Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read that after the many marvelous things were shown to Lehi concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, he went forth among the people prophesying unto them that they needed to repent or be destroyed. Instead of repenting, the people mocked him, were angry with him, and threatened to cast him out and slay him. However, the tender mercies of the Lord are with those who have faith, even unto the power of deliverance. 1 Ne. 1: 18-20 "Therefore, I would that ye should know, that after the Lord had shown so many marvelous things unto my father, Lehi, yea, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, behold he went forth among the people, and began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard. And it came to pass that the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them; for he truly testified of their wickedness and their abominations; and he testified that the things which he saw and heard, and also the things which he read in the book, manifested plainly of the coming of a Messiah, and also the redemption of the world. And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance."

In the Pearl of Great Price I read about how the Aaronic Priesthood was restored to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and they were able to baptized each other by the authority of this priesthood. Joseph Smith History 1:68-71 "We still continued the work of translation, when, in the ensuing month (May, 1829), we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying: Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness. He said this Aaronic Priesthood had not the power of laying on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, but that this should be conferred on us hereafter; and he commanded us to go and be baptized, and gave us directions that I should baptize Oliver Cowdery, and that afterwards he should baptize me. Accordingly we went and were baptized. I baptized him first, and afterwards he baptized me—after which I laid my hands upon his head and ordained him to the Aaronic Priesthood, and afterwards he laid his hands on me and ordained me to the same Priesthood—for so we were commanded."

A verse from a thought booklet tells us to consider it joy whenever we face trials or afflictions of any kind. (The King James Version uses the word "temptations" but the Joseph Smith Translation clarifies this to mean "afflictions.") So how do we find joy in afflictions? I heard the story of a mother with a bad cough who had a son who was also ill with a fever of 103. She felt she needed to go to the emergency room with him, but was just dreading it. Sure enough, it was a horrible ordeal lasting over six hours. On the drive home from the hospital the little boy remakred, "This was the best day ever!" His mother was shocked and asked him how he could possibly think that had been a good day. He said, "I got to spend the day with you." His answer softened her heart. It's so easy to focus on the challenges instead of the blessings, but we can easily change our attitude about the storms of life if we concentrate on what we have to be grateful for and look for the good in every situation. James 1:2 "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations."
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