Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read about how Nephi told his brothers that they needed to go back to Jerusalem and get the plates like the Lord had commanded them. He reminded them that God was mightier than tens of thousands of men and could do all things, just like He parted the Red Sea for Moses. 1 Ne. 4: 1-2 " And it came to pass that I spake unto my brethren, saying: Let us go up again unto Jerusalem, and let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; for behold he is mightier than all the earth, then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty, yea, or even than his tens of thousands? Therefore let us go up; let us be strong like unto Moses; for he truly spake unto the waters of the Red Sea and they divided hither and thither, and our fathers came through, out of captivity, on dry ground, and the armies of Pharaoh did follow and were drowned in the waters of the Red Sea."

In the New Testament I read the parable of the sower. When seed was sown in different types of soil, the results varied. So likewise when the seeds of the gospel are planted in different types of hearts, the results will vary. If a person has a stony heart, the Word of God cannot take root. If they receive the Word of God by the wayside where it cannot take root, Satan can quickly regain that person. It's easy for persecution and tribulation to offend a person who doesn't have the Word planted firmly in their heart. A seed planted among thorns is like a person who allows the cares of the world to choke out the Word. But seed planted on good ground can take root, grow, and bear fruit. Matthew 13: 18-23 "Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us to have charity toward others and show hospitality without being grudging about it. Just as we have been given much, we need to be good stewards of what we've received and likewise give to others. 1 Peter 4:8-10 "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."