Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read about how the king read in his records about some great things Mordecai had done for which he had not been honored. So he asked Haman what should be done for someone the king wanted tohonor. Haman, great ego that he had, figured the king wanted to honor him and thought up some things he'd like done for himself. However, to his horror, Haman discovered that Mordecai was the one the king wanted to honor and he was forced to do the things for Mordecai that he'd wanted done for himself. He was very sorrowful when he recounted these events to his wife and friends. Esth. 6: 1-13 "On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him. And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward acourt of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in. So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself? And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head: And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour. Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken. Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour. And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him."

In the D&C I read the admonition that we need to stop contending with one another and stop speaking evil of each other. If we heeded this advice, how much happier would our relationships be? How much more peace would we have in our homes? How much better would be get along with our friends, neighbors and coworkers? Indeed, without contention and evil speaking, this would be a much more harmonious world to live in. D&C 136: 23 "Cease to contend one with another; cease to speak evil one of another."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if we seek the Lord with all our heart and soul, we will find Him. Do we really do this? If our efforts to seek the Lord are half hearted or lukewarm, we won't get results. But if we put our whole hearts and souls into seeking Him, we WILL find Him. That's especially important to remember today, on Christmas.  In all the hussle and bussle of dinners and presents and decorations, let's not forget the true purpose of the season--to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Let's remember to seek Him on this special day.  Deut. 4: 29 "But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul."
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