Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Jehoiakim began to reign and he did that which was evil. 2 Kings 23:36-37 "Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done."

In the D&C I read that corruption and darkness reign on the earth, which causes eternity to be pained, and destruction awaits the wicked. We need to make sure we repent before that terrible day comes! D&C 38: 11-12 "For all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men, in the presence of all the hosts of heaven— Which causeth silence to reign, and all eternity is pained, and the angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned; and, behold, the enemy is combined."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet remind us of the example of Job and how he showed patience while suffering affliction. Because he endured well, the Lord brought him to a good end and showed tender mercy toward him. When we're going through trials and tribulations in our lives, we likewise need to endure them well and show forth patience--knowing that in the end all will be well with us. James 5: 10-11 "Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."


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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Josiah died and was buried and his son Jehoahaz reigned in his stead. He did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. 2 Kings 23:30-32 "And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own sepulchre. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father's stead. Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done."

In the D&C I read that Jesus Christ created all things and knows all things, and He spilled His blood for us and pleaded before the Father for us. D&C 38: 1-4 "Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made; The same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eyes; I am the same which spake, and the world was made, and all things came by me. I am the same which have taken the Zion of Enoch into mine own bosom; and verily, I say, even as many as have believed in my name, for I am Christ, and in mine own name, by the virtue of the blood which I have spilt, have I pleaded before the Father for them."

Some verses with a thought booklet talk about the misery that awaits the wanton rich. James 5: 1-5 "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter."

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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Josiah put away all the wizards, those with familiar spirts, idols, and other abominations, and turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul. 2 Kings 23: 24-25 "Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the Lord. And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him."

In the D&C I read that miracles and signs will be given to those who believe and whatever we ask for in faith will be given to us. D&C 35: 8-10 "For I am God, and mine arm is not shortened; and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name. And whoso shall ask it in my name in faith, they shall cast out devils; they shall heal the sick; they shall cause the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak, and the lame to walk. And the time speedily cometh that great things are to be shown forth unto the children of men;"

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that we should give thanks to the Father who has delivered us from the power of darkness through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Through His redemption, we can have forgiveness of sins. Col. 1: 12-14 "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Josiah held a solemn passover, as commanded in the book of the covenant. 2 Kings 23: 21 "And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the Lord your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant."

In the D&C I read that Jesus Christ is the light and life of the world and He loved the world so much that He gave His life for all of us, that if we would believe, we could be children of God. D&C 34: 2-3 "The light and the life of the world, a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not; Who so loved the world that he gave his own life, that as many as would believe might become the sons of God. Wherefore you are my son;"

Some verses with a thought booklet gives us a list of things the Lord hates--pride, lies, murder, wicked imaginations, being quick to do mischief, bearing false witness, and sowing dischord. God wants us to have peaceful, loving relationships with other people and this list of things that He hates, interfers with having such harmonious relationships. Prov. 6: 16-19 "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."

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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Josiah took away all the houses of the high places and slew all the priests that had provoked the Lord to anger there. 2 Kings 23:19-20 "And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the Lord to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Beth-el. And he slew all the priests of the ahigh places that were there upon the altars, and burned men's bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem."

A verse in the D&C tells us to be patient in afflictions and not to revile against those who revile against us. D&C 31: 9 "Be apatient in afflictions, revile not against those that revile. Govern your house in meekness, and be steadfast."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that is is the will of God that we give thanks in all things. Sometimes we forget to give thanks to the Lord for all the wonderful things in our lives that we're greateful for. But this verse even goes a step farther than that--we not only need to give thanks for the good things in our lives, but we need to give thanks for ALL things in our lives. Even our trials and problems can help us grow and develop in ways we couldn't have done otherwise and we need to give thanks for them also. Now that's not easy to do! But we've been told that we need to give thanks for all things in our lives, which must include the difficult things as well as the obvious blessings. 1 Thes. 5: 18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Josiah overturned the worship of false gods and got rid of idolatry and those who practiced it, as well as sodomites. 2 Kings 23:4-7,14-15 "And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Beth-el. And he put down the idolatrous priests , whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven. And he brought out the grove from the house of the Lord, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people. And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the Lord, where the women wove hangings for the grove. And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men. Moreover the altar that was at Beth-el, and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, and stamped it small to powder, and burned the grove."

The the D&C I read that this life is the day of our probation, the time in which we prove ourselves. If we believe, we'll be raised in immortality unto eternal life, but if we love darkness rather than light and our deeds are evil, we'll receive our wages of whom we list to obey. D&C 29: 43-45 "And thus did I, the Lord God, appoint unto man the days of his probation—that by his natural death he might be raised in immortality unto eternal life, even as many as would believe; And they that believe not unto eternal damnation; for they cannot be redeemed from their spiritual fall, because they repent not; For they love darkness rather than light, and their deeds are evil, and they receive their wages of whom they list to obey."

Some verses with a thought booklet talk about the parable of the sower and how different seeds react when planted in different types of soil--just like the how the gospel is able to thrive and bear fruit when heard by receptive people but is not able to grow when heard by people with hard hearts or who allow the cares of the world to choke out the Word of God. The thought that went with this, written by F. Linn Reed from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania says: "Read please, Momma," my young daughter asked, her brown eyes peeking out from behind an armful of stuffed animals. As I tried to open the book, her menagerie hindered my efforts. First, a big brown bear blocked the words on the page, then a fallen rag doll had to be retrieved from the floor. "read, Momma," Emily said, her small brows furrowed with impatience. Finally, we put a few toys on the floor to "listen." She settled in and we enjoyed the book together. In the parable of the sower, Jesus compares the seed thrown in among weeds with those who hear the word and then are overcome by worries. Just as Emily's bears and dolls got in the way of my reading the book, my own worries often get in the way of me hearing God's Word. Just as Emily was able to hear her story when she set aside her animals, I need to set aside my jmany cares and worries when I open God's Word. By doing so, I can help the seed that is planted to not be chocked but to grow and become fruitful. Heavenly Sower, I set aside my worries for this moment, that I might truly hear your Word. Mark 4: 13-20 "And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred."

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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Josiah read the book of the covenant to the people and covenanted with God to keep His commandments. 2 Kings 23:2-3 "And the king went up into the house of the Lord , and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the Lord. And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant."

In the D&C I read about the terrible destructions that will come upon the wicked when they become fully ripe with their wickedness. The time to repent is now before these terrible punishments come upon us. D&C 29: 9, 15-20 "For the hour is nigh and the day soon at hand when the earth is ripe; and all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that wickedness shall not be upon the earth; And there shall be weeping and wailing among the hosts of men; And there shall be a great hailstorm sent forth to destroy the crops of the earth. And it shall come to pass, because of the wickedness of the world, that I will take vengeance upon the wicked, for they will not repent; for the cup of mine indignation is full; for behold, my blood shall not cleanse them if they hear me not. Wherefore, I the Lord God will send forth flies upon the face of the earth, which shall take hold of the inhabitants thereof, and shall eat their flesh, and shall cause maggots to come in upon them; And their tongues shall be stayed that they shall not utter against me; and their flesh shall fall from off their bones, and their eyes from their sockets; And it shall come to pass that the beasts of the forest and the fowls of the air shall devour them up.

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us to submit ourselves to God and resist the devil, and he will flee from us. God is more powerful than the devil and as long as we allow God to help us, the devil will have no power over us. James 4: 7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Huldah prophesied that the wrath of the Lord would fall upon the wicked people but that Josiah would be blessed for his righteousness and because he humbled himself before the Lord. 2 Kgs. 22: 16-20 "Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read: Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched. But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the Lord, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard; Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again."

In the D&C we're reminded that whatever we ask for in faith that's according to God's will, shall be given to us. Prayers indeed are answered! D&C 29: 6 "And, as it is written—Whatsoever ye shall ask in faith, being united in prayer according to my command, ye shall receive."

A verse from a thought booklet tells us that the Lord had done great things for us and we can be glad because of it. We can rejoice in the Lord and all He's done for us. Ps. 126: 3 "The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad."


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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read about how Hilkiah found a book of the law. When the king read it, he greatly sorrowed over the wickedness of the people in not hearkening to the words of the book. 2 Kgs. 22: 8-13 "And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the Lord. And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying, Go ye, enquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us."


In the D&C we're told to put on the whole armor of God so that we'll be able to withstand evil quench the fiery darts of the wicked. This is a very wicked world we live in and if we hope to keep ourselves from the evil of it, we need to arm ourselves with the full armor of God. D&C 27: 15-18 "Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you; 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 my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen."

A verse from a thought booklet tells us we can be joyful in the Lord and joy in our salvation. Man is that he might have joy and God wants us to be happy. Let's look for the good in our lives and find reasons to feel joy today.Ps. 35: 9 "And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in his salvation."

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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Josiah began to reign in righteousness when he was 8 years old. He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. 2 Kgs. 22: 1-2 "Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left."

In the D&C I read that the Lord delights in music and the song of the righteous is a prayer unto Him and will be answered with a blessing upon their heads. D&C 25: 12 "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet give us a real test for love. Not only are we supposed to love those who love us and are kind to us, but we also need to love our enemies and those who persecute us. If we are to be perfect, even as our Heavenly Father is perfect, we will love everyone--even those who are difficult to love. Matt. 5: 43-48 "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye alove them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read about how Manasseh died and his son Amon reigned in his stead. He was just as wicked as his father was, forsook the Lord, and worshipped idols. The servants of Amon conspired against him and slew him. 2 Kgs. 21: 18-23 "And Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza: and Amon his son reigned in his stead. Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh did. And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them: And he forsook the Lord God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the Lord. And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house."

In the D&C I read that we need to be patient in our afflictions and endure them, for the Lord will be with us even to the end of our days. This is a comfort to know that no matter what we go through in life, the Lord will be with us to help us through it. D&C 24: 8 "Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that God is love, and if we don't love other people, we don't know God. Love describes who God is at the very core of His being. Everything He does is done out of love. He created the world for us and sent His Beloved Son to die for us. And we're commanded to love others as He loves us. It's easy to be kind and loving toward others who are kind and loving toward us. But how to we feel about people who are rude to us or get in our way? How do we deal with people who hurt us? If we truly know and love God, we'll have nothing in our hearts but love toward even the most difficult people who cross our paths. Do we allow God to express His love through us to all the people we meet? 1 Jn. 4: 7-8 "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read about how the prophets testified against the wickedness of Manasseh and all the evil he brought upon the people. They were provoking the Lord to anger and he would deliver them to their enemies. 2 Kgs. 21: 10-15 "And the Lord spake by his servants the prophets, saying, Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols: Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle. And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down. And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies; Because they have done that which was evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day."

In the D&C I read the proper way to baptize. It should be administered to all those who repent, which of course means that they need to be of the age of accountability, or at least 8 years old. It needs to be done with the proper authority and in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. And it needs to be done by immersion. D&C 20: 72-74 "Baptism is to be administered in the following manner unto all those who repent— The person who is called of God and has authority from Jesus Christ to baptize, shall go down into the water with the person who has presented himself or herself for baptism, and shall say, calling him or her by name: Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then shall he immerse him or her in the water, and come forth again out of the water."

Some verses with a thought booklet talk about love--not the selfish kind of "love" that the world often knows, but the love of God which consists of a decision to put others first and a commitment to treat others the way Jesus would treat them. This kind of love isn't something you automatically fall into, but it's a fruit of the Spirit that occurs when we seek it from God and are willing to put forth our effort to loving others the way God loves us. 1 Cor. 13: 4-7 "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity denvieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."


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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read about how Manasseh began to reign when he was 12 years old and how he did evil in the sight of the Lord. He built up the high places that his father had destroyed and built altars to Baal in the house of the Lord. He made his son pass through fire and dealt with wizards and familiar spirits. He brought to pass much wickedness and provoked the Lord to anger. 2 Kgs. 21: 1-6 "Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzi-bah. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel. For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. And he built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord said, In Jerusalem will I put my name. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger."

In the D&C I read that all who are willing to believe in Jesus Christ, be baptized, and endure in faith to the end will be saved. This not only includes people who lived in Jesus' day, but also all those who lived before that day, who believed in the Holy Prophets who testified of Him, as well as people who lived after Him, which includes people in our own day. God loves all people in all dispensations of time and gives all of them the opportunity to be saved. D&C 20: 25-27 "That as many as would believe and be baptized in his holy name, and endure in faith to the end, should be saved— Not only those who believed after he came in the meridian of time, in the flesh, but all those from the beginning, even as many as were before he came, who believed in the words of the holy prophets, who spake as they were inspired by the gift of the Holy Ghost, who truly testified of him in all things, should have eternal life, As well as those who should come after, who should believe in the gifts and callings of God by the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and of the Son;"


A verse from a thought booklet tells us that even though God's eternal power and nature might be invisible, we can clearly see and understand them from seeing the things He has created. So we're left without excuse. How can anyone see the beauties of nature and all the wonderful creations of God and not be in awe of the power of our Heavenly Father? All a person has to do is look around him to see that all these wonderful things had to have had a creator. Rom. 1: 20 "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:"

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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Hezekiah asked Isaih for a sign that the Lord had healed him. Isaiah told him that he chould make the shodwos go forward ten degrees or back ten degrees. Hezekiah said he wanted the shadow to return ten degrees, and it was done. 2 Kgs. 20: 8-11 "And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the Lord the third day? And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees? And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees. And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz."

In the D&C I read a strong admonition that we must repent or endure great suffering. Jesus Christ died for us, suffering great agony that we cannot even imagine. He suffered on our behalf so that if we'd repent, we would not need to suffer for our sins. He did that for us. However, if we refuse to repent, we'll need to suffer for our own sins. What a great gift He has given to us, providing a way that we can be forgiven for our transgressions. Wouldn't we be fools to reject His wonderful gift by refusing to repent? D&C 19: 15-19 "Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men."

A verse from a thought booklet tells us that every good gift we have comes from God, which should make us tremendously grateful for all that He has done for us. And we can depend on God being unchanging. He does not change like the shifting shadows. A story is told of a beginning painter who camped by a lake and got up before dawn to paint the beautiful scenery. However, as the sun rose in the sky, the colors and shadows changed so much that he couldn't keep up with it to paint the scene. God isn't like that. He always remains the same, and His love for us and desire to bless us remains steadfast in a changing world. It's something we can count on. James 1: 17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Hezekiah was ill and appointed unto death but he pleaded with the Lord for his life and was granted fifteen extra years. 2 Kgs. 20: 1-6 "In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake."

In the D&C I read that every person who has reached the age of accountability must repent and be baptized, and then keep the commandments of God. D&C 18: 41-43 "And you must preach unto the world, saying: You must repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ; For all men must repent and be baptized, and not only men, but women, and children who have arrived at the years of accountability. And now, after that you have received this, you must keep my commandments in all things;"

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that the Spirit and the flesh are contrary to one another, and that if we walk in the Spirit we'll be able to avoid fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. So if we want to avoid sin, we need to live our lives so that we have the Spirit with us. Gal. 5: 16-17 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy that we read about a couple of days ago. An angel slew 185,000 Assyrians and Sennacherib was slain b y his sons. 2 Kgs. 19: 32-37 "Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it. By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the Lord. For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake. And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh. And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead."

In the D&C I read a reminder of how great the worth of souls are in the sight of God and how much He rejoices when someone repents. He loves us all so much! He suffered death for us, so that we could be forgiven if we'd repent, and He rose again, paving the way for us to be resurrected also. D&C 18: 10-13 "Remember the worth of bsouls is great in the sight of God; For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance. And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!"

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that God is light and if we say we have fellowship with Him, but walk in darkness, we are lying. The blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse us from all sin and if we walk with Him, we'll be walking in the light. 1 Jn. 1: 6-7 "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Hezekiah prayed before the Lord. He said that the kings of Assyria had destroyed other nations, their lands, and their gods. But he beseeched the Lord to save them out of the hand of the king of Assyria. 2 Kgs. 19: 15-19 "And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said, O Lord God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. Lord, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, Lord, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God. Of a truth, Lord, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands, And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them. Now therefore, O Lord our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God, even thou only."

In the D&C I read that the thing that we can do that would be of most worth is to preach repentance to other people and bring their souls unto the Lord so that they can enter into the Kingdom of God. D&C 15: 6 "And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen."

A verse from a thought booklet reminds us that what we do for others, we really do for Christ. If we want to get closer to the Lord, we should devote our time and energies to loving and serving other people, for in so doing we are really serving God. Matt. 25: 40 "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Isaiah said that they should not be afraid of the king of Assyria who had blasphemed the Lord. He would return to his own land and fall by the sword. 2 Kgs. 19: 6-7 "And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the Lord, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land."

A verse from the D&C puts wealth into perspective. Instead of seeking for wordly riches, we should seek for the riches of wisdom and the mysteries of God. He who has eternal life is rich. When we die, all our worldly wealth is left behind and really is of no importantance whatsoever. But he who has eternal life is rich indeed. D&C 11: 7 "Seek not for riches but for wisdom; and, behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich."

Some scriptures in conjunction with a thought booklet tell the story of Pharaoh having a dream and asking Joseph to interpret it. Joseph's interpretation was that there would be 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine so they needed to store food to be used later during the time of famine. There are a couple of things we can learn from this story. One is that the Lord will often warn us of things to come and we need to heed the warning and be prepared. This is true today when the leaders of the church have repeatedly been telling us for years that we need to have a supply of food on hand for times of need which may be ahead. Another thing we learn from this story is that the Lord had marvelous ways of bringing things to pass. Joseph had been unjustly put into prison but because he was able to interpret this dream, he was brought out of prison and set in charge of storing the food and put into a position of leadership second only to the Pharaoh. We need to trust in the Lord and know that things will work out for our best good. And we need to heed warnings that He gives us to prepare for things to come. Gen. 41: 15-40 "And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river: And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow: And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness: And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine: And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke. And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good: And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them: And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me. And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine. This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine. And the thing was agood in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou."

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read about the blasphemous speech given by Rab-shakeh in which he asks Jerusalem to surrender to the Assyrians. He tells them that the gods of other nations were not able to save them from the Assyrians so why should they think that their God would be able to deliver them? He tells them not to listen to Hezekiah who was telling them to trust in the Lord. The people did not answer him a word. 2 Kgs. 18: 28-36 "Then Rab-shakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria: Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand: Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, The Lord will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me, and then eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern: Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, The Lord will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand? Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand? But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not."

In the D&C I read that Satan stirs up the hearts of people to contend with one another over points of doctrine, causing them to err and wrest the scriptures, which they don't understand. Have you ever gotten into a heated scripture bashing session with someone whose beliefs were different from your own? Was the Spirit present? Did anyone become convinced that the other person was right in their interpretations of the scriptures? My experience has been that these kind of contentious interactions do not convert anyone because in order for true conversion to take place, the Spirit needs to be present. And contention drives the Spirit away. I think Satan is delighted when people with opposing religious views argue and fight with each other over points of doctrine--it's a great way to lose the Spirit in our lives. D&C 10: 63 "And this I do that I may establish my gospel, that there may not be so much contention; yea, Satan doth stir up the hearts of the people to contention concerning the points of my doctrine; and in these things they do err, for they do wrest the scriptures and do not understand them."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us to hold fast to our faith without wavering and encourage others to love and good works. Heb. 10: 23-24 "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:"



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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Heizekiah reigned in righteousness in Judah and destroyed idolatry. He broke the brasen serpent made by Moses because the children of Israel were burning incense to it. He trusted in the Lord and clave into Him. He kept the commandments and the Lord propsered him. 2 Kgs. 18: 1-7 "Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. Twenty and five years old was he when he began to areign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father did. He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. He trusted in the Lord God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the Lord, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses. And the Lord was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not."

In the D&C I read about how the wicked lie and twist things to try to discredit the work of the Lord. They anger against that which is right and Satan stirs them up to fight against it. It's amazing some of the falsehoods and distortions that are leveled against the church and its leaders--some of them are so ridiculous that they'd be laughable if these people weren't serious. But Satan will stop at nothing to deceive people and keep them from the truth. D&C 10: 20-28 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, that Satan has great hold upon their hearts; he stirreth them up to iniquity against that which is good; And their hearts are corrupt, and full of wickedness and abominations; and they love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil; therefore they will not ask of me. Satan stirreth them up, that he may lead their souls to destruction. And thus he has laid a cunning plan, thinking to destroy the work of God; but I will require this at their hands, and it shall turn to their shame and condemnation in the day of judgment. Yea, he stirreth up their hearts to anger against this work. Yea, he saith unto them: Deceive and lie in wait to catch, that ye may destroy; behold, this is no harm. And thus he flattereth them, and telleth them that it is no sin to lie that they may catch a man in a lie, that they may destroy him. And thus he flattereth them, and leadeth them along until he draggeth their souls down to hell; and thus he causeth them to catch themselves in their own snare. And thus he goeth up and down, to and fro in the earth, seeking to destroy the souls of men. Verily, verily, I say unto you, wo be unto him that lieth to deceive because he supposeth that another lieth to deceive, for such are not exempt from the justice of God."

Some verses with a thought booklet recount the story of how Peter told Jesus that he would never deny Him. In yet that very night before the cock had crowed twice, he'd denied Him three times. Are we sometimes like this in our lives? We think there's something we'll NEVER do, in yet in moments of weakness we do those very things? Do we break our promises to ourselves, others, or to the Lord? Such broken promises can lead to anguish and sorrow, just as Peter found out as he wept bitterly in regret. However, the story does not end there. Peter went on to repent of what he'd done and lived a life of serving the Lord and spreading the gospel. Because of the atonement of Christ, we too can repent when we do things wrong. And we can turn our lives around and do better in the future, with the Lord's help. All is not lost if we turn to the Lord and sincerely repent. We can be forgiven and go on to live righteous lives. Mark 14: 29-31, 66-72 "But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all. And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept."

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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that the Lord testified against Israel and told them to repent of their evil deeds and keep the commandments of God. However, they hardened their hearts and would not listen to the words of the Lord nor believe in Him. They rejected the covenants that He made with their fathers, made images and served Baal. They caused their children to pass through the fire, used enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord. This provoked Him to anger. 2 Kings 13-17; "Yet the Lord testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the Lord their God. And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the Lord had charged them, that they should not do like them. And they left all the commandments of the Lord their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger."

In the D&C I read the Lord's instructions to Oliver Cowdery about to get answers to prayers. It isn't enough to simply pray and ask that knowledge be given to us, with no effort on our part save but to ask. We need to study it out in our own minds and come up with our own solution and then ask if it is right. If it is, the comfort of the Holy Ghost will manifest this to us. If it isn't right, we'll have a stupor of thought that causes us to forget the thing that was wrong. I've had prayers answered both ways. I've actually felt such a stupor of thought at times that I couldn't even remember what I'd just been praying about. It's a powerful tool that the Lord uses to answer our prayers. D&C 9: 7-9 "Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me."

Some verses with a thought booklet recount the story of Jesus calming the storm. Then Jesus rebuked his disciples for their lack of faith. They seemed to have forgotten that He had created the wind and waves in the first place so they had no reason to fear. Sometimes we go through storms in life--things like health problems, a stormy relationship, or a financial crisis. We may call upon the Lord to remove our problems. And sometimes He does, like He did on the lake. Other times he strenghtens us and stays with us through the storm, helping us get through it. No matter how big the waves, Jesus is in control and we have no need to fear as long as we trust in Him. Mark 4: 35-41 "And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"


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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that the children of Israel sinned against the Lord, even after all He had done for them in bringing them forth out of Egypt. They set up images and groves and served idols, just as the heathen whom the Lord had carried away before them. 2 Kgs. 17: 7-12 "For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods, And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made. And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the Lord their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city. And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree: And there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the heathen whom the Lord carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the Lord to anger: For they served idols, whereof the Lord had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing."

In the D&C I read that the Holy Ghost tells us things in our minds and and our hearts, and this is the spirit of revelation. D&C 8: 2-3 "Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart. Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground."

Some verses with a thought booklet talk about how Peter was cast into prison and Herod planned to execute him. But the people in the church prayed for him without ceasing. On the night before Herod was going to bring him out of the prison for execution, an angel miraculously delivered him. There is great power in prayer! When the people in the church united their prayers together, without ceasing, a miracle occurred. Acts 12: 5-11 "Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews."






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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Elisha died and was buried. When the people tried to bury someone else in the same sepulchre, when the body touched the bones of Elisha, he revied and stood up on his feet. What a miracle! 2 Kgs. 13: 20-21 "And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet."

In the D&C I read the Lord's words to Oliver Cowdery, reminding him that when he had prayed to have a knowledge of the truth, the Lord had spoken peace to his heart. Often this is the way the Lord answers our prayers, by giving us a feeling of peace. D&C 6: 22-23 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?"

Some verses with a thought booklet encourage us to come unto Christ. If we're laden with heavy burdens, we can let Him carry them for us and He will give us rest. If we learn of Christ and take His yoke upon us, we'll find his yoke easy and our burdens will be light. Matt. 11: 28-30 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Jehoahaz died and his son Joash reigned in his stead. He likewise did evil and made Isreal to sin. 2 Kgs. 13: 9-11 "And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria: and Joash his son reigned in his stead. In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord; he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin: but he walked therein."

In the D&C we're told that if we're good and hold out faithful to the end, we'll be saved in the Kingdom of God. And salvation is the greatest gift we can receive from God. D&C 6: 13 "If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that the most important commandments are to love God with all our heart and soul, and to love others. There are no commandments greater than these. Obviously the most important thing we can do in our lives is to love! Mark 12: 30-31 "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."
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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel and he did evil in the sight of the Lord, which caused the anger of the Lord against Israel. 2 Kgs. 13: 1-3 "In the three and twentieth year of Joash the son of Ahaziah king of Judah Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael, all their days."

In the D&C I read a whole list of qualities and attibutes we need to have--faith, hope, charity, love, virtue, patience, kindness, humility, etc. How do we get all these? Ask and we'll receive. Do we really want these qualities in our lives? And do we want them so we can better serve others and be a blessing in their lives? If our hearts are in the right place and we are really willing to do everything we can, the Lord will help us achieve our righteous desires. D&C 4: 5-7 "And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work. Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence. Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen."

Some verses with a thought booklet remind us that the Lord knows us and understands us. No matter what we're going through in our lives, even when we feel like nobody understands, we can rest assured that God knows and He does understand, in a way that no one else can. Ps. 139: 1-2 "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off."




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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Joash was slain and his son Amaziah reigned in his stead. 2 Kgs. 12:19-21 "And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash in the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla. For Jozachar the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead."

In the D&C I read some verses that warn against boasting of our own strength and thinking we know better than counsel from God so we set it at naught and do what we want. If we're able to do mighty works, we need to realize that this is through the Lord, and not think we can do these things of our own power. This is a very unwise way to behave and will result in incurring the vengeance of God. D&C 3: 4-5 "For although a man may have many revelations, and have power to do many mighty works, yet if he boasts in his own strength, and sets at naught the counsels of God, and follows after the dictates of his own will and carnal desires, he must fall and incur the vengeance of a just God upon him. Behold, you have been entrusted with these things, but how strict were your commandments; and remember also the promises which were made to you, if you did not transgress them."

Some verses with a thought booklet admonish us to keep the commandments, which is for4 our wisdom and understanding. What other nation has gods who hear them the way the Lord our God is near to us when we pray to Him? They don't have laws as righteous as what the Lord has given us. We need to give diligent heed and not forget the things we've been taught, but to teach them to our children. Deut. 4: 5-9 "Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;"




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Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Jehoash collected money and had the breaches in the temple repaired. 2 Kgs. 12: 7-12 "Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and the other priests, and said unto them, Why repair ye not the breaches of the house? now therefore receive no more money of your acquaintance, but deliver it for the breaches of the house. And the priests consented to receive no more money of the people, neither to repair the breaches of the house. But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of the Lord: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money that was brought into the house of the Lord. And it was so, when they saw that there was much money in the chest, that the king's scribe and the high priest came up, and they put up in bags, and told the money that was found in the house of the Lord. And they gave the money, being told, into the hands of them that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the Lord: and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the Lord, And to masons, and hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breaches of the house of the Lord, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it."

Having finished the Book of Mormon yesterday I started reading the D&C again today. I read some verses that tell us the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance. However, if we reptnt of our sins and keep the commandments, we'll be forgiven. If we don't repent, the Spirit of the Lord will not always stive with us. D&C 1: 31-33 "For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance; Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven; And he that repents not, from him shall be taken even the light which he has received; for my Spirit shall not always strive with man, saith the Lord of Hosts."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that if we have heard and been taught the truth in Jesus, we should put off the old man of deceitful lust that we used to be and be renewed in mind and spirit--becoming a new man created by God in righteousness and true holiness. When we're truly converted, we do indeed become new people through Christ. Eph. 4: 21-24 "If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the bold man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Jehoash began to reign in Jerusalem and did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, as instructed by Jehoiada the priest. 2 Kgs. 12: 1-2 "In the seventh year of Jehu Jehoash began to reign; and forty years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zibiah of Beer-sheba. And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him."

In the Book of Mormon I read the parting words of Moroni at the end of the book. He bids all to come unto Christ and be perfected in Him, denying ourselves of all ungodliness. Through the atonement of Christ and through His grace we can have remission of sins and become holy, without spot. Moro. 10: 32-34 "Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God. And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot. And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead. Amen."

Some verses with a thought booklet say it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into the Kingdom of God. Jesus says that it is very difficult for those who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of God. Maybe some of us who aren't actully rich put our trust in riches. Where do we place our priorities? What's important to us? Is serving the Lord a top priority or is putting lots of money in the bank? Mark 10: 23-25 "And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Athaliah was slain with the sword and Jehoash, who was 7 years old, began to reign. 2 Kgs. 11: 20-21 "And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king's house. Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign."

In the Book of Mormon I read the promise that if we read, ponder and pray about the Book of Mormon, we'll receive a witness from the Holy Ghost that it is true. I would hope that anyone who has not already received this witness, would put this promise to the test. Moro. 10: 4-5 "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

Some scriptures from two different thought booklets seemed to have the same theme today. They remind us that we need to be humble and teachable like little children in order to enter the Kingdom of God. A little child is trusting and dependent on others. We need to trust God and depend on His help instead of trying to rely on ourselves or think we have all the answers already. Think of that--a humble little child is greater in the Kingdom of God than a "wise" person who thinks he knows it all! Matt. 18: 1-4 "At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Mark 10: 13-16 "And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little achildren to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them."

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people that they would be the Lord's people. And the people broke down the house of Baal and all the alters and images in it. 2 Kgs. 11: 17-18 "And Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people, that they should be the Lord's people; between the king also and the people. And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the Lord."

In the Book of Mormon I read some parting words of Mormon to his son Moroni in which he recounts the terrible wickedness of the people and how much it grieved his heart to see it. He knows that unless they repent, they will be utterly destroyed. He praises the faithfulness of Moroni and encourages him to remain steadfast in Christ. Moro. 9: 18-26 "O the depravity of my people! They are without order and without mercy. Behold, I am but a man, and I have but the strength of a man, and I cannot any longer enforce my commands. And they have become strong in their perversion; and they are like brutal, sparing none, neither old nor young; and they delight in everything save that which is good; and the suffering of our women and our children upon all the face of this land doth exceed everything; yea, tongue cannot tell, neither can it be written. And now, my son, I dwell no longer upon this horrible scene. Behold, thou knowest the wickedness of this people; thou knowest that they are without principle, and past feeling; and their wickedness doth exceed that of the Lamanites. Behold, my son, I cannot recommend them unto God lest he should smite me. But behold, my son, I recommend thee unto God, and I trust in Christ that thou wilt be saved; and I pray unto God that he will spare thy life, to witness the return of his people unto him, or their utter destruction; for I know that they must perish except they repent and return unto him. And if they perish it will be like unto the Jaredites, because of the wilfulness of their hearts, seeking for blood and revenge.And if it so be that they perish, we know that many of our brethren have deserted over unto the Lamanites, and many more will also desert over unto them; wherefore, write somewhat a few things, if thou art spared and I shall perish and not see thee; but I trust that I may see thee soon; for I have sacred records that I would deliver up unto thee. My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and blong-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever. And may the grace of God the Father, whose throne is high in the heavens, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who sitteth on the right hand of his power, until all things shall become subject unto him, be, and abide with you forever. Amen."

A verse with a thought booklet urges us to pray and make thanksgivings for everyone. The thought that went with this says: Sometimes the challenges I meet in life are more easily overcome when I turn my attention to the needs of family and friends. I pray for them from a heart of love. During my quiet time with God, I consider the challenges faced by people throughout the world. I pray that all are well fed, clothed, and sheltered from the weather. I pray that every child has an opportunity to obtain an education and that every adult who is thirsting for knowledge has that longing satisfied. I pray for everyone who has lost a loved one and for those who are serving far from home. I pray for others, and I also do my very best to help them. The world is indeed a better place because of prayer and acts of kindness. I am blessed as I reach out--heart, and soul, thought and action--to others. 1 Tim. 2: 1 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;"
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