And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ......2 Nephi 25:26

In the Old Testament I read again that if the people would keep the commandments of the Lord, they would be blessed. This is repeated over and over again. Deut. 30:8-10 "And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the Lord, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day. And the Lord thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the Lord will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers: If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul."

In the Book of Mormon I read about a wicked man named Sherem who denied Christ and went about teaching people false doctrines according to the power of the devil, hoping to shake their faith. He used much flattery and had a perfect knowledge of how to use persuasive language. He was able to lead many people astray. However, he could not sway Jacob, who had unshakable faith. The Lord poured out His Spirit on Jacob who was able to confound Sherem in all his words. Sherem is very much like many people today--people who seem knowledgable and intellegent, but who seek to shake our faith. Are we persuaded by them, or are we like Jacob with unshakable faith, full of the Spirit and able to confound them in their words? Jacob 7: 1-8 "And now it came to pass after some years had passed away, there came a man among the people of Nephi, whose name was Sherem. And it came to pass that he began to preach among the people, and to declare unto them that there should be no Christ. And he preached many things which were flattering unto the people; and this he did that he might overthrow the doctrine of Christ. And he labored diligently that he might lead away the hearts of the people, insomuch that he did lead away many hearts; and he knowing that I, Jacob, had faith in Christ who should come, he sought much opportunity that he might come unto me. And he was learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, he could use much flattery, and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil. And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things; for I truly had seen angels, and they had ministered unto me. And also, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken. And it came to pass that he came unto me, and on this wise did he speak unto me, saying: Brother Jacob, I have sought much opportunity that I might speak unto you; for I have heard and also know that thou goest about much, preaching that which ye call the gospel, or the doctrine of Christ. And ye have led away much of this people that they pervert the right way of God, and keep not the law of Moses which is the right way; and convert the law of Moses into the worship of a being which ye say shall come many hundred years hence. And now behold, I, Sherem, declare unto you that this is blasphemy; for no man knoweth of such things; for he cannot tell of things to come. And after this manner did Sherem contend against me. But behold, the Lord God poured in his Spirit into my soul, insomuch that I did confound him in all his words."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that it is the will of God that we should give thanks in all things. This doesn't just tell us to give thanks for the good and pleasant things in our lives, but we should give thanks in ALL things. Even trials and difficulties can be great blessings in our lives. It's not an easy thing to be thankful for them, but this is something that the Lord has asked us to do. 1 Thes. 5: 18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."