Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament we read Ezekiel's prophecies about a Latter-day temple in Jerusalem. He proclaimed that a holy sanctuary would be part of the great reunification of Israel. And soon after this vision, he received a detailed vision of what the new temple would be like. President Joseph Fielding Smith said: Ezekiel predicted the building of a temple in Jerusalem which will be used for ordiance work after the gathering of Israel from their long dispersion and when they are cleansed from their transgressions. Ezek. 37: 26-28 "Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore."


In the D&C I read the power testimony of the Savior given by Joseph Smith who, along with Sidney Rigdon, saw Him, even on the right hand of God. And then while still in the Spirit, the Lord commanded them that they should write the vision down because Satan wanted to make war with the saints of God and sought to take the Kingdom. Have you ever had inspiration from the Lord as to how to proceed in your life and then later started having doubts about what you'd received? Or maybe you started questioning if it was really from the Lord? I think it's an important principle to write these things down when we first receive them so they stay fresh in our minds and so that we can re-read what the Lord gave us and it's more difficult for Satan to convince us that it was just our imagination. This might be a good thing to write in our journals. I know I've kept a daily journal every day of my life since March of 1967 (when I was 13 years old) and I've found re-reading it invaluable in many respects. However, often I've been more conscientious about recording mundane details about what TV shows I watched or what stores I shopped at while neglecting more important matters such as answers to prayers, and inspiration and guidance from the Lord. I need to work harder at doing a better job of recording these really important things! D&C 76: 23-24, 28-29 "For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father— That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God. And while we were yet in the Spirit, the Lord commanded us that we should write the vision; for we beheld Satan, that old serpent, even the devil, who rebelled against God, and sought to take the kingdom of our God and his Christ— Wherefore, he maketh war with the saints of God, and encompasseth them round about."


Some scriptures with a thought booklet remind us that the Lord chastens those He loves and that His rebukes are for our profit. Even though chastening can be painful and hard to bear when we receive it, if we endure it well, it will bring forth joyous fruit. The thought that went with this, written by Karen Asire from Greenville, South Carolina says: Seven-year old Addy came to her piano esson confident of her ability to play her pieces. As I listened, I noticed that she was playing one note incorrectly. After a word of praise, I gently pointed out the problem note. Addy interrupted, "No, that is not a D. I played it correctly." How could a seven-year old with only two months of lessons think she knew more than her teacher with a college degree? Yet we often act the same way towards God! As God gently points out problem areas in our lives, we try to defend ourselves. Little can be accomplished in our lives when a stubborn attitude prevails. As our Creator and Redeemer, God knows what disciple we need to help us grow toward greater godliness. With great humility, we need to submit to His correction. Lord, help me to humbly submit to your chastening hand. I recognize the great love you have for me and will strive to make my ways pleasing in your sight. Heb. 12: 5-11 "And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."






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