Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament it says that if we give to the poor, we won't lack, but if we hide our eyes and refuse to see the needs of others, we'll be cursed. Prov. 28: 27 "He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse."

In the Book of Mormon I read about the conversion of Amulek and how he had hardened his heart against the things of God and rebelled against him but then an angel came to him and commanded him to provide food and shelter for Alma. He testified that Alma was sent from God and spoke the truth. Alma 10: 4-10 "And behold, I am also a man of no small reputation among all those who know me; yea, and behold, I have many kindreds and friends, and I have also acquired much riches by the hand of my industry. Nevertheless, after all this, I never have known much of the ways of the Lord, and his mysteries and marvelous power. I said I never had known much of these things; but behold, I mistake, for I have seen much of his mysteries and his marvelous power; yea, even in the preservation of the lives of this people. Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against God, in the wickedness of my heart, even until the fourth day of this seventh month, which is in the tenth year of the reign of the judges. As I was journeying to see a very near kindred, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto me and said: Amulek, return to thine own house, for thou shalt feed a prophet of the Lord; yea, a holy man, who is a chosen man of God; for he has fasted many days because of the sins of this people, and he is an hungered, and thou shalt receive him into thy house and feed him, and he shall bless thee and thy house; and the blessing of the Lord shall rest upon thee and thy house. And it came to pass that I obeyed the voice of the angel, and returned towards my house. And as I was going thither I found the man whom the angel said unto me: Thou shalt receive into thy house—and behold it was this same man who has been speaking unto you concerning the things of God. And the angel said unto me he is a holy man; wherefore I know he is a holy man because it was said by an angel of God.0 And again, I know that the things whereof he hath testified are true; for behold I say unto you, that as the Lord liveth, even so has he sent his angel to make these things manifest unto me; and this he has done while this Alma hath dwelt at my house."

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that when we've been converted we need to strenghten our brethren. This goes right along with what we just read in the Book of Mormon. After Amulek was converted, he went about preaching to other people and trying to help them find the gospel as well. When we've found the gospel in our lives, we should want to share it with others so they can receive the wonderful blessings that we've received. Luke 22: 32 "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."