Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read about how the Lord came to Haggai and told him to speak to Zerubbabel, telling him that he would destroy the kingdoms of the wicked and overthrow their chariots, but that He had chosen Zerubbabel and would make of his a signet. Hag. 2: 20-23 "And again the word of the Lord came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying, Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother. In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts."

In the D&C I read about how we need to stop contending with one another and how we need to quit speaking evil of each other. Contention is of the devil. And there's an old saying that if you can't say something nice about another person, you should not say anything at all. D&C 136: 23 "Cease to contend one with another; cease to speak evil one of another."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet go right along with this, emphasizing how important the words we speak are. The tongue is a small thing. But just like a small helm can direct a large ship or a small bit in a horse's mouth can control him, so can the small tongue have a major impact in our life and the lives of those around us. The tongue can speak kind and gentle words that will soothe and comfort. Or it can speak bitter, angry words that will cause damage and pain. This should not be! Even though it's very difficult to rule the tongue, if we're wise we'll show only good conversation full of meekness. Our words can make all the difference in the world to those around us--for good or bad. Let's make sure our words edify and encourage and make a positive difference in the lives of others. James 3: 3-13 "Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom."


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