Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read the contrast between Nephi and his brothers, Laman and Lemuel, in how they handled trying to understand the things their father had taught them, which were difficult to understand. Nephi inquired of the Lord and diligently sought to understand them. As a result, he received visions of his own and was shown the things his father saw. But his brothers, who had hardened their hearts, just grumbled and complained about not understqnding, and said they didn't bother inquiring of the Lord because He "maketh no such thing known unto us." They didn't bother keeping the commandments and they didn't bother to pray. Was it any wonder the Lord did not reveal things to them? If we expect to get answers from the Lord, we need to do our part--keep the commandments and diligently ask in faith. 1 Ne. 15: 1-11 "And it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had been carried away in the spirit, and seen all these things, I returned to the tent of my father. And it came to pass that I beheld my brethren, and they were disputing one with another concerning the things which my father had spoken unto them. For he truly spake many great things unto them, which were hard to be understood, save a man should inquire of the Lord; and they being hard in their hearts, therefore they did not look unto the Lord as they ought. And now I, Nephi, was grieved because of the hardness of their hearts, and also, because of the things which I had seen, and knew they must unavoidably come to pass because of the great wickedness of the children of men. And it came to pass that I was overcome because of my afflictions, for I considered that mine afflictions were great above all, because of the destruction of my people, for I had beheld their fall. And it came to pass that after I had received strength I spake unto my brethren, desiring to know of them the cause of their disputations. And they said: Behold, we cannot understand the words which our father hath spoken concerning the natural branches of the olive-tree, and also concerning the Gentiles. And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord? And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us. Behold, I said unto them: How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? How is it that ye will perish, because of the hardness of your hearts? Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you."

In the New Testament I read the parable of the lost sheep and about how a shepherd who has lost one sheep will go and look for it, even though he had 99 other sheep. And when he finds it, he will rejoice. So does God rejoice over one lost soul who returns to Him. And a woman who loses a coin will search diligently until she finds it and rejoice with her friends that she has found it. So likewise will God rejoice over one sinner who repents. We are value to God. Every one of us is precious in His sight. Luke 15:2-10 "And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us to love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other. The most important thing we can do in this life is to love and serve each other. If we're too busy to take time with another person when they might need us, then perhaps we're too busy. Romans 12:10 "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;"