Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read that Lehi read and saw many things pertaining to Jerusalem and how it would be destroyed because of its abominations and would perish by the sword. As Lehi read these things, he exclaimed how great and marvelous the works of the Lord are, and praised God for His power, goodness, and mercy. 1 Ne. 1: 13-15 "And he read, saying: Wo, wo, unto Jerusalem, for I have seen thine abominations! Yea, and many things did my father read concerning Jerusalem—that it should be destroyed, and the inhabitants thereof; many should perish by the sword, and many should be carried away captive into Babylon. And it came to pass that when my father had read and seen many great and marvelous things, he did exclaim many things unto the Lord; such as: Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty! Thy throne is high in the heavens, and thy power, and goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth; and, because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish! And after this manner was the language of my father in the praising of his God; for his soul did rejoice, and his whole heart was filled, because of the things which he had seen, yea, which the Lord had shown unto him."

In the Pearl of Great Price I read about how Joseph Smith was under such intense persecution that he needed to leave his home because the situation was so intolerable. But under these trying circumstances, the Lord sent him a friend in Martin Harris who gave him $50 to assist him in his journey. So many times when we're having trials and tribulations, the Lord send us help in the form of other people. And if we're in tune with the Spirit, the Lord will inspire us on how we can assist others in the times of their troubles as well. Joseph Smith History 1:61 "The excitement, however, still continued, and rumor with her thousand tongues was all the time employed in circulating falsehoods about my father's family, and about myself. If I were to relate a thousandth part of them, it would fill up volumes. The persecution, however, became so intolerable that I was under the necessity of leaving Manchester, and going with my wife to Susquehanna county, in the State of Pennsylvania. While preparing to start—being very poor, and the persecution so heavy upon us that there was no probability that we would ever be otherwise—in the midst of our afflictions we found a friend in a gentleman by the name of Martin Harris, who came to us and gave me fifty dollars to assist us on our journey. Mr. Harris was a resident of Palmyra township, Wayne county, in the State of New York, and a farmer of respectability."


Some scriptures with a thought booklet seemed to be just what I needed to hear this morning. I woke up very troubled and fearful knowing I had a dentist appointment later this morning to have some work done on my teeth which I'm dreading. But these scripture verses seemed to be telling me not to be filled with dread and fear. The Lord will be with me and bear me up, fighting for me. The thought that went with this, written by Malinda Fillingim from Rome, Georgia, also helped comfort me. She said: I grew up without a father. Subsequently, I appreciate the way my husband has been such a great father for our two children. I remember how he used to calm them down and reassure them during many storms, literally and figuratively. No matter what the problem, they felt safe with their dad. Likewise, when we face obstacles and fears of life, we can be assured that our Heavenly Father is with us, carrying us and calming our fears. When we travel through unknown lands, when we face health problems, when we just feel lost in life, God is there. We are never alone. God's guidance is there for the asking. God's peace passes all understanding, and His presence goes before us to make clear the path and straight the road. When you feel overwhelmed and unable to go one more step, be assured of this one thing: God is carrying you and will not let go. Father of all, help me to see hope when I feel hpeless. Give me strength when I feel weak. When I dan no longer walk, carry me one more step. Make my faith bigger than my fears. Deuteronomy 1:29-31 "Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them. The Lord your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes; And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the Lord thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place."
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