Daily Thoughts

A verse from the Old Testament tells us that a soft answer will turn away wrath, but anger is stirred up by grievous words. When someone is upset with us, how do we respond--with a soft answer or do we return their angry words? Instead of fueling the fires of contention, let's see what we can do to end it peacefully. Prov. 15: 1 "Soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

In the Book of Mormon I read about how the Lord said Abinidi to cry repentance unto the wicked King Noah and his people, but they would not harken to his words and were so angry with him that they wanted to kill him. Mosiah 11: 20-23, 27-29 "And it came to pass that there was a man among them whose name was Abinadi; and he went forth among them, and began to prophesy, saying: Behold, thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded me, saying, Go forth, and say unto this people, thus saith the Lord—Wo be unto this people, for I have seen their abominations, and their wickedness, and their whoredoms; and except they repent I will visit them in mine anger. And except they repent and turn to the Lord their God, behold, I will deliver them into the hands of their enemies; yea, and they shall be brought into bondage; and they shall be afflicted by the hand of their enemies. And it shall come to pass that they shall know that I am the Lord their God, and am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities of my people. And it shall come to pass that except this people repent and turn unto the Lord their God, they shall be brought into bondage; and none shall deliver them, except it be the Lord the Almighty God. Now when king Noah had heard of the words which Abinadi had spoken unto the people, he was also wroth; and he said: Who is Abinadi, that I and my people should be judged of him, or who is the Lord, that shall bring upon my people such great affliction? I command you to bring Abinadi hither, that I may slay him, for he has said these things that he might stir up my people to anger one with another, and to raise contentions among my people; therefore I will slay him. Now the eyes of the people were blinded; therefore they hardened their hearts against the words of Abinadi, and they sought from that time forward to take him. And king Noah hardened his heart against the word of the Lord, and he did not repent of his evil doings."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that the Lord knows and understands us completely. He knows our every thought, word, and action. No matter where we go, we cannot hide from Him. Darkness does not cover us--He can see us as clearly as if it were daytime. Hopefully, knowing this should help motivate us to think and do things we wouldn't mind the Lord knowing about! We may be able to fool other people, but we can't fool the Lord. Other people might blackmail us, mock us, or use what they know about us against us. The Lord is on our side and sent us a Savior so we could be forgiven for the wrongs we do. He knows us thoroughly, but still loves us and wants to help us. Ps. 139: 1-12 "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee."


----------------------------