Tomorrow is "Peculiar People" Day

While updating the "Today and Days to Come" item in my sidebar, I noticed that January 10th is "Peculiar People Day". It reminded me of the term used to describe the members of Christ's Church. I found a conference talk by Elder Russell M. Nelson and extracted a quote from that talk which I'll share with you:

Peter used uplifting terms in a prophecy regarding our day. He identified members of the Church as “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.” (1 Pet. 2:9) The adjectives chosen, royal, and holy we recognize as elevating. But what about peculiar? A modern dictionary defines peculiar as “unusual,” “eccentric,” or “strange.” What kind of compliment is that?

But the term peculiar as used in the scriptures is quite different. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term from which peculiar was translated is segullah, which means “valued property,” or “treasure.” (LDS Bible Dictionary, “Peculiar,” p. 748) In the New Testament, the Greek term from which peculiar was translated is peripoiesis, which means “possession,” or “an obtaining.”

Thus, we see that the scriptural term peculiar signifies “valued treasure,” “made” or “selected by God.” For us to be identified by servants of the Lord as his peculiar people is a compliment of the highest order.

“Children of the Covenant,” Ensign, May 1995, 32

I encourage you to celebrate this day in any way you feel appropriate.