Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that the word of God came to Zechariah the prophet telling the people to execute true judgment and mercy and have compassion on others. However, the people refused to listen, stopping up their ears so they wouldn't have to hear. They turned their hearts to stone and refused to hear the law. Because of this, the Lord would not hear them and scattered them as a whirlwind. Do we listen to what the prophets have to say to us and obey? Or do we plug or ears and refuse to listen? Zech. 7: 8-14 "And the word of the Lord came unto Zechariah, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts: But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate."

In the D&C I read that after Jesus was crucified, He went to the righteous dead and organized them, commissioning them to go forth and preach the gospel to the dead who had not received it when they were living. What a fair and just God--to give everyone an opportunity to accept the gospel and be baptized. If they weren't baptized in this life, they could receive this necessary ordinance vicariously. D&C 138: 25-37 "I marveled, for I understood that the Savior spent about three years in his ministry among the Jews and those of the house of Israel, endeavoring to teach them the everlasting gospel and call them unto repentance; And yet, notwithstanding his mighty works, and miracles, and proclamation of the truth, in great power and authority, there were but few who hearkened to his voice, and rejoiced in his presence, and received salvation at his hands. But his ministry among those who were dead was limited to the brief time intervening between the crucifixion and his resurrection; And I wondered at the words of Peter—wherein he said that the Son of God preached unto the spirits in prison, who sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah—and how it was possible for him to preach to those spirits and perform the necessary labor among them in so short a time. And as I wondered, my eyes were opened, and my understanding quickened, and I perceived that the Lord went not in person among the wicked and the disobedient who had rejected the truth, to teach them; But behold, from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead. And the chosen messengers went forth to declare the acceptable day of the Lord and proclaim liberty to the captives who were bound, even unto all who would repent of their sins and receive the gospel. Thus was the gospel preached to those who had died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets. These were taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, And all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for them to know in order to qualify themselves that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. And so it was made known among the dead, both small and great, the unrighteous as well as the faithful, that redemption had been wrought through the sacrifice of the Son of God upon the cross. Thus was it made known that our Redeemer spent his time during his sojourn in the world of spirits, instructing and preparing the faithful spirits of the prophets who had testified of him in the flesh; That they might carry the message of redemption unto all the dead, unto whom he could not go personally, because of their rebellion and transgression, that they through the ministration of his servants might also hear his words."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell the story of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man had an easy life of wealth but did nothing to help the poor Lazarus who sat at his gate day after day. It was within his power to help Lazarus, but he did nothing. It doesn't say he did anything cruel to him.  He didn't kick him or mock him as he passed him by. He merely neglected him. But in the next life he was sorely punsihed, while Lazarus received a great reward. How serious is it to neglect to do good when it's within our power to help people? Of course there is much suffering in the world and we can't save everyone. But if we're in tune with the Spirit, we can be guided in how we can help specific people who cross our path, not just financially but also by giving of our time and service. Or sometimes it may be by just saying the right thing they need to hear, providing a listening ear, or simply by lifting their day with a smile. Do we heed these promptings? Do we do what is within our power to do good for others? If not, we may be commiting a sin of omission which we'll be held accountable for. Another point I got out of this story is how the rich man wanted Lazarus to return from the dead to warn his five brothers to change their lives so they wouldn't end up like he did. But the rich man was told that if they wouldn't listen to the prophets, they wouldn't listen to someone who spoke to them from the dead. Even when someone receives visions of angels, they don't always change their lives permanently. Laman and Lemuel are a good example of that. And several people from Joseph Smith's day who had marvelous manifestations didn't remain faithful. We need to be willing to heed the words of the scriptures and the prophets. If we're not willing to do that, visitations from angels isn't going to help. Luke 16: 19-31 "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."


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