Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read Jacob's prophecies that after those from Jerusalem should be slain and carried away captive, they would return again and the Holy One of Israel would manifest Himself to them in the flesh. They would crucify Him after they hardened their hearts against Him. The judgments of God would come upon them and they would be driven to and fro and afflicted. However the Lord would be merciful to them and they would be gathered again and come to the knowledge of their Redeemer. 2 Ne. 6: 8-11 "And now I, Jacob, would speak somewhat concerning these words. For behold, the Lord has shown me that those who were at Jerusalem, from whence we came, have been slain and carried away captive. Nevertheless, the Lord has shown unto me that they should return again. And he also has shown unto me that the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, should manifest himself unto them in the flesh; and after he should manifest himself they should scourge him and crucify him, according to the words of the angel who spake it unto me. And after they have hardened their hearts and stiffened their necks against the Holy One of Israel, behold, the judgments of the Holy One of Israel shall come upon them. And the day cometh that they shall be smitten and afflicted. Wherefore, after they are driven to and fro, for thus saith the angel, many shall be afflicted in the flesh, and shall not be suffered to perish, because of the prayers of the faithful; they shall be scattered, and smitten, and hated; nevertheless, the Lord will be merciful unto them, that when they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer, they shall be gathered together again to the lands of their inheritance."

In the New Testament I read how Paul quoted Isaiah in his prophecy about people who would hear but not understand and see but not perceive. Their ears would be dull of hearing and their eyes closed because their hearts had waxed gross. They refused to see and hear the gospel and would not understand with their hearts, because they did not want to be converted or healed. What a very sad state to be in! Do we ever hear things preached that we'd really rather not hear? Would we prefer not to be reminded of things we should be doing, nor chastized for things we're doing wrong? If we turn a deaf ear against such teachings, we too are fulfilling this prophecy by Isaiah from so long again. Acts 28:25-27 "And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet remind us that Jesus laid down his life for us willingly. No one had the power to take his life from Him. He had power to lay down his life and He had power to take it up again. And He did this for us, because He loves us so much! John 10:17-18 "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."
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