Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read about how some of those who were able to taste of the love of God became ashamed when the people of the world scoffed at them and mocked them. We need to care more about what the Lord thinks that what other people think. 1 Ne. 8: 25-28 "And I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood. And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world. And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood. And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree. And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost. And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree."

In the New Testament we read a good example of what peer pressure can do. Pilate had a decision to make--to release one of two prisoners. He could release Barabbas, a criminal, or he could release Jesus, who he knew was innocent. His wife pleaded with him to release Jesus, saying she had had a disturbing dream regarding Him. But the crowd cried out that they wanted Barbabbas released and that Jesus should be crucified. So against his better judgment, and claiming to wash his hands of Jesus' innocent blood, he delivered Him to be crucified. Are we sometimes afraid to stand up to the crowd and do what we know to be right? Or are we firm and steadfast no matter what other people might say? Matthew 27:15-26 "Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet really put worldly wealth into perspective. A man asked Jesus to speak to his brother to get him to divide their inheritance with him. But instead, Jesus explained to the man how worldly goods were really of no eternal value. We can built up great wealth, even so much that we think we need to build bigger houses to contain all our possessions. But what good is all that going to do when we die, as we all will do. We can't take it with us! Instead of worrying about worldly treasures, we need to make sure we are rich toward God. Instead of worrying about how our investments are doing, we need to be asking ourselves how WE are doing in following the Savior. That's what really counts. Luke 12:13-21 "And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
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