Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read the pleadings of David as he was trying to repent of his sins. He begged for forgiveness and wanted so much for the Lord to cleanse him from his iniquities. He asked the Lord to create in him a clean heart and renew a right spirit within him. When we commit sins, we likewise need to turn to the Lord for mercy and forgiveness and allow Him to clease us and make us new people. Ps. 51: 1-3, 7-10 "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

In the Book of Mormon I read Nephi's words to his rebelious brothers, recounting to them the marvelous things the Lord had done and how they had seen angels. However, they were swift to do iniquity and slow to remember the Lord. And when the Lord had tried to speak to them in a still, small voice, they were past feeling that they could not feel His words. So He had to speak to them with a voice of thunder that caused the earth to shake. When Nephi tried to explain the truth to his brothers, they became angry with him and wanted to throw him into the ocean, but the Lord protected him. Nephi was greatly grieved by the hardness of the hearts of his brothers. He pointed out to them that God was all powerful and if He commanded that water should become earth, it would happen. So how did they think that if God commanded him to build a ship, he wouldn't be able to do it? 1 Ne. 17: 45-51 "Ye are swift to do iniquity but slow to remember the Lord your God. Ye have seen an angel , and he spake unto you; yea, ye have heard his voice from time to time; and he hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words; wherefore, he has spoken unto you like unto the voice of thunder, which did cause the earth to shake as if it were to divide asunder. And ye also know that by the power of his almighty word he can cause the earth that it shall pass away; yea, and ye know that by his word he can cause the rough places to be made smooth, and smooth places shall be broken up. O, then, why is it, that ye can be so hard in your hearts? Behold, my soul is rent with anguish because of you, and my heart is pained; I fear lest ye shall be cast off forever. Behold, I am full of the Spirit of God, insomuch that my frame has no strength. And now it came to pass that when I had spoken these words they were angry with me, and were desirous to throw me into the depths of the sea; and as they came forth to lay their hands upon me I spake unto them, saying: In the name of the Almighty God, I command you that ye touch me not, for I am filled with the power of God, even unto the consuming of my flesh; and whoso shall lay his hands upon me shall wither even as a dried reed; and he shall be as naught before the power of God, for God shall smite him. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto them that they should murmur no more against their father; neither should they withhold their labor from me, for God had commanded me that I should build a ship. And I said unto them: If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done. And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship?"

Some scriptures with a thought booklet relate the story of the rich young man. He was a good man who had kept the commandments from his youth. But when the Savior told him that the one thing he lacked was to sell his riches and give to the poor, he went away sorrowing. He was not willing to give his all. He trusted more in his riches than he did in the Lord. What about us? If called upon, could we give up all our worldly possessions and trust in the Lord? Do we really put Him first in our lives? Mark 10: 17-25 "And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none agood but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 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."