Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament we read the fate of those who refuse to hearken to the counsel of the Lord and turn from His reproof--He will not answer when they call to Him in their distress. However, those who deed heed the words of the Lord will dwell safely and their fears will be quieted. Prov. 1: 23-33 "Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil."

In the Book of Mormon I read Nephi's parting words, a very moving discourse that testifies of Christ. He says that his words are of great worth, but there are many who will harden their hearts against them and esteem them as things of naught. He said he prayed continaully for these people, weeping into his pillow at night, wanting to persuade them to do good and to believe in Christ so they could have eternal life. Hw showed great faith in Jesus Christ and great charity for the people, and hoped to meet many of them spotless before the judgment seat of Christ. 2 Ne. 33: 2-7 "But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught. But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry. And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal. And it speaketh harshly against sin, according to the plainness of the truth; wherefore, no man will be angry at the words which I have written save he shall be of the spirit of the devil. I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell. I have charity for my people, and great faith in Christ that I shall meet many souls spotless at his judgment-seat."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that it's important to be people of integrity and list some qualities that we must posses in order to demonstrate integrity--doing what's right, walking blamelessly, not slandering others, not doing evil to a friend, honoring those who fear the Lord, keeping our word, lending money without charging interest, and not taking bribes. We need to be the kind of people who can be trusted. Ps. 15: 1-5 "Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved."