In the Old Testament I read that after many people had been bitten by the fiery serpents, then came to Moses and confessed that they had sinned in speaking out against hima nd the Lord and asked Moses to pray to the Lord and get the fiery serpents taken away. The Lord told Moses to make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole and whoever would look at it would live. Numbers 21:7-9 "Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived."


A verse in the Pearl of Great Price tells us of the continuing persecution that Joseph Smith suffered by his continuing to assert that he had seen a vision. In fact, when he married even his wife's family did not accept him and did not want him marrying their daughter, so he had to take her elsewhere. JS-H 1: 58 "Owing to my continuing to assert that I had seen a vision, persecution still followed me, and my wife’s father’s family were very much opposed to our being married. I was, therefore, under the necessity of taking her elsewhere; so we went and were married at the house of Squire Tarbill, in South Bainbridge, Chenango county, New York. Immediately after my marriage, I left Mr. Stoal’s, and went to my father’s, and farmed with him that season."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if we keep the commandments of the Lord, our hearts will rejoice and our eyes will be enlightened. What a wonderful promise that is! If we keep the commandments, we'll be happy and receive knowledge. Keeping the commandments brings joy. Ps. 19: 8 "The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."

In the Old Testament I read that even though they people had received great blessings and seen miracles performed, they were still discouraged and murmured against both Moses and the Lord. they compalined they had no bread or water (even though they had Manna which they "loathed"). The Lord sent fiery serpents among the people which bit them and many of them died. Numbers 21: 4-6 "And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died."

In the Pearl of Great Price I read about how the angel Moroni visited Joseph Smith three times in a night, repeating to him over and over again the same instructions. Why come three times and repeat the same things? Sometimes it takes repetition before we truly understand something. Often the first time we hear something, we don't really comprehend it. So if we attend church and think "I've heard this all before" or if conference talks seem to be on the same theme of previous ones we've heard before, we need to remember this principle and realize that it may be something that needs to be repeated so we can really understand it and take it to heart. If it's something we've heard before, is it something that we're fully living, or something we need to still work on? JS-H 1: 46-47 "By this time, so deep were the impressions made on my mind, that sleep had fled from my eyes, and I lay overwhelmed in astonishment at what I had both seen and heard. But what was my surprise when again I beheld the same messenger at my bedside, and heard him rehearse or repeat over again to me the same things as before; and added a caution to me, telling me that Satan would try to tempt me (in consequence of the indigent circumstances of my father’s family), to get the plates for the purpose of getting crich . This he forbade me, saying that I must have no other object in view in getting the plates but to glorify God, and must not be influenced by any other motive than that of building his kingdom; otherwise I could not get them. After this third visit, he again ascended into heaven as before, and I was again left to aponder on the strangeness of what I had just experienced; when almost immediately after the heavenly messenger had ascended from me for the third time, the cock crowed, and I found that day was approaching, so that our interviews must have occupied the whole of that night."

A verse with a thought booklet compares godly sorrow with the sorrow of the world. Godly sorrow makes a person want to repent of their sins and brings salvation. Worldly sorrow brings death. When we sin, we are not happy--not in the long run. If our sorrow makes us want to repent and do better, we can know that this is godly sorrow. But if our sorrow makes us feel worthless and hopeless and think, "Well, I'm so bad I can never repent so I might as well just keep on sinning" we can know that this is the kind of discouragement that comes from Satan, not God. This is not godly sorrow and will bring us death. 2 Cor. 7: 10 "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death."

In the Old Testament I read that the Lord delivered up the Canaanites to the children of Israel and they utterly destoyred them. Num. 21: 1-3 "And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners. And Israel vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities. And the Lord hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah."

In the Pearl of Great Price I read about the persecution that Joseph Smith received when he made known that he had seen a vision in which God the Father and Jesus Christ had appeared to him. He likened this to when the apostle Paul had also seen a vision and few would believe him either. But he knew what he had seen and he could not deny it. All he could do was tell the truth. JS-H 1: 21-25 "Some few days after I had this vision, I happened to be in company with one of the Methodist preachers, who was very active in the before mentioned religious excitement; and, conversing with him on the subject of religion, I took occasion to give him an account of the vision which I had had. I was greatly surprised at his behavior; he treated my communication not only lightly, but with great contempt, saying it was all of the devil, that there were no such things as visions or revelations in these days; that all such things had ceased with the apostles, and that there would never be any more of them. I soon found, however, that my telling the story had excited a great deal of prejudice against me among professors of religion, and was the cause of great persecution, which continued to increase; and though I was an obscure boy, only between fourteen and fifteen years of age, and my circumstances in life such as to make a boy of no consequence in the world, yet men of high standing would take notice sufficient to excite the public mind against me, and create a bitter persecution; and this was common among all the sects—all united to persecute me. It caused me serious reflection then, and often has since, how very strange it was that an obscure boy, of a little over fourteen years of age, and one, too, who was doomed to the necessity of obtaining a scanty maintenance by his daily labor, should be thought a character of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sects of the day, and in a manner to create in them a spirit of the most bitter persecution and reviling. But strange or not, so it was, and it was often the cause of great sorrow to myself. However, it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise. So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation."

A verse with a thought booklet goes along with what we read yesterday--we need to rejoice always in the Lord. Philip. 4: 4 "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."

In the Old Testament I read that Moses lost both his brother and his sister, Aaron and Miriam. Numbers 20: 1, 29 "Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there. And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel."

In the Pearl of Great Price I read how no one knows when the second coming of Jesus Christ will be, except the Father. But it will come just as the flood came in the days of Noah. People were eating, drinking and marrying right up to the time of the flood, but then it came and took them all away. The second coming of Christ will come in a similar way and the wicked will be taken suddenly. However, the elect will see signs and know that He is at the doors. They don't need to be taken unawares for they will be looking for His coming and be ready. JS-M 1: 39-43, 46-48 "So likewise, mine elect, when they shall see all these things, they shall know that he is near, even at the doors; But of that day, and hour, no one knoweth; no, not the angels of God in heaven, but my Father only. But as it was in the days of Noah, so it shall be also at the coming of the Son of Man; For it shall be with them, as it was in the days which were before the flood; for until the day that Noah entered into the ark they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage; And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. And what I say unto one, I say unto all men; watch, therefore, for you know not at what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to have been broken up, but would have been ready. Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh.

A verse with a thought booklet is one often quoted--this is the day the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it. I once knew a lady who had this verse as a greeting on her answering machine. And she did seem to try to maintain a joyful attitude, even though she had numerous health problems and used a wheelchair. We don't always have ideal circumstances in our lives, but if we look upon each day as a day the Lord has made, we can try to be joyful anyway. No matter how trying our lives may be, we can always find things to be grateful for and rejoice in. Ps. 118: 24 "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

In the Old Testament I read the story of the Israelites complaining about not having water so the Lord told Moses to smite a rock with his rod and water gushed out. However, Moses sinned in this by taking glory for this miracle himself instead of giving God the credit. As a punishment, Moses wasn't allowed to enter into the promised land. We need to remember to always give glory to God and acknowledge His hand in all things, never taking credit for what we're able to do through His help and guidance. Num. 20: 2-13 "And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord! And why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink. And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto them. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. And Moses took the rod from before the Lord, as he commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the Lord, and he was sanctified in them."

In the Pearl of Great Price I read about someof the wickedness that would prevail in the last days (the days we now live in). People would betray and hate each other and false prophets would arise to deceive people. The love of many would wax cold. But if we remain true and steadfast and don't allow these things to overcome us, we'll be saved. JS-M 1: 8-11 "And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another; And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many; And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold; But he that remaineth steadfast and is not overcome, the same shall be saved."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell the story of the unjust servant who, after being forgiven a huge debt, refuses to forgive a fellow servent for a very small debt. We can liken this story to oursleves when we refuse to forgive other people. Their tresspasses against us are small compared to all the things we have need to be forgiven of by our Heavenly Father. And if we refuse to forgive others (even 70 times 7), how willing will He be to forgive us? Not only that, but it's really for OUR benefit that we forgive others. A psychiatrist once remarked that if people could really forgive, many patients in mental hospitals would be released. It's often difficult to forgive. But what's the alternative? If we keep dwelling of whatever is hurting us, we'll just keep feeling the pain and allow it to keep on hurting us. Just as we need to leave a physical wound alone so that it can heal, we need to stop picking at our emotional wounds and tearing them open so that they can be given an opportunity to heal. With God's help, we can do this! He will help us be able to forgive, even when we can't do it on our own. With Him, all things are possible and we can do all things through Christ who strenghens us. We aren't commanded to do anything save the Lord will prepare the way for us to accomplish the thing He has commanded us. And He's commanded us to forgive. This is possible. This is do-able. But only if we turn this problem over to the Lord and allow Him to help us. Matt. 18: 21-35 "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."

In the Old Testament I read about how after the Lord destroyed the rebellous people (as we read about yesterday) the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron. Because of their murmuring and complaining the Lord's anger was kindled against them and he sent a plague which killed 14,700 of them before Moses and Aaron were able to make atonement for the people and stop the plague. Num. 16: 41-50 "But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord. And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared. And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the Lord; the plague is begun. And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah. And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed."

In the Pearl of Great Price we're told that a man should leave his parents and cleave unto his wife. When we marry, our parents are still our parents, but out spouse should now take priority in our lives and the new family unit we've just formed should take precedence. Abr. 5: 18 "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us to avoid strife and to be humble, unselfishly looking to the needs of others more than to our own needs. We should show empathy toward others, to try to feel with them. The story is told of a man walking while holding a huge watermelon in front of his stomach. When asked why he was carrying the watermelon that way he replied that he wanted to understand what his pregnant wife was going through and this helped him to empathize with her. We need to put ourselves in the other person's shoes and try to feel with them and understand. Philip. 2: 2-3 "Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."

In the Old Testament I read about how harshly Sabbath breakers were dealt with. In fact, a man who gathered sticks on the Sabbath day was considered worthy of death and was stoned by the congregation. Numbers 15:32-36 "And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. And the Lord said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the Lord commanded Moses."

In the Pearl of Great Price I read about a wonderful vision that the Lord showed Abraham--talking to him face to face like one man would talk to another and allowing him to see all the creations the Lord had made. What a marvelous thing it would be to see all the works of the Lord! Abr. 3: 11-12 "Thus I, Abraham, talked with the Lord, face to face, as one man talketh with another; and he told me of the works which his hands had made; And he said unto me: My son, my son (and his hand was stretched out), behold I will show you all these. And he put his hand upon mine eyes, and I saw those things which his hands had made, which were many; and they multiplied before mine eyes, and I could not see the end thereof."

Some verses with a thought booklet tells us that even a sparrow, which isn't worth much money-wise, cannot fall to the ground without Heavenly Father knowing about it. But he knows every hair on our head and we are of far more worth than many sparrows. So this tells us how much our Heavenly Fahter loves and values every one of us. Matt. 10: 29-31 "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."

In the Old Testament I read about how harshly Sabbath breakers were dealt with. In fact, a man who gathered sticks on the Sabbath day was considered worthy of death and was stoned by the congregation. Numbers 15:32-36 "And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. And the Lord said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the Lord commanded Moses."

In the Pearl of Great Price I read about a wonderful vision that the Lord showed Abraham--talking to him face to face like one man would talk to another and allowing him to see all the creations the Lord had made. What a marvelous thing it would be to see all the works of the Lord! Abr. 3: 11-12 "Thus I, Abraham, talked with the Lord, face to face, as one man talketh with another; and he told me of the works which his hands had made; And he said unto me: My son, my son (and his hand was stretched out), behold I will show you all these. And he put his hand upon mine eyes, and I saw those things which his hands had made, which were many; and they multiplied before mine eyes, and I could not see the end thereof."

Some verses with a thought booklet tells us that even a sparrow, which isn't worth much money-wise, cannot fall to the ground without Heavenly Father knowing about it. But he knows every hair on our head and we are of far more worth than many sparrows. So this tells us how much our Heavenly Fahter loves and values every one of us. Matt. 10: 29-31 "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."

In the Old Testament I read that the people would need to wander in the wilderness for 40 years because of their whoredoms and for murmuring against the Lord. The men who brought up the evil report would die of plague, but Joshua and Caleb would be spared. Numbers 14: 33-38 "And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness. After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise. I the Lord have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die. And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land, Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the Lord. But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of the men that went to search the land, lived still."

In Pearl of Great Price I read about the greatness of the Lord; how the sea obeys Him and if He tells the mountains to depart, they do. He knows everything from the beginning. Abr. 2: 7-8 "For I am the Lord thy God; I dwell in heaven; the earth is my footstool; I stretch my hand over the sea, and it obeys my voice; I cause the wind and the fire to be my chariot; I say to the mountains—Depart hence—and behold, they are taken away by a whirlwind, in an instant, suddenly.My name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning; therefore my hand shall be over thee."

Some verses with a thought booklet emphasize how the Lord wants only good things for us and if we call upon Him, He will listen to us. If we seek the Lord with all our hearts, we will find Him. Jer. 29: 11-13 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."

In the Old Testament I read about how Moses asked the Lord to forgive the people. The Lord siad that the people who murmured against Him would not be brought into the land to posses it, but that they should wander in the wilderness for 40 years. However, Joshua and Caleb, who had remained faithful would be able to enter into the land. Numbers 14: 19-24, 27-30 "Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. And the Lord said, I have pardoned according to thy word: But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the Lord, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun."

In the Pearl of Great Price I read another example of a theme often found in the scriptures--how a prophet tried to call wicked people to repentance, they refused to listen, and they wanted to take away his life. This was also the case with Abraham. Abr. 1: 5-7 "My fathers , having turned from their righteousness, and from the holy commandments which the Lord their God had given unto them, unto the worshiping of the gods of the heathen, utterly refused to hearken to my voice; For their hearts were set to do evil, and were wholly turned to the god of Elkenah, and the god of Libnah, and the god of Mahmackrah, and the god of Korash, and the god of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; Therefore they turned their hearts to the sacrifice of the heathen in offering up their children unto these dumb idols, and hearkened not unto my voice, but endeavored to take away my life by the hand of the priest of Elkenah. The priest of Elkenah was also the priest of Pharaoh."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the Lord is willing to forgive our iniquity and cover our sins. What a wonderful thing it is to be able to repent of our sins and have them forgiven! Ps. 85: 2 "Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah."

In the Old Testament I read about how the people's murmuring and rebellion angered the Lord and made Him want to smite them and disinherit them. Numbers 14: 11-12 "And the Lord said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they."

In the Pearl of Great Price I read some verses that talk about how God ordained Noah to be a prophet and commanded him to cry repentance unto the people. He exhorted them to believe in Jesus Christ, repent, and be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. He warned them that if they didn't do these things, the floods would come upon them. However, they refused to listen to him. Moses 8: 19-20, 22-24 "And the Lord ordained Noah after his own order, and commanded him that he should go forth and declare his Gospel unto the children of men, even as it was given unto Enoch. And it came to pass that Noah called upon the children of men that they should repent; but they hearkened not unto his words; And God saw that the wickedness of men had become great in the earth; and every man was lifted up in the imagination of the thoughts of his heart, being only evil continually. And it came to pass that Noah continued his preaching unto the people, saying: Hearken, and give heed unto my words; Believe and repent of your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, even as our fathers, and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost, that ye may have all things made manifest; and if ye do not this, the floods will come in upon you; nevertheless they hearkened not."

A verse with a thought booklet asks the question of what is man that the Lord is mindful of him and cares for him. Why is it that we are of importance to God? Ps. 8: 4 "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" The thought that went with this, written by the Rev. Jimmy Tai-On Lin from Palo Heights, Illinois, says: While cleaning out some old files, I came across an article titled What Is man? It says that in our body we have about ten gallons of water, enough fat to make three bars of soap, enough sulfur to get rid of all the fleas on a German Shepherd, and enough iron to make a two-inch nail. But the author said that he could buy all these for less than five dollars. What is man, he sneered, with a price tag of less than four cents per pound (assuming an average-weight person)! This reduction of human life to a random collection of chemicals is a direct attack on the sanctity of life. Sadly, it has made itself known throughout history in neverending wars and ethnic rivalries. We daily witness this disrespect for human life in the abuse of drugs, abortions of unwanted babies, and gang murders. What is man? Daivd, who wrote Psalm 8, also asked that question. But David was not sarcastic. Rather, he said it with a sigh, because he was so amazed. Surely we are so small that we are not worth much materially, but God cares for us. Out of all His creation the Creator chooses us to be His imagebearers; God makes us to be rulers of all creation; the Lord gives us glory and honor that we do not deserve. God loves us so much that He wants to live in us. He wants us to live with Him forever!

In the Old Testament I read that Joshua and Caleb entreated the people not to rebel but that the Lord would help them obtain the land of milk and honey. This just made the people angry and want to stone them. Numbers 14: 6-10 "And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not. But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel."

In the Pearl of Great Price I read more of the great vision that the Lord gave to Enoch. He was able to see clear to the end of the world--how great tribulation preceded the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and how the judgments of God fell upon the wicked who greatly feared. But the righteous received redemption and a fullness of joy. What a contrast! Moses 7: 65-67 "And it came to pass that Enoch saw the day of the coming of the Son of Man, in the last days, to dwell on the earth in righteousness for the space of a thousand years; But before that day he saw great tribulations among the wicked; and he also saw the sea, that it was troubled, and men’s hearts failing them, looking forth with fear for the judgments of the Almighty God, which should come upon the wicked. And the Lord showed Enoch all things, even unto the end of the world; and he saw the day of the righteous, the hour of their redemption, and received a fulness of joy;"

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that God is willing and able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. God does hear and answer our prayers and can do more for us than we can even imagine! Eph. 3: 20 "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,"

In the Old Testament I read about how the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron and complained that they would have been better off if they'd stayed in Egypt rather than dying in the wildering by the sword from fighting the mighty people of Canaan. In fact, they wanted to make a captain to lead them in returning to Egypt. Numbers 14:2-4 "And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt."

In the Pearl of Great Price I read about the visions of Enoch and how he was able to see future events. He saw Noah saved in the flood and mourned for all the wicked people who were destroyed. But he could also rejoice because the Savior would come in the meridian of time, in a day of great wickedness, to shed His blood and provide a way to gain eternal life. Moses 7: 42-46 "And Enoch also saw Noah, and his family; that the posterity of all the sons of Noah should be saved with a temporal salvation; Wherefore Enoch saw that Noah built an ark; and that the Lord smiled upon it, and held it in his own hand; but upon the residue of the wicked the floods came and swallowed them up. And as Enoch saw this, he had bitterness of soul, and wept over his brethren, and said unto the heavens: I will refuse to be comforted; but the Lord said unto Enoch: Lift up your heart, and be glad; and look. And it came to pass that Enoch looked; and from Noah, he beheld all the families of the earth; and he cried unto the Lord, saying: When shall the day of the Lord come? When shall the blood of the Righteous be shed, that all they that mourn may be sanctified and have eternal life? And the Lord said: It shall be in the meridian of time, in the days of wickedness and vengeance."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that since Christ died for us, we need to live for Him. We should stop being selfish and living merely for ourselves. 2 Cor. 5: 15 "And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again."

In the Old Testament I read that after the discouraging report of the people who went to spy out the land, Caleb spoke forth with a differing opinion. He felt that they should go up at once to possess the land and that they would be able to overcome it. The other men argued that the men in the land were like giants and that they were like grasshoppers by comparison. Caleb was obviously a man of faith who believed that with the Lord's help, they could conquer the land. Numbers 13: 30-33 "And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."

In the Pearl of Great Price I read that the plan of salvation is for the Only Begotton to come in the meridian of time and atone for our sins with His blood. Moses 6: 62 "And now, behold, I say unto you: This is the plan of salvation unto all men, through the blood of mine Only Begotten, who shall come in the meridian of time."

A verse with a thought booklet warns us to flee from temptations and endure without giving in to them. If we do this, we'll be blessed and crowned, as promised by the Lord who loves us. James 1: 12 "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."

In the Old Testament I read what the spies found when they reached Canaan. They found much fruit and brought back a cluster of grapes that two men carried upon a staff. After 40 days they returned and reported that this was a land of milk and honey. However they said that the people were very strong and their cities were walled and very great. They seemed to feel that they would not be able to conquer such a powerful people. Numbers 13: 21-28 "So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath. And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs. The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence. And they returned from searching of the land after forty days. And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there."

In the Pearl of Great Price I read about how the Lord commanded Enoch to go forth among the wicked people and call upon them to repent of their sins. When he did so, the people were offended because of him. Their hearts were hard and their ears dull of hearing. Isn't it sad that this is often the case when people are evil. They become offended when called to repentance. They don't want to be told that what they're doing is wrong. But it is necessary for them to repent in order to be saved. This is something they need to hear. Moses 6: 26-27, 37 "And it came to pass that Enoch journeyed in the land, among the people; and as he journeyed, the Spirit of God descended out of heaven, and bode upon him. And he heard a voice from heaven, saying: Enoch, my son, prophesy unto this people, and say unto them—Repent, for thus saith the Lord: I am angry with this people, and my fierce anger is kindled against them; for their hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off; And it came to pass that Enoch went forth in the land, among the people, standing upon the hills and the high places, and cried with a loud voice, testifying against their works; and all men were offended because of him."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us to keep our thoughts centered on things that are virtuous, honest praiseworthy, and pure. What we choose to think about determines the person that we become. I recall reading something in which a person stated that they gave in to sin because the situation was so tempting that they could not resist it. But the person counseling with them pointed out that BEFORE they had gotten into that tempting situation they had allowed themselves to THINK about committing that particular sin. This is often the case. What we allow ourselves to think about, we often end up doing. If we keep our thoughts clean and pure, our actions will follow. Philip. 4: 8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

In the Old Testament I read that Moses obeyed the Lord and sent the men to spy out the land of Canaan and see what the land and people were like. He told them to bring back the fruit of the land, since it was the time of firstripe grapes. Num 13: 17-20 "And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain: And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes."

In the Pearl of Great Price I read that wickedness began to prevail among the children of men, which made God very angry and caused Him to curse the earth with a sore curse. They refused to believe in Christ who was prophesied to come in the meridian of time. Moses 5: 55-57 "And thus the works of darkness began to prevail among all the sons of men. And God cursed the earth with a sore curse, and was angry with the wicked, with all the sons of men whom he had made; For they would not hearken unto his voice, nor believe on his Only Begotten Son, even him whom he declared should come in the meridian of time, who was prepared from before the foundation of the world."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell the story of Jesus walking on waterand Peter asking to do likewise. When the Lord bade him, Peter was able to begin coming out on the water to meet Jesus. But then when he began to look around at the wind and waves, he sank. If he'd kept his eyes focussed on Jesus, he would have been fine. It was when he became distracted and began looking around at the storm that he became afraid and lost faith. Are we in the midst of storms in our lives? Do we focus on Jesus and keep our thoughts centered on Him? Or, like Peter, do we keep looking at the storms and lose faith? If so, we may find ourselves sinking. But again like Peter, we can call out to the Lord and He'll stretch forth His hand to help us. Even in the middle of our difficulties and trials, we can always remember the Lord, who will strenthen us and help us through whatever storms of life we need to travel through. Matt. 14: 22-32 "And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased."

In the Old Testament I read that the Lord commanded Moses to send men from every tribe to Canaan to search the land and see what it was like there. Num. 13: 1-3 "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them. And Moses by the commandment of the Lord sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel."

In the Pearl of Great Price I read some verses that tell us that calls upon all men by the Holy Ghost to repent. We need to listen to these promptings of the Holy Ghost, have faith and repent of our sins. If we do, we'll be saved and if we don't we'll be damned. These are the words of God and they must be fulfilled. Moses 5: 14-15 "And the Lord God called upon men by the Holy Ghost everywhere and commanded them that they should repent; And as many as believed in the Son, and repented of their sins, should be saved; and as many as believed not and repented not, should be damned; and the words went forth out of the mouth of God in a firm decree; wherefore they must be fulfilled."

Some verses with a thought booklet describe how well the Lord knows and understands us. He knows our thoughts and the intents of our hearts and He knows everything about us. We cannot hide anything from Him. No matter where we go or where we try to hide, He will find us. Day and night are alike to Him as far as being able to hide from Him. Ps. 139: 1-12 "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee."

In the Old Testament I read about how Aaron and Miriam criticized their brother Moses for marrying an Ethopian woman and the Lord chastized them for speaking out against His prophet. This is an important message to remember when we find ourselves finding fault with our church leaders. The Lord calls imperfect people to do His work because imperfect people are the ONLY kind of people He has to work with! It's not our place to find fault with those the Lord has called to do His work, and if we do so, the Lord's anger will be kindled against us. Num. 12: 1-9 "And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it. (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) And the Lord spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. And the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and he departed."

In the Pearl of Great Price I read some verses that explain why people in Old Testament times were to offer sacrifices to the Lord. Adam offered sacrifices without knowing why--other than that the Lord had commanded it. But an angel explained to him that it was in similitude of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ would make, and that Adam should do all that he did in the name of the Son and that he should repent and pray always. Moses 5: 6-8 "And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me. And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth. Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us to avoid wrath and being angry. We need to put away evil from our lives. Ps. 37: 8 "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil."

In the Old Testament I read that after the people had complained about not having meat to eat, the Lord sent them quail, but it became a curse to them as the quail continued for an entire month and they ate so much it came out their nostrils. Many people became ill with a very great plague and died. Num. 11:18-23, 31-34 "And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the Lord, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the Lord will give you flesh, and ye shall eat. Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days; But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the Lord which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt? And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month. Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them? And the Lord said unto Moses, Is the Lord’s hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not. And there went forth a wind from the Lord, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day’s journey on this side, and as it were a day’s journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth. And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp. And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague. And he called the name of that place Kibroth-hattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted."

In the Pearl of Great Price I read that Satan was cast down because he rebelled against God and sought to destroy the agency of man and wanted the power of God for himself. He is the father of all lies and seeks to deceive and blind men. Any who are not willing to hearken to the voice of the Lord instead of Satan are lead captive at Satan's will. Moses 4: 3-4 "Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down; And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. Look around you at the wonderful world that the Lord has created? If He has power to create all the marvelous things found on the earth, don't you think He can help you with whatever problem you might be having? Ps. 121: 2 "My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."

In the Old Testament I read that after Moses had complained to the Lord about the burdens of caring for the people, the Lord answered his prayer by telling him to delegate his authority to seventy elders of the people who would help to carry the burden. Sometimes when we're feeling overwhelmed with our responsibilities, it's important not to try to carry them all alone. We need to follow Moses' example and turn to the Lord in prayer. And sometimes He may answer our prayer by sending us other people to help us in our responsibilities so we don't need to carry our burdens alone. Num 11: 16-17 "And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone."

In the Pearl of Great Price I read about how after God created the earth in six days, he rested on the seventh day, instituting a Sabbath Day which we likewise should observe. Moses 3: 2-3 "And on the seventh day I, God, ended my work, and all things which I had made; and I rested on the seventh day from all my work, and all things which I had made were finished, and I, God, saw that they were good; And I, God, blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because that in it I had rested from all my work which I, God, had created and made."

Some verses with a thought bookklet give us hope even during trying times. They tell us that even when walking through the valley of the shadow of death we don't need to fear for the Lord will be there to comfort us. Goodness and mercy will follow us through all the days of our life. After the Allies liberated Paris during World War II, an inspription was found in an underground cellar that said, "I believe in the sun even when it is not shining, I believe in love even when not feeling it, I believe in God even when He is silent." Even when life seems too difficult to bear, God is never far away, and we don't need to feel so hopeless that we need to give up. We can draw strength from God and knowing that He is there. Ps. 23: 4, 6 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

In the Old Testament I read about how Moses cried unto the Lord regarding the people he was called upon to lead. He told the Lord how they cried out for flesh and wondered how he could provide meat for all these people. He said the burden of trying to care for all these people was too much for him. Num. 11: 10-15 "Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased. And Moses said unto the Lord, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness."

In the Pearl of Great Price I read that the work and glory of God is to bring to pass the immortailty and eternal life of man. Imagine that! We are that important to the Lord and He loves us so much that His work and glory is to bring about OUR eternal life! Moses 1: 39 "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us to rejoice and be glad, for each day is a day that the Lord has made. We need to make the most of every day of our lives and not waste time looking for negative things. The Lord meant for us to be happy! Ps. 118: 24 "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

In the Old Testament I read that the people were complaining about the manna that the Lord had provided to them for food and were longing for the meat and other foods that they'd had while in Egypt. They were not grateful and satisfied with the manna the Lord had given them. Are we sometimes like this? Does the Lord give us what we need to sustain us but we complain and are not satisfied and want something more? Numbers 11: 4-9 "And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes. And the amanna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium. And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil. And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it."

Having finished the D&C yesterday, today I started the Pearl of Great Price. In today's reading I read about how God showed Moses all the lands and peoples that He had created. Can you imagine what a marvelous vision this would have been? Moses 1: 27-28 "And it came to pass, as the voice was still speaking, Moses cast his eyes and beheld the earth, yea, even all of it; and there was not a particle of it which he did not behold, discerning it by the spirit of God. And he beheld also the inhabitants thereof, and there was not a soul which he beheld not; and he discerned them by the Spirit of God; and their numbers were great, even numberless as the sand upon the sea shore."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us how silly idol worship really is. We are told that we are the offspring of God. So how in the world could the Godhead be made of gold, silver or stone, engraved by man's hand? Makes no sense whatsoever! Acts 17: 29 "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device."

In the Old Testament I read that the Lord burnt some of the people who complained. Sounds like complaining is looked on pretty harshly by the Lord! Num. 11: 1-3 "And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire was quenched. And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the Lord burnt among them."

In the D&C I continued to read the revelation of Joseph F. Smith regarding the redemption of the dead. He named many ancient prophets from Old Testament times who were present in the great assembly in the spirit world when the Savior preached between the time of His death and resurrection. Also, the rightoue who die in this dispensation are able to preach to spirts who have died without an opportunity to accept the gospel, and temple work is done to provide baptism and sealing ordinances for these people, affording them the blessings of eternal life if they accept the gospel when they hear it preached to them in the Spirit World. D&C 138: 38-60 "Among the great and mighty ones who were assembled in this vast congregation of the righteous were Father Adam, the Ancient of Days and father of all, And our glorious Mother Eve, with many of her faithful daughters who had lived through the ages and worshiped the true and living God. Abel, the first martyr, was there, and his brother Seth, one of the mighty ones, who was in the express image of his father, Adam. Noah, who gave warning of the flood; Shem, the great high priest; Abraham, the father of the faithful; Isaac, Jacob, and Moses, the great law-giver of Israel; And Isaiah, who declared by prophecy that the Redeemer was anointed to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that were bound, were also there. Moreover, Ezekiel, who was shown in vision the great valley of dry bones, which were to be clothed upon with flesh, to come forth again in the resurrection of the dead, living souls; Daniel, who foresaw and foretold the establishment of the kingdom of God in the latter days, never again to be destroyed nor given to other people; Elias, who was with Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration; And Malachi, the prophet who testified of the coming of Elijah—of whom also Moroni spake to the Prophet Joseph Smith, declaring that he should come before the ushering in of the great and dreadful day of the Lord—were also there. The Prophet Elijah was to plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to their fathers, Foreshadowing the great work to be done in the temples of the Lord in the dispensation of the fulness of times, for the redemption of the dead, and the sealing of the children to their parents, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse and utterly wasted at his coming. All these and many more, even the prophets who dwelt among the Nephites and testified of the coming of the Son of God, mingled in the vast assembly and waited for their deliverance, For the dead had looked upon the long bsence of their spirits from their bodies as a bondage. These the Lord taught, and gave them power to come forth, after his resurrection from the dead, to enter into his Father’s kingdom, there to be crowned with immortality and eternal life, And continue thenceforth their labor as had been promised by the Lord, and be partakers of all blessings which were held in reserve for them that love him. The Prophet Joseph Smith, and my father, Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and other choice spirits who were reserved to come forth in the fulness of times to take part in laying the foundations of the great latter-day work, Including the building of the temples and the performance of ordinances therein for the redemption of the dead, were also in the spirit world. I observed that they were also among the noble and great ones who were chosen in the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God. Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due ctime of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men. 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 great world of the spirits of the dead. The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God, And after they have paid the penalty of their transgressions, and are washed clean, shall receive a reward according to their works, for they are heirs of salvation. Thus was the vision of the redemption of the dead revealed to me, and I bear record, and I know that this record is ctrue, through the blessing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, even so. Amen."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us to put on the whole armour of God to protect us from the fiery darts of the devil. Eph. 6: 10-18 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"

In the Old Testament I read about how the Lord told the Israselites when to travel and when to rest in their tents and tarry. A cloud appeared over the tabernacle by day and a fire appeared at night. When the cloud would move that was an indication that the people should journey that day. But if the cloud stayed put, they should stay put also. Num. 9: 15-23 "And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning. So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents. At the commandment of the Lord the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the Lord they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents. And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the Lord, and journeyed not. And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the Lord they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the Lord they journeyed. And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed. At the commandment of the Lord they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the Lord they journeyed: they kept the charge of the Lord, at the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses."

In the D&C I read the marvelous revelation that Joseph F. Smith had in 1918 regarding the Saviors visit to the dead during the three days that He had been in the tomb, prior to His resurrection. He ministered to all the righteous dead who had looked forward to His coming and to His resurrection and their own resurrections--those who had had faith in Him while they lived upon the earth. He taught them and organized them so that they could then teach the wicked who had died, giving them an opportunity to repent and accept vicarious baptism performed in their behalf by someon e still living. D&C 138: 12-37 "And there were gathered together in one place an innumerable company of the spirits of the just, who had been faithful in the testimony of Jesus while they lived in mortality; And who had offered asacrifice in the similitude of the great sacrifice of the Son of God, and had suffered tribulation in their Redeemer’s name. All these had departed the mortal life, firm in the hope of a glorious resurrection, through the grace of God the Father and his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I beheld that they were filled with joy and gladness, and were rejoicing together because the day of their deliverance was at hand. They were assembled awaiting the advent of the Son of God into the spirit world, to declare their redemption from the bands of death. Their sleeping dust was to be restored unto its perfect frame, bone to his bone, and the sinews and the flesh upon them, the spirit and the body to be united never again to be divided, that they might receive a fulness of joy. While this vast multitude waited and conversed, rejoicing in the hour of their deliverance from the chains of death, the Son of God appeared, declaring liberty to the captives who had been faithful; And there he preached to them the everlasting gospel, the doctrine of the resurrection and the redemption of mankind from the fall, and from individual sins on conditions of repentance. But unto the wicked he did not go, and among the ungodly and the unrepentant who had defiled themselves while in the flesh, his voice was not raised; Neither did the rebellious who rejected the testimonies and the warnings of the ancient prophets behold his presence, nor look upon his face. Where these were, darkness reigned, but among the righteous there was peace; And the saints rejoiced in their redemption, and bowed the knee and acknowledged the Son of God as their Redeemer and Deliverer from death and the chains of hell. Their countenances shone, and the radiance from the presence of the Lord rested upon them, and they sang praises unto his holy name. I marveled, for I understood that the Savior spent about three years in his ministry among the Jews and those of the house of Israel, endeavoring to teach them the everlasting gospel and call them unto repentance; And yet, notwithstanding his mighty works, and miracles, and proclamation of the truth, in great apower and authority, there were but few who hearkened to his voice, and rejoiced in his presence, and received salvation at his hands. But his ministry among those who were dead was limited to the brief time intervening between the crucifixion and his resurrection; And I wondered at the words of Peter—wherein he said that the Son of God preached unto the spirits in prison, who sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah—and how it was possible for him to preach to those spirits and perform the necessary labor among them in so short a time. And as I wondered, my eyes were opened, and my understanding quickened, and I perceived that the Lord went not in person among the wicked and the disobedient who had rejected the truth, to teach them; But behold, from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to fall the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead. And the chosen messengers went forth to declare the acceptable day of the Lord and proclaim liberty to the captives who were bound, even unto all who would repent of their sins and receive the gospel. Thus was the gospel preached to those who had died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets. These were taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, And all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for them to know in order to qualify themselves that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. And so it was made known among the dead, both small and great, the unrighteous as well as the faithful, that redemption had been wrought through the sacrifice of the Son of God upon the cross. Thus was it made known that our Redeemer spent his time during his sojourn in the world of spirits, instructing and preparing the faithful spirits of the prophets who had testified of him in the flesh; That they might carry the message of redemption unto all the dead, unto whom he could not go personally, because of their rebellion and transgression, that they through the ministration of his servants might also hear his words."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell of how Jesus sacrificed His life for us so that He could atone for our sins. Rom. 5: 6-11 "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." The thought that went with this, written by the Rev. Jimmy Tai-On Lin from Palos Heights, Illinois says: Wesley Autrey had been standing with his two daughters on the platform at the 137th Street subway station in New York City. Suddenly he saw a young man, Cameron Hollopeter, start to have a seizure and fall onto the tracks. The train was coming quickly, and without hesitation, Wesley jumped onto the track and used his body to dover Cameron until the train passed by over them. Neither Wesley nor Cameron were hurt. After this incident, Autrey immediately became the hero and talk of the town. He was interviewed by radio and TV networks, invited to vacation at DisneyWorld, and so on. But Autrey said again and again, "It ain't about being a hero; I just tried to do the right thing." Autrey risked his life to save one man; our Lord Jesus actually gave up His life to save all humanity. The Bible never describes Jesus as a hero; rather He is called the silent sacrifical lamb (Isaiah 53). A true hero will sacrifice for others; a true hero will not boast about himself. Jesus died for us while we were still rebelling against Him and living in sin. That makes Him the ultimate superhero! Is Jesus your hero? More important, is He your Savior too?

In the Old Testament I read that the Lord commanded Moses to keep the passover every year at the appointed time, the fourteenth day of the second month. They were to eat unleavened bread and bitter herbs. The passover commemorates the time when the Lord passed over them instead of killing the firstborn in every household as He did the Egyptians. Num. 9: 1-4, 11 "And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season. In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it. And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover. The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs."

In the D&C I read that all those who die without having had the opportumity of hearing the gospel and accepting it will have that opportunity in the next life and they'll be able to inherit the Celestial Kingdom. The Lord judges us not only by our works but also by the desires and intents of our hearts. D&C 137: 7-9 "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 they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom; For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us very simply that if we love the Lord, we'll keep His commandments. John 14: 15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

In the Old Testament I read that the Levites were to be cleansed and offered to the Lord instead of the firstborn of the children of Isreal who were spared at the time that every firstborn in the land of Egypt were killed. Numbers 8: 15-18 "And after that shall the Levites go in to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt cleanse them, and offer them for an offering. For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, even instead of the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me. For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself. And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel."

In the D&C I read that if we want to receive the Kingdom, we need to be willing to bear chastisement. Being tried in all things will prepare us for the glory that the Lord has in store for us. D&C 136: 31 "My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom."

Some verses with a thought booklet also talk about the chastening of the Lord. It's interesting how often scriptures from two different sources seem to tie together the same idea. These verses say that just like a loving father will chastise his children, so does the Lord chasten His children whom He loves. At the time we are chastened, it can seem very grievous, but in the long term it can help us to be righteous and bring peace into our lives. It is for our best good and we should not resent it. It's given to us out of the love of God. Heb. 12: 5-11 "And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."

In the Old Testament I read about how the Levites had hands laid upon them and they were offered ass an offering to execute the service of the Lord. The Levites were to be separated from the children of Israel and belong to the Lord. Numbers 8:10-14 "And thou shalt bring the Levites before the Lord: and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites: And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord for an offering of the children of Israel, that they may execute the service of the Lord. And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks: and thou shalt offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, unto the Lord, to make an atonement for the Levites. And thou shalt set the Levites before Aaron, and before his sons, and offer them for an offering unto the Lord. Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine."

In the D&C I read about the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, and how their innocent blood stands as a witness aginst the wicked people responsible. D&C 135: 6-7 "Hyrum Smith was forty-four years old in February, 1844, and Joseph Smith was thirty-eight in December, 1843; and henceforward their names will be classed among the martyrs of religion; and the reader in every nation will be reminded that the Book of Mormon, and this book of Doctrine and Covenants of the church, cost the best blood of the nineteenth century to bring them forth for the salvation of a ruined world; and that if the fire can scathe a green tree for the glory of God, how easy it will burn up the dry trees to purify the vineyard of corruption. They lived for glory; they died for glory; and glory is their eternal reward. From age to age shall their names go down to posterity as gems for the sanctified. They were innocent of any crime, as they had often been proved before, and were only confined in jail by the conspiracy of traitors and wicked men; and their innocent blood on the floor of Carthage jail is a broad seal affixed to “Mormonism” that cannot be rejected by any court on earth, and their innocent blood on the escutcheon of the State of Illinois, with the broken faith of the State as pledged by the governor, is a witness to the truth of the everlasting gospel that all the world cannot impeach; and their innocent blood on the banner of liberty, and on the magna charta of the United States, is an ambassador for the religion of Jesus Christ, that will touch the hearts of honest men among all nations; and their innocent blood, with the innocent blood of all the martyrs under the altar that John saw, will cry unto the Lord of Hosts till he avenges that blood on the earth. Amen."

A verse with a thought booklet emphasizes the importance of charity, or the pure love of Christ. In fact out of faith, hope and charity, the greatest of these is charity. 1 Cor. 13: 13 "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."

In the Old Testament I read about how the Levites were taken from among the children of Israel and cleansed. Num. 8: 5-7 "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them. And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean."

In the D&C I read some verses that describe the differences in how governments should punish wrongdoers and how churches should. Governments should punish crimes according to the nature of the offense and step forward to punish those who commit offenses against good laws. Churches should not take away life, property, or liberty, and not afflict physical punishments on people--they only have the power to excommunicate them and withdraw from their their fellowship. There should be a separation of church and state and the government should not foster one religion over another. D&C 134: 8-10 "We believe that the commission of crime should be punished according to the nature of the offense; that murder, treason, robbery, theft, and the breach of the general peace, in all respects, should be punished according to their criminality and their tendency to evil among men, by the laws of that government in which the offense is committed; and for the public peace and tranquility all men should step forward and use their ability in bringing offenders against good laws to punishment. We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied. We believe that all religious societies have a right to deal with their members for disorderly conduct, according to the rules and regulations of such societies; provided that such dealings be for fellowship and good standing; but we do not believe that any religious society has authority to try men on the right of property or life, to take from them this world’s goods, or to put them in jeopardy of either life or limb, or to inflict any physical punishment upon them. They can only excommunicate them from their society, and withdraw from them their fellowship."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that God will meet our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ. Imagine the great riches God possesses. It's from this abundance He is willing to bless us, to meet our needs! Philip. 4: 19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

In the Old Testament I read how the Lord revealed the blessing to be used by Aaron and his sons in blessing Israel. Num. 6: 22-27 "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them."

In the D&C I read that those who repent and sanctify themselves will be given eternal llfe. On the other hand, those who refuse to hearken to the voice of the Lord will be cut off and eventually be burned as stubble. Quite the constast! We need to make sure that we choose the right because whatever choice we make has consequences which will follow. D&C 133: 62-64 "And unto him that repenteth and sanctifieth himself before the Lord shall be given eternal life. And upon them that hearken not to the voice of the Lord shall be fulfilled that which was written by the prophet Moses, that they should be cut off from among the people. And also that which was written by the prophet Malachi: For, behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us to be content in whatever state we find ourselves in. Whether we're full or hungry, whether we're abounding in blessings or suffer need, we can still be content with what we have. And most importantly, we can do all things through Christ who strenghtens us. No matter what situation we find ourselves in, Christ can give us the strength to get through it. Philip. 4: 11-13 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

In the old Testament I read that those who are guilty of commiting sin need to confess their sins and make recompense for them. These are necessary steps to repentance. Num. 5: 5-7 "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the Lord, and that person be guilty; Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed."

In the D&C I read an admonition that we need to listen to the words of the Lord and repent. The Lord calls on all men (and women too!) to repent. D&C 133: 16 "Hearken and hear, O ye inhabitants of the earth. Listen, ye elders of my church together, and hear the voice of the Lord; for he calleth upon all men, and he commandeth all men everywhere to repent."

A verse from a thought booklet tells us that we can cast all our burdens upon the Lord for He cares for us. What a wonderful comfort this can be, especially in times of tribulation. 1 Pet. 5: 7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." The thought that went with this, written by Wynn Ann Bauman from Hendersonville, North Carolilna, says: I knelt by my bed and poured out my anxieties to God. While I was praying, I remembered a lady who long ago gave a short testimony in which she quoted, "Cating all your care upon Him, for He careth for you". She ended with, "My responsibilitiey is to do the casting, and His is to do the caring." With that in mind, I gave the Lord all my concerns, item by item. When I finally stood up, I immediately began mulling over how I was going to deal with my unsolvable problems. Then it struck me. I am a thief! Just minutes ago I had handed the Lord my anxieties, and now I was snatching them back. I had stolen what was no longer mine. I knelt again and asked Him to take back what was His. When the burdens come, we can remind ourselves that the Lord promised that if we would genuinely give our conflicts to Him, He would take care of them. Our choice is to leave the problems in His possession or steal them back. Choose to no longer be a thief!

In the Old Testament we're told that the Lord told Moses to number the children of Israel, counting every male over 20 years old, all that are able to go forth to war. Num. 1: 1-3 "And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies."

In the D&C I read a verse saying that Emma Smith needed to forgive her husband, the prophet Joseph Smith, for his trespasses, and that if she did this she would be blessed, her trespasses would likewise be forgiven, and her heart would me made to rejoice. I think this is good advice for all of us--that we need to forgive one another. Some of the most unhappy people I know are those who refuse to forgive. They carry the burdens of unkind thoughts and thoughts of revenge in their hearts and it cankers their very souls. Want to be happy? Want to have a joyful heart? Then forgive others! It will do you far more good than it does them. D&C 132: 56 "And again, verily I say, let mine handmaid forgive my servant Joseph his trespasses; and then shall she be forgiven her trespasses, wherein she has trespassed against me; and I, the Lord thy God, will bless her, and multiply her, and make her heart to rejoice."

A verse from a thought booklet tells us to love strangers, and reminds the Israelites that they were once strangers themselves in the land of Egypt. We might likewise remind ourselves that we've been strangers at times, whether it's been moving to a new city, attending a new church, going to a new school, or starting a new job. We've all had this experience at one time or another in our lives. So let's be sensitive to the needs of others and when we see someone else who feels like a stranger in our midst, reach out our hand in friendship and fellowship, and do what we can to make them feel welcome and at home. Deut. 10: 19 "Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt."

In the Old Testament I read some verses that admonish us to pay our tithing. Lev. 27: 30-32 "And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord. And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord."

In the D&C I read that if a marriage is performed in the world, it is for this life only and is of no force after the people have died. This is why marrying in the temple is so important--it is the only way for a marriage to last for eternity. D&C 132: 15 "Therefore, if a man marry him a wife in the world, and he marry her not by me nor by my word, and he covenant with her so long as he is in the world and she with him, their covenant and marriage are not of force when they are dead, and when they are out of the world; therefore, they are not bound by any law when they are out of the world."


A verse with a thought booklet tell us that God invites all to come unto Him. It doesn't matter what country we come from or what race we are. We are all God's children and He places no difference between anyone who is willing to call upon Him. Rom. 10: 12 "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him."

In the Old Testament I read about how people who repent of breaking the commendments can still receive blessings and be forgiven for their sins. Even if we've sinned, there is hope for us and the Lord will remember the covenants He's made with our fathers. Lev. 26: 40-46 "If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity: Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land. The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes. And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my ccovenant with them: for I am the Lord their God. But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen, that I might be their God: I am the Lord. These are the statutes and judgments and laws, which the Lord made between him and the children of Israel in mount Sinai by the hand of Moses."

In the D&C I read that a man cannot be saved in ignorance. All the more reason we need to seek to gain knowledge. D&C 131: 6 "It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us how to treat our enemies or those who are unkind to us--we should not repay evil with evil. We should treat others kindly, regardless of how they treat us. Instead of being overcome with their evil, we need to overcome evil with good. Rom. 12: 17, 20-21 "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."