Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read about how Lehi greatly feared for his sons Laman and Lemuel, afraid that they would be cast off from the presense of the Lord because of their wickedness. So he exhorted them with all the feeling of a tender parent, preached to them and prophesied to them and bade them to keep the commandments. In other words, he pleaded with them and did everything within his power to encourage them to choose the right. And then he ceased speaking to them. If we have a loved one who is going astray, it's important to do all without our power to encourage them to get back on the right path. But it may be counter productive to keep nagging them and nagging them if we're not getting anywhere. There may come a point where it's best to stop speaking for a time, at least about spiritual subjects. We never stop loving them or praying for them, but if their hearts are hardened, sometimes we need to cease speaking for a time and give them time to process all the things we've tried to tell them. It's such a difficult situation to be in--having a loved one who is wandering from the right path. The best way to handle it is to be in tune with the Spirit enough to know what to say to them and when to be silent. 1 Ne. 8: 36-38 "And it came to pass after my father had spoken all the words of his dream or vision, which were many, he said unto us, because of these things which he saw in a vision, he exceedingly feared for Laman and Lemuel; yea, he feared lest they should be cast off from the presence of the Lord. And he did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off; yea, my father did preach unto them. And after he had preached unto them, and also prophesied unto them of many things, he bade them to keep the commandments of the Lord; and he did cease speaking unto them."

In the New Testament I read the wonderful words proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus Christ: "He is not here: for He is risen." What a wonderful message of hope for all of us who have lost loved ones. They, too, will be resurrected and rise from the dead. We can know that this is true. Matthew 28:5-6 "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that the counsel of the Lord stands forever, and His thoughts are to all generations. The world and its standards may change over time, but the Lord stands firm in His counsel. What was wrong a hundred or a thousand years ago is still wrong today. Psalms 33:11 "The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations."


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