Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament it says that the wicked are like a troubled sea whose waters cast up dirt and mire and has no rest. There is no peace to the wicked. Isa. 57: 20-21 "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked."

In the Book of Mormon I read that the Lord will not strengthen the wicked unless they repent. And He chastised the Nephites for their sins, saying that the Lamanites were more righteous than they were because the Nephites were sinning against a greater light and knowledge, and unless they repented, they would be destroyed from off the face of the earth. Hel. 7: 23-28 "For behold, thus saith the Lord: I will not show unto the wicked of my strength, to one more than the other, save it be unto those who repent of their sins, and hearken unto my words. Now therefore, I would that ye should behold, my brethren, that it shall be better for the Lamanites than for you except ye shall repent. For behold, they are more righteous than you, for they have not sinned against that great knowledge which ye have received; therefore the Lord will be merciful unto them; yea, he will lengthen out their days and increase their seed, even when thou shalt be utterly destroyed except thou shalt repent. Yea, wo be unto you because of that great abomination which has come among you; and ye have united yourselves unto it, yea, to that secret band which was established by Gadianton! Yea, wo shall come unto you because of that pride which ye have suffered to enter your hearts, which has lifted you up beyond that which is good because of your exceedingly great riches! Yea, wo be unto you because of your wickedness and abominations! And except ye repent ye shall perish; yea, even your lands shall be taken from you, and ye shall be destroyed from off the face of the earth."

Some verses with a thought booklet admonish us to love our enemies and to do good for and pray for those who hate and persecute us. Is that easy to do? Absolutely not! But if we are truly to be Christ's disciples, we must follow His example and love even those who are difficult to love. And if we do that, we'll find joy in our own lives. Matt. 5: 43-44 "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"