Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read about how Ahab is slain and dogs lick his blood. His son Ahaziah reigned in his stead. 1 Kings 22:35-40 "And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot. And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country. So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria. And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the Lord which he spake. Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead."

In the Book of Mormon we read about the wonderful and happy state of the people who kept the commandments of God and had no contention in the land because of the love of God that dwelt in the hearts of the people. There were no murderers or robbers, envy or strife. Miracles were wrought. There had never been a happier people. What a wonderful and blessed time in which to live! 4 Ne. 1: 13, 15-18 "And it came to pass that there was no contention among all the people, in all the land; but there were mighty miracles wrought among the disciples of Jesus. And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people. And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God. There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God. And how blessed were they! For the Lord did bless them in all their doings; yea, even they were blessed and prospered until an hundred and ten years had passed away; and the first generation from Christ had passed away, and there was no contention in all the land."


Some verses with a thought booklet give us Joseph's words to his brothers who had sold him into Egypt. Instead of being angry with them and berating them, he told them that great good had come from him being there and lives would be saved. He was put into a position where he could be prepared for the 7 years of famine. Even though Joseph went through many trials and much suffering, he remained true to God and had been richly blessed. He was very forgiving of his brothers, rather than being bitter and upset. He wanted to bless their lives rather than "get even" with them. Because of the atonement of Christ we can be forgiven of our sins. We should be equally as willing to forgive others. Gen. 45: 4-7 "And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance."



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