Daily Thoughts

Yesterday in the Old Testament we read about how Hannah prayed unto the Lord for a child. Eli the priest, who witnessed her prayer, told her to go in peace, that the Lord would grant her petition. After this she was no longer sad and was able to eat. This shows that she had faith! And indeed, she was able to conceive and brought forth a son, naming him Samuel. After he was weaned, she brought him to the house of the Lord and took him to Eli, lending him to the Lord's service for as long as he lived. When we pray, do we have faith that our prayers will be answered--enough so that we're no longer sad over the things that are troubling us? And do we give our thanks unto the Lord when He answers our prayers? Hannah provides a wonderful example of these things. 1 Sam. 1:17-20, 24-28 "Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her. Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord. And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young. And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. And she said, O my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord. For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there."

In the Book of Mormon I read that after the people were sancified by the Holy Ghost and had their garments made spotless before God, they could not look upon sin except with abhorrence. Does sin sometimes look enticing to us? If we truly are humble and repentant, sin will seem abhorrent to us, which indeed it is. Wickedness never was happiness and only by living the gospel will we find eternal joy and be able to enter into the rest of the Lord. Alma 13: 12-13 "Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence; and there were many, exceedingly great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God. And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before God, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us to rejoice evermore. How do we do that? The verses following give us some clues--we need to pray always give thanks in all things. A grateful heart is a happy heart and if we're constantly expressing our thanks to the Lord, we'll find much more joy in life. 1 Thes. 5: 16-18 "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."