose rallying cry in the face of great odds was, Give me this mountain. So many of our problems seem overwhelming and even impossible to resolve, but the Lord sees the end from the beginning and is able to do His own work⁸ for man’s salvation. When we exercise great faith like unto Caleb’s, temporal and spiritual mountains can be climbed.

DAY 10

Joshua 21:43-45

I WILL GIVE YOU REST/THE LORD KEEPS HIS PROMISES

43 And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.

44 And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.

45 There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.

The Lord keeps all His promises, a truth which enables us to have hope and confidence in following His instructions to obtain promised blessings. This path of obedience is the roadmap to peace no matter how impossible it may seem at the time. This course does not mean an absence of trials along the way, but rather the knowledge and assurance that we can rely on the Lord for peace and eventual rest. Just as the Lord led the children of Israel out of Egypt against all odds, He will likewise watch over all who obey His voice and eventually lead them back to Him.

DAY 11

1 Samuel 2:30

THE LORD HONORS THOSE WHO HONOR HIM

Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me forever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

The Israelites once thought that if they had the right pedigree, their salvation was assured. But the Lord clarifies that He requires more; those who honor Him by their obedience regardless of their progenitors, are those whom God will honor with His blessings.

We, too, can receive God’s affirming blessings in the same way. It is a basic human need to be appreciated. We seek approval throughout all stages of our lives through athletics, social groups, education, professional endeavors, etc. The secret to satisfying this need is so simple, yet mostly misunderstood; when we honor God, we have the ultimate approval as He honors us. We see this principle manifested in the lives of missionaries who were fully committed and obedient as opposed to those who were not. Many who served well eventually distinguish themselves professionally and, more importantly, find lasting happiness in life. Conversely, those who were uncommitted most often drift through life with little distinction or real happiness unless they repent and experience a mighty change of heart.

DAY 12

1 Samuel 16:1-13

THE LORD LOOKETH ON THE HEART/ ARISE, ANOINT HIM

1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

2 And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.

3 And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.

4 And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Beth-lehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?

5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.

7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.

11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.

12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

How shocked David and his family must have been when the prophet Samuel anointed him the new king of Israel. He was the least likely of his brothers to be chosen based on his outward appearance and age. As overwhelming as that must have been, anyone who has been through the temple has received far greater blessings than any earthly kingdom. All the blessings of the priesthood and temple ordinances continue after mortality if we qualify our own hearts and remain faithful.

DAY 13

1 Kings 17:8-16

THE FAITH OF THE WIDOW ZAREPHATH/BARREL WASTED NOT

8 And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,

9 Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.

10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.

12 And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.

14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.

15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.

16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.

It is noteworthy that the Lord already knew the heart and faith of the starving widow Zarephath when He told Elijah to seek her life-sustaining help. It must have taken great faith for Elijah to ask her for the last morsel of food she